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May 14, 2012 

Proposed Draft Revisions to DSM

The fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is scheduled to be published in May 2013. If you are curious about the rewrites of diagnostic criteria, check this site for DSM-V revision proposals.

Also read this New York Times article on some of the debate over diagnoses.

Office of Early Learning

The newly-established Office of Early Learning (OEL) now has a web site to provide timely information on the early learning programs and initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education. The Office of Early Learning (OEL) is the principal office charged with supporting the Department's Early Learning Initiative with the goal of improving the health, social-emotional, and cognitive outcomes for children from birth through third grade, so that all children, particularly those with high needs, are on track for graduating from high school college- and career-ready.

Report finds more childhood disabilities are not physical

UCP SmartBrief
More U.S. families report having a child with a disability, with fewer of those disabilities being physical in nature, according to a study released Tuesday by researchers from Princeton University and the Brookings Institution. Researchers noted in the report that the lack of available data on the numbers of children with disabilities over time makes it "difficult to resolve the controversy over how much of the increase in disability reflects changes in incidence or changes in definition and diagnosis." The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)

Article on Robotic Assistance for Kids

CNET Blog Network 

"At the end of five years we'd like to have robots that can guide a child toward long-term educational goals, be customized for the particular needs of that child, and basically grow and develop with the child..."

Dana was puzzled and concerned when her toddler's speech development was not keeping up with her peers. Although friends offered reassurance, Dana was glad she pursued testing after the results yielded a diagnosis of apraxia.

After Katelyn began receiving Early Intervention services, a therapist referred Dana to Raising Special Kids. And when she attended a workshop she found other parents who could relate to her experience. "That was the first time I ever felt like somebody 'got it'."

Dana went on to become a Parent Leader. "I'm getting to meet so many other parents and assist other families. I love being there to share with other families."

Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Dana's. Please make your donation today through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.

Toolkit for Families

The Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB) defines children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) as those at "increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions that require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required of children generally." Families of kids with special needs may benefit from tools provided by The National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) including general tips and tools for families as they navigate the health care system.

Youth Connections Community of Practice

The Youth Connections Community of Practice (CoP) enables practitioners in the youth employment field to discuss and share promising practices and technical assistance, and to network. Youth Connections is hosted by the Division of Youth Services in the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA). It is designed for professionals involved in youth workforce development issues and providing opportunities for lifelong learning and skill enhancement for youth, especially those who have dropped out of school youth or face other obstacles to employment.

Make the First Five Count

Free online developmental milestones screening tool.   

IDEA, Civil Rights and School Data

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law ensuring services to children with disabilities in public schools. If you are curious about the implementation of IDEA, try starting here http://idea.ed.gov/, and find data on your school and district related to civil rights at http://ocrdata.ed.gov/. The Elementary/Secondary Information System (ELSi) is a web application that allows users to quickly view public and private school data and create custom tables and charts: http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/elsi/.

Safe Diabetes Sitter Caregiver Workshop

Providing Diabetes Education and Demo Learning Offering Parents a Resource for Potential Sitter(s) and Childcare Provider(s) - sponsored by the American Diabetes Association

Saturday, May 26, 2012

8:30 a.m. to Noon

2108 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016

-       Who is the Workshop for? Youth 13 + years, Grandparents, Neighbors, Sitters, Potential Sitters, Child Care Providers, etc., Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. There will be 10 spots reserved for youth under the age of 18.

-       What will the Workshop offer?

1.      A Basic Understanding of Diabetes
2.      Diabetes Management
3.      Symptoms and Treatment of High and Low Blood Sugar
4.      How to Monitor Blood Sugar Levels
5.      Insulin Administration/Insulin Pump Basics
6.      Carbohydrate Counting
7.      Glucagon Administration

• Workshop is free to attend. 30 participant spots
• Registration is required to ensure adequate supplies.

Once you've completed the workshop, and if you request, your name can be added to the American Diabetes Association Safe Diabetes Sitter Directory. For more information or to register, please call Anne Dennis at (602) 861-4731 ext. 7096

Webinars on Medicaid and CHIP

The Catalyst Center is hosting a 5-part webinar series to provide an overview of the newly released Medicaid/CHIP Tutorial, Public Insurance Programs and Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Tutorial on the Basics of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This webinar series will provide an overview of the tutorial, which includes sections about pathways to coverage, financing, service delivery models, quality measurement and improvement, and eligibility changes under the Affordable Care Act. 

Next Webinar: Webinar #2: Understanding the Basics:  Medicaid & CHIP Programs and Building Partnerships with  Stakeholders.  Also check the pdf downloadable resource: http://hdwg.org/sites/default/files/MedicaidTutorial.pdf.

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
12:00 pm ET (9:00 am AZ time) - 1:00 pm ET

Down Syndrome Research Study

The Down Syndrome Research Group at the University Of Arizona in Tucson is conducting a study of learning in Down Syndrome (ages 8-late adulthood). This study is examining individual's use of differing strategies to solve problems, their memory skills, and their skills in motor learning. Contact: Down Syndrome Research Group Department of Psychology, Phone: 520-626-0244 or Email: jedgin@email.arizona.edu

KidsCare II Public Training Session.
On May 29, 2012, AHCCCS is conducting a public training session to provide an overview of the KidsCare II program and eligibility requirements. Additional information is available at these links: Public Training Session 5/29/12, or KidsCare II

Win a Mobility-Equipped Van in National Contest

The Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues supports the inaugural National Mobility Awareness Month in May. The theme is "Life Moving Forward," which is also the central focus of a contest that will present three winners around the nation a custom wheelchair-accessible vehicle. To enter the contest, individuals or caregivers tell their story in writing or in a video and submit it to MobilityAwarenessMonth.com. Video submissions will be posted on YouTube. The public can vote for their favorite story until May 13 on Facebook and other social media platforms. The Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles will be given away to the winners May 16-31.

Media contact:  Lisa Honebrink, 602-262-6180, or lisa.honebrink@phoenix.gov    

Workshop sponsored by Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

An Educational Workshop on Aging, Dementia, and Developmental Disabilities

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Desert Willow Conference Center, 4340 East Cotton Center Blvd., Phoenix, Arizona

Who should attend? The workshop is designed to provide helpful information to families, direct care workers, clinicians, program staff, and administrators concerned about or involved with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities affected by dementia.

Cost: $40

For more information: http://aadmd.org/page/ntg-dementia-preconference-agenda

To register:  http://aadmd.org/articles/annualconference-pricing-and-registration . 

The 13th Annual Arizona Survivors of Suicide Conference

Saturday, May 19, 2012

8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 North 25th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021

Sponsored by EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center

The day will be focused on Hope and Healing, utilizing a lecture format, discussion, and experiential exercises designed to deepen and expand the understanding of grief, specifically as it relates to loss by suicide.

Conference Objectives:

• To increase knowledge about the dynamics of grief after suicide
• To explore opportunities in the grieving process for personal growth, which can lead survivors out of a tunnel of despair, into a journey of hope and acceptance
• To provide a forum for survivors to learn new coping skills

Cost: Survivors - $10.00, Professionals - $15.00

Registration due by Monday, May 14th, 2012. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is preferred; lunch will be based on availability.  For more information or questions, please contact Sandra McNally at 480-784-1514, ext. 1219 or Sandra.McNally@empact-spc.com  

Hydrocephalus Support Group Meeting

Barrow Neurological Institute

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) Support Group Meeting

When: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Where: Sonntag Academic Pavilion, Barrow Neurological Institute, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Parking: Park in the 3rd Avenue Garage & cross 3rd Avenue at crosswalk

Once across the street, continue straight into building marked Sonntag Academic Pavilion

Guest Speaker: Joseph Zabramski, MD, Co-Director, Barrow NPH Center - Nationally recognized in the treatment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.  Please RSVP to Maggie Bobrowitz by e-mail: info@hydroassoc.org

2012 National Transition Conference: College and Careers for Youth with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will be sponsoring the 2012 National Transition Conference. The conference, held in Washington, DC from May 30, 2012 through June 1, 2012, will bring together professionals and families to discuss the transition from school to adult life for people with disabilities. Register or get more information here.

**A scholarship is available through Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona's LEAP Program. Call (520) 324-3153

for information and application.

8th Annual Summer Institute on Inclusive Practices

June13-14, 2012, Phoenix, AZ

Early Bird Registration until May 20^th. Additional discounts are available for family members, self-advocates, and students.

See Trainings/Registration page for more details: www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1007985 

For questions contact Sherry Mulholland, AZ WINS Coordinator, mulhollandmatsutakeout@yahoo.com  or (520)603-4010.

Free Class from NAMI Arizona

Family to Family is a free, 12-week course for families, partners and friends of individuals with serious mental illness taught by trained NAMI family members and caregivers of individuals living with mental illness. The course examines the emotional responses families have to the trauma of mental illness; many family members describe their experience in the program as life-changing.

Starts Saturday, June 16, 2012, 10 am to 12:30 pm

Mary's Mission Clinic

736 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ 85201

Registration required. Contact 602-759-8177

Raising Special Kids' Parent Leaders share valuable experience and knowledge with new parents. As mentors they build confidence, increase advocacy skills, and provide support that decreases the isolation and grief new parents often feel when learning of a child's disability. Last year, Parent Leaders mentored 360 new parents. 0ver 90% reported they improved their ability to work with professionals, and their ability to provide for their child's needs, services, and care.

For information about Parent Leader Training, contact Janna Murrell at Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

"Our partnership with Raising Special Kids is invaluable and it increases our ability to look at program improvements that enhance member satisfaction." 

-- Judie Walker, Ombudsman / Member Advocate, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan 

To register, call 602-242-4366 or click on the link to register online.

Unless otherwise indicated, workshops are located at our office in the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC).

Please do not wear fragrances in the DEC facilities.

Raising Special Kids

5025 E. Washington St., Suite 204

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Positive Behavior Support

May 17, 2012

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Training on effective techniques for behavior management.

En Español

Por favor llamar al 602-242-4366 o 800-237-3007 para confirmar su asistencia a los talleres. Somos una oficina libre de fragancias.

Disability Empowerment Center

Raising Special Kids

5025 E. Washington St., #204,

Phoenix, AZ 85034.

Es su Hijo Blanco de Burlas?

May 21, 2012

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Estrategias de Intervención para Padres de Niños con Discapacidades. Una forma de abuso en la escuela a través de la intimidación, tiranía y aislamiento.