Parent to Parent of Washington State Newsletter

September2011

A Program of the Arc of Washington State 

 

1-800-821-5927

 

As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.
-Author Unknown 

Welcome back to school and fall everyone, I do hate to see our summer over already. But looks like we will have a nice Labor Day. Yahoo. It was always bittersweet sending the kids back to school, in that I wanted them busy and out of the house, but hated to get back into the homework and all of the activities...busy, busy, busy.

 

With that said, Terry and I are now empty-nesters for the first time. Our youngest Molly has gone off to college. I packed my last lunch after 25 years and have not gotten up at 6am since. That all feels great, but the house is very quiet and I am now looking for a hobby (it is also very clean).

 

Take care of yourselves and thanks for all that you do! 

- Susan

Calendar of Events

 
NEW RESOURCES:

   

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) just celebrated its 21st anniversary in July! President Obama announced in a proclamation that his administration has supported and signed The Convention on the Rights of People with Developmental Disabilities (www.disabilitiesatwork.org).

 

Shifting Trends in Special Education (pdf)- a report that examines trends in the number of special education students and personnel at both the national and state levels from 2000-01 to 2009-10.

 

A new guide from Autism Speaks offers parents step-by-step instructions on how to obtain special education services from their school district. Click here to download a copy.

 

"Pediatric Massage: A Nurturing Intervention for Autism" - An article by Tina Allen, LMT, CPMMT, CPMT, CIMT

  

"Inclusive Employment Model Gaining Steam" (Article in Disability Scoop) - Inspired by Walgreens' efforts to bring people with disabilities into the workforce, another Fortune 500 company is giving inclusive employment a try.

 

Sound Options Group L.L.C. offers consulting, training and facilitation services such as mediation in Special Education, IEP Meeting facilitation, and mediation for early intervention services.

 

United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. (USSA) - a 501(c)(3) non-profit "dream wish" granting charity that specializes in sending critically ill and disabled youth and disabled veterans on the outdoor adventure of their dreams.

 

The Endangered Missing Person Advisory (EMPA) is a program created July 2010 with voluntary cooperation among broadcasters, cable systems, law enforcement agencies, state agencies, and other participants to enhance the ability to recover a missing, endangered person.

 

Article: Schools Put iPad, Apps to Use to Help Special Needs Students - Touch screen provides immediate feedback...

 

September 2011

 

9/15: Autism 200 Lecture Series presents "Autism 209: Anxiety"; Seattle Children's Hospital Autism Center, 7-8:30pm. Call (206) 987-8080 to register.

 

9/17: Puget Sound Autism Walk benefiting Autism Speaks - at the Seattle Center. Click on the link above for more info or call 1-866-362-6277.

 

9/19 & 10/8 - HANDLE Presentations - Shoreline. Free presentations to learn about neurodevelopment and a gentle way to improve brain function. Click here to RSVP.

 

9/26-28: 28th Annual Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education and the Law - Portland, OR. Click here to register.

 

October 2011

 

10/3: Book release workshop by Autismpartnership.org "Teaching Social Skills That Change Lives: Developing Meaningful Relationships", 9:00am to 3:00pm in Seattle. For more information, contact 1-800-816-9293 or click here to e-mail.

 

10/3 - 4: Washington Co-Occuring Disorders and Treatment Conference: Maintaining Quality During Times of Reform - Yakima. Click here for more details, or call 1-877-922-6635.

 

10/8: Washington State Fathers' Network State Conference, 8:30am to 4:30pm in Redmond.  Registration materials will be available mid-August. If you have questions, contact Greg Schell at (425) 653-4286 or by e-mail here.

 

10/8: The Colors of Autism: 3rd Annual Gala dinner and auction benefiting the Seattle Children's Autism Center - Seattle. Cocktails and silent auction start at 5:00pm followed by dinner and live auction. Click here to register or call (206) 236-6167 for more info.

 

10/20: Autism 200 Lecture Series presents "Autism 210: Addressing Challenging Behaviors at Home"; Seattle Children's Hospital Autism Center, 7-8:30pm. Call (206) 987-8080 to register.

 

10/20 - 21: "Thinking About You, Thinking About Me, and Organized Thinking" by Michelle Garcia Winner in Tacoma. Michelle will present her latest strategies for teaching & treating students with high-functioning Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, Non-verbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) and similar social & communication challenges. Click here for more info.

 

10/22: ADD Resources Fall Conference - "Understanding ADHD: Keys to Success", 8:30am to 5:30pm in Bellevue. Keynote presenter is Rick Green of "ADD and Loving It?!" Click here for more info.

 

10/27 - 29: WAEYC 2011 Annual Conference in Bellevue. Click here for more information.

 

10/27 - 30: US Autism & Aspergers Association (USAAA) World Conference "Autism and Treatment: A Road to Wellness" - Seattle, WA. Click here for more information.

 

10/29: A Full Spectrum of the Arts: An Evening of Autistic Expression - Holiday Inn at SeaTac. The Autism Society of WA presents a dinner and creative arts program in conjunction with the US Autism & Asperger Association World Conference. Contact Connie Allison at (360) 515-8910 for more info.

 

November 2011

 

11/17: Autism 200 Lecture Series presents "Autism 211: Combating Isolation and Finding Support"; Seattle Children's Hospital Autism Center, 7-8:30pm. Call (206) 987-8080 to register.

 

December 2011
 
12/2: Future Horizons' and Sensory World's 2011 Conference - Seattle. With Dr. Temple Grandin, Jennifer McIlwee Myers, and Maria Wheeler. Click here for more info and to register.

Resource Links

Resource Links now on website:
 
Click here to access the links.
 
fall border

Our Sponsors:
Arc of Washington State

 
Dept. of Health/CSHCN Program

  

Division of Developmental Disabilities

Join Our Mailing List

P2P is online!

Facebook

Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.

-Bill Dodds 

Quick Links

 

 

P2PUSA Logo