From Disability Scoop online: Should Asperger's Be An Excuse? From wandering to inclusion, NBC's "Parenthood" has put disability issues at the forefront since its debut in 2010. Now, the show is set to take on whether or not disability should be used as an excuse.
Have you heard of the Kids on the Block? Parent to Parent of Yakima offers this disability awareness program for children in Pre-K through 3rd grade. Trained teen puppeteers bring the Kids on the Block puppets to life as they share about issues relating to disability, acceptance, and inclusion! For more information on how to start a disability awareness program using puppets, contact Amy Berkheimer at (509) 574-3234.
April is Autism Awareness month! The UW Autism Center has a calendar of free events which will be posted on their website in early March.
March 2012
3/6 - 3/7: Autism Works National Conference - St. Louis, MO. The only national conference focused on autism employment. Agendas, articles and registration on Facebook at Autism Works National Conference.
3/7 to 3/9: Special Education Conference: Improving Special Education & Related Services to Students of All Ages - A Professional Continuing Education Conference in Seattle. Click here for more info.
3/13 - 14: From Spectrum Training Systems, Inc. - Special Needs Workshop in Seattle "Critical Strategies for Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders". Click here for more info.
3/24: Connections Conference on Early Childhood - Mt. Vernon. Info, registration fee & scholarship applications available here, or call (360) 629-8181 for more info.
3/24: Families United Conference for Spanish Speaking Families - Sunnyside High School. Call (509) 837-8909 for more info.
3/30: Family Support Conference - Spokane. Contact Helen Black, Spokane P2P at (509) 328-6326, ext. 220.
3/30: 33rd Annual Duncan Seminar, "Adulthood Here We Come: Smoothing the Healthcare Transition for Kids with Disabilities" - Seattle Children's Hospital. Limited scholarships available; contact Marianne Gonterman at (206) 987-5318 for more info.
April 2012
April is Autism Awareness month!
4/4 - 5: From Spectrum Training Systems, Inc. - Special Needs Workshop in Seattle "Behavioral Interventions for Challenging Students". Click here for more info.
4/12: Intervention & the Dyslexia Friendly Classroom - Lecture presented in Seattle by the WA State Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Click here for more info.
4/16 - 17: "Addressing the Behavior, Social, Sensory, and Self-Regulation Needs of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders" workshop, a training opportunity through the Autism Outreach Project. Click here for more information.
May 2012
(TBA): Balance Disorders: Diagnosis & Treatment - A free Childhood Communication Center Family Information Series from Seattle Children's. Call (206) 987-4209 for more info.
5-2 to 5/4: Infant and Early Childhood Conference. Click here for more info.
5/17: Understanding the Law: Special Education & 504 Services in the Public Schools - Lecture in Seattle presented by the WA State Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Click here for more info.
July 2012
7/30 - 8/2: Combined Institute on Special Education - Wenatchee. Click here for more info. 
