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Families Together Staff travel to DC
Connie Zienkewicz, Executive Director, and Lesli Girard, Program Director, spent much of last week in Washington, DC with partners from the Kansas State Department of Education and across the nation. Click here for the inside scoop on the conference and how the fed's attention will the shift from focusing simply on states' compliance with IDEA to student success.
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Back to School for the Child with Learning Disabilities
Gearing up for a new school year can be challenging for students. After a few months of sleeping in, leisure activities, maybe even extra time with mom or dad, few kids are eager to wake up bright and early and spend the day in a classroom.
But this transition from summer to school can be particularly difficult for students with learning disabilities (LD). Here are 7 Tips by Sheldon Horowitz, Ph.D., Director of Professional Services for the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) on how to make the transition a little easier for the student and parent.
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iPad App Helps Families Advocate
"Telling Your Story" app is a tool for persons with disabilities, families and advocates to compose and practice their personal story. Many times they are asked to present their story to elected public officials or other policymakers when seeking policy changes or increasing awareness about disability issues. This app guides users through the steps of introducing yourself, identifying the specific issue and the best methods for presenting a compelling personal story. Click here for the quick tutorial on how to download and use the app.
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Dyslexia Basics
Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Schools can implement academic accommodations and modifications to help students with dyslexia succeed. Click here to read this quick fact sheet about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for dyslexia.
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Keeping Siblings Safe From Challenging Behaviors 
Because individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder may exhibit self-destructive or aggressive behaviors, young siblings may observe behaviors that are scary and possibly dangerous on a daily basis. Very young children, in particular, may observe their parents' distress and intervention and have an emotional response to it, before they are able to articulate their questions and concerns.
Depending on the nature of the challenging behaviors, siblings may also need some reassurance for their safety. Unfortunately, stories that involve injury or bodily harm, even to parents, are not that rare and the anxiety some children may feel for their safety is a valid concern. The most important part is that the sibling know what to do in the situation, feel confident that they are safe, and that their parents will keep everyone safe. Read more
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LRE Applies To Transition Age Students Too
 By law, students with disabilities are to be included in general education to the maximum extent appropriate. Now, federal officials at the Education Department say the same tenet of inclusion should apply to transition to adulthood as well.
Guidance issued recently from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that the requirement in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, that students be placed in the "least restrictive environment" extends beyond the confines of the classroom. Specifically, the concept should apply to work placements if such experiences are part of a student's individualized education program, or IEP. Read More
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Contact Us
Topeka Parent Center 
(785) 233-4777 or (800) 264-6343
Garden City Parent Center
(620) 276-6364 or (888) 820-6364
Kansas City Parent Center
(913) 287-1970 or (877) 499-5369
Wichita Parent Center
(316) 945-7747 or (888) 815-6364
Statewide Spanish Parent Line
(800) 499-9443
Wichita Administrative Center
(316) 945-7747 or (888) 815-6364
All toll free numbers are for Kansas parents & education advocates.
www.familiestogetherinc.org
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Education Advocate Training
August 30, 2012
Topeka
E3 Series
September 6, 2012
Kansas City
Step by Step Walk
September 8, 2012
Sedgwick County Park
Wichita
E3 Series
October 4, 2012
Kansas City
Family Enrichment Weekend
October 5-6, 2012
Spanish
Special Education
Team Empowerment Conference
October 8, 2012
Education Advocate Training
October 16, 2012
Wichita
Transition Team
Empowerment Conference
October 20, 2012
Liberal
E3 Series
November 1, 2012
Kansas City
Pilgrim Pacer Race
November 10, 2012
Kansas City
Statewide Conference
*NEW FORMAT!
March 8-9, 2013
Topeka
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 Serving Kansas families and their sons and daughters for more than 30 years. Families Together, Inc. is the statewide organization that assists parents and their sons and daughters with disabilities. Our program's mission is to encourage, educate, and empower families to be effective advocates for their children. |
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