CASE logo
In This Issue
Peer Match Program
Students Fighting Stigma
Dysgraphia in Children with ADHD
Special Ed Advocate Top 5
Karate Can Do Program
Quick Links

     

DONATE    
Your support will help to defray operating costs.

LogoEvanston Citizens for Appropriate Special Education (CASE) is a community advocacy organization working to improve the range, quality and accessibility of special education services in Evanston/Skokie District 65 and ETHS District 202.

We provide information and support for parents of children with special needs through Parent Connections meetings and our CASEline number.
We are commited to advancing disability awareness in the Evanston community.

Like us on Facebook
Join Our Mailing List

On the CASE 

June 2014

Hello Evanston CASE community,

 

We're in the home stretch of the 2013-14 school year.  Hard to believe how fast it's gone.  I hope that as you have had annual reviews, developed transition plans and final discussions about your child's educational plan, you are satisfied with the outcome.  If not, we are here to help.  Call our CASEline at (847) 566-8676.

 

In this issue:

  • Special Needs Peer Matching Program
  • Teens Try to Challenge Stigma of Depression in a New York Times OpEd
  • Recognizing Dysgraphia in students with ADHD
  • Check out the Wrightslaw "Top 5" 
  • "Karate Can Do" Program

I hope you find this information useful.  Wishing you an enjoyable summer.

 

Warm regards,

 

Cari Levin, LCSW

Founding Director

Evanston CASE 

 

Special Needs Peer Match Program

 

Everyone deserves a friend.  It's that simple.  However, finding a friend for your special needs child is not always so easy. 

Dawn Villarreal of "One Place for Special Needs" created the Special Needs Peer Match program so families can come together and foster friendships between their children.  "As the mom of two special needs kids, I know the sting of your child not being invited to parties and sleepovers."

How it works:

If you are a registered user, click on this link to add your child to the program.  Tell other families about your son or daughter and their interests.  Other special needs families in your area can view your information.

You can also do a key word search so you can look for a friend with the same interests as your child.  This can be a plus for many families that have kids who are not necessarily into age appropiate or typical interests.  Make sure you sign up for the email alert to see when new families add peers to the program.

  

Send this info link to your child's teachers and therapists, your online support groups and anyone else you think could benefit from learning about this program.  The more you spread the word, the larger the peer match list will be.

 

dawn@oneplaceforspecialneeds.com

oneplaceforspecialneeds.com

 

 

 

 

Students Try Speaking Up

But Their School Won't Let Them 

 

 An OpEd Article in the New York Times on May 21, 2014 entitled, "Depressed, but Not Ashamed" written by Madeline Halpert and Eva Rosenfeld (both high school students) describes their experience in sharing their struggle with depression with one another, and their desire to expand the discussion to their entire high school.

 

As with many issues that carry stigma and make people uncomfortable, younger generations often take up the mantel and press for change.  These young women attempted to do so, and unfortunately the adults couldn't support them.

 

Some excerpts:

 

 

"As editors at our high school newspaper, we decided to fight against the stigma and proposed devoting a whole edition to personal stories from our peers who were suffering from mental illness. We wanted honesty with no anonymity."

 

"We knew that discussing mental health in this way would be edgy, even for our progressive community in Michigan. But we were shocked when the school administration would not allow us to publish the articles."

 

Here is the link to the entire article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/22/opinion/depressed-but-not-ashamed.html?ref=opinion&_r=1

 

Recognizing Dysgraphia in Children with ADHD 

 

 This informative article in ADDitude Magazine provides helpful clues into what dysgraphia looks like and how you can work with the school to provide supports.

 

"Dysgraphia is a learning disability that sometimes accompanies ADHD and affects writing skills, handwriting and spelling. How to recognize the symptoms..."

 

Click HERE to read the article

Wrightslaw: Special Ed Advocate "Top 5"

 

The June Wrightslaw Special Ed Advocate newsletter provides links to the top 5 topics, articles and blog posts from this year.  This includes information about autism, IEP's, discipline issues, dysgraphia, what to do when your child is failing, etc.

 

I highly recommend that you peruse their resources and sign up for their free newsletter.  They have answers to questions you might have about the special education process and your rights.

 

Check out the "Top 5" newsletter HERE

 North Shore Dojo

"Karate Can Do" Program

 

 "Kids with special needs excel in the North Shore Dojo classes.  The Dojo's strong dedication to including kids with special needs into its classes benefits everyone in the programs." Kathleen Weinberg, MSW

 

Children who may benefit most from participating in the dojo: 

 

  • Children who are not fitting into other team sports because they need to improve strength, coordination and confidence.
  • Children who are having difficulty in school due to issues such as focus, behavior, or self-discipline  
  • Children who would benefit from improving their confidence and self-esteem. 
  • Children with special needs, including developmental disabilities, physical disabilities or other medical issues.

For more information and registration, click HERE