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 Evanston 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. |
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On the CASE
February 2015
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Hello Evanston CASE community,
We are entering the beginning of IEP season and you may have some questions and concerns. CASE is here to help. Feel free to email or call us at mail@evanstoncase.org (847) 556-8676.
In this issue, learn about two resources that can provide you with support and information.
- Join the NEW Evanston CASE Parent Connections PRIVATE Facebook group
- Attend a CASE presentation March 25th on advocacy strategies you can use in your meeting with staff this spring.
Remember, if you don't understand something, or the conversation has just gone to fast, you can always tell the school you need time to think and will get back to them. You can also ask to reconvene to continue the conversation. Signing the attendance page is not giving consent for anything.
Warm regards,
Cari Levin, LCSW
Director Evanston CASE
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Evanston CASE Parent Connections
PRIVATE Facebook Group
JOIN NOW!
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Join our new private Facebook group
Evanston CASE Parent Connections
Share resources, ask questions and express your concerns with others who "get it"
We decided to try this online group instead of our "live" Parent Connections support group meetings. We have found that it is difficult for people to get to a meeting and we hope that this forum will be more accessible when you need it.
You may be asked to provide some basic identifying information (we will keep it confidential) to ensure that only parents/family members of children/teens in Evanston are accessing the group. We just launched last week and we already have 30 members.
To join, google Facebook and enter Evanston CASE Parent Connections in the search box.
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DON'T MISS THIS PRESENTATION!
Special Education Advocacy Strategies Workshop
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"How to Advocate for Your Special Needs Child at School"
Presented by Cari Levin, LCSW, Director of Evanston CASE
Wednesday, March 25th
7-9 pm
Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington Ave.
Learn what to do in meetings with the school to ensure your child's unique needs are addressed appropriately. Find out how to level the playing field by being informed about IEP/504 Plan "lingo" and procedures. I will share concrete "tools of the trade" to prepare you to advocate effectively for their children.
Register in advance to reserve your copy of presentation materials by emailing us at mail@evanstoncase.org
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Autism Speaks Alters Their Position on Vaccines
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From Disability Scoop
Autism Speaks Alters Position On Vaccines
"Amid concerns about measles, the nation's largest autism advocacy group has updated its stance on vaccines and autism, but remains mum on whether it will fund further studies on the issue.
Autism Speaks revised its policy on immunizations in a statement published on its website last week."
"Over the last two decades, extensive research has asked whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism. We urge that all children be fully vaccinated," reads the statement from Rob Ring, the group's chief science officer.
To read the complete article, click HERE
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Children's Books Honored for Disability Storylines
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From Disability Scoop, by Michele Diamont
Three books are being honored for their portrayal of the disability experience through a special set of awards given alongside the well-known Caldecott and Newbery Medals.
The winners of this year's Schneider Family Book Awards include tales of a boy who stutters, a girl with autism and young adults with intellectual disabilities during transition.
The Schneider awards are presented annually by the American Library Association to authors or illustrators for the "artistic expression of the disability experience." One award is given for works aimed at each of three audiences - kids up to age 8, those ages 9 to 13 and teens.
To read more, click HERE
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| Music Therapy for Children with ADHD | |
Published in ADDitude
"How Music Unlocks the ADHD Brain" by Sharlene Habermeyer
"Music strengthens the areas of the brain that, in the child with ADHD, are weak. Music builds and strengthens the auditory, visual/spatial, and motor cortices of the brain. These areas are tied to speech and language, reading, reading comprehension, math, problem solving, brain organization, focusing, concentration, and attention issues. Studies indicate that when learning-disabled children and children with ADHD learn a musical instrument, attention, concentration, impulse control, social functioning, self-esteem, self-expression, motivation, and memory improve. Some studies show that children who have difficulty focusing when there is background noise are particularly helped by music lessons."
To read more, click HERE
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There's an App for That!
Making Visual Schedules Fun
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From guest blogger, Pierre Séguin, in ADDitude
Pierre, a dad who was "restructured" from his job, used his skills to address the problem he and his wife had with getting their son through morning routines. "Since then, I've devoted my time, and much of my savings, to assemble a small team of talented people to create Brili, a visual schedule and daily routine manager for kids, on tablets and mobile devices."
How It Works
Like traditional visual schedules, but much more fun. Brili is designed to guide and remind kids, and to not distract them from their tasks.
A Dashboard for Kids
Brili's minimalist design shows kids only what they need to know so they can see at a glance what's next and how they're doing.
Audible Reminders
Brili uses sounds to let your kids know before they run out of time on a task so they're aware even if they're not looking at the screen.
From Free to $30 a month depending on the options you choose. Check out the website for Brili to learn more.
http://www.brili.co/
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"Have Wheelchair. Must Travel."
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Have wheelchair. MUST travel.
An Interview with Tarita Davenock
Listen to this Podcast on Handicap This!
If you like to travel but find traveling with special needs overwhelming, listen to our latest podcast! Tim and Mike talk to accessible travel specialist, Tarita Davenock. What exactly is accessible travel and what does an accessible travel specialist do?
Tune in to find out!
To find out more about Handicap This!, click HERE
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"Small Victories"
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"Small Victories
It's the little victories that matter when your kid has Autism Spectrum Disorder"
Jennifer shares her all-too-common story of the painful consequences when our children aren't included in the birthday party circuit.
To read her post, click HERE |
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