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 in-person 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. Membership is growing quickly.  Join the conversation.

To join, Google Facebook and enter Evanston CASE Parent Connections in the search box. 

The D65 and D202 school boards had a joint meeting last night (3/16/15) at which there was a discussion on the future of Park School.  Watch the video at the link below.

Public comment begins about 10 minutes in. We had a large number of eloquent speakers on hand to explain how important Park School is to our families, our teachers and therapists, and our community.

Pay particular attention to the questions and comments made by Richard Rykhus and Jonathan Baum.  They have both been committed advocates for students with special needs and their families throughout their time on the school board.  They are both up for re-election.  Early voting is from March 23rd-April 4th and election day is April 7th.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/60024657 

PEERS for Young Adults Social Skills Program

PEERS® for Young Adults is a unique, evidence-based social skills program, designed to help individuals who struggle to make and keep friends. Participants have the opportunity to learn new ways to improve these skills -- essential for developing meaningful social connections and a key element to work place success.

The PEERS® Program is unlike any other social skills curriculum.   "This curriculum includes specific lessons, direct instruction, individual coaching, role-play modeling and homework assignments. Developed by a team of Ph.D. researchers at UCLA, PEERS® has generated significant, sustained improvement in social skills for people with high functioning autism, Asperger's Syndrome and similar social challenges. Recent research has demonstrated that gains made over the course of this program are maintained 3-5 years later" (Laugeson et al., 2013). 

PEERS® young adult participants commit to weekly small group, 90-minute sessions for a 16 week curriculum. Parent participation is also mandatory, and parents meet in a separate group with other parents while young adults are in session. 

For more information and to arrange a phone screening, please call us at 847-494-3188 or email peerschicago@gmail.com. We invite you to check out our website, www.peerschicago.com or visit us on Facebook at PEERS Chicago!  Facilitated by Diane Gould, LCSW, BCBA and Fran Shapiro, NCSP. PEERS® Chicago is affiliated with Diane Gould & Associates and FCS Consultants.

Don't Miss this  FREE ADHD Expert Webinar
March 19, 2015 at 12 pm Central Time - Register now!

"ADHD & Gifted? Helping Twice-Exceptional Kids Succeed"
 with Diane M. Kennedy & Rebecca Banks-Cull

In this free webinar, Diane M. Kennedy and Rebecca Banks-Cull, co-founders of Bright Not Broken-Lorna Wing Institute of America and co-authors of the book, The ADHD-Autism Connection, will address:
   

1. What makes a child gifted or "twice-exceptional"

2. How to keep gifted kids from falling through the educational cracks

From One Place for Special Needs:

Alternative-Augmentative Communication (AAC) is a mouthful to say and more than a little confusing for parents looking for methods to help their child communicate. Guest contributor Susan Berkowitz, SLP explains what aac is and is not along with how to get started.

"The goal of augmentative and alternative communication use is the most effective interaction possible. Anything less represents a compromise of the individual's human potential." (ASHA)

Ms. Berkowitz discusses what AAC is NOT as well as what an effective AAC is.

To read more, click HERE 

This is ADDitude Magazine's annual guide to camps & schools for children with learning differences.
 

The list showcases ADHD- and LD-friendly schools and programs across the U.S. and in Canada.
 

To check out this comprehensive listing: Click HERE

On Childmind.org:

"We offer a guide to what ADHD looks like in the classroom-along with some of the other problems kids might have that can be mistaken for ADHD. When kids seem to be unable to focus or follow instructions or behave appropriately in class, there may be another explanation, from anxiety to trauma to just being younger than the other kids. That's why careful observation by both teachers and parents is crucial."
 
 To read more, click HERE