Family camping anyone?

Camp Adventures!

Where having fun is number ONE!

When?

June 14th - 18th

Where?

Camp Arroyo

Livermore, California

(click here for map)

Who?

Camp if for Children ages 8-21

and their families too!

Cost?

$50/person

(includes 4 nights lodging,

12 meals, and all camp activities!)


Space avaible! Register with Shared Adventures to reserve a spot today!



Camp will include.

Fun with family and friends, pool time, horseback riding, boating on Lake Del Valle, lawn games, art adventures, a dance party, garden time, ropes course with rock climbing, campfires with smores, laughter, & fun all in a supportive group environment. Caregivers and family members welcome to accompany participants and be completely included in the fun!

* Information Night *

Shared Adventures will host an information night detailing our trip at Camp Arroyo. At the Information Night families will have an opportunity to ask questions about the trip.

Location: Louden Nelson Community Center

301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060


Date: Thursday, May 6th at 7:00pm

Please RSVP your attendance at the Information Night with Shared Adventures

(831)459-7210

staff@sharedadventures.org

Shared Adventures would like to recognize The Taylor Family Foundation for hosting our Camp Adventures held at The Taylor Family Foundation's Camp Arroyo this year. The Taylor Family Foundation's mission is to preserve the wellness and enhance the quality of life for children in Northern California with life-threatening and chronic illnesses, disabilities and youth at-risk through unique therapeutic experiences and support.

For more information please visit: www.ttff.org

For registration or more information call or email:

Shared Adventures

(831) 459-7210

Fun Event in Golden Gate Park

WHO: Support for Families invites you to

WHAT: Access to Adventure

WHEN: Saturday, May 1

TIME: 12pm. - 3pm.

WHERE: Golden Gate Park Music Concourse Bandshell

RSVP: (415) 920-5040

COST: Event is Free, $1 to $20 suggested donation per family

MORE INFORMATION: HERE

Special Needs Workshops at the PTA Convention

Three workshops focused on providing support to parents and teachers of children with special needs are being offered to attendees at this year’s California State PTA Convention.

April 29 – May 2 in Sacramento

#108: If You Were Me
Thursday, April 29, 10:00 a.m.
Experience firsthand what it is like to live with different abilities. Learn how to facilitate different ability awareness with the general education population.

#411: A Guide to Managing Teen Anxiety and Panic
Saturday, May 1, 11:00 a.m.
Anxiety can make everything seem unmanageable – from dealing with family and friends to managing schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Learn strategies teens can use to manage extreme anxiety and panic.

#515: Help – My child is Struggling in School!

Saturday, May 1, 2:00 p.m.
Learn practical information about working with your child’s teachers and doctors to assess potential learning disabilities, ADHD, autism and other special needs, and how to navigate the special education process, from writing effective individualized education programs to working collaboratively to implement them effectively so that your child reaches his potential.

You don't have to be a PTA member to attend. Individuals can volunteer for three hours and then attend any events for the remainder of the day for free. Mileage (45 cents/per and parking is paid for). Volunteer jobs include hosts for workshops or stations at doors. Click HERE to sign up as a volunteer.

The 32nd District PTA (Contra Costa County) hosts a dinner Saturday night at 7 p.m. at an estimated cost of $22. Contact Linda Mayo at mayolk@aol.com if you would like to attend.

For more information about registering for Convention, contact your PTA president or visit http://www.capta.org/.

Free Family Film Festival in Antioch

WHAT: Free Family Film Festival

WHEN: June 15 and running through August.

WHERE: Regal Theatres, Deer Valley Stadium

MOVIES:
06/15/2010-06/17/2010: Charlotte's Web (G) Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)

06/22/2010-06/24/2010: Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G) Astro Boy (PG)

06/29/2010-07/01/2010: Doogal (G) Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

07/06/2010-07/08/2010: Tale of Despereaux (G) Planet 51 (PG)

07/13/2010-07/15/2010: Wallace and Gromit (G) Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

07/20/2010-07/22/2010: Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G) Aliens In The Attic (PG)

07/27/2010-07/29/2010: March Of The Penguins (G) Where The Wild Things Are (PG)

08/03/2010-08/05/2010: ARCTIC TALE (G) Kung Fu Panda (PG)

08/10/2010-08/12/2010 Clifford's Big Movie (G) The Spy Next Door (PG)


Check HERE for show times.

PTA Rally in Capitol

Rally to support children! Everyone is invited to join PTA rally at the Capitol!

WHAT: 9 Million Reasons To Speak Up rally in support of investing in children and youth in California

WHEN: 2-3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 29

WHERE: North steps of the Capitol

WHY: This rally is part of the California State PTA's ongoing 9 Million Reasons To Speak Up campaign to let our elected leaders know that we must invest in the more than 9 million children and youth of our state, rather than repeatedly cutting funding for education and other critical children's services. The rally is taking place during the California State PTA's 111th Annual Convention, being held in Sacramento, April 29 - May 2.

MORE INFORMATION: For more information about our 9 Million Reasons To Speak Up campaign, click HERE. The California State PTA has nearly 1 million members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, "Every child, one voice." The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer organization working to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial. For more information about the California State PTA, visit www.capta.org.

What Parent Workshops Do You Want?

The MDUSD Autism Task Force is beginning to plan for next year's parent workshops and would like your input on the topics that interest you, the age group you would like to focus on and the best day to hold the workshops. While workshops will likely focus on issues related to students that have autism, many (if not all) of the topics would be of interest to parents of students with various other abilities. Let them know what is important to you! Complete the survey HERE.

Free Developmental Screenings in Dublin on Saturday

Happy Talkers Outreach from Mitch Sigman on Vimeo.

WHO: The School of Imagination of will offer

WHAT: Free autism and developmental delay screenings for children at the Happy Talkers Community Outreach Event

WHEN: Saturday, April 24

TIME: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Schaefer Ranch, 7625 Ridgeline Drive, Dublin.

For more information or to register, call 1-877-543-7852 or go to http://soi4kids.org/outreach.html

Interview with James Wogan, Administrator of School Linked Services

On a Thursday afternoon, in which I had only one hour before I needed to take my son to his saxophone lesson, James Wogan, Administrator of School Linked Services, arrived at my home so that we could have a face-to-face interview for this blog.One hour was not enough time! His passion and enthusiasm is infectious. Here are some highlights from that interview.

For James’ job duties, click here.

What is your official job description?

Mt. Diablo Unified was one of six school districts in the State of California develop Foster Youth Services programs in the 1972-1973 school year. Six schools districts were funded though legislation to provide support for kids in foster care. Foster Youth Services programs were later expanded to County Offices of Education throughout California. The Administrator of School Linked Services was created in part to oversee this valuable program. In 1972-73, 50% of foster youth graduated from high school. In 2009, in California, 50% of foster youth graduated from high school.

So, it’s been the same?

It has been the same. Mt. Diablo Unified, however, has one of the highest, if not the highest graduation rates (94%), attendance rates (95.4%), and the greatest educational success among foster youth in our district. We are fortunate that we have a district Foster Youth Services program.
One of the duties of the Administrator of School Linked Services is to be the foster youth and homeless liaison in our district, as required by Ed Code. Foster Youth Services (FYS) is a very special program. I’m very proud of it. FYS provides enrollment assistance, tutoring, and counseling for foster youth. MDUSD FYS is a strong program. In fact, we are a model program in California. I hired 25 tutors recently for our FYS and homeless program. We have 12 social work and MFT social work interns based at schools. This support goes a long way towards attendance and kids doing well in school.


What do you like about your job?


I love my job – It’s about kids smiling and feeling good about themselves and doing well in school. And we’re all about teachers. I think that if you’re not a teacher in this district, then your job is to support teachers because they provide instruction for our students within positive relationships. Ultimately, we are about high quality instruction for our students. How is it that a school administrator position was invented in the first place? Teachers couldn't teach if they also had to manage the building and the budget, implement laws, provide trainings, promote positive school climate, write grants, address disciplinary issues, and communicate with parents. It’s all about learning. I’ve seen many kids who have overcome major challenges in their lives; kids who have faced significant challenges and found that education has been their path to feeling good about themselves and to their futures.
Foster youth are dear to my heart. I worked with San Francisco Unified School District as a school social worker before coming to MDUSD. I helped to set up a school-based community center at one of the lowest achieving schools in San Francisco and watched it grow and exit program improvement. I also worked with as a psychiatric social worker with the City and County of San Francisco and as child and family therapist in Tokyo, Japan in the 1990’s.

How did you even start in this work? What made you say, “I want to go into school social work and school administration?”

That’s a good question. I didn’t choose this work, it chose me. I felt like it was my calling and I was pulled toward it. The more I started to work with kids facing difficulties in their lives, the greater I found the power of education. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a Master’s in social work, I went to CSU – East Bay’s Educational Leadership / school administration program. I have learned a great deal about educational leadership from other administrators in in Mt. Diablo. I think I’ve learned the most from the children and families we serve. Schools are a natural hub in a community, a powerful place for learning. It’s where kids come every day and where I like to be.

I was a child therapist in Tokyo, Japan for four years. I worked with mostly very wealthy families. When I moved back to the United States in 1996, I became part of two of the most disadvantaged communities in San Francisco, Visitation Valley and Hunter’s Point. There was no light rail at the time. My job became making sure what was available for the wealthy children on the other side of town was also available for kids who didn’t have the same advantages. Social justice, equity, seeing kids do well – it’s very rewarding. Maybe I get more than I give, I think. It’s a job that pays very well, emotionally.

I would like to tell you about the Homeless Outreach Program for Education (MDUSD HOPEP) when we meet again. MDUSD HOPE helps children and families who are legally homeless in our school district. This includes families who lose their homes or apartments and move in or “double up” with another family. Our number of homeless students has more than tripled in the past three years. Last year, we started a gift card, cash donation, and food drive for homeless students. This has been very helpful for some of our neediest families. Food and donations are collected at the District Office at our general counsel’s office with Lori Amenta. Lori took the lead with volunteers from the district office and set up our food donation program to be what it is today. Volunteers box up food that staff, like Child Welfare and Attendance Liaisons (CWAs) and resource workers with MDUSD HOPE bring to families.

I’ve developed partnerships with local universities and public and community agencies to bring services and support to our schools, at no cost to the district. I’m working on a partnership agreement right now to bring free dental services to schools. I’ll tell you more about some of the partnership programs when we meet next time. The services are coordinated at school through something called Coordinated Care Teams.

Thanks for taking the time to interview me.

James C. Wogan, LCSW, PPSC, Administrator, School Linked Services
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
205 Pacifica Ave, Bay Point, CA
(925) 458-6845
woganj@mdusd.k12.ca.us

For more information, please click on the links below:
Foster Youth Services (MDUSD FYS)

Homeless Outreach Program for Education (MSUSD HOPE)

District Coordinated Care Teams,

Assistive Technology Survey

The MDUSD QIAT (Qualitative Indicators of Assistive Technology) committee would like your input on Assistive Technology (AT) practices in the district. They have compiled a survey to assess current AT practices and prioritize needed improvement. The survey is part one of an eight part survey. Responses are confidential. Click HERE for more information and a link to the survey. Click HERE to learn more about Assistive Technology.

Pink Slipped CA Teachers Wooed for Special Education Jobs

The Oakland Tribune had an interesting article on a new, statewide push in California to bring laid off general education teachers into special education, an area with chronic staffing shortages. Read the article HERE. Read the CA Dept. of Education press release HERE.

Autism Presentation

WHAT: Presentation on The Necessary Elements of an Effective Language-Based Program for Young Children with ASD by Dr. James Partington.

WHEN: Thursday, April 22

TIME: 7pm.

WHERE: Behavior Analysts, Walnut Creek


COST: None

RSVP: (925)210-9370

Congratulations to Hidden Valley and Delta View

Two MDUSD schools, Hidden Valley Elementary (in Martinez) and Delta View Elementary (in Pittsburg) were recognized by the State of California as distinguished schools. Congratulations. View a complete list HERE.

ESY Registration Deadline - May 14!

Click on the image to enlarge.
If your student is eligible for ESY and you have not received a registration packet in the mail, please contact the ESY office at (925)682-8000 x4189.

Special Kids Day

Sat May 8, 2010
For Children, adults and families of those with special needs.
10 AM to 3 PM

De Luna Ranch, 7540 Balfour Rd, Brentwood, CA 94513 (corner of Byron Highway)

Registration is required by April 20th. No cost to attendees.

For application and information, email renedeluna@msn.com

Homework nightmares, helping a child with a learning disability Part 2

Read part 2 of Homework nightmares, helping a child with a learning disability

Buddy Play April 21st 2010

“Buddy Play”

To promote natural interaction and learning between kids with special needs and their typical peers.


Interesting Creatures!

Don't miss this one!

Date: Wednesday April 21, 2010

Time: 3:30 - 4:45 pm


Come join us for a presentation of creatures from East Bay Vivarium! The kids will get a chance to touch some of these "special guests" if they'd like to.

Among our many animal stars you might encounter:

The bug that smells like Caesar salad!

The frog that can kill a horse!

The tortoise that can outlive your grandchildren!

The lizard with five legs!

Place: Hope Center
2275 Morello Avenue
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
At the corner of Taylor Blvd. and Morello, in the Hillcrest Shopping Center. Please use the entrance near the outdoor play structure.

Dues: $0

RSVP: Berns1971@yahoo.com or 925-788-6846
Please RSVP by Tuesday, 4/20/2010. Please also let me know the day before group, if you need to cancel your RSVP. Thank you.

Autism Awareness Celebration in Benicia

Below is info AFSP received about the Autism Awareness Celebration in Benicia tomorrow. It is for parents of kids of all ages with ASD. There is no need to RSVP, and it is free of charge.

The Mind Matters Group, Benicia Unified School District and the Benicia High School Fine Arts Department presents the first annual community Autism Awareness celebration



Please join us for our opening event on April 16 featuring:



Matthew McAlear, M.Ed, BCBA
Vice President and Chief Program Officer
Easter Seals Bay Area

(Promoting Parent Training and Education in Autism Treatment)



Lori Mothersell, MFT
Principal, A Better Chance School
Richmond, CA

(Partners in Education: Integration of Parents in Home and Community Based Programing)



Chris Allen
Parent Advisor, Solano and Sonoma County
Matrix Parents Network and Resource Center
(What it is Like: Having children in both ends of the Spectrum)



Venue: Benicia City Council Chambers
Time: 4:30p.m.
Benicia City Hall, 250 East L Street


Please contact: Melody at 707 748-2739 or 707 7710081 if you have any questions

Adapted Screening Movie "How to Train Your Dragon"

Dear Families,



I have arranged another adapted screening for our kids. This time it is "How to Train Your Dragon". This is NOT the 3D version. The 2D version will not be available for viewing after the 21st.


Those of you who are not familiar about the adapted screenings here is what the theater does for our kids.

They will show the film with the following adjustments:
*Lowered volume
*No Trailers
*Theater set to dimmed lights. (not completely dark)

Date: Wednesday, April 21st

Time: 1:40 - 3:58Where: Regal Hacienda Crossings
5000 Dublin Blvd.
Dublin, CA94568

*The cost is $7.50 per child. Purchase your tickets at the inside counter or outside at the window. One parent/adult per child (special needs or typical) will be allowed FREE admission as the child's "attendant". Typical friends and siblings are welcome of course. You may also send your child with a therapist. This is a great "community outing" experience. Feel free to pass this on or post it on ASD sites.

There is NO NEED to RSVP to these films. Just mention that you are seeing the adapted screening when purchasing your ticket/s.


~Michelle Singh
Group Moderator
Special Parents 4 Special Kids

Autism Awareness Night with SF Giants

AUTISM AWARENESS NIGHT
Friday, April 30th
@ 7:15PM
The San Francisco Giants are proud to partner with
Autism Speaks to present Autism Awareness Night 2010
TICKET PACKAGE:
• EXCLUSIVE SEAT IN THE AUTISM AWARENESS SECTION
• SPECIAL EDITION WILL CLARK DRAWSTRING BACKPACK
• PROCEEDS FROM EACH TICKET SALE WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT AUTISM SPEAKS
Arrive early for a special homeplate ceremony involving former Giants legend
Will “The Thrill” Clark, who is a major advocate in the fight against Autism.
FOR TICKETS OR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL OR CONTACT:
415-972-2298 OR WWW.SFGIANTS.COM/SPECIALEVENTS
$20: Upper Reserve Ticket Option
$25: Lower Box Ticket Option

Child Autism - Is it Here to Stay?

Article was found on asdparentssupportgroup@yahoogroups

Autism is the fastest growing development disability in the world with 1 in every 150 births being affected by this disorder.
Why has this happened? What are we as a society doing to cause this? Although there have been some cases of autism over the years, there has never, ever been such a rise as we have seen in the last few years.
Go back ten years and talk to someone about autism and there would have been what? Oh yes, I heard of that.... Now it's more like, ahh my cousin has autism, so sad.
What is happening to the world that in such a short space of time we have basically inserted ANOTHER disorder into our common language? Be they children, OAP's, friends or family, everyone is now well aware of child autism and its gathering momentum in society.
People will say that there is a great many benefits to the prevalence of this disorder, like an increased knowledge of its goings on, but personally I much preferred it when there were only a minuscule number of cases and not everybody and there child is being burdened by a autism spectrum disorder.
So who is affected with autism?
If you have a child of Autism, you are definitely not alone. Autism does not discriminate; it affects everyone equally in the world. You will find a child of autism in all races, countries, and social classes. But there is one common factor. Four of every five people with autism are male.
And being a child of autism there are some common problems that they will face. One of the most normal symptoms that a child of autism will face is an extreme difficulty in learning language and social skills and in relating to people.
If that is not enough, behaviour is also affected and can cause some severe problems if you do not know how to get the most from your autistic child. This behaviour includes: Extreme hyperactivity Major problems relating to people, even family and parents Social g a Social outcast, And many more. The behavioural problems in a child of autism can range from calm or mild to very severe. If severe your child can be very aggressive, and cause injury not only to others but also self harm and injury becomes a part of their pattern.
In the calmer and milder range a child of autism will have what almost only seems like a learning disability. But these can also form a problem in communication and also their ability to socialize with others.
Autism is a tricky disorder, not only can it appears on its own, but it can also appear along with a host of other developmental disorders, such as:
? learning disabilities, Epilepsy, etc, mental retardation,
But one thing to remember is that if your child is a child of autism , you are not to get worried and upset. There are ways to help them and begin them on a life to normality. Certain techniques and strategies that you can put in place will have your autistic child come alive like never before and have them start to socialize and function with what should be their peers, and at least at first, you and your family

Support Measure C

Click on the image to enlarge.
We will link to the website as soon as it is available.

Proposed Special Education Cuts

On March 9 the MDUSD Board of Education voted to reduce Special Education by an average of $2.8M annually over three years starting with the 2010-11 school year. At last night's CAC meeting, the Special Education Department presented a list of proposed cuts based on the MGT report of their study of Special Education and 504 plans.


View the list of proposed cuts HERE and HERE.

View the CAC discussion notes HERE and HERE.

Active Reading Clinic

The Active Reading Clinic develops reading skills using the Reading Revolution™ method, a multi sensory, multi-intelligence approach to reading. It integrates all the different intelligences and teaches to the student’s strengths through games and activities. It is based on phonics but we add the kinesthetic, or physical component, which is absolutely necessary for non-traditional learners (those who don’t learn through the visual or auditory intelligences alone, as in a traditional classroom environment). We use the Socratic method. This allows students to develop their own critical and logical thinking skills while learning to read, leading to increased confidence and
self-esteem. We work with many different kinds of students: those with dyslexia, auditory processing disorders, lack of visual memory, ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, autism, Down’s syndrome, and the many students who are kinesthetic learners and just need a different way to process information.

Our founder is Judy Kranzler, a resident of Walnut Creek, who first opened the Active Reading Clinic in 1985. It was Judy’s own experience struggling to read with dyslexia and ADHD that, as an adult, led her to create a reading program that would be effective for non-traditional learners. She developed the Reading Revolution™ method to support kinesthetic learners like herself.

Free iPhone IEP checklist app

PEATC is pleased to announce the release of the Individualized Education
Program (IEP) Checklist iPhone application. This new IEP app helps parents of
students with special needs become better-informed advocates by making IEP
information easier to access and is available free of charge. For more
information on the IEP Checklist Application, click
here.

Horse Boy film/ Autism event April 13, 14, & 30

The Autism Society of the San Francisco Bay Area in partnership with Community TV is showing Horse Boy for Autism Awareness Month in San Francisco, Oakland and Stanford Children's Hospital Palo Alto, followed by a panel discussion on autism. The events are free and open to the public.

ASD parent support group meeting Monday April 12th @ Barnes & Noble

Monday, April 12, 2010-
The Walnut Creek Barnes & Noble ASD parent support group meeting is from 7-9 pm, the 2nd Monday of each month.
Topic: A review of the Scientific Evidence to support an environmental role in ASD, and what can be done about it.
Guest speaker: Toril Jelter M.D. FAAP

Toril H. Jelter MD FAAP
37 Quail Court Suite 201
Walnut Creek, CA. 94596
Phone (925) 788-8904
Fax (925) 947-1075
Website: http://www.drjelter.com

This parents group meets at 7 pm on the second Monday of each month - upstairs in Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek on N. Main Street. Further speaker information will be updated on this web site. http://www.AspergersResource.org

Help Save Lanterman Act Services for People with Disabilities

Take Action!

Please take 60 seconds to seconds to send one email today



Dear Friends,



Thanks to California 's Lanterman Act, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their family members or other advocates are part of the planning team that decides what supports and services they will receive.



But in the chaos caused by last year's budget cuts and accompanying Lanterman Act changes, some staff members at regional centers have simply cut people off services without even talking to the people most affected. In fairness to these overworked staff members, some of the Lanterman Act changes that Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature adopted last year are confusing and could be misinterpreted to allow service cutoffs without meetings of the planning teams.



Here's our chance to make sure that stops!



Please send an email by Monday, April 12 to the Assembly Human Services Committee asking them to pass Assembly Bill 2702, authored by Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro and sponsored by The Arc of California . Our bill makes it crystal clear that the planning team process hasn't changed -- the people most affected by the decisions are still key to the decision-making.



I usually don't ask you to send prewritten emails like this, because calls and letters carry much more weight. But prewritten emails can have an impact when there are enough of them, so this time we're going for numbers. We've grown The Arc's Action E-List a lot in the last year, and I think we can generate enough emails to make a difference. Please don't prove me wrong!



Thank you for your advocacy.



Greg



PS. After you send the email yourself, please forward this Action Alert to everybody you know who might be willing to take a minute to help. Like I said, this time we're going for numbers.





Greg deGiere

Public Policy Director

The Arc of California

1225 Eighth Street, Suite 350

Sacramento, CA 95814

916-552-6619, ext. 16

916-223-7319 (mobile)

916-441-3494 (fax)

www.TheArcCA. org



"Advocacy, respect, and commitment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1950"

Therapeutic Summer Camp & Afterschool programs

QUEST Therapeutic Summer Camp and Afterschool program information is available now at:

www.QuestCamps.com

Buddy Play-April 14th

To promote natural interaction and learning between kids with special needs and their typical peers.



Matteo's Dream Playground Concord Location
Come sign your name to a very big "thank you" note addressed to those that made the dream of this park come true!

Date: Wednesday April 14th 2010

Time: 3:30- 5:00

Place: Hillcrest Park
2050 Olivera Road
Concord , CA 94519
(Right down the road from Solano Drive-In Movies)

RSVP: Berns1971@yahoo.com or 925-788-6846 by Tuesday April 13th

DUES: None

This will be a fun time for us to play outside together at a very special playground. If you've never been to "Matteo's Dream," you can see what it's all about by clicking on this link: http://www.ci.concord.ca.us/recreation/parks/matteo/index.html

There is no fee for this playgroup; please bring a snack for your child/children if you'd like. Hope to see you there!

Bernadette Fatehi
Group Coordinator

Special Education Examiner: Annual event welcomes all who learn differently April 17 at AT&T Park

Annual Event: Annual event welcomes all who learn differently

Homework nightmares, helping a child with a learning disability

To view article: click examiner.com

All in Need Family Event- RSVP Required

Location: Oak Park Christian Center-in the CMC
2073 Oak Park Blvd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 US

When: Saturday, April 17, 2:30PM to 5:00PM

Phone: (925) 451-9269

E-Mail: All_in_need@yahoo.com

Get to know other families within our community that have some of the same struggles as you and your family. A chance for children with special needs to socialize, siblings to find support from one and other, and for parents to be able connect with other parents for support with an opportunity to be able to share in fun times with your whole family at our first AIN Family Event. It will be held in the CMC where All in Need usually meets. We will have therapy dogs visiting from 2:30 to 3:30, a small slide show showing you what your children are doing on a typical Friday night at All in Need, and then free time for all family members enjoy our newly remodeled Children's Ministry Center. Where the whole family can play family friendly video games on a variety of gaming consoles (i.e., Wii, Play Station, X-box, I-Pod touch, and PC), some of the games include Dance Praise and Guitar Praise. For those families who are less into the electronics we will have board games out too!

Volunteers this event is not required, but please feel free to come and bring your families. This will be a great time for you to get to know the families we serve. This is also a great time for your children to learn from children with special needs.

Social Thinking Providers Conference

Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Providers Conference

When: June 25-27. 2010

Where: South San Francisco Convention Center, South San Francisco, CA

For more information, click here.

Special Needs Amusement Park Opens in San Antonio, Texas

Morgan's Wonderland, a theme park for people with special needs, just opened. Gordon Hartman, a former real estate developer, created this park for his daughter, Morgan, who has severe cognitive delays. To see Good Morning America's coverage of this story, click here.

CAC Meeting on Monday

WHAT: CAC Meeting (including a discussion on special education budget cuts)

WHEN: Monday, April 12

TIME: 7pm.

WHERE: District Office, Board Room

AGENDA: HERE

Board of Education Agenda

Special Needs Night

W A L N U T F E S T I V A L A S S O C I A T I O N



Please join us:

Pre-Walnut Festival Event

“Special Needs Night”

Wednesday, September 22, 2010
6pm to 8pm

Please RSVP with Special Guest’s Name
and number of additional family members
BY:

September 17th, 2010
(925) 935-6766
or
walnutfestival@sbcglobal.net


This evening has been designed and donated by your friends at The Walnut Festival Association. Thank you to our sponsors: Fuddruckers, Domino’s Pizza, Ygnacio Valley Lions and Midway of Fun Carnival. It is intended to provide you, your special child, and immediate family members a pleasant evening of rides and pictures with King Walnut.


Please bring this invitation with you.
We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Heather Farm Park
Walnut Festival Carnival Entrance

You Make a Difference

On the evening of Wednesday, March 24, 2010 the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education event awarded 20 recipients with a “You Make a Difference Award” at Mountain View Elementary. A committee of staff and Community Advisory Committee members worked together in planning the event. As a committee they were challenged with the task of choosing just 20 recipients from the wonderful nominations they received. It was a difficult decision for them to narrow down the award recipients but in the end they choose 20 that have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of children receiving special education students. Many award recipients came from all different areas of services provided throughout the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and the community. Some recipients included community members that dedicate their time providing services to those with special needs, Teachers, Special Education Assistants, general education student, parents, Board Member, bus driver and much more including a campus supervisor that passed away earlier this year. Of the recipients awarded they were:

Jacques Casamajor Teacher at Valley View Middle School
Louise Clark CEP Teacher at Sun Terrace Elementary
Reatha Clark Special Education Assistant at Ayers Elementary



Roberta Compagno Campus Supervisor at Sequoia Middle School



Bernadette Fatehi Buddy Play Coordinator
Pete Gaughan Concord AYSO VIP Director
Autumn Green All In Need Coordinator at Oak Park Christian Center



Carolyn Jaynes Educational Representative for Foster Youth Volunteer
Cheryl Kolano Principal at Robert Shearer Preschool and Gregory Gardens Elementary
Angela Large Special Education Teacher at Concord High School
Linda Mayo Board Member for Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Lucy Murov General Education Student at Strandwood Elementary
Julie Nibblett Parent at Strandwood Elementary
Mari Nist Special Education Assistant at Pine Hollow Middle School
Carole Penaloza Special Education Assistant at Highlands Elementary
Carol Smith Special Education Teacher at Strandwood Elementary
Wade Taylor Special Education Bus Driver at Mt. Diablo Unified



The Walnut Festival Association “Special Needs Night” at the Walnut Festival
There to receive the award were Bob Lloyd & Wendy DeVoe.
Carrie Weil Special Education Teacher at Riverview Middle School
Don and Judy Williams Community Volunteers at Monte Gardens Elementary



The evening was a very heart warming event where the stories about the award recipients were exemplary of the outstanding efforts they had made to make a difference for these students. As the recipients received their awards they spoke very kindly about those that have supported them to do their work and also the students they have made a difference for have truly touched their lives as well.



Also, a big thank you goes to the donors that helped provide refreshments for the event including Sweet Tomatoes, Starbucks on Railroad Ave and in Pleasant Hill, Mimi’s Café, Carl’s Jr. on Kirker Pass Rd., Progressus Therapy, Trader Joe’s on Oak Grove Rd., and the CAC members and staff. We had a special musician volunteer his time to play music for the event, so a thank you to Paul Blackwell for the beautiful music played that evening.

Exceptional Needs Network Rummage Sale, Saturday, 4/10

For more information or to donate items, contact Kirsten Sprott (925) 454-8968 or kirstenmichele@gmail.com
Exceptional Needs Network

Stanford ASD Update

WHAT: 3rd Annual Autism Spectrum Disorder Update: This conference is designed to provide parents, teachers, and care providers of children with ASD with the latest findings on research and clinical care, utilizing a lifetime perspective. In addition, there will be an opportunity to learn more about clinical and basic science research in autism being undertaken at Stanford University. Sponsored by Stanford School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

WHEN: May 15

WHERE: Stanford University

COST: $100

More information and registration HERE.

SF Giants Autism Awareness Night

WHAT: SF Giants Autism Awareness Night, San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies. Join the Giants as they partner with Autism Speaks to raise awareness about this developmental disorder! Your special event ticket package includes a Will Clark-themed Giants item only available through this offer, and proceeds from each ticket sold will be donated directly to Autism Speaks.

WHEN: April 30

TIME: 7 PM

COST: Tickets are $32 lower reserved, $25 upper reserved.

To purchase tickets, contact Brian Eck at (415) 972-2295, or beck@sfgiants.com.

Social Skills for ASD Teenagers

WHAT: Social Skills Training in High-Functioning Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

WHEN: April 28

WHERE: M.I.N.D Institute at UC Davis, Sacramento

SPEAKER: Marjorie Solomon, Ph.D

COST: None

CONTACT: Terri Contenti: (916) 703-0289.

Autism Awareness Celebration

The Mind Matters Group, Benicia Unified School District and the Benicia High School Fine Arts Department presents the first annual community Autism Awareness celebration

Please join us for our opening event on
April 16 featuring:

Matthew McAlear, M.Ed, BCBA
Vice President and Chief Program Officer
Easter Seals Bay Area
(Promoting Parent Training and Education in Autism Treatment)

Lori Mothersell, MFT
Principal, A Better Chance School
Richmond, CA
(Partners in Education: Integration of Parents in Home and Community Based Programing)

Chris Allen
Parent Advisor, Solano and Sonoma County
Matrix Parents Network and Resource Center
(What it is Like: Having children in both ends of the Spectrum)


Benicia City Council Chambers
4:30p.m.
Benicia City Hall, 250 East L Street


Please contact: Melody at 707 748-2739 or 707 7710081 if you have any questions

Autism Communication Workshop

WHAT: Helping Your Young Child with Autism Communicate and Interact

WHEN: April 13, 20, 27 and May 4

TIME: 6:30-8:30 PM

WHERE: Kaiser Permanente Pleasanton

COST: $50/family

REGISTER: Lianne Zerbe at (925) 847-5587.

Open to Kaiser Permanente members with a child ages birth to 5 years with an ASD diagnosis. Topics will include how autism impacts your child's social-communication development; how you as a parent can influence your child's communication; and how to help your child communicate, interact and play.

Autism Workshops in Santa Rosa

Autism Issues & Best Practices Interventions

A workshop series sponsored by Collaborative Autism Training & Support Programs at Sonoma State University. All workshops are held on Fridays from 9-11 AM in Santa Rosa. A $20 voluntary tax-deductible donation is suggested at the door (cash/check only). To register, go to www.sonoma.edu/exed, or call (707) 664-2394.

Workshops:
April 16: How to Work Together for the Best Services in These Financially Strapped Times: SCOE and Regional Center personnel and lawyers brainstorm limitations, laws and possibilities.
April 23: Person-Centered Planning: How to gather information for effectively individualizing support of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders.
April 30: What It's Like to Live with Autism: Adults with autism spectrum diagnoses share their experiences and answer questions from an insider's perspective.

STAR Conference - Registration Deadline Extended

WHAT: The 2010 STAR (Services, Treatment, Advocacy, Research) Parent Conference on Autism

WHEN: Saturday, April 17th

WHERE: Marcus Foster School in Oakland.

New Registration Deadline: April 12

Click HERE for the agenda and registration form.

Transition Fair for High School Students on the Diploma Track

Epilepsy and Seizures 101

Click on the image to enlarge.

Retroactive CAHSEE Exemption

Disabilities Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) explains the new exemption for students with disabilities for the California High School Exit Exam. Read it HERE.

Cast for Kids

Click on the image to enlarge.

Download registration form HERE.

Link to the Cast for Kids website HERE.

Special Needs Jump Night

WHAT: Special Needs Jump Night (Wear socks!)

WHERE: Pump in Up in Concord

WHEN: Thursday, April 22 (Bounce for Autism) and Wednesday, April 28

TIME: 6:30pm - 8pm

COST: $8 per child

More information HERE.