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AdastraSoft's goal is to provide a set of innovative, user-friendly mobile application solutions to assist those who have various special communication and education needs to realize their full potential. We design our products with community-centric model in mind: Your ideas and suggestions will help shape the content and presentation of our software.  We welcome you to explore our site, and hope you would become a contributing member of our software community.

Our mission is to promote and provide equal access to communication and learning through described and captioned educational media. The ultimate goal of the DCMP is for accessible media to be an integral tool in the teaching and learning process for all stakeholders in the educational community, including students, educators and other school personnel, parents, service providers, businesses, and agencies.

If you have a child with epilepsy,this website is for you. Whether your child was just diagnosed, or you have specific concerns about medications, getting support at school, or another issue, our goal is to provide the information you need.

Click here to register for this event What: This three hour training is designed for counselor/administrator teams to work together to learn the basic principles of the Montana School Counseling Program Model.  The training will include roles and responsibilities of counselors and administrators within the program and steps for implementation of the Model.  Participants will have an outline of an implementation plan and be able to begin the implementation process. The goal is to provide high-quality, Level I training for Montana school counselors and administrators. Participants will learn the tools to: establish a school counseling program as an integral component of the school?s academic missions; ensure students have access to counseling services; identify and deliver the knowledge and skills acquired in the Academic, Career, and personal/Social Domains; promote specific guidelines and strategies to engage culturally different students/parents in counseling and the educational process; and, sponsor a culturally appropriate approach to counseling that is aligned with the spirit and intent of IEFA. Where: Montana State University - Billings College of Education Building, Room 122 Billings, MT Scheduled Trainings: March 11, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm April 1, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm April 13, 2011 9:00am-12:00pm Cost: http://www.msubillings.edu/smart/training/schoolcounseling.htm There are no fees for this training but registration is required.  Mileage reimbursement will be paid for those outside of the Billings area.

the point I am trying to make is that if the iPad is to be a useful tool in supporting children with autism to achieve their developmental goals and become the capable and fascinating adults we know they will be then it is how we use the iPad to support development that is most important — and the miracle there, as it always has been, is the parents and professionals who work with children with autism.

Our 5th grade son, Alex, has high-functioning autism and average cognitive abilities. He has not met his IEP reading goal in over 2 years. The school does not use standardized measures to track his progress and has been giving him average grades. He reads 2 years or more below grade level, yet the school gives him average grades. We were clueless and didn't notice.

Click here to register for this event What: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 60 percent of American adults say they endured abuse and other difficult family situations as children, otherwise known as adverse childhood experiences. Those experiences can have long-term health consequences. The annual financial burden to society of childhood abuse and trauma is $103 billion, according to a 2007 Federal Economic Impact Study. The costs include annual direct costs such as hospitalization, mental health care, child welfare service, and law enforcement, as well as indirect costs such as special education, juvenile delinquency, mental health and health care, adult criminal justice system, and lost productivity. The SAMHSA 10x10 Wellness Campaign invites you to a free training teleconference titled, “The Impact of Trauma on Wellness: Implications for Comprehensive Systems Change.” This teleconference will educate diverse stakeholders about comprehensive systems change, including preventing harm and inadvertent retraumatization and ensuring that services and supports are welcoming, engaging, and culturally attuned. The goal is to help facilitate the healing process among people who have experienced trauma so that they can become fully engaged in their communities. When: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 1:00 - 2:30p.m. Mountain Presenters: Cathy Cave, Senior Program Associate, Advocates for Human Potential Roger Fallot, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation, Community Connections Ann Jennings, Ph. D., Founder and Executive Director, The Anna Institute

The goal of the Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL) is to promote the adoption and sustained use of evidence-based early literacy learning practices. This site has resources for early childhood intervention practitioners, parents, and other caregivers of children, birth to five years of age, with identified disabilities, developmental delays, and those at-risk for poor outcomes.

The goal of this module is to help us do better at this important task of early identification, because the earlier we can recognize the signs, the earlier we can start treatment.  Early identification and treatment are central to positive outcomes for children with autism as they grow and develop ( Rogers, 1996; Smith, Groen, & Wynn, 2000). 

What: D.R.E.A.M. (Down syndrome research, education, advocacy in Montana) was started as a local support group for families of children with Down syndrome. The goal of D.R.E.A.M. is to provide financial grants to families in need of medical, educational and therapeutic assistance. It also helps to provide and distribute "New Parent Packets" to families with infants diagnosed with Down syndrome. The Bozeman Buddy Walk is the primary fundraiser for D.R.E.A.M. and a portion of the money raised will also go to the National Down Syndrome Society. The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. When: September 24, 2011 Registration begins at 10 AM.. The walk begins at 11 AM and will be followed by a complimentary lunch donated by many local businesses.  Contact: For more information, contact Ryan Robinson at dreambuddywalk@gmail.com

Narrowing the Achievement Gap by Expanding Time in School: What Educators Need to Consider What: Expanding the school day or year is one strategy educators are employing to try to narrow the achievement gap. How schools use that time, experts say, should be tailored to meet the needs of individual schools. At the same time, though, there are proven policies and practices schools need to adopt to reach their goals. Finding that balance is tricky. Some schools have succeeded; others have failed. As more schools move toward expanded learning time using state or federal funding, what kinds of model designs should they choose, what tools are out there to help them, and what should their expectations be? Join us for a webinar that explores what educators should consider when implementing an expanded learning time model. When: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 11:30am - 12:30 pm Mountain Also available "on demand" any time 24 hours after the event Guests: Jennifer Davis, Co-Founder & President, National Center for Time and Learning. Emily McCann, president, Citizens Schools. Free registration is now open.

Click here to download the flyer for this event (PDF) What: Easter Seals-Goodwill is hosting a parent support group in the Billings area that is open to families who have a child with autism. Our goal is to provide opportunities for parents to meet, learn from and support one another and participate in discussions or presentations of interest to the group. When: 1st Thursday of the Month 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Where: Easter Seals-Goodwill Pediatric Therapy Services 1537 Ave. D, Suite 115 (on the lower level) If you would be interested in participating in our parent support group or have questions: Contact Kelly Melius at 657-9728 or Karla Starr at 425-2036 for more information.

Click here to download the Sponsorship Letter (PDF) Click here to download the Registration Form (PDF) The 4th annual MYTransitions Conference will be held at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, MT on November 9-11, 2011. The conference organizers, MYTransitions, is a non-profit committee of various agencies and individuals in Montana who are dedicated to working with youth with disabilities to establish meaningful and diverse transitions into adulthood. This year's conference will be focused on the needs and interests of individuals with disabilities and their families, and will include a Real Life Fair and various workshops related to community services and independent living options. We are committed to helping Montana's youth reach their full potential and want to make this opportunity available to as many individuals and families as possible. Your donation toward scholarships or conference expenses will help make that goal possible. To help defray the travel costs for youth with disabilities and their families and/or the costs of the conference, please complete the attached application and return it to MYTransitions, 1617 Euclid Ave., Helena, MT 59601 or as an attachment to mylfjuneh@bresnan.net. For questions or for more information, please feel free to contact June Hermanson at Ph. 406-442-2576. For conference registration information, go to www.montanayouthtransitions.org. Thank you for your partnership and investment in Montana's future.

Click here to download the full flyer for this event (PDF) What: Easter Seals-Goodwill is starting a parent support group in the Helena area. The group is open to families who have a child with autism or sensory processing issues, or any other disability. Our goal is to provide opportunities for parents to meet, learn from and support one another and to participate in discussions or presentations of interest to the group. When: 1st Monday of each month beginning September 12, 2011 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Where: 9 Placer Avenue2nd floor Conference RoomHelena, MT Contact:If you would be interested in participating, please contact Abbey Hood at 406-217-8768 or email abigailh@esgw.org for more information.

Visit the NAMIWALK website for more information and to register for this event What: Each fall, a group of dedicated volunteers and staff hold the NAMIWalk to generate the resources and awareness that allow NAMI Montana to complete its critical mission of supporting, educating, and advocating for Montanans with severe mental illnesses and their families.  NAMI Montana will be holding its eighth annual NAMIWalk in Helena at Memorial Park on September 25th.  It's set to be our best walk ever.  We've got goals of having over 2,500 Walkers and raising $125,000. When: Sunday, September 25, 2011 Where: Memorial Park Helena, MT More Information: Please go to the Walk website to sign up to be a Team Captain, to be a Walker, or to donate.  Find out about how to start a team and the duties of a Team Captain here.   If you don't feel comfortable signing up online, please send us an email at info@namimt.org or give us a call at (406) 443-7871 and we'll send you a packet of information.

Click here to register for this event What: For too long, autism has been under-served and under-heard. At Autism Speaks, our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and a cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. As the nation's leading autism organization, we are excited to be coming to your community.  Please register today for the Montana Walk Now for Autism Speaks! If you are interested in being involved in Autism Speaks in your area: Please contact Susan Mauro at jaysusanseth@msn.com. We need the entire community to help in these efforts so please take a moment to contact us and discover how you can be a part of these efforts. When: Sunday, September 11, 2011 Registration: 1:00 pm Walk Starts: 2:00 pm Where: Thomson Park Laurel, MT

Click here to register for this event What: The purpose of this conference is to provide information and support to State staff and other interested parties in the implementation of the Part C regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).   On September 6, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education announced the final regulations for the early intervention program under Part C of the IDEA.  These final regulations will help improve services and outcomes for America's infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The final Part C regulations incorporate provisions in the 2004 amendments to Part C of the IDEA.  Additionally, the final regulations provide States with flexibility in some areas, while ensuring State accountability to improve results and providing needed services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.  The regulations focus on measuring and improving outcomes for the approximately 350,000 children served by the Part C program with the goal of ensuring that such children are ready for preschool and kindergarten. Please join staff from the U. S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in this interactive training session! When: November 16, 2011 Where: Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center 201 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD Questions: Please contact Tamara Infante at tinfante@fhi360.org.

Click here to register for this webinar What: The Real Lives, Real Stories webinar will give VR personnel specific, real cases of 3-6 transition age individuals with autism who have achieved competitive employment or are in the process of seeking and achieving competitive, customized employment. This webinar will address the stories and lives of at least 3 individual (Ian’s Story, Chelsea’s Story, Katelyn’s Story, Vincent’s Story, Ashley’s Story, and/or William’s Story) and will cover: An overview including video of the individual. The process of how their goals are decided and a description of the employment outcome. The personal supports each person needs and how they are provided. The paid supports each person needs and how they are provided. Where the person is now and plans for near future. It is expected that VR staff who participate the webinar will learn about the variety of interests, skills, and needs of individuals with autism and the possibilities for employment. In addition, staff will be given general; and specific information about specific types of paid, unpaid, formal, and natural supports individuals may need. When: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 10:00am - 11:00am Mountain Registration: Click here to register for this webinar Deadline for registration is Sept. 5, 2011 The webinar is free of charge.

In order to ensure that Montana's public schools are meeting the goal of graduating more students ready for college and careers, Superintendent Juneau has launched Graduation Matters Montana. Whether you are a community leader, business owner, educator, student or family member, your help is needed in ensuring students in our state graduate ready for college and careers.

Many families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are faced with the option of using medicines to help treat their child’s challenging behaviors. This is a tough medical decision and there is no one right answer.  Though many children with autism may benefit from medications that ease challenging behaviors, families often struggle with making the decision of whether medication use is right for their child. This is why the Autism Speaks’ Autism Treatment Network (ATN) created the Medication Decision Aid. It includes a family decision aid and answers to frequently asked questions—all designed to help you clarify your values and goals and then talk with your healthcare provider about the options, benefits, and possible downsides of medications. This tool kit can be used at any point in your decision-making process, including the re-evaluation of medications your child is now taking.