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Click here download the full informational brochure (PDF) Click here to download the registration form (PDF) What: MSDB 11th Annual Family Learning Weekend for the Blind and Visually Impaired Where: MSDB Campus in Great Falls When: June 3‐5, 2011 Who: Families of Blind and Visually Impaired Children living in Montana! Why: The Learning Weekend is a creative program that provides opportunities for families of sensory impaired children to learn about blindness and visual impairment, share their experiences with other families, and learn how to communicate more fully with one another in a warm, caring atmosphere. The focus of the weekend is to enhance each individual's personal knowledge of blindness and how it relates to the education and development of their child. Information in the form of informal workshops, group discussions (parent groups, kids groups, siblings groups, etc.) and hands‐on activities will be offered. Child care and recreation for the children (siblings included) will also be available at no charge. Families will be reimbursed for mileage at the current state rate.

This research protocol seeks to learn more about bipolar disorder in children and adolescents ages 6-17. Researchers will describe the moods and behaviors of children with bipolar disorder and use specialized testing and brain imaging to learn about specific brain changes associated with the disorder. This protocol studies children who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and those who have a sibling or parent with bipolar disorder and are thus considered "at risk" for developing the disorder.

April is known as Autism Awareness Month, but this year there's a movement to re-brand it Autism Acceptance Month. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), an advocacy group for and by people with autism, is calling for April to be a "celebration of Autistic culture and community." For me, this resonates a lot more than Autism Awareness Month. I'm already very much aware of autism. Two of my four kids have Asperger's syndrome, and I've been living and breathing autism awareness for quite some time now. So have my husband, our two kids with ASDs, their siblings, our entire extended family, and our friends.

My daughter Emma was just 3 when Teddy was born, with a viral infection he contracted in utero that caused extensive brain damage. This short film captures her love for Teddy, one not weighted down by disappointment, sadness or a full understanding of all the ways in which he wasn’t “normal.”

Epilepsy Foundation Northwest Camp Discovery August 31–September 3 The Epilepsy Foundation Northwest’s Camp Discovery, located at Camp Fire USA’s Camp Killoqua in Stanwood, Wash. (Snohomish County), is a 4-day, 3-night camp for children and teenagers, ages 7–17, with epilepsy. It’s a great opportunity for kids to experience the fun of camp activities—swimming, fishing, sports, hiking and more—all designed to be accessible and adapted to campers’ individual needs and abilities, all in a safe, medically monitored setting. The camp is free to kids with epilepsy and costs $150 for siblings. Scholarships are available for qualified individuals, based on availability and financial need. Contact Brent Herrmann at 206-547-4551, or register at www.epilepsynw.org.

Click here to download the flyer (pdf)Friday afternoon?  Nothing to do? VSA Montana arts classes at Zootown Arts are waiting for you. They are FREE and open to children with disabilities and their siblings, ages 5-12.

When: June 24, 2010 Where: Paxson Elementary 101 Evans Street Missoula, MT 59801 What: Come join us for our first weekly playgroup. The playground has nice new play equipment and is fenced (no gates though). This will be a great time for kids to get outside and move with friends. Siblings, family and friends are welcome! Contact MT CAAN at mtcaan@gmail.com with questions.

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 What: You're invited to bring your child as well as his/her siblings (free). The kid's will get to groom and ride their horses. Instruction is provided by certified instructors and trained volunteers. The field trip will be 2 to 4 hours long depending on the ages of the majority of the children attending. We will be meeting at the Walmart on Brooks/93 at 9:30 for the drive to Corvallis. We'll combine vehicles for those of us that have larger cars and carpool to the ranch.  If you want to join the fun, please send us the names and ages of the kiddos (or teens) planning to attend as well as your contact information by noon on Friday June 25. This trip is sponsored by MT CAAN and a generous donation from Missoula Pediatric Dentistry. For more information:E-mail mtcaan@gmail.com or call Denise Dahlberg at 239-9156

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 Call (406) 961-2999 or (406) 880-6599 or e-mail btr@bitterrootriding.org for more information on this event. Visit Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding's homepage at http://www.bitterrootriding.org/

This Directory can help you find summer camps or programs for children with special needs and their siblings. The camps are listed alphabetically by sponsoring organization If your child is interested in going to a camp not specifically for children with special needs, call the camp for more information about including your child.Click here to download the Summer Camp Directory

Register for Conference Each National Conference brings together the OI community to share, earn and enjoy life. Attendees are as diverse as OI itself – parents, grandparents, kids with OI, siblings, teens, adults of every age, spouses, people with a new diagnosis and people who are conference veterans. Planning is well underway for the 2010 Conference scheduled for July 8-10, in Portland, OR. The theme will be: Living Well with an Unbreakable Spirit!  

Click here to download the full brochure with schedule and registration information (PDF) What: In contrast to Family Learning Weekends, Enrichment Weekends are designed to create opportunities for students who are deaf & hard of hearing to interact with their peers, rather than providing information for parents and siblings. The theme of the weekend is “Finding Yourself” and activities are implemented to build confidence and a sense of responsibility in each participant. All school aged students are welcome; activities will be modified according to each child’s age and ability. Parents are encouraged to participate activities as appropriate. When: February 25 & 26, 2011 Where: Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Campus Great Falls, MT

The information for this Tools for Inclusion came from a research study in Massachusetts. We interviewed 16 people with intellectual disabilities and their families and employment staff to understand how they make decisions about work and how their family members help them make decisions. "Family" can mean: two parents, one parent, step-parents, older and younger siblings, or extended family members such as aunts, uncles or grandparents.

As an older sibling of someone with developmental disabilities, I want to believe that my sister will have better options than exist today. Policies such as IDEA and NCLB were founded on philosophies derived from civil rights and an individual’s pursuit of happiness. These are meant to provide a semblance of equality and possibility for individuals with disabilities to grow and achieve their full potential. My sister, however, will never be able to fight for her happiness on her own. The state will always see her as a burden, and she will rely on a community to support and protect her.

What: Participants from around the world attend the TASH Conference to learn more about best practices in the field of significant disabilities, network and share information, and most importantly, stake their claim in a movement to include people with disabilities in all aspects of life. We hope you’ll join us! When: November 30 - December 3, 2011 Where: Atlanta, Georgia Who attends the TASH Conference? People with disabilities Parents, siblings and other family members Educators (General Education and Special Education) School Administrators Researchers College Professors Students Click here to learn more about submitting a proposal to present at the 2011 TASH Conference. Proposals are due by May 6, 2011, at 5 p.m. ET.