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Click here to register for this event What: Linda James Myers, Ph.D. will present "The Challenges of Cultural Congruence: What Every Advocate Should Know" on Thursday, June 16, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Dr. Myers is a professor at The Ohio State University, past president of the Association of Black Psychologists, and chair of the Board of Trustees for the National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities (AACLD). This webinar will focus on the importance of cultural congruence, one of the most challenging and often least discussed issues central to the success of Black families as they seek to provide a quality education for their children. As a member of a cultural group whose ethnic and racial heritage is congruent with and supported by that dominant in this society, Euro-western white, one may assume that this prevailing cultural worldview and the subsequent educational and other social institutions created by it are universally suitable and acceptable. The assumption is often made that the prevailing cultural worldview is universally adopted and held by all Americans, particularly those who have been in this country for generations and for whom English is believed to be their first language. This webinar will explore how these assumptions have hurt non-immigrant African Americans and their progeny, particularly in terms of education, their potential for educational achievement, and the current disproportionality we see in special education. Emphasis will be placed on how advocating for a culturally congruent educational experience on behalf of Black students and their families has the potential to transform the negative educational outcomes that have plagued this population for decades. This is the first in an Equity and Ethnicity in Special Education four-part series of webinars hosted by COPAA, a non-profit organization that works to protect special education rights and secure excellence in education on behalf of the 7.1 million children with disabilities in America. When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 12:00 pm Mountain If you would like to register for this event or any of the four-part series, please click here. COPAA non-member registration is $65.00 for one session or $195.00 for all four sessions. The full four-part series includes: Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern The Challenges of Cultural Congruence: What Every Advocate for Black Students Should Know Presenter: Linda James Myers, Ph.D. Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Addressing Legal Issues of Disability and Race Discrimination Presenters: Matthew Engel, Esq., Ron Lospennato Esq. Wednesday, June 29, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Representing Parents Whose Dominant Language is Other Than English Presenter: Gabriela Ruiz, Esq., Southern Legal Counsel, Inc. Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Disproportionality: What are we doing about it? Presenters: Sonja Kerr, Esq. Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP)

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) What: Bal-A-Vis-X is a series of more than 200 Balance/Auditory/Vision exercises, of varied complexity, most of which are deeply rooted in rhythm.  These exercises require full-body coordination and focused attention.  The program utilizes beanbags, racquetballs, balance boards, and multiple principles and activities from Educational Kinesiology for crossing midline.  It demands cooperation, promotes self-challenge and fosters self-esteem….and it is FUN! Who Should Attend: Administrators, Principals, Regular and Special Educators, School Psychologists, Teachers, Social Workers, Therapists – OT/PT/SLP, Paraprofessionals, and Parents When:  August 11-12, 2011 Day 1 & 2:  8:00 – 5:00 pm Lunch Provided – 30 minute break Location:   Ridge View Elementary School 117 Green Belt Drive Belgrade, Montana Cost:  Registration Cost - $150 17 hours of instruction Full Two-day attendance required Registration limited to 60 Participants must be over age 18 Contact for More Information:  Denielle Miller 3929 Baxter Bozeman, MT  59718 (406) 587-4970

Click here to access this presentation and for more information What: Concerns and experiences of college students with TBI How do changes in cognition and social development impact students' college experiences? What services are currently available to students What do students with TBI need in order to be successful in college? Sessions are presented via a fully accessible Talking Communities webinar platform. When: Tuesday, June 22, 2011 at 1 p.m. - 2:30

He knows nearly every dinosaur and the era they came from, but gets so frustrated by handwriting that he struggles to complete book reports. The 8-year-old Berwyn resident already has developed plots for three more “Star Wars” sequels, but sometimes lacks the social skills to effectively communicate with his classmates and teachers.

What: The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley (SPC-YV) is supported by survivors, teachers, healthcare professionals, Native American leadership, clergy and community. With the generosity of a grant awarded through the Montana Mental Health Settlement Trust, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Training on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the Mansfield Education Center in Billings, Montana. This is OPI approved and School District 2 has approved it for 7 hours toward MEA Trade Days. We plan to apply for Social Work, Councelor and Law CEUs as well. In addition, the training reaches out to the grassroots welcoming parents and other community members for their first time training on this issue. We are confident this will be an informative and crucial way to address the challenges of suicide in our greater community. When: Friday, October 21, 2011 Where: Mansfield Education Center Billings, Montana. Contact: Mike Yakawich spcoalitionyv@gmail.com 406-254-2445

Click here to register for this webinar -- $49 What: Individuals with autism have complex needs. There are thousands of apps out there, but which ones will meet their needs? This webinar will provide a preview and describe uses of apps that therapists and parents are finding useful in meeting the unique challenges of individuals with autism. These apps promote a wide range of skills for individuals with autism: communication, social skills, behavior and more. When: Monday, August 15, 2011 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time Presenter: Phyllis S. Watson, CCC-SLP, Augmentative Communication Specialist, Crotched Mountain ATECH Services Full Abstract – Including speaker biography and learning points

a student living with Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, the everyday social interactions of college life can be awkward. Heim is part of a new influx of kids with autism who are heading off to college, creating a new demand for college services to help students with autism fit in, graduate and find jobs.

To register, call 406.896.5890 or click here to learn more. Conference Fee is $139; meals included both days What: This conference will provide information and hands-on training in the latest technology being used to enhance communication and social skills for individuals living with autism. This conference is for everyone who loves and works with children and adults with autism every day. Where:MSUB Main Campus - Library Room 148 When:July 27 & 28, 2011 from 8 am to 5 pm both days

What: The COPAA Training Committee is proud to present this five part webinar series on Legal Issues in Special Education. Please note new pricing for webinars! We also have a brand new subscription option - you can now register for one session, one series or for one entire year! Legal Series (live sessions) Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 12:00pm - 1:30pm Mountain 2010 Annual Case Law Review Presenter: Judith Gran, Esq. Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 12:00pm - 1:30pm Mountain Legal Claims for Bullying and Harassment Presenters: Catherine Merino Reisman, Esq., Amy Carolla, Esq. Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 12:00pm - 1:30pm Mountain Litigating Claims for Unlawful Retaliation and Interference with Rights Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 12:00pm - 1:30pm Mountain Social Emotional Assessment: Meeting IDEA Requirements Presenter: Ann E. Simun, PsyD Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 12:00pm - 1:30pm Mountain Expanding Your Arsenal with Section 504 For a complete list of past recorded sessions (included in the subscription or available individually), please visit: http://www.copaa.org/conference-training/webinars/ Fees View Event Fees View Event Summary View Event Agenda Register for Event

Click here for more information about this Conference What: The Pacific Rim International Conference (Pac Rim) on Disability & Diversity has been widely recognized over the past 27 years as one of the most “diverse gatherings” in the world. The event encourages and respects voices from “diverse” perspective across numerous areas, including: voices from persons representing all disability areas; experiences of family members and supporters across all disability areas; responsiveness to diverse cultural and language differences; evidence of researchers and academics studying disability; stories of persons providing powerful lessons; examples of program providers, natural supports and allies of persons with disabilities and; action plans to meet human and social needs in a globalized world. Each year the conference hews to its traditional areas which have bred much of the interdisciplinary research and educational advances of the last three decades. But each year new topics are introduced to foment discussion and change. The intent is to harness the tremendous synergy as generated by the intermingling of these diverse perspectives, thus, creating a powerful program which impacts each individual participant in his or her own unique way. When: March 26 & 27, 2012 Where: Hawai‘i Convention Center 1801 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815

Whether you need help with math homework, need to prepare for a college entrance exam or the GED, or write an effective resume or term paper, HomeworkMT can help!   HomeworkMT offers free online tutoring, academic resources, writing assistance and preparatory testing materials from Tutor.com for all Montana residents. Get help in math, science, social studies or English from a live tutor as part of this statewide service. The service can be accessed from a Montana public, school, academic or special library or from your home computer. Tutors are available Sunday through Thursday 2 p.m. — 11 p.m. The SkillsCenter is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Click here to visit AutismAfter16.com Autism After 16 is a website devoted to issues impacting the lives of adults on the autism spectrum, especially legal, financial, residential, employment and social issues. The site will focus first on the transition into adulthood that is very poorly understood by most families. The site will have short news stories, longer feature articles, guest commentary and regular columnists. It features a cadre of writers, some of whom are adults on the spectrum, who will look at adult issues from their own unique points of view.  If you have friends or family that would like to learn more about adult autism issues please have them visit: www.autismafter16.com

Transitioning to Kindergarten: A Toolkit for Early Childhood EducatorsThe transition to kindergarten is most successful when it is carefully planned out over the entire pre-kindergarten year.  Starting as early as the first day of preschool, it’s important to make sure that children are developing the academic skills that help form a foundation of strong pre-reading and pre-writing, as well as the social and emotional skills they’ll need in kindergarten. 

For most of his life, music critic Tim Page felt like an outsider. Restless and isolated, he was overstimulated and uneasy around others. Finally, when he was 45, Page was diagnosed with Asperger's, a syndrome that falls within the autism spectrum. As Page explains in the prologue of his new memoir, Parallel Play: Life As An Outsider, the diagnosis came as a relief: "Here, finally, was an objective explanation for some of my strengths and weaknesses," he writes.People with Asperger's often struggle to interact with groups and understand social norms. Page describes himself growing up as a "very lost little kid" who acted out in school by making faces at teachers and being aggressive with the other students. His ability to connect to others didn't improve with age.

Are you worried that your child isn’t developing like other children? Has your child been diagnosed with a developmental delay or disability? You are not alone. We are here to help you find answers to your questions. Other parents and therapists are here with you.

In Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online, OnGuard Online gives adults practical tips to help kids navigate the online world.  Kids and parents have many ways of socializing and communicating online, but they come with certain risks.  This guide encourages parents to reduce the risks by talking to kids about how they communicate – online and off – and helping kids engage in conduct they can be proud of.  Net Cetera covers what parents need to know, where to go for more information, and issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.

It’s important for educators to realize that diagnosis of disability introduces a paradoxical dilemma for parents. On the one hand, parents know that diagnosis is necessary to obtain the services their child needs for academic and life success. On the other, however, parents fear that a label will have unintended consequences that will affect their child’s experience in school, socially and academically, and may even have implications that reach beyond school.

The Southwest ADA Center is pleased to announce the availability of the Disability Law Handbook now in Spanish, as well as English. The Disability Law Handbook is written in "Frequently Asked Questions" format and answers questions about the ADA, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments. Free copies may be downloaded or viewed at http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/Spanish/gld/index.html for the Spanish version and http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/dlh/index.html for the English.

Do you know a consumer/peer leader who has been a leader in educating the public about   behavioral health (mental health and/or addiction issues)? If so, please help the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognize his/her accomplishments by nominating him/her for a 2011 Voice Award. This year, SAMHSA is putting special emphasis on the impact of trauma and the significant effects   it can have on individuals, families and friends, communities, and our Nation. Consideration is being given to consumer/peer leaders who have successfully advocated for the rights of trauma survivors and promoted the importance of trauma-informed care. Each year, the Voice Awards honor consumer/peer leaders whose exemplary leadership and  advocacy plays a vital role in raising both awareness and understanding of behavioral health problems. Specifically, these individuals have made outstanding contributions in all of the following areas:  Led efforts to promote the social inclusion of individuals with trauma histories and behavioral health problems;  Personally demonstrated that recovery is real and possible; and Made a positive impact on their community, workplace, or school. To nominate an eligible consumer/peer leader(s), visit the Voice Awards Web site at www.voiceawards.samhsa.gov. ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2011. Nominations are open to anyone and are free. There is no limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit. Self-nominations are welcome. The 2011 Voice Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 24 at Paramount Studios   in Hollywood, CA. Please consult the Voice Awards Web site for event updates and instructions on how to submit a nomination(s).

Even though my son struggles with communication and social interaction and suffers from multiple anxieties, most people who meet him would probably describe him as high-functioning. There's a decent chance that he can grow up to hold a job and live on his own. Neurodiversity makes sense for him, but why should I -- or anyone else -- assume that it makes sense for "lower-functioning" autistic people?