Group items tagged

Peace, Purpose and a Pool: Sweetwater Spectrum, a California residence for autistic adults, hopes to become a model for like-minded experiments across the country.

Sentinel High School graduate Marcus Bartlett never dreamed that his fascination with Hoover vacuum cleaners would evolve to the point where Hoover engineers designed his very own custom-made model.

Click here to download the full flyer with agenda and registration form When: August 2-4, 2010 Where: Missoula, Hilton Garden Inn What: Kindergarten Transition and Model Kindergarten Curriculum The Center on the Social Emotional Foundation for Early Learning (CSEFEL) LETRS for Early Childhood Educators

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Facts, diagnosis, treatment, questions and answers, data and statistics, research, screening tools, training and education resources, and free materials for consumers and health professionals. Includes materials in Spanish and Russian. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic & Prevention Network Screening, diagnostic, surveillance, intervention, prevention, and training tools for health professionals, social service providers, and researchers. Includes diagnostic software, instructions on using a four-digit diagnostic code, and photographs to use in diagnosis. Medline Plus: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Information for consumers including overviews, news, research tools, reference material, and links to additional information sources. National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) An online information packet, electronic newsletters, public service announcements, a national and state-by-state resource directory, a list of NOFAS state affiliates, and tools for educators, including a school-based FASD education and prevention curriculum http://www.nofas.org/about/K-12Curriculum.htm> developed in partnership with CDC. PubMed Over 18 million citations and abstracts from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles indexed by the National Library of Medicine back to the 1950s, with links to full text articles when available. Search tips: Enter the term “fetal alcohol syndrome” or the term “fetal alcohol spectrum” in the Search box. Click the Limits tab, and choose the box for Humans and the box for English (or other desired language). Limit the search by date to retrieve only more recent items. SAMHSA Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence Downloadable fact sheets and brochures, links to state resources and legislations, model programs, a publications database, and training courses. University of Wisconsin, Madison: Pregnancy and Alcohol Information on alcohol and pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including fact sheets, self-help guides, research findings, and answers to frequently asked questions. Expert advice offered via e-mail or toll-free information line (800) 752-3157.

The film BODY & SOUL: DIANA & KATHY chronicles the life of two of the country’s most remarkable advocates for people with disabilities. Diana Braun, who has Down syndrome, and Kathy Conour, who has cerebral palsy, met three decades ago and vowed to fight to live independent lives. Fearful of being shut away in a nursing home or forced into a state-run institution, Diana and Kathy broke the rules, escaped the system, and modeled a grand experiment in independent living.

Click here to download the full flyer and registration (PDF) Region IV CSPD is pleased to offer a range of training opportunities on the following Reading and Math Intervention programs. All the programs are research-based and are effective in a Response to Intervention tiered model.

When: September 29th at 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. MT What: Information will be provided regarding current legislative and funding priorities around enrolling students with intellectual disabilities in postsecondary education, as well as insights into characteristics of model programs and potential challenges. Time for questions and discussion will be included.

The focus will be on the two main components: Inclusion Model Decision Matrix Supporting Documents for the Decision Matrix The Inclusion Collaborative of Santa Clara County is committed to ensuring that children with disabilities and special needs have equal access to full participation in inclusive learning environments. There are resources for teachers, families, and administrators (some are California specific).

It is 8:30 on a crisp September morning, the start of a busy day for preschoolers at the Waisman Center's Early Childhood Program, a nationally renowned laboratory school.

Click here to download the Brochure with Registration Information (PDF) Vision Net training is for kids 0-6 with sensory losses and other disabilities. It will start Jan. 13 -- instructors need advanced registrations to get materials assembled and vision net sites. Please fill out the attached registration form if interested.  Topics will include brain development, sensory processing, family centered practices, use of touch, hearing, vision system, CVI, communication, motor development and more. What: INSITE Basic Training prepares early intervention professional to work with families in acquiring information, skills and support to facilitate the development of their young children who have sensory impairments combined with other disabilities. It includes a comprehensive overview of the rationale and organization of the INSITE Model, including early identification, administration and supportive service components. The majority of the training time is devoted to training in the direct services to families. Participants become familiar with the INSITE resource manual (purchased separately by participants)  which contains information and learning activities for families on early communication, audition, vision, cognition, motor impairments, and the development of auditory and visual skills. They learn about the INSITE approach to information gathering, child assessment and program planning needed for developing the IFSP.

Click here to register for this webinar What: This webinar will discuss how to use Acrylic, Stratcore, Astrowhite, Loc-Line, Loc-Lift RG, Dual Loc, CPVC, Green Wire, Flag pole Holders, Model Magic, VHB tape and Epoxy Putty to create hundreds of  solutions in 5 minutes or less.  Participants will learn techniques in scoring, snapping, deburring, heating and bending acrylic.  In addition participants will learn creative techniques for working with PVC and CPVC.  When: Thursday, December 16th, 2010 11:00am -12:00pm Mountain Cost: Free for Lekotek Affiliates $30 General Public (per person) $200 for groups over 10 people

Click here to download the full brochure with registration form (PDF) When: February 2, 2010 Where: Fifth Avenue Christian Church Havre, MT What: Educators everywhere can agree that students need to master a core body of personal skills and competencies thereby positively impacting their school and community, actively engaging in their education. Participants will learn strategies for moving schools from operating in a 20th Century paradigm to creating a model that reflects our dynamic 21st Century, interconnected world. FREE TRAINING FOR: Elementary middle school and high school teachers special education teachers administrators paraprofessionals and parents.

Opening Doors: A Discussion of Residential Options for Adults Living with Autism & Related Disorders This report focuses on the residential concerns of adults with autism and related disorders and is designed to advance the development of residential models that offer quality, affordable housing options. The study also looks at current and projected demand for life-long living options that support individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders who are unable to live on their own. This link opens a PDF document. A fact sheet on this report can be downloaded in Word format.

Sign up now to attend a free webinar on Friday, March 19 at 1pm MST on how to coach teachers and staff members to create a school culture that serves all students. This one-hour session will include a link to download the NIUSI-LeadScape framework for cognitive, culturally responsive coaching and will help you move your coaching from a problem-solving model to strategic capacity building that will change the way teachers and staff understand their work.

A new intensive program for very young children with autism has produced impressive results, leading to substantial gains in I.Q. and in listening skills after two years of therapy.

The program, called the Early Start Denver Model, or E.S.D.M., was part of a two-year study of 48 children as young as 18 months old. Half the children received the intensive therapy, while the rest received a community-based autism intervention, according to a report in the journal Pediatrics.

As an increasing number of children are diagnosed with autism, researchers are looking to parent facilitated play therapy as a cheaper, more accessible alternative to traditional behavior therapy. There are not enough therapists to handle the influx of children with autism, so researchers are looking to early intervention models like the Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters, or the P.L.A.Y. Project, to fill the void. This play therapy approach relies on parents being trained by a professional to be their own therapy provider. Then, parents conduct 20 to 25 hours of play therapy weekly with their child who has autism.

VSA recognizes the positive influence of the arts to advance teaching and learning in the classroom. Because a skilled teaching artist can foster creative engagement and help build an inclusive environment, VSA is seeking outstanding teaching artists with disabilities for the Teaching Artist Fellows program. The VSA Teaching Artist Fellowship program seeks to identify, engage, and support teaching artists with disabilities in the visual and performing arts. VSA recognizes the value of teaching artists in integrating the arts into education. Teaching artists with disabilities also serve as role models of diversity, expression, and inclusive learning in the classroom.