Download the flyer for this event What:
This is a support group for parents of children with behavioral and emotional issues. This months topics are "oppositional defiant disorder & generalized anxiety", with guest speaker Terri Carlson, LCSW

When:
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Mountain

Where:
The Summit
205 Sunnyview Ln.
Kalispell, MT 59901

Details:
Please RSVP by calling Dawn at (406) 250-3249 or email dawn.miller@pluk.org

What:
The first annual Well-A-Falooza Music, wellness, and Freedom Festival will honor Mental Health Awareness Month in May by providing a day dedicated to serving youth in our community. The focus wil be on positive and healthy lifestyle improvements. The festival will provide music, eduactional classes, activities, sports, local food vendors, and opportunities for further community involvement. When:
Friday, May 31, 2013
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Mountain Where:
Pioneer Park
Billings, MT 59101

To register contact Lori Davenport at (406) 444-5978 or email ldavenport@mt.gov, provide your name, agency, address, email and phone number. Registration closes May 1st, 2013.

What:
Coaches Training (High Fidelity Wraparound). the first day is for all coachesto review coaching materials. the scond day is only for coaches who have not been through Coaches training previously.

When:
May 28, 29, 2013
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Mountain

Where:
Helena, MT

Cost:
Free of charge

To register you must RSVP by May 1, 2013. Contact Julie Doerner at (406) 243-5751
or email montech@ruralinstitute.umt.edu

What:
Eye-Gaze systems allow users to control a computer solely using their eyes - providing access to the internet, emails, and voice generation programs without the use of the upper extremities. In this all day educational conference attendees will learn to utilize eye-gaze systems. Please bring a laptop or a Tobii ATI ACC device. Lunch is not included.

When:
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Mountain

Where:
LaQuinta Inn
620 Nikles Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715

Cost:
Free of charge, free parking

To register contact Tanna at (406) 657-9724 What: A series of social thinking classes for kids with social challenges or autism that focus on improving communication and listening skills, managing conflict and building self esteem in a safe and nurturing environment. When: Wednesdays, July 17 - August 14, 2013 9:00 am - 11:00 am Mountain Where: Easter Seals - Goodwill Pediatric Therapy Services 1537 Ave. D, Suite 111 Billings, MT 59101 Cost: $175.00, includes supplies

To register contact Tanna at (406) 657-9724 What: Support and practice for beginning writers using the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. Perfect for kindergarten readiness. When: July 29 & August 1, 2013 9:00 am - 11:00 am Mountain Where: Easter Seals - Goodwill Pediatric Therapy Services 1537 Ave. D, Suite 111 Billings, MT 59101 Cost: $175.00, includes supplies

To register contact Tanna at (406) 657-9724

What:
Sensory integration camp with fun activities for children with sensory challenges that stimulate every sense using art, music, light, touch and movement.

When:
Fridays, June 14, 21, 28 & July 12, 19, 26, 2013
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Mountain

Where:
Easter Seals - Goodwill Pediatric Therapy Services
1537 Ave. D, Suite 111
Billings, MT 59101

Cost:
$175.00, includes supplies

What:
Teenage boys with Asperger Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder or who otherwise have high functioning autism are encouraged to attend weekly social meetings in Kalispell. Facilitated by Cindy Grossman, the group is open to males 14-18 years of age or enrolled in high school. Some of the topics the group will explore are living with a social-cognitive disorder, employment, bullying, conflict resolution, dating & relationships, teen social skills and mental health issues. There is a maximum of 8 participants in the group and an interview is required with the teen and involved parents to evaluate motivation, willingness and appropriateness for the group. Where:
Eastside Brick building
723 5th Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901

Contact:
Cindy Grossman (406) 752-1237 or email grossmancindy@yahoo.com

What:
Autism support group. The meeting is open to all parents, caregivers and professionals. We ask that children not attend this meeting to promote an open discussion.

When:
Friday, April 26, 2013
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Mountain

Where:
Child Development Center
1725 Montana HWY 35
Kalispell, MT 59901

Cost:
Free of charge

Register for this course #2949
View the course report for #2949

What:
This is a 2-day training workshop on how to administer, score and interpret the ADOS-2. The ADOS-2 is often viewed as the "gold standard" observational assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The experienced presenter is provided by Western Psychological Services Publishers, which developed and published the original ADOS and, presently the ADOS-2

When:
August 12, 13, 2013
8:00 am - 4:00 pm Mountain each day

Where:
Hilton Garden Inn
3720 N Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808

Cost:
$625.00, group and early bird discounts available, see course report for details

Download the flyer for this event What:
Anyone wanting to know more about Legal Rights in Special Education; including parents of children who are receiving special education services in school, attorneys, providers, and district staff are invited to attend the upcoming PAK meeting featuring presenter Andree Larose Special Education Attorney

When:
Saturday, May 11, 2013
10:00 am - 12:00 pm  Mountain

Where:
Paris Gibson Education Center
2400 Central Ave
Great Falls, MT 59401

For more information contact:
Stormi Beutler
(406) 403-7033
stormi.beutler@pluk.org

Download the flyer for this event What:
Anyone wanting to know more about Assistive Technology rights and processes; including parents, schools, and support staff are invited to attend the upcoming PAK meeting featuring presenter Theresa Baldry.

When:
Saturday, May 4, 2013
10:00 am - 12:00 pm  Mountain

Where:
Business Development Center, Conference Room
305 West Mercury Street
Butte, MT 59701

For more information contact:
Diana Tavary
1-406-439-5570
dtavary@pluk.org

What:
The U.S. Department of Education Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and Outreach to Parents and Families cordially invite you to join a conference call about Early Learning with Steven Hicks and HHS staff.

When:
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
2:00 p.m - 2:45 pm Mountain

Dial In Information:
Call-in number: 1-800-857-9841
Participant passcode: 6031605

Register and view details for this event

What:
The NFB Jernigan Institute is pleased to announce the newest National Center for Blind Youth in Science program-NFB STEM-X. This inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program will provide students with learning opportunities in STEM disciplines ranging from engineering and robotics to the science of cooking, and will serve fifty blind high school students from around the country. The NFB STEM-X program challenges the notion that blind people are unable to pursue STEM fields, or on a larger scale, are predestined to a life of social welfare and government dependence.

When:
July 29 - August 3, 2013
Registration closes May 15, 2013

Where:
Towson University
8000 York Rd
Towson, MD 21252

Cost:
$300.00 includes food and lodging

Call for an appointment: (406) 259-4384

What:
Shriners Hospital for Children is sponsoring a free childrens screening clinic. Areas of treatment at Shriners Hospitals for Children include: neurological conditions, cleft palate, burn injuries and scars, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, limb, hand and toe condition, sports injuries, osteogenesis imperfecta-brittle bone disease, hip, knee and leg disorders, spinal disorders, upper & lower extremity prosthetics, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, foot and ankle disorders, port wine stain and more.

When:
Saturday, April 27, 2013
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain

Where:
RiverStone Health Center
123 South 27th St.
Billings MT, 59102

Cost:
Free of charge

Register for this webinar

What:
The purpose of Part 5: Maximizing Participation is designed for the child to engage in social interactions, to share information, share responsibility, and contribute to conversations with as little adult assistance as possible. The child will continue to expand and mature with language expression and also learn how to regulate interactions such as initiating, repairing a message, staying on topic, or asking permission. The child will demonstrate social skills, use vocabulary to accommodate educational growth, and participate in a variety of life experiences. As in the previous four webinars, tips for activities, literacy, vocabulary, tools, access, and troubleshooting will be offered to support a child becoming independent with communication and social participation.

When:
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain

Cost:
Free of charge

Register for this webinar

What:
The purpose of Part 4: Bridging Skills is designed for the child to bridge into independence with their communication participation. The goal is to continue to expand the child's unique language productions while adult facilitators learn to reduce cuing in order for the child to experience increased degrees of independent success. Tips will be offered for activities with unfamiliar communication partners, literacy by writing and reflection on their own experiences, vocabulary skills of using correct tense and even slang, testing adequacy of tools, access, and troubleshooting so that the children will be better able to bridge to successful independent participation.

When:
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain

Cost:
Free of charge

Register for this webinar

What:
The iPad has many apps to assist students with special needs. In this webinar, learn how free, low-cost, and specialized apps can be customized for students with diverse needs. The built-in (free) Photos and Camera apps are easily adapted for flashcards, picture books, and video modeling of social skills. Low-cost apps for books and creativity can be customized to target receptive and expressive language skills. Finally, specialized apps for articulation (e.g., ArtikPix) and literacy (e.g., StoryPals) have modules to create specific learning targets for students. Participants will learn these various implementations of iPad apps to improve individualization for their students.

When:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain

Cost:
Free of charge

Register for this webinar

What:
The purpose of Part 3: Making Connections is designed for children to learn that, not only does their voice matter, but their communication makes a difference. The child may engage in pretend play with peers, complete projects in art and early childhood learning content, and begin to expand their language. Tips will be offered for 15-minute daily activities, building narratives in literacy, using adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions with AAC, expanding contexts for communication tools, familiarizing easy access, and troubleshooting.

When:
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain

Cost:
Free of charge

Register for this webinar

What:
The purpose of Part 2: Building Fundamentals is designed to help the children function with AAC because their communication matters. Children can learn to express their choices about daily preferences and take turns with peers. Their voice will be heard, even if that voice is a Little Mac, a Big Mac, or their own voice as they point to a communication board or use a communication switch. Remember that participation matters across contexts so parents and educators must continue to build literacy skills, expand language with question asking vocabulary, use more complex AAC tools, access, and troubleshoot for the children who are putting words and ideas together.

When:
Thursday, May 9, 2013
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain

Cost:
Free of charge