Transistion Help

From the SPED Child and Teen website:

Easter Seals of Massachusetts Youth Transition Services: High School students with disabilities, their families and educators are given tools to help achieve their vision. Assistive technology, rehabilitation therapy, vocational evaluation, career skills development, job placement, on-the-job training, Independent living skills, social and recreational opportunities are just a few of offerings. For more information, contact info@eastersealsma.org, call 800-244-2756 or visit Easter Seals of Massachusetts.

Music Workshop

From the SPED Child and Teen web page:
Music & Activity Programs for Adolescents/Youth on the Autism Spectrum - Fall 2011: UMass Lowell's programs are designed for those 13 - 30 who are high functioning on the autism spectrum and include: SoundScape Music Program, The "Chapters" Book Club, Fit and Fun Physical Exercise and Relaxation Program, The Network monthly social and vocational skills program, Horizons College Preparation Mentoring Program with one-on-one mentoring with trained UMass Lowell students. Registration is required and space is limited. For enrollment forms or to register, ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu or visit http://faculty.uml.edu/ahillier

Focus Group

From LifeLinks:

Help Shape the Future of Family Support!

The Department of Development Services (DDS), together with local Citizen Advisory Boards and the Family Support Centers, wants to hear your ideas about the future of Family Support services in Massachusetts.

It's critical that we hear directly from you so that a plan for the future can be developed that really reflects your needs. This is not a presentation but an opportunity for us to listen to you and learn more about what you need. We encourage you to attend this meeting and make your voice heard.

Please come!

DATE: Friday, October 21, 2011

TIME: 1:00 - 3:00PM

LOCATION: Courtyard Marriott Billerica

If you need an ASL or language interpreter or other accommodations, please contact:

Rick Kalish, Assistant Area Director, DDS at 978-322-4309 or rick.kalish@massmail.state.ma.us.

Please RSVP to Rick Kalish by October 18.

Your Help Is Needed

Futures Behavior Therapy Center in Beverly, MA, was severely damaged by the recent flooding. All of the toys, games, area rugs, and many school supplies were lost due to water damage. They are soliciting donations of these materials. The school will even accept any gently used items that are in good condition.

Upcoming Conferences

From the Sped Child and Teen Online Newsletter:
Aspergers Syndrome - Connections 2011 Conference: October 14th & 15th, 2011, Marlborough, MA. The Aspergers Association of New England's annual conference features Keynotes speakers Dan Coulter, with Succeeding with Aspergers Syndrome, and Todd Drezern & Pricilla Gilman, Our Categoreis and Communities. Plus 57 workshops that cover: Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention, Inclusion in Elementary School, Social Thinking, Executive Function Strategies for Children and Teens, Sibling, Behavior Challenges and Solutions, Healthcare, IEPS, Medication, Transition to Adulthood, Driving, and much more. For more information, contact lisa.graffeo@aane.org, call 617-393-3824, or visit the Aspergers Association of New England.

Autism Consortium Symposium & Family Resource and Research Fair – Free: October 25^th, 2011, Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hear top doctors, researchers, and other autism experts discuss advances in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), families and autism research findings, the future of autism genetic, and research related to the neurology of autism and synapse development. Experienced autism agencies will be on hand to discuss what they have to offer your child and family, learn about research studies designed to improve treatments and outcomes for people with ASD, and view an Autism Research Exhibit. Pre-registration required. Please visit https://autismconsortium.eventbrite.com to sign up or call 617-432-6961.

Upcoming LifeLinks Workshops

From LifeLinks:

Special Needs Financial Planning

On Wednesday, October 19 at 6:30PM, LifeLinks Family Support Center will be hosting Cynthia Haddad and John Nadworny of the Special Needs Planning division of Shepherd Financial Partners. They will be presenting an overview of important financial and legal issues in regards to your child with special needs.

The evening will start with parent support and networking time at 6:30 PM where resources and concerns are shared. Free gift, refreshments, and door prize for attending.

The presentation will begin at 7:00PM. All registrants will receive a copy of Ms. Haddad and Mr. Nadworny's book "The Special Needs Planning Guide: How to Prepare for Every Stage of Your Child's Life".

To attend this workshop, please RSVP to 978-349-3040.

Young Adult Relationships and Sexuality

We have a great Young Adult Social Group event planned for October, thanks to Paula Thompson, LICSW. The Family Support Center Young Adult Social Group is for teens and young adults ages 16-28(ish!) who want more social time with their peers and would like to improve their social skills.

The October session, on Saturday, October 15 from 9:00AM-2:00PM, will focus on young adult relationships. This one day workshop for young adults will focus on the goals of individuals in the group. Some topics will include talking about public and private relationships, decision making, and sexuality. Paula Thompson, LICSW will conduct this workshop and engage participants in fun games to help them learn about these important topics.

An accompanying workshop for parents will be held on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:00PM. This session will focus on sexuality and relationships for young adults with developmental disabilities and how to have conversations about these topics with your child. The training will also allow for parents to ask questions and will provide a variety of resources. If your child is attending the Saturday workshop, we ask that you (the parent) please attend this training.

Both of these workshops are FREE!

The Saturday workshop has limited space so reserve your young adult child's spot soon!

To RSVP for any of the aforementioned Young Adult Social Group events, please call Rachel at 978-349-3040.

LifeLinks, 285 Mill Road, Chelmsford

Lego Club!

Lego Club is this Saturday at 9:30 AM. All kids grade 1 and older are welcome. We supply the Legos, you supply the imagination. All creations are put on display to the public.
No sign up necessary.