VIRTUAL HS GRADUATION OPPORTUNITY!!

THE FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IS OFFERING A WONDERFUL FREE VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TO ALL HS SENIORS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS!

The Federation for Children with Special Needs sympathizes with Massachusetts families who are adjusting to students finishing their school year from home. With this comes knowing that our children will not be able to participate in school activities and milestones including graduation. We also know the resilience our community has especially when it comes to reimagining new ways to celebrate moments in our children’s lives. To pay homage to the resilience of our children, FCSN wants to help you celebrate with a virtual graduation! FCSN believes in promoting an inclusive community so we are inviting students living with and without disabilities. 

If you are a parent or caregiver to a HS senior would like to have them featured in our virtual graduation, please send us their name, school or program, along with their yearbook/senior photo to klarose@fcsn.org by Friday, May 8th. Please feel free to include their yearbook quote or even their favorite quote to script! Please be on the lookout for our celebratory tribute in early June to the amazing Class of 2020.

FREE WEBINAR: How to Address Social and Communication Needs of Children during COVID 19 school closures

Special Education & COVID-19: A Weekly Chat Thursday, April 9th at 8 PM   As part of our COSA response to the COVID-19 outbreak, MAC will be holding its next weekly virtual chat for parents of children with disabilities on Thursday, April 9 at 8 pm to connect with each other and learn tips about how to address the needs of your children during this pandemic while they are home from school. We are also hosting a Spanish weekly chat series for parents (Charla Semanal) - please click here to view upcoming dates. For our next chat, join Pamela Ely, a speech therapist who is the owner/director of the Ely Center, as she talks about how to address social and communication needs of children during COVID-19 school closures. This chat will be helpful for parents of children with all types of disabilities, including autism. Please note that registration is required in advance of this meeting. Please click here to register. Please bring your questions. We want to hear from you! Join us for our weekly chat: Thursday, April 9, 2020 8:00-8:30  PM Add to Calendar:       PLEASE NOTE - Registration is required in advance of the meeting: Click here to register After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Questions? Email communications@massadvocates.org More Upcoming Events Spanish Weekly Chat Series: Charla Semanal Helpline COVID-19 Resources If you are able, please consider making a gift to support our COVID-19 Education Helpline at a time when families need us more than ever before:   DONATE Have a question? Feedback on our new website? Please email Lilia Melikechi, Communications Manager, at communications@massadvocates.org Check www.massadvocates.org/news for news and updates about our work

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FREE Tourettes Workshop

SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH TOURETTE'S AND OTHER TIC DISORDERS

FREE Workshop Sponsored by:

The Support Network

A Discussion with Dr. Peter Thunfors, Clinical Supervisor, Child Behavioral Health of Baystate Health

FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020

12:30 - 1:45

SCAN 360: 11 Wilbraham Rd

Spfld., MA. 01109

RSVP: Jan Lamberg;   jlamberg@wmtcinfo,org;  call/text: (413) 387-7161

Left door entrance of the Kennedy-McGoodwin Medical Bldg.; 2nd floor, Conference Room

PARKING: additional parking in Colton St lot (inside the chain-linked fence)

FASD WORKSHOP IN HOLYOKE MA.

FASD BASICS, a 1-day workshop for parents and professionals

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a brain-based physical disability with behavioral symptoms.

The FASD BASICS workshop introduces a neurobehavioral approach to living with, caring for, and working with individuals and families impacted by FASD. It acknowledges the source of behaviors: the brain, and provides a set of research-based best practices for helping people with fetal alcohol exposure.

The audience for this workshop is parents and caregivers of people with an FASD, as well as professionals in education, social work, counseling, developmental disabilities, mental health, substance abuse, justice, and family support.

In this 1-day workshop, we will cover:

• Facts, figures, and statistics about FASDs.
• Diagnosis.
• The Neurobehavioral Profile of FASD: primary and secondary characteristics
• Suggestions for accommodations and environmental change

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Date/Place:

Friday, Feb. 7, 2020

9:00 - 4:00

MGPHPCC, 100 Bigelow St., Holyoke, MA.

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This training is based on current research and writings around best practices when parenting, working with, or supporting persons with FASDs, and include many personal anecdotes, stories, and examples of positive change.

Lunch and snacks will be provided. There is no childcare for this event.

Cost: $45. Scholarships are available by emailing adrienne@fafasd.org

Sponsored by FAFASD (Families Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

About the trainer:

Adrienne Bashista is the co-founder of FAFASD and Training Director. She has been educating others about FASDs since 2013. Her focus is on FASD, its impact on families, and best practices for helping children with FASD succeed at home and at school. She is located in Massachusetts but travels throughout North America to deliver workshops and trainings.

She is a writer, special needs parent advocate, entrepreneur, and teacher. Her youngest son was diagnosed with FASD in 2011 after searching for answers for 6 years.

To register, CLICK HERE.

This workshop has changed the dynamics in our home for the better. I would recommend it to anyone who parents or has contact with a developmentally delayed child, including teachers and grandparents. ~Linda Q, Mom to 3 Special Children