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

Copyright © 2020 Massachusetts Advocates for Children, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. Our mailing address is: Massachusetts Advocates for Children 25 Kingston Street, 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02111 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date/Place:

Friday, Feb. 7, 2020

9:00 - 4:00

MGPHPCC, 100 Bigelow St., Holyoke, MA.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Transition Resource Fair in Western MA.

Share:

The Transition Resource Fair is October 16 at Hadley Farms Meeting House! This event was previously sponsored by Family Empowerment and DDS. The Fair comes to you this year from the Family Support Collaborative of Franklin and Hampshire Counties (Family Empowerment, The United ARC and DDS)*. Panel Discussion: 5-6pm, RSVP required, limited seating available Exhibitor Fair: 6-8pm, RSVP is not necessary THE TRANSITION FAIR IS A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT! The Transition Resource Fair focuses on future options for high school students with special needs and autism as they plan and prepare for their next steps once out of school. The event provides an opportunity to meet exhibitors from local and inspirational adult support service providers, and to hear from a panel of people from a variety of organizations who will share their individual expertise. The Fair is a free resource event open to the entire community. Beverages and light appetizers will be available. Exhibitor Fair The Exhibitor Fair is from 6-8pm and will showcase programs for college and post-secondary education options, job training, career investigation, day and recreation activities, living options and special needs financial planning. RSVPs are not necessary for the Exhibitor Fair. Panel Discussion The Panel Discussion takes place from 5-6pm and your RSVP is required HERE . Panel Discussion Speakers Collaborative for Educational Services (College Bound options) The Department of Developmental Services (Adult Services) Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (mental health services in the adult world) Mass Rehabilitation Commission (Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Smith ACE - Adult Community Education (adult community education programs at Smith Vocational) Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC) (very popular Leadership Series). There will be time after the presentation to follow up with the presenters at their exhibitor tables during the Fair. Take a look at a partial list of exhibitors you can speak with at the Transition Resource Fair! Autism Connections (a Pathlight program) A utism Housing Pathways Baroco Corpora tion Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP Center for Human Development-Disability Resources College Steps Children and Youth with Special Health Needs -DPH Cooley Dickinson Behavioral Health DDS- Franklin/Hampshire Area Office Department of Developmental Services Developmental Milestones Lab, UMass Family Empowerment (a Pathlight program) The Federation for Children with Special Needs Galactic Smarties (Fireguide) Greenfield Community College LifePath Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Milestones New England Business Associates Pathlight - Adult Family Care Pioneer Valley Planning Commission PLAN of Massachusetts & RI RIverside Industries, Inc Smith Adult Education The United Arc United Cerebral Palsy-Assistive Technology Westover Job Corps Center Work Opportunities Unlimited Download flyer Transition Resource Fair October 16, 2019, Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell Street Hadley Panel Presentation: 5:00-6:00 p.m. Exhibitor Fair: 6:00-8:00 p.m. 3 ways to attend and register Attend the Exhibitor Fair (6-8pm): you do not need to RSVP! Attend the Panel Presentation (5-6pm): Please RSVP for this presentation HERE. Space is limited. Be an exhibitor: there are a few spots left, register HERE. *Family Empowerment, The United ARC, and the Department of Developmental Services - Franklin Hampshire office, have created the new Family Support Collaborative of Franklin and Hampshire Counties to combine our resources and expertise for some regional projects. Together, as Family Support Collaborative of Franklin and Hampshire Counties, we will host the Transition Resource Fair in Hadley. A second Collaboration Transition Resource Fair will take place in the Athol area in the spring of 2020. We look forward to seeing you!

USE YOUR FSA ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR IEE!

That's Eligible?! What special needs tests are covered by FSAs?

 Tabitha Jean Naylor

   

Many people don't realize just how many expenses are FSA-eligible. Unfortunately, figuring out exactly what's covered can be confusing, especially when it comes to less routine appointments like testing for learning disabilities.
The process of diagnosing and treating a learning disability can be a long and stressful process, with medical expenses that can add up quickly. Using your tax-free dollars is a great way to help lift some of the financial strain.
Here's what you need to know about how your FSA can help you and your family when testing and treatment is needed for a learning disability.

Testing for learning disabilities

The term learning disability refers to a fairly wide variety of conditions including dyslexia, dyscalculia, blindness, hearing impairments, specific congenital disabilities, autism, and nervous system disorders. Testing for many of these conditions is expensive, and it often requires more than one test for a specialist to make a correct diagnosis.
Unfortunately, your health insurance will probably only cover a fraction of these costs. The good news is that most tests that diagnose learning disabilities are considered eligible expenses.
For testing to be considered an eligible expense, it must be recommended by a doctor. And in most cases, your administrator will require a letter of medical necessity for reimbursement. This letter must detail why the testing is necessary and how it will benefit your child, as well as how long treatment is expected to last.

Treatment for learning disabilities

Treatment types will vary widely depending on the type of learning disability. So, a child with visual impairments will need a tutor to teach them braille, while a child who is deaf will need to learn lip reading and sign language.
As long as a doctor recommends therapy, education or a combination of both to help your child overcome their learning disability, these are considered eligible expenses.
Other FSA eligible treatments for learning disabilities include:

• Speech therapy
• Multimodal teaching
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Assistive technology which can include items like computers, typing telephones, and magnifiers
• Reading or mathematics tutoring

Your child's doctor may recommend more extensive treatment, like attending a school that specializes in helping children overcome learning disabilities. As long as a doctor prescribes this course of action, tuition and other associated expenses like meals and boarding are eligible for FSA reimbursement.
If your child wants to participate in extracurricular activities that aren't part of the recommended treatment, however, you'll have to cover these expenses out-of-pocket.
If you need to travel to see a specialist for a diagnosis or treatment, your can even use your FSA to help cover those costs. Expenses like gas, tolls, parking, and public transportation fares are all eligible for reimbursement, provided you get a doctor's letter.

What isn't eligible?

While you can get your child tutoring without an official diagnosis to help them overcome difficulties in school, without a doctor's letter, these costs are not FSA-eligible. And if your pediatrician ever decides that treatment is no longer necessary, yet you feel it's best for your child to keep seeing a specialist for their condition, any new expenses you incur will not be eligible for reimbursement.

TALLERES GRATUITOS

Empoderando a las Familias: Serie de tres talleres en Educación Especial

Tres talleres gratuitos para profesionales, cuidadores de salud, y padres de familia en los cuales se ofrecerán herramientas para navegar el Plan de Educación Individual (IEP)

3/19/19 Los Derechos Básicos en Educación Especial: Una mirada a las leyes y proceso en educación especial. 4/23/19 Un IEP para Mi Hijo: Aprenda como el Plan de Educación Individual (IEP) puede apoyar a los estudiantes con necesidades especiales y necesidades médicas (SHCN). 5/7/19 Clinica de IEP: Profesionales se reunirán uno a uno con padres de familia para revisar el Plan de Educación Individualizado (IEP). 5/21/19 Introducción al Proceso de Transición: Preparar a los estudiantes con necesidades especiales y condiciones médicas especiales (SHCN). Lugar: Enlace de Familias | 299 Main St. | Holyoke, MA | 01040

Bienvenida & Refresco: 9:30 - 10:00           Talleres: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm           Almuerzo y Haciendo Conexiones: 12:00 -1:00 pm

Registración por Internet: fcsn.org/ptic/holyoke2019 Presentados en Ingles o Español! Almuerzo y Parqueadero Gratuito !

Department of Children & Families DPH Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs Enlace de Familias Inc. Family Empowerment Family Resource Center Family TIES of Massachusetts MassPAC Multicultural Community Services Family Support Centers New North Citizen Council Pathways for Parents The United Arc

FREE WORKSHOPS

EMPOWERED FAMILIES: A Three-Part Series on Special Education FREE community workshops offering tools to help parents, caregivers, and professionals navigate the IEP process

3/19/19 Basic Rights in Special Education: An overview of special education laws and procedures. 4/23/19 An IEP for My Child: Learn about how the IEP can support students with special needs and special healthcare needs (SHCN). 5/7/19 IEP Clinic: Professionals will meet families one-on-one to review IEPs. 5/21/19 Introduction to the Transition Planning Process: Preparing students with special needs and SHCN for life after high school. Location: Enlace de Familias | 299 Main St. | Holyoke, MA | 01040

Welcome & Refreshments:  9:30 am - 10:00 am Workshops:  10:00 am to 12:00 pm Lunch & Networking: 12:00 -1:00 pm

Register online: Presented in Spanish & English! fcsn.org/ptic/holyoke2019 Free lunch & free parking!

Department of Children & Families DPH Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs Enlace de Familias Inc. Family Empowerment Family Resource Center Family TIES of Massachusetts MassPAC Multicultural Community Services Family Support Centers New North Citizen Council Pathways for Parents The United Arc