Preparing for IEP and Annual Review Meetings
As we begin the Annual Review season and parents are getting notices for meetings, please take note that the meetings are available virtually and in-person.
And here are some websites that are helpful in preparing for IEP, 504 and Annual Review Meetings. They are:
https://adayinourshoes.com/
https://www.imdetermined.org/
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-an-iep
https://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/iep.bollero.hearts.htm
https://www.additudemag.com/12-tips-successful-iep-meeting/
https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/the-abcs-of-ieps/iep-meeting-6-tips-parents/
Online IEP Meetings Overview from A Day in Our Shoes: https://adayinourshoes.com/online-virtual-iep-meeting/
Careers for Neurodivergent Job Seekers: At least one in fifteen people are neurodivergent and they offer special skills. Microsoft has a Neurodiversity Career Connector. Founded in 2017, the Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable is a collection of employers committed to neurodiversity-focused hiring initiatives. Though we span many industries, we share a belief that organizations thrive when they tap into the unique talents of their employees, and individuals thrive when they can present their best self at work. We strive not only to match neurodivergent job seekers with meaningful jobs but also to provide the training and support needed for career growth and success.
Go here for more information: https://ndcc.simplifyhire.com/
Tutor Resource shared by Wantagh Public Library: https://www.tutor.com/
Resources from our October Meeting: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm in the Middle School Library. 
TOPIC: Increasing Social Skills with Your Children: Ellis O'Connell, Clinical Supervisor at Marra & Glick Applied Behavior Analysts presented on learning how to help your child develop an understanding of social cues to increase positive social interaction.
We were so pleased with the enlightening presentation last evening discussing "Increasing Social Skills for our children" with Ellis O'Connell. (Below is the listing of resources she gave out for your reference.) And we were truly grateful for all who were able to join us.
Social Skill Resources from Marra & Glick Applied Behavior Analysts, PLLC: 631-479-2900 | mg-aba.com
Sports:
Be the Best Sport, Port Washington, NY: 516-453-0990 | bethebestsport.org
East Meadow Baseball/Softball Association: 516-794-8965 | http://eastmeadowbaseballsoftball.com/
KISS (Kids in Special Services), Plainview, NY: 516-822-3535 | http://kidsinspecialsituations.org/about/
After School Programs and Classes:
Adler Center for Special Needs, Mid-Island Y JCC, Plainview, NY: https://www.miyjcc.org/adler-center-for-special-needs
Family Center for Autism, Garden City, NY (social skills group and more): http://familycenterforautism.org/
Pop Earth, Dix Hills & Wextbury, NY (yoga, dance fitness, holistic health): https://www.popearth.org/
Theresa Academy of Performing Arts (TAPA) Long Beach, NY: https://theresafoundation.org/
Specialty MineCraft Website for Children with Autism: https://www.autcraft.com/
Teaching Resources for Parents:
Guide to teaching social skills for parents: https://mission-cognition-share.com/…/A-Parents-Guide-Teach…
www.missioncognition.com/mc-share
Nationalautismresources.com (social skills games)
On Monday, November 7th @ 7:30 pm, "Anxiety in Childhood" was discussed by Dr. Deena Abbe, PhD. She presented information addressing anxiety and depression in children and how it manifests in children. She was an insightful speaker who answered many questions and gave some suggestions for books along with CDs, websites and apps to help children cope with stress and anxiety. Several are listed below, as well as on our Meetings page.
Websites to find Books, CDs and other resources on mindfulness for children and ways to relieve stress and anxiety:
Mindful Schools: http://www.mindfulschools.org/
Lori Lite's Stress Free Kids: https://stressfreekids.com/
Wake Up Schools: http://wakeupschools.org/
from http://www.thichnhathanhfoundation.org/
GoZen Mindfulness Cards: http://www.gozen.com/product/mindfulnesscards/
Teaching Emotional Language books from: http://www.weareteachers.com
Websites to find Apps and Videos:
Smiling Mind: https://smilingmind.com.au/
Buddhify2: http://budadhify.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/buddhify-2-Media-Release-Jan-6-2014.pdf
Yoga for Kids Video and info: http://bentonlearning.org/
Yoga for Kids App: http://www.kidsyogaverse.com/
Stop, Breathe and Think: http://www.stopbreathethink.org/
To find more information on Dr. Abbe, go to her website. Anxiety is something that effects so many children in general education as well as special education.
Online Resources:
Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Parent Teacher Conference Tip Sheet
Understood.org Tips
Understanding the Difference Between IEP and 504 Plans
Bullying:
http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/collections/bullying
http://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/11/nl.1025.htm
The IEP & Bullying
Autism Insurance Reform:
Click here for a presentation from Parent to Parent of NYS.
Transition:
A memorandum from the P-12: Office of Special Education providing guidance to school districts regarding transition planning and services for students with disabilities and information about resources that can assist school districts to meet their responsibilities in this area is available at:
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/transitionplanning-2011.htm
Speaker Presentations:
ADHD: What Is It & How Can We Help? Presentation By Ed Petrosky
Bullying & The Special Needs Child-Presentation By Ed Nitkewicz
Informational Websites:
LD Online is the leading website on learning disabilities, learning disorders and differences. http://www.ldonline.org/
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy http://wrightslaw.com/
The Elija Foundation offers many different seminars and workshops for parents and professionals dealing with Autism http://www.elija.org/foundation/news-and-events/conferences-workshops/
Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) http://www.chadd.org/
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) http://ldaamerica.org/
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/Home.aspx
New York State Education Department's Office of Preschool - Grade 12 Special Educationhttp://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/quality/parents.htm
Books
Tumblebooks is an online collection of read-along titles which features adjustable online text and complete audio narration. Sentences are highlighted as they are being read and the pages turn automatically. The collection features chapter books, early readers, YA/Teen Novels, high interest/low level books for both middle school and high school students, plus classics of American and English literature. http://www.tumblebooks.com/tumblereadable/home.asp
Information and Inspiration for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities by Rick Lavoiehttp://ricklavoie.com/gateindex.html
Book Recommendations:
For gifted/twice-exceptional children ..
"Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential" by Rich Weinfeld, Linda Barnes-Robinson, Sue Jeweler and Betty Roffman Shevitz
For Asperger's Syndrome...
"Parenting Your Asperger Child: Inpidualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills" by Alan Sohn, Ed.D. and Cathy Grayson, M.A.
"Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals" by Tony Attwood
"Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal" by Liane Holliday Willey
"The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration" by Patricia Romanowski Bashe and Barbara L. Kirby
For younger families...
"Making Music with the Young Child with Special Needs: A Guide for Parents" by Elaine Streeter
"It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success" by Richard Lavoie
From Another Perspective: Main Characters with Disabilities and Differences
* Ballerina Dreams by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by James Estrin
The young dancers featured in this photo essay, each of whom has cerebral palsy or other physical disabilities, get their chance to perform in front of an audience. Vibrant photos follow the dancers from their final rehearsal to their backstage primping, from last minute jitters to the exuberant performance. Estrin captures the dancers' faces filled with concentration and joy, their bodies, strong and graceful on stage, and their families and friends beaming with pride. Thompson's well-written text is inspiring without being maudlin. Ages 5-8.
* Best Friend on Wheels by Debra Shirley, illustrated by Judy Stead
In enthusiastic rhyming text, a young girl describes all the things she and her best friend Sarah have in common. A few pages later, she reveals: "We're different in one way: she uses a wheelchair. She rolls and I walk when we want to go somewhere." The narrator goes on to explain that she was nervous when she first met Sarah. As she gets to know her, though, her wheelchair becomes a mere footnote to their friendship. This is one of the few picture books to portray a close friendship between a child with a disability and one without a disability. Ages 4-7.
* Keep Your Ear on the Ball by Genevieve Petrillo, illustrated by Lea Lyon
Davey is new in school. He is blind, and lots of well-intentioned kids offer to do things for him. Each time, Davey answers with a polite, "Thanks, but no thanks." Soon Davey's classmates realize he can do most things on his own. But there's one thing he can't do: Davey can't play kickball. His classmates want to help him - offering to kick for him or to hold his hand when he runs - but Davey wants to succeed on his own. Together, they come up with a creative solution so Davey can play without help. Kids will get caught up in the relatable story with an important message. Ages 6-9.
* Moses Goes to a Concert by Isaac Millman
Moses and his classmates attend a concert. They are deaf, so they hold balloons on their laps to help them feel the vibrations of the music. Moses is surprised to see that the percussionist is not wearing shoes. She is deaf, too. She can feel the vibrations in the stage better without shoes. After the concert, Moses and his classmates get to meet her. Throughout, the author/illustrator incorporates illustrations of Moses signing parts of the story in American Sign Language. The inclusion of the ASL hand alphabet at the back of the book will have hearing kids eager to learn some signs. Ages 5-8.
* That's Like Me!: Stories About Amazing People with Learning Differences by Jill Lauren
Teacher and explorer Ann Bancroft became the first woman to cross the ice to the North Pole. Tenth grader Tremaine is an artist who worked on a award-winning mural that's on display in Philadelphia. Jason Pagan is a NYC Firefighter. Dr. Kevin Wallace didn't learn to read until adulthood and entered a prestigious veterinary school at age 40. Athlete Micah didn't get the help he needed until college, but now he's in grad school. Jill Pages is a professional trapeze artist. Each of the kids, teens, and adults featured in That's Like Me have struggled with learning differences: dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, speech issues, and others, and each of them has achieved remarkable things. In two-page, first-person accounts, they discuss their learning differences and strategies, their passions, and the ways they have achieved or are working to achieve their goals. Ages 9-13.
Novels
* Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
Of her fellow seventh graders, Emma-Jean Lazarus thinks "their behavior was often irrational. And as a result, their lives were messy. Emma-Jean disliked disorder of any kind, and had thus made it her habit to keep herself separate, to observe from afar." Though not labeled as such, Emma-Jean displays some characteristics of an individual with Asperger Syndrome, making her a uniquely insightful narrator. When she sets out to help her classmates solve their problems, her lack of understanding of middle school social mores leads to some mix-ups. A memorable, winning narrator and realistic but uplifting look at junior high life makes Emma-Jean a new favorite. Ages 10-12.
* Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
"'Melody, if you had to choose, which would you rather be able to do--walk or talk?' Talk. I pointed to my board. I hit the word again and again. Talk. Talk. Talk. I have so much to say." Melody is exceptionally intelligent (and she has a sassy sense of humor), but people constantly underestimate her. She has cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk or write. Things start to change when Melody gets a Medi-Talker computer that enables her to communicate. But the Medi-Talker doesn't magically erase her classmates' prejudice, her teachers' ignorance, or Melody's own frustration and embarrassment. Melody has to work on that on her own. Melody's stuggles to be heard, literally and figuratively, make this a compelling and memorable read. Ages 11-14.
* The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff
The thing about Andy is that he's Georgie's best friend (but they have a big fight). The thing about Jeanie is that she's a meanie (and Georgie has to do a class project with her). The thing about Georgie's parents is that they are musicians (but Georgie's condition prevents him from playing any instruments). The thing about Georgie's mom is that she's pregnant (and Georgie will soon have a little sibling who's bigger than he is). The thing about Georgie is that he's a dwarf. But that's far from the only thing about Georgie. Likeable, realistic characters and relatable friendship and family issues make this an excellent choice. Middle grade readers who will soon realize that dwarfism is hardly the most important thing about Georgie. Ages 8-11.