|
 |
| |
Parent Recommended Resources
Helping
your childern with "Homework" and making it Fun Web pages Welcome
to SpellingCity SpellingCity
is an online spelling program that makes practicing for spelling tests fun.
The Office for Civil
Rights has issued a "Dear Colleague" letter (found at the attached link), addressing the growing practice of refusing
to allow children with disabilities to participate in challenging academic programs, such as Advanced Placement courses, or
requiring those children to discontinue special education services or Section 504 accommodations as a condition of participation
in such programs. OCR explains why these practices are violations of the IDEA, § 504, and the ADA. Please read
this letter carefully and contact me if you have any questions. Also, feel free to broadly distribute this e-mail. http://www.ed.gov/print/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20071226.html
| Sensory Solutions
April,
2011 |
| | | We will be offereing a variety of camps this summer including Get Moving!, Get it Write! (handwriing
camp), Intense! camp (for children who need a more intense therapy approach), Get Set for School! (kindergarten readiness)
as well a Social Skills class (That's What Friends are For!). Click here to view our Summer Camp Schedule . Additionally,
we will have open gym opportunities for you to get out of the heat and come play in the sensory gym with your kids.
As many of you know, we also offer birthday parties on Saturdays
at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Reservations are now being accepted for all
summer camps. Please call or email to hold your spot. |
| | Please call 941-377-9361 or email jen@sensorysolutionsllc.com if you have any questions or need further information. Sincerely, |
|
| |
Careful! School May Ask
You to Sign a Form Allowing Them to Bill Medicaid for Your Child's Therapy in School If your
child has Medicaid, the public schools are allowed to bill Medicaid (not private insurance) for therapy services they provide
in the school setting. In order to do this, however, you must first sign a form giving them permission to do so.
If you give them permission to bill Medicaid for the therapy your child receives in school, it could impact any
private therapy your child may receive outside of school by a private provider. For
example, with Medicaid, the same service cannot be billed twice on the same day. Let's say your child receives
speech therapy on Tuesdays and Thursdays at school and the school bills your Medicaid. Your child could not receive
private speech therapy on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and have Medicaid pay for it. In addition, any therapy your child receives in school will count toward the amount of visits your plan allows.
For example, if your child can only receive OT twice a week under your plan, and they receive OT twice a week at school and
Medicaid is billed for it, you would not be able to have Medicaid pay for any more private OT after school during that week. Public schools have been allowed to bill Medicaid for quite awhile, but many of them have not
really done it. However, with struggling school budgets, districts are looking for more money and they are starting
to really focus on this program. Important - As a parent you do not have
to give the school permission to bill your Medicaid for therapies your child receives at school. The school is legally
obligated to provide the services on the IEP, whether or not you allow them to bill Medicaid. If you think you have
already signed permission form, write a letter to your principal telling him/her that you revoke any and all permission you
gave the district to bill Medicaid. Send the letter certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep a copy for your
file.
A Pebble to Polish is Published Inspired
by over two decades of interactions with parents, A Pebble To Polish by Janet Lord Leszl educates readers about autism
as they are immersed in a story of the idealistic Cassandra Delaine. Cassandra suddenly experiences two dramatic events -
one of joy, the other of sorrow. While coming to terms with the impact these events have on her life, she learns to celebrate
life while raising a son with autism. Read more … Social Storybook Helps Teach Social Rules and Conversation to Children with Autism Social actions that may seem obvious to many children can be daunting for children with autism. The new Social
Storybooks “Social Rules” and “Having a Conversation” from Natural Learning Concepts shows kids
on the spectrum how to be social through simple stories, situations and examples. Read more … Jason McElwain tells his story in The Game of My Life In
the last game of his high school basketball team’s season, with four minutes, nineteen seconds left on the clock, senior
Jason McElwain was sent to the scorer’s table. McElwain, who had been diagnosed with autism early in life, was a beloved
member of the team, but had never played on court before. In the last game of his high school career, McElwain scored 20 points,
and broke a school record with six three-pointers. Now, McElwain has written a memoir with New York Times bestselling author
Daniel Paisner: The Game of My Life: A True Story of Challenge, Triumph, and Growing up Autistic. Read more … Following is information about a heaing aid program through the Lions Club. It may
be worth checking out if you have families at need.
- Mark
Mark Keith
Training Coordinator
Florida School
for the Deaf and the Blind
207 North San Marco Avenue
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 827-2731
keithm@fsdb.k12.fl.uswww.fsdb.k12.fl.us/outreach
Understanding AD/HD
What causes
AD/HD?
Research has demonstrated that AD/HD has a very strong neurobiological basis. Although precise causes
have not yet been identified, there is little question that heredity makes the largest contribution to the expression of the
disorder in the population.
In instances where heredity does not seem to be a factor, difficulties during pregnancy,
prenatal exposure to alcohol and tobacco, premature delivery, significantly low birth weight, excessively high body lead levels,
and postnatal injury to the prefrontal regions of the brain have all been found to contribute to the risk for AD/HD to varying
degrees. Read more about the disorder at CHADD’s National Resource Center on AD/HD. What are the symptoms of AD/HD?AD/HD symptoms usually arise in early childhood. Current diagnostic
criteria indicate that the disorder is marked by behaviors that are long lasting and evident for at least six months, with
onset before age seven. There are three primary subtypes, each associated with different symptoms. AD/HD - Primarily
Inattentive Type:
• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
•
Has difficulty sustaining attention.
• Does not appear to listen.
•
Struggles to follow through on instructions.
• Has difficulty with organization.
•
Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
• Is easily distracted.
•
Is forgetful in daily activities. AD/HD - Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive Type:
• Fidgets
with hands or feet or squirms in chair.
• Has difficulty remaining seated.
•
Runs around or climbs excessively.
• Has difficulty engaging in activities quietly.
•
Acts as if driven by a motor.
• Talks excessively.
• Blurts out answers
before questions have been completed.
• Has difficulty waiting or taking turns.
•
Interrupts or intrudes upon others. AD/HD - Combined Type:
• Meets
both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria. Because everyone shows signs of these behaviors at one time or
another, the guidelines for determining whether a person has AD/HD are very specific. In children, the symptoms must be more
frequent or severe than in other children of the same age. In adults, the symptoms must be present since childhood and affect
one’s ability to function in daily life. These behaviors must create significant difficulty in at least two areas of
life, such as home, social settings, school, or work. Read more about the disorder at CHADD’s National Resource Center on AD/HD. | |
CHADD Affiliate #613 Please read below to find out more about our meetings and programs!
CHADD of Lee County
provides information and support for adults, parents with AD/HD children, and educators and other interested professionals.
When: Meetings are held on the first Tuesday (with the exception of November***) of each
month, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: at Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium located at 2776 Cleveland
Avenue, Fort Myers.
View our entire meeting schedule with dates, times and locations and a list of other events happening in the area.
For More Information Contact: Lynne Lampila, 239-466-1167,
cell 239-940-2578; or Jean Gavin, 239-472-9758; or write: CHADD of Lee County, 14851 David Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33908 or email
Lynne at lee-county@chadd.net
You are not alone! Come learn with us. We look forward to meeting you!
I have been going to this woman for three years now. When Franny started acting out in the Venice dentist
office, (Dr. Jeffrey Janoff in Venice), I had to find someone who would sedate her. Thirty phone calls around the state
with my husband's insurance, and she is the only one who would do it. Upon arriving, Franny was given an oral sedative
and threw it up 10 minutes. Undaunted, Dr. Rivera told me, "Mrs. Basile, I am not letting you drive all the way
home without trying one more method." She used a papoose to wrap around Franny and that did the trick. As
such, I decided to have her work on all my kids using the wrap. My son Joe needed to be sedated until our latest trip
last week. She was able to work on him without it, but he still needed the papoose. My two girls are out of the
wrap altogether and don't need sedations either. I can't say enough about her kind and gentle nature. My
last visit was Monday and I explained to her how some of you were looking to make an appointment as some of your kids would
not be able to handle the oral sensitivity. I told her some of the children were big for their age. She informed
me that she would order adult size papooses to handle the potential clientele. She also told me that she had 10 kids
with autism scheduled that day!!!
ANNOUNCING...........
CELEBRATING ABILITIES INC.
A NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS OF
CHILDREN
WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES
Celebrating Abilities Inc. was founded by Tracy Ferguson and Jacqui
Hawkins based on the
lack of activities and support for children with
different abilities and their families. It is our hope to provide a
personal
and professional support system to all families that are caring for
children with different abilities.
We plan on accomplishing this by being
available to accompany parents to IFSP and IEP meetings as support for
the
parents; Assisting families in Lee County and the surrounding area,
to find appropriate resources to meet theirs and
their child's needs and
collaborating with the various groups and agencies in an effort to
ensure that all families
have the support that they need;
Planning various activities to ensure inclusion of all children in our
community;
and Providing a place for families to come and share their
joys and not so joyous moments in a private online forum.
If you are interested, please contact
Jacqui Hawkins - jacquih1126@gmail.com
or
Tracy Ferguson - fergie97@embarqmail.com
I can't say enough about this camp. My daughter is going again for the weekend as well as summer
camp. Look for the Open house coming soon! It's worth the trip up to Bradenton.
HERE'S ANOTHER GREAT WEBSITE: PHONE
(888)423-4284,/(954) 577-7790, (787)957-1190 THEY ARE GOING TO BE HAVING SEVERAL SEMINARS WHICH MAY BE OF INTEREST TO SOME OF YOU.
THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED ARE: - COMMON PROBLEMS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM -TEACHING
LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND RELATED DISORDERS - BEYOND DISCREET TRIALS:THE VERBAL BEHAVIOR APPROACH TO TEACHING LANGUAGE - HAVE THE BEST BEHAVED CHILD ON THE BLOCK -GETTING
THE MOST FROM AUTISM TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES -TEACHING CHILDREN
TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AT HOME AND SCHOOL - TREATING BEDTIME STRATEGIES
AND NIGHTTIME AWAKENINGS IN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS - TOP TEN
MISTAKES IN BEHAVIORAL PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
THEY HAVE INFORMATION ON SPECIALIZING IN BEHAVIOR REDUCTION PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE
CONTACT NUMBERS ARE TAMPA TO SARASOTA (941)306-3873 FROM
MIAMI TO MELBOURNE (954)603-7885.
The Center For Guardian Advocacy is providing lawyers to
do guardianship, cost is based on sliding scale. Fees will be between $0 and $1,000- depending on gross household income.
Families earning less than $100,000 per year can apply. The program is currently taking applicants in Hillsborough County
, but plans to branch out to surrounding counties soon. Call 813-528-3876.
| The sites and resources listed
on this page are informational in nature only. Hand of Angels, Inc. receives information from parents and professional
and is using this forum to pass along the information. We do not necessarily endorse or recommend these sites or
services unless specifically noted. Use this a resource page only. | The bedding is under the name Kenko Sleep system. I was contacted by a gentleman in Deep
Creek who is in possession of a demo set, and offered it to anyone who would like to try it for their autistic child.
I am attaching other documents for you to read. He said if anyone is interested to contact him directly. Bob Childs 941-876-6832 25327 Vantage Lane Punta
Gorda, FL 33983-5919 | www.autismrecoveryforchildren.com I would like to make contact with families who
may be in need of a behaviorist. I have Master's degrees in Psychology and Special Education and have worked as a behavior
analyst for the past 9 years specializing in children aged 18 months to 15 years old with autism, providing early intervention
(Lovaas like) programs to teach language, play, functional, and social skills using the principles of positive reinforcement,
discrete trial and functional behavior analysis. I incorporate several methodologies such as PECS, RDI, TEACCH,
social stories, among others. I have created a website in the hopes of helping families that need such services. I
can send my curriculum vitae as well, if desired. | www.foundationfordreams.org Info@foundationfordreams.org The mission of the Foundation of for Dreams, Inc. and Dream Oak Camp is to provide fun, educational,
and recreational experiences in an outdoor camp environment to enhance the lives of children ages 7-17 with physical and developmental
disabilities and serious illness. Foundation for Dreams, Inc. 7359 Merchant Court Sarasota, Florida
34240 (941)907-1111 | www.rainshowermfg.com Rainshow'r is the pioneer in the shower filter industry. They are located in Southern
California in the city of San Gabriel. They have been designing and manufacturing shower filters for over 15 years.
(Taken from website) NYCNan@aol.com writes: "They make balls to put in the bath to draw out the lead and toxins" | www.missroben.com Food Sensitivities Website Included on site: - Search Engine
- Products
- Free Catalog
| www.mayacamasfinefoods.com Gluten-free Products Site Includes: - About Us
- Product information
- Guten free
information
- Order form
- Recipes
- Distributor/Retail
- Contact information
| www.kinnikinnick.com Gluten Free Foods Site includes: - Shop
- Find a store
- Get answers
- Get product information
- Recipes
- Support
Groups
- Contact information
| http://www.biasd.net "Joshua's Story" Website created in 2003 to provide
other families with ASD kids resources and hope. Read about Joshua, one among thousands of childrenn who have overcome
many of the effects of Autism through a combination of dietary interventions. Site includes: - Read Joshua's Story
- Read about vaccinations
- March
2006 update
| www.icdrc.org International Child Development Resource Center Website includes: - Our People
- Our Mission
- Overview
- New Patients
- Testimonials
- Research
- In the News
- Conferences
- Presentations
- Links
- Privacy Policy
- How
you can Help
- Site Search
- Products
| www.difflearn.com Different Roads to Learning - Your Complete ABA and VB Resource Quote
from Website: "For 12 years, Different Roads to Learning has been striving to meet the
needs of families and professionals working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Our online store
and catalog contain over 300 products, including books, flashcards, and videos, along with other materials critical to Applied
Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior programs. We have alway sought out products that meet the unique learning style
and educational needs of the children in our community. We continue top rely on parents and professionals, like you,
for feedback and welcome your suggestions!"
| http://wmoore.net/therapy.html Information about summer camps that focus on therapy for kids with special needs and/or respite
for the kids and their families. Website is broken down into national categories and regional categories in the USA,
Canada, Central America and Greece.
| http://www.childidbracelets.com/ 
 
http://www.powerpumper.com/friends/jrox.php?uid=handofangels |
Links to websites with multiple
samples: http://stevens_mom.tripod.com/id11.html - samples plus links to more http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/parent/pa9txt.htm#partD - 13 sample letters from the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY). http://www.insurancehelpforautism.com/index.html - sample letters for insurance purposes. http://www.dphilpotlaw.com/html/sample_letters.html - link from tzoya with samples on 10-day notice, IEE, request for records, notice of failure to follow IEP, prior written
notice, and special education eligibility. http://www.aboutautismlaw.com/sample.html - 62 sample letters from David A. Sherman, author of "Autism: Asserting your child's right to a special
education" (link from Disney Girl). http://www.ptimpact.com/resources/literature/literature.htm# Sample%20Letters - includes asking for an independent evaluation. http://www.studentadvocacycenter.org/sampleletters/index.sht ml - pump in your information and their website generates the letter. See list of sample letters under separate post
below. http://ourchildrenleftbehind.yuku.com/forums/13/t/Template-L etter-Bank.html - ca. 20 sample letters from a team of parents called "Our Children Left Behind". http://www.listen-up.org/rights/rights.htm#comphttp://www.li sten-up.org/rights/rights.htm#comp - click on "Sample Letters" or scroll down. Some are from ListenUp (an advocacy site for deaf students),
others are links. See separate post for the complete list. http://www.mckay-iep-matrix.org/index.php?module=pagemaster& amp; amp; amp;PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=6&MMN_position=11
:10 - request for records, request for IEP draft, IEP suggestions.
Links
to individual letters: http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/FBAPBSsample.html - sample letter requesting a Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/NoRestraintLetter.html - no restraint letter. http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/Placement.html#ltr - request for IEP meeting to discuss change of placement. http://www.bridges4kids.org/pdf/Release.pdf - permission for limited release of records. http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/MusicTherapy.html - letter requesting music therapy http://www.bridges4kids.org/misc/OrgSkillsLtr.html - letter requesting evaluation of child's organizational skills. Harassment/bullying
(aka Gebser letter or Gebser notice): http://ourchildrenleftbehind.yuku.com/topic/1238/t/Sample-Le tter-re-Bullying-amp-Harrassment.html http://www.pacer.org/publications/bullypdf/BP-5.pdf - 10 tips http://www.aboutautismlaw.com/letters/letter54.doc - Letter regarding discrimination, from David A. Sherman's book "Autism: Asserting your child's right to
a special education." http://www.geocities.com/fishstep/harass.html#Gebster - background on Gebster and sample letter from AutismNews Network in Illinois. General
info: http://parenttoparentnys.org/Family2Family/Advocacy/Advocati ng%20and%20letter%20writing.pdf - Advocating through letter writing. http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/letters.draft.htm - the art of writing letters. The book "From Emotions to Advocacy"
is also a great source for sample letters. Anyone else have any resources in
this area? NorwayMom39786.5939467593These are awesome! In all honesty,
I didn't find the book all that helpful. Their website was more beneficial to me. Thanks for the links!!!!!!! The
BEST sample letters I have ever found are in this AWESOME book I have called : AUTISM Asserting Your Child's Right to a Special
Education. Autumn - can you get that on Amazon or where? Thanks!Re: AUTISM Asserting Your Child's Right to a Special Education.
I got a copy from Amazon.com
The following is a list of the types of Sample Letters available
for your use. You pump in your information, and their website generates the letter! From the Student Advocacy
Center in Michigan. | Pediatric Occupational, Physical, Behavior, Nutrition, and Speech & Language
Therapies 1080 Neal Street, Suite 300 Cookeville, TN 38501 Phone: (931) 372-2567, Toll-Free: (877) 372-2567 Fax: (931) 372-2572 | http://www.beyondplay.com Toys for special needs children. Specializing in Early Intervention. | Click on the link below to access the
listed website resources. http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Disability/organ.htm Disability Resources
Organizations and Institutes Deaf Resource Library--contains bibliographies, links to community resources, online resources, material on deaf culture, organizations, sign language
info Disabled Teen Resources-- University of Washington's "Do-It" program to help disabled teens develop their math and science talents; links
for adaptive technology and other aids for the disabled. Hear-It -- an organization that collects information on hearing impairment. Includes lots of statistics and informational
material. InterWork Institute Links to rehabilitation and education programs, documents on work and disabilities
| SERVICE DOG INFO Here
is some information on service dogs for you. We have trained
Chewey on our own and he attends obedience classes at PetSmart.
Most
people go through a training organization to get a service dog. Patty
Dobbs Gross of http://www.northstardogs.com/
feels that a puppy should
be raised with the child and the child should assist in training as
much as possible to
promote a bond. I have her book if you would like
to borrow it, its called The Golden Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs
for Children Challenged By Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities.
She will also send you DVDs free of charge to
show you more about what
these dogs can do. We are also part of
http://www.psychdog.org/lifestyle_ChildrenwithAutism.html
which is a
listserve.
There are many service dog organizations. They all have varied fees,
wait lists
and qualifications. The thing to remember is that this dog
will go EVERYWHERE the child goes (except school) so is a
big
commitment. Some of the service dog organizations are:
http://www.caninecompanions.org/
http://www.4pawsforability.org/autismdogs.htm
http://www.pawswithacause.org/
http://www.keystonehumanservices.org/ssd/pa/pa.php
http://www.servicedogsva.org/p-autism.htm
http://www.midwestassistancedogs.org/services.asp
http://caninesforkids.org/default.htm
http://www.canineassistants.org/
http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/
http://www.specialyoga.com/ |
|
|
|
