Highland Park ISD Parent Newsletter

The resources and events shared in this section are for information purposes only. Highland Park ISD does not recommend or endorse any service, activity, or organization. Parents and families are encouraged to determine whether a service, activity, or organization is appropriate for them, given their unique needs.

The Panhandle Kids Count Lions Club is inviting individuals with disabilities to a free bowling event on Saturday, March 28th.

Organizers say attendees can bring an adult guardian for an afternoon of fun with other students and young adults with disabilities.

The club’s Bowling with Buddies event will take place from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. March 28th at Eastridge Lanes, 5405 E. Amarillo Blvd.

Please register to attend by March 23rd.

We’re excited to announce the details of the 2026 Spectrum Support Society Autism Walk — a meaningful event bringing our community together to support autism awareness, connection, and inclusion!

Date: Saturday, April 25th, 9:00am-noon
Location: Arden Road Elementary Park — Amarillo, TX

There will be something for the whole family:
Food trucks, Bounce houses, Prizes & raffles, Resource Central & more!

Whether you walk, bring your family, or stop by to show your support, this is going to be a wonderful day for our community. Let’s raise awareness and lift up individuals and families affected by autism together.

Free to attend! Grab your ticket here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-autism-walk

Want a keepsake? Event T-shirts are available too

What is PDSES?

• PDSES provides a $1,500 one-time grant to parents of students who are both enrolled in a Texas public school and receive special education services. Parents can use PDSES grant funds to purchase educational goods and services for their student on the online marketplace.
• This is a one-time only grant. If you have previously applied for or received a PDSES grant, you cannot reapply for the same student.

How do I apply?

• You must apply for a PDSES grant during the annual application window: April 1-30, 2026.
• To apply for the PDSES grant, parents MUST have or create a My SPEDTex Account.

• To receive reminders, you can sign up for PDSES email updates.

What can we purchase?

• With PDSES accounts, parents are able to purchase educational goods and services from the PDSES online marketplace.

2025-2026 School Year PDSES Program Overview: ENGLISH | SPANISH
2025-2026 Application Process for Parents: ENGLISH | SPANISH

Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21. A medical term for having an extra copy of a chromosome is ‘trisomy.’ Down syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21.

Types of Down Syndrome

There are three types of Down syndrome. People often can’t tell the difference between each type without looking at the chromosomes because the physical features and behaviors are similar.

• Trisomy 21: About 95% of people with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21. With this type of Down syndrome, each cell in the body has 3 separate copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual 2 copies.
• Translocation Down syndrome: This type accounts for a small percentage of people with Down syndrome (about 3%). This occurs when an extra part or a whole extra chromosome 21 is present, but it is attached or “trans-located” to a different chromosome rather than being a separate chromosome 21.
• Mosaic Down syndrome: This type affects about 2% of the people with Down syndrome. Mosaic means mixture or combination. For children with mosaic Down syndrome, some of their cells have 3 copies of chromosome 21, but other cells have the typical two copies of chromosome 21. Children with mosaic Down syndrome may have the same features as other children with Down syndrome. However, they may have fewer features of the condition due to the presence of some (or many) cells with a typical number of chromosomes.

We help young adults ages 14 - 22 with services in preparing for life after high school. That decision can be to get some work experience. We can help prepare students with educational opportunities for degrees or certifications. There are many services that we can help with. If you, or you know a student with a disability that wants to apply for services, visit the Start My VR Page to begin the process & get connected with a Specialized Counselor.

We help students with disabilities get ready for college and work. Services are based on eligibility and need.

Call or visit the website - https://www.211texas.org - to find or search for a variety of Texas Health and Human Services resources - food, health, housing, and more

Did you know Medicaid waiver programs are for people who have a disability? They are called a waiver program because they waive the income that the family makes. Medicaid waiver programs provide additional supports or funding beyond what Medicaid provides.

All the waiver programs have long waiting lists, over 10 years. It is important for you to get your child on the waiting list as early as possible.

To learn more:

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/regulations/policies-rules/waivers

Career Resource Center

Services and Programs at The Career Resource Center (CRC) are offered at no charge in both Lubbock and Amarillo. The centers have resumed face-to-face training and some services are also offered virtually.

Levels of Classes

The Career Resource Center encompasses free services including Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced computer skills classes. Other Employment Development Training opportunities and Career Enhancement Seminars relevant to successfully competing in today’s job market are also offered.

Virtual Classes & Testing

​​Goodwill offers an online tool to evaluate skill level in Word, Excel & PowerPoint. Upon enrolling in virtual classes, participants will have the opportunity to Learn to Zoom and choose from a variety of employment development seminars and additional tools to present results on a resume and during a job interview.

Education Credits

Continuing Education Credits will be earned through a partnership with South Plains College upon successful completion of the following computer courses: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Call one of Goodwill’s Career Centers to get started.
(806) 744-0440 in Lubbock or (806) 331-6890 in Amarillo.

This program focuses on improving interaction between law enforcement and drivers with disabilities with unique communication needs. Texans now have the option to disclose “Communication Impediment” directly on their Driver License or State ID or when registering their vehicle through the DMV. This will alert the trained officer of an individual who may be slower to respond or one who is deaf or hard of hearing. Individuals with the following disability categories may be eligible: Autism, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Parkinson’s Disease, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Speech and Language Disorders, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing. To get started, go to www.TexasDrivingWithDisability.com.

The Texas SPED Support website has added a new video collection. This collection captures real-life examples and recommendations for transition planning. In each video, the young adult shares the story of their successful transition to life beyond high school. The videos feature four different young adults from across Texas sharing their transition journey: Abigail, Daylan, Sydney, and Juan (Spanish).

https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/resource-library/daylans-advice-transition

There’s a world of possibilities in front of students. My Texas Future helps them expand their options, set their goals, and take action. Explore college and career tools to support students along their journey.

https://www.mytexasfuture.org/middle-high-school/

You can use developmental milestones to figure out if your child is growing and developing as expected. Developmental milestones are behaviors and skills that most children can do within a certain age range. Some examples are looking at people and objects, smiling, eating, waving “bye-bye,” walking, and talking. Remember, every child is different and develops at their own pace. If you notice your child is not reaching milestones when expected, they might need some extra help to learn new skills. Use this developmental milestones checklist to see how your child is doing.

The traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury support group “The Second Life” will give survivors as well as their caregivers the support and strength they need to move forward together, rather than on their own.

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Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm at PILC located at 417 SW 10th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101.

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For more information, please contact the center toll-free at (800) 585-6768 or locally at (806) 374-1400.

The Independent Living Services program, or ILS, provides services for the hard of hearing/deaf, visually impaired, blind and those with mobility needs. They can provide hearing aids, visual aids and mobility services such as ramps.

Our employment coordinators offer vocational assistance such as job readiness training, job placement and job coaching to prepare men and women with disabilities for meaningful, rewarding occupations. We strive to build successful relationships between employers and job seekers.

PILC also participates in Social Security's Ticket to Work program and is an authorized Employment Network. Ticket to Work connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working. If you choose to participate, you will receive services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement and training from PILC. PILC will serve as an important part of your "employment team" that will help you on your journey to financial independence.

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Work Incentives make it possible for you to explore work while still receiving benefits. They are designed to help you succeed!

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• You may be able to keep your Medicaid/Medicare while you work.

• You have access to individualized support services.

• You can try work with confidence, knowing you may be able to keep some or all of your benefits during your transition period.

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Call our office toll-free at (800) 585-6768 or locally at (806) 374-1400 and ask to speak to one of our employment coordinators to learn more about vocational opportunities and related services that help people find jobs.

Join us as we talk about Sexual Health for Youth with Disabilities.

This workshop will provide parents with guidance for talking to their youth with disabilities about sexual health. Parents will learn how to help prepare their youth for becoming sexually developed adults and how to talk to their youth about some of the big changes that will happen as they mature.

This virtual session will meet on March 10, 2026 at 10:00 am

To register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b160il7aS9a_dV3Ype4Tfw#/registration

Join us as we talk about Personalized Study Strategies: Tailoring Habits to Your Child’s Learning Style.

Explore how to identify your child’s unique learning style and develop effective study habits that align with their strengths. This session provides practical tips for improving time management

This virtual session will meet on March 26, 2026 at 12:00 pm

https://huntingtonhelps.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VKBYvgyPRtu1ZxiREmjzaw#/registration

Join us as we talk about Building a Vision for Your Child’s Future.

When your child has a disability, imagining your child as an adult can feel overwhelming and filled with uncertainty. This parent information session will help families think beyond today and begin building a clear, meaningful vision for adulthood—focused on strengths, interests, independence, and possibilities.

This virtual session will meet on March 26, 2026 at 12:00 pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zQtjcQZ8S1uMMnCe8tABIA#/registration

Join us as we talk about Guardianship & Alternatives.

Not sure if guardianship is right for your family? Learn the options, the legal considerations, and how to choose the best path for independence and protection.

Join CaringTide for an informative webinar exploring both the legal and personal aspects of guardianship and its alternatives. This session helps caregivers, family members, and advocates understand when guardianship is appropriate, what less restrictive options exist, and how to make informed decisions that balance protection with independence and individual rights.

This virtual session will meet on March 26, 2026 at 6:00 pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_foSzoBVATMqL4T_fT5YFyw#/registration

Join us as we talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the characteristics and educational implications of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We will explore how the characteristics of autism vary significantly within and across individuals with ASDs, as well as how students with autism have varying degrees of challenges and strengths. Early diagnosis and intervention strategies will be discussed.

This virtual session will meet on April 21, 2026 at 12:00 pm

To register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yl-zWsGvQ6G1L86u-nqkDA#/registration

If you believe your child has a disability and because of that disability

might need special education services at school, please contact:

Stephanie Milne

Director of Special Education

Stephanie.Milne@hpisd.net

806-322-3806