May is a Great Month for Planting and Planning!
As of May 3rd, there are 26 days left until summer break. For families with differing abilities, summer break is a mixed blessing. While everyone gets a slight break from the morning hustle, doing away with the structure and routine of school causes dysregulation for a lot of our kiddos, like my own two autistic rock stars.
Here's a snapshot of some tools I use to plan for summer break:
- Collaborate with your child to create two schedules - one for weekdays and one for weekends.
- Print and laminate the schedules, or place the paper in a plastic gallon zip-bag. Then your child can use a dry-erase marker to check off completed tasks. It's beneficial for them to build self-esteem by recognizing completed tasks.
- Register for at least one Summer Program. Practicing those hard-earned social skills your child has acquired is essential for more progress when they return to school in September.
- Plan opportunities to replenish your own physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs. This can be done by attending parent support groups and events.
Fortunately, Partners for Success has so many resources!
Families and students need to restore and replenish during the break and we want to make that happen for you.
What is “Partners for Success”?
Partners for Success centers are available to parents as a resource and information center. Specifically, we provide information about community services, assist families in resolving concerns, and increase parental involvement in the special education decision making process.
Where is Partners for Success Located?
Roye-Williams Elementary School
201 Oakington Road, Havre De Grace, MD 21078.
410-273-5579
e-mail: partners.success@hcps.org.
Office hours are usually Tuesday 9:30-3, and Thursday from 9:30-1:00, by appointment.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Parent Involvement survey drives the decision-making for the Family Support Services portion of the Maryland Department of Education annual budget for Harford County Public Schools.
- Would you like more trainings about special education issues?
- Do you wish you had more opportunities to learn about the IEP process?
- Would you like more neurodiverse-centered family events?
- Do you need to know about organizations that support families of students with differing abilities?
Then please complete this important survey.
Caregivers are asked to complete the paper survey and mail back in the postage paid envelope by May 24, 2024.
To complete the survey online, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
Harford County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee
Come to a Harford County SECAC meeting to…
• Learn how to advocate for your child;
• Attend presentations by outside professionals on topics that affect the special needs student such as Anxiety, IEP Development, Social Skills, Bullying, and Transitioning;
• Network with other parents/guardians and community service providers;
• Meet staff members from the Department of Special Education and other HCPS departments;
• Participate in discussions about how to enhance programming, services, and supports for students with disabilities;
• Provide input at Harford County SECAC Parent Forums on special education-related topics which will be shared with the HCPS Department of Special Education and Board of Education.
If you missed the March 7 meeting COACHING YOUR STUDENT TO THRIVE WITH THEIR ADHD BRAIN and want to watch the recording; please send an email to harfordcountysecac@gmail.com or use the form on our website https://www.harfordsecac.org/home/contact-us.
SECAC NOW HAS A WEBSITE! TO VISIT, CLICK HERE.
Looking for meeting info? Looking for resources? Looking to connect with us? Please explore our website! We have compiled a list of resources, most of which are contributed by our members. If you would like something added, please send the information to our email address above.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Meetings usually occur the first Thursday of the month, September through June from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
PENN-MAR IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS MAY 1 - JUNE 30, 2024!
What is LISS? The DDA’s LISS Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental and /or intellectual disabilities living in their own home in the community, who are not receiving any supports or services from the DDA.
Below are highlights of what the LISS Program offers:
• It is flexible to meet the needs of children as they grow and adults as they mature across their lifespan.
• Provides up to $2000 to assist children and adults with purchasing eligible services and/or items to address their needs.
• Enhances or improves a child or adult’s quality of life, promotes independence and community integration.
The access link opens May 1, 2024 for Round 1: https://www.penn-mar.org/liss/
PRACTICE ASL ON FRIDAY NIGHTS!
FREE SESSIONS PROVIDED BY A NATIVE DEAF INSTRUCTOR
VOCAB **GAMES** TRIVIA.
Beginner Group: ASL 1-2, 7PM EST
Advanced Group: ASL 3+, 7:45PM EST
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1795949673965340/?ref=share_group_link
Upcoming ASBC Virtual Groups
Click the group name to register and receive the email reminders and login information.
An inclusive space for all adults to learn and grow in their understanding
Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, at 7:00pm
With Guest Speaker TBA!
Parent / Caregiver Discussion Group
A supportive environment to meet other parents and share
Tuesday, May 21st, at 7:00 pm
This session will feature Kennedy Krieger Institute with the Maryland Resource Finder, a project of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities.
Autistic Adult Discussion Group
Every Thursday at 9:00pm
(3rd Thursdays of every even month will be in-person starting at 7pm!)
For Autistic Adults (18+) Only
A casual, neurodiverse space to connect and share
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The Autistic adult group will be holding a social event this month! Keep an eye out for information on where and when by joining the email list: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fgKjaH0/AutisticAdultGroup
NEW! Monthly LGBTQIA2S+ Group for Autistic Adults
Every Third Sunday at 1:00pm
Register to receive information to attend here. This group welcomes all LGBTQIA2S+ neurodivergent individuals or those who are exploring their identities, age 18 and over. We will do our best to keep the login information the same. Continue to watch for and read our emails to be notified of any changes.
ASBC is now on Meetup!
Check us out to get up to date info on our events and connect with other members:
Does Your Student Have Something Special to Celebrate?
We are excited to announce that Laila's Gift, our organization dedicated to creating magical moments, is now scheduling free birthday and milestone celebrations for children with special needs and disabilities for the entire year of 2024!
Our celebrations are completely complementary and include:
- Venue space: We provide a wonderful venue where your child's party can take place, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
- Party decorations: Our team will transform the venue into a magical setting, tailored to your child's preferences and interests.
- Party favors: Each guest will receive special party favors to take home as a memento of the celebration.
- Guest of honor: Your child will be the star of the day, receiving the recognition and love they deserve.
- Gift: We have a surprise gift for your child, carefully chosen to bring them happiness and excitement.
- Celebration entertainment: Our team will organize entertaining activities and games to keep the party filled with joy and laughter.
And much more!
To ensure that we can accommodate as many families as possible, there are limited spots available for each month. Therefore, we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible to secure a spot for your child's celebration in 2024.
If you're interested or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at celebrate@lailasgift.org or call 443-509-4515.
RESPITE DAYS AT THE ARC!!!
Family Support Services will begin hosting monthly Respite Saturdays from March to May for children ages 6-21 years old. We will provide lunch and fun activities from 12-4 pm, FREE of charge.
Register for our May 11th Respite Day by clicking on the image.
Summer Respite Trips will begin in June and continue through August. Dates and trips are being finalized now. Please email FSS for more information. FSS@arcncr.org
We Rock On Wheels
We bring the sensory play to you! A mobile sensory gym providing a nurturing, fun, and sensory safe environment for kids! This is part of We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym in Forest Hill where we meet the sensory needs for all ages kid-adult.
Available for daycare, VBS, summer camps, events, festivals and parties!
We Rock the Spectrum SUMMER PASS!
Take advantage of now of planning the summer fun to keep your kids active for some indoor fun on the hot summer days. You can now purchase the Summer Pass which will give you come and go access throughout the summer from June 1-August 31.
$275 For One Child
$380 For Two Siblings
$485 For Three Siblings
Purchase on the app or call us at 410-891-4600 TODAY!
Growing on the Spectrum Harford County Monthly Meet Up!
We're hosting the Grand Opening for Achieving True Self's third Center for Achievement in Abingdon, MD on May 9th at 3:30pm, hosted in partnership with the Harford County Chamber of Commerce! We'll also have We Rock the Spectrum - Forest Hill's bus on site joining us to entertain our young guests.
RSVP now and reserve your spot to be a part of our ribbon cutting, meet with ATS team members, receive a tour, and grab a snack! Email support@achievingtrueself.com.
Achieving True Self (ATS), an organization supporting hundreds of individuals and families in the Northeastern U.S. touched by autism, behavioral health diagnoses, and/or intellectual disabilities, is opening the doors to its third Center for Achievement located at 3465 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive; Suite H; Abingdon, MD 21009.
Located in Harford County and just five miles from the Baltimore County line, the opening of this location brings the community a center-based learning environment for individuals who have autism, behavioral health challenges, intellectual disabilities, and/or other learning differences. Services provided are guided by the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, a scientific and proven (through over six decades of research) means of analyzing human behavior. The center’s initial programming focuses on early learners, generally children under the age of six (Pre-K) and social skills groups for all ages.
Parent Academy
Activities include BSA rank advancement, scout skills, cooking, camping, hiking and having fun. The troop welcomes any male 11 and older and with a diagnosed special need.
There is NO maximum age limit. Adults with special needs are welcome.
There is NO COST for registration or activities thanks to the generosity of Aberdeen Rotary, Bel Air Lions, Churchville Ruritan, St Mark's Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, American Legion, and other donations.
Charter Organization - Aberdeen Rotary
John S. Karas email - Charter Organization Rep
For more information, please contact Gary Nasuta, Scoutmaster, email or call or Maria Joesten, Committee Chairperson, email or call 410-775-3225.
New Parent Information Series from the MSDE
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is proud to produce a new Parent Education Series focusing on Special Education. The four-part series focuses on Special Education Process, Parental Rights, Understanding the IEP, and Secondary Transition. An additional guide on the Alternate Education Framework was recently added and there are plans for further topics.
These are great resources with a lot of information for families. To explore all the publications, click here. If you need these guides translated to another language, just use the drop down menu in the upper right corner titled Translate. Be sure to bookmark for future reference!
Funding Adapted (and non adapted) Vehicles
Tuesday, May 15, 2024
1pm - 2pm
From in-state to national funding resources, drivers training courses to understanding insurance, we'll cover all the basics to help consumers make the most informed decisions when it comes to needing and buying an adapted vehicle, from start to finish. Hosted by staff of the AT Financial Loan Program, Heather Ferguson and Sarah Calhoun.
AT for Free: Reuse Programs across the State
Tuesday, June 12, 2024
11am - Noon
Join us as we share information on the Maryland High Tech AT Reuse Program, the online equipment exchange site, and many other resources across the state to access free and low cost AT and durable medical equipment. Hosted by Shawn Bateman, AT Reuse Coordinator with MDTAP.
