• We provide various information sessions or workshops throughout the school year for families. We offer a wide range of topics such as how to help your child with homework, organizational skills for those with weak executive functioning skills, behavioral expectations, internet safety, mental health, and bullying.
• We provide free consultative services for families who may be experiencing problems with their child at home or at school. We sit with families and listen carefully to their concerns, and offer recommendations on how to best work with your child at home, or with your child's teacher or school to address school concerns. We work closely with families of children with special needs through the special education process so they can be an informed and active member of their child's special education team.
• We maintain a free lending library full of learning resources that reinforce elementary literacy and math skills, social skills, and early childhood education skills. We provide books, DVDs and brochures for parents and caretakers about behavior, emotions, special education topics, and various parenting topics. We also provide information on various community agencies that assist with financial needs, mental health, and the care of adults with disabilities.

Our library is open from 8-4pm, Monday through Friday. Parents are welcome to come in to check out resources, or contact us to send requested resources to your child's school. Visit our library catalog to see our growing collection of resources, books, and eBooks! https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/43326

If an interpreter is needed, please contact us so we can make the appropriate arrangements for you. Email us in your preferred language at prc@spotsylvania.k12.va.us to make this request, or call us at (540)582-7060 for assistance in Spanish. Thank you.

On Wednesday, December 7, from 5:30–6:30pm, Spotswood Elementary School families are invited to join the Spotswood community and see Steve Somers' Polar Express magic show! Enjoy an experience that integrates winter themed books such as The Polar Express, Celebrating Hanukkah, The Big Book of Trains, Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights and many more. Fun for the whole family; bring reading to life in a unique way with an entertaining magic show!

Lee Hill Elementary School will host its 3rd Annual Winterfest Drive Thru Event on

December 9, 2022 from 5:00-6:30 pm. This Title I sponsored event invites our families

to drive through our parent loop to see winter lights, carolers, and stop at stations along

the way for free reading, math, and sensory kit giveaways! A bagged meal will be

provided to all participants and students can also drop off letters to Santa and see him

as families drive through the Winter Wonderland! A book will be given to each family to follow-up with the recent strategies learning session help.

Livingston Elementary School invites their families to a “Winterfest” Family Engagement

event on December 16 at 5pm. Students and their families will make-and-take math and

literacy activities, create a winter-themed craft, and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies!

Here are tips for making the most of traditions, while avoiding burnout. https://www.familyeducation.com/

1. Keep cherished childhood traditions and consider establishing new ones for your family. Involve everyone, including your children, when creating new traditions. Sometimes traditions lose their importance for a family. Recognize when it's time to let them go.
2. Plan, organize, and prioritize to avoid burnout, disappointment and fatigue. Create a holiday-planning task schedule. Ask others to share the responsibilities and assign tasks to family members.
3. Create some time alone for yourself. Reflect on what is precious to you about the holidays and reconnect with your spirit.
4. Examine the differences between your holiday expectations and what is really possible. Establish realistic holiday goals. Share with family and friends any worries about meeting your holiday expectations.
5. Before getting together with family or relatives, anticipate and prepare for any difficulties. Don't expect your family or relatives to change their personalities because they are visiting your home. Don't bring up old family quarrels during the holidays.
6. Don't feed into the commercialism of the holidays. Plan free or low-cost activities and celebrations. Create and practice a holiday family tradition that helps those in need.
7. Don't spend money beyond your means. Consider gifts of help or special times together rather than gifts of things. Discuss gift-giving costs and realistic expectations with all family members well before the holidays.
8. Create a new family tradition to keep the post-holiday blahs at bay. Talk about the fun you've had and what the holidays mean to your family, then think about what you might do differently next year.

Expert perspective from one of our Autism Response Team members and mother of an autistic teenager, autismspeaks.org (November 16, 2022)

I love the holidays – the visits to relatives, the smells, the songs and the chaos of it all! However, my 17 year-old son, Jackson, who has profound autism, doesn’t share all my enthusiasm. Over the years, I have learned to adjust my expectations for what I felt we were supposed to do to celebrate the holidays and instead just do what works best for my son and our family. I hope some of our strategies will be helpful for you!

Prepare your child with pictures

Teaching Stories can be a huge help around the holidays – from filling up the days off from school, to a holiday party at a friend’s house or a visit to Santa at the mall. There are many premade stories available online that can help your child prepare for upcoming holiday celebrations. You can also make your own using your smartphone or our website.

Reduce the stress – for you and your child

Remember that your child with autism is often able to pick up on your “fa-la-la-stress.” It is important to take a few minutes for yourself here and there, so you can keep the chaos level to a holiday minimum. Deep breaths, hugs, a cup of coffee or just a few minutes alone in the restroom may be all you need to power on through!

Bring a bag of familiar items or games to new places

My son loves to watch “Sesame Street” on his iPad so I always make sure to bring it (with a full charge and back up battery) anywhere we go over the holidays – the mall, grandma’s house, and even worship service. Many kiddos may want to bring favorite toys, books, video games or comfort items to make them feel supported and comfortable in new environments during the holidays.I always include a few fidget toys and sensory calming items in our bag.

It’s ok to ask for help

Hopefully, your extended family will want to make things easier on your travels and visits. Let them know HOW they can help and what can often be expected from your child. Jackson likes to verbally stim and flap, and that can often get strange looks. It is always good to share things your child likes/dislikes/etc so that your family can help him/her feel more at ease in their home. Sometimes we wear our Autism Speaks bracelet or hat to help educate others around us in the mall or grocery store. We also take advantage of sensory friendly events around us, like Santa Cares which Autism Speaks does with Cherry Hill Programs around the country. You can learn more about this autism-friendly Santa event near you here and find other local events here on our calendar.

Try to maintain a routine when possible

One the biggest challenges for many with autism is the change in schedule. Out of school, missed bedtimes, and new places can all trigger a meltdown in Jackson. However, providing a daily visual schedule (which can be done as well on his iPad) helps keeps us on track. The holidays are all about change, but the more we can stay on our routine, the better for everyone. We also try to schedule extra time at his therapy clinic to help reduce the down time out of school.

Create a safety plan

One of the scariest aspects of Jackson’s autism is his elopement. He has wandered away from our house on several occasions. It is more important than ever during busy holiday times and crowded parties that someone has “assigned eyes” on your child. At home, we now have a complete alarm system, but we have a portable alarm we use in hotels or at other homes for his bedroom on the go. You can learn more about wandering prevention on our website.

Provide a favorite food just for him/her on the special day

In the past, we have had more meltdowns over food (or lack thereof) than I care to remember. Traditional holiday foods of turkey and ham, cranberry sauce and pecan pie may sound delicious to me – but my son won’t eat any of that. Instead of having his Grandma be insulted by not eating her special dinner, we always make sure to have 1 or 2 dishes that are “Jackson approved” so we know he can join us at the holiday table – even if it is guacamole and refried beans!

Make travel preparations early on

Perhaps you are flying for the first time or you are going on a longer car ride than normal. Make sure to prepare early and put in place special plans for your child. Autism Speaks has great travel resources on our website, and I always encourage families to call TSA Cares so accommodations can be made for their flight. This is even more important during holiday travel when airports are busier and louder than normal. You can use the following social story, "Adventures with Autism: The Airport Experience!" prepared by Autism Speaks, JetBlue and Wyndham Worldwide, or you can create your own.

• TSA Cares Link: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-disabilities-and-medical-conditions
• TSA Cares toll free: 1-855-787-2227
• E-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov

Provide a safe, calm space if your child gets overwhelmed

Jackson wears noise-reducing headphones when we are out and about, but even they can’t always stop the jingle jangle of holiday commotion. It is good to have a designated room in your relative’s house or place of worship that your child knows they can go to when they are getting overwhelmed. Even dimming the lights and sounds in a small room can be helpful. This is also a good time to bring out that bookbag of items you brought from home that could be distracting and/or soothing to them.

Take a big breath and enjoy new holiday traditions with your loved ones

When Jackson was first diagnosed at age 2, it upset me for years that he didn’t like to unwrap presents with the rest of us on Christmas. Now I have learned to put all of his gifts in one big gift bag so he can pull them out when he wants to throughout the day – or the following week! I also miss putting special ornaments on my tree (he takes them all down and often puts random items on it!), but we now add extra lights, garland and ribbon to make our tree just as beautiful. Our new Christmas eve routine involves going to a drive through light show since he enjoys looking at lights. This may not be the kind of holiday everyone has, but it is what works for Jackson and in turn, the entire family. Holidays are a time to be together – to share laughter and celebrate family. Remember that Holidays aren’t perfect for anyone (just ask ole Clark Griswold!) so enjoy this time together, with cheese single ornaments and all!

About the author

J-Jaye Hurley is a member of Autism Speaks Autism Response Team (ART), which can provide you with tools, resources and information to help you and your family navigate the world of autism. She is also a lover of explanation points! She has never met a sentence or situation where she cannot use them. And we are all the better for her enthusiasm. You will be too if you reach out to us and connect with her. Find out how:

Excerpt from Penn State Extension, Parent Count May 2001.

Many families celebrate holidays that involve gift giving. Children are naturally excited at these times. Adults may wonder if children learn greed, rather than the joy of giving, during these holidays. Here are a few ways to get past the holiday “gimmes”:

1. Let your child help make homemade gifts. Children learn the value and pleasure of creating for others, and these homemade gifts are sure to be treasured by family and friends.
   
2. Involve your children in giving gifts to those who are less fortunate. For example, give to a food drive or a coat or mitten drive.
3. Start traditions that add meaning to your gift giving. You might pick a small number that has something to do with the holiday season, and give only that many gifts.
4. Save some holiday fun for after the holiday to avoid a sudden letdown for your child.
5. You don’t need to buy everything on a child’s wish list. Pick out one or two gifts to buy. This helps your child feel respected but avoids the message that every whim and wish is equally important.
6. Ask yourself if you sometimes give your child gifts when you are feeling guilty. Families who have just experienced divorce, death, or even a move are often likely to overspend on gifts, using expensive toys as a way of making up for sad times. Since time with you is the best gift, ask yourself how you can make more time for simple fun with your child.
7. Give fun and helpful coupons as gifts. Make and give a coupon for a trip to the playground or for a special game night. Coupons to help others are also most welcome. Offer to cook a meal, do laundry, or clean for a friend in need. When children help, they learn about caring for others as well as important life skills.
8. It’s better to do things with the kids than for the kids. If children are left out of cooking, planning, and shopping for the holidays, they may think only about gifts. Let them make the table centerpiece or place cards, help prepare the food, and help with other holiday tasks.
9. Show children how much fun gift giving can be. Plan gifts for grandparents and friends. Talk about how much fun it will be to watch them open the present and how much they will enjoy it.

1. Read a book about a winter sport.
2. Ask a Librarian: Visit your local library and ask a librarian, “What are some of your favorite books published this year for readers my age?” Then check one out.
3. Read a book about a holiday you don’t celebrate at home.
4. Celebrate National Short Story Day, December 21, by exploring an anthology or collection of short stories and using it as inspiration to write your own short story.
5. Try reading a book aloud to the tune of your favorite winter song, such as “Jingle Bells” or “Winter Wonderland.”
6. Think ahead: What’s something you want to learn more about in the New Year? Read a book on that topic to get a jump start!
7. Read a book while wrapped in a favorite blanket. Add a cup of hot cocoa if you’d like.
8. Think about all the books you’ve read this year and choose your favorite. Flip through it one more time and ask yourself, “What made it feel special?”
9. Read a book by an author who has a first or last name that starts with the same letter as yours.
10. Gather up old books you no longer read and donate them to those in need.

To print a copy of the December Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.readbrightly.com/

Did you know that the PRC maintains a Tutor List for area tutors? Click on the document above to visit our 2022-2023 Tutor List, which you can find on the PRC website at www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/prc.

The goal of transition planning is to support students with disabilities as they progress through school and prepare for life as an adult. This includes planning for college, work, transportation, living arrangements, health care, and daily living.

Transition planning for a student’s future begins as early as elementary school with career awareness and exploration activities. In Virginia, formal transition planning begins through the IEP process the year the student turns 14 and drives the development of the IEP.

The Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition (FACT) has developed a comprehensive transition guide that helps break down transition in an easy to understand format, and gives families, staff and community members access to various local community and state agencies that assist individuals with transition.

SCPS participates in an ongoing process of identifying and evaluating children ages birth to twenty-one who are suspected of having a disability.

Any child who is identified as having a disability and qualifies as in need of special education is entitled to a free, appropriate public education designed to meet his/her needs. Early identification assists parents, students and schools in the design of appropriate educational services. Referrals can be made by anyone concerned with the child's educational performance including the parent, child's teacher, community agency or a school official.

For additional information, contact:

Birth - age 2: PEID (Parent Education Infant Development)

(540)371-2712

Age 2 - 5 prior to entrance to kindergarten: Early Childhood Special Education Office

(540)582-7020

For school age children: Call your neighborhood school or

Office of Student Support Services (540)834-2500, extension 1005

Hours:

Monday-Friday

8am-4pm

Courtney Seely, Teacher Facilitator

Sandy Sprague, Parent Facilitator

Jordana Neylon, Administrative Assistant

Email: prc@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/prc
Location: 7409 Brock Rd, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553, USA
Phone: 540-582-7060
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotsyprc
Twitter: @SCSPRC