LIFE OPPORTUNITIES TRUST INFORMATIONAL MEETING – MARCH 1
The Life Opportunities Trust (aka The Washington State DD Endowment Trust Fund) makes saving for the future of an individual with a developmental disability much easier to accomplish than you might think. This trust fund program, created by the Washington State Legislature, enables families and individuals to set aside funds without putting important benefits at risk. For more information contact The Arc of Washington State, (888) 754-8798, or visit www.arcwa.org
MARCH 1 – 7:30-8:30 PM, Radisson Hotel, Seatac
PARENTING YOUR CHALLENGING CHILD TELESERIES – STARTS MARCH 2
Learn to guide children to avoid meltdowns, gain skills and improve parent-child communication. If you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work, this is the class for you. Five weeks starting March 2 with instructor Sara Gardner(www.BehaviorToday.info ), 1-1/2 hours from 5:30-7:00 PM, $120 Members/$150 Non-members. Contact Sara at sesgardner@gmail.com or visit http://w3.addresources.org/?q=node/321
MY BABY RIDES THE SHORT BUS – MARCH 3
My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The Unabashedly Human Experience of Raising Kids with Disabilities, Yantra Bertelli (Editor), Jennifer Silverman (Editor), Sarah Talbot (Editor)
Reading, Wednesday, March 3rd, 7:00 PM, Ravenna Third Place Books, http://ravenna.thirdplacebooks.com/storeinfo.html A story collection that provides parents of special needs kids with a dose of both laughter and reality. Authentic, shared experiences from parents in the know, a partial antidote to stories that misrepresent disabled children and their parents.
LAST ADVOCACY DAY IN OLYMPIA – MARCH 3
Advocacy Days are held at the Capitol in Olympia on Wednesdays. The Arc is hosting a learning group on Tuesdays, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM, to prepare for the following Advocacy Day. This group is open to all. For more information about both Advocacy Days and the learning group, contact Mary Jo Magruder at (206) 829-7010 or mjmagruder@arcofkingcounty.org or Betsy McAlister at (425) 882-2010 or bmcalister@arcofkingcounty.org
MARCH 3 – Session Wrap-up
PROVAIL TRANSITION SERVICES PRESENTATION – MARCH 4
Provail partners with local area schools to assist students with disabilities in the transition from school to work. Thursday, March 4, informational event, Thursday, March 4, 9:00-10:00 AM, 12550 Aurora Ave N, Seattle. RSVP by March 2 to Nichole Diekmann at nicholed@provail.org or (206) 826-1023.
INCLUSIVE SNOW TUBING – MARCH 6
Outdoors for All, the Tzu Chi Foundation and Multicultural Families join to invite you and your family to a day of snow tubing at The Summit at Snoqualmie, $15 per person, $10 per child under 5 years old, one free caregiver per individual with special needs, RSVP required. Light lunch provided. 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Meet at Seattle Goodwill, 1400 S. Lane St, Seattle 98144 at 9:00 AM or Highland Center, 14224 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue at 9:00 AM. Contact gingerk@multiculturalfamilies. org to RSVP.
TRANSITION PLANNING WORKSHOP – MARCH 6
Martha Lawson, Seattle Public Schools Special Education Supervisor for Transition Services, is putting on a workshop for parents on Transition Planning, Saturday, March 6, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, John Stanford Center Auditorium, 2445 3rd Ave S, Seattle. The workshop will provide families with an understanding of the documentation, tools, and steps needed to plan for their child’s transition to post-public school life. Seattle Special Ed PTSA member Lynne Tucker will provide information on testing timelines and other steps to prepare your secondary student for college. For more information, contact cross-whiter@comcast.net or seattlespedptsa@gmail.com
FACING THE FUTURE TOGETHER – MARCH 6
The Arc of King County is hosting a FREE training for senior or older parents and adult siblings who have families members with disabilities to assist them to plan for the future and how to so in various family contexts and dynamics, facilitated by a team of siblings and parents from LifeSPAN. March 6, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM. Contact Linda Davidson at linda@lifespan-wa.org or (206) 604-0685 or visit http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2oq639s624c6970&oseq=a0114eo8wcttu
NAMI CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE – MARCH 6
FREE forum for parents, teachers, and caregivers of children with mental illness. Keynote speaker, Dr Charles Wang, author of “Profound States of Despair: A Developmental and Systems Approach to Treating Emptiness”. Two breakout sessions with Sue Eastgard, MSW, Director Youth Suicide Prevention Program, and Dr Holly Petaja, Clinical Psychologist, and Dr Kira Mauseth, Professor at Seattle U on Coping Strategies for Parents and Caregivers Dealing with ODD and Anxiety Disorders, plus Dr Trez Buckland on Coping and Self-Care for Parent of Adolescents with Co-Existing Mental Illness and Addictions. Saturday, March 6, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Pre-registration is required, (425) 885-6264 or debra.a.jones@comcast. Net or www.nami-eastside.org
STORY BOOK THEATER PRESENTS THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES – MARCH 7
Special performance for families with children with special needs. No worries if children need to walk around or talk during the performance. Sunday, Mary 7, 11:00 AM, one hour performance, Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), 2700 24th Ave E, Seattle. Tickets $9/person. Call (877) 827-1100 to order or buy tickets at the door.
2010 SPECIAL ED CONFERENCE – MARCH 11 & 12
Rehab Seminars is sponsoring a two day conference at the Shoreline Conference Center, March 11 and 12, 2010. The conference will consist of 5 concurrent courses. The target audience is professionals working with special needs students in public and private schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics and other educational settings. For more information, visit www.rehabseminars.org or call (360) 379-6994
EXTREME PARENTING – MARCH 13
Northshore Special Families presents Extreme Parenting-Teamwork in the Toughest Times, a four week workshop for parents of special needs kids led by Beth Jenson, M.A., Marriage and Family therapist. Beth also leads a free weekly support group at her private practice in Woodinville for parents of children with autism. Saturdays, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Bothell United Methodist Church, 18515 – 92nd Ave NE, Bothell 98011-2206. Childcare provided, but call ahead. $35/couple per session or $120/couple for series. Contact (425) 205-2004 or pnoel@chs-nw.org
Last in series: MARCH 13 - Filling our Communication Toolbox
THIRD ANNUAL KING COUNTY TRANSITION RESOURCE FAIRS – MARCH 13 & 25
Essential information, resources, and twelve workshops for students, families, educators, and professionals. Complimentary refreshments and snacks will be available. FREE parking; no permits required. For information about this event, contact Kelley Faulkner at Kelley.Faulkner@kingcounty.gov or Lyn Andrews at Lyn@oneillandassociates.com
MARCH 13, Saturday, 9:30 AM-3:30 PM, North Seattle Community College
MARCH 25, Thursday, 10:30 AM-6:00 PM, Highline Community College
FEAT FUNDRAISER – MARCH 13
Dinner and auction benefiting Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT), Saturday, March 13, 5:30-10:30 PM, Hyatt Regency Bellevue, $150/person. For more information, visit http://www.featwa.org/Auction/Auction.html
AUTISM 200 SERIES – MARCH 18
Autism 200 is a series of 90-minute classes for parents and caregivers of children
with autism who wish to better understand this disorder. Faculty from Seattle Children's
Hospital, the University of Washington and community providers teach the classes. Each
class includes time for questions. Classes are held at Seattle Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Wright Auditorium. FREE. For information, contact (206) 789-2306 or visit www.seattlechildrens.org/classes
MARCH 18 – Autism 206: Communication Skills, Jim Mancini, MS, CCC-SLP
APRIL 15 – Autism 207: Treatments, Gary Stobbe, MD “Biomedical Treatments”
MAY 20 – Autism 208: Public Benefits, Josh Brothers, Attorney, Dussault Law Firm, “Special Education Law”
JUNE 17 – Autism 209: Behavioral, Felice Orlich, PhD, “Anxiety and Depression”
ASPERGER POST-SECONDARY TRANSITION PRESENTATION – MARCH 22
An opportunity for both parents and students to learn more about the post-secondary transition for those with Asperger’s Syndrome and related atypical neuro-development. Information presented by Deborah Zawada from UW’s DO-IT Program and from Aspiring Youth’s Delphi Resources. The Student panel is comprised of UW students talking about their experiences in the transition from High School. Ryther, 2400 NE 95th St, Seattle 98115, 5:45 -7:15 PM. Refreshments. Special performance of “Trial of the Weasel” by Aspiring Youth’s theatre group. For more information, contact Ben Wahl at benw@ryther.org
AUTISM OUTREACH PROJECT TRAININGS
Training is provided in-person as well as via videoconference throughout Washington State. Contact Patty Yates, pyates@nwesd.org or (888)704-9633 for information on participating by videoconference. For more details about the trainings, visit www.nwesd.org/autism or contact autism@nwesd.org or (888) 704-9633.
MARCH 25 – Visual Thinking Strategies for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Language of Pictures, presenter Carole Kaulitz, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
NOVEMBER 15-16 – Social Thinking, presenter Michelle Garcia Winner
CAN DO 5K/10K RUN – MARCH 27
The Can Do 5K/10K Run is a fundraiser for Northshore Special Families, an all volunteer program of the Center for Human Services dedicated to creating opportunities for inclusion for children with special needs and their families. The Can Do Run is a professionally chip-timed, well-supported race suitable for experienced and novice runners, individuals, teams, or families. For more information, visit http://Cando5k.org
MICHELLE GARCIA WINNER SOCIAL THINKING WORKSHOPS IN 2010
Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP, specializes in the treatment of individuals with social cognitive deficits: those with diagnoses such as autism, Asperger Syndrome and nonverbal learning disorder. Michelle is internationally recognized as a thoughtful and prolific writer and teacher in the area of social thinking/social skills. http://www.socialthinking.com/
MARCH 31 in Vancouver, BC, Contact bestheber@yahoo.com
APRIL 1-2 in Victoria, BC, Contact Sarah at sarah@mylittlestops.net or (250) 216-4115
SEPTEMBER 10-11 in Vancouver, BC, Contact info to come
OCTOBER 14-15 in Portland, OR, register at www.socialthinking.com
NOVEMBER 15-16 in Mount Vernon, WA, Contact Carolyn at ctaylor@nwesd.org
BEST IN THE NORTHWEST CONFERENCE – APRIL 16
The Autism Society of Washington Best in the Northwest Conference presents Bridge to Adulthood, Promoting Competence through Comprehensive Transition Planning for Learners with Autism and Related Disorders, a one-day workshop with Peter Gerhardt, EdD, April 16, 2010, Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, Washington. For registration and other details, visit http://www.autismsocietyofwa.org/conferences/
INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE - APRIL 28, 29, & 30
the Infant and Early Childhood Conference plays a critical role in helping parents explore parenting and Early Childhood Education topics in order to significantly improve their children's opportunities to live fulfilling lives. This year, the one-of-a-kind event will be held on Wednesday through Friday, April 28th-30th, 2010, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and will feature more than 125 different speakers. Visit http://www.ieccwa. org or contact Tracy Ulrich at TracyUlrich@verison.net The conference is open to the public. Scholarships available.
BEST IN THE NORTHWEST-EAST WENATCHEE CONFERENCE – MAY 14
The Autism Society of Washington Best in the Northwest-East One-Day Conference featuring Ilene Schwartz, key-note speaker, I Know It When I See It; In Search of a Common Definition of Inclusion and Classroom Models of Individualized Instruction, plus much more. May 14, Wenatchee Community Center, 504 South Chelan Avenue, Wenatchee. For registration and other details, visit http://www.autismsocietyofwa.org/conferences/
PACE PLACE WORKSHOP IN SEATTLE – MAY 16-21
The Pace Place professionals explain how parents can foster improved emotional regulation including strategies that can be used at home, in the school, and in the community, helping the child gain competence in all environments. Contact Dr Kathi Calouri at (503) 356-8334 ext 2#, kcalouri@paceplace.org, and visit www.paceplace.org/register
FREE AUTISM SCREENING FORUMS
The University of Washington Autism Center is teaming with Easter Seals and Safeway to conduct autism screening and training events in Pierce County, Spokane, and the Tri-Cities. All services are free and child care will be provided. Confirmed dates and locations are: Spokane at the Northwest Autism Center on May 27-28, 2010, and September 23-24, 2010; and Tacoma campus of the University of Washington on February 1-2, 2010. For other dates, locations, and more information, contact Holly Morgan at (206) 755-9497 or visit http://wa.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=WADR_Autismscreeningdates
MAY 27-28: Northwest Autism Center, 25 W. 5th, Spokane
SEPTEMBER 23-24: Northwest Autism Center, 25 W. 5th, Spokane
FUTURE HORIZONS SUPERCONFERENCE – JULY 8-9
See Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Tony Attwood, Dr Jed Baker and more at Future Horizon’s SuperConference in Seattle. Visit http://www.fhautism.com/Conferences/tabid/91/Default.aspx for conference details and registration information.
AUTISM SPEAKS ACTIVITIES – SAVE THESE DATES
AUGUST 4 – Autism Night at Seattle Mariners Game – Buy your tickets now, www.mariners.com/autism
AUGUST 14 – Autism Walk, Seattle Center, for more information about the walk, volunteering, or resources, contact Justin (866) 362-6227 or justin.wieging@autismspeaks.org
AUTISM DAY AT JUBILEE FARMS – AUGUST 7
Autism Day is a FREE event for families, companies, organizations, and services funded by advertising income. Mark your calendars. For details, visit www.AutismDayWA.com
ASCENDING THE SUMMIT: MENTAL HELATH IN AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS – NOVEMBER 3-5
This year’s Annual Convention of the National Association on Dual Diagnosis will be held in Seattle with a special focus on autism. Dr Bryan King of Seattle Children’s Autism Center will be a keynote speaker and conference chairman. For more information, visit http://www.thenadd.org/pages/conferences/calendar.shtml