Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council

Preparing for vaccines 💉

www.massgeneral.org

Got transition-aged youth? Learn how to help them find employment!
https://bit.ly/employment9-10

The system is failing young adults with autism after they turn 22, Mass. families say After they turn 22, there aren’t enough workers in Massachusetts' group homes and day programs to support adults with autism.

Got transition-aged youth? Learn how to support them as they plan their next steps! https://bit.ly/move0821

Parents and caregivers, are you ready to take your child’s development to the next level? Join us for an empowering, free webinar, “Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function Development,” led by NESCA’s expert executive function coach, Jasmine Badamo, MA.

Date: August 22, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

In this must-attend workshop, you’ll:
--Understand Executive Function: Discover how these crucial skills impact your child’s success both academically and personally.
--Learn Key Strategies: Gain practical tips to support organization, time management, planning, and self-regulation.
--Overcome Challenges: Get insights into age-specific challenges and how to tackle them.
--Interactive Q&A: Bring your questions and get personalized advice.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or just passionate about nurturing children’s growth, this session will provide you with actionable strategies and a solid framework to make a meaningful difference.

Register now to take the first step towards empowering your child’s development!

https://nesca-newton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9T7ffWSWR-GNV6R2tZZCrQ

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Insurance Guru,

I found out that Massachusetts has a new IEP form for the upcoming school year.
Is this true? Is there anything I can do to find out more about it?

Jenna"

Dear Jenna,

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) launched an IEP improvement project a few years ago. The result is improvements to the IEP form for use beginning in School Year 2024-2025. Here’s a link to a quick reference guide to help you:

https://jmp.sh/ocv0kc5q

• Prepare for IEP meetings,
• Collaborate with school professionals to use the new form during IEP meetings, and
• Partner with the school throughout the year to put the IEP into action.

The Insurance Resource Center is presenting a Lunch & Learn Workshop on Thursday, September 19th at 12:00 noon on the new IEP.

Stay tuned for the registration link.

Predictor 9: Self-Care & Life Skills

Students with increased self-care and life skills are significantly more likely to live independently and handle daily responsibilities on their own in adulthood. Self-care and life skills are also promising predictors of education, training and employment success after high school.

Here are several ways to help support this predictor:
1. Direct Instruction: Based on assessment data, teach essential skills like self-help, time management, hygiene, clothing care, cooking, housekeeping, safety, transportation use, financial planning, community service access, social roles, peer relationships, and critical thinking.
2. Integrated Learning: Embed self-care and life skills instruction into academic coursework, helping students relate academic skills functionally to their post-school goals.
3. Generalization: Provide instruction in self-care and life skills across multiple settings, including general education, special education, and community environments, and tailor instruction to individual, small group, or whole class formats as needed.
4. Practical Application: Offer students multiple opportunities to practice independent living skills throughout the school day using real-life situations, materials, and equipment.
5. Transition Planning: Conduct ongoing assessments to evaluate skill attainment and generalization and provide transition services to assist with postsecondary independent living goals (e.g., completing housing application, obtaining social security, applying for support from a center for independent living, etc.).

These tips are adapted from the PISA Action Planning Tool developed by - https://transitionta.org/pisa-self-assessment/

Share your own tips and strategies for helping students to build self-care and life skills in the comments and stay tuned for more Post-School Success Predictors over the next week!

Unlock the secrets of social capital with Youth Engagement Now!

Discover how it leads to exciting and meaningful employment opportunities for young adults.

Watch now at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBXAgUo8Iu0&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_warrwqtjkp
(10 minute watch)

RAISE Center

Coffee Convo Presentation Series 2023-2024 Lurie Center for Autism monthly presentation series

Student Involvement in the IEP – Video Modules Check out these video modules on resources to help students be involved in the IEP process. Using these resources will help young adults be a part of planning their future.

In the series of four videos below, you can explore Student Involvement in the IEP process utilizing three of the I’m Determined Tools: The One-Pager, Good Day Plan, and Goal Plan.

These videos provide instructions on how to use these tools to increase student involvement in the IEP process. Hear from Determinators and Youth Leaders who have used these tools and who have participated in their IEPs.

https://www.imdetermined.org/tool/student-involvement-in-the-iep-modules/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_nstvytjsd9

I'm Determined

Adaptive Water Safety Day.

8/6/24 Employment Basics for Parents of Young Adults In this workshop, we will cover what you need to know if your young adult is ready to start working. We will learn about: - Current resume trends and considerations - Helpful practice tools for interviews - How natural supports can boost skills and confidence - Information on when / how to disclose....

Did you know Pathological Demand Avoidance is also known as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy? 💡
Join us next Thursday, August 1st at 5pm to learn more about PDA in autistic individuals from Diane Gould, Founder & Executive Director of PDA North America. Facilitated by Elizabeth Bostic, Assistant Director of the Division of Children and Youth with Special Health Needs at DPH, this event is perfect for families, teachers, and healthcare professionals.

Register at https://fcsn.org/event/connecting-families-pda_profile/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_o1hoyxvurs

Diane Gould Therapy PDA North America - Pathological Demand Avoidance Massachusetts Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program

Join us for Caregiver to Caregiver (C2C) Respite Network Live on August 1st!

At 2 PM on all social media platforms, connect with us to learn more about C2C and hear from caregivers who are already in the program.

Learn more: http://fcsn.org/c2c?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_xojaoxuchs

Framingham Public Schools is Pleased to Announce Dr. Francisco Alves as the New Interim Director of Special Education Framingham Public Schools is Pleased to Announce Dr. Francisco Alves as the New Interim Director of Special Education

As assistive technologies become easier to access, they're enabling workers with disabilities to overcome challenges and excel in their roles.

These tools help bridge the gap between abilities and task requirements, ensuring everyone can perform at their best!

Read the full article (4 min read) at https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianewiniarski/2024/06/03/assistive-technologies-empower-workers-who-have-disabilities/?sh=321a898f1d6d&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_xoqyuw8pq5

Mattel Unveils Blind Barbie (Gift Article) A second new doll, a Black Barbie with Down syndrome, is part of the toymaker’s effort to be more inclusive.

Tomorrow - don't miss this popular workshop! https://bit.ly/725APTeens

Discover the benefits of making sure students feel confident taking an active role in their IEP process.

Watch this 2-minute video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifdJ2I7Ixws&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_xukjjx8mgf

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

July 24 School Committee Agenda:
📌Appointment of interim special education director
🔎Search process for next director

July 24, 2024 AgendaInterim Director of Special Education MemoBackground Information on Interim Director of Special Education CandidateDirector of Special Education Hiring MemoEversource Geothermal Customer Service Agreement MemoCity Sustainability Coordinator Geothermal Customer Service Agreement MemoFarley Geot...

The Lurie Center for Autism invites you to join Christopher J. McDougle, MD, Director, Lurie Center for Autism, and Jacob Ho**er, PhD, Scientific Director, Lurie Center for Autism, for a virtual presentation on psychopharmacology and related medication treatments for ASD. Discussion will include the growing need for autism-competent providers and share practical guidelines for managing common co-occurring conditions like sleep disturbances, ADHD, anxiety, and depression in autistic individuals. This session aims to empower families with valuable insights into the Lurie Center's approach to comprehensive ASD care.

Register online: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/YYQUfkj/AUG2024CoffeeConvo

Do you have questions about postsecondary transition? NESCA's Director of Transition Services Kelley Challen, Ed.M, CAS, will be hosting an "Ask the Expert" webinar where you can pick her brain on transition-related topics. Click here to register: https://nesca-newton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xlRcJ7tuS8asKPLTzhjrBQ

In English: https://bit.ly/730jj102
En español: http://bit.ly/3VD2Blc

Don't miss this popular workshop! https://bit.ly/725APTeens

Your Strengths + Your Interests + New Skills = Success After High School

This short video clip gives tips for youth and families as they go through the transition process. Thanks to Transition Discoveries for providing this information-rich content!

Watch this under a minute video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yMHm0LSBXg&t=30s&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_d2oyqkvagl

Transition Discoveries