Parent Information Relating to Special Education - December 2020

12/7/2020 8:31 pm

The following events were compiled by the Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA). Many of the events are relevant to all Clermont families. 
 
Upcoming Community Events
 
All these opportunities are online and FREE unless noted.
In most cases you must register if registration information is provided.
 
Ongoing and On Demand events and courses follow this monthly list of events.
Support Groups for Parents are at the end of this list.
When other events become available they will be posted at:  https://fairfaxcountysepta.org/upcoming-community-events/
 
 
 
Mid-Year Motivation Guide: Help Your Child Persist with Hybrid or Online Learning
Wed. Dec. 9, 1 pm 
Learn strategies to re-invigorate children who have ADHD to help them stay engaged this school year.
 
Rediscovering Our Resilience: A Mental Health Perspective on Parenting During the Pandemic
Wed. Dec. 9, 7-8 pm 
Learn pandemic-friendly strategies that can help support mental health in both children and parents. 
 
Serving with an Exceptional Family Member 
Thu. Dec. 10, 7:00 pm
An up-close look at how one Navy family has managed decades of service with a child with severe autism. 
 
Coping Strategies for Anxious Kids
Fri., Dec. 11, 10:00-11:30 am
Learn the basics about childhood anxiety, how to change anxious thinking, and treatment options.
 
Access to Spy
Sun. Dec. 13, 10:00 am-1:30 pm
Autistic individuals and their families will have virtual access during three and a half hours to four Spy Museum events.
 
Why ADHD Is Different for Women: Gender-Specific Symptoms & Treatments
Tue. Dec. 15, 1 pm 
Learn about factors that increase the risk for negative outcomes from ADHD for women and appropriate treatments.
 
A Forum on Financial Planning for People with IDD
Tue. Dec. 15,  2:00 pm
Learn how people with IDD can plan for their financial future in spite of income limitations and legal restrictions imposed by qualifications for public benefits..
 
All Behavior Happens for a Reason: Behavior as Communication
Thu. Dec. 17, 10:00-11:30 am OR 6:30-8:00 pm
This presentation will cover the basis of why behaviors happen and how to influence or change them at home and elsewhere.
 
Understanding Special Education
Thu. Dec. 17, 7:00 pm
Learn the seven phases of the special education process and identify how you can participate in the special education process. 
 
Winter Holiday Family Game Night
Fri. Dec. 18, 6:30-7:30 pm
A virtual Family Game Night for adoptive, foster, and kinship families.
 
Plan Ahead — Guiding Exceptional Parents Book Club
Mon. Jan. 25, 7:30-9:00 pm 
The Essential Conversation: What Parents and Teachers Can Learn from Each Other by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
 
Ongoing and On Demand
 
Dyslexia & the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP Is in Tip-Top Shape
Webinar, available 24/7
 
Accommodations for Recreational Classes and Camps with Fairfax County Parks
Accommodations include physical accessibility, ASL interpreters, assistive devices, sensitivity training for classmates, and staff training.
To request accommodations, email gary.logue@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703 324-8563
 
Scholarships for Classes with Fairfax County Parks
Children of families that receive public assistance (medicaid, free school lunch, SNAP, TANF) are eligible to take one set of classes per quarter for a $15 registration fee.
 
NAMI Basics
This 6-session course is for adults who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms (including ADHD and ASD).
 
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training
Learn about special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests to measure progress and regression; SMART IEPs; and strategies for effective advocacy.
 
 
The Parent Playbook — 9 Module Online Course on Autism
From the VCU Autism Center for Excellence & Virginia Autism Council. An introduction on Autism Spectrum Disorder for families, including tips for caregivers, characteristics, interventions and recommended programs and services.
 
Support Groups for Parents
 
All these support groups are open to newcomers, most are online, and they are free, except where noted.  No diagnosis is required to participate.  Participants are typically given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources.  Confidentiality is respected.
 
AAC Parent Group meets occasionally on Saturdays.  Contact: Amanda amandam@skillbuildersllc.com or 703-941-7757 ext. 316
 
African American Culturally Focused Virtual Parent Café meets Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720
 
Alpha Moms  This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean.  Contact:  robin4brady@gmail.com
 
Arlington Epilepsy Support Group, a list-serve, can be acessed at ARLepilepsy@googlegroups.com
 
Autism Dads meets one evening monthly.  Contact:  George Buzby at 571-419-1257 or gbuzby@aol.com
 
Autism Society of Northern Virginia Virtual Support Group 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 1:00-2:30 pm via Zoom.  Meeting ID:  83085728013  
 
Business Networking Event for Special Needs Parents
Alternate Fridays, May 29 and following, 9:00-10:30 am Via Zoom.  Connect with fellow special needs parents and business owners, build your referral network, and share best practices.  Contact:  https://thearcofloudoun.org/networking/ 
 
CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Alexandria CHADD Parent Support Group  4th Mon. of each month at 6:30 pm.  Contact:  Alyssa  ADHDParentMountVernon@gmail.com  or call 303-903-9972.
  • Loudoun County CHADD Parent Support 3rd Sun. evening of the month.  Contact:  Bonnie Little  571-306-2932 or on Facebook @loudounahdhsupport
  • West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group  1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact:  Cathy,  ocgreulich@aol.com 
CSB Family Support Group at Gatlan Center  2nd and 4th Wed. of each month 6:00-7:30 pm via Zoom Contact:  Samar.Chwairy@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-799-2882.
 
D.A.D.S.  Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome 3rd Tue. each month, 7-9 pm via Zoom.  Contact:  George gbuzby@aol.com or call 703- 545-6089.
 
Dr. Dan’s Support Group for Parents Raising Challenging Children meets via Zoom on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Register:  http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eh2rnzqrk9vdghmb/a0179kbgrhnj1/questions
 
Epilepsy Parent Support Group meets monthly on the 4th Thursday, 7:00-8:30 pm.  Register:  https://epilepsywdc.org/events/epilepsy-parent-support-group-discussion-series-virtual/
 
Fairfax Juvenile Court Parent Support for problems including runaway behavior, truancy, alcohol/drug abuse, and serious behavioral problems at home, at school, or in the community. Sign up for a phone consultation at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44abab29abf85-juvenile
 
Grupo de Chat para Padres:  Unete a nuestro nuevo GRUPO DE CHAT mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podras mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino esta haciendo. Entra al GRUPO: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw   (Chat Group for Latino Parents: Join our new CHAT GROUP through the WhatsApp application and you will be able to keep up to date with everything that PEATC Latino is doing.)
 
NAMI:  National Alliance on Mental Illness builds better lives for affected families.  Arlington Parent Support Group meets two Sundays a month at 7:00-8:30 pm.  Contact:  Michelle Best mczero@yahoo.com
 
OCD Family Support Group meets the 1st Mon. of each month, 7:30 pm.  Contact:  ela.mike@verizon.net   or  call 202-215-5859
 
Parent Café (for all Fairfax County parents and guardians) meets via Zoom in English on Mon., 7:45-9:15 pm, and en español, miércoles, 7:00-8:30 pm.  Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720  
 
Parents in a Pandemic is for families of children or young adults with developmental and/or behavioral challenges.  They meet twice monthly, 5:30-6:30 pm on Tuesdays.  Contact Diane Manning dmonnig@thearcofnova.org .
 
Parents of Autistic Children (POAC-NOVA) Parent Support Group meets on Saturdays occasionally.  Contact:  Brianne Russel-Morris administrator@poac-nova.org .
 
REACH Parent Support Group meets monthly to support parents of individuals with developmental disabilities who also have mental health or behavioral issues.  Contact:  Dr. Pourmand  mojgan.pourmand@eastersealsucp.com