Volume
6 Issue 9
Letter
from the editor:
Thank
you to everyone who has helped contribute information to me. It has been
a tremendous help. Please send all comments, criticisms, renewals, etc.
to:
Also
remember to make your checks out to Autism News for $17.50…
Don't
hesitate to send me stuff, I love to read it all and do appreciate everything
that is sent to me.
Happy
Reading,
Amy
All
contents are copyright of the Newsletter Mom, 2002. Total freedom is granted
to recopy and share information as long as Autism News gets credit.
ABLE – SOUTHWEST SUBURBS (Advocates Behind Legal Education)
will meet on
Tuesday, September 24, 2002, at Flossmoor Community Church,
2220 S. Carroll
Parkway, Flossmoor, Illinois from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Matt Cohen, noted Special Education attorney of the law office of Monahan
and Cohen, will present
“Preparing for the Fall; Key Strategies for Obtaining Special
Education Services”
Admission is free but by reservation only. Reservations must be received
by September 17, 2002. Send your request with your name(s), address and
phone number to ABLE Southwest Suburbs, 6413 W 102nd Place, Chicago Ridge,
IL, 60415. Seating is limited.
Advocates Behind Legal Education is a volunteer, self-help organization
for parents, professionals, and others interested in the education of children
with disabilities.
September 22nd-Chicagoland AS/HFA Support Group meeting at the North Riverside Public Library at 1:45. Susan Thompson Moore will be speaking She is on academic and organizational modifications for students. For more information, please contact Debbie Mercer at [email protected].
September
26-6:30
pm Springfield
Land
of Lincoln Celiac Support Group
at
the hospital (Carol Jo Vecchie Bldg., 4th floor, Con C/D.
Speaker:
Connie Sarros
Connie
has written 3 gluten free cookbooks - her newest book deals with reduced
calorie gluten free cooking. She also has a gluten free cookbook for kids
and working moms and one on gluten free desserts.
October,
2002
We are also planning a wiener roast/hayride for
October - which also includes the R.O.C.K. Group.
Joyce is very interested in combining forces with the Asperger's support
group to have a weekend camp in May, 2003 for
kids who need the gf/cf diet (and their families). Joyce already has a
club at the lake reserved for May, 2003, but needs help in planning and
organizing it. This camp is for anyone (not just celiacs) who are on the
gf/cf diet. Let's come together and help support each other and our kids.
If
anyone would like any information on the Land of Lincoln Celiac Support
Group or the gluten free/casein free diet (shopping, reading labels, ordering
food, etc.), please contact:
Joyce Hall
[email protected]
217-793-9441 (home)
217-415-8246 (cell)
217-787-9540 (office)
NOTE-StarNet
workshops give priority to parents within their region. If there is a workshop
you wish to attend but it is not in your region-let your local StarNet
folks know you'd like them to replicate it in YOUR region. StarNet folks
are waiting to hear from YOU. Don't make them guess what you want or need
to learn about.
Lincoln
Way Special Education Office is again replicating the training offered
through the Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project.
This 10 Day Training is open to Educational Teams and MUST include a parent
to receive the FREE training.
The
dates are as follows: August 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15 October 2 and 3 November
19 and 20
Parents:
Let your school staff know about this and organize a team ASAP.
Call Amy Gatch at 815-485-6969 or Kathy Gould at 708-354-5730
September
25, 2002
Asperger
Syndrome with Barbara Doyle
October 2, 2002
Communication with Jenny Potanos and Nan Negri
October 23, 2002
Sensory Processing with Sheila Frick
November 21, 2002
Strategies for Success with Peg Mazeika
December 3, 2002
Teaching Social Skills with Peg Mazeika
Visit the NIA website at www.thenia.org
for final dates and registration information.
These workshops sold out quickly when presented last year. Please register
early to
ensure participation. Workshops are suited for
parents, teachers, related service providers,
paraprofessionals, etc. If you are the parent of a child with autism,
you MUST attend these seminars and if at all possible, encourage your
school district to sponsor you AND your child's educational team!!!
Survival
Advocacy Training
6
Day Training Will Include:
· IDEA,
ADA
· Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA and more legal issues
· Collaboration
and Conflict Resolution
· IEP/IFSP
· Positive
Behavior Intervention
· Inclusion
· Self
Advocacy
· Transition
The
dates for the training are:
Tuesday
September 10, 6:00-9:00PM
We
are requesting teams of individuals including parents, teachers, related
service providers, and whenever feasible, students themselves to participate
in this training. Students need to develop self-advocacy skills to prepare
them for the future.
This
is intended to be a jumping off point for parents to advocate successfully
for their children.
We
are looking for self-motivated, self-determined individuals to participate
and disseminate this information to other parents. Knowledge is power!
This
training will be repeated at various locations throughout the year! All
participants will be provided with presentation materials to bring this
information back to your local school district, parent group, etc.
Please
contact us for more information and to register. [email protected]
CEU's
/ CPDU's will be offered.
Keep
your eye out for Parent-Parent Training Dates to support the main workshops.
Contact 708-798-0923 if you have questions.
They
will be at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.
Presenter:
Judith Eckardt
Focus of workshop: Introductory/Skill-Building
Description: Children who have special needs in speech/language, eating/feeding and health issues are at a higher risk to develop stuttering as they develop language. Providing supports for the child, family, teachers and caregivers can prevent the child from becoming an adult who stutters. Practical handouts, suggested materials and resources, strategies for newly speaking and mature speaking children, and intervention ideas will be included. Time will be allotted for IEP goals.
Intended Audience: Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Related Service Personnel, Family Members, Administrators & Speech Language Pathologists
Registration:
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Workshop: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Note: Registration is limited to 50 participants
Location: Matsushita Electric, 1707 N. Randall Rd., Elgin
Presenter:
Gaye Gronlund
Focus of workshop: Introductory/Skill-Building
Description: Focused PortfoliosTM include photos, observational notes and children's work samples organized in an easy to implement assessment system tied to developmental standards. This workshop will give a brief introduction to the process and help teachers specifically relate portfolios to IFSPs and IEPs. Exploration of the use of the Illinois Early Learning Standards as a reference for portfolio collection will also be included. (Teachers should plan on bringing copies of special education goals for their students, as well as any of the following portfolio items they may have already assembled: anecdotes, photos, and work samples.) This workshop will include time for practical, hands-on tips to make portfolio collection appropriate for all children, age birth to five. The book, Focused PortfoliosTM: A Complete Assessment for the Young Child published by Redleaf Press will be available for sale (cost $34.95).
Intended Audience: Teachers, Related Service Personnel, Family Members & Administrators
Registration:
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Workshop: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Note: Registration is limited to 100 participants
Location: Holiday Inn Express, 1550 E. Dundee Rd., Palatine 847/934-4900
(for directions only)
Presenters:
Lisa Fisher, Marsha Glick & Pat Kluzik Stauch
Focus of workshop: Introductory/Skill Building
Description: This workshop will present information that leads participants toward writing better IEPs for young children. The presenters will take information from IDEA ’97, Illinois State Rules and Regulations, Parent’s Rights Guide (2001) and recommended practices to facilitate large and small group discussions on the steps necessary for writing Individualized Education Programs. The workshop will focus on the IEP Process, with emphasis on determining eligibility and writing annual goals, short-term objectives or benchmarks. In small groups, participants will practice writing and reviewing measurable annual goals, short-term objectives or benchmarks based on specific children’s characteristics. Related services, supports, placement and least restrictive environment will also be part of the presentation. Participants will receive a handout packet that will include sample goals, objectives and benchmarks for discussion. This workshop is intended for parents and professionals that are new to writing IEPs or for anyone that wants a refresher course on effective practices in writing IEPs.
Intended Audience: Teachers, Related Service Personnel, Administrators & Family Members
Registration:
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Workshop: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Note: Registration limited to 50 participants
Location: Randall Oaks Golf Course Banquet Facility, Randall &
Binnie Rd., Dundee
ST.
LOUIS, MO at
the Frontenac Hilton. Wednesday October 2 from 9-4 & Thursday October
3 from 9-2.
EMAIL [email protected]
call Lisa Haden
at 314-997-4343 ext. 600
His
topic is: A Neurodevelopmental Approach to Understanding and Managing
Differences in Learning. The cost for the two-day workshop is $350;
this
includes all materials, breakfast and lunch for both days. Graduate
and
CEU credit is available through Fontbonne University.
IF
YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THIS CONFERENCE, REMEMBER TO CHECK INTO
THE STIPEND PROGRAM.
Project:
Consumer Stipend Program
Investment Partner: Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) Early
Intervention Clearinghouse
Location: Springfield, IL
Investment: $90,000
This
project provides stipends for people with disabilities and their families
to attend conferences on disability-related issues. They will pay up to
$400.00/person every two years or $600.00/family every two years to
attend a conference. All you have to do is pass the information that
you have learned on.
Contacts:
Project Staff: Chet Brandt (1-800-852-4302)
Council Staff: Kerry Flynn [email protected]
Clearinghouse
email: [email protected]
“Conflict
Resolution”
Saturday,
October 12, 2002
PACE
Center for Independent Living
This
conference will cover two days. Day One will include the topics: Encouraging
Friendship Skills and Managing Emotions. Day Two will include discussion
of Asperger's Syndrome in the Adolescent Years and a question and answer
forum.
The
conference registration fee includes all materials and handouts, continental
breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments. Participants can either register
for either day or both days. Early registration fees will be $175 for BOTH
days and $125 for ONE day. For Groups of 4 or more, please contact BusyWeb
Solutions, Inc. for information on discounted fees.
Registration
received after September 1, 2002 will be $215 for BOTH days and $165 for
ONE day.
Fees
can be paid by check, credit card, money order or purchase order. Please
contact BusyWeb Solutions by phone 618-397-2131 or e-mail
to receive a registration form. A printable
registration form is also available at www.tonyattwood.com
CENTER
FOR SPEECH & LANGUAGE DISORDERS XVIII ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN
WITH LANGUAGE DISORDERS
Location: Drury
Lane Conference Ctr.
"Language,
Learning, and the Brain: Making the connection between
Speakers:
Elisa Gagnon, M.S., Pamela Hadley, Ph.D., Thomas Lindsay, M.S.
Telephone:
(630) 530-8551 X 104
DAN
Conference
Email:
[email protected]
TOPICS: Neuro-toxic effects of and successful treatments for
elevated mercury and other heavy metals * The role of immunizations in
autism and how to decrease the risk * A fresh look at the epidemiological
studies supporting the relationship between autism and thimerosal * The
latest research on secretin * The MMR controversy * Nutritional strategies
for improving health and cognitive function of the autistic child * The
role of omega 3 fatty acids * Understanding the immune system's role in
autism
SPEAKERS: Sidney
Baker, M.D. * Jayne Barese, R.N. * Mark Blaxill, MBA * Kenneth Bock, M.D.
* Jeff Bradstreet, M.D. * Timothy Buie, M.D., Ph.D. * Jane El-Dahr, M.D.
* Barbara Loe Fisher * Sudhir Gupta, M.D., Ph.D. * Paul Hardy, M.D. * Walter
Herlihy, Ph.D. * Woody McGinnis, M.D. * Jon Pangborn, Ph.D. * Karl Reichelt,
M.D., Ph.D. * Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. * Karyn Seroussi * Paul Shattock,
Ph.D. * Andrew Stoll, M.D. * Andrew Wakefield, M.D. * Rosemary Waring,
Ph.D. * Carol Wester, MSN, CSN *
Help
Wanted:
GROUP
HOME DIRECTOR
6 Autistic children ages 6-12 seeking Group Home Director. Must have
LCSW + 3 years exp. social work admin. or LCPC + 5 years exp. social
work
admin. Salary commensurate w/exp. Send resume to: CCA, PO Box 126,
Cary, IL 60013
Assistant
newsletter editor.
I need help getting the newsletter together every month. My life is incredibly
busy these days with my daughter and some behavior problems plus I have
a new job, which is taking a lot of my time. I do not want to give up the
newsletter, just need a little help. There is no pay, but you will get
great praise from me. It's just for a couple of hours a month to mainly
get it ready for the mail. So if you don't mind folding, labeling, and
sealing (I promise no licking envelopes!!!) please jot me a note or send
an email to [email protected].
I will get back to you that day with my thanks. I just don't want this
to become a totally web newsletter and I don't want it to be late anymore.
Thank you for listening.
As you know, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is up for reauthorization. There has been quite a bit of dialogue on issues. In meeting with Rep. Biggert and her staff, they have asked to hear of stories from IL folks as to how IDEA can be improved, and they also requested personal stories, both good and bad, as to how IDEA has helped/hurt you.
You can go to this committee's website to offer your ideas (http://edworkforce.house.gov/) at which time you will see a box "Wanted: Great ideas for Improving Special Education". If you are from IL, they requested that you indicate this so they know what folks in IL are saying.
EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
Congress has not passed any education funding bills for the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2002 and may freeze funding current levels until after the November elections.
Meanwhile, the nation’s schools are preparing for an additional 10,000 students with disabilities for the upcoming 2002/2003 school year. 18,000 additional students are expected in the following 2003/2004 school year. An increase of $2.5 billion in funding for IDEA Grants to States would raise the federal share of funding to 21 percent – half way towards the federal government’s 25-year-old commitment to support school districts with a contribution equal to 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure.
In addition to the need for increased assistance to States, a substantial
increase is needed to fund national activities that support improved instruction
for students with disabilities. The IDEA Part D support programs provide
the critical infrastructure, training, research and development functions.
Activities such as professional development, technical assistance, and
dissemination of knowledge about promising practices are supported by IDEA
Part D funds. The President’s budget provides no increases for these important
activities despite growing enrollments, severe and chronic teacher shortages,
and a need for increased research to improve outcomes for students with
disabilities. Funding for Part D should be increased to equal 10% of the
funding for Parts B and C -- an amount consistent with the research and
development
funding used in business to foster innovation and ensure national diffusion
of research-based practices.
Please send your message to Congress! Tell legislators to provide a
substantial increase in federal funding for the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) and to pass an education appropriations bill before
November. Use NCLD’s
Legislative Action Center to send your message to your Senators and
Congressman by going to: http://capwiz.com/ld/issues/alert/?alertid=414506&type=CO
The Family Opportunity Act (also referred to as the Dylan Lee James Act) would help families with children with significant medical needs maintain their Medicaid coverage based on a sliding scale. The most critical provisions of the bill would allow states (state option) to offer Medicaid coverage to children with severe disabilities-physical or mental-who live in middle-income families. Currently, these children are ineligible for Medicaid because their families make too much money. In addition, these children often are uninsured or underinsured because health insurance is not available through an employer, is too expensive, or offers a very limited benefits package. As a result, families must make due as best they can, or spend down their assets and reduce their annual income so they can qualify for Medicaid.
Giving parents the option of buying into Medicaid and paying on a sliding scale basis would provide children with disabilities in these families access to the full range of medical services they so desperately need while maintaining the financial integrity of the family.
We’re asking for your support in the past to help move this important
legislation through Congress. The next step requires that the House Committee
on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health review the bill (H.R. 600)
and move it forward.
Please urge your Congressional Representative to request the Health
Subcommittee to approve this important bill without amendments and support
its passage in this session of Congress. Advocates in the following states
are asked to make a strong appeal: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin
and Wyoming. (A listing of the Member of the Health Subcommittee is available
at:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/107/members/healthmembers.htm)
The Department of Education/Office of Special Education provides funding to Parent Training Centers across the United States. There are 4 such Parent Training Centers funded in Illinois.
Galena Parent Advocates has had representatives from Family T.I.E.S. and Family Resource Center on Disabilities present at several of our monthly meetings.
If you are in the state of Illinois and need Parent Training, Advocacy Services, phone or
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today urged America's governors to make continued efforts to overcome the institutional bias in Medicaid programs by providing benefits outside of nursing homes to Americans with disabilities. Secretary Thompson noted that states already have many affordable community-based options for serving people with disabilities, and he pointed to a new Web site identifying promising practices.
"The President's New Freedom Initiative builds on our partnership to assure Medicaid eligible individuals with disabilities are served in the most appropriate setting according to their own needs and preferences," said Secretary Thompson in a letter to the governors. "We believe there is a tremendous opportunity to serve people who meet nursing facility levels of care in their own homes or other community residential settings without increasing costs."
A number of states have already developed and implemented programs that
serve individuals in community settings rather than institutions including:
* diversion programs to keep people in the community,
* transition programs to move individuals from institutional
settings to community placements, and
* program models in which the "money follows the person" to assure
stability for beneficiaries living in the community.
HHS has recently announced a new waiver template, "Independence Plus," designed to help states develop consumer directed services. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has also established a Web Site to help states share "promising practices" of innovative programs that states have adopted to strengthen their community long-term support systems. These promising practices are targeted towards diverse populations and usually supported by a combination of funding mechanisms, such as the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program, regular Medicaid state plan options, programs funded by other federal agencies, and state and local resources. The Web site is http://www.cms.gov/promisingpractices
"Many states have developed innovative programs that meet the goals of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative and we are excited to be able to share their promising practices," said Secretary Thompson. "These practices should be a starting point for fostering a dynamic examination of ways to improve community support systems for persons of all ages with disabilities."
Under the President's New Freedom Initiative, many other steps have
also been taken including $120 million in Systems Change Grants to support
state efforts to institute community-based approaches; the Ticket to Work
program, which provides for continued health insurance coverage for persons
with disabilities; and the National Caregiver Support Programs aimed at
helping families care for a loved one at home or in the community.
**************************
The text of Secretary Thompson's letter to governors today follows:
Nearly 20 percent of nursing home expenditures are made on behalf of individuals who have a disability and are under 65 years of age. We believe there is a tremendous opportunity to serve people who meet nursing facility levels of care in their own homes or other community residential settings without increasing costs.
Many states have engaged in activities and developed programs that serve individuals in the most appropriate community setting rather than in an institution. These programs and activities, developed under existing authority, have included diversion programs to maintain people in the community, transition programs to actively move individuals from institutional settings to community placements, and program models in which the "money follows the person" to assure stability of community living.
States continue to prove themselves to be the leaders in service delivery innovation and I am proud of our record in supporting your efforts. We recently announced a new waiver template, "IndependencePlus," which is designed to assist states in the development of consumer directed services. I have directed the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand our efforts to share "promising practices" as examples that states have adopted to support the "money follows the person" model. A copy of the CMS letter in support of these efforts is enclosed for your information.
We hope that you will find this information to be helpful and I look forward to working with you on new ways to serve Americans with disabilities.
Sincerely,
Tommy G. Thompson
Secretary of Health and Human Services
*******************************************
New Disability Toll Free Hot Line for Air Transportation Problems
A link to the "Community Living and Disabilities Plan"
is available on DHS' Olmstead decision web site, along with other background
information. Visit the site at the address listed below.
http://www.state.il.us/agency/dhs/olmweb.html
The federal Department of Transportation's aviation consumer disability toll-free hotline became operational on August 5, 2002. The toll-free number for the aviation consumer disability hotline is 1-866-266-1368 (voice) and 1-866-754-4368 (TTY). Consumers are encouraged to call the hotline to obtain information and assistance if they should experience disability-related air service problems