Parent Information Relating to Special Education
All these opportunities are FREE unless noted.
Todos estos eventos son gratuitos excepto donde se indique.
In most cases you must register if registration information is provided.
Ongoing and On Demand events and courses follow this monthly list of events.
When other events are announced they will be posted with these at:
august
Caregiver Survey on Inclusive Playgrounds
A mother of two seeks your comments on nearby inclusive playgrounds so she can advocate for more inclusive playgrounds.
Survey: https://form.jotform.com/
Building Independence with the TFIL Team
Thu. Aug. 1, noon-1 pm
Learn how the Arc2Independence app can be customized to help your student navigate daily routines and challenges.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Formed Families Forward Summer Picnic
Fri. Aug. 2, 5:30-7:30 pm, 9537 Courthouse Rd, Vienna
Join a service activity followed by a cooked picnic dinner and activities for kids, youths, and adults in foster, adoptive or kinship families.
Register: https://formedfamiliesforward.
Special Education Series
Wednesdays, Aug. 7 to Sep. 4, 6:30-7:30 pm
Learn detailed information about each of the steps of the special education process in Virginia.
Register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/
Medicaid Denials and Appeals
Wed., Aug. 7, noon-1 pm
Learn about Medicaid member rights during service denials and about appeals for Medicaid, the DD waiver, and CCCPlus waiver. Q & A included.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Measurable IEP Goals
Wed. Aug. 7, 6:30-8:00 pm
Learn about the benefits of high expectations, what measurable goals are, and why monitoring progress is so important.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/
Lunch. Learn. Inspire.
Thu. Aug. 8, 11 am-1 pm
Share challenges you’ve noticed for someone with a developmental disability, and benefit from the discussion.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/
ADHD in Preschool: Early Diagnosis & Intervention for Young Children
Thu. Aug. 8, 1 pm, with replay link
Learn about the early signs, symptoms, and treatment for preschool children with suspected ADHD.
Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
Addressing Common Concerns for Kinship Caregivers
Tue. Aug. 13, 7 pm,
Learn about financial supports, health care and legal issues, education concerns, and maintaining family relationships.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Back-to-School Toolkit: Proven Systems for Solving Disorganization, Procrastination, and Missed Deadlines
Wed. Aug.14, 1 pm, with replay link
Gain practical strategies to support your child’s success, and transform school-related stress into accomplishments,
Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
Early Childhood Academy — For families of young children with disabilities
Fri. Aug. 16 to Sep. 20— self-paced course
Learn practical information to help you help your child develop skills to be successful in life.
Register: https://www.tickettailor.com/
Starting the School Year Strong: Strategies for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Families
Tue. Aug. 20, 7 pm
We will address the challenges of establishing new relationships and expectations with educators and peers.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings
Wed. Aug. 21, 6:30-8:00 pm
Learn what to expect at an IEP meeting, how to prepare for it, and how to work together afterwards to support your student.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/
ADHD Across the Lifespan: How Symptoms Evolve and Fluctuate
Tue. Aug. 20, 1 pm, with replay link
Consider how ADHD can affect people in a variety of ways over a life span and how to support them.
Register: https://wwadditudemag.com/
Squared Away — For Military Families
Sat. Aug. 24, 9 am-3 pm
Gain information and tools to help you be an active participant on your child’s IEP team or 504 team in Virginia.
Register: https://www.tickettailor.com/
It’s About Time! Planning, Prioritizing, and Time-Management Solutions for Students
Wed. Aug. 28, 1 pm, with replay link
Learn how to use prioritizing and time management skills to create routines that reduce stress and increase cooperation.
Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
The Science of Making Friends for Autistic Youth: Lessons from the UCLA PEERS Program
Wed. Aug 28, 5 pm
Gain evidence-based strategies to help teens and young adults develop social skills that encourage lasting friendships.
Ongoing and On Demand
Camp Jitters Unpacked: A Parent’s Guide Using SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)
Gain strategies to support your child regarding their anxieties about day camp or overnight camp.
National Parks Access Pass
Adults or children with a permanent disability can obtain a lifetime free pass to the national parks.
All 4th Grade students may also get a one-year pass.
Information: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/
ADHD @ School: Top 10 Hurdles to Learning with ADHD
This 10-part self-guided course equips caregivers and students with effective solutions to the specific academic and behavioral challenges associated with ADHD
Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
The Arc@School Advocacy Curriculum $99 for 6 months
Build your special education knowledge, know the law, and learn to advocate for the services your child needs.
Purchase: https://thearcatschool.org/
Dyslexia & the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP Is in Tip-Top Shape
24/7 Access: https://www.youtube.com/
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).
Register: https://www.nami.org/support-
Children’s Challenging Behaviors
This 6-hour workshop focuses on children’s challenging behaviors, mental health conditions, special education, and advocacy skills. Register: https://nami-northernvirginia.
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.
Access: https://vcuautismcenter.org/
Two 9-1-1 Pre-Notification Programs Are Now Available
Both allow prior registration so that first responders will be aware of the special needs of individuals at the scene.
Fairfax County Emergency Health Profiles
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/
Ongoing medical and behavioral health conditions can be included, along with emergency contact information.
Fairfax County Community Connect
https://www.communityconnect.
The special needs of individuals, and information about pets and your residence can be included with emergency contacts.
Ongoing Community Support Groups for Parents
All these support groups are open to newcomers, 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 to be respected.
AAC Parent Group meets occasionally on Saturdays. Contact: Amanda. amandam@skillbuildersllc.com or 703-941-7757 ext. 316
Alpha Moms This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean. Contact: robin4brady@gmail.com
Autism Society of NoVA Parents and Caregivers meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7-8 pm via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact: Cathy, ocgreulich@aol.com
DADS of Special Needs Kids of Any Age meets monthly in the evening during the school year on the 3rd Tue. or Thur. in Falls Church, to eat and talk at a favored resturant. 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: https://docs.google.com/forms/
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/
Fairfax Kinship Support Group meets virtually on the 1st Thursday monthly at 6:30-8:00 pm. An in-person group meets on the 3rd Thursday monthly at Fairfax County Community Centers at 6:15-8:00 pm. Dinner and childcare are provided. Register: https://bit.ly/FFFkinSG
Formed Families Together meets monthly as peer support groups for adoptive, kinship, and foster caregivers and parents. A Virtual support group meets the 1st Sunday evening monthly. An In-Person support group meets the 3rd Wednesday evening monthly. Register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/
Foster the Family Support Group for foster and adoptive moms meets the 3rd Monday of each month, 6:30-8:00 pm in Falls Church. Childcare is provided. Register: https://www.fosterthefamilydc.
Hablemos educación especial es un grupo de discusión de padres de habla hispana y de un estudiante autista. Se reúnen virtualmente el primer miércoles de cada mes de 7:00-7:45 pm Registrarse: https://xminds.org/event-
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness builds better lives for affected families.
Family Support Group for Parents of Youth meets the 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly at 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact: Michelle Best mczero@yahoo.com .
NAMI Family Support Group for Parents meets online the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays monthly 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org
NOVA Adopt Friends Parent Peer Support Group for adoptive parents meets on the 3rd Thursdays monthly 6:00-7:30 pm. Register: https://adoptionsupport.org/
OCD Family Support Group meets the 1st Monday of each month, 7:30 pm. Contact: ela.mike@verizon.net or call 202-215-5859
Parents of Autistic Children (POAC-NOVA) Support Group meets in-person during the school year on the 1st Saturday monthly at 10:00-11:30 am, RSVP to supportgroup@poac-nova.org
People of the Global Majority is a discussion group for BIPOC parents of children with autism. They meet virtually on the 1st Monday monthly at 7:00-7:45 pm. Register: https://xminds.org/event-
Virginia Family Network Book Club for parents and caregivers of children living with mental health challenges meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7 pm. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org
Virginia Family Network Coffee Chat and Self-Care meets monthly on the 3rd Thurs. 9:00-10:30 am to connect and to discuss self-care journeys. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org
Virginia Family Network Parent Meetup is on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 8 pm for parents/caregivers of children with mental health challenges. Contact Nicole Anjum at nanjum@namivirginia.org .
- Tuesday, September 10
- Wednesday, September 11
- Thursday, September 12
- Tuesday, September 17
- Monday, September 23
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