June 2022 Special Connection |
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Dear Families and Friends,
There are no words to express our sadness over the loss of 19 innocent children and their 2 teachers at the school shooting in Texas. School is a place where these young children should be safe, laugh, play, and learn. Instead this was where their futures and potential were stolen.
ASCF is a parent group who cares deeply about children. We advocate for their right to an education to become the best that they can be. Now we all need to advocate that this horrific event does not happen again. We must address the issues that contributed to this. We must all work together to keep our precious legacy safe.
To the families and community: we know there is nothing we can say that can ease your loss. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers and that we are committed to see that this ends here and now.
With Love,
ASCF staff and board
P.S. A resource from the National Association of School Psychologists that might help explaining to the children is "Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers."
Copy and paste the following link:
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers
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10 Basic Steps in Special Education
Updated information as of April 2022
When a child is having trouble in school, it’s important to find out why. The child may have a disability. By law, schools must provide special help to eligible children with disabilities. This help is called special education and related services.
There’s a lot to know about the process by which children are identified as having a disability and in need of special education and related services. This brief overview is an excellent place to start. The process is distilled into 10 basic steps. Once you have the big picture of the process, it’s easier to understand the many details under each step. Complete article:https://www.parentcenterhub.org/steps/
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Camp Rainbow Summer Day Program
The Arc offers a six week summer day program for children with developmental disabilities. Activities include swimming, arts & crafts, adapted physical education, music, cooking and community trips. An academic component is also offered in accordance with IEP requirements and the program is approved as an Extended School Year Site. Transportation is provided for kids in Passaic and Bergen Counties based on availability. Camp Rainbow is a qualified provider for CF/CSOC, DDD Supports Program Waiver and DDD Community Care Program Waiver and the Bergen County Respite Program. Check it out at
https://www.arcbp.com/programs/camp_rainbow/camp_rainbow.html
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A Researcher, Disability Rights Advocate and Parent Speaks About What Inclusive Education Has Meant
Join on June 7, 2022 @ 7:00PM.
Learn about the research findings on inclusive education, the importance and value of inclusive education and Dr. Lavani's journey with her daughter with Down syndrome and how she was included in the general education throughout her educational career.
Join FamilyLink, the New Jersey Early Intervention System and SPAN to hear Dr. Priya Lalvania's presentation. Learn about the research findings on inclusive education, the importance and value of inclusive education and Dr. Lavani's journey with her daughter with Down syndrome and how she was included in general education throughout her educational career.
Please register:
h ttps://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7ZcN_d7cJ02b3GwTU50NQoTdtkns4ZhIkTmQoKcIZdRUMllKWEFYVlVSNkdCS05YUkg3VzVCSzlESy4u
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ASCF's Virtual Behavior Mini-Conference
This is being offered for parents and professionals. Do you have have a child in your classroom or your life who "marches to the beat of a different drummer"?
The conference will discuss the term "that kid" as it is used now. There are many types: kids with special needs of all kinds: physical, emotional, neurological, behavioral and more. Kids who may be atypical in social emotional development, who have come from trauma, and/or an atypical dynamic, or “that kid” may not be identifiable until something is triggered. The purpose of this conference is to empower you to leave the training with a renewed sense of purpose and a new way to see "that kid". The presenter, Shana Toth, is an 18 year veteran teacher who was "that kid" and has much to share.
Part 1 is on Wednesday June 15 from 6:30 -8pm
Part 2 is on Wednesday June 22 from 6:30- 8 pm
Registration is required by contacting: julie@ascfamily.org or by calling 973 728 8744. The Zoom link will be sent the day of the conference.
A Certificate of Participation will be available upon request for those who complete the Conference.
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SCIENCE CLUB FOR ALL KIDS |
Kids, join us on Saturday morning , June 25 at 11 AM for "Is this Magic or Science?" The participants will mix sand and salt and then seperate it. It will be live at Highlands Family Success Center, 1801 Greenwood lake Turnpike in Hewitt. Scientist Andy and teacher Lori have some other fun activities planned. Please register.
973-506-6675
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ASCF Virtual Trainings
Inclusion and ESY (Extended School Year)
Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 7:00 pm
What you need to know about inclusion and Extended School Year services. Working together with your school district to ensure success.
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SPAN TRAINING
Essential Components of the IEP
Wed, June 9, 2022, 6 PM – 7 PM EDT
The workshop provides a review of the essential components of an IEP. Participants will better understand the IEP document and the parent’s role in its development. Participants are invited to bring their own IEP they can review during the presentation.
Contact Tammi Kaminski at tkaminski@spanadvocacy.org
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5 Ways to Help Your Child Become More Independent
As children grow older, they should be given more responsibility. You’re not doing your children any favors when you perform basic tasks for them. In fact, children can develop learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is when a child lacks independence and cannot or will not do age-appropriate tasks. In order for your child to gain confidence and become more responsible, follow these five tips.
1. Make a List. Create a list of tasks that your child should be able to do on their own, such as getting dressed or putting their toys away. Talk to them about which tasks they think they can do. If they’re unsure, have them practice in front of you. Eliminate any tasks that they don’t seem to be ready for. Keep in mind, children perform better when they know what’s expected of them.
2. Don’t Expect Perfection. Children are still figuring out their motor skills, so some mishaps may happen, such as spilling juice when they want to pour themselves a drink. If they mess up, try not to criticize them. Instead, gently show them the correct way to do things. Explain that everyone makes mistakes, and no one is perfect.
3. Allow Enough Time. Children tend to need more time to finish tasks compared to adults. Give them the time they need to prevent them from becoming stressed. For example, if it takes your child ten minutes to put on their clothes in the morning, start your daily routine earlier. As they practice, they will get faster at their tasks.
4. Develop a Routine. Children need routine to manage their responsibilities. If their daily schedule is constantly changing, they’ll become confused. Explain to them when they have to complete specific tasks. For example, you can tell your child that they need to pick up their toys before getting ready for bed. When it gets close to their bedtime, remind your child that they need to clean up before they put on their pajamas.
5. Offer Praise. Children love to be recognized for the things that they do. Give your child praise when they do something on their own, especially if it’s something they needed help with before. You can even turn mistakes into praise. For example, if your child puts their shirt on backward, you can acknowledge that they were able to pick out clothing and dress themselves. Give your child encouragement when they’re feeling frustrated.
In short… It might seem easier and quicker to do things for your children instead of allowing them to do it themselves. However, when you give children the opportunity to perform tasks on their own, they begin to develop a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. As they grow older, they will be able to use their problem-solving skills to tackle new situations with ease.
In the larger scheme of development, fostering independence and responsibility results in a person who is self-confident, resourceful, respectful, and able to recognize needs and meet them.In my new book, The Well-Balanced Family, I provide tips, guides, and tools to help children become more autonomous while at the same time being a contributor to the functioning and well-being of family as a whole. by Robert Myers, PhD / July 23, 2019
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-activities/5-ways-to-help-your-child-become-more-independent/#gs.02k3ii
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SENDING OUR THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS TO TEXAS
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Support, Training and Informational Groups |
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Mom Squad Virtual Support Group.
Join this amazing group with ASCF and Family Partners on Thursdays,
June 2, 9, 16, 23 from 6-7:30 pm.
Diane Varga: dvarga@familypartnersms.org
cell: 862-273-5046
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Family Support Organization of Passaic County and ASCF offer these virtual sessions on Tuesdays June 7, 14, 21 from 6:30 to 8 pm and in person on Tuesday, June 28 from 6:30 to 8 pm
at the Highlands Family Success Center.
Register with Nina Reams:
nreams@fso-pc.org 973 979- 0508
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Report: Caregiving in the Context of COVID-19
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a report about the ways in which families and children have been affected by the pandemic. The report summarizes the responses of 9,000 parents about their experiences since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020. Parents answered questions about employment, childcare, education, and other topics. Closing schools and community resources made an impact on childcare routines. Changes to work life and government support systems also impacted how parents could provide for their families. The report covers critical takeaways looking at the impact of support services, violence in the home, and parents’ most challenging and most helpful experiences. To read Summary Report go to:
https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/COVID_Family_Snapshot_Y1_Summary_Report_FINAL.pdf\
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Please think about supporting ASCF |
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DISCLAIMER:
The Association for Special Children and Families does not provide or give legal or medical advice.
DESCARGO DE RESPONSABILIDAD:
La Asociación para Niños y Familias Especiales no proporciona ni brinda asesoramiento legal o médico.
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Mental Health Resources
Mental Health America www.mhanational.org
(NAMI) National Alliance on Mental Illness nami.org
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