October 22, 2024

Making Halloween Inclusive

Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for children, but for those with special needs, it may present challenges. Parents can best support their child by preparing them in advance for the evening’s events. This can include creating a visual schedule or social story that outlines what will happen, such as putting on a costume, walking to neighbors’ houses, and hearing different sounds. If your child has sensory sensitivities, consider comfortable costumes and avoid masks or accessories that might cause discomfort. You can also do a practice run of trick-or-treating to help your child get used to the routine. Carry familiar items or comfort objects, and remember it’s okay if your child doesn’t want to participate in every activity.

Neighbors can play a key role in making Halloween inclusive. To support children with special needs, consider offering non-candy treats like toys or stickers, which may be better suited for kids with allergies or sensory issues. Be patient and understanding if a child does not say "trick or treat" or interact in the usual ways. Having a "teal pumpkin" on display is a great way to show that your house offers inclusive treats for all children. Creating a calm and welcoming environment by keeping noise to a minimum and avoiding any overly frightening decorations can also make Halloween more enjoyable for everyone. By being mindful, neighbors can help make the night fun and accessible for all children.

This Halloween, please keep in mind:

• The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy, might have poor fine motor skills.
• The child who does not say "Trick or Treat" or "Thank You" might be nonverbal.
• The child who looks disappointed when they see your bowl, might have an allergy.
• The child who isn't wearing a costume, might have Sensory Processing Disorder or Autism.
• The person who looks too old to be trick or treating, might be developmentally delayed.

To learn more about fun activities happening in your community, visit the calendar on our website.

Guiding Success

If you are a parent or educator knowledgeable about special education processes and looking for a way to help families and their child's IEP team, we want to talk to you!

South Dakota Parent Connect is looking for individuals with a passion for special education for our Navigator program. This is a contracted position that is ideal for someone who wants to work in the field of education and allows for flexibility in their schedule.

As a Peer Navigator Consultant, you will provide impartial guidance that will empower families to actively participate in the IEP process while supporting school personnel in fostering family involvement.

The Peer Navigator Consultant's role is to:

• help families understand the IEP process and encourage participation
• assist school personnel in engaging with families effectively
• guide both parties in locating and utilizing necessary resources
• help the IEP team work together to improve outcomes for students and make progress toward agreements

This role is a great opportunity to put your knowledge of the special education process to use in a way that has a meaningful impact and offers flexibility in managing your time to retain a healthy work-life balance.

If you are interested in learning more about this valuable program, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to Jennifer Wentzel, Navigator Program Coordinator.

Attention

Strengthening Families Program Alert!

Watch your mail for a letter from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Strengthening Families Program. Due to program changes, families will need to complete and return, within 60 days, both a W-9 form and postcard that states you wish to remain on the program. Use this LINK to learn more about the program and how to contact the Department. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

October has been a busy month. October is ADHD, Dyslexia, and Learning Disabilities month.  

For information about how children learn to read, what is a learning disability in reading, and how a diagnosis of dyslexia fits into the Learning Disability category South Dakota Parent Connection has resources available to help:

• Understanding How Children Learn to Read: Students learn best when schools and parents work together. There are key areas schools work on as they help children learn to read. In this session, parents will learn about these areas and how they can work on reading at home with their child. In this session you will learn the 5 instructional areas for reading in school and review activities and resources you can use at home to work with your child.
• Understanding Reading and Reading Challenges: The ability to read proficiently is foundational to a student’s success across all subjects in school. Struggling with reading can lead to difficulties not only in language arts but also in subjects like math, science, and social studies, where comprehension of written material is key. Early identification of students who need support and implementing effective strategies to assist them are crucial steps in ensuring that these students do not fall behind.
• My Child has Dyslexia. What Now?: Sometimes students receive a diagnosis of Dyslexia from a doctor or specialist in the community. While schools in South Dakota don’t formally diagnose Dyslexia, they still provide services and supports for students who struggle to read because of it. In this session participants will learn about the difference between a diagnosis of Dyslexia and a determination of a Reading Disability by their local school district. Participants will also learn how to address concerns by asking key questions when meeting with their school team.

For resources on ADHD, the online magazine Additude has a clearinghouse of webinars on a variety of topics related to understanding ADHD and helpful strategies and supports across the age span.

Upcoming Events

Here are some educational opportunities provided by South Dakota Parent Connection and other organizations we partner with that help support South Dakota families. A complete list of events can be found on our website at ww.sdparent.org or Facebook page.

October 23, 2023: Catch the College Wave (Brookings): This one-day conference sponsored by Transition Services Liaison Project is for high school students who have a disability and are considering post-secondary education at a university or technical college. Students, parents, special educators, school counselors, and other interested individuals may attend. South Dakota Parent Connection staff, Jennifer Wentzel will be there with information on our organization and how we can help.

October 23, 2024: Transition To Success, Gettysburg Area: These sessions offered by South Dakota Parent Connection will provide information and resources to parents and young adults ages 14 - 21 with disabilities. This is the final offering of these sessions for October.

October 26, 2024: New Directions Educators Conference: This conference is sponsored by New Directions. South Dakota Parent Connection staff, Kris Sellers and Betsy Drew will present Understanding the IEP and IEP Process.

October 26, 2024: Annual Board Meeting: Please join us for South Dakota Parent Connection's Annual Board Meeting starting at 9:30 for the meeting followed by a brunch at 10:30. We would love to meet you and share our program of work. RSVP is required by October 23rd.

October 29 - 31, 2024: SDRehabACTion Fall Conference: This conference is sponsored by SDRehabACTion in Deadwood, SD. South Dakota Parent Connection Executive Director, Dr. Carla Miller is sharing information and resources with attendees.

December 7, 2024: Cookies & Cocoa: Come join us for our 8th Annual Cookies & Cocoa event! We have lots of fun planned and Santa Claus will be visiting for pictures. The event is in the same location that has a new name, Mosaic Arts & Events at 500 North Main Ave, in Sioux Falls, SD.

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $96,750; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by U.S. Department of Education, HRSA, HHS, or the Federal Government.