Enewsletter 24-Sep-2007
 
 

Requests

  1. A Dad is looking for playgroup and daycare advice - In the Ambler/Horsham area.  Contact
    Dan Greenwood at:      danielbgreenwood@hotmail.com
     

  2. Your input about Montgomery County Services - is requested by Montgomery County.  See the information below get the survey and fill it out by 01-OCT:

     

    Interested IN IMPROVING CHILDREN’S SERVICES IN Montgomery County? Then…

    We Need You to Make a Difference!

    The Children’s Service Integration (CSI) team, a group of professionals from Parents Involved Network, Magellan Behavioral Health, the County Assistance Office and county departments, is dedicated to improving children’s services in Montgomery County.  This group meets regularly to discuss, review and strategize ways to increase collaboration and integrate children’s services.

    Parents & Caregivers of children 0-18 years old, and Youth (14 – 23) of Montgomery County, if you are interested in helping others, talking about your experiences, improving and advocating for children’s services, the CSI - Family Engagement group is for you.

    ü       The CSI team is looking for family participation on a newly formed group that will help the county in reshaping children’s service delivery in Montgomery County.

    ü       If you have been involved in two or more of the various child serving systems such as Mental Health/Mental Retardation, Drug and Alcohol, Juvenile Justice, the Office of Children and Youth, the Health Dept., Intermediate Unit, County Assistance Office or Special Education you could provide important information.

    ü       Join with other families and youth to share your experiences in working with county child serving systems.  Your suggestions can bring changes and improvements.

    ü       Convenient meeting times, meals provided and reimbursement for transportation.

    To help us get started, please take a minute to complete the attached survey (contact Nadine for the survey).  Email, fax completed surveys by October 1, 2007 and/or feel free to call with questions or for assistance to:

    Nadine Miller at 610-278-5967, (fax) 610-278-5898 or nmiller@montcopa.org


Events/Places to go:

  1. Friends of Trisomy 21 Center Buddy Walk
    When:  September 30, 2007, 10 - 1 P.M.
    Where:  Villanova University Stadium
    What:  This family fun day benefits individuals with Down syndrome through the Trisomy 21 Program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  Visit the website for information:  http://www.tri21center.org . This is always a great time and many of our familes help put this event together!
     

  2. TopSoccer Program – Interested in Soccer?  West-Mont United Soccer Association offers TOPSoccer, which is the official US You Soccer program that enriches the lives of young athletes with diaabilities through the game of soccer.  It is not too late to start. See this website for information:  http://www.westmontsoccer.org/topsoccer.htm
     

  3. Monte Carlo Night – To benefit Montgomery County IU  Details Here
     

  4. Sesame Place Halloween Spooktacular -- hosted by Variety, The Children's Charity
    Date:   Sunday, October 28, 2007
    Time:   10:00am-4:00pm
    Place:  Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA 19047

    This event is open to all children with diagnosed physical or developmental disabilities up to the age of 18. Guests are invited to attend in costume, trick or treat throughout the park, walk through the Count's castle, take a hayride, enjoy the rides, and more. To attend, please register your child using this form in PDF format. Each group may register up to four immediate family members. (sorry just added the form)
     

  5. MARC Merrymead Farm Trip includes a hayride, pumpkin decorating, farm animal visits, ice cream and more. 

    Where:  Merrymead Farm, 2222 Valley Forge Rd, Lansdale
    When:  Friday October 5th 9am
    Raindate:  Monday, October 8th 9am
    Wear your costume
    RSVP to Wendy Sokolowski 484-868-0430

Learning Opportunities/Support Groups/Seminars:

  1. Hear the Gaskins speak about the Gaskin Case (This Satuday 10-12)-
    The landmark case of Gaskin v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed education in Pennsylvania. How does this case affect you and your student?
     

The School District of Upper Dublin and the Special Education Advisory Council (SPEAC) proudly present:
Joe and Lydia Gaskin, Plaintiffs in Gaskin v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
For a discussion on inclusion and their settlement agreement
On Saturday, September 29
10 to 12 noon
Sandy Run Middle School Auditorium
520 Twining Road, Dresher, PA

For more information, please call the office of special education and student services at 215-643-8981 or Karen Salomon, SPEAC parent representative, at 215-646-3638.

  1. Visit PaTTAN's website to see what's going on - The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. PaTTAN supports the Department of Education's efforts to lead and serve the educational community by offering professional development that builds the capacity of local educational agencies to meet students' needs. PaTTAN's primary focus is special education. However, services are also provided to support Early Intervention, student assessment, tutoring and other partnership efforts, all designed to help students succeed.. 

    They offer all kind of great classes a few are listed below but take a look at the website for more!
     
    Improving Intelligibility in Verbal Children with Apraxia and Dysarthria - Click Here to Learn about the class.  or Click Here to Register.

    Sign Langauge  The Deaf Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC -- www.dhcc.org) in Swarthmore,  Pennsylvania offers community courses in American Sign Language (ASL).  The new term begins the third week of September.  The
    sooner people sign up, the  more assured they will be that the course will happen.
    For more information, one should contact Dawn Ann Duboski of DHCC at dawnannd@dhcc.org.

    Assistive Technology (AT) Expo Click here for information

  2. Sibling Groups for Siblings of Children with Special Needs:
    Young children group in Wayne:  2nd Saturday morning of every month from 8:45-10 for children 4-6.
    987 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 712, Wayne.
    Ongoing group in Wayne    : 2nd Saturday morning of every   month from 10:00-12:00 for children 7-12.

    Group facilitators: Dale Fisher, LCSW and Deirdre Miller, MA.
    Cost: $35.00

    Contact Dale Fisher 610-668-8890 or email dalefish2000@aol.com for additional information.
     
  3. Helping Children Who Won't/Can't/Don't Eat   Various locations and a cost associated See brochure for details

Scientific/Medical News 

  1. New rapid test for Down syndrome
    This is a rapid test used for detecting Ds.  This test could replace the karyotyping done now.  Not to be confused with the screening tests. 

  2. Researchers May Be Able To Reverse Learning Disabilities Of Down Syndrome
     University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center researchers believe that an Alzheimer medication could be useful for people with Down syndrome.  Here is another artcle on the subject

Inspirational Stories

  1. Swimmer takes on Lake Tahoe to help others - A woman swims the width of Lake Tahoe to help raise funds for a Ds group  Down syndrome and to promote awareness of such agencies and programs.
     
  2. Blessed with a challenge - Nice story of a full time student mom raising her child.
     
  3. Horsham coach honored for 'challenging' players  - Challanger baseball coach honored at a Trenton Thunder game. 
     
  4. Girls Bask In Their New Destiny:  Cheerleaders   
     
  5. Special Delivery To China - A story about a Special Olympian swimmer heading to China to compete.
     
  6. Special Olympian wins 4 gold metals

 

Newsletters

  1.  CHOP's Trisomy 21 newsletter features MCDSIG and BCDSIG.  Read it here.
     

  2. Latest newsletter from the PA Dept. of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE).   Read it here

Websites

  1. The Karen Gaffney Foundation - The Karen Gaffney Foundation is a non profit organization that is dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion in families, schools, communities and the workplace for people with Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities. Through a series of personal appearances, motivating speeches, video tapes and resource materials Karen Gaffney, a young woman with Down syndrome, and others like her will.
    URL:     http://www.karengaffneyfoundation.com/index.shtml

  2. The Sensory Processing Disorder Network -   www.SPDNetwork.org full of information on sSensory Processing Disorder (SPD), which is a complex disorder of the brain that affects developing children. Children with SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. Depending on which type of SPD a child has, he may feel as if he is overwhelmed with information, he may seek out intense sensory experiences, or he might have other symptoms. This can lead to behavioral problems, difficulties with coordination, and other issues. Effective treatment is available, but far too many children with SPD are misdiagnosed and not properly treated.

Books

  1. Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Children with Special Needs

  2.  Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality

Magazines/Misc. Articles

  1. BabyTalk Magazine (September 2007)
     The entire issue is devoted to Down syndrome, including the cover photo! Several of our neighbors at the BCDSIG had their babies participate in the photo shoot and appear in the magazine!
     http://www.parenting.com/parenting/babytalk/channel <--only a teaser pick up/borrow the magazine for the full version
     

  2. Anita Creamer -- A Mom, An Advocate for Child With Down's 

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