Back-To-School Bootcamp for Parents and Guardians (August 2022)

August 22, 2022 – PreK – 5th Grade

August 23, 2022 – Middle & High School

​​​​​​​Get practical tips and strategies for families with children receiving Special Education services in Pre-K through Grade 5 (August 22, 2022) and Middle & High School (August 23, 2022). Put these tips and strategies into place NOW ​​​​​​​to help ensure a successful school year.

Speaker:  Beth Benevides, Director of Outreach, Hussman Institute for Autism

Watch Video  – PreK th. 5th Grade
Watch Video- Middle & High School (Coming Soon!)

Slide Deck -PreK th. 5th Grade

Slide Deck – Middle & High School 

What is Your Life Plan? – Part 2 (June 2022)

June 14, 2022

Speakers:
James Curran and Monty Knittle, Curran Knittle Group – Harbor Investment Advisory
Mary O’Byrne, O’Byrne Law, LLC
Kelly Nelson, Maryland ABLE

Description:

Part 2 of a two-part series for parents and guardians to think through the process of planning for the day when they are no longer there to care for their loved one.  We’ll take the next steps to help you plan and communicate your vision for your loved one’s future, as well as how to work through the practical considerations.

You can review the recording of Part 1 of the series and supporting materials HERE

Topics to be covered:

• Letter of Intent: how to communicate your desires for your young person and include important details to share with future caregivers after your death
• Wills and Special Needs Trusts – Where to begin?
• Guardianship /Alternatives to Guardianship – What’s the difference?
• Maryland ABLE Account – What is it and how can it benefit your loved one?
• Other important but difficult topics

This presentation is separated into 2 parts:

Watch Video part 2
Watch Video part 1

Slide Deck – Guardianship (Mary O’Byrne)

Sexuality and Gender Diversity in Autism: A Panel Discussion (June 2022)
June 6, 2022

Co-sponsored by the Autism Society of Maryland and PFLAG Columbia-Howard County

The acronym LGBTQIA+ is an ever-growing and evolving acronym. It is an inclusive term covering people of all gendered sexualities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and allies.

Autism is more common among people who do not identify as their assigned sex — three to six times more common than in the general population, according to a recent study. Gender identity and sexuality are also more varied among Autistic people.  Researchers are making gains on how best to support Autistic people who identify outside conventional gender and sexual identities.

The panel discuss LGBTQIA+ topics that are of specific interest to Autistic teens and adults and their families, and offer time for Q&A.

Panelists:
Kiana Fok, Self-Advocate and Secretary, PFLAG-Columbia Howard County
Jumel Howard, President, PFLAG-Columbia Howard County
Zosia Zaks, Zaks Autism Consulting LLC

Start Time: Jun 6, 2022 06:36 PM

Watch Video

Slide Deck – Gender & Diversity (Zosia Zaks)

Slide Deck – Profiles of Trans Parents (Jumel Howard)

Breaking Binaries Worksheet

Resource List – Sexuality and Gender Diversity in Autism Worksheet

2022 Transition Symposium Webinar Series

Session #4:You Can Get SSI and Medical Assistance, Go to Work…and Live to Tell About It (May 2022)
May 24, 2022

Speaker: Michael Dalto – Benefits Consultant, High Note Consulting, LLC

Description:
What are these benefits programs, how to apply, and are they appropriate for you or your young adult with a disability? Learn about the Social Security Administration’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and their significance for transitioning youth as they enter adulthood and make a life for
themselves after school.

Presented by the Howard County Transition Outreach Partnership: Accessible Resources for Independence, Howard County Public School System, Autism Society of Howard County, Howard County Recreation & Parks, The Arc Howard County, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services and NAMI Howard County.

This presentation is separated into 2 parts:

Watch Video part 1
Watch Video part 2

PowerPoint Slides

2022 Transition Symposium Webinar Series (April 2022)

Session #3: Employment First
April 22, 2022

Speaker: Karen Lee – Executive Director, Supporting Employment Equality and Community (SEEC)

Panelists:
Melissa Rosenberg, Autism Society of Maryland / Autism Hiring Program,
Doris Jacobs, Manager, Howard County Youth Employment Services, Humanim
Bradley Wilson, 2021 graduate, Project Search

Description: The speaker’s presentation addresses the strategies and considerations associated with promoting, building and supporting acceptance, inclusion, and neurodiversity in the workplace and community. A panel discussion follows with representatives from Supporting Employment Equality and Community (SEEC), the Howard County Autism Hiring Program, Humanim, and a graduate of Project SEARCH, an employment training program for transitioning youth with disabilities.

Watch the Video

Slides – Employment First

2022 Transition Symposium Webinar Series (March 2022)

Session #2: Setting Students Up for Success
March 15, 2022

Speaker: Stacey Herman – Assistant Vice President of Neurodiversity and Community Workforce Development, Kennedy Krieger Institute

Panelists: Kathy Land, Supervisor, Service Coordination, Inc. Meghan Smallwood, Transition Specialist, Howard County Public School System, Beth Benevides, Parent/Advocate

Description: The presentation will outline the steps and resources to help transition-age youth with disabilities who are still in school to prepare for the next stage of their lives. A panel discussion will follow with individuals from service agencies, a school system transition specialist, and a parent/advocate. The panel members will share their perspectives on the transition process from school to adult life and their insights from assisting youth with the transition.

Watch the Video

Slides – Setting Students Up for Success

2022 Transition Symposium Webinar Series

Session #1: Charting the LifeCourse (February 2022)
February 17, 2022

Speaker: Mary Anne Kane Breschi, Director of Family Supports, Developmental Disabilities Administration, Maryland Department of Health

Description:  Charting the LifeCourse is a framework designed to help transitioning youth of all abilities, their families and the professionals who work with them develop a vision for a fulfilling life and how to get there.  CtLC principles and tools focus on improving communication, goal setting, and problem solving; identifying and connection with community services and supports; developing self-advocacy skills; and laying out a person-centered plan for the future.

Watch the Video

Slides – Charting The Life Course

CtLC Vision Tool – Family Perspective

CtLC Integrate Support Star

CtLC Life Trajectory Family Perspective-Planning

CtLC Framework Principles

CtLC Life Trajectory Set Letter-Exploring

CtLC Life Trajectory Set Letter – Planning

CtLC Nexus Focus on Transition To Adulthood

CtLC Nexus – Website and Resources SPANISH

CtLC Nexus – Website and Resources ENGLISH (other languages available from the drop-down meny)

Compensatory Education/Recovery Services (April 20, 2021)

Presenters: Beth Benevides, AUSOM & The Hussman Institute and Trish Gunshore, HCPSS Depart. of Special Education

An informational webinar for parents and families on IEP implementation and compensatory education/recovery services for students who have an Individualized Education Program (ages 3-21). As students return to in-person learning, a team will evaluate​ your child’s progress—considering progress prior to the COVID19 school closures, during the closures and virtual learning, and present levels​ to ​determine if compensatory education/recovery services are required. This webinar will review frequently asked questions and provide guidance on how parents can prepare for discussions with their IEP/school team.

Hosted by the HCPSS Department of Special Education, Special Education Community Advisory Committee, and the Autism Society of Maryland.

CLICK for Notes

CLICK to Watch Recording

Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Autism: It is about More than Handwriting (March 25, 2021)

Aaron Dallman, PhD, OTR/L, MT-BC (Emily Bravman, OTS)

Presented in Partnership with Pathfinders for Autism / Brown Bag Workshop Series

CLICK for Notes

CLICK to Watch Recording   

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR (ESY): WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2021

A two-part webinar in the Parent Empowerment Series sponsored by HCPSS Department of Special Education, SECAC, and AUSOM (Tuesday, February 9, 2021)

PART 1:   What is ESY, Who is Eligible, and What are the Plans for 2021?

Part 1 will be a presentation of information on:

*  Extended School Year (ESY) services offered through HCPSS
*  Eligibility criteria
*  The timeline for ESY eligibility meetings and determinations
*  ESY 2021 details – when, where, how (hybrid or in-person)

Presenters:

Janice Yetter – Director, Department of Special Education, HCPSS

Marcella Randall – ESY Consultant, HCPSS

PART 2:  Parent Participation in ESY Planning / Q&A

Part 2 will offer tips to help parents prepare for ESY discussions, including:

*  Information to document and share at the meeting
* How to prioritize goals
*  Questions to ask during the ESY meeting

Presenters:

Beth Benevides – Parent Advocate, Autism Society of Maryland / Hussman Institute for Autism

Leslie Seid Margolis – Managing Attorney, Disability Rights Maryland

Janice Yetter – Director, Department of Special Education, HCPSS

Supplementary Aids and Services in the Virtual Environment

Families often mention the lack of follow through or “adaptation” of certain supplementary aids and services in the virtual environment. This webinar addresses:

-The importance of supplementary aids and services for student success
-The legal requirements behind this section of the IEP and ASDM plan
-Tips on how to address issues with teachers and the IEP team
-Ideas on specific kinds of accommodations for virtual learning

Speakers:

Sibling Issues
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Transitions/DORS
Download Notes

IEP Presentation
Download Notes

DDA 101
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Department of Disabilities Administration HCBS Waivers Overview
Download Notes

Special Needs Planning – Caring for all of your Family Members
Download Notes

Maryland Autism Waver
Download Notes

Low Intensity Support Services – LISS
Download Notes