A.S.K. Email Bulletin - November 1, 2006 

 

Need YOUR Help with the Governor To change State Board of Education on special education

(and on "regular" general education) 

The over 300,000 Illinois special education students, their parents, and their teachers are about to lose over 50 pages of protections that are now in Illinois rules for special education (Part 226).
 The Governor wants to reduce education regulations, but in special education those regulations provide the basic rights to an education.  

 

Without your help, the State Board of Education will now vote on Final Illinois rules on December 14 to cut over 50 pages of Illinois special ed rules; to increase from 30% to 40% the percentage of a "regular" general education class that can be students with disabilities; to completely eliminate any limit on the "case load" (the total number of students served) of a special education teacher; to increase special education "class size" and make the rule "non-categorical"; and to require a new State mandate of "response to intervention" (RTI) for "regular" ed teachers, even though children and their parents have no rights under RTI, and Federal law leaves it up to each local school to decide whether to use RTI.  

 

The State Board of Education justifies cutting over 50 pages of Illinois rules by saying they are just substituting Federal rules for Illinois rules. They erroneously quote a part of Federal law (IDEA 2004) to justify this change.

Illinois has, until lately, been a national leader in special education. Illinois had special ed rules 10 years before there were Federal rules.   Unless Illinois wants to turn over education to Federal rules, we need Illinois special education rules for Illinois students, for Illinois parents, and for Illinois teachers.  

 

ACTION NEEDED: Before November 1, please contact State Representatives and Senators urging contact with the Governor's office (Kristin.Richards@Illinois.gov) requesting that the State Board of Education at their meeting on November 16 withdraw the proposed Illinois rules on special education, and start over. (Illinois has until June 30, 2007, to issue its final rules on special education.)  
For more information contact Bev Johns, Chair, ISELA - Illinois Special Education Coalition
cell phone 217-473-1790 or e-mail  BevJohns @ juno.com

Events: 
Respite Presentation - Tomorrow Night
NAPERVILLE ASPERGER'S PARENT SUPPORT GROUP Meeting- Nov. 2
Braille Buddies @ Skokie Public Library -Nov. 4
Behavior 101-Nov. 4
November 7...Cultural Competency in Addressing Mental Health Issues for Children and/or Parents in Early Childhood Education
November 9...Let's Write Better IEP Goal
The Discovery Clinic offers Neurofeedback Demonstration and Lecture
Educational Testing: What it is and What It Means to Your Child with Warren Rosen

Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois Fall Conference - Nov. 17

The Medical Home: Solutions for Persons with Autism and Developmental Disabilities -Nov 17

Resources:

Respite Presentation - Tomorrow Night
Parenting any child can be exhausting.  When that child has a disability, it can be especially so.  How can your family have a break now and then?  What resources are available for adults to find a job or living arrangement?  Tabitha Kallas, Respite Manager at Countryside Association will talk about respite care and work programs for individuals with disabilities.  Renee Lee, Senior Program Manager at  Community Alternatives Unlimited will speak on the PUNS database.  Please meet at Elk Grove Public Library (1001 Wellington in Elk Grove Village -- map) Thursday November 2, 7 - 8:30 pm.   NOTE:  PIFFA meetings are held the first Thursday of each month.  Check www.piffa.org for information on upcoming meetings and/or events.

NAPERVILLE ASPERGER'S PARENT SUPPORT GROUP Meeting- Nov. 2
We are a group of parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome and related disorders that meet every other month to discuss the joys and challenges of raising our special needs children.  Our mission is to  enrich the lives of our children dealing with Asperger's through sharing resources and information. We occasionally have a speaker to address topics of interest to the group.  There is a roster available to members of the group in order to make connections with other families in the group.   We meet the first Thursday of every other month from 7-9pm.  In 2006-2007 we will meet  November 2nd, January 4th, March 1st and May 3rd.   We do not meet in the summer.  

We meet at Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville located at 1105 Catalpa Lane, Naperville, Il  60540.  The church is one block west on Gartner at the intersection of Washington St. and Gartner just south of Edward Hospital.  Parking is across the street in the shopping center.
There is no fee to attend the meetings and no reservation is needed.  Anyone is welcome that might benefit from spending time with other parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome.   Contact Jill Holman at 630-904-4110 or jholman@wideopenwest.com with questions.
  Braille Buddies @ Skokie Public Library - Nov. 4
(grades 4 to 8) Saturday, November 4 from 9:30 to 11:30am
Are you curious about those magical raised Braille dots? Would you like to learn how to read and write with Braille? As part of Skokie Reads! month, children who are blind have volunteered to teach you about Braille. Come for the fun of it and make new friends!
Registration is required. Call the Youth Services desk at 847.324.3149 or register in person beginning October 1, 2006.
Skokie Public Library is located at 5215 W. Oakton St., Skokie, IL 60077.
www.skokielibrary.info/direct/comeonin.html
  Behavior 101-Nov. 4
Please join us in a free course introducing the essential components of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Consultation
Learn how behavior analysts ...
Teach functional skills
Supports the therapy team
Teaches Potty Training
Improves behavior/compliance
Enhances the school experience
Helps families have a successful outing together
Increase Social Skills
Improve quality of life
North Shore Pediatric Therapy presents this FREE course for parents and professionals
Saturday, November 4, 2006
9:00-12:00
North Shore Pediatric Therapy Glenview clinic
1308 Waukegan Rd. #103
RSVP and inquiries to kristenp@nspt4kids.com or Kristen Petrillo at 847-486-4140
North Shore Pediatric Therapy
OT-PT-Speech-ABA-Nutrition-Social Work-Social Groups-RDI-Art Therapy-Behavior Consultation
Chicago-Glenview-Highland Park
www.NSPT4kids.com
 
November 7...Cultural Competency in Addressing Mental Health Issues for Children and/or Parents in Early Childhood Education
Presenters: Tatyana Fertelmeyster and Joanne Kestnbaum Early Intervention Approval Pending Focus of workshop: Introductory/Skill-Building   Description:  Among the many ways in which cultures differ from one another are attitudes toward mental health and approaches to diagnosing and treating mental illness. It is essential for Early Childhood Educators to be culturally competent in their assessments of possible problems as well as in the ways of handling them when it comes to working with people who come from diverse backgrounds. In this workshop you will gain an increased awareness of cultural differences crucial for understanding and assessing the mental health needs of children and families, develop an enhanced understanding of the challenges and unique opportunities of cross cultural communication, and explore the skills necessary to become a culturally competent early childhood educator. Intended Audience: Birth through Early Childhood and Kindergarten Educators, Related Service Personnel, Family Members, and Administrators
Registration:  8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Workshop:  November 7, 2006; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
Note: Registration is limited to 100 participants
Location:  Randall Oaks Golf Club, 37W361 Binnie Road, Dundee  
 
November 9...Let's Write Better IEP Goal
Presenter: Pat Kluzik Stauch    
Description: This evening presentation will engage the audience in a discussion of how to work as a member of an IEP Team and how to write annual goals that are observable and measurable.  Information from IDEA 2004, Illinois State Board of Education Rules and Regulations, and recommended practices that lead participants toward writing better IEP goals for young children will be presented. 

We will practice writing annual goals as we review what makes an IEP an effective document and what makes an IEP meeting work.  Related services, supports, placement and least restrictive environment will also be part of the evening's discussion.  This workshop is intended for parents and professionals who are new to writing IEPs or for anyone who wants a refresher course on effective practices in writing better annual goals and IEPs. 

Priority will be given to family members of children with IEPs or IFSPs.  This workshop is in collaboration with Crystal Lake School District 47.
Intended Audience: Parents of children with IEPs or IFSPs, Educators, Teacher Assistants, Related Service Personnel and Administrators
Registration:  6:30 PM - 7:00 PM Workshop:  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 
Note:Registration is limited to 50 participants
Location: Glacier Ridge School, 1120 Village Rd., Crystal Lake
 
The Discovery Clinic offers Neurofeedback Demonstration and Lecture
The Discovery Clinic, 1306 Waukegan Road-#201, Glenview, IL (www.thediscoveryclinic.com) is pleased to invite parents and professionals to learn more about NEUROFEEDBACK.  We will  discussion and demonstration at the clinic at 7:30 pm on Tuesday on  November 14 on "Neurofeedback for Depression and Anxiety."Please contact us at (847) 901-0909 to reserve space.

Educational Testing: What it is and What It Means to Your Child with Warren Rosen
Thursday, November 16, 2006 -7:00-9:00 p.m.
JCYS Northwest Family Center,
1700 Weiland Road,
Buffalo Grove,

At the next meeting of Special Kids, Special Families, neuropsychologist Dr. Warren Rosen will present "Educational Testing: What it is and What It Means to Your Child." Dr. Rosen will discuss the differences and similarities between educational, psychological, and neuropsychological tests, what conclusions can be drawn from each type of assessment, and how these tests can be used to help your child.

Dr. Rosen is an assistant professor in the departments of Psychology and Pediatrics at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Skokie. He specializes in understanding the interplay between neurocognitive, emotional, and social features in children and adolescents with a varietyof neurological diagnoses, including learning disabilities, attention deficits, seizure disorders, head injury, and Turner Syndrome.

Special Kids, Special Families is a support group for parents of children with special needs. The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at the JCYS Northwest Family Center, 1700 Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove, from 7 to 9:00 p.m. Please note that the
meeting is being held on a Thursday this month instead of a Tuesday. For more information or to RSVP, please call Chris Eng at 847-913-1812 or Marilyn Green-Rebnord at 847-821-7740.

Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois Fall Conference - Nov. 17
The Learning Disabilities Assoc. of Illinois (LDA) will present it's Fall Conference on Friday, November 17, at Doubletree Hotel, Alsip, Il.. Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 7 am. Lunch is included in the $100 early registration fee for members, non-members $125. The $30 membership will afford participants the advantages offered by LDA of Illinois, which include advocacy, information, support workshops, and scholarships for secondary education for learning disabled students.

Keynote speakers Chris Ziegler Dendy "Understanding the Impact of ADHD, LD & Executive Function Deficits on Learning" and Mike Byster,
Math Whiz "Children Performing Miracles with Their Minds"
Register early and enjoy this informative conference which offers 20 topic sessions. After Oct 30th fees $115 members, $140 non-members.   For a registration form see our web site, www.LDAIL.org or call LDA of IL 708-430-7532 . CPDU's available.
Penny Richards, V.P. LDA of Illinois

Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois
10101 South Roberts Road, Palos Hills, IL., 60465-1556
Contact: Sharon Schussler, Adm. Assistant
phone:   708-430-7532        fax; 708-430-7592
email: LDAofIL@ameritech.net
web:   www.LDAIL.org

The Medical Home: Solutions for Persons with Autism and Developmental Disabilities -Nov 17
Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago

2211 North Oak Park Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60707
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

 

This conference will provide:  
1. An overview of The Medical Home approach to primary healthcare  

2.Identification of specific strategies for applying Medical Home principles to meet the primary healthcare needs of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.  

3. Case study reviews that provide a picture of a Medical Home for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities including practical tips and insight into the family perspective  

Conference Fee: $30.00 and includes lunch and CEUs for the following: occupational therapists, physical therapists, LMFT, LCPC, LCSW 2 Easy Ways to Register:Register Online by Credit Card at www.theautismprogram.org/events/autismevents.asp
Email registration information to:rreliford@thehopeschool.org 

Resources

RDI Consultation Available at North Shore Pediatric Therapy
Debbie Chanan is a social worker at North Shore Pediatric Therapy.  She has worked in the schools and in private clinics. She is a consultant in training for RDI.  Please call her if you would like any information on RDI at the center.  For now, she has immediate availability to answer questions and work with families.  Debbie's passion for RDI and natural ability to work with children and families have been a wonderful addition and we are excited to share her with you!
Feel free to contact her at debbiec@nspt4kids.com or 847-486-4140/773-278-6500.

Early Intervening Services
A new provision in IDEA 2004 - called Early Intervening Services - is designed to encourage school districts to provide additional support for struggling students within the general education classroom.

IDEA 2004 allows school districts the option of using a portion (up to 15%) of their federal special education funds to develop and implement coordinated Early Intervening Services for children in kindergarten through Grade 12 who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services but who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in general education. IDEA 2004 particularly encourages school districts to use this new option in kindergarten through Grade 3.

This money can be used for professional development (teacher training) as well as for providing direct services for your child. These services may include educational and behavioral evaluations, services and supports such as beginning and/or remedial reading instruction, interventions to address behavior, small group instruction, and instruction in the use of adaptive and instructional software (computer programs that improve the student's access to information or target specific academic skills). IDEA 2004 requires that the academic and instructional interventions used must be backed by scientifically-based evidence of their effectiveness.

 
Parent Pals Website
Parent Pals (www.parentpals.com) is a website that provides lots of articles on various disabilities as well as other resources.