Events for parents, teachers & caregivers in the Washington, D.C. metro area

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Presents:
Parent to Parent Family Training on AD/HD
Fall Sessions/Alexandria, VA: 7 consecutive Friday evenings
October 2nd- November 20th (except Oct 9th for CHADD conference)
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm
Commonwealth Academy, 1321 Leslie Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
Fees: $100.00 CHADD Members or $145.00 Non-CHADD Members
(includes annual membership in CHADD)
Couples may share the manual and pay one entry fee
Instructor: Leah Daziens, CHADD Certified Teacher
For more information contact: leah.daziens@gmail.com
Registration Deadline: September 23, 2009


Fairfax County Public Schools:
A meeting regarding the identification of students with disabilities who have been enrolled in private schools by their parents and the provision of special education services.
The Individuals with Disabilities Act 2004 (IDEA) addresses the requirement for schools to provide special education and related services for children who are placed by their parents in private schools located within the school divisions geographic boundaries.
www.fcps.edu/dss/sei/privateschools/index.htm

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Fairfax County Public School Gatehouse Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Please register: Sheila Weaver – Sheila.weaver1@fcps.edu 571-423-4160


Exceptional Schools for Exceptional Students School Fair
Sunday, October 18, 2:00 – 5:-- p.m.
Katzen Art Center, American University @ Ward Circle, Washington, DC

Showcasing the many wonderful school choices available to families of children with learning differences. Find out about individualized programs that will help your child thrive both academically and socially.

Admission is FREE and OPEN to the public

Participating Schools:

Accotink Learning Center
Alexandria Friends
The Auburn School
Chelsea School
Commonwealth Academy
The Diener School
Ivymount School Model Asperger Program
The Maddux School
Kingsbury Day School
The Lab School of Washington
Landmark
Mansef
McLean School
The Nora School
The Norbel School
Oakwood School
Parkmont School
The Siena School
The Summit School
The Katherine Thomas School

For more information please contact Beth Atkinson at 301-592-0567 x 12 or batkinson@thesienaschool.org


George Mason University, Center for the Arts Presents: How We Learn: Human Exceptionality and CognitionMargo A. Mastropieri, Professor, College of Education and Human DevelopmentMonday, October 19, 2009 at 7 p.m.This presentation will describe how research with exceptional populationscan advance our understanding of all human learning and cognition and maycontribute to the development of a theory of learning and instruction. Inthis view, research on individuals with special learning needs can helpuncover processes or skills overlooked by a solitary focus on more efficientlearners. Mastropieri will discuss what her research has provided and how itinforms us about learning. She will examine the future research directionsto narrow the difference between what we have learned and what we couldlearn.Tickets are free. For more info http://gmu.edu/cfa/vision/


Children Together welcomes Pam Schiller, Ph.D.
In this practical workshop Dr. Schiller will get down to the nitty-gritty and provide participants with a tool box full of specific strategies and hands-on activities that can be used in play – to promote early literacy and brain development in young children at home and in the classroom.

Saturday, October 21, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Alexandria, VA

$50 for early registration (prior to 10/12)
$60 registration for walk ins
$40 for five or more from one school or Organization (by 10/1)

For registration information go to www.children-together.org


The Oakwood School Parent Association presents William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. speaking on “The Neuropsychology of Memory: How the Brain Learns and How to Help Kids Who Can’t Remember”

Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.,
Oakwood School, 7210 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA

Dr. Stixrud is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice as a neuropsychologist since 1985. He specializes in the evaluation of children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities, and in the promotion of self-esteem. He currently is a member of the Clinical Supervisory Faculty at Children's Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Stixrud also holds an appointment on the Clinical Faculty of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School.

$15 registration fee at the door.
Please reserve a seat by calling 703-941-5788

Waiting for Baby - Part 4

Now I realize even more how uncertain everything is regarding carrying a child and the delivery thereof. I’m feeling kind of silly right now. It has been 3 days and the baby still resides in my womb. The doctor said I haven’t even progressed at all! I was certain things had changed! It seems impossible, but now I will lie here for 2 more weeks and wait. My neighbor, also expecting a child (and being induced today), had an interesting bit of knowledge that she gleaned from her doctor last week after having very strong contractions herself and not going into labor. Apparently the barometric pressure has an influence over labor and delivery. That would explain what I was feeling! After looking online for information on this topic I have found varying opinions. Some studies show that a sharp drop in barometric pressure leads to more deliveries than a steady barometric pressure, and other studies show that there is not a strong connection between the two. All I know is that something crazy was going on in my body at the same time as my pregnant neighbor’s, and the pressure had dropped that night. Either way, I am grateful for the chance to keep him safe for a while longer so that he can be as strong as possible at birth. Maybe he will be born at term after all!
~~Katie

Getting Ready for School - Part 5

Additional ENCOURAGING words/messages to give your child ~~

- Your skills are really improving;
- How kind of you to share toys with your friend, that’s very generous.
- You are taking such good care of your pet. He’s so lucky to have you!
- Now THAT’S what I call a thorough job! Thanks for picking up your toys.
- That’s a great effort
- Keep at it; I know you’ll figure it out. How can I help?
- You are such a good learner!
-I’m impressed by your concentration.
-I remember when you were first learning that. You’ve come a long way.
-You’re so fun around the house; life would be boring without you!
-What would I have done without you today? Thanks for cleaning the house with me.
-I’m so proud to tell people I’m your mom (dad).
-You’ve really improved! That’s great!
-It’s wonderful to see you so happy
-I appreciate your attention to detail. You are one sharp cookie.
-Your patience is commendable. Keep at it; I know you’ll get it yet.
-I’ve never thought of it that way. How creative!
-You’re doing a great job of controlling your anger.
-You’re on the right track! That’s using your brain.
-You’ve put a lot of careful thought into that.
-you’re getting the hang of it! Your practice is really paying off.
-Now THAT’S an interesting point. Thanks for sharing it.
-Your attitude is very respectful attitude. I appreciate that.
-You solved your problem; how clever!
-That is wonderful! Your confidence is really showing!
-How sensitive you are to your brother’s feelings.
-Your dependability makes life so much easier for me.
-I love your sense of humor. How do you think up those jokes?
-You hang in there when the going gets tough. You’re a strong person.
-Look how much progress you’ve made. You should be proud.
-Hey, relax for a while; you deserve a break.
-What a good memory you have. That effort deserves a high five!
-I really enjoyed your performance. No one could have done it better.
-Keep trying; I know you can work this frustrating problem out.
-How calm you were when you got that bad news.You are really maturing.
-It’s a real gift to me when you do your chores without being reminded.
-I have to hand it to you; you did exactly what you set out to do.
-Congratulations, you can be proud of your achievement!
-I LOVE watching you grow up. You never cease to amaze me.
-You are such an interesting person. I can’t imagine lifewithout you