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xMinds Logo - xMinds in teal and dark blue where the X looks like a person with an orange head; followed by the words Partnership for Extraordinary MindsImproving education for autistic students in Montgomery County, MD

Past Events

2022-2023|2021-2022|2020-2021|2019-2020 | 2018-2019 | 2017-2018 | 2016-2017 | 2015-2016 | 2014-2015 | 2013-2014

Visit our YouTube Channel for videos of past events

2023–2024 Program Year

February 20 and 22, 2024

2024 Primers on MCPS Placements for Autistic Students

Event Description

Primers on MCPS Placements Playlist

Session 1 (Feb. 20) -- Preschool Placements 

OPENING REMARKS:

Amy Cropp, Director, MCPS Division of Prekindergarten, Special Programs, and Related Services

MCPS PRESENTERS:

Mary Rose Catena, Coordinator, Preschool Education Program (PEP)

Susan Mason, instructional specialist, MCPS Autism Services (CAPP)

Video Recording in English

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español - Coming Soon

Session 2 (Feb. 20) -- Secondary Placements (Middle and High School)

OPENING REMARKS:

Kia Middleton-Murphy, Acting Director, Dept. of Special Education Service

MCPS PRESENTERS:

Cynthia Webb, Area Supervisor, Dept. of Special Education Services (LAD)

Lora Johnson, Area Supervisor, Dept. of Special Education Services (LAD)

Robin Daisey, Instructional Specialist, Autism Services (Autism Connections)

Claire Lanham, Program Specialist, Autism Services (ARS)

Sandi Ives, Supervisor, Social Emotional Special Education Services (Bridge)

Anne Marie Tagliaferri, Supervisor, Alternate Learning Outcome Services (Extensions, SCB, LFI)

Samantha Dunbar, Program Specialist, Autism Services (Classic Autism)

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español

Diapositivas en Español - Coming Soon


Session 3 (Feb. 22) -- Primary Placements (Elementary School)

OPENING REMARKS: 

Kristin Secan, Supervisor, Services for Students with Autism 

MCPS PRESENTERS:

Kathryn Bettis, Instructional Specialist (Home School Model)

Dr. Haley Biddanda, School Psychologist Autism Unit (Autism Connections)

Dr. Sandi Ives, Supervisor (Social Emotional Special Education Services - SESES)

Kelly Jiron, Area Supervisor, Department of Special Education (School-Based Learning Centers)

Melissa Grant, Program Specialist, Autism Services (Darnestown Learning Center)

Beth Lacoursiere, Principal, Carl Sandburg Learning Center (Carl Sandburg Learning Center)

Anne Marie Tagliaferri, Supervisor, Alternate Learning Outcome Services (ALO, Extensions, School-Community Based & Learning for Independence)

Lisa Grant, Instructional Specialist, Autism Services (Classic Autism)

Brandi Bechtold, Program Specialist, Autism Services  (Classic Autism)

Anne Marie Tagliaferri, Supervisor, Alternate Learning Outcomes Services, (Extensions) 

Video Recording in English

Slide Show in English 

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español - Coming Soon


January 23, 2023

Restraint and Seclusion: What Parents of Autistic Children Should Know

Event Description 

PRESENTER: Guy Stephens, Founder and Executive Director, Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint

Video Recordings in English 

Slideshow in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español - Coming Soon

Additional Resources

December 5, 2023

Is This Autism? A Framework for Understanding

Event Description 

PRESENTERS: Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. and Jamell White, Ph.D., LCSW-C 

Video Recordings in English 

Slideshow in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español - Coming Soon


December 4, 2023

Stress on the Spectrum

Event Description -- Hosted by the xMinds BIPOC Outreach Committee


PRESENTER: Jenny Mai Phan, Ph.D.

Video Recordings in English 

Slideshow

November 28, December 5, December 12

The Holiday Survival Guide for Parents

Event Description 

PRESENTER: Magüi Moreno, certified mindfulness teacher and autism mom

Video Recordings in English - Session 1, November 28

Video Recordings in English - Session 2, December 5

Video Recordings in English - Session 3, December 12 

November 4, 2023

Annual IEP Clinic

Event Description 

The Parts of an IEP Explained

PRESENTER: Donna Sagona, education consultant

Slides


I Disagree with the IEP Team: What Are My Options?

PRESENTER:  Kimberly Glassman, Esq., education attorney

Slides



October 25, 2023

How to Get the Most From Your Child's Neuropsych Evaluation

Event Description 

PRESENTER: Dr. David O. Black, Director and Co-Founder, Center for Assessment and Treatment (CAAT)

Video Recordings in English 

Slideshow in English

Grabación de video en Español 


2022–2023 Program Year

June 8, 2023

Autistic Authors Panel: Inspiration for Summer Reading

Event Description 

PRESENTER: Meera Trehan,author of The View from the Very Best House in Town, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection

PANELISTS:  Find the six author/panelists' information at our event description

Tiffany Hammond, Sally J. Pla, Mike Jung, Ivelisse Housman, Lyn Miller–Lachmann, and Sarah Kapit

Video Recordings in English 

Grabación de video en Español 


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:



May 23, 2023

Autistic Self Advocates Panel: A Discussion of Starting Careers

Event Description -- Co-Hosted by xMinds and Howard County Autism Society

MODERATOR: Zosia Zaks, M.Ed., C.R.C. (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor)

PANELISTS: 

Abraham Sanchez, who works at Pete Pappas and Sons, a produce grower and distributor in Jessup, MD.

Kiana Fok, who works for Abato, Rubenstein and Abato, P.A., a Baltimore law firm specializing in labor and employee benefits.

Abigail Alexis, an artist who works part time at a grocery store.

Video Recordings in English 

Grabación de video en Español 


May 16, 2023

Restorative Justice in MCPS

Event Description -- Hosted by the xMinds BIPOC Outreach Committee

PRESENTERS: Floyd Branch III, MCPS Restorative Justice, Instruction Specialist

Video Recordings in English 

Slideshow in English


April 18, 2023

How to Write SMART IEP Goals

Event Description

PRESENTERS: Stacy Ganz Kahn and Donna Sagona, educational consultants and advocates, directors of Educational Resources Group of Greater Washington

Video Recording in English 

Slideshow in English 

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español


March 15, 2023

Understanding Neurodiversity-Affirming Care

Event Description 

PRESENTERS: 

 Jaclyn Halpern, PsyD., Director and Co-Founder of the SOAR Program for psychotherapy and testing at WBMA

Emily “Max” Lamm, MA  Resident in Counseling at the SOAR Program for psychotherapy and testing at WBMA

Laura Morlok, LCPC, LPC, RPT-S Founder of Playful Therapy Connections  

Video Recording in English 

Slideshow in English

Grabación de video en Español


March 7, 2023

Understanding Your Student's IEP, Section by Section

Event Description

PRESENTERS: Stacy Ganz Kahn and Donna Sagona, educational consultants and advocates, directors of Educational Resources Group of Greater Washington

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English 

Grabación de video en Español

Diapositivas en Español 



February 22, 2023

Update on the Maryland Autism Waiver

Event Description -- Co-hosted by Howard County Autism Society and xMinds

PRESENTERS: 

Sheri Weissman, LCSW, C-ASWCM, The Coordinating Center, Autism Waiver Service Coordinator, Howard and Harford County Daniel Hammond, Autism Waiver Coordinator, Montgomery County Public Schools

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English 

Grabación de video en Español -- viniendo pronto

Diapositivas en Español --viniendo pronto


February 13, 2023

Navigating Cultural Bias With a Child on the Autism Spectrum

Event Description -- Hosted by the xMinds BIPOC Outreach Committee

PRESENTER: Dr. Joette James, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Stixrud Group

Moderated by Daria Hall, xMinds Board Member

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español

Diapositivas en Español 


February 7 and 9, 2023

Primers on MCPS Placements for Autistic Students

Event Description

Session 1 (Feb. 7) -- Preschool Placements 

MCPS PRESENTERS:

Mary Rose Catena, Coordinator, Preschool Education Program (PEP)

Lisa Grant, Instructional Specialist, Autism Services (CAPP)

Video Recording in English

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español 

Session 2 (Feb. 7) -- Secondary Placements (Middle and High School)

MCPS PRESENTERS:

Cynthia Webb, Area Supervisor, Dept. of Special Education Services (LAD)

Lora Johnson, Area Supervisor, Dept. of Special Education Services (LAD)

Robin Daisey, Instructional Specialist, Autism Services (Asperger Connections/ARS)

Claire Lanham, Program Specialist, Autism Services (Asperger Connections/ARS)

Sandi Ives, Supervisor, Social Emotional Special Education Services (Bridge)

Anne Marie Tagliaferri, Supervisor, Alternate Learning Outcome Services (Extensions, SCB, LFI)

Domenick Fabii, Instructional Specialist, Autism Services (Secondary Autism)

Mark Custer, Program Specialist,Autism Services (Secondary Autism)

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español

Diapositivas en Español 


Session 3 (Feb. 9) -- Primary Placements (Elementary School)

MCPS PRESENTERS:

Kelly Jiron, Area Supervisor, Dept. of Special Education Services (Home School Model, School-Based Learning Centers)

Dr. Melissa Brunson, Area Supervisor, Dept. of Special Education Services (Home School Model)

Sarah Melchior, Psychologist, Autism Services (Asperger Connections)

Phil Lynch, Director of the Department of Special Education Services (substituting for Sandi Ives, on SESES)

Melissa Grant, Autism Spectrum Disorders Services (Darnestown Learning Center)

Beth Lacoursiere, Principal, Carl Sandburg Learning Center (Carl Sandburg Learning Center)

Anne Marie Tagliaferri, Supervisor, Alternate Learning Outcome Services (LFI)

Kathleen Greenberg, Department of Special Education Services (SCB)

Lauren McGinley, Program Specialist, Autism Services (Autism Program)

Brandi Bechtold, Program Specialist, Autism Services  (Autism Program)

Taylor Hartman, Department of Special Education (Extensions)

Video Recording in English

Slide Show in English 

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español 




January 13, 2023

Lunch and Learn on Executive Functioning Challenges for ASD Students

Event Description

PRESENTERS: 

Marci SkigenFounder of Enhance EFS

Rachel Sushner,  M.Ed., Enhance EFS

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español



January 10, 2023

Special Education Basics Series --  Understanding IEPs v. 504 Plans v. Service Plans and Accommodations v. Modifications: What Supports are Right for Your Child?

Event Description

PRESENTERS:

Marci Skigen, Founder of Enhance EFS

Rachel Sushner,  M.Ed., Enhance EFS

Naomi Rubinstein, M.Ed. Naomi Rubinstein, LLC.

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español




December 6, 2022

Special Education Basics Series --  Testing, Assessment, and Understanding

Event Description

PRESENTER: Dr. Rebecca Resnik, Rebecca Resnik & Associates, LLC

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español




November 1, 2022

Special Education Basics Series --  Navigating Special Education for Autistic Students in Maryland

Event Description

PRESENTER: Monica Martinez, Suzanne Keith Blattner, Ed.S. & Associates

Video Recording in English 

Slide Show in English

Grabación de video en Español 

Diapositivas en Español



October 8, 2022

xMinds Annual IEP Clinic with Parent/Student Panels on MCPS Placements

Event Description 

CONSULTANTS:

Monica Martinez, Suzanne Keith Blattner, Ed.S. & Associates

Sumaiya Olatunde -- H2D Counseling 

Kimberly Glassman, Esq. --  Law Office of Brian K. Gruber, P.C.

Susana Barrios (Spanish speaking) --  Disability Rights Maryland

Sheila Iseman -- SCI Educational Consultants

Lizette Hoffman -- Avanzos Educational and Behavioral Service


Panel discussions were not recorded. 


2021–2022 Program Year


May 24, 2022

Autistic Self-Advocates Panel: A Discussion of Social Lives

Presenters:  Joel Carver, Heather Weiss, and Justin Valenti

Recording in English:  Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish:  Click here to view in Spanish

Event Description 


April 26, 2022

Gender Diversity and Autism


Presenter:  Zosia Zaks, M.Ed., C.R.C. (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor)

Recording in English:  Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish:  Click here to view in Spanish

Event Description 

Slide Show

List of Academic Studies provided by Zosia Zaks

Additional Resources 



April 6, 2022

Lunchtime Workshop: What Are My Options for the Transition Year After High School?


Presenter:  Judith Bass,  Certified Educational Planner and founder of Bass Educational Services

Recording in English: Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish:  Click here to view in Spanish

Event Description 

Slide Show 


March 15, 2022

What Successful Inclusion of Nonspeakers Looks Like: Two Real Life Examples


Presenters:  D.J. Savarese, Lisa Vallado, and Tracy Harder

Recording in English: Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish:  Click here to view in Spanish

Event Description 


January 19, 2022

Disability Is Not a Dirty Word


Presenter:  Julia Bascom, Executive Director, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

Recording in English: Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish:  Click here to view in Spanish

Power Point Slideshow

Event Description 

Recommended Resources Raised During Webinar


November 16, 2021

Supporting Re-Entry to School for Autistic Students: A Trauma-Informed Approach


Moderator: Kim Pinckney-Lewis

Presenters:  Alondra Anderson, Eric Rossen, Maxwell Schneider

Recording in English: Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish:  Click here to view Spanish

Event Description

Resources on this topic


October 28, 2021

Screening of "This Is Not About Me | A story about growing up non-speaking" & Interview With Jordyn Zimmerman, star of the documentary film


Presenters:  Jordyn Zimmerman, Maria Ott, and Gordy Baylinson

Recording in English: Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish: Click here to view in Spanish

Event Description



October 25, 2021

Q&A on Compensatory Education with Kim Glassman, Esq.


Presenter:  Kimberly Glassman, Esq.

Recording in English: Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish: Click here to view in Spanish

Event Description



September 18, 2021

xMinds Annual IEP Clinic with Keynote Address on Compensatory Educational Services


Presenter:  Kimberly Glassman, Esq.

Slides:  xMinds IEP Clinic -- 9-18-21 Glassman.pdf

Recording in English:  Click here to view in English

Recording in Spanish:  Click here to view in Spanish

Consultants:

Monica Martinez, Suzanne Keith Blattner, Ed.S. & Associates

Jennifer Fisher, Weinfeld Education Group

Caroline Strauss, Weinfeld Education Group

Event Description 




2020-2021 Program Year


May 19, 2021

Autistic Self-Advocates Panel: What We Want Parents and Educators to Understand


Presenters:  Ben McGann, Tiffany Modeste, Allie Sayre, and Zosia Zaks

Moderator:  Scott Robertson

Recording in English:  English Video 5-19-21

Recording in Spanish: Spanish Video 5-19-21

Event Description -- includes bios of presenters and moderator



April 24, 2021

Navigating Special Education for Autistic Students in Maryland


Presenters:  Monica Martinez, Special Education Advocate (English);  Gicel Martinez and Rosa Lily from Parents' Place MD (Spanish)

Monica Martinez Video Recording in English:  English Video 4-24-21

Monica Martinez Video Recording interpreted in Spanish: Spanish Video 4-24-21

PPMD's Video recording in Spanish:  Spanish PPMD Video 4-24-21

Monica Martinez slides in English and in Spanish

Parents' Place of MD's slides in Spanish

Event Description for English


March 10, 2021

Understanding Behavior:  What are Autistic Children Communicating?


Presenters:  Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. and Kimberly Clairy, OT and autistic self-advocate with husband William Miller

Video Recording:  Video  3-10-21 

Video recording in Spanish:  Spanish Video 3-10-21

Slides:  Wayland and Clairy Slides

Slides in Spanish available upon request

Event Description


February 27, 2021

xMinds Open House for Parents of Black Autistic Children

Video Recording:  Video  2-27-21 

Event Description 



January 13, 2021

Does Your Education Team Presume Competence in Your Autistic Student?


Autistic Self-Advocate Panelists:  Lisa Vallado, Gordy Baylinson, Terra Vance

Autistic Allies Panelists:  Lisa Mihalich Quinn, Amy Allnutt

Video Recording:  Video  1-13-21 

Slides: Lisa Mihalich Quinn slides ;  TerraVanceslides  ; ValladoSlidespart1Valladoslidespart2

Event Description including information about the panelists

Find more resources on the xMinds Nonspeaking Autistic Students webpage



December 16, 2020

Anxiety Plus Autism: Anything but Neurotypical


Panelists:  Jonathan Dalton, Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change, Jeremy Pedneau

Video Recording: Video 12-16-20

Slides:  Pdf of slide show available on request. Please email info@xminds.org.

Dr. Dalton's recommendations for Additional Resources

Event Description



November 18, 2020

Options for Decision-Making When My Child on the Spectrum Turns 18


Panelists:  Morgan Whitlatch, Legal Director for Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities; Howard Hoffman and Adam Hoffman

Video Recording:  Video  11-18-20  

Slides:  2020.11.18 - QT xMinds SDM.pdf These slide are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal advice.

Resource List:  QT xMinds Resource List (11.18.20).pdf

Event Description


October 21, 2020

Functional Communication Plans: An Essential Tool for Supporting Non and Minimally Speaking Students


Panelists:  Joy Johnson, M.Ed., M.S.;  Lesley Fontana, M.A., CCC-SLP; and Paul Livelli, Ph.D.

Video Recording:  Video  10-21-20 

Slides:  LesleyFontana.pptx; PaulLivelli.pptxJoyJohnson.pptx

Event Description


September 12, 26, and October 10, 2020

Q&A Series on Distance learning (not recorded for privacy of participants)

September 12, 2020

Navigating Online Instruction: Q&A with Classroom Teachers

Panelists: Kristin King, Rachel Tate, Susan Lee, and Joseph Mann

Event Description


September 26, 2020

Online Instruction and the Law: Q&A with Education Attorney Kimberly Glassman, Esq.

Panelists: Kimberly Glassman, Esq. 

Event Description


October 10, 2020

The Impact and Experience of Online Instruction: Q&A with Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. and Students on the Spectrum

Panelists: Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., Cree Costello (9th grader), and Jack Allnutt (12th grader)

Event Description


2019-2020 Program Year

July 23, 2020

Racial Justice in Special Education: A Panel Discussion

Moderator:  Kim Pinckney-Lewis

Panelists: Selene Almazan, Dr. Delarious Stewart, Joy F. Johnson, Cheryl Poe, and Candace Strickland

Flyer: xMindsRacialJusticeJuly23.pdf

Video recording:  Video  7-23-20

Audio recording: Audio file of Racial Justice in Special Education_July 23 2020.m4a

Resources:

Child Trends (2017) -- 5 Things to Know about Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Special Education;

GAO Report (2018) on Discipline Disparities for Black Students, Boys, and Students with Disabilities;

Research from the Center for Promise (2018) highlights how exclusionary discipline leads students to disconnect from school; Hechinger Report (2019) sites two studies finding black students are under-identified for disabilities at school;  

Future Teachers More Likely to View Black Children as Angry, Even When They Are Not (2020)


May 27, 2020

Autistic Self-Advocates Panel: Exploring Paths After High School

Panelists: Alanna Van Valkenburgh, Benjamin Haar, Lisa Vallado, and Nicholas Jennings-Corrales

Moderator:  Scott Michael Robertson, Ph.D.   

Video of this online discussion (password 7p&?%=6S): Self-Advocates Panel 5-27-20  Expired


April 30, 2020

Understanding and Managing Challenging Behavior during Distance Learning: Focusing on ASD Student

Speaker: Jaclyn Halpern, Psy.D.

Video of this online webinar: Video 4-30-20  Expired 

Presentation Outline and Resources: Outline and Resources from Webinar 4-30-20.pdf  


April 23, 2020

Virtual Speech and OT:  Making It Work for ASD Students

Speaker: Christina Morrissey, M.S., CCC-SLP

Video of this online webinar: Video 4-23-20

Audio of this online webinar: GMT20200423-230456_Virtual-Sp.m4a

Power Point slide show:  Virtual Speech-language and OT therapies.pdf


April 16, 2020

Special Education in the Time of Distance Learning -- Take Two

Speaker: Kimberly Glassman, Esq., Education Attorney

Video of this online webinarVideo 4-16-20

Audio of this online webinar: GMT20200416-230325_SPED-in-th.m4a

Power Point slide show, which is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be understood as legal advice: SpecialEducation Covid-19 MD.pdf


April 7, 2020

SPED and FAPE in the Time of Distance Learning

Speaker: Michael Gerton, Esq., Education Attorney

Video of this online webinar:  April 7, 2020 Webinar  EXPIRED

Audio of this online webinar:  GMT20200407-230217_SPED-and-F(3).m4a

Documents referenced in the webinar: xMinds 4-7-20 Webinar Supporting Documents


February 26, 2020

Academics We Can Use:  Making the Most of the Alternate Learning Outcomes ("ALO") Curriculum

Speaker:  Jean Hickey, M.Ed, Educational Therapist


February 1 & 8, 2020

Teen Self-Advocacy Workshop

Facilitators:  Jamell White, PhD, LCSW-C; Sue Keisler, Executive Director xMinds; Monica Martinez, Special Education Advocate


January 2020

Getting Organized for School: A Make-and-Take Workshop

Workshop Leader:  Jean Hickey, M.Ed, Educational Therapist


December 2019

Plugged-In Parents: Keeping Kids Safe, Healthy, and Happy in the Digital Age

Speaker: Barbara Huth, Education Program Manager, Common Sense
Handouts: Age-Based Media Use Advice; Apps to Keep Track of What Your Kids Are Doing Online; Family Media Agreement


November 19, 2019

Providing Lifelong Financial Support to Your Family Member with Autism

Speakers: Mark Friese, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Chase Phillips, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Matthew Bogin, Estate Planning and Probate Attorney
Presentation Slides: Families of Children with Disabilities
Handouts: Planning Considerations for Parents of Children with Disabilities; Frequently Used Terms


November 9, 2019

Workshop for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children or Adolescents

Facilitator: Caron Starobin, LCSW-C


October 2019

IEP Clinic

Keynote Speaker:  Monica Martinez, Special Education Advocate, Writing Measurable IEP Goals

Speakers/Consultants:

Dr. Sheila Iseman, SCI Education Consulting

Elizabeth Stoff, M.Ed.

Katherine Thomas, Esq., Family Legal Advocacy Group, LLC
Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., Guiding Exceptional Parents
Mariela Pijem, Parents Place of Maryland (
Spanish Speaking)


September 2019

Prepared, Proactive, and Positive: The 3Ps to Getting Your Child with ASD Ready for School Success
Speaker: Jean E. Hickey, M. Ed., Educational Therapist
Presentation Slides: Prepared, Proactive, and Positive: The 3Ps to Getting Your Child with ASD Ready for School Success




2018-2019 Program Year

June 2019

Summer Safety
Speaker: Officer Laurie Reyes of the Montgomery County Police Department’s Autism, IID, and Alzheimers Outreach Unit
Presentation Slides: Montgomery County Police Department Autism/IID, Alzheimers/Dementia Outreach Presentation

May 2019

Ask An #ActuallyAutistic Adult
Panelists: Joel Carver, Deef Chuang, Annie K., Scott Robertson, speaking about their experiences as students and adults on the autism spectrum and about their insights on self advocacy and neurodiversity
Resources: List of Resources Handout (Dr. Scott Robertson); Resources from "Little Miss Precise" (Annie K.); Graphic and Written Narrative Form of Deef Chuang's Presentation; Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN); National Institutes of Health Videocast "Autism in Girls and Women," 19 Sept. 2017

April 2019

11th Annual Extraordinary Minds in MCPS Forum

Our annual “Extraordinary Minds in Montgomery County Public Schools” (MCPS) Forum informs parents about public school placements and services for students across the autism spectrum in Montgomery County, Maryland, a county that supports roughly 2,300 autistic students. Our Forum is an important service that helps parents participate meaningfully as members of their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team.

March 2019

Community Safety And Interactions with Law Enforcement
Speakers: Officers from the Montgomery County Police Department’s Autism/IDD Outreach unit

February 2019

Growing Up with A Sibling on The Autism Spectrum
Speakers: Cornelia and Walter Suskind, whose family was featured in the book and documentary Life Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism
Handouts: SibStrong Information

January 2019

The Importance of Self Advocacy to Success
Speakers: Julia Bascom, Executive Director, Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Presentation Slides: The Importance of Self Advocacy to Success

December 2018

How to Help Your Teen with ASD Find A College Where They will be Happy and Successful
Speakers: Sue Cook Christakos, College Consulting Collaborative
Handouts: College Support Programs for Students with ASD; College Planning Guidelines for Students Who Learn Differently

November 2018

Roadmap to Dating And Relationships on The Spectrum: For Autistic Teens, Young Adults, And Their Parents
Speakers: Jonathan Rhoads, LCSW-C; JMR Counseling
Handouts: Meeting People

October 2018

IEP Clinic
Speakers: Rene Averitt-Sanzone, Executive Director of Parents’ Place of Maryland (PPMD)
Consultants: Brian Gruber, Esq., Law Office of Brian K. Gruber, P.C.
Sheila Iseman
Hayley Jacobson, Weinfeld Education Group
Ali Lackey, Weinfeld Education Group
Mariela Pijem, PPMD
Katherine Thomas, Esq., Family Legal Advocacy Group, LLC
Presentation Slides: PPMD Presentation

September 2018

Setting Up Your Child for School Success
Speaker: Monica Martinez, President, Partnership for Extraordinary Minds
Presentation Slides: Setting Up Your Child for School Success
Handouts: Back to School Kit; Back to School Checklist; Behavior Contract Example 1; Behavior Contract Example 2; Student Snapshot Template; MCPS Reorganization Explained; MCPS Reorg. explicada en español

2017-2018 Program Year

June 2018

Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts
Speakers: Eric Jorgensen, CFP, Turning Point Financial
Tia Marsili, Director of Trusts, The ARC of Northern Virginia

May 2018

Parent Panel and IEP Clinic
Consultants: Stacey Dworin, M.S., HLD Advocates, LLC
Amy Mounce, M.A., M.Ed.
Elizabeth Stoff, M.Ed.

March 2018

Community Safety and Interactions with Law Enforcement
Speakers: Officers from Montgomery County Police Department's Autism/IDD Outreach Unit

February 2018

Little Miss Precise: One Autistic Woman’s Journey of Self-Discovery
Handouts: Little Miss Precise Resources

January 2018

Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum: A Family Experience
Speaker: Caron Starobin, LCSW-C
Handouts: Stages of Raising a Family with a Child on The Autism Spectrum; Parents Together Resource Packet for Young Adults and Youth with Autism

December 2017

Supports for Autistic Students at the University of Maryland, College Park
Speakers: Kathy Dow-Burger, M.A., CCC-SLP, Co-Director, University of Maryland Autism Research Consortium (UMARC)
Nancy Forsythe, M.A., Ed.S, Career Development Specialist, UMD
Nan Bernstein Ratner, Ed.D.-SLP, Director, University of Maryland Autism Research Consortium (UMARC)
Presentation Slides: Forsythe Employment Presentation; UMARC Presentation

November 2017

Maryland Online IEP System
Speaker: Philip A. Lynch, Director, Special Education Services, MCPS
Presentation Slides: Overview of Maryland Online IEP

October 2017

IEP Clinic
Speakers: Suzanne Keith Blattner, M.S. Ed., ITS-PALSS How to Write a Good Parent Report
Molly Whalen, Executive Director, District of Columbia Association for Special Education 5 Things Parents Should Know, Think and Care About in IEP Meetings
Consultants: Stacey Dworin, M.S., HLD Advocates, LLC
Lisa Morris, M.S. Ed., Weinfeld Education Group
Katherine F. Thomas, ESQ., Family Legal Advocacy Group
Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., Guiding Exceptional Parents, LLC

September 2017

Back2School: Get Organized!
Speakers: Wendy Taylor, M. Ed. Executive Director, Learning Essentials

2016-2017 Program Year

May 2017

Parent Panel on Services and Programs for Autistic Students in Montgomery County

March 2017

Interactive Screening of Be Safe
Speakers: Pathfinders for Autism
Montgomery County Police Department, Autism/IDD Outreach Unit

February 2017

Our Child Just Got an Autism Diagnosis: Now What?
Speakers: Susan Abrams, M.A. CCC-SLP, Center for Communication and Learning
Teri Kozlowski, OTR, ITS-Developmental Therapy Services
Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., Guiding Exceptional Parents

January 2017

An Evening with Self-Advocate Joel Carver
Speakers: Joel Carver, Co-Chair, Neurodiversity Student Group, College of William and Mary

December 2016

What Comes Next? Preparing Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum for the Path of Life
Speakers: Dr. David Black, Ph.D., Center for Assessment and Treatment

November 2016

Preparing for Kindergarten
Speakers: Lisa Grant, MCPS Special Education Program Specialist
Jennifer Strouble, Preschool Special Education Instructional Specialist, MCPS
Presentation Slides: Transition to Kindergarten

Preparing for College
Speakers: Janet Price, College Living Experience
Presentation Slides: College Living Experience Presentation

October 2016

IEP Clinic
Speakers: Rich Weinfeld, Executive Director, Weinfeld Education Group
Consultants: Suzanne Keith Blattner, M.S. Ed., ITS-PALSS
Michael Gerton, Esq.
Amy Mounce, M.A., M.Ed.
Anjali Prakash, Esq.

September 2016

Understanding Children on the Autism Spectrum: An Afternoon for Friends and Family to Learn about Autism
Speakers: Eve Megargel, author of Learning to Kiss
Monica Adler Werner, Director of the Model Asperger Program, The Ivymount School

Book Club Discussion of Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them
Speakers: Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., Guiding Exceptional Parents
Holly F., xMinds Secretary

2015-2016 Program Year

May 2016

Verbal Behavior Programs for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Speakers: Cynthia Onder, MA., CCC-SLP/BCBA

March 2016

Financial Planning for Autism Families
Speakers: Eric Jorgensen, CFP

February 2016

How to Talk to your Child about His/Her Diagnosis
Speakers: Amy Alvord, M.Ed.
Jean Winegardner, Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Handouts: "You Have Autism" by Shelly McLaughlin, Pathfinders for Autism; Why -- and How -- to Talk to Your Kid About Their Autism; I'm Determined!

Using the STAR Curriculum to Talk about Sex with your Adolescents on the Spectrum
Speakers: Dr. Cara Pugliese, Ph.D.
Dr. Yael Granader, Ph.D.

December 2015

Opportunities at Montgomery College for Students Across the Autism Spectrum
Speakers: Sue Haddad, Montgomery College Chair of Disability Support Services
Shalawn Childs, Montgomery College Assistant Professor of Student Development

November 2015

Meet Glen Finland, Author of Next Stop: An Autistic Son Grows Up
Speakers: Glen Finland, MFA
Handouts: Glenn's Resources

October 2015

Discover How Your Child Learns: Neuropsychological Evaluations
Speakers: Dr. Rebecca Resnik, PsyD

September 2015

Get Organized! Get Involved!
Speakers: Alison Hoffman (Parent, Carderock Springs ES)
Amy Marella-Carpenter (Parent, xMinds and Sligo Creek ES)
Monica Martinez (Parent, xMinds and Sligo Creek ES)
Bryan Osborn (Parent, Flora Singer ES)
Kara Tymon (Coordinator, Learning Center, Flora Singer ES)

May 2015

Public Safety for Autistic Children and Youth
Speaker: Scott Campbell, Board Member, Parents of Autistic Children of Northern Virginia (POAC)

March 2015

Math Strategies for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Speaker: Jean Hickey, M.Ed.

February 2015

Sensory Processing and the Autistic Student
Speakers: Julie Schade, MA, OTR/L
Colette Silver, MS, OTR/L; ITS-Developmental Therapy Services
Presentation Slides: Challenges with Sensory Processing in Children with ASD

December 2014

Affective Collaboration and Dispute Resolution
Speakers: Brian Gruber, Esq., and Ashley Van Cleef, Esq.

November 2014

Safeguarding Your Child's Experience on the Internet
Speakers: Dr. Jamell White, Ph.D., and Andrew McGahan, JSSA

October 2014

Helping Students with Written Expression
Speakers: Esther Goetz, M.A., CCC/SLP
Katherine Hartley, The Katherine Thomas School

Technology Tools to Enhance Independence and Learning
Speakers: Dr. Katharina Boser, Ph.D.

September 2014

Organize and Connect for Success
Speakers: xMinds Board Members

 
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