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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)

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)

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)

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
Additional Resources

December 5, 2023

Is This Autism? A Framework for Understanding

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

December 4, 2023

Stress on the Spectrum

Event Description -- Hosted by the xMinds BIPOC Outreach Committee

PRESENTER: Jenny Mai Phan, Ph.D.

Slideshow

November 28, December 5, December 12

The Holiday Survival Guide for Parents

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

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

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

2022–2023 Program Year

June 8, 2023

Autistic Authors Panel: Inspiration for Summer Reading

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

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.

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

Slideshow in English

April 18, 2023

How to Write SMART IEP Goals

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

March 15, 2023

Understanding Neurodiversity-Affirming Care

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

March 7, 2023

Understanding Your Student's IEP, Section by Section

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

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

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

February 7 and 9, 2023

Primers on MCPS Placements for Autistic Students

Session 1 (Feb. 7) -- Preschool Placements

MCPS PRESENTERS:

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

Lisa Grant, Instructional Specialist, Autism Services (CAPP)

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)

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)

January 13, 2023

Lunch and Learn on Executive Functioning Challenges for ASD Students

PRESENTERS:

Marci Skigen, Founder of Enhance EFS

Rachel Sushner, M.Ed., Enhance EFS

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?

PRESENTERS:

Marci Skigen, Founder of Enhance EFS

Rachel Sushner, M.Ed., Enhance EFS

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

December 6, 2022

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

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

November 1, 2022

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

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

October 8, 2022

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

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

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

List of Academic Studies provided by Zosia Zaks

Slide Show

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

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

Power Point Slideshow

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

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

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

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

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

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

Event Description for Spanish

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

February 27, 2021

xMinds Open House for Parents of Black Autistic Children

Video Recording: Video 2-27-21

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 ; ValladoSlidespart1; Valladoslidespart2

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

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

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.pptx; JoyJohnson.pptx

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

September 26, 2020

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

Panelists: Kimberly Glassman, Esq.

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)