What’s the Right MCPS Placement for Your Child?
EXPLORE THE OPTIONS DURING OUR “PRIMERS ON PLACEMENTS” |
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If you’re searching for the right MCPS placement and services for your child, you won’t want to miss xMinds’ annual “Primers on MCPS Placements for Autistic Students,” held over two evenings next week, Tuesday, February 20, and Thursday, February 22. Across the two evenings, we will hold three live, online sessions, in total. Each session will focus on a different age group — Preschool, Elementary School, and Secondary School (middle and high school). Drop into the Zoom sessions that interest you! |
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More than 20 MCPS representatives will share information over the course of the three sessions, detailing the array of special education services that serve autistic students. Many children are able to receive services in the general education setting at their neighborhood school (aka the home school model). Some students require a discrete program exclusively for individuals diagnosed with autism, while others do well in a classroom designed for a mix of students with similar needs. Which placement is right for your student? MCPS will share information about placements geared toward diploma-bound students as well as placements geared toward certificate-bound students.
Here’s the schedule for the three online informational sessions:
Preschool Placements: Tues., Feb. 20, @ 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Elementary School Placements: Thurs., Feb. 22, @ 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Middle and High School Placements: Tues., Feb. 20, @ 7:00 – 9:00 PM (running at the same time as the preschool presentation, in a separate Zoom meeting).
Come get the facts about MCPS’s special education options. We’ll save time for MCPS staff to answer your most pressing questions.
There’s no cost to attend, and simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Register here for any of the three presentations, and we’ll send you the Zoom links. |
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Come Play at Saturday's Open Gym Meetup
FAMILY FUN FOR ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL FAMILIES |
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Get ready for a morning of family fun at our Open Gym Meetup, Saturday, February 17, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, at the Glen Haven Elementary School gymnasium, 10900 Inwood Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. Our open gym meetups are geared toward families with autistic elementary and preschool students, and offer a great way to get your kids moving on a winter day. |
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Come connect with other parents, while your kids enjoy some play time! We will have balls, mats, parachutes, and other gym equipment, as well as organized children's activities. We will provide snacks, and will have volunteers on hand to answer any questions.
Everyone is welcome, including siblings, and there’s no cost to attend! Registration is not required, but if you would like to sign up here in advance, we’ll send you an event reminder and will email you if we need to postpone due to inclement weather.
Save the date for our March Open Gym Meetup, Saturday, March 16, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, also at Glen Haven Elementary School. We will resume outdoor playground meetups in April, as the weather warms.
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Play B-I-N-G-O!
SEE YOU AT BINGO NIGHT, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 |
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Join xMinds and the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) for BINGO Night on Sunday, February 18! This free, family-friendly event is perfect for all ages and abilities.
Each person will receive a 10-game Bingo book plus a special bonus game. Dinner and drinks will be available for purchase. Free snacks will be provided and/or bring your own for you and the family! Here are all the details: |
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Date: Sunday, February 18, 2024
Time: Doors open at 5:00 PM; Bingo games, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: We Achieve, 10501 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD
Registration: Free, but registration is required. Space is limited, so please register early. |
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xMinds and AUSOM Launch Anti-Bullying Series
SELF-ADVOCATE STEPHEN SHORE KICKS OFF THE SERIES, MARCH 19
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Join xMinds and the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 PM for "What I've Learned About Bullying: Autistic Self-Advocate Stephen Shore Speaks Out." Dr. Shore will draw from his own experiences to share his insights into the pervasive issue of bullying. Over 60% of children with ASD, ages 6 to 15, have been bullied at some point in their lives, according to research by the Interactive Autism Network. Given the wide prevalence of this hurtful behavior, xMinds and AUSOM are co-sponsoring a three-session series this spring on bullying. Dr. Shore’s presentation will kick off the series. |
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Dr. Shore is an autistic professor of special education at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. He has written several books, including “College for Students with Disabilities,” “Understanding Autism for Dummies,” “Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum,” and the autobiographical “Beyond the Wall.”
He serves on the board of Autism Speaks, and is one of the first two autistic board members in its history, looking to improve the potential of those on the autism spectrum. He previously headed the Asperger's Association of New England and was on the board of the Autism Society of America. |
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Long before all of that, Stephen was an awkward autistic kid, bullied by classmates. He will share his personal journey and his unique perspective as an autistic self-advocate and a special educator. The presentation will be offered over Zoom with simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Click here to register. |
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Our anti-bullying series will continue later this spring with young adult self-advocates and a mental health expert coaching families on how to identify signs of bullying and what can be done about it. The third event will be a talk with a special education advocate and a school administrator discussing the school's role in bullying prevention. |
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Our focus will be on giving practical advice to families on how to collaborate with the school team to keep their children safe and what can be added to the IEP to provide support for autistic students in developing social, communication, and self advocacy skills.
Stay tuned for more details in the March issue of the xMindsWire and on xMinds' Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms! |
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xMinds Honors Black History Month
LEARN ABOUT FREE SPECIAL-ED ADVOCACY FOR BLACK STUDENTS |
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February is Black History Month, making it a fitting time to reaffirm xMinds’ year-round commitment to inclusivity. The xMinds Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Outreach Committee is an integral part of the xMinds community. This committee leads a monthly online discussion group called People of the Global Majority, offering MoCo parents and guardians of BIPOC autistic children an opportunity to connect and share information.
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Please join us on Monday, March 4, at 7:00 PM, for the next session of our People of the Global Majority discussion group, in which we will welcome guest speaker Marcy 'Rachamim' Jackson, founding coordinator of SEE US: Special Education Excellence for Underserved Students. SEE US is a local initiative, administered by the Weinfeld Education Group, that provides free advocacy expertise to local Black special needs students. |
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Marcy is also author of “Transformative Solutions for Equity and Justice in Special Education: Frameworks for Antiracist Policy and Practice,” to be released in 2024. Click here to register for the free discussion group. |
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Now Available: xMinds Summer Camp Guide
START PLANNING FOR SUMMER 2024!
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It may still be winter, but many families are thinking ahead to warmer days and are searching for summer camps and programs. To help you plan, we’ve put together the xMinds Summer 2024 Camp Guide. Our guide features an extensive list of camps and programs that autistic kids and teens have enjoyed in past years – including day and overnight programs.
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Some camps are still finalizing their plans, so we’ll update the information as we learn more details and hear about more offerings. Check back throughout the winter and spring!
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xMinds Fights for Legislation to Expand Access to Special Education Advocacy
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Hiring an attorney or a special education advocate to help with IEP disputes can be cost-prohibitive for many families. Newly proposed legislation in the Maryland General Assembly seeks to establish a $2 million fund to help families with limited income get access to professional advocacy assistance. Both the House and Senate are considering bills to establish the Access to Attorneys, Advocates, and Consultants for Special Education Program.
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The program would provide the families of eligible students with a lifetime maximum of $20,000 for representation, advocacy, and consulting services. The legislation would also require that parents receive written information about the program at specific points in the IEP process, including when disputes arise leading to mediation or due process hearings.
This legislation could be a game-changer for families who cannot afford a special education attorney, advocate, or consultant to help them get the appropriate services for their child. xMinds is part of an education coalition advocating for this important legislation. Contact your representatives in the Maryland General Assembly, and let them know you support SB0797 and HB0903.
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Educators: Apply for a “Winter Wish List” Grant!
XMINDS OFFERS FUNDING FOR CLASSROOM MATERIALS
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Do you know a MoCo educator who needs help purchasing classroom materials for their autistic students? Through our Winter Wish List initiative, xMinds is awarding grants of up to $100 to help MoCo educators stock their classrooms with items that support autistic students, including hands-on manipulatives, flexible seating, and noise-canceling headphones. |
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We’re also offering grants of up to $250 for trainings on how best to teach and connect with autistic learners. Apply today for a Winter Wish List grant! |
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xMinds Welcomes New Board Member
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xMinds is happy to welcome our newest member of the board, Cara Fletcher. As a mom of three boys, one of whom is autistic, Cara understands the unique needs and struggles that come with having a special needs child. During her tenure as special education chair for MCCPTA, an association of Montgomery County PTAs, she gained hands-on experience advocating for children in special education, as well as a thorough understanding of the inner workings of MCPS and local non-public placements. |
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In addition, Cara's day job as a commercial insurance broker has taught her how to negotiate beneficial outcomes in complex situations. She is committed to using her skills, experiences, and connections to champion the needs of the special education community. For more information about the xMinds board, click here. |
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Did You Miss Our Webinar on Seclusion & Restraint? |
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Guy Stephens shared some alarming statistics about restraint and seclusion, including data showing that autistic students are impacted more than other students. Click the image to watch the webinar. |
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Book Spotlight: Love Stories
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With Valentine’s Day upon us, love is in the air. This month we’re spotlighting two books with autistic characters that explore different aspects of love:
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The picture book My Brother Charlie highlights the special love between twins Callie and Charlie. Callie worries that her autistic brother Charlie will never be able to say, “I love you.” But Charlie shows his love in other ways – and eventually verbalizes it also. The book is written by actress Holly Robinson Peete and daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete, based on their experiences with their autistic son/brother, respectively. Watch Holly Robinson Peete read the book aloud. |
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The Young Adult novel Tilly in Technicolor, by author Mazey Eddings, chronicles the budding romance between two neurodivergent teens who are forced together over a summer: Oliver Clark, who is autistic, and Tilly Twomley, who has executive functioning challenges. Initially, the two feel they couldn’t be more opposite. But, over the course of the summer, they form a strong connection. For more book selections, check out the xMinds Guide to Children’s and Teen Literature Featuring Autistic Characters.
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Professional Member Spotlight
As a benefit to both our families and professional members, xMinds publishes information about our professional members here in the xMindsWire as well as on our website. Inclusion does not constitute our endorsement. This month, xMinds would like to highlight the following new and renewing professional members:
Children's Speech Therapy Services www.childsspeech.com
Contact: Jennifer Gaum; ChildsSpeech@gmail.com; 240-600-0911
Services: Speech/language therapy; Social skills therapy; Grades PreK–12
Jennifer Gaum is the owner and founder of Children’s Speech Therapy Services, LLC. She is a sole provider who focuses on your child's needs and involves the whole family and outside providers. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience across age ranges, from preschool to high school, in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, in-home services, and summer camps. Services include speech and language evaluation, articulation or speech therapy, language skills therapy, and social skills therapy. Jennifer is PEERS® (The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) certified and Tiny Tongues myofunctional treatment certified. She provides both in-home and in-school speech-language therapy services.
Educational Resources Group of Greater Washington
edresourcesgroup.com
Contact: Stacy Ganz Kahn; sgkeducational@gmail.com; 301-636-0389
Services: Educational Consulting and Advocacy; Academic Therapy (Tutoring); Executive Functioning and ADHD Coaching; College Consulting; Behavioral Intervention Support
Utilizing a coordination of care approach, Educational Resources Group of Greater Washington provides a high level of expertise and a broad menu of educational services specifically tailored to meet the individual needs of our clients. Our experienced team of certified professionals can also help you navigate the complicated processes often associated with the world of learning differences.
The Stixrud Group, LLC
8720 Georgia Ave., Suite 606, Silver Spring, MD 20910
www.stixrud.com
Contact: Dr. Salya Namazi; snamazi@stixrud.com; 301-565-0534
Services: Educational Testing; Neuropsychological Testing; Educational Consulting
The Stixrud Group is a group of neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists who specialize in the evaluation of children, adolescents and adults with learning, attention, social or emotional difficulties. We are committed to the alleviation of suffering for our clients and their families by removing any blocks to their experiencing happiness and fulfillment in life. We believe this is accomplished by helping our clients understand themselves. Our goal is to use our professional knowledge and skills to help people achieve educational and professional success, emotional healing and interpersonal harmony in their relationships. |
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Upcoming xMinds Events
xMinds events, resources, & services are always FREE
Saturday, Feb. 17, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Elementary and Preschool Open Gym Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families with autistic children. Join us for indoor play at Glen Haven Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD. See the details here. Sunday, Feb. 18, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
BINGO Night!
Co-hosted by The Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM), this family-friendly event at the WeAchieve Building in Silver Spring, MD welcomes all ages and abilities for an evening of games, food, and fun. All are welcome but registration is required and space is limited. Register here.
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7:00 – 8:30 PM for Preschool and 7:00 – 9:00 PM for Middle and High School
2024 Primers on MCPS Placements for Autistic Students
Session 1: Preschool Placements
Session 2: Secondary Placements
Two simultaneous live online presentations from MCPS staff on the array of special education services and programs for autistic students. Register once for the Primers series to receive Zoom links to all three sessions, and attend the one(s) of interest to you. Register here.
Thursday, Feb. 22, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
2024 Primers on MCPS Placements for Autistic Students
Session 3: Elementary Placements
Third and final online presentation from MCPS staff on the array of special education services and programs for autistic students. Register here. Monday, Feb. 26, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Small Steps Together
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic elementary or preschool child. Register here.
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Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Let's Talk Transitions
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child in middle or high school. Register here.
Monday, March 4, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
People of the Global Majority Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Guest speaker: Marcy Rachamim Jackson, founding coordinator of SEE US, which provides free advocacy assistance to Black students. Register here.
Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Hablemos Educación Especial
Online discussion group for Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/guardians of autistic students. Register here.
Tuesday, March 19, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
What I've Learned About Bullying: Autistic Self-Advocate Stephen Shore Speaks Out
Online presentation by Stephen Shore, an autistic professor of special education. Register here.
Community Calendar
Our community calendar is FULL of great offerings not only from xMinds, but from professional service providers located in Montgomery County. Check out the programs and events posted on our Events Calendar.
Note: Our Events Calendar shows events on their start date, but some community programs require you to apply before the start date, so please look ahead!
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