xMindsWire July/August 2022
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Help Team xMinds Reach the Finish Line!
DONATE TODAY TO HELP XMINDS IN OUR WORK
After months of training, Team xMinds is ready to Bike to the Beach on July 29 for our annual fundraiser. Some team members will bike the entire 100-mile ride from D.C.’s Union Station to Dewey Beach, DE, while others have opted for 75-, 50-, or 25-mile routes. Just like our kids, the bikers are each on a personal journey, following the route that’s right for them.
Whichever path our bikers take, their goal is the same — to raise funds that will help xMinds continue to offer free programs and resources that help MoCo autistic children get the education they need and deserve. Our speaker series, advocacy assistance, discussion groups, and website resources provide families with essential information, a helping hand, and a community of support. Our Educator Grants Program helps local teachers attend trainings and purchase classroom materials that support autistic students. Donate today to support our important work and to help Team xMinds cross the finish line.
We provide all our resources and services for free to be sure they are available to every family who can benefit from them. If you have benefited from our work, please show your support with a donation of whatever size fits your budget.
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Team xMinds at the finish line of the 2021 Bike to the Beach ride |
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See You at the Playground!
ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL MEETUPS THIS SUMMER |
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Join us this summer for our monthly playground meetup for autistic elementary and preschool kids and their families. The next meetup will be Saturday, August 6, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at the enclosed playground behind Ivymount School, located at 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD.
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This is a great opportunity to connect with other local families with autistic kids. xMinds Board member Natalia Ahn will be there to provide snacks and to welcome you in English or Spanish. We're hoping for sunshine, but if it rains, we'll postpone to the next Saturday. For more information, and to receive an email if the weather's bad, register here. We will post any changes due to weather by Saturday at 9:00 AM here and on the xMinds Facebook page.
Please save the date for all our summer playground meetups. Each is scheduled for 10 AM on a Saturday at the Ivymount playground:
- August 6 (rain date: August 13)
- Sept. 10 (rain date: Sept 17)
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We Want to Hear Your MCPS Experiences!
SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS TO HELP US BUILD OUR RESOURCES |
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xMinds is expanding our online descriptions of MCPS placements — an important resource for parents! Please complete our short online survey about your child's experiences in MCPS Special Education Programs so we can help families find the programs that are best for their children. It will take you only 3 minutes to complete the survey for each program you tell us about. If your kids have been in multiple MCPS special education placements, you'll have the opportunity to share with us your views on 3 programs for each of 2 children. We are very eager to hear from you!
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Please share the link to this form with other families — the more responses we get, the better information we can provide to families! Here's a link you can share: https://forms.gle/4pRERSjErQqHQLMd8
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Join Our Team of Volunteer Advocates
HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE MCPS SPECIAL ED
Did you know that xMinds provides free consultations to help families navigate the MCPS special education system? We’re looking for volunteers to join the cadre of advocates who provide these consultations. If you’re passionate about helping others and have some experience advocating for students’ educational needs — even if only for your own children — please consider applying to be a volunteer advocate. Individuals who are selected will receive free training on special education advocacy and law. Our volunteer advocates do not provide specific legal advice or attend IEP meetings, but they do help parents by providing guidance and resources. Training meetings will be online on Tuesday nights from August 2 to September 6. For more information and to apply, click here. |
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The Discussion Continues!
VIRTUAL DISCUSSION GROUPS TO MEET THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER |
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Our online discussion groups will continue to meet throughout the summer. These targeted groups provide a great opportunity to connect with others who have shared interests and concerns. Discussion groups are always free and operate on a drop-in basis. Join us whenever you have a chance! Register where indicated to receive the Zoom link. Here’s the summer schedule: |
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Hablemos Educación Especial. For Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child. Meets the first Wednesday of each month, 7:00 – 7:45 PM. Remaining summer meeting dates will be Wednesdays, August 3 and September 7, at 7:00 PM. Register here.
Let’s Talk Transitions. For MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child in middle or high school, approaching the transition to adulthood. Meets the fourth Wednesday of every month, 7:00 – 7:45 PM. Summer meeting dates will be Wednesdays, July 27 and August 24, at 7:00 PM. Register here.
People of the Global Majority. For MoCo parents/guardians of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students. Meets the first Monday of every month, 7:00 – 7:45 PM. Summer meeting dates will be Mondays, July 11, August 1, and September 12, at 7:00 PM. (Dates adjusted for holidays.) Register here.
Elementary and Preschool Parents Discussion Group. For MoCo parents/caregivers of autistic elementary or preschool students. Meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7:00 – 7:45 PM. Summer meeting dates will be Mondays, July 25 and August 22, at 7:00 PM. Register here. |
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Summer Viewing: xMinds Webinars on Demand
CATCH UP ON WEBINARS FROM THE 2021-22 PROGRAM YEAR |
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Summer provides the perfect opportunity to catch up on any xMinds webinars you may have missed during the year. Our 2021–’22 year brought an impressive roster of presenters including: |
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The past year’s presentations are available on the xMinds YouTube channel, in both English and Spanish. See the complete lineup here. Be sure to subscribe to the xMinds YouTube channel so you’ll be the first to know when a new webinar is posted.
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BIPOC Meetup at Germantown SplashPark JOIN US FOR FUN IN THE SUN ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
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Join the xMinds BIPOC Outreach Committee for summer fun at South Germantown SplashPark, Sunday, August 7, 10 AM – 12:00 noon. Splash with old and new friends! xMinds will provide snacks and drinks, and there's also a snack bar available. All local families who have an autistic child are welcome! The park is located at 18056 Central Park Circle, Boyds, MD. Entry fee to the splash park is $6.50 per person, ages 2 and up.
For more information, and to receive an email if plans change due to the weather, register here. We will post any weather-related changes here by 9:00 AM and on the xMinds Facebook page.
Not familiar with our BIPOC Outreach Committee? The committee connects with families in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community in Montgomery County who can benefit from the fellowship of other families with an autistic child and the resources xMinds offers. Check out the xMinds BIPOC web page and join the free online monthly parent discussion group, which meets tonight (July 11 @ 7PM). |
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Upcoming xMinds Events
xMinds events, resources, and memberships are always FREE
Wednesday, July 27, 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.
Friday, July 29
Bike to the Beach
Support Team xMinds as we bike to Dewey Beach, DE to raise funds for our nonprofit organization. Donate here! Monday, August 1, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
People of the Global Majority Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic BIPOC child. Register here.
Wednesday, August 3, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Hablemos Educación Especial
Online discussion group for Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child. Register here.
Saturday, August 6, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
(Rain date August 13)
Elementary and Preschool Playground Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families. See the details here.
Sunday, Aug. 7, 10:00 AM – 12 noon
(Rain date August 14)
BIPOC SplashPark Meetup
Enjoy summer fun with other families with autistic children. Organized by the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Outreach Committee. See the details here.
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Monday, August 22, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Elementary and Preschool Parents Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic elementary or preschool child. Register here.
Wednesday, August 24, 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.
Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM Hablemos Educación Especial Online discussion group for Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child. Register here.
Saturday, September 10, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Rain date: Sept 17)
Elementary and Preschool Playground Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families. See the details here.
Monday, September 12, 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM
People of the Global Majority
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic BIPOC child. Register here.
Community Calendar
Our summer calendar is FULL of great offerings. Check out the programs and events posted on our Events Calendar.
Plan Ahead!
Note: Our Events Calendar shows events on their start date, but some programs require you to apply before the start date, so please look ahead!
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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 Professional Member:
Vista Choice Supports, LLC
1500 Pointer Ridge Place, Unit 1721 Bowie, MD 20716 https://vistachoice.org/Contact: Linda Stringer; Linda@vistachoice.org; (240) 472-2846
Services: Coaching; Support Brokerage
Vista Choice Supports provides assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities who choose to direct their own services and supports, which are approved by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). The individual with disabilities (the "Participant") is supported by a team that helps to implement their "Person-Centered Plan." A Vista Choice Support Broker can assist the Participant by serving as a human resource agent to help promote their goals, find work, live safely, learn new skills, and engage in activities in their community.
The Support Broker can help with: navigating community waiver supports (Maryland DDA), recruiting and training direct support staff (personal supports), training Participants and their representatives in self-directed services, and managing the Participant's DDA Waiver budget and employees that are hired to support the Participant. |
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