Get the inside scoop on special education services for autistic students at this year's Primers on MCPS Placements – November 11 and 13! |
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Primers on MCPS Placements - Next Week!
EXPLORE THE BEST OPTIONS FOR YOUR CHILD |
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Autism is a spectrum, and there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to your child’s education. Many children can receive services 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?
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We are thrilled to once again host our annual Primers on MCPS Placements for Autistic Students, a unique opportunity for you to hear directly from MCPS representatives about the best placements and services for your child. This event will be held across two evenings, Tuesday, November 11, and Thursday, November 13. There will be three live online sessions, each focused on a different age group — Preschool, Elementary School, and Secondary School (middle and high school). Over the course of the three sessions, MCPS representatives will detail the array of special education services that serve autistic students. MCPS staff will share information about placements geared toward both diploma-bound and certificate-bound students.
Here’s the schedule for the three online informational sessions:
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. We’ll be sure to save time for MCPS staff to answer your most pressing questions.
In a time of dramatic changes within the district, you don’t want to miss this once-in-a-year chance to hear from MCPS officials. |
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Love xMinds? Join our Board
USE YOUR EXPERTISE FOR GOOD |
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xMinds is looking for new members to join our Board of Directors. Board service includes attending monthly meetings, helping with fundraising efforts, and making an annual personal contribution.
If you’re ready to share your time, ideas, and expertise to support our community, fill out our board application or email info@xminds.org with any questions. |
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Last Chance to Join xMinds at the Playground ENJOY THE OUTDOORS BEFORE WE HEAD INSIDE |
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Enjoy the crisp fall weather and join our next xMinds playground meetup on Saturday, November 15, 10-11:30 a.m. at the enclosed playground behind the Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD. This will be our final outdoor meetup before winter indoor play begins in January. The forecast calls for loads of fun.
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Meet other families with autistic preschool and elementary children while kids play and parents chat about holiday plans, gratitude, and more. Snacks will be provided and xMinds staff and volunteers will be on hand. Everyone is welcome; even older siblings who love to play. Registration is not required, but if you’d like event reminders and weather updates, sign up here. And stay tuned for dates for the first open gym in January.
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xMinds Fall Fun-raiser THAT'S A WRAP! |
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Families had a magical, mindful, and crafty time at our first xMinds Fall Fun-raiser on October 26, aimed at raising funds for our core programming. Kids decorated cookies, made clay monsters, participated in yoga, soccer, and cheer sessions and ate some yummy pizza and snacks. Older kids (left) took on goblins and trolls during a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Much fun was had by all. Thank you to the multitude of volunteers who made it all run smoothly. |
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Highlights from the xMinds Fall Fun-raiser — D&D, photo booth, yoga, and craft table fun!
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PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY OUR GENEROUS DONORS
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Aromatic Prep is a Rockville-based tutoring business that provides curated exam strategies in tandem with subject concept learning. All services are taught by professional tutors with at least 8 years of experience, some with 20 years of experience. Our team of specialist tutors have combined specific curriculum experience for science classes at 70 different colleges and universities across the country.
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Casey’s Special Education Services is a trusted team of 20+ special education teachers providing personalized, in-person support to neurodivergent learners. Since launching in November 2022 with just one student and one educator, we’ve proudly supported over 300 families with tailored, strengths-based services that grow with each learner’s evolving needs.
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The Center for Assessment and Treatment (CAAT) team consists of compassionate clinicians who are dedicated to identifying the obstacles that interfere with an individual’s performance and creating personalized treatment plans to help the individual reach his or her full potential. CAAT provides extraordinary service through a uniquely integrated and continuous approach to evaluation, treatment, and support. We are committed to helping people reach their potential through careful evaluations of strengths and weaknesses and providing individually tailored, empirically-based interventions.
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Martinez Advocacy – Monica Martinez is a special education advocate working with families in Montgomery County. Through her seven plus years of involvement in xMinds, Monica developed an in-depth understanding of how Montgomery County Public Schools educates students on the autism spectrum and how to navigate the district’s special education system. Monica’s areas of expertise are services and accommodations for students on the autism spectrum, as well as those with ADHD and/or comorbid mental health issues. Monica also works to help parents and guardians understand the educational rights of their children.
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Camp on Tour – Our program takes groups of travelers around the world to experience new cultures and have fun while practicing social, emotional, independence, and executive functioning skills. Camp On Tour is committed to helping young adults with social, emotional, learning, and cognitive differences have their summer of a lifetime! |
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Reach Every Voice is a multi-faceted practice created and staffed by experienced teachers. REV provides communication instruction to nonspeaking or unreliably speaking individuals, hosts in-person group programs that build communication practice and provide opportunities for socialization, offers online courses for non speakers, and provides consultation, training, and coaching for families and schools working to improve their communication practices. REV is a nonprofit organization.
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In the News: Government Shutdown FEDERAL LAYOFFS COULD IMPACT SPECIAL EDUCATION PROTECTIONS
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At press time, we are 38 days into a government shutdown, which has brought with it all kinds of furloughs and staff cuts. Most notable for families of children with disabilities is the mass layoff of its entire special education team, including staff from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). |
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In response, xMinds joined over 800 disability, civil rights, and education advocacy groups in signing a joint October 20 statement urging the Department and Congress to reverse these cuts. As the statement warned, these “wholesale terminations place fundamental education laws in peril and place millions of children with disabilities at risk.”
What does this mean for your family? For now, it could mean fewer safeguards to ensure that autistic students receive the supports and placements they’re legally entitled to under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It could also disrupt federal oversight of IEP compliance and limit programs that help students transition into employment after high school.
A federal judge has temporarily paused the layoffs, but many reports suggest that entire offices have already been emptied, leaving critical programs in limbo.
To learn more about what’s at stake, read this National Education Association article, or view the full joint statement and list of signers here. |
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Wrap-Up: Unpacking an Autism Diagnosis NOW AVAILABLE ON THE XMINDS YOUTUBE CHANNEL |
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In the first webinar of our monthly speaker series for the new school year, Unpacking an Autism Diagnosis, xMinds hosted Jen Dryer and Gabriele Nicolet, co-founders of Raising Orchid Kids. Jen Dryer, MA, is a parent coach, advocate, and educational consultant supporting families and teachers of neuro-different children. Gabriele Nicolet, MA, CCC-SLP, is a toddler whisperer, developmental speech therapist, parent coach and host of the Complicated Kids Podcast. |
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Jen and Gabriele gave us an honest but uplifting take on what to do now that your child has received an official diagnosis, while taking care of yourself in the process. If you missed the webinar, watch the video on our YouTube channel and read the presentation slides. |
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Monthly Series: Autistic Voices
AUTISTIC ADVOCATE UPLIFTS INDIGENOUS HERITAGE |
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Native American heritage isn’t about Thanksgiving or racist team mascots or — heaven forbid— Pocahontas. This November, in this installment of our monthly series, Autistic Voices, we’re going to acknowledge Native American Heritage Month by lifting up an indigenous member of our community.
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Friend of the show Jules Edwards, an autistic member of the Anishinaabe, Eagle Clan and the mother of autistic children, outlined the difficulties of indigenous people and other people of color in a 2022 guest post for Minnesota Council On Disability:
The people struggling the most to access the support and services are Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Autistics. The lack of resources and the disparities we face is abhorrent. It begins with inaccurate diagnoses that misidentify Native Autistic children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Black Autistic children with Emotional Behavioral Disorders. People point fingers at parents and children alike, rather than providing culturally responsive care that seeks to nurture our children and provide the support they need.
... Indigenous Autistic people are counted in such small numbers in data collection that no useful information can be extrapolated. There may be a footnote about the lack of data, but frequently, we’re just erased.
xMinds was fortunate to host Jules at an xMinds webinar earlier this year on Bridging the Divide between autism advocates and parents of autistic people. In a perfectly timed announcement, Jules was just named co-executive director of the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN). Find Jules at the AWN or on social media:
Facebook: Autistic, Typing
Instagram: Autistic Typing (@autistictyping)
Have an idea for our next Autistic Voices profile? We’d love your suggestions! Email us at info@xminds.org |
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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:
Center for Assessment and Treatment (CAAT)
8401 Connecticut Ave., Ste. 700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
240-424-0184; caatonline.com
Contact: David Black, Ph.D.; dblack@caatonline.com
Services: Psychological counseling; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Neuropsychological testing; Educational testing; Educational consulting
The Center for Assessment and Treatment (CAAT) was created to improve the lives of children, teens, and adults. Their team consists of compassionate clinicians who are dedicated to identifying the obstacles that interfere with an individual’s performance and creating personalized treatment plans to help the individual reach his or her full potential. CAAT provides extraordinary service through a uniquely integrated and continuous approach to evaluation, treatment, and support. We are committed to helping people reach their potential through careful evaluations of strengths and weaknesses and providing individually tailored, empirically-based interventions.
Children’s Specialized ABA Therapy12240 Indian Creek Ct, Beltsville MD, 20705
443-774-0502; https://childrens-aba.org/
Contact: Jasmine Molina; jware@childrens-aba.org
Services: Psychological counseling; Occupational therapy; Physical therapy; Speech/language therapy; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Educational consulting; Neuropsychological testing; Behavioral support
We provide personalized, evidence-based ABA therapy for children with autism, helping them build skills, independence, and confidence. Our services include center- and home-based ABA, speech and occupational therapy, early intervention, and family support. Accredited for excellence, we tailor treatment plans to each child’s unique strengths and needs, offering a holistic approach that truly sets us apart. Brian K. Gruber, P.C., Law Office
6110 Executive Blvd., Ste. 220, Rockville, MD 20852
301-657-3777; www.bkgpc.com
Contact: Brian K. Gruber, Esq., brian.gruber@bkgpc.com
Services: Special education law including consultation, representation at IEP meetings, conflict resolution, mediation, and due process hearings; educational consulting; financial and trust management
The Law Office of Brian K. Gruber, P.C. represents students and their parents in matters related to special education, access to appropriate accommodations under section 504, and students who are facing long-term suspension or expulsion. By developing and maintaining strong relationships with public school agencies in Maryland and DC, our office is often able to help achieve a positive outcome for our clients without the need for litigation. Our staff of attorneys have handled hundreds of due process hearings and mediations across Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Guiding Exceptional Parents, LLC
4711 Sheridan St., Riverdale Park, MD 20737301-768-8503, www.guidingexceptionalparents.com
Contact: Sarah Wayland, wayland@guidingexceptionalparents.com
Services: Behavioral support; Behavioral therapy; Educational consulting; Social skills therapy In addition to co-authoring the book, "Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else,” Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., is a parenting coach, certified RDI consultant, and a special needs care navigator at Guiding Exceptional Parents, LLC. Her work as a parenting coach involves working closely with families to figure out which parenting strategies are best suited to their family - taking the profiles of both the caregivers and the child into account. As an RDI™ consultant, Dr. Wayland works with parents to show them how to teach their children the essential skills that make relationships work. She teaches them how to identify problems, and through a highly customized program that takes both their profile and their child’s profile into account, they learn how to teach the missing skills. She also works with teens and adults to help them learn the skills necessary for making and maintaining meaningful relationships. Her Special Needs Navigation Services are designed to help parents learn how to access resources and knowledge so they can confidently and effectively help their children. She knows how to effectively navigate clinical care and educational systems, how to evaluate reports, and how to help prioritize.
My Pace Learning and Behavioral Health
White Saddle Drive, Germantown MD 20874
301-978-1287; https://mypacelearning.clientsecure.me/#services
Contact: Monica Reaves LCSW-C; Monica@mypacelearningbh.com
Services: Academic tutoring/coaching; Behavioral support; Behavioral therapy; Psychological counseling; Social skills therapy
A neuro-affirming mental health practice dedicated to supporting the neurodiverse community treating children, teens, and adults. As a therapist, I have a background in both mental health and special education with a focus on supporting the individual as a whole within the systems they interact with. Hablo español para apoyar a las familias de habla-hispana con servicios de terapia. Reach Every Voice11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 110, Rockville, MD 20852
240-630-1785; http://www.reacheveryvoice.org
Contact: Lisa Mihalich Quinn; lisa@reacheveryvoice.org
Services: Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Services; Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) provider; Communication/educational consultant; Academic tutoring/coaching
Reach Every Voice is a multi-faceted practice created and staffed by experienced teachers. REV provides communication instruction to nonspeaking or unreliably speaking individuals, hosts in-person group programs that build communication practice and provide opportunities for socialization, offers online courses for non speakers, and provides consultation, training, and coaching for families and schools working to improve their communication practices. REV is a nonprofit organization. |
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Upcoming xMinds Events
XMINDS CORE EVENTS, RESOURCES & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Monday, November 10, 12-12:45 p.m.
Lunchtime Reboot
Relax, unwind and learn strategies to beat the stress of parenting. November's topic: Advocating Effectively Without Burnout. Register here.
Tuesday, November 11 & Thursday, November 13 (3 Sessions)
Primers on MCPS Placements
Representatives from MCPS Special Education will walk you through the latest information on programs. Register once, then join any of the three sessions that interest you. Register here.
Preschool: Tuesday 11/11 7-8:30 p.m.
Secondary: Tuesday 11/11 7-9 p.m.
Elementary: Thursday 11/13 7-9 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
Elementary and Preschool Playground Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families with autistic children. Join us for outdoor play at Ivymount School in Rockville, MD. Register here.
Wednesday, November 19, 7-7:45 p.m.
Let's Talk Transitions — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents of autistic students in middle or high school. Register here.
Monday, November 24, 7-7:45 p.m.
Small Steps Together — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic elementary or preschool children. Register here
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Monday, December 1, 7-7:45 p.m.
People of the Global Majority — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Register here.
Wednesday, December 3, 7-7:45 p.m.
Hablemos Educación Especial — Grupo de Discusión de Padres
El comité de xMinds sobre el alcance del idioma español está organizando un grupo de discusión en línea mensual en español para los padres de un estudiante autista del condado de Montgomery. Regístrese aquí.
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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Please consider donating to xMinds. We offer all our resources to families and educators at no cost to ensure they are accessible to everyone who needs them. Your support is essential in helping us continue this work. Every contribution makes a difference!
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