Join Us for the Annual xMinds IEP Clinic!
REGISTER TODAY FOR A FREE IEP CONSULT |
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Join us for the annual xMinds IEP Clinic, Saturday, November 4, 12:30 – 3:30 PM at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD. Given the importance an IEP plays in special education, there’s no wonder that this is one of our most popular events of the year. And, like all xMinds events, there's no cost to attend.
Participants who pre-register can reserve a free 25-minute consultation with an educational consultant to discuss their most pressing IEP questions. We’ll have eight consultants on hand, including one offering consultations in Spanish. Consultation slots are limited, so register right away to reserve a spot.
We’ll also offer two informative speakers on the ins-and-outs of IEPs:
12:30 – 2:00 PM: Anatomy of an IEP
Educational consultant Donna Sagona, co-director of Educational Resources Group of Greater Washington, will examine the IEP structure, section by section, including Levels of Performance, Accommodations, Goals, and Services. We’ll leave plenty of time for your questions.
2:00 – 3:30 PM: IEP Dispute Resolution
Special education attorney Kimberly Glassman, who works in the Law Office of Brian K. Gruber, P.C., will discuss ways to resolve IEP disputes. What avenues do families have when they disagree with their IEP team? Kimberly will explain the options and take us through the dispute processes. Come with your questions!
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Get the Scoop on Neuropsych Evaluations
OCTOBER 25 WEBINAR ON HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM AN EVAL |
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Are you trying to make sense of your child’s neuropsych report? Are you unsure how to use the data to support your child’s education effectively? Or, are you preparing for an evaluation by MCPS, and uncertain of what to expect or what specific testing you can request?
Join xMinds on Wednesday, October 25, at 7:00 PM for the kickoff to our monthly speaker series with this rare opportunity to hear from pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. David O. Black. Dr. Black will explain the neuropsychological evaluation in terms parents can understand. |
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Your child's neuropsych evaluation reveals important data about the way your child thinks and learns, yet parents are rarely given the tools to really understand the information. A deeper insight into these findings enables you to advocate for IEP supports that are truly individualized, tailored to your child's unique strengths and challenges. Dr. Black is an internationally recognized expert in autism and related disorders and the director and co-founder of the Center for Assessment And Treatment (CAAT) in Chevy Chase, MD. After the presentation, you’ll have an opportunity to ask your questions on neuropsych testing. This event is FREE and will be held over Zoom, with simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Register here to receive the link. |
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Shortage of Special Ed Teachers Plagues MCPS
XMINDS ADVOCATES FOR MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE SHORTAGE |
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More than a month into the school year, MCPS continues to grapple with a severe shortage of qualified special education teachers. “We have heard from MCPS that there are as many as 48 vacancies for special education teachers, and the school system has resorted to relying upon intermittent and long-term substitutes to provide instruction,” says xMinds President Nora Dudwick. “We are very concerned about the impact of the shortage on students with special needs.”
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On September 28, xMinds delivered a letter to county officials asking that steps be taken to fill the vacancies with qualified and trained special educators. These steps include increasing salaries where fiscally possible, partnering with more colleges and universities to attract and recruit graduates trained in special education, and placing MCPS students without access to special education teachers in non-public schools.
A review of MCPS job postings reveal a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. There are many vacancies in programs specifically dedicated to serving students who are one to three years behind their peers, and at schools that the federal government classifies as serving a high level of students from low-income families.
To read the September 28 xMinds letter to public officials, click here. To get involved in addressing the special education teacher shortage in Montgomery County, please contact xMinds Executive Director Melanie Carlos at mcarlos@xminds.org.
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Come Play With Us, Saturday, October 21!
MEETUP FOR ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL FAMILIES |
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Enjoy an autumn morning with xMinds at our October playground meetup for MoCo families with elementary and preschool autistic students. We’ll meet Saturday, October 21, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at the enclosed playground behind Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD.
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Meet up with old buddies and make new friends; we always welcome first-timers! Children can practice their social skills as they climb, swing, and explore the playground with their peers. Meanwhile, parents can connect and exchange resources and information. We will provide snacks, and xMinds staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions.
Everyone is welcome, including siblings, and there’s no cost to attend. Registration is not required, so feel free to just show up. If you would like to receive event reminders and an email notification if we are rained out, register here. The rain date is Saturday, October 28.
Save the date for our November meetup, which will also be at the playground behind Ivymount, on Saturday, November 18, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. This will be our last meetup of the year. |
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and showcases supportive, inclusive employment practices. This year’s observance celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first federal legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities.
xMinds applauds autistic individuals for their contributions to the American workforce. We also recognize that it’s often challenging for autistic individuals to find employment; the unemployment rate is far too high among this group. Check out the xMinds’ Transition to Adulthood Guide for resources that help autistic high school students and young adults prepare for the work world. Our one-stop guide connects you with job trainings, internships, workplace readiness programs, and more.
For further inspiration, watch a recording of our recent Autistic Self-Advocates Panel: A Discussion of Starting Careers on the xMinds YouTube Channel. Three autistic self-advocates share how they embarked on their careers and offer advice to job-seekers. |
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The xMinds YouTube channel features a panel discussion of autistic self-advocates offering their advice on how to pursue a career. |
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Book Spotlight: Benny J. and the Horrible Halloween
XMINDS' GUIDE TO CHILDREN'S LIT WITH AUTISTIC CHARACTERS
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With costumes, parades, and trick-or-treating, Halloween is a favorite holiday for many kids. But it can be stressful and overwhelming for children with sensory issues, like the title character in the picture book Benny J. and the Horrible Halloween by author Sivan Hong, who has an autistic son. Many autistic children can identify with Benny J.’s fears, and families can get ideas and inspiration from his list of coping strategies. |
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Save the Date: Webinar on Autism Diagnosis
HEAR STRAIGHT FROM THE AUTHORS OF “IS THIS AUTISM?” |
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Mark your calendars for a presentation by the authors of the recently published Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else, on Tuesday, December 5, at 7:00 PM. Written by local professionals Donna Henderson, Psy.D., and Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., with Jamell White, Ph.D., LCSW-C, this highly acclaimed guide clarifies how to recognize autism and takes the reader step-by-step through the diagnostic criteria. Diagnosis can “be a positive and life-changing moment,” the authors note.
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This event is FREE and will be held over Zoom, with simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Register here to receive the link.
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Get In on the Discussion!
ZOOM INTO OUR PARENT DISCUSSION GROUPS |
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xMinds' discussion groups offer a wonderful opportunity to connect with parents and guardians of MoCo autistic students, who have shared interests and concerns. We offer four groups each month:
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For upcoming meeting dates, please click the links above, or see the calendar at the bottom of the newsletter. Note that due to a scheduling conflict, Let’s Talk Transitions has been shifted this month to October 18.
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October Is AAC Awareness Month
CHECK OUT XMINDS' RESOURCES FOR NONSPEAKING STUDENTS |
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AAC Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and informing the public about the many ways people communicate using various types of AAC devices. AAC opens the world of communication to nonspeaking people, letting them express themselves. xMinds urges schools to presume competence among nonspeaking autistic students, to provide access to robust AAC that includes the option of spelling words, and to offer training to students and educators in its use. Learn how xMinds contributes to the improvement of educational outcomes and experiences of nonspeaking and minimally speaking autistic students in Montgomery County, and find out more about AAC at www.xminds.org/Nonspeaking-Autistics.
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xMinds' interview with Jordyn Zimmerman |
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Howard County Autism Society Rebrands as Autism Society of Maryland
NONPROFIT EXPANDS INTO MONTGOMERY COUNTY |
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The Howard County Autism Society (HCAS) has been a strong partner and ally of xMinds in our work to improve education for autistic students in Montgomery County, even teaming up with us on some programming. We’re excited to announce that HCAS has now officially expanded into Montgomery and Anne Arundel Counties, rebranding itself as the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM).
AUSOM has hired additional staff, including resource coordinators for each of the three counties and a Spanish-language resource coordinator. Earlier this year, the organization expanded its Autism Hiring Program into Montgomery County.
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We look forward to working together with AUSOM to serve families in the local autism community. For more about this important resource, see www.autismsocietymd.org. |
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Recognizing an Extraordinary Staff Member
THANK YOU, SAANVI SHASHIKIRAN |
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Best wishes to a special member of our xMinds Team, Saanvi Shashikiran, who graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, MD, earlier this year, and embarked on her undergraduate studies at Georgetown University this fall. Saanvi joined the xMinds team as an intern in 2020, and eventually became our part-time website and communications associate. |
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Throughout her time at xMinds, Saanvi helped with much of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into keeping our members informed. She helped plan and promote xMinds programs, developed infographics for xMinds social media, and helped produce the Spanish version of the xMindsWire. Using her research skills and technical prowess, she also developed online resources such as interactive maps of MCPS special education programs and a directory of autism trainings. Saanvi will be taking a break from xMinds to concentrate on her computer science studies at Georgetown, but plans to return to us over the summer.
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In the meantime, we’re always looking for interns who want to earn valuable work experience while serving the autism community. Interested candidates can contact 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:
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Heads-Up Consultants www.heads-upconsultants.com
Contact: Dr. Jane Snider, Ed.E.; jane@heads-upconsultants.com; 443-994-7331
Services: Special education law including consultation, representation at IEP meetings, conflict resolution, mediation and due process hearings; educational consulting
Dr. Jane Snider and her team at Heads-Up Consultants transform nonprofit organizations, schools, and families whose children struggle with learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD. Dr. Snider is the founder of The Summit School in Edgewater, MD.
Jane is an entrepreneur and expert in school and nonprofit management. She has worked with heads of schools across the country to refine their special education programs and build support for students with learning differences. Specialties include: guiding parents to appropriate schools; advocating with admissions directors for student placement; and interpreting diagnostic assessments.
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Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates, LLC/SOAR Program for Psychotherapy & Testing
5480 Wisconsin Ave #223, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
www.wbma.cc
Contact: Jaclyn Halpern, Psy.D.; hello@wbma.cc
Services: Medical/medicine management; Psychological counseling; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Educational consulting; Educational testing; Neuropsychological testing; Academic tutoring/coaching
We believe in providing empathic, personalized science-based treatments and supports. Our providers seek to accurately identify strengths, vulnerabilities, neurodiversity, and diagnoses. Our supports and treatments rely upon a thorough understanding of each individual’s medical and developmental history, and identified needs. They may include the integration of medication, neuromodulation (TMS, eTNS, tDCS, and others), comprehensive psychological testing, a range of supportive psychotherapies, expressive arts therapies, coaching, psychiatric genetics and pharmacogenetics, personal and family-based care, diet and supplements, and adequate sleep and reasonable exercise. Treatment and support plans are based on each individual’s needs.
Our practice is unique in its integration of traditional psychiatry and psychology, genetics, neuroscience, and holistic, whole-person approaches to care. We help you achieve your treatment goals through our collaborative wellness model. We know reaching out is not easy, and we are dedicated to creating the most helpful path towards wellness for each and every person and family. Our patient population is diverse, we are neurodiversity affirmative, and we are inclusive and welcoming to all. We value your time, safety, and convenience so we continue to offer telehealth services as we have for over half a decade.
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Upcoming xMinds Events
xMinds events, resources, & services are always FREE
Wednesday, October 18, 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.
Saturday, October 21, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Elementary and Preschool Playground Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families with autistic children. See the details here. Monday, October 23, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Small Steps Together
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic elementary or preschool child. Register here.
Wednesday, October 25, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
How to Get the Most From Your Child's Neuropsych Evaluation
Online presentation by Dr. David O. Black of the Center for Assessment And Treatment. See above for details. Register here.
Wednesday, November 1, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Hablemos Educación Especial
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic elementary or preschool child. Register here. |
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Saturday, November 4, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
xMinds Annual IEP Clinic
Sign up for mini consultations with professional consultants and learn more about the IEP process. Register here.
Monday, November 6, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
People of the Global Majority
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of a BIPOC autistic child. 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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