Join us on Saturday, September 18, for the xMinds Annual IEP Clinic |
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xMindsWire September 2021
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Join Us for the Annual xMinds IEP Clinic, September 18 LEARN ABOUT COMPENSATORY SERVICES
Welcome back to a new year of xMinds programming! We have an exciting year planned, starting with the return of our annual IEP Clinic on Saturday, September 18, 12:00 – 4:00 PM. |
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Our keynote speaker this year will be education attorney Kimberly Glassman, from the Law Office of Brian K. Gruber. Ms. Glassman will address the topic that so many parents are asking about: compensatory services. During distance learning, some of the special education supports that were stipulated in students’ IEPs could not be fully implemented, and the unfortunate result was that many autistic students lost ground. Ms. Glassman will discuss the compensatory services that MCPS may provide, in some cases, to remediate a student’s loss of learning or regression of skills. Ms. Glassman will detail what compensatory services are, how best to request them, and what you can do if you disagree with your school's decision. |
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After the presentation, parents who have registered will meet with an educational advocate to discuss their most pressing IEP issue. There are limited appointments available, and they’re filling up fast. Join the waitlist if you can’t be scheduled initially for an IEP consult. Plans change, after all. Will this clinic be in-person or on Zoom? Both — we’re taking a hybrid approach! We’re eager to bring parents together again to experience fellowship, but we don’t want to risk anyone’s health. Find out about our Covid protocols, simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, and all the other details HERE. Registration is required to receive an IEP consult appointment and/or a Zoom link for Kimberly Glassman’s address on compensatory services. We hope to see you there! xMinds is grateful to our keynote speaker as well as our four dedicated educational advocates for volunteering their time, and also for the financial contributions of our two co-sponsors: Suzanne Keith Blattner Ed.S. & Associates, and Weinfeld Education Group. REGISTER HERE |
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Starting Free Monthly Online Parent Discussion Groups
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Are you looking to connect with other families who have similar interests or concerns? Starting this fall, xMinds will begin hosting free monthly online discussion groups geared toward specific groups within our community. Our wonderful xMinds committees are facilitating these groups. Here’s the lineup of offerings: |
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Let’s Talk Transitions. Discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child in middle or high school, approaching the transition to adulthood. Hosted the fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00–7:45 PM by the xMinds Student Transitions Committee. First meeting date will be Wednesday, September 22, at 7:00 PM. Register here.
Hablemos Educación Especial. Discussion group for Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child. Hosted the first Wednesday of each month 7:00–7:45 PM by the Spanish-Language Outreach Committee. First meeting date will be Wednesday, October 6, at 7:00 PM. Please note that the group will not meet in November. Register here.
Take a break from your busy schedule! Put your feet up, click your link, and take this opportunity to chat, connect, and share experiences with other parents raising an autistic student in MoCo.
Discussion Groups for the BIPOC Outreach Committee and the Nonspeaking Autistic Students Committee will be starting later this fall. Stay tuned! |
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Two New Online Resources for Parents
xMinds is excited to announce that we’ve recently launched two new online resources to better serve the diverse needs of our community. We’ve created a new webpage of Spanish Language Resources and a new webpage of Homeschooling Resources. |
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SPANISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES
The Spanish webpage, Recursos en Español, is part of our ongoing effort to make xMinds resources accessible to all who can benefit from them. The webpage links users to Spanish language information about autism, tips on navigating special education, and local resources in Montgomery County. Spread the word to Spanish-speaking parents! |
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HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES
If you’re considering homeschooling — or already homeschool your children — you’ll find useful information, tips, and resources on our Homeschooling page. We’ve pulled together information on how to get started, where to find local in-person classes and co-ops, what are the various homeschooling styles, pros and cons, and more. All you need to know is in one place! |
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xMinds Awards $7,500 to MoCo Educators
FUNDS SUPPORTING AUTISTIC STUDENTS
In August, xMinds launched its first Cash for Classrooms campaign, through which it awarded nearly $7,500. This new initiative provided each of 75 MoCo educators with up to $100 to set up their autistic students for success! We were truly gratified by the tremendous response from MoCo teachers to our offer of funding. Many teachers bought sensory materials like weighted vests, fidgets, balance balls, wobble stools, and noise-cancelling headphones to help their autistic students self-regulate. Others bought shelves, pegboards, laminating materials, carts, or drawers to help their students stay organized. Puppets, games, and books concerning social skills and emotional awareness were popular too. Teachers were clearly ready and eager to purchase items to help autistic students regain lost skills and realize their potential this school year!
xMinds will continue to offer grants to educators throughout the year, funding trainings and curricular materials to enable them to provide the support their autistic students need. Teachers, paraeducators, and related service providers are all welcome to apply online. Spread the word to your child's educators! |
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Busy Summer for BIPOC Outreach Committee The xMinds Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Outreach Committee, which was launched last school year, is quickly becoming a wonderful resource and avenue for fellowship. In August, the BIPOC Outreach Committee hosted a get-together at the South Germantown Splash Pool. Families enjoyed an afternoon of fun in the sun together. |
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The committee also held a virtual Back-to-School meeting on August 29, complete with a social hour over Zoom. Committee members recently updated the xMinds BIPOC webpage; check out the page to see the latest resources.
For more information about the BIPOC Outreach Committee, contact Bonita Williams, bonitajo@gmail.com. |
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Bike to the Beach Raises Over $41,000 for xMinds
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US EXCEED OUR GOAL!
Thanks to our generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and tremendous athletes, Team xMinds raised over $41,000 in our Bike to the Beach fundraiser. We had a great time biking to Dewey Beach on July 30 alongside hundreds of riders from other local autism organizations.
Twenty-five xMinds team members rode the distance for xMinds, and 10 volunteers hosted the awesome xMinds rest stop at Mile 75. Even better, not a single dollar of donated funds was used to run this event, because we were able to stock our rest stop entirely with food and drinks donated by generous Delaware retailers!
The funds we received will enable xMinds to continue to provide our resources free of charge, to offer Spanish translation for our presentations, fund materials and trainings for teachers, provide special education advocacy for autistic children in foster care, and continue to expand our online resources for parents and educators. The ride's over, but it's not too late to donate by visiting our team page. Be a supporter! |
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Team xMinds reaches the Bike to the Beach finish line!
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Upcoming xMinds Events
Saturday, Sept. 18, 12 PM – 4 PM
xMinds Annual IEP Clinic
Register here.
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 7 PM – 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, Oct. 6, 7 PM – 7:45 PM
Hablemos Educación Especial
Online discussion group for Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child. Register here.
Community Events
The xMinds September calendar is FULL of great offerings! Check out the programs and many free events listed on our Events Calendar. |
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Plan Ahead
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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Did You Miss Our Autistic Self-Advocates Panel in May?
Our panel of four adult, autistic self-advocates discussed “What We Want Parents and Educators to Understand." There is nothing that substitutes for hearing from the real experts on autism. A video recording of the presentation is available on our website and on our new YouTube channel, both in English and Spanish. |
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Presenters in May 2021: Ben McGann, Zosia Zaks, and Allie Sayre |
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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:
Bass Educational Services, LLC
3403 Olandwood Ct, Suite 101 Olney, MD 20832
301-774-5211; www.basseducationalservices.com
Contact: Judy Bass; judy@basseducationalservices.com
Services: Educational consulting; Academic tutoring/coaching; College placement assistance; Serving special education and general education students in grades 9-12 and transition ages 18-21
Bass Educational Services, LLC provides an array of educational services for students with learning differences, ADHD, ASD, and other special needs. Educational consultants offer guidance and structure throughout the college and postsecondary planning process, provide assistance in gap year programming and assist families in facilitating local K-12 school placements. Trained, experienced tutors provide online and in-home, one-on-one SAT/ACT test prep and subject tutoring. Additionally, Bass Educational Services provides assistance in obtaining SAT/ACT accommodations when appropriate.
CSahm Foundation for ADHD
7920 Longridge Ct, Cabin John, MD 20818
301-257-6655; www.csahmfoundation.org
Contact: Candace Sahm; candace@csahmfoundation.org
Services: Coaching; Tutoring; Customized ADHD programs; Organizational, test-taking, and job readiness training; Support groups
The CSahm Foundation for ADHD Educational Services and Support, Inc. helps low-income youth with ADHD and Autism. The foundation offers students coaching support to help them with their organization and time management skills. The CSahm Foundation has experienced academic tutors to help with coursework. CSahm also offers counseling and guidance for assessments, IEPs, and 504s.
Exceptional Educational Solutions
701 Hyde Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902
724-320-9026; ExceptionalEducationalSolutions.com
Contact:Stephanie Frumkin; stephanie@exceptionaleducationalsolutions.com
Services: Educational consulting all grades; Special and general education; Public and private schools
Exceptional Educational Solutions finds educational solutions for bright K-12 students with learning differences in the D.C. metro area. As an educational consultant and founder of Exceptional Educational Solutions, Stephanie Frumkin helps parents of bright students with learning differences gain clarity and find educational solutions so their child will thrive. She specializes in students with autism, ADHD, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, and other learning differences. Many of her students are gifted/twice exceptional. Stephanie has over 25 years of experience in the field of education. In addition to earning a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Leadership in Teaching, she has completed both the COPAA Special Education Advocacy Training 2.0 coursework and the Master IEP Coach Mentorship.
Starobin Counseling, LLC
18213 Hillcrest Ave., Olney, MD 20832
301-417-5979; www.starobincounseling.com
Contact: Caron Starobin, LCSW-C; caron@starobincounseling.com
Services: Psychological counseling; Social skills therapy; Support groups Starobin
Counseling offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy. Autistic individuals
learn relationship skills and tools for thinking with greater flexibility, have
a space for exploring their identity as an autistic person, and receive support
and counseling for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Family
members learn to support and interact with their loved ones with greater ease
and compassion. The counseling group also offers the MoCo PEERS® social skills
program for teens and young adults, in collaboration with Jamell White, Ph.D.,
LCSW-C. Starobin Counseling also facilitates support group programs called
Parents Together and Siblings Together to provide family members with emotional
support, information, and resources. |
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