Events By Month and Day: 
April 2018
Introduction to Special Education
Thu. Apr. 26, 10 am-noon, Dunn Loring Ctr. 2334 Gallows Rd. Door 1, Dunn Loring
This orientation is for parents new to special education. Learn about the special education process, all the resources available and have your questions answered.
Register: https://www.fcps.edu/node/28279 or 703 204-3941
Screamfree Parenting: Keeping Your Cool Means Creating Your Space
Fri. Apr. 27, 10 am-12:30 pm 2334 Gallows Rd. Door 1, Dunn Loring
Join us for this interactive workshop to learn strategies to become the cool, calm, connected parent your child really needs.
Register: https://www.fcps.edu/node/28279 or 703 204-3941
Best Buddies Prom
Fri. Apr. 27, 7:30 pm Reagan Bldg. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC
Local students of all abilities will dance the night away with their Best Buddies while enjoying fantastic music, a photo booth, and delicious appetizers and soft drinks.
Tickets: https://www.bestbuddies.org/crprom/ $10 for students
Discover NOVA Manassas
Sat. Apr. 28, 10 am-1 pm Stu. Serv. Ctr. Howsmon Hall, 6901 Sudley Rd. Manassas
Find out how to get started at NVCC Manassas including financial aid, disability services, academic advisors, student life, transfer questions, and a campus tour.
Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/discover-nova-manassas-tickets-33127831235
Social Media and Emerging Technology Safety
Sat. Apr. 28, 7-9: pm Fairfax Church of Christ 3901 Rugby Rd. Fairfax
Learn what parents should be aware of spanning from how kids use and are addicted to social media and how predators use social media to target our kids. Includes Q&A.
Register: email lisa@fxcc.org
Coping With Conflict: Getting along with Your Sibling with Special Needs
Sat. Apr. 28, 9:00-10:30 am In Step 8500 Exec. Pk. Ave #204, Fairfax
This workshop for 8-11 year olds will help them to make sense of their conflicts with special needs siblings, and they will create game plans for managing problems. $40
Register online here.
Mixed Emotions: Making Sense of Your Feelings About Your Sibling with
Special Needs (12-15 year olds)
Sat. Apr. 28, 11:00 am-12:30 pm In Step 8500 Exec. Pk. Ave #204, Fairfax
This workshop will help 12-15 year olds reflect on relationships with their special needs sibling and help them balance their own needs with obligations to family. Register online here. Cost $40
Community Sensory Day
Saturday, April 28, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Mt. Vernon District Police Department, 2511 Parkers Ln, Alexandria.
Learn best practices to keep your child safe, and community resources to help you do so.
For information, email Nargis.Fontaine@fairfaxcounty.gov
Yoga and Mindfulness for Stress Management
Sat. Apr. 28, 1:00 am-2:30 pm In Step 8500 Exec. Pk. Ave #204, Fairfax
Children 8-10 years old will try several yoga and mindfulness-based strategies to manage everyday stress and anxiety. Register online here. Cost is $40.
Advanced Parent Leadership Training
Sat.-Sun. Apr. 28-29, Leesburg
This training is for parents who have children of any age with mental health needs and want to use their experience to help other parents. Meals and lodging are included.
Register online here.
Donnie Kanter Winokur: Chancer- How One Good Boy Saved Another
Sun. Apr. 29, 2 pm JCCNV 8900 Little River Tnpk. Fairfax
An author will talk about how a golden retriever service dog changed the life trajectory for her young son, an adoptee with fetal alcohol syndrome.
Tickets: https://chancer.brownpapertickets.com/ $9 – $14
Section 504/ADA and Learning Disabilities K-12 Students and Beyond
Mon. April 30, 9-11 am ASHA National Off. 2200 Research Blvd. Rockville, MD
Learn how students, and parents can utilize Section 504/ADA to access an education, and how the law provides civil rights protections for LD students.
Register by April 23: https://njcld.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/symp-2018-flyer2.pdf
April SEPTA Board Elections & General Membership Meeting
Monday, April 30, 7PM – 9PM. Gatehouse Administration Center,
8115 Gatehouse Road, Gatehouse Cafe, Lobby Level. Falls Church, VA
Get your free tickets here.
May 2018
The Art and Science of Talking with Your Kids
Wed, May 2, 7 pm, Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100 Westmorland St. McLean
Learn research-based guidelines that help parents communicate with more warmth, respect, and sincerity to open parent-child relationships.
Register here – tickets $25-$30
Guardianship and Less Restrictive Alternatives, Part I
Wed. May 2, 6:30-8 pm, T.C. Williams HS Media Ctr. 3330 King St. Alexandria
This two-part workshop will give parents the information they need to figure out the best option for their child. Plan to attend both sessions.
Register by April 25 here.
Tax Planning for Special Needs Families
Thu. May 3, 10-11 am, Auburn Sch. 3800 Concorde Pkwy. Ste 500, Chantilly
Being the parent of a special needs child can come with significant financial considerations. Learn the tax tips and guidelines you should know.
Register online here or call 703-793-9353
Suicide Prevention
Thu. May 3, 6:30-8:30 pm, LCPS Admin. Bldg., 2100 Education Ct., Ashburn
This workshop includes research-based principles of suicide prevention, including guidance for parents and LCPS suicide prevention strategies and procedures.
Register online here or call 571-252-6540
Special Needs Legal & Financial Planning Workshop
Thu. May 3, 7-9 pm JCCNV 8900 Little River Tnpk. Fairfax
This workshop will give an overview of financial and legal planning for families with an individual with special needs.
RSVP to Carey at calford@financialguide.com or call 703-865-6502
Irritability in Children
Fri. May 4, 10:00-11:30 am Dunn Loring Ctr. 2334 Gallows Rd. Dr. 1, Dunn Loring
Learn how parents can help a child with severe irritability, treatment options, and ongoing irritability research conducted at NIMH.
Register online here or call 703-204-3941
Alternatives to Guardianship and Supported Decision-Making
Fri. May 4, 10 am-noon Arc of NOVA 2755 Hartland Ave. Ste. 200, Falls Church
Learn about guardianship and alternatives to it, including supported decision making, health care directives, and powers of attorney.
Register online here.
Parents of Autistic Children Meeting on Social Skills
Sat. May 5, 10 am-1 pm Lutheran Church 6304 Lee Chapel Rd. Burke
After a presentation on cultivating social communication skills in our children, we will have a social hour and refreshments. Request child care by May 1.
Register online here.
Swings Are Underrated: Understanding Sensory Processing
Mon. May 7, 7:30-9:00 pm McLean Bible Ch. Rm. B, 8925 Leesburg Pk. Vienna
Learn about he 8 sensory systems, how to recognize sensory processing problems and some strategies to help with mild challenges.
RSVP (not required): rosie.oakley@mcleanbible.org or 703-770-2980
Understanding the Eligibility and IEP Process
Mon. May 7, 10-11:30 am, T.C. Williams HS Rm. 134, 3330 King St. Alexandria
This workshop is designed to give parents new to ACPS Special Education services a basic understanding of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.
Register by April 30: https://thearcofnova.org/programs/info-referral/calendar/
Depression in Children and Adolescents
Tue. May 8, 6:30-8 pm, Dunn Loring Ctr. 2334 Gallows Rd. Door 1, Dunn Loring
Learn important information about depression including signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment options, and available resources.
Register online here or call 703 204-3941
Guardianship and Less Restrictive Alternatives, Part II
Wed. May 9, 6:30-8 pm, T.C. Williams HS Media Ctr. 3330 King St. Alexandria
This two-part workshop will give parents the information they need to figure out the best option for their child. Plan to attend both sessions.
Register by May 2: https://thearcofnova.org/programs/info-referral/calendar/
Strategies and Supports for Children and Teens with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Fri. May 11, 10 am-noon, Dunn Loring Ctr. 2334 Gallows Rd. Door 1, Dunn Loring
Learn about the uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors that constitute OCD, their causes, treatment options, and parents’ role in addressing this condition.
Register online here or call 703-204-3941
Where are You in this Story? Family Identity in Adoption and Foster & Kinship Care — Family Movie Night
Fri, May 11, 6:00–8:30 pm 4031 University Dr. Fairfax (enter on South St.)
Pizza and salad dinner, followed by a family friendly movie for children and adult discussion of clips from the This Is Us television series.
Register online here or call 703-539-2904
Parenting in a Busy World: Mindfulness Strategies
Thu. May 17, 6:30-8:30 pm, LCPS Admin. Bldg., 2100 Education Ct., Ashburn
Register online here or call 571-252-6540
Screamfree Parenting – Keeping Your Cool Means Taking Care of YOU
Fri. May 18, 10:00 am-12:30 pm PRC 2334 Gallows Rd. Dr 1, Dunn Loring
Learn the tools to stay cool during life’s challenging moments, and become the calm, connected parent your child really needs.
Register online here or call 703-204-3941
safeTALK: Suicide Prevention Training
Sat. May 19, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm Argosy U. Rm. 706, 1550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington
This half-day training prepares anyone over the age of 15, to notice and take appropriate action in situations where someone may have thoughts of suicide.
Register: https://afsp.wufoo.com/forms/k1558es31kvhzn9/
Free CEUs available: https://www.livingworks.net/resources-and-support/continuing-education/ Cost is $15
How to Keep Your Child Academically Engaged This Summer Without Fights, Battles, and Tears — Webinar
Wed. May 30, 12:15-1:00 pm
Register online here or call 703-934-8282
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Plan Ahead!
Spring Recreation for Children with Special Needs
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/disabilities/social-and-leisure-activities
I Can Bike After-School Program
Various weeks in March through June at Middle Schools in Fairfax County. This program uses adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program, and trained staff to run the weeklong trainings for children with disabilities. Information and schedule: https://icanshine.org/ican-bike-fcps-fairfax-va/
Summer Camp Guide for Students with Special Needs
Assembled by FCPS; includes a wide variety of public and private options. To request a copy: email prc@fcps.edu or 703-204-3941
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference
Thu.-Fri May 3-4, 4:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Comfort Inn Hotel, 4500 Crain Hwy. Bowie, MD. Learn about special education law, rights, and responsibilities; tests to measure progress; SMART IEPs; and tactics and strategies for effective advocacy. Information: http://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/reg/18.05.md.flyer.pdf
Register: www.loudvoicestogether.com/events-1.html $180 includes meal & books.
Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academy $250
July 16-27 M-F 9 am – 3 pm 915 N. Oakland St. Arlington
Braille instruction for children ages 4-14, including projects, games, and field trips.
Information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo-60eYnCOw&feature=youtu.be
Site information: https://nfb.org/bell-academy-faqs-affiliate/va
Apply by April 15: https://nfb.org/bell-student-application-form
On Demand – Dyslexia & the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP is in Tip-Top Shape
Webinar On demand, available 24/7.
*Please Note: FCPS (Fairfax County Public Schools) and ACPS (Alexandria City Public Schools) can often provide translation services for their events into Spanish, Arabic, or other languages if you contact them well in advance.
