EVERYONE CAN...

As September is winding down, and October is fast approaching, thought we all may need a bit of a boost. Transitioning back to school, and work commitments can be a struggle, after the summer months. Lets take some time to celebrate inclusive communities, and realize that EVERYONE CAN. Everyone can be included, play, work, volunteer, love, have a voice that is heard, and dream for what they want. Let's celebrate the diversity in our homes, communities, schools, and workplaces. Lets support each other to strengthen the capacity of families to guide the process for change. 

Let us hear your voice~ share your stories, triumphs, struggles and dreams! 

(Great video from our friends at Community Living New Brunswick)

NEWS RELEASE TODAY FROM PEI GOVERNMENT: 

read the release at: http://www.gov.pe.ca/newsroom/index.php3?number=news&newsnumber=9840&dept=&lang=E#pk_campaign=HomePa

September 26, 2014 
For immediate release

Government investing $3.7 million over five years for children with complex needs

Health and Wellness

Government will be investing $3.75 million over five years to increase and enhance services to children with complex health needs says Minister of Health and Wellness Doug Currie.

“We recognize that there is a growing demand for pediatric services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and preschool autism assessment,” said Minister Currie.

“Although we know early access to pediatric health services can be the driving force that helps form a child’s development in areas such as speech, vision, hearing, cognition and mobility, the current wait times are simply not acceptable. With this investment, we expect to see a measurable reduction in wait times right away.”

A multi-year plan has been developed to meet immediate requirements for program enhancements to pediatric health services. The initial investment of $750,000 per year will enable enhancements to the following services:

• Pediatric occupational and physiotherapy

• School therapy service

• Orthoptics – a specialized service that provides all aspects of orthoptic(eye) examinations on children and adults, including diagnosis and treatment

• Preschool autism assessments

• Speech language pathology and audiology

“I am pleased that government is taking steps to address specific needs for these children,” said Dr. Richard Wedge, CEO for Health PEI. “One of our strategic goals as an organization is to continue to make strides in improving access to health care services for children with complex health needs. Health PEI will be taking immediate action to reduce wait times for these services.”

Minister Currie also announced the creation of a permanent position for a Children with Complex Needs Coordinator.

“We know that early intervention can significantly improve health outcomes for children with complex health needs but navigating the system can often be frustrating for parents,” said Minister Currie. “The new coordinator will help facilitate a more streamlined approach to ensure our children receive the best and most appropriate care possible.”

Check out the Coming Together publication from Canadian Association for Community Living. Another great way for families to stay connected with each other across the Country. 

http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/fall-2014-coming-together

In this edition of Coming Together we feature information and stories about the Administrative Justice Support Network in Ontario. A support network created to help family members like you. We have also included examples of how parents are learning to handle complicated relationships with officials and bureaucracy.

Coming Together is compiled and produced by the CACL Family Leadership and Volunteer Engagement Advisory Committee to highlight the power of families to effect change and advance Inclusion.   - See more at: http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/fall-2014-coming-together#sthash.hgAV5UI7.dpuf

Here is something here on PEI ~ and it looks like SO much fun! WOW- if you are in the area, check it out. Let us know how it goes. 

The Town of Stratford in partnership with Dance Stars Academy, and support through Artist in Resident program are offering a unique dance program for members of the PEI ACL and/or the Autism Society of PEI. If your son or daughter have an interest in dance and want to further develop their appreciation of music, body awareness, coordination and range of movement, this is where you need to be. The Program costs are covered by Artist in Residence program, and FREE for participants.

The 2014 Fall program will be run by the very talented Galla McCourt and will include teaching a variety of dance styles, such as Hip Hop, Country Line dance, Twist, Italian " Tarantella", Canadian Native dance, and Minuet.

Program consists of six 1-hour classes and will be held at the Dance Stars Academy Studio at 13 Glen Stewart Drive, Stratford:

K-Gr 6/7 - Friday 5:30-6:30PM - Class dates: Oct 17, 24, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28. No class on Oct 31 (Halloween).

Ages 14+ - Friday 6:30-7:30PM - Class dates: Oct 17, 24, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28. No class on Oct 31 (Halloween).

Registration deadline: Tuesday, October 14th. Class sizes are limited, so don't wait. To register click here and complete the form on line:http://www.dancestarsacademy.com/registration/dance.



http://www.dancestarsacademy.com/registration/dance

http://www.happysoulproject.com/

Check out this neat blog from a really cool Mom, who is doing a wonderful job raising awareness about Down Syndrome, by sharing her families journey with her beautiful daughter Pip!

What is Happy Soul Project? Happy Soul Project started out as a way for me to share my story... It was an open, honest and sometimes funny take on the challenges, triumphs & sweet moments of raising two little hooligans, one who just happens to have Down syndrome. As with anything it has soared into so much more. Happy Soul Project is about striving to be grateful no matter what happens in life. It’s about accepting the life fate gave you, seeing the beauty in the challenges and the hope in the hardships. It’s about finding joy unexpectedly, becoming a kinder person & continuing to always have an open mind. Happy Soul Project is about breaking down stigmas, changing perspectives and celebrating differences.

Autism Research Institute

Register for our next free webinar Oct 1st: Sleep Issues and ASD presented by Gail Williams, M.D.

http://bit.ly/1wq9Zxx

Disordered sleep is frequently associated with behavior problems and inattention in typically developing and developmentally disabled children. Sleep problems in ASD are correlated with increased maternal stress and parental sleep disruption. Repetitive behaviors and insistence on sameness may also be increased with poor sleep patterns. 

Gail Williams, M.D. is an Associate Professor for the University of Louisville Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Co-Director of the University of Louisville Autism Center. She is a board certified developmental/behavioral pediatrician and works in a multidisciplinary setting seeing children of all ages with such concerns as autism, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, and mental retardation. Dr. Williams is also the director of the STAR (Systematic Treatment of Autism and Related Disorders) biomedical clinic. While her primary responsibilities are clinical, she also engages in clinical research and has authored several articles on autism and other developmental topics.

* Please note, I can't seem to see if you can get the transcript for the webinar, if the time doesn't work for you. If you are interested in the webinar, and register, let us know how it goes!

The Inclusive Education Webinar series:
Here is a link to three, free one hour webinars K-12 Inclusive Education:

http://www.brookespublishing.com/resource-center/webinar-series/inclusive-education/

Planning for Full Participation and Learning in the Inclusive Class

Thursday, September 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Supporting Behavior in the Inclusive Class

Thursday, September 25, 3:00 p.m. EDT The Role of the Paraprofessional in the Inclusive Class Thursday, October 9, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Times not convenient? Sign up anyway and you’ll be sent a link to a recording of the webinar. 

If you participate in one or any of these, let us know what you thought! Looks like some great information will be shared.

Very heartfelt video, from a Dad, wanting only the best for his son & family. "I see you and I love you" what a great message. 

This was shared from The Fatherhood Project. "Thanks to Matt Oakes, who talks about his son. His son Liam was recently diagnosed with Autism and Verbal Apraxia, which prevents him from talking. Matt talks about what it means to be a good dad and how we need to humble ourselves as dads."

Great video about making connections and valuing everyone as an equal.

We live in a world where differences are all around us. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in these differences, especially when we see them in the people that surround us everyday. MattyB believes that everyone deserves the same thing: love. It's not always popular to love someone and embrace their differences, especially when others make fun of them. But being a leader means standing up for what you believe in and choosing to do the right thing... even when it's not always popular.

Please feel free to comment under this video, if you want to share a story. 

 

‘Delayed Emotional Processing’ in ASD females- great explanation.

A shutdown tends to mean we have closed off our thoughts and feelings in order to process only the sensory. This leads to Delayed Emotional Processing -http://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/blog/2014/05/20/delayed-emotional-processing-asd-females/

10 items that can make your classroom more inclusive!

Great tips on creating a environment that is inclusive to all! 

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2014/02/21/10-items-that-can-make-your-classroom-more-inclusive/

Here's hoping your back- to -school morning, was not to chaotic! Hard to believe 2014-2015 school year has started again. Best of luck to your learner- little or any age. 

During the first few days of school, children throughout PEI, and across Canada, are getting used to their new classrooms, teachers and classmates. Here are some tips for parents to make the first few days a little easier:
Number 1: Breathe.
Number 2: Send your child in with a ‘Facts about Me!’ sheet so that the teacher gets to know your son or daughter.
Number 3: Have kids help with lunch packing to make sure they are excited about what they will be having.
Number 4: For parents of younger children, arrange play dates with other students in the class to help with friendship building.
Number 5: Be positive when talking about school with your son or daughter so they are more confident.