Juice Plus+®

I CAN PLAY Summer Groups

Mom needs help with tests

Films of interest

Come see Dr. Arnold Miller, internationally renowned autism theorist/clinician

IEP DAY

Preventing Violence Against Women With Disabilities

Researchers identify drugs that reverse cause of autism

Parent Demonstration Regarding Untrained OAH Judges

Clues To Autism Found In Sticky Blood Protein

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I never endorse anyone or anything. Opinions expressed in what I send out, may not be shared by me. Everything is for informational purposes only.

People who "advertise" through this newsletter have never been checked out by me. This includes professionals and even people who are interested in babysitting, etc.

Please take the time to throughly check out anyone and everyone that will be working with or caring for your child. We are all sadly aware, through news stories and word of mouth, of people who pray upon special needs children because of their extra vulnerability.

Thank you,
Valerie Dodd-Saraf

Check out my new website!

Hi Valerie,
I have started to get families inquiring about summer groups. I Can Play is planning on running a summer social program for the San Diego North County Coastal area. The age range for the group is 3.5-5.5 years of age. For more information families can contact me directly or follow this link to view the flier. http://icanplaysd.com/FlyerSummersocial.html

This will be the third summer in a row that we have run the group. It has been so much fun and we are looking forward to another great summer. The group runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm. Thanks for helping get the word out.

Take care,
Cari Miller, M.A.

Cari Miller, MA
Founder
I CAN PLAY! Social & Developmental Specialists
11559-1 Compass Point Drive North
San Diego, CA 92126
619.218.8744
www.ICanplaySD.com

Dear Valerie,
Could you put this on your list for me?
My 8-year-old son with autism is getting ready for his triennial review from the school district. We have always been told not to let him have an IQ test because it's so language based and because any result, negative or positive, has the potential to be used against him for many years to come.

However, they are also asking for some additional tests and we wondered if anyone had any opinions about them. They are the Woodcock Johnson II and WIAT-II.

Also, sensory issues are really a big problem for him this year. Are there any tests anyone would suggest that might benefit him?

Thanks!
Patricia
mpbuckley@cox.net

Hi Val,
I recently attended the RespectAbility Conference in Los Angeles (I wish more people from the autism community had attended!). Some films were shown there that I thought you and many others in our community would LOVE! So please post this to your distribution list.

The first one is about a creative arts day program participant, her transition out of an institution, her successful art career, and the way she touched so many lives. It's a 30 minute film and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when we watched it. It is called "Outsider: The Life and Art of Judith Scott," produced and directed by Betsy Bayha. It can be purchased from Fanlight Productions 1.800.937.4113, info@fanlight.com.

The next two films were produced by Alice Elliot. One is called "The Collector of Bedford Street." It's about a man with a developmental disability whose neighbors and community rally to provide a trust for him as his uncle is elderly and they worry that he will be taken to an institution after his uncle is no longer around.

The next is called "Body and Soul: Diana and Kathy." This is about 2 women, both with significant disabilities, who are best friends and provide love and care for one another. They advocate for themselves and make a difference for many. Alice Elliot's films can be purchased at www.newday.com

Let's make a difference by supporting the arts community who are portraying people with disabilities with dignity and power. And let's enjoy these fabulous films! Please pass this on to others.

Diana J
Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed.
Ability Awareness in Action
"Disability Education, Enlightenment, & Empowerment for a Brighter Future"
www.AbilityAwareness.com
diana@abilityawareness.com
619.370.2789

Come see an internationally renown pioneer in autism intervention and the founder of one of the most successful schools for autism for the last 45 years.

Dr. Miller developed his compelling method during 45 years of clinical practice as a psychologist, and its success has been documented in such award- winning films as Edge of Awareness and Come Back, Jack.

Dr. Miller's method works for children across the autistic spectrum, but his most impressive achievements were with the kids toughest to treat, the children who came to his school with no language, catastrophic emotions, and an inability to cope with any change. Families from all over the United States and Canada moved so their children could attend Dr. Miller's school, The Language and Cognitive Development Center, and many of the children achieved meaningful language and social interaction

Visit www.MillerinSanDiego.org for more info and great videos! On the second day of the workshop Dr. Miller will be doing consultations with four families (no cost). If you would like Dr. Miller to meet your child fill out the form on the website.

Involved Exceptional Parents Day (IEP Day) is a unique one day conference for parents of children with special needs and the professionals who work with them. For the best interest of these special children, 400 parents and professionals annually come together to learn in a collaberative effort. This year's conference, our 25th, will be on April 12th, 2008 at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley. We will have workshops, a resource fair, lunch and a keynote address. This year's conference theme is "Ready, Willing, Enabled: Helping Find Your Child's Place in the World." Click here for more info on the conference.

Freedom From Violence: Preventing Violence Against Women With Disabilities

(FFV: PVAWD)

A Workshop for Disability Service Providers and Domestic/Sexual Violence Prevention Advocates

Date: April 4, 2008
Location: California School for the Deaf, Riverside
3044 Horace Street, Riverside, CA
Conference Room #1
Time: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (Registration & Continental Breakfast at 8:30 am)

7 - Continuing Education Credit/Contact Hours for MFT/LCSW/RN Available!

A Project of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control (EPIC) Branch
Administered and Presented by Transforming Communities:
Technical Assistance, Training and Resource Center (TC-TAT)

This workshop will focus on enhancing the ability of disability service providers and violence prevention advocates to prevent violence against women with disabilities; create culturally appropriate responses for women with disabilities who may be experiencing violence; and foster relationships between disability service providers and domestic/sexual violence prevention advocates in developing a resource and referral base.

Participants who attend this workshop will further be able to:

• Discuss the prevalence of violence against women with disabilities;
• Understand and utilize underlying facts about domestic violence;
• Recognize the signs of domestic violence against women with disabilities;
• Apply approaches to preventing violence before it happens;
• Identify and implement opportunities for collaboration; and,
• Much more!

New York, March 10 : A new method of screening fruit flies has helped researchers identify several drugs and small molecules that reverse the features of fragile X (FX) syndrome - a leading cause of autism.

Ms Ellen Dowd, Esq. has filed a class action suit against The California Department of Education. Tomorrow there will be a "parent demonstration" up at USD University. Click on the above link for more information.

Please pass this email on to as many parents as you can that have children/adults in Special Education.
Thank you!