Please allow me to tell you about myself and the Shemer Art Center’s new, exciting art therapy classes that are designed for 10 to 13-year-old special needs children. I am a registered and licensed Art Therapist, and have been practicing Art Therapy for over 10 years in New York and Arizona. Through the City of Phoenix’s Parks & Recreation Department and the Shemer Art Center, located in a beautifully renovated historical house at 5005 E. Camelback Rd., I am delighted to offer Art Therapy to special needs kids. As you may already know, Art Therapy has been shown to increase expressive communication, increase focused attention, and facilitate improved socialization to special needs children who are so receptive to creative modalities. 
> 
> Class: Art for Special Needs (ages 10 – 13 years)
> Instructor: Beverly Lim Henes, MS, ATR, LCAT
> Date: Saturdays, Jan. 9 – Feb. 27, 10:00am – 11:30am (8 classes)
> 
> Individuals with special needs utilize art materials and the creative process to increase cognitive and sensory functioning, and develop awareness of emotions and the environment. Each class focuses on a design element and includes exploration of clay, paint, collage, and found objects. Student must have independent mobility, or be accompanied by aid.
> 

For More Information:  http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/shemclas.html or contact Shemer Art Center

Experts revising psychiatry’s diagnostic manual have proposed eliminating Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, folding them into a single, broader diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The New York Times reports that the change is part of an effort to modernize the mental illness model as a continuum, with many degrees of severity.

To view link, please cut and paste in your browser:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03asperger.html?_r=2&ref=health

Saturday, November 14th @10am

Highlands Church

9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

480-348-9191

 Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 (attend either session) 

Light refreshments will be provided 

2 p.m. 6 p.m. 

Civic Center Library – 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

or

Via Linda Senior Center – 10440 E. Via Linda

For more information, please contact: Denise at (480) 312-2246 or dlabreque@scottsdaleaz.gov

Both will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The first is at 2 p.m. Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd;
the second at 6 p.m. at Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda.

Discussion items include access to public buildings, streets or parks; recreation opportunities, employment, city programs and events; and transportation.

Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, to RSVP, or request an accommodation, contact:
 
Denise Labrecque
ADA Coordinator
City of Scottsdale
7447 E. Indian School Rd., Ste. 125
Scottsdale AZ, 85251
One Civic Center, Ste 125
480-312-2246
480-312-4479 TTY
480-321-9107 FAX

• Dr. Catalani, Superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District
• Katy Cavanagh, Assistant Superintendent
• Lois Healey, Director of Special Education

This is a great opportunity to welcome Dr. Catalani to the District and hear his views on Special Education, while providing  him with insight into Special Education from your family’s perspective.

Date & Time:  Wednesday, October 21st, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Location:  Mohave District Annex, Room 202, 8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250-6768. (Coming from the west, the building is just past the ball fields, with a small parking lot in front of it. )

Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona

Conference Hall 1

5025 East Washington Street

Phoenix, Arizona

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

or

6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Details: Special Education Training for Parents

I’ve pulled out just a couple overviews to give you an idea of the types of training available.

• Sleep Issues  – This training focuses on quality of life issues involving sleep concerns. Families will develop an understanding of how to assess a sleep related problem and develop an appropriate intervention to establish good bedtime habits with their child so the entire family has restful nights.
• Desensitization Intervention for Sensory and Medical Issues – This training will provide an overview of systematic desensitization strategies in relation to reducing anxiety in individuals of any age with ASD to sensory stimuli such as vacuums and haircuts as well medical issues related to doctor visits. This training will also include video examples and tips on how to provide intervention.
• Decreasing Problem Behaviors & Increasing Appropriate Social Skills – Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) are essential to identifying the reasons behind difficult behaviors and to the development of effective behavior support plans. This presentation will detail information regarding the use of interviews, observation techniques, and data collection procedures necessary for effective assessments. Practice exercises will also be conducted to assist participants in the development and implementation of behavior support strategies.

SARRC Training Schedule – FALL 2009

• October 21st – Superintendent Dr. Catalani
• November 14th – Sibling Panel
• December – No meeting
• January 20th – IEP Panel
• February ** – Advocacy Panel
• March ** – Camp Fair
• April ** – Social Skills Workshop

** Dates to be announced.

The Scottsdale Parent Council has provided the following information for getting the word out on this important election:

Dear Parents and Friends of the SUSD Community -

I wanted to share with you this important message from Yes to Children, the campaign organization that supports the renewal of the SUSD K-3 Override. I hope you will join with me and all the board members of Scottsdale Parent Council in supporting this vital work.

Sincerely,
Anna-Marie Mars
President – Scottsdale Parent Council

Dear Parents and Supporters of Scottsdale schools,

The campaign season is in full swing! Yes to Children Committee members have been busy attending Back to School nights and parent group meetings throughout the district to share the message about the renewal of the SUSD K-3 Override with our parent community.

The effort to reach voters in our community will only be successful if we have parent volunteers like you at every campus to help us reach the voters in your school’s attendance area. We need to reach as many voters as possible with the message that renewing this almost 3.5 million dollars in funding, which is used to lower class sizes and provide academic support, is critical to maintaining strong public schools in our community.

Please continue reading to see the many ways you can help:

Volunteer to help with Neighbor to Neighbor contact. Yes to Children is a grassroots organization that depends on parents like you to join the effort and lend a hand. You are the most effective advocates for quality public schools with your friends and neighbors! Volunteer to walk your neighborhood or make phone calls to voters in your community by emailing Anna-Marie Mars, our Volunteer Coordinator. Please be sure to include the schools(s) your children attend in the reponse.

Donate to the effort. Simply log on to www.yestochildren.org and click the “Donate Now” button for secure online donations. Fundraising is harder than ever due to Arizona’s current economic conditions so make your voice count and help us raise the funds necessary to reach persuadable voters in the SUSD attendance area. We are asking everyone to give to their ability, no donation is too small and your generosity is much appreciated!

Place a sign in your yard. To request a sign, log on to the website and click the “I want to help” button or simply email Jeff Winkler.

Host a Neighborhood Event. Email Anna-Marie for more information.

Spread the word! Make the Override renewal a part of your conversation at the water cooler, Starbuck’s or while watching your kids play after school sports.

If you have questions or comments contact: Anna-Marie Mars at marshome@msn.com (480.231.0816) or Jeff Winkler at landshark94920@cox.net (602-618-7032)

Or go to: http://www.yestochildren.org  

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR KIDS!