| Thursday, April 12, 2012 |
 6:00pm to 7:30pm | Transtion to Adult Life (Training)
|
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
PEAL Center Training coming up.......Transition to Adult Life
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sample Bullying Letter to Submit to School
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Date:
Principal’s Name
Name of Your Child’s School
School Address
Dear Principal:
I am the parent of ____________________________.
My child is being bullied and/or harassed in school (Explain what is happening to your child in
detail, including who was involved, what happened and when and where it happened, how many
times it has happened, any physical injuries and if applicable, who witnessed the incident.)
This bullying and/or harassment is affecting my child in the area of (list whether the harassment
and/or bullying is causing your child’s grades to slip, is causing your child to miss school, is
causing your child to need counseling, etc.).
I want this bullying and/or harassment to end. My proposed solution to this problem is (here are
some examples of solutions you can request from the school: bullying/violence prevention
programs, school therapists, guidance counselors, training of school personnel, etc.)
If your child is a special education student you should request an IEP meeting. If your
child receives a 504 plan or service agreement you should request a 504 plan or service
agreement meeting. If your child has a disability and does not have an IEP or a 504 plan
or service agreement you should request a meeting. (This request for a meeting will enable
you to tell the school what is happening)
I appreciate your assistance in this matter. Kindly respond to the concerns listed above in
writing.
Sincerely,
Your Name
cc: Superintendent
KEEP A COPY OF THIS LETTER FOR YOUR FILE.
ASD Friendly Counselng Services
ASD Friendly Counseling Services
Adults:
Russell R. Johnson PHD
Phone: 412-422-5001
Windham & Leibovich
412.561.0411
Pgh PA 15220
Dr. Art Merrell
Positive Pathways LLC
412-894-8222
Larry Newman (teens, adults, tantrum, toileting, pain)
412.421.3720
Dr. Amanda Pelphrey
412.841.9116 (moon twp.)
Teens
Melissa M. Kuban, M.S.Ed
Psychological Associates, Inc.
4284 Route 8
Allison Park , PA 15101
412-486-2948
Marie Kitay 412.369.4285
Isaly Counseling Associates
Isaly Counseling Associates
1 Third Avenue
Crystal Alexander Freyvogel
412.721.6521
Dan Marston
12320 Rt. 30. N. Huntingdon 15642, 724.433.5467
Aprilynn Artz (Merck Clinic)
412.235.5445
Ralph Wilps 412-825-5444, cell 412.303.8073
Mary Alice Olson 14 and up.
724.940.1730
The Stern Center
877.626.9941
Cassandra Wong, Merck Clinic, adults, teens, family, 412.235.5445
Paula Kauffman Oberly… paulakauffmanoberly@gmail.com
Family Counseling
Lisa McDonough, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Individual, Couple, and Family Psychotherapy
1380 Old Freeport road, Suite 2B
Phone: 412-963-9220
Fax: 412-963-9115
Alicia Bisaha, MA, NCC, LPC adults, family, teens
412.398.0658
Kathleen Reilly, Ph.D.
412.802.7000
Bullying STEPS and LINKS
If your child is receiving special education, he or she may have additional rights. If your child’s learning has been hindered because of bullying and/or harassment, his or her right to a Free Appropriate public education may be violated. This is true even if the harassment and/or bullying is not focused primarily on your child’s disability. The school district must offer your child a special education program that allows him or her to make reasonable progress towards their academic and behavioral goals.
What to do if Your Child with a Disability is Being Bullied or Harassed:
Your school district is responsible for taking reasonable steps to see that the school is safe for your child --
· The first step is to contact the teacher to see if the problem can be resolved.
· If the harassment is severe or the teacher is unable to fix the problem promptly, it is important to contact the school leaders such as the principal and the superintendent in writing to explain what is happening to your child.
Remember: Always request that the district’s response to your letter be in writing and don’t forget to keep a copy of your letter for your records. Click here to find a sample letter to write and a guide on how to document the bullying and/or harassment your child is receiving.
It is recommended that you attach the Office of Civil Rights’ letter to your letter before you give it to your school. The Office of Civil Rights’ letter reminds school districts of the laws that prohibit bullying and disability harassment. This letter can be found at --
In addition to your letter, you should also request your school’s anti- harassment grievance policy. (Some districts have it in the student handbook). Once you receive the grievance policy you can file a complaint with the district concerning the harassment your child is experiencing.
If the district fails to remedy the situation, you can also send a complaint to the Division of Compliance of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The “Complaint Form” can be found at the following website --
DOC complaints should be sent to:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Special Education
Division of Compliance Monitoring and Planning
For assistance on filing a DOC complaint, please call DRN at 215-238-8070.
Parents can also file complaints with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission at --
Parents can file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights at --
Resources Regarding Bullying and Harassment
The Education Law Center
The TASC fact sheet concerning Bullying and Harassment includes definitions, OCR Rulings, and case law on disability harassment and bullying.
For more case law on bullying and harassment, see –
· Case law regarding bullying and disability harassment (Warwick (PA) 48 IDELR 19)
· Chapter 15 regulations on disability discrimination and the complaint process. (Parents should focus on Sections 15.8 and 15.10).
Chapter 15 regulations can be found at --
Websites:
For students:
For parents/teachers:
For Advocates:
February 2012 Support meeting notes
2/22/2012
Location:
Beaver Memorial Library
2/22/20126pm to 8pm
Speakers:
- Extended School Year SUMMER CAMP for Beaver County at the Community College of Beaver County in Monaca, PA
John Goberish, Manager, Continuing Education
724-480-3450
Diane K, Loverich, Program Specialist
724-480-3451
This camp is possible through a partnership with several Beaver County School Districts, the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit and the Community College of Beaver County.
This is their seventh year for the program.
It is an inclusive setting with trained staff for ASD students.
- Judy Pamer, Disability Advocate from Achieva, presented What is Your Vision For Your Child's Future?
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http://achieva.info/services.jsp?pageId=2161392240601292853981536
- ACHIEVA WEBINARS AVAILABLE ONLINE
- SPECIFIC TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING PRESENTATION THAT HAD MORE QUESTIONS
- SEX AND SEXUALALITY - HOW TO ADDRESS THIS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN MIND
- ESY - It's More Than Summer School Presented by Amy Guthrie, ACHIEVA Disability Advocate - June 9, 2009
- Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs): What Special Education Advocates Need to Know and ESY Considerations Presented by Steve C. Imber, Ph.D., President of Psychoeducational Consultants and Professor of Special Education at Rhode Island College. - June 6, 2009
- MORE EDUCATION WEBINARS CAN BE FOUND AT
- Tammy Rose, Family Partnership Support Specialist shared information on the Glade Run Lutheran Services 2012 Summer Specialized Adventures Camp. Designed for children 8 to 18 identified with moderate to high functioningnautism spectrum disorders.
Two camp attending options - Also available under ESY with certain school districts
June 11 - June 29 9:00am to 3:00pm - $1000.00 a camper
July 30- August 12 9:00am to 3:00pm - $1000.00 a camper
Registration required call; 724-452-4453 ext 1236
www.gladerun.org/adventures
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Beaver County Dads 4 Special Kids
We are a group of Dads from Beaver County that have a child/children with special needs in our lives. We provide an on-line private Facebook page to share information and pose discussions coupled with meeting once a month locally.
We encouarge an enviroment of support to those who are striving to improve, enrich, understand, and who are determined to provide their best to their child with special needs.
We encouarge an enviroment of support to those who are striving to improve, enrich, understand, and who are determined to provide their best to their child with special needs.
Our next meeting is Wendesday, March 14, 2012 at the Quaker Steak & Lube at 5:30PM
Please visit and join our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/234679336617092/
To RSVP, please contact Todd Nichols
724-991-0830
or join our FB page and let us know online.
To RSVP, please contact Todd Nichols
724-991-0830
or join our FB page and let us know online.
The Response I received from the American Psyc Assoc to my letter about DSM-V proposed changes
Dear concerned respondent to the DSM-5 Autism proposal:
Thank you for contacting the American Psychiatric Association with your thoughts about the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) proposed for DSM-5. We at APA have been and will continue to be advocates for a full range of services for people with autism and all other neurodevelopmental disorders. We understand the devastating impact that discontinuation of services can have on patients and families. We also recognize that services are determined not just by a diagnosis but also by the severity of symptoms and needs in areas such as education, social skills, activities of daily living, and maintaining personal safety. Even if an individual's diagnosis changes, this does not invalidate the treatments and other services that have worked for him/her, and these services should be continued based on need.
The new proposed criteria for ASD in the DSM are intended to improve the accuracy of diagnosing the disorders currently known as autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. The proposal is based on years of accumulated clinical, epidemiological, and neuroscience research which was thoroughly examined by the members of the DSM-5 work group on Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Most of the work group members are also clinicians who see patients with these disorders, and the proposal was developed with clinicians and their patients in mind.
There are clinical and scientific reasons for improving the accuracy of diagnoses. All patients should have an accurate diagnosis based on the most up-to-date clinical and scientific knowledge available. A more accurate diagnosis will help clinicians and other service providers target available treatments and rehabilitation methods for their patients. In addition, it is important to note that patients whose symptoms no longer meet diagnostic criteria for the DSM-5 ASD diagnosis will very likely meet the criteria for one or more other diagnoses-for example, a communication disorder, for which interventions are available. From a scientific standpoint, more accurate diagnoses will also help guide research into the causes of the neurodevelopmental disorders and the development of new treatments. An informative article written by a work group member, Dr. Francesca Happé, on the changes to Asperger's disorder can be found on the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative website: http://sfari.org/
We are hopeful that continuing advances in research, diagnosis and treatment will help us devise better ways to treat autism and to reduce the devastating effect it has on individuals and families. We invite you to visit the DSM-5 Web site at www.dsm5.org where further information on ASD is available under the "Proposed Revisions" tab. This Web site will be revised and opened for public comment for a third a final time late this spring. Once again, thank you for your input.
David Kupfer, M.D.
Chair, DSM-5 Task Force
Thank you for contacting the American Psychiatric Association with your thoughts about the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) proposed for DSM-5. We at APA have been and will continue to be advocates for a full range of services for people with autism and all other neurodevelopmental disorders. We understand the devastating impact that discontinuation of services can have on patients and families. We also recognize that services are determined not just by a diagnosis but also by the severity of symptoms and needs in areas such as education, social skills, activities of daily living, and maintaining personal safety. Even if an individual's diagnosis changes, this does not invalidate the treatments and other services that have worked for him/her, and these services should be continued based on need.
The new proposed criteria for ASD in the DSM are intended to improve the accuracy of diagnosing the disorders currently known as autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. The proposal is based on years of accumulated clinical, epidemiological, and neuroscience research which was thoroughly examined by the members of the DSM-5 work group on Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Most of the work group members are also clinicians who see patients with these disorders, and the proposal was developed with clinicians and their patients in mind.
There are clinical and scientific reasons for improving the accuracy of diagnoses. All patients should have an accurate diagnosis based on the most up-to-date clinical and scientific knowledge available. A more accurate diagnosis will help clinicians and other service providers target available treatments and rehabilitation methods for their patients. In addition, it is important to note that patients whose symptoms no longer meet diagnostic criteria for the DSM-5 ASD diagnosis will very likely meet the criteria for one or more other diagnoses-for example, a communication disorder, for which interventions are available. From a scientific standpoint, more accurate diagnoses will also help guide research into the causes of the neurodevelopmental disorders and the development of new treatments. An informative article written by a work group member, Dr. Francesca Happé, on the changes to Asperger's disorder can be found on the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative website: http://sfari.org/
We are hopeful that continuing advances in research, diagnosis and treatment will help us devise better ways to treat autism and to reduce the devastating effect it has on individuals and families. We invite you to visit the DSM-5 Web site at www.dsm5.org where further information on ASD is available under the "Proposed Revisions" tab. This Web site will be revised and opened for public comment for a third a final time late this spring. Once again, thank you for your input.
David Kupfer, M.D.
Chair, DSM-5 Task Force
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