Autism Society Western New York

Region 1 Self-Direction Information Session
2021-03-25 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
“Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, hobbies and favorite activities. Having a choice is what Self-Direction is all about. You will get to pick your own activities, staff and schedule when you self-direct.
“Self-Direction may be right for you if you can make your own decisions (or have someone to help you do so) and if you want more responsibility, flexible supports and services. Anyone who is eligible for OPWDD services and enrolled in the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver can choose to self-direct their services.
“Although the process may seem complicated at first, you will get help at every step. First, you can attend a Self-Direction information session at a nearby Developmental Disabilities Regional Office (DDRO). You will meet with a team of people whom you choose, (your Circle of Support) and they will help you select your services and put together a budget. Your Circle of Support can include family and close friends, your Care Manager, a Support Broker and staff who know you well. You will talk about what you want from life and make it a reality.
“Self-Direction is flexible. You can change things in your plan when you want something different. You can always switch back to a more traditional model of supports if Self-Direction doesn’t suit you.”
(The above description was taken from http://opwdd.ny.gov/types-services/self-direction.)
NOTE: At this time, meetings are conducted virtually.
Attendance is taken using the email address logging in for the session. People cannot receive credit just by calling in.
**People who are unable to access a WebEx session should contact their SD Liaison for a phone session.
Registration is required. Register through WebEx link.
https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee6796eea3829610ee3c2e618b4a513a5

Webinar: Loss, Grief, and Adjustment for Parents of Children with Special Needs
2021-03-25 18:00 - 19:15
Please join Maryalice Fegeley, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents the webinar Loss, Grief, and Adjustment for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Powerful and intense feelings are natural and common responses to parenting a child with exceptional needs. This training will provide an overview of common emotions experienced by parents and discuss how by sharing and acknowledging these emotions parents can find the inner strength needed to face and embrace their role as a parent of a child with special needs. Contact Tina Beauparlant at 518-381-4350 with any questions.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8945707279594250766

Free ABLEnow Webinar
2021-03-29 12:00 - 13:00
More independence, greater financial security and a better quality of life – that’s the future ABLEnow is building. Join ABLEnow for a free information session to discover the advantages of ABLE accounts and the national ABLEnow program. In just one hour, we’ll cover the answers to these questions, and more:
• What are ABLE accounts?
• Who is eligible?
• How can I use the money in an ABLE account?
• What are the features and benefits of the ABLEnow program?
• How can I learn more and open an account?
For more information on ABLEnow, please visit able-now.com.
Registration is open for a free information session on Monday, March 29, at 12 noon ET. This webinar will cover the advantages of ABLE accounts and the ABLEnow program.
REGISTER: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1879474802521859595

“What is Section 504?” - Webinar
2021-03-29 13:00 - 14:30
Please join Trish Washburn, Education Specialist, for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents a webinar on What is Section 504?
This training will introduce you to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This training is designed to provide you with an understanding of the law, how it applies to educational programs and to students with disabilities. Children who qualify under this law receive services and/ or accommodations in the public-school system without being classified under IDEA/IDEIA and their school district’s Committee on Special Education.
If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member, or just interested in this topic, then this training is for you!
If you have questions, please call Tina Beauparlant (518) 381-4350.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8530927514733255438

Peer Experiences and Behavioral Challenges - Webinar
2021-03-31 13:00 - 14:00
Learn about the connection between peer experiences and behavioral challenges some individuals with autism may experience during adolescence.
REGISTER: https://www.autism.org/peers-and-behavior/
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Somer Bishop, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Her research and clinical interests are focused on ASD symptom manifestations in individuals of different ages and levels of ability, as well as on differentiating between ASD and other developmental disabilities across the lifespan.

A Family’s Guide to Student-Led IEPs via Zoom
2021-04-01 15:00 - 17:00
Get your child involved in planning for his/her future!
Students who participate in their own Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings often know more about their own disability, rights, goals, and accommodations. Through this participation, students have the opportunity to practice many skills that will help facilitate their independence, their ability to overcome obstacles and lead more self-determined lives.
REGISTER: https://parentnetworkwny.org/event/a-familys-guide-to-student-led-ieps/
CTLE credits available.

Webinar: A Guide for Families to Understanding Supports & Services Administered by OPWDD
2021-04-06 17:30 - 19:00
Please join Maryalice Fegeley, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents the webinar A Guide for Families to Understanding Supports & Services Administered by OPWDD. The purpose of this training is to introduce families to the language of service delivery systems and to define and clarify information about services and supports. Participants will gain an increased awareness and understanding of eligibility criteria and the eligibility determination process. The training includes an overview of Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC), Home and Community Based Services Waiver, and Family Support Services. Contact Maryalice Fegeley at 716-427-5140 with any questions.
Online Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7946535983458051084

Is Guardianship the only Option? An overview of Guardianship and the Many Alternatives - Webinar
2021-04-07 13:00 - 14:45
Come join Tina Beauparlant, Regional Manager / Education Specialist as we explore: Is Guardianship the only Option? An overview of Guardianship and the Many Alternatives
Let’s face it nothing keeps parents up at night more than thinking about who will care for our child/children when we are no longer able to care for them. This workshop will increase the knowledge of families of individuals with disabilities about the options besides legal guardianship for adults with disabilities. If your adult child does not need full guardianship, there are other options that we will explore in this presentation. We will also discuss guardianship and the legal requirements.
Contact Tina Beauparlant for more details (518) 381-4350 or tbeauparlant@ptopnys.org.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2000301235782330126

Communicating Through Letter Writing - Webinar
2021-04-12 13:00 - 14:15
Please join Trish Washburn, Education Specialist, Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents a webinar on Communicating Through Letter Writing.
Letter writing can be a very effective method of communication and advocacy for parents of children with disabilities. This training assists parents, guardians, grandparents how to clearly and effectively express concerns, ideas or suggestions to the professionals involved in their child’s special education program.
If you have question’s, contact: Tina Beauparlant Phone: (518) 381-4350.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4060945452656109840

How to Prepare for a Successful CSE Meeting - Webinar
2021-04-14 13:00 - 14:15
This training is to help parents, who approach IEP meetings with fear and dread. If this is you, attended this training and there may be some suggestions to help you feel more at ease and able to participate as a full member of the team that plans your child’s special education program.
If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member, or just interested in this topic, then this training is for you!
If you have questions, please contact: Tina Beauparlant (518) 381-4350.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/707076547148622096

Webinar: When You Are Considering a Developmental Evaluation for Your Child: A Parent’s Perspective
2021-04-14 17:30 - 18:45
Please join Maryalice Fegeley, Regional Coordinator for Parent-2-Parent of NYS as she presents the webinar: When You Are Considering a Developmental Evaluation for Your Child: A Parent’s Perspective to Assist Your Visit. This webinar provides an overview of the parent’s perspective when planning for a child’s developmental evaluation. This webinar will not be looking at specific tests or types of evaluations. Instead, we want to share some tips and potential suggestions that we have learned based on our own personal experiences when our children were evaluated. We hope that this provides you with information and ideas when planning for your own child’s evaluation. Contact Tina Beauparlant at 518-381-4350 with any questions.
Online Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7378354553842063629

Guidelines for Determining the Need for a One-to-One Aide & the Role the Aide Plays - Webinar
2021-04-15 16:00 - 17:30
Please join Tina Beauparlant, Regional Manager / Education Specialist, Parent to Parent of NYS as she presents this wonderful webinar: Guidelines for Determining the Need for a One-to-One Aide & the Role the Aide Plays.
Let’s explore what the IEP team needs to considering, supplemental aids, services and program modifications for all students with disabilities. A key question for the IEP team is to consider whether the student with a disability does or does not require one-to-one support to make meaningful progress toward annual goals in the IEP in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
If you have questions, please call Tina Beauparlant (518) 381-4350.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8843914494756088332

How to Support Your Child's Vocabulary via Zoom
2021-04-17 09:00 - 10:30
Are you having trouble supporting your child with remote learning or assignments? Learn how your child is taught vocabulary so you can support them at home with remote learning or simply with assignments. This session will provide families with the basics of how vocabulary is efficiently learned!
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
email: info@parentnetworkwny.org | call: 716.332.4170
REGISTER: https://parentnetworkwny.org/event/how-to-support-your-childs-vocabulary/

Mindfulness Webinar
2021-04-17 09:00 - 10:30
Mindfulness Webinar
Led by Sabrina Vogler, Mindfulness Coach
Saturday, April 17th from 9:00AM – 10:30AM
The overwhelming demands of parenting takes its toll on our mood, our energy levels, and how we show up for our children. Sabrina Vogler from Heart in the Moment Mindfulness Coaching will offer on-the-spot mindfulness tools for crafting inner calm, comfort, and mental clarity when emotionally triggered.
Register Here: https://redcap.urmc.rochester.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=AJKFN88X4R

ABLEnow Information Session - Webinar
2021-04-20 14:00 - 15:00
More independence, greater financial security and a better quality of life – that’s the future ABLEnow is building. Join ABLEnow for a free information session to discover the advantages of ABLE accounts and the national ABLEnow program. In just one hour, we’ll cover the answers to these questions, and more:
• What are ABLE accounts?
• Who is eligible?
• How can I use the money in an ABLE account?
• What are the features and benefits of the ABLEnow program?
• How can I learn more and open an account?
For more information on ABLEnow, please visit able-now.com.
Registration is open for a free information session on Tuesday, April 20 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. This webinar will cover the advantages of ABLE accounts and the ABLEnow program.
REGISTER: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2367981222887046672

Webinar: Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs
2021-04-20 17:30 - 19:00
Please join Maryalice Fegeley, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents the webinar Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Extraordinary parenting responsibilities create extraordinary pressures on parents. At the same time, parenting a child with special needs requires energy, focus, and enthusiasm to be effective in our role. The better off we are emotionally and physically, the better off our families will be. Join us for this webinar on Preventing Parent Burnout and discover positive ways to cope with and effectively manage stress.
Contact Tina Beauparlant at 518-381-4350 with any questions.
Online Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2242706164723013900

Understanding the Regulation of the Commissioner of Education Part 200 Students with Disabilities - Webinar
2021-04-21 12:00 - 13:45
Please join Tina Beauparlant, Regional Manager / Education Specialist, for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents a webinar on Understanding the Regulation of the Commissioner of Education Part 200 Students with Disabilities.
This training will take you through the NYS Special Education Regulations step by step. Parents will learn the role they play on the CSE, learn the chain of command regarding the CSE, learn how to request information regarding your child’s IEP and gain an understanding how to communicate with your child’s teachers & administrators. After this webinar, parents will have more knowledge about the educational laws to advocate for their child/children.
If you have questions, contact: Tina Beauparlant. at (518) 381-4350.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3206818431920979214

Coping with Transitions During the Pandemic - Webinar
2021-04-21 13:00 - 14:00
Learn coping and goal setting strategies for navigating transitions between schools, jobs, and high school to adulthood during the challenges of COVID-19.
REGISTER: https://www.autism.org/transitions-during-pandemic/

Webinar: Education Records Organizer
2021-04-22 12:00 - 13:15
Please join Dodie Daniels, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents the webinar Education Records Organizer. This workshop is where parents, guardians and advocates of children who receive 504 and special education services take their educational records and organize them into a record-keeping binder. This workshop will assist in being more organized in planning a child’s education, and in the CPSE/CSE process.
Contact Tina Beauparlant with questions at 518-381-4350.
Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6143075230048761611

Mindfulness Course - Virtual Three Week Class
2021-04-22 16:00 - 17:00
Mindfulness Course
Taught by Kaylin McCarthy of Mindful Tradition
Virtual 4PM – 5PM on Thursdays April 22, 29th and May 6th
This FREE course is designed for elementary-aged (grades 1-6) children of all abilities and their caregivers. They will share tools for de escalation during times of stress and strategies for how to help avoid similar situations in the future. Each class will include exercises with instruction, the opportunity to practice exercises, space for questions and answers, and digital handouts.

Week 1: Creating safe environments with a focus on breath work and taking space.
Week 2: Learning to identify stressors and finding a mindful meditation practice.
Week 3: Setting up for success: practicing proactive tools to use before entering stressful situations.

Register Here: https://redcap.urmc.rochester.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=CL7AF4MLJN

What are Effective Advocacy Skills- webinar
2021-04-28 17:00 - 18:15
Please join Tina Beauparlant, Education Specialist, Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents a webinar on What are Effective Advocacy Skills. Not everyone starts out by being a good advocate. Many parents, guardians and grandparents have faced challenges in getting their child’s education needs met. Parents, guardians, grandparents, must learn the skills they need to become good advocates for their children. Participants will learn that communicating effectively with teachers and other school personnel is one of the best ways to ensure that your child’s school is creating a good learning environment for your child, and to ensure that your child’s school is providing your child with the services or programs that he or she needs to succeed in school.
If you have questions, please contact: Tina Beauparlant (518) 381-4350.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6021988212469386766

Neurodiversity in Education and Employment - Webinar
2021-05-05 13:00 - 14:00
Learn strategies developed at the Stanford Neurodiversity Project for raising awareness of neurodiversity through education, service, research and advocacy.
REGISTER: https://www.autism.org/neurodiversity-education-employment/

Toilet Training and Other Difficult Topics via Zoom
2021-05-06 18:00 - 19:00
Buffalo SEPAC and Comprehensive Behavioral Supports (CBS) Presents: Toilet Training and Other Difficult Topics featuring Tobey Lass, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA-NY via Zoom webinar on May 6, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
CBS is looking forward to servicing families in the Buffalo area.
Sign up for SEPAC Parent Workshop 5/6/2021 (google.com)

Webinar: Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
2021-05-12 12:00 - 13:30
Please join Dianne O’Connor, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS as she presents the webinar Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Children prenatally exposed to alcohol become adults with FASD. Understanding that the permanent brain damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure may be the reasons individuals with FASD fail in school, treatment, in the workforce, and with relationships, can help us to form strategies that may work and help the individual have a successful, happy life.
This webinar will give a brief overview of FASD, identify some of the challenges of raising an individual with FASD over the lifespan and look at strategies that could be useful when living or working with them.
Contact Tina Beauparlant with questions at 518-381-4350.
Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/236813225960998157

Webinar: Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs
2021-05-18 12:00 - 13:30
Please join Tina Beauparlant, Regional Program Manager / Education Specialist for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents the webinar Preventing Parent Burnout for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Extraordinary parenting responsibilities create extraordinary pressures on parents. At the same time, parenting a child with special needs requires energy, focus, and enthusiasm to be effective in our role. The better off we are emotionally and physically, the better off our families will be. Join us for this webinar on Preventing Parent Burnout and discover positive ways to cope with and effectively manage stress.
Contact Maryalice Fegeley at 716-427-5140 with any questions.
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7621601710198411532

Research Updates on Maternal Autoantibodies and ASD - Webinar
2021-05-19 13:00 - 14:00
Tune in to hear Judy Van de Water, Ph.D. describe recent research using machine learning to identify several patterns of maternal autoantibodies highly associated with the diagnosis and severity of autism.

Free certificates of participation are available upon successful completion of a brief knowledge quiz after the webinar. The quiz will be added to this page once the event has concluded.

About the speaker:

Dr. Van de Water joined the faculty in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of California, Davis in 1999. In 2000, she also joined the faculty of the newly formed UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute when she began her research on the immunobiology of autism. Dr. Van de Water’s laboratory pursues research programs pertaining to autoimmune and clinical immune-based disorders including the biological aspects of autism spectrum disorders. The application of Dr. Van de Water’s immunopathology background has been instrumental in the dissection of the immune anomalies noted in some individuals with autism, and in the differentiation of various autism behavioral phenotypes at a biological level. Most notable of these is the investigation of the maternal immune system as it relates to autism spectrum disorders, with particular emphasis on the presence of highly specific maternal autoantibodies to fetal brain proteins. Dr. Van de Water’s seminal work in this area has led to a highly specific biomarker of autism risk as well as three patents leading to the commercialization of this technology. Dr. Van de Water is currently the Director of the NIEHS funded Center for Children’s Environmental Health at UC Davis, investigating potential environmental risk factors contributing to the incidence and severity of childhood autism.

Register: https://www.autism.org/maternal-antibodies-asd/

Webinar: Education Records Organizer
2021-05-20 17:30 - 18:45
Please join Dodie Daniels, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents the webinar Education Records Organizer. This workshop is where parents, guardians and advocates of children who receive 504 and special education services take their educational records and organize them into a record-keeping binder. This workshop will assist in being more organized in planning a child’s education, and in the CPSE/CSE process.
Contact Tina Beauparlant with questions at 518-381-4350.
Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/691330442163326219

Webinar: Loss, Grief, and Adjustment for Parents of Children with Special Needs
2021-05-26 17:30 - 18:45
Please join Dianne O’Connor, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents the webinar Loss, Grief, and Adjustment for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Powerful and intense feelings are natural and common responses to parenting a child with exceptional needs. This training will provide an overview of common emotions experienced by parents and discuss how by sharing and acknowledging these emotions parents can find the inner strength needed to face and embrace their role as a parent of a child with special needs.
Contact Tina Beauparlant at 518-381-4350 with any questions.
Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5635425214034836236

Webinar: NYS Autism Insurance Reform
2021-05-27 12:00 - 13:15
Parent to Parent of NYS presents the webinar: NYS Autism Insurance Reform presented by Lin Perry, Project Director for Family to Family Healthcare Information Center. Autism Insurance Reform legislation became effective in 2013, however aspects of the bill, related to Applied Behavioral Analysis, are still being worked on within the NYS government. This webinar will address the overall legislation, who it assists, and how, and will also give an update on the current status of the ABA portion of the legislation.
Contact Tina Beauparlant at 518-381-4350 or email tbeauparlant@ptopnys.org with any questions.
Click here to register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4245402825954637069

Speak-Up! Skills for Effective Advocacy & How to Prepare for Meetings via Zoom
2021-05-27 18:00 - 20:00
This workshop is for parents, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities who participate in various meetings with professionals throughout a school year. The class will provide you with tips on how to be prepared and organized. You will learn how to be a powerful advocate (someone who speaks up).
REGISTER: https://parentnetworkwny.org/event/speak-up-skills-for-effective-advocacy-how-to-prepare-for-meetings-2/
