Autism Society Western New York

Online Discussion Group- Parents who have a child or adult in a Residential placement via Zoom
2023-08-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
For families with children and adults of all ages that currently have children in residential school or a group home. Come join Parent to Parent NYS for an hour of support and conversation.
REGISTER HERE.

The Link WNY’s Family & Caregiver Group via Zoom
2023-08-14 18:30 - 20:00, 2023-09-11 18:30 - 20:00
Are you a parent of a child with disabilities or do you suspect they have a disability?
Do you want to…
– Feel less overwhelmed?
– Feel a sense of belonging?

Get the support you need from Parent Network of WNY, Empower and other group members!
Discuss topics such as Special Education, Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and more!
REGISTER ONCE FOR MONTHLY EMAIL REMINDERS AND ZOOM MEETING LINKS! REGISTER

Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
MEET THE HOSTS
Kim Newton, 20 years experience working with special needs families,
Nicole LaMonte-DeGolier, parent of child with special needs, and
Erin Reisdorf, Parent of child with special needs.
Download flyer

Education Records Organizer - webinar
2023-08-15 11:00 - 12:00
Please join Barb Hoffman, Regional Coordinator, Parent to Parent of NYS as she presents this wonderful webinar.
This workshop is where parents, guardians and advocates of children who receive 504, CPSE and CSE 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.
If you have any questions, please contact Tina Beauparlant (518) 381-4350.
REGISTER HERE.

Chautauqua County Family & Caregiver Support Group via Zoom
2023-08-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2023-09-19 12:00 - 13:00
Receive Support – Connect with Others – Express Yourself
Free Support for parents, family members and caregivers of children with special needs.
MEET THE HOSTS
Marcia Restivo, 23 years of experience working with special needs families
Laurie Reynolds, parent of child with special needs
REGISTER ONCE FOR MONTHLY EMAIL REMINDERS AND ZOOM MEETING LINKS! REGISTER
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org

Download Flyer

FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES - English
2023-08-16 17:00 - 19:00
ATTEND A FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
The OPWDD Front Door Information Sessions outline the process of how you can become eligible for supports and services, the types of supports and services available and where you can go to get assistance.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 5:00 pm (English)
Registration link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r32d8499d90d5ea9d717b5b1f9b5e753b
If you need assistance, please contact Karen Francisco at 518-388-0431 or email Karen.Francisco@opwdd.ny.gov.
All sessions are presently offered remotely by WebEx. The session length is two hours.
Upcoming Front Door Information Sessions can be found on the OPWDD website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/get-started/information-sessions.
Registration for a session is required. Once you have found the date and time that works best for you, please click the link to register for the session.
All Regional Offices offer translation services for the language that best fits your needs. If you require a session in a language other than English, Spanish or Chinese, including American Sign Language (ASL), please contact your local Front Door Office. Front Door contact numbers may be found on the OPWDD Website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/contact-us#access-services-through-front-door.

FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES - English
2023-08-21 16:00 - 18:00
ATTEND A FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
The OPWDD Front Door Information Sessions outline the process of how you can become eligible for supports and services, the types of supports and services available and where you can go to get assistance.
Monday, August 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm (English)
Registration link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/rf18fdd6709e5f5fc4285e98f70f542e1
If you need assistance, please contact Erin Caglioti at 631-416-3943 or erin.a.caglioti@opwdd.ny.gov.
All sessions are presently offered remotely by WebEx. The session length is two hours.
Upcoming Front Door Information Sessions can be found on the OPWDD website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/get-started/information-sessions.
Registration for a session is required. Once you have found the date and time that works best for you, please click the link to register for the session.
All Regional Offices offer translation services for the language that best fits your needs. If you require a session in a language other than English, Spanish or Chinese, including American Sign Language (ASL), please contact your local Front Door Office. Front Door contact numbers may be found on the OPWDD Website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/contact-us#access-services-through-front-door.

Key Ingredients For the Start of a Successful School Year!
2023-08-21 18:00 - 19:30
Please join Tina Beauparlant, Regional Manager / Education Specialist, Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents Key Ingredients For the Start of a Successful School Year!
Moving from one school year to the next can be challenging for families and school team members. Join us for a FREE online class to learn strategies to help promote a seamless transition and lay the groundwork for a positive start to the new school year. We’ll help you prioritize the information to share with your child’s team and how to encourage a positive start to the school year.
Register here.

Key Ingredients for the Start of a Successful School Year! via Zoom
2023-08-23 10:00 - 11:15
Please join Tina Beauparlant, Regional Manager / Education Specialist, Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents Key Ingredients for the Start of a Successful School Year! Moving from one school year to the next can be challenging for families and school team members. Join Parent to Parent NYS for a FREE online class to learn strategies to help promote a seamless transition and lay the groundwork for a positive start to the new school year. They will help you prioritize the information to share with your child’s team and how to encourage a positive start to the school year.
REGISTER HERE.

Getting Started with the Residential Process: Tips, Tricks, and Information - webinar
2023-08-23 12:00 - 13:30
Please join Sharon Linne, Regional Coordinator, Parent to Parent of NYS, as she presents a webinar on Getting Started with the Residential Process: Tips, Tricks, and Information.
Where Do I Begin?
The process of pursuing residential placement can be overwhelming. This presentation will help you organize your needs, preferences, and documents to help you navigate the process.
REGISTER HERE.

ROCK AUTISM MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023
2023-08-27 16:30 - 22:00 | The Backlot Entertainment Venue, 11891 Main St., Clarence, NY, 14001, United States
Rock Autism Music Festival is back! Join them for a captivating day filled with music, film, and the incredible performances of their Rock Autism students. Be part of this memorable experience as they showcase their talent on stage and capture the magic on film throughout the day.

Rock Autism is a non-profit organization empowering youth and adults with autism with the skills to build a craft in the creative arts and carve out a career path. At Rock Autism, their goal is to contribute to the professional development and growth of every person across the spectrum. They teach their students the basic fundamentals of music production, film production, acting, photography, social media content and more while giving them the chance to achieve marketable talents after graduation.

DATE: Sunday, August 27, 2023
VENUE: The Backlot Entertainment Venue
LOCATION: 11891 Main St, Clarence, NY 14001
DOORS OPEN: 4:30 pm

PERFORMANCES
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
DJ Wildfire – Jordan Caruso – Mitchell Law

6:30 p.m.
Max & Sonny Muscato – performing select songs from their musical “Sonnyboy”

8:00 p.m.
Red Not Chili Peppers

Entire day filmed by Rock Autism students.
To learn more, get involved or donate visit: http://www.rockautism.org

Rock Autism Music Festival Tickets
General Admission: $12.71 (incl. $2.71 Fee)
VIP Admission: $39.47 (incl. $4.47 Fee)
Sales end on Aug 27, 2023.

Pain, Sensory Issues and Autism - webinar
2023-08-30 13:00 - 14:00
From sensory and pain behavior to neurophysiology: quantitative and qualitative studies in autism.
Presented by:
Dr. Tami Bar-Shalita’s research focuses on understanding sensory processing including pain as a predisposing factor or a contributing factor in various health conditions. She received her undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy and her Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After Postdoctoral training at the University of Southern California, she joined Tel Aviv University, where she is now a senior lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, heading the graduate program as well as the Sensory Integration Lab.
Dr. Yelena Granovsky is a research neurophysiologist. Her research interests addressing a wide range of mechanisms underlying pain and modalities of pain treatment. She utilizes advanced neurophysiological and behavioral tools for identification of pain biomarkers. Dr. Granovsky received her M.Sc-PhD degree in Medical Sciences from the Technion. After Postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan, she joined the research team in the Lab of Clinical Neurophysiology in Rambam Health Care Campus and Technion Medical Faculty, where she is now a senior lecturer.
Dr. Eynat Gal is an associate professor and the co-director of the Autism research in the Occupational Therapy department at University of Haifa. Her research is dedicated to children, adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Prof. Gal has authored numerous articles and book chapters, and she is the co-editor of the book “Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors and Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders: from neurology to behavior” (Springer, 2021).
REGISTER here.

Let’s Take a Crash Course on Understanding how to Read an IEP - webinar
2023-08-31 18:00 - 20:00
Please join Namita Modasra, Education Advocate for this training on Let’s Take a Crash Course on Understanding how to Read your Child’s IEP. Does your child have an IEP (Individualized Education Program)? We’ll walk through the different sections of the IEP and discuss how to advocate for supports to make sure the IEP reflects your child’s abilities and needs. Because states and local school systems may include additional information, forms differ from state to state and may vary between school systems within a state. The IEP, Individualized Education Program, is a written document that’s developed for each public-school child who is eligible for special education. The IEP is created through a team effort and reviewed at least once a year. This training will teach you how to read the IEP so you can understand what should and can be in the IEP. If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member or guardian then this training is for you!
REGISTER HERE.

FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES - English
2023-09-01 09:00 - 11:00
ATTEND A FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
The OPWDD Front Door Information Sessions outline the process of how you can become eligible for supports and services, the types of supports and services available and where you can go to get assistance.
Friday, September 1, 2023 at 9:00 am (English)
Registration link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r852a3cf80f82360fbdf03481e3aee87c
If you need assistance, please contact Richard Labonte at 585-241-5842 or Richard.S.Labonte@opwdd.ny.gov.
All sessions are presently offered remotely by WebEx. The session length is two hours.
Upcoming Front Door Information Sessions can be found on the OPWDD website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/get-started/information-sessions.
Registration for a session is required. Once you have found the date and time that works best for you, please click the link to register for the session.
All Regional Offices offer translation services for the language that best fits your needs. If you require a session in a language other than English, Spanish or Chinese, including American Sign Language (ASL), please contact your local Front Door Office. Front Door contact numbers may be found on the OPWDD Website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/contact-us#access-services-through-front-door.

FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES - Spanish
2023-09-05 16:00 - 18:00
ATTEND A FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
The OPWDD Front Door Information Sessions outline the process of how you can become eligible for supports and services, the types of supports and services available and where you can go to get assistance.
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 4:00 pm (Spanish)
Registration link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r27b9bf0659c5e42a825506084b55cbf5
If you need assistance, please contact Clara Fournier at 718-430-0761 or clara.fournier@opwdd.ny.gov.
All sessions are presently offered remotely by WebEx. The session length is two hours.
Upcoming Front Door Information Sessions can be found on the OPWDD website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/get-started/information-sessions.
Registration for a session is required. Once you have found the date and time that works best for you, please click the link to register for the session.
All Regional Offices offer translation services for the language that best fits your needs. If you require a session in a language other than English, Spanish or Chinese, including American Sign Language (ASL), please contact your local Front Door Office. Front Door contact numbers may be found on the OPWDD Website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/contact-us#access-services-through-front-door.

What Is A NY ABLE Account? via Zoom
2023-09-05 19:00 - 20:00
The NY ABLE Program is a tax-advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities and their families to save for their current or long-term needs while maintaining their ability to benefit from federal programs such as SSI, SSDI and Medicaid.
This program offers multiple investment options including a checking account and debit card option allowing individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence and have quick and easy access to their own money.
PRESENTER
Jenna McClosky, Outreach Coordinator NY ABLE & 529 College Savings Program, Office of the State Comptroller
REGISTER TODAY! FREE EVENT!
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
Download Flyer
REGISTER HERE.

Examining the Transition to Adulthood in Autism: Challenges and Opportunities in the Aim of Thriving - webinar
2023-09-06 13:00 - 14:00
Results from a study that focused on transition to adulthood in Autism will be presented, including considerations for advancing service access and navigation, employment support, and post-secondary education access for Autistic adults. Recent findings addressing post-pandemic capacity-building in these areas will be offered.

This is a joint presentation by ARI and the World Autism Organization.
Presented by:
David Nicholas, PhD is a Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. He has been engaged in the Autism community for many years and has been involved in multiple studies and capacity building initiatives addressing transition, employment and post-secondary education. His research addresses quality of life, disability rights and pathways to thriving for Autistic youth and adults. His work has been presented worldwide, with over 200 peer reviewed publications. Dr. Nicholas has received numerous awards for scholarship impact and teaching excellence, and he is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
REGISTER HERE.

Au-Some Evenings at Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Children's Museum
2023-09-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Explore & More – The Ralph C Wilson Jr. Children’s Museum, 130 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Once a month, Au-Some Evenings give children with autism and sensory processing needs, their friends and family an opportunity to play and learn together in an understanding and supportive environment. In addition to a fun night of play with access to the museum space and exhibits, we have special programming for families! The evening features themed Art Studio projects, sensory exploration in our Tinkering Tank, therapy animals from the SPCA and student volunteers from SUNY Buffalo State’s Exceptional Education program. Parent outreach materials including links for social stories, child development resources and play tips are always available. We even provide small giveaways or snacks in the lobby, at the end of the night to help with the transition of leaving the museum. We look forward to having you join us!
To register for the next Au-Some Evening please complete the form, here!

Special thanks to the Exceptional Education department from SUNY Buffalo State for providing volunteers who help support children and families develop language skills, promote social interactions, and facilitate learning through play. Au-Some Evenings was created in 2012 and presented in partnership with: Kathy Doody, Professor in Exceptional Education, and Jana Mertz, The Arc Erie County.

Click here to download our Au-Some Evening flyer!

Questions? Email accessibility@exploreandmore.org.
SPACE IS LIMITED!

FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES - English
2023-09-13 12:00 - 14:00
ATTEND A FRONT DOOR INFORMATION SESSION TO LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
The OPWDD Front Door Information Sessions outline the process of how you can become eligible for supports and services, the types of supports and services available and where you can go to get assistance.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 12:00 pm (English)
Registration link: https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/ra69402500a29a91bbb6ff7391470e332
If you need assistance, please contact Shannon Alford 315-793-9600 ext. 614 or Shannon.m.alford@opwdd.ny.gov.
All sessions are presently offered remotely by WebEx. The session length is two hours.
Upcoming Front Door Information Sessions can be found on the OPWDD website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/get-started/information-sessions.
Registration for a session is required. Once you have found the date and time that works best for you, please click the link to register for the session.
All Regional Offices offer translation services for the language that best fits your needs. If you require a session in a language other than English, Spanish or Chinese, including American Sign Language (ASL), please contact your local Front Door Office. Front Door contact numbers may be found on the OPWDD Website here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/contact-us#access-services-through-front-door.

Screen Time and Social Engagement - webinar
2023-09-13 13:00 - 14:00
Learn about emerging research on the impact of screen time on social engagement of autistic children during early childhood development.

The speaker:
Dr. Karen Heffler, MD is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry in the Drexel University College of Medicine. She has over 35 years of experience in the medical field. Her research interests include investigating how early screen media exposure may impact developmental delays, including autism.
REGISTER here.

What is an Individualized Education Program for Families of Preschool Student via Zoom
2023-09-13 13:00 - 15:00
Learn about the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) process, your role in the process, and identify the different components of the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Discuss how to develop relationships and practices that build home-school collaboration and support your child.
REGISTER TODAY! FREE EVENT!
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
Download Flyer
REGISTER HERE.

NEW GROUP- Parent to Parent of NYS- Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) virtual Parent Group and learning series via Zoom
2023-09-13 19:00 - 20:30
Are you a BIPOC Parent of a child with special needs of any age? (BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) Like you, I understand the realities of parenting our children with special needs while walking that tightrope of living on the margins struggling to be seen! Let’s address the high pressure reality on us as BIPOC parents so we may begin to re-energize ourselves, re-focus on what’s most important, and re-up our enthusiasm to increase our effectiveness in our roles. As we share our paths forward together, the better off we will be for our journey ahead, emotionally and physically, and the better off our families will be. Join me, Melanie Baker, for an honest conversation as we consider where we have been, where we are now, so that we may see our way forward.
REGISTER HERE.

A Guide for Families to Understanding Supports & Services Administered by OPWDD - webinar
2023-09-14 11:30 - 13:00
Please join Parent to Parent of NYS, Sharon Linne, Regional Coordinator, as she presents on 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 Home and Community Based Services Waiver, and Family Support Services.
REGISTER here.

Loss, Grief, and Adjustment for Parents of Children with Special Needs - webinar
2023-09-18 19:00 - 20:00
Please join Parent to Parent of NYS, Dodie Daniels, Regional Coordinator, as she presents on 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.

REGISTER HERE

What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education - webinar
2023-09-19 12:00 - 13:15
Please join Tina Beauparlant for this training on What Does Advocacy Mean in Special Education. 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 communicate 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 are a Parent, Grandparent, Family Member or just interested in this topic then this training is for you!
REGISTER HERE.

How To Protect My Child’s Future Through Guardianship, Wills & Trusts via Zoom
2023-09-19 18:00 - 20:00
How to Protect My Child’s Future Through Guardianship, Wills & Trusts
Planning for the future is especially important when you have a child with a disability. This workshop provides parents or caregivers with an overview of things to think about: guardianship, wills, and trusts.
The workshop will help you to understand your options as you begin to think about plans for your special needs child.
*Certificate of completion available upon request*
REGISTER HERE! FREE EVENT!
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
Download Flyer

Parent to Parent of NYS- Parents Considering a Residential Placement Discussion Group via Zoom
2023-09-19 19:00 - 20:00
For families with children and adults who have not yet placed but are considering a placement in a residential school or a group home. Join Parent to Parent NYS as they talk about the issues and emotions that we experience when making the difficult decision of residential placement.
REGISTER HERE.

Social Media Use and Autism – Teens and Adults - webinar
2023-09-20 13:00 - 14:00
Learn research updates on the impact of social media use on teens and adults with autism.
The speaker:
Dr. Wisniewski is an Associate Professor in Human-Computer Interaction and a Flowers Faculty Fellow in Engineering. Her work lies at the intersection of Social Computing and Privacy. She is an expert in the interplay between social media, privacy, and online safety for adolescents. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and won multiple best papers (top 1%) and best paper honorable mentions (top 5%) at ACM SIGCHI conferences. She has been awarded $4.72 million in external grant funding, including the NSF CAREER Award, and her research has been featured by popular news media outlets, including ABC News, NPR, Psychology Today, and U.S. News and World Report. She is an ACM Senior Member and the first and only computer scientist to be selected as a William T. Grant Scholar.
REGISTER HERE.

Special Education101: A Parent Member - Please note that this is a 2-part training.
2023-09-20 18:00 - 19:00
Please note that this is a 2-part training!
Part 1 must be completed online in order to receive the zoom link for this session.
Part 1: Online videos& activities – Complete at least 1 day prior to Live Zoom Session.
Part 2: Wednesday, September 20th from 6 pm – 7 pm Live Zoom Session
Learn about the Special Education Process and the Individualized Education Program!

Gain understanding about procedures, NYS regulations, and strategies to promote a parent’s understanding and participation in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting.
This course is required to receive a Parent Member Certificate to support a parent of a child with a disability in an IEP meeting.

*Certificate of completion available upon request*
Register here for this free event.
Call: 716-332-4170 | Email: info@parentnetworkwny.org
Download Flyer
