January 2009
CHADD Meeting Topic “Family Forum on AD/HD”
The next CHADD of Lee County meeting topic will be a forum for families on AD/HD. Participants will be divided into elementary, middle and high school groups for discussion, sharing and brainstorming. Parents are encouraged to bring their elementary, middle and high school students.
Lee Memorial Hospital Auditorium
2776 Cleveland Avenue
Fort Myers, FL
A New Look at Biting
This workshop from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida will focus on the developmental reasons why young children bite, and will offer acceptable and appropriate strategies on how to deal with children who bite chronically.
RCMA-Krome Center
551 W. Cowboy Way,
Labelle 33935
Redirection for 2’s: Songs and Finger Plays
Learn to use songs and fingers plays to help young children regain control and help redirect their challenging behaviors toward play in this training from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida.
United Way House
117 Fort Thompson Ave.
Labelle 33935
Transitions-Movement Without Mayhem
Learn helpful and useful strategies for transitions without confusion and chaos in this two-part series from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. This training will be presented by Ann Snyder and is appropriate for Early Childhood Teachers and Directors.
Early Learning Coalition of SWFL Office
5256 Summerlin Commons Blvd., Unit 201,
Ft Myers, 33907
No Surprise: Kids Need to Play, Blow Off Steam
As the pressures of NCLB accountability have caused schools to cut free time and recess — depriving children of exercise and socialization — unruly classrooms are the result, Reuters reports. A new study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine compared the behavior of 10,000 children aged eight and nine, finding that children who had at least a 15-minute break during the school day had superior classroom behavior. The report, which was published in the journal Pediatrics, states that “recess may play an important role in the learning, social development, and health of children in elementary school.” The research team added that lack of free time had implications for the obesity epidemic, and raised concerns “in light of evidence that many children from disadvantaged backgrounds are not free to roam their neighborhoods or even their own yards unless they are accompanied by adults,” the team said. “For many of these children, recess periods may be the only opportunity for them to practice their social skills with other children.” Continue reading this article at http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE50P0PK20090126. To view the report from Albert Einstein College please visit http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/short/123/2/431.
PIP Applications
The Florida Developmental Disability Council is currently accepting applications from interested people for the 2008 Partners in Policymaking (PIP) Class! PIP is a leadership and advocacy training program that teaches self-advocates and parents to be community leaders and how to obtain best available services for themselves and others. The program is open to a limited number of people so apply today! Application deadline is March 1st, 2008.
Listening: A Nice Basic Set of Reminders About this Very Important Skill Set
This new flash video created by the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) introduces the critical skill of listening and helps viewers recognize its importance and value. Viewers will better understand the skills involved in effective listening and its role in communication and problem solving. To view the video, please follow http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/listening.cfm.
Health Care Transition Services Task Force
The final report of the Health Care Transition Services Task Force for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities, Ensuring Successful Transition from Pediatric to Adult Health Care includes recommendations for improving transition from pediatric to adult health care for youth and young adults with disabilities in three areas: financing and structure, services and models of care, and education and training. This report is available at http://www.healthcaretransition.org/Updates.html.
RtI Website Announcement
The Florida Response to Intervention (RtI) Web site provides a central, comprehensive location for Florida-specific information and resources that promote schoolwide practices to ensure highest possible student achievement in both academic and behavioral pursuits. The Web site includes breaking news related to RtI, a description of Florida’s model, partnerships, contacts, resources, the statewide plan, and a direct link to on-line professional development. Please visit the site at http://www.florida-rti.org/index.htm.
Updated Contact Lists Online
The Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services contact lists, including links to district program contact personnel, special projects, state agencies, and colleges and universities for 2009 have been added to the BEESS Web site at http://www.fldoe.org/ese/dir-home.asp.
