Parent Information Relating to Special Education
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All these opportunities are online and FREE unless noted.
In most cases you must register if registration information is provided.
When other events become available they will be posted at: https://fairfaxcountysepta.org/upcoming-community-events/
Upcoming Community Events
Strategies to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home
Wed. Feb. 17, 6:30-8:00 pm, OR Fri. Feb. 19, 10:00-11:30 am
Help children develop social-emotional know-how with strategies for modeling skills, attitudes, and behaviors.
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetboVuw6VEpDliSVNpyOOxzYkPO1hgsRIg9C69K-iSLQRhcA/viewform
How Playfulness Can Help Us Use Change to Our Advantage
Wed. Feb. 17, 7-8 pm
Discover how a playful attitude helps us accept our mistakes and broaden our experiences as learners, parents, and educators.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3816073525535/WN_8D90J7A2Qxun9Tha0qXVXg
Teaching Your Children to Follow Directions
Thu. Feb. 18, 10:00-11:30 am, OR 6:30-8:00 pm
Parents are provided an instructional overview with strategies for supporting their children’s ability to follow directions.
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7nE1__FuKz0FJJjvlJo7pVXmL4nuH4JDbHonhGFmZnZVwSQ/viewform
Introduction to Autism and ABA
Thu. Feb. 18, 11 am
Gain a basic understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is a common therapy for autism.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jKZO1-dXT-iE-LM7ZD5vBw
Managing the Angry Child
Fri. Feb. 19, 10:00-11:30 am
Learn techniques to help K-8 children in managing their anger and ways to teach skills to help them do so.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtf-qvrDMrHNHCNa6LVAJqk47bUFJ3d8VC
SPAN Forum on Coping with Grief and Loss
Mon. Feb. 22, 6:00-7:30 pm
Learn about healthy ways to process loss and grief, including the loss of important rituals during the pandemic.
Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4913260479337285132
Building LGBTQ Awareness and Acceptance: A Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Family Sensitivity Training
Mon. Feb. 22 and (not or) Mon. Mar. 1, 6:30-8:00 pm
Learn how to provide vital emotional support to LGBTQ children and youth to decrease their vulnerability to depression and suicide.
Understanding Behavior: What are Children with ASD Communicating?
Wed. Feb. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm
Gain an expanded understanding for the possible reasons a child with ASD may be acting in a counter productive way, and how to respond.
Register: https://xminds.org/event-4123711
Lunch and Learn: Distance Learning for Students with ASD
Thu. Feb 25, noon
Explore a new tool for distance learning for students with ASD with both classroom and home setting supports.
Register: https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEuceuvrjoqHNdmNqoonbueYwquLM5AzB-W
12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD
Thu. Feb. 25, 1 pm, with replay link
Learn to provide unconditional support in the face of meltdowns, disorganization, and academic challenges.
Register: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/parenting-a-child-with-adhd/
Courageous Conversations: Creating a Safe Space in Our PTAs
Thu. Feb. 25, 7 pm
This is the 2nd in VAPTA’s series on diversity and inclusion. It will focus on antiracism in creating a safe space within the school community.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkfu2gqDMjEtCT2aMKWgHOFOVPxYje5xM_
Is it Over Yet? How to Help Your Child Cope with the Pandemic and the Eventual Return to Normalcy
Fri. Feb. 26, 10:00-11:30 am
Help children cope with general stress, uncertainty about the future, the continuation of virtual school, and loss of social interaction.
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBLpuNXYKizSchCBhAIgqzTsjFuIiulTp7_aDL0Lu6hkTIJg/viewform
Ongoing and On Demand
Dyslexia & the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP Is in Tip-Top Shape
Webinar, available 24/7
Access: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frehRL58UTs
Accommodations for Recreational Classes and Camps with Fairfax County Parks
Accommodations include physical accessibility, ASL interpreters, assistive devices, sensitivity training for classmates, and staff training.
To request accommodations, email gary.logue@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703 324-8563
Scholarships for Classes with Fairfax County Parks
Children of families that receive public assistance (medicaid, free school lunch, SNAP, TANF) are eligible to take one set of classes per quarter for a $15 registration fee.
Information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scholarships
NAMI Basics
This 6-session course is for adults who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms (including ADHD and ASD).
Register: https://publiccourseapi.nami.org/Learner/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training
Learn about special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests to measure progress and regression; SMART IEPs; and strategies for effective advocacy.
Info: https://www.wrightslaw.com/webex/law.adv.index.htm $50-$90
The Parent Playbook — 9 Module Online Course on Autism
From the VCU Autism Center for Excellence & Virginia Autism Council. An introduction on Autism Spectrum Disorder for families, including tips for caregivers, characteristics, interventions and recommended programs and services.
Access: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/courses/parent_playbook.cfm
Support Groups for Parents
All these support groups are open to newcomers, most are online, and they are free, except where noted. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are typically given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality is respected.
African American Culturally Focused Virtual Parent Café meets Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720
Alpha Moms This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean. Contact: robin4brady@gmail.com
Arlington Epilepsy Support Group, a list-serve, can be accessed at ARLepilepsy@googlegroups.com
Autism Dads meets one evening monthly. Contact: George Buzby at 571-419-1257 or gbuzby@aol.com
Autism Society of Northern Virginia Virtual Support Group 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 1:00-2:30 pm via Zoom. Meeting ID: 83085728013
Business Networking Event for Special Needs Parents
Alternate Fridays, May 29 and following, 9:00-10:30 am Via Zoom. Connect with fellow special needs parents and business owners, build your referral network, and share best practices. Contact: https://thearcofloudoun.org/networking/
Cafés Virtuales Para Padres: Miércoles de 7:00-8:30 pm. Regístrese con al menos 24 horas de anticipación: BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov o 703-324-7720
CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Alexandria CHADD Parent Support Group 4th Mon. of each month at 6:30 pm. Contact: Alyssa ADHDParentMountVernon@gmail.com or call 303-903-9972.
Loudoun County CHADD Parent Support 3rd Sun. evening of the month. Contact: Bonnie Little 571-306-2932 or on Facebook @loudounahdhsupport
West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact: Cathy, ocgreulich@aol.com
CSB Family Support Group at Gatlan Center 2nd and 4th Wed. of each month 6:00-7:30 pm via Zoom Contact: Samar.Chwairy@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-799-2882.
D.A.D.S. Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome 3rd Tue. each month, 7-9 pm via Zoom. Contact: George gbuzby@aol.com or call 703- 545-6089.
Dr. Dan’s Support Group for Parents Raising Challenging Children meets via Zoom on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Register: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eh2rnzqrk9vdghmb/a0179kbgrhnj1/questions
Fairfax Juvenile Court Parent Support for problems including runaway behavior, truancy, alcohol/drug abuse, and serious behavioral problems at home, at school, or in the community. Sign up for a phone consultation at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44abab29abf85-juvenile
Grupo de Chat para Padres: Unete a nuestro nuevo GRUPO DE CHAT mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podras mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino esta haciendo. Entra al GRUPO: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw (Chat Group for Latino Parents: Join our new CHAT GROUP through the WhatsApp application and you will be able to keep up to date with everything that PEATC Latino is doing.)
Kinship Café meets monthly on the 2nd Wed. 6:30-8:00 pm for those raising children of friends or relatives. Contact: 703-324-7720 or email buildingstrongerfamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness builds better lives for affected families. Arlington Parent Support Group meets two Sundays a month at 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact: Michelle Best mczero@yahoo.com
OCD Family Support Group meets the 1st Mon. of each month, 7:30 pm. Contact: ela.mike@verizon.net or call 202-215-5859
Parent Café (for all Fairfax County parents and guardians) meets via Zoom in English on Mon., 7:45-9:15 pm, and en español, miércoles, 7:00-8:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-7720
Parents in a Pandemic is for families of children or young adults with developmental and/or behavioral challenges. They meet twice monthly, 5:30-6:30 pm on Tuesdays. Contact Diane Manning dmonnig@thearcofnova.org .
Parents of Autistic Children (POAC-NOVA) Parent Support Group meets on Saturdays occasionally. Contact: Brianne Russel-Morris administrator@poac-nova.org .
REACH Parent Support Group meets monthly to support parents of individuals with developmental disabilities who also have mental health or behavioral issues. Contact: Dr. Pourmand mojgan.pourmand@eastersealsucp.com
Additional February Events
Recovery Services: What They Are and When Are They Appropriate?
Tue. Feb. 16, 7 pm
The presenter, “Hank” Millward of VDOE is a sibling, parent, and grandparent of individuals with a disability. He helps parents resolve special ed concerns.
What to Expect When You're Returning to School: How to Support Your Students
Mon. Feb 22, 7:30-9:00 pm
Whether your child is returning to on-site learning or remaining virtual, learn how to prepare for changes and how to provide help to your students.
I’m Determined: K-12
February 23, 6:30-7:30 pm
Learn why it’s important for students with disabilities to understand and possess self-determination skills from elementary school to adulthood.
Register: https://bit.ly/3a0pEPa
Overcoming COVID-19’s Impact on Your Student with Special Needs
Wed. Feb. 24, 7-8 pm
Explore topics like your child's progress and regression, compensatory education, and how to get your student's education back on track.
Register: https://www.varsitytutors.com/courses/star-wrightslaw-2/dp/eb5af52b-2d71-498b-a907-6fa8ba581188?
Becoming an Effective Communication Partner for Students Learning Language Using Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC)
Thu. Feb. 25, 6-7 pm, with closed captioning & multiple languages
Learn strategies for helping a student learn language through the use of an AAC device, including modeling and skills.
Register: https://forms.gle/KQPnKYJPxFRaVAE57
