Happy December from Partners for Success!

I googled, "How many holidays occur during December?"

I found several lists offering something to celebrate every single day in December!

So, whatever you are celebrating, may it be wonderful.

The holiday gatherings and activities can get overwhelming for everyone. For our neurodivergent kiddos, this is especially true. With my two autistic children, I have found the best way to enjoy the holidays is to follow their lead. They get socially exhausted pretty quickly. They get frustrated by unannounced changes to their routines. And generally, they feel the best if I plan only one activity/celebration every three days. I have to remember their brains are wired differently, and all the unusual sights, sounds, chats, hugs, smells, flavors, etc. are just mentally exhausting for them.

I have finally realized that if I plan our activities with these considerations in mind, not only do my autistic children have a wonderful time, so does the rest of the family.

Hopefully, this insight will help you plan your activities and celebrations to make it a December to remember.

Click here to check out the December newsletter from Parents' Place of Maryland to see lots of different strategies for managing the holidays with your special needs family members in mind.

Do you have questions about your student's education plan? Could you use some support?

Please remember we are here to help address any needs you have regarding special education and community resources.

What is “Partners for Success”?

Partners for Success centers are available to parents as a resource and information center. Specifically, we provide information about community services, assist families in resolving concerns, and increase parental involvement in the special education decision making process.

Where is Partners for Success Located?

Roye-Williams Elementary School

201 Oakington Road, Havre De Grace, MD 21078.

410-273-5579

e-mail: partners.success@hcps.org.

Office hours are usually Tuesday 9:30-3, and Thursday from 9:30-1:00, by appointment.

Partners for Success will be at the Edgewood Branch of the Harford County Public Library Wednesday, December 20, 5-7:30pm.

We will be providing resources about disabilities and community resources, as well as offering guidance about the special education process. Please come visit if you have any questions.

Please visit our information table at the following events:

Click on the image above to register for these webinars offered by Pathfinders for Autism

Click on the image below to register for the free LIVE webinar offered by ADDitude Magazine

FREE Webinars on ADHD from ADDitude Magazine

Click here to register or receive free recordings!

Growing on the Spectrum Harford County is a local support group for families of children with autism in Harford County. The group meets the fourth Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 8pm at 1305 Pulaski Hwy, Edgewood, MD 21040. Check out their Facebook page for more information and to connect with the group.

Don't miss out to enjoy the membership benefits below - become a member TODAY for only $15 a year, sign up here: ASBC's Membership Page

Family membership includes:

• Access to member-only social events
• Up to $100 per family per year to attend Autism related workshops and conferences provided by the Charles J. Fowler, Jr. Memorial Fund
• Access to ASBC grants and funding opportunities (for families living in Baltimore City and County)

Your membership helps the Autism Society of Baltimore Chesapeake:

• Connect people to valuable information and resources through our phone line, website, calendar and info@baltimoreautismsociety.org email
• Provide monthly groups like our virtual discussion groups for adults with Autism, and parents/caregivers
• Provide monthly socials for those in the Autism community

Not a member yet? Don't miss out - become a member TODAY, sign up here: ASBC's Membership Page

Did you know that AMC Theaters offers Sensory Friendly Film Showings? Just click on the image to find out more and reserve tickets!

We Rock the Spectrum in Forest Hill is a sensory gym providing a nurturing, fun, and sensory safe environment for kids/teens/adults of all abilities.

WRTS provides Open Play, Parties, Classes and Private Family/Friend Rentals to Forest Hill, Maryland and the surrounding area.

Achieving True Self offers Social Skills Groups in the Harford and Baltimore area for ages 2-21 utilizing ABA strategies. Groupings are arranged based on skills and age. All are welcome, regardless of diagnosis. Can email MDSocialSkills@achievingtrueself.com for further information."

Click the picture below to learn more!

Come to a Harford County SECAC meeting to…

• Learn how to advocate for your child;

• Attend presentations by outside professionals on topics that affect the special needs student such as Anxiety, IEP Development, Social Skills, Bullying, and Transitioning;

• Network with other parents/guardians and community service providers;

• Meet staff members from the Department of Special Education and other HCPS departments;

• Participate in discussions about how to enhance programming, services, and supports for students with disabilities;

• Provide input at Harford County SECAC Parent Forums on special education-related topics which will be shared with the HCPS Department of Special Education and Board of Education

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS:

Meetings usually occur the first Thursday of the month September through June from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Join us in January 4 to discuss what to do before, during, and after an IEP meeting. Join us as we meet via Zoom.

Follow SECAC on Facebook!

Parents' Place of Maryland will be offering their Coffee and Conversations starting again in January.

The Developmental Disabilities Association has launched a brand new easy-to-understand version of our Guide to Services! Now, anyone can access valuable information about the DDA and our services in a user-friendly format. Whether you're an individual with IDD or a caregiver supporting someone, this simplified guide is designed to ensure everyone can understand and navigate the process effectively. Download your copy from the DDA website.

Did you know that HCPS Parent Academy has started a monthly newsletter? It is chock full of information and resources for families. The newsletter will automatically be sent to all families within HCPS. If you missed it, click here to check out the latest issue of the Parent Connection.

Like the Parent Academy on Facebook!

Our Goal

"At Three Blessings Disabled Adventures, we offer fun outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy with their dis-ABLED family member. Our goal is to serve disabled individuals, affected by spinal cord injuries and amputations, who require the use of a wheelchair."

"We currently offer biking, white tail, sika deer, and turkey hunting. Adaptive kayaking will be coming soon. Future offerings will include fishing, camping, and accessible hiking."

Connect with Three Blessings Disabled Adventures by visiting their website.

Harford County Special Olympics offers opportunities to play soccer, basketball, flag football, swimming, track, tennis, golf, snowshoeing, and so much more! Check out their website for more information.

Athlete Sign-Up - Special Olympics Harford County Maryland (soharford.org)

Time to Unplug and Connect with Nature!

Click below for upcoming family events at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Abingdon!

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is proud to produce a new Parent Education Series focusing on Special Education. The four-part series focuses on Special Education Process, Parental Rights, Understanding the IEP, and Secondary Transition. An additional guide on the Alternate Education Framework was recently added and there are plans for further topics.

These are great resources with a lot of information for families. To explore all the publications, click here. Be sure to bookmark for future reference!

Resources from the Parents' Place of MD:

• Looking for information about evaluations? "Your Child's Evaluation" from the Center for Parent Information and Resources is super helpful and easy to read!

• Read to learn the purpose of evaluation, who is involved in evaluation, deciding if your child is eligible, developing your child's education program, and more!

• Don't know where to start with requesting accommodations and/or modifications for your child's IEP plan? Check out this list of common requests in our handy resource.

• What is the 5 Day Rule and How Does It Effect Me?

Are you prepared for the differences between HS and College? Here are two differences:

1. Some students may not know that there are no course modifications in college courses. Harford will not provide modifications to change the course content or performance expectations that would substantially alter the essential elements of the course. Students with disabilities are expected to demonstrate the same level of understanding of course material and meet the same minimum skill performance standards as all other students in the college class.

2. In high school, the IEP team plays a key role in providing recommendations and documentation for requested accommodations. Decisions about the accommodations provided in college classes will be determined by the college. High school IEP’s and 504 plans are not applied at the college level. The accommodations identified as reasonable, that provide equal access to course material according to the disability diagnosed and supporting documentation are applied. Consequently, students are encouraged to meet with the HCC Disability and Student Intervention Services (DSIS) before beginning the college courses in order to determine what reasonable accommodations will apply and what additional student support resources are available to all students. Students who wish to obtain accommodations for their classes must follow Disability and Student Intervention Services procedures. If the student needs more support, they should contact the High School Dual Enrollment Liaison to determine supplemental services for remediation.

If you have any questions, please contact our office by emailing us at disabilitysupport@harford.edu or by phone at 443-412-2402.

*Click the attachment below to view the electronic guide for prospective students.

See below for the HCPS Special Education Organizational Chart. As a reminder, Staff's email addresses are usually firstname.lastname@hcps.org.

Click the PDF below to learn more!

Take a look at the Fall episode of Ability in Focus. You can learn more about WE ROCK ON WHEELS, Bel Air Terps Cheerabilities, as well as the Annual Employment Luncheon where Student Workers of the year (Sofia Tumminello and Joshua Gaskins from Future Links and Jaleal Fitzgerald From EHS) were presented awards!

https://harfordmentalhealth.org/

This resource provides information regarding counseling and treatment for mental health and addiction. They also have a resource for youth and families.

Did you know Maryland Mobile Urgent Care services Harford County? Click here to learn more about services that can be provided in your own home as well as accepted insurances.

Click here for information on Fallston MOPS/MomsNext. Come find your "mom tribe!"

The Sharing Table provides a free meal every Saturday to anyone in need. This meal provides nourishment for senior citizens, families with children, and anyone having a hard time making it through the month. There are no requirements and no qualifications. All in need of a good meal are welcome. Each family that visits the Sharing Table also receives a bag of groceries to take home.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Sharing-Table-497601243752813/