FND PEN is hosting a virtual Mini Topical Conference with Central Florida Autism Community on Thursday February 17th, 2022 at 8.00pm on Zoom (Register in advance).

We will present 3 topics and each workshop will be 30 minutes.

1. Connecting Across All Differences 8:00-8:30pm

Time and time again we learn that the old ways of “me against you” conversations do not serve us well. This training provides you with practical tools for having a constructive dialogue with your child’s school, agency representatives, and anyone working with your child. Using collaborative communication tools will help to promote partnerships and strong relationships. Join us and learn how to get what you want out of a conversation by asking for a new way.

2. Nuts & Bolts of Self-determination Skill Building 8:35-9.05pm

Students who have self-determination skills have a stronger chance of being successful by addressing the need for self-determination skills among adolescents, including some of the major components of self-determination which are: knowledge of self and others, personal management, effective communication, self-advocacy, and Advocacy within systems, decision-making, goal setting & problem-solving. These experiences help a young person test his or her strengths as a self-advocate. Adult outcomes for the students were assessed using a scale completed by parents.

3. Supported Decision-Making 9.10-9.40pm

Imagine having your capacity to make decisions, sign contracts, vote, defend your rights in court, or choose medical treatments taken away simply because you have a disability. For many persons with disabilities, this is a fact of life, and the consequences can be grave. When individuals lack the legal capacity to act, they are not only robbed of their right to equal recognition before the law, they are also robbed of their ability to defend and enjoy other human rights. Guardians and tutors acting on behalf of persons with disabilities sometimes fail to act in the interests of the individual they are representing; worse, they sometimes abuse their positions of authority, violating the rights of others.

Soren Richardson is the Assistant Program Director for the Parent Education Network, a project under the Family Network on Disabilities (FND). Soren has completed Florida Partners in Policymaking and Pete’s Wrightslaw workshops. Soren has been involved with the public school system and IEPs for over 5 years and enjoys educating parents how to navigate the special education process. Soren lives in Central Florida with her husband and son. Soren was born and raised in Aruba and speaks four languages (English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamento).

Ally is the Program Director for the Parent Education Network. Collectively the PEN Team has over 60 years of experience with all aspects of disability from medical diagnosis, early intervention to school eligibility - IDEA/IEP, inclusion in school & community setting, navigating Transition and Post Secondary options to living independently, and much much more … our goal is to share our experience, strength and hope through informal storytelling of raising our children with a wide range of disabilities & family dynamics.

Upcoming webinars:

March 17: Positive Behavior Intervention Support

April 21: Procedural Safeguards

Past webinars:

September 29, 2021: FND Overview

October 20, 2021: IEP that works/SMART Goals

December 16, 2021: Transition to Kindergarten

January 20, 2022: Diploma Pathways