The Connection

Most of our students are already counting down to spring break! Take some time to check out the information in this newsletter because there are things you definitely don't want to miss! Medicaid annual eligibility renewals are beginning again, so make sure Medicaid has your current info! We share the website below where you can easily do that!

The Family Connection SC Hopes & Dreams conference for parents and professionals is coming up. This is a great way to learn about and connect to resources that will benefit you and your family. April is Autism Awareness Month and check out some of the fun ways we are celebrating! And, of course, there is even more good info below so make sure you scroll all the way to the end!

We hope you'll take some time to read through these resources, and don't forget that if you need a question answered or just aren't sure where to turn, you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@f1s.org. She would love to connect with you!

Registration is OPEN for this year's Hopes and Dreams Conference!

Join Family Connection SC for an exciting in-person day of learning and networking. In addition to a keynote speaker, they will have workshops focused on mental and behavioral health, Medicaid, and education topics including preschool, accessing services, and post-high school transitions. We will also have exciting exhibitor tables highlighting information and services.

Keynote Speaker: Desmond Kelly, MD

Dr. Kelly is the Associate Dean for Research at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. He also serves as the Chief Medical Research Officer for the Health Sciences Center at Prisma Health-Upstate where he leads research development through engagement and support of clinical faculty in collaboration with HSC university partner researchers in transformative health research initiatives. He is the Associate Program Director for the DeLoache Fellowship in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics and Outreach Director for the South Carolina LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) Program.

Learn more about Dr. Kelly

Professionals and Students Registration Link

Families, Foster Parents, and Self Advocates Registration Link

Leanne from @parentingwithaba shares some great tips on Instagram about using visual strategies to help deal with some normal parenting frustrations. Check it out!

"On the way out the door to school, are you always asking your child where are their shoes? How about you put a picture of shoes on the back door and just point to it? Eventually you can stop pointing, and when they get to the door, they’ll see the reminder and can do it on their own. (…Eventually - we hope.😉)

Are your kids often asking you what activity they have after school? Is today dance day? Can we go to the library today? How many days ‘til karate? Make it all visual. Take that lovely, organized calendar you have on your phone and turn it into a kid-friendly version with pictures for your non-readers. Hang it somewhere they can see and just point in that direction when the “when?” questions start flying your way.

Visual reminders (prompts) and visual schedules are two simple visual strategies to lessen your load, decrease your nagging, promote child independence, and allow for more positive parent-child interactions. Win-win for all!"

Follow her on Instagram at @parentingwithaba or at her Parenting with ABA blog.

The vestibular system is a sensory system that creates the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance.

This blog post from The OT Toolbox is all about the Vestibular System, how it impacts us and ways we can support our students who may have sensory needs and benefit from vestibular sensory input.

"The vestibular system allows us to know where our body is in space, no matter the position or external input....It allows us to move from position to position. It allows us to move the body in a coordinated manner so that we are able to participate in functional tasks...The vestibular system enables balance, coordination, and motor planning during tasks, in familiar or unfamiliar spaces...To treat and address problems with vestibular sensory processing, activities should provide movement and resistance to movement. In these activities, it is essential that children have active participation...Vestibular stimulation is very powerful as a tool for self-soothing and focusing attention. Movement based input can impact attention or arousal levels. It can also calm the system."

Check out the graphic below to learn some ways to provide some fun and easy vestibular activities at home!

Attention Healthy Connections Medicaid Members!

Annual reviews for members will restart on April 1, 2023.

First, they will try to renew your eligibility with the info they already have. If they can, they’ll get a “continuation of benefits” notice. If they can’t, you will be mailed an annual review form. It’s very important they have your updated contact info!

There are three different ways you can update your contact and household details: online, over the phone or in-person.

Read more at www.scdhhs.gov/annualreviews ⁠

Camp Burnt Gin is a camp program for children who have physical disabilities and chronic illnesses. The camp, operated by SC DHEC, is a program within the Division of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).

The camp is located in Sumter county. There are online and printable applications and the deadline is April 15th for application submissions.

To learn more about Camp Burnt Gin.

This year we have selected Autism Awareness t-shirts that say “Everyone Stims”.

“Stimming” or Self-Stimulatory Behavior, is the repetition of physical movements, sounds or moving objects. Everyone engages in self-stimulatory behavior; it looks different for each one of us. Often, individuals with Autism engage in an increased intensity and/or quantity of these behaviors. Please check out the video below to hear more about stimming from Kaelynn Partlow. Kaelynn is an Autism therapist and advocate and has Autism herself. You can follow her on Instagram @kaelynnvp and on YouTube @Kaelynnism.

Some examples of stimming may include:

Neurotypical

• Nail biting

• Bouncing leg

• Twirling hair

• Clicking or tapping a pen

Neurodiverse

• Hand flapping

• Spinning

• Rocking

• Pacing

Calling all talent on the spectrum!

Join us for a virtual talent show for kids and teens with autism, where we showcase your unique gifts and talents!

Send your talent video by April 7!

Watch the talent show on Zoom on April 21st from 4-7pm!

A call for new and returning performers.

Last year Autism's Got Talent featured performances from more than 30 children and teenagers with autism throughout South Carolina.

Now, we're looking for more people to showcase their talents in our 2023 virtual talent show. Send us your talent videos by April 7, and tune in on April 21 to see the complete talent show broadcast on Zoom.

Register here: https://www.esdlabsc.com/autisms-got-talent

Call or text 803-766-6309 for more information.

Do you want to know what your student's school is offering for breakfast and lunch during the month of March? Find out here!

We would love to hear from you! If you have a question or comment you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at echapman@f1s.org or 843-292-1008 or visit the Parent Liaison website for helpful resources.

You also can contact us at exceptionalchildren@f1s.org or at 843-673-1161.

Email: exceptionalchildren@f1s.org
Website: f1s.org
Phone: (843) 673-1161