Special Needs Parenting in the Age of Pandemic

My autism led me to become a champion of outsiders

Now hiring: What autistic people need to succeed in the workplace

Ed Department Offers More Special Education Guidance Amid COVID-19

Family and Others Looking for Help!!!

NEW ISSUE! Flourishing Families 2020

Support for Special Needs Families during School Closures

Groups for children, teens and young adults enrolling now!

37th Annual Involved Exceptional Parents Day

Your Child's Education Comes First

Resources for COVID-19

MicroCurrent 4 Kids is Now a Nonprofit!!

Spring Break Intensive Private Swim Lessons for Students with Autism

Camp I CAN Opens Registration

I was on a ship that was headed out of the Gulf after three months of grueling summertime interdiction operations when 9/11 happened. We were extended indefinitely. For months, I spent six out of every 18 hours driving a ship. The other twelve were spent managing an engineering division and trying to find a few hours of sleep. We had no idea how long we would be there. It lasted three months longer than it was supposed to.

I went 103 days without stepping foot on land.

It sucked.

On my next deployment, my team was sent to the most remote part of Africa in which U.S. forces were operating. We were supposed to be there for three weeks. We ended up staying seven months. No internet. No running water. Just a cot, MRE's, a tent and an ongoing war with a troop of baboons who had staked out that territory a few hundred thousand years ago. Read on...

Charlotte Amelia Poe grew up knowing she was different. Now it's her mission - through her art and writing - to bring about change

For artist and writer Charlotte Amelia Poe, 30, every day feels like a walk across a frozen pond. "It's how it's always been," she explains. "You're trying to navigate it and stay safe, but you're aware that at any moment the ice is likely to crack, and at that point you will sink into the water."

The worst of it is that, when she feels that way, she has no idea how she can avoid going under. "You think you're doing fine and you're treading carefully enough not to crack the ice. But suddenly you've gone under. You've got it completely wrong - and you've no idea why."

Poe is describing how it feels to be autistic. She wants the rest of us to understand, she says, because it really matters, perhaps more than it's ever mattered (of which more later). Her mission to break open the mystery of how it feels to be autistic has already been impressively successful: last year she won the Spectrum art prize for her video piece How To Be Autistic and recently she wrote a book of the same name. Her hope is that, by opening up about her own journey through childhood, school and adolescence, she can change other people's perceptions and expectations about what autism is like, from the inside. Read on...

Autistic adults have more job opportunities than they used to, and a small neurodiverse workforce is thriving - but mainly at select companies that invest heavily in such employees.

Adrienne Rutledge graduated from college with a biology degree. She went on to earn a master's degree and then, in various short-lived and contract jobs, picked up programming and data processing, coveted skills in the marketplace. Still, she could not land a fulfilling full-time position. Rutledge is African American and has autism, and she had trouble making it past the interview stage.

When her contract job ended more than a year ago, she decided to boost her technical expertise and enrolled in a six-week data 'boot camp' with a nonprofit organization based in San Jose, California. She finally got a break when, in March 2019, she presented her project to an audience that included Hiren Shukla, who leads the accounting firm Ernst & Young's Neurodiversity Centers of Excellence. Shukla was so impressed with Rutledge, he immediately invited her to apply for a position in the company. Read on...

As schools across the nation shutter in response to coronavirus, federal officials are giving educators additional insight on how to handle the needs of students with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued a webinar and fact sheet this week for education leaders aimed at ensuring that students' civil rights are upheld while schools are closed due to COVID-19.

The webinar reminds school officials that distance learning must be accessible unless "equally effective alternate access is provided." Read on...

Do you receive SSI? Don't miss out on food benefits!
Beginning June 2019, many Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will become eligible for CalFresh Food Benefits.

There is NO CHANGE or reduction to SSI/SSP amounts. For more information Click, Call or Come in to your county office to apply and find out more.

Click GetCalFresh.org to apply online
Call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD)
Come in/find an office at CalFreshFood.org

San Diego Futures - I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of this organization because it can be a helpful resource to families in need of computers and other technology who may not have the resources they need to secure technology for their homes. If anyone needs a laptop or desktop and cannot afford one, please consider reaching out to this group. Desktops and laptops are available at VERY low prices for eligible families. https://sdfutures.org/for-individuals/

Can I ask your perspective on the Medi-Cal dentist scene in San Diego? Have you heard of any particular M-Cal dentists who are good with adults on the spectrum? Our son has always had his dental work done while he's "asleep" through anesthesia. He simply doesn't have the ability to cooperate--other than getting into the chair and getting through the anesthesia process. That's a challenge in itself but it's manageable. Thank you for your recommendations. Our son lives near SDSU so anything central would be great but we're willing to drive for great service. Thank you! -- Julie [email protected]

Hi Valerie, I am a teacher at Linda Vista Elementary and I built a Miller Method Elevated Square years ago to use with my students. I am no longer able to use it with my class because we no longer have a teacher to student ration that would support the program. I would like to give it to someone and feel like your newsletter may be a good way to offer it. The person who picks it up would need a truck. Georgeanne Gedney 619-244-2527

If you have a question or request for this newsletter group, please send your email request to [email protected]. People who can help you will email you directly with their responses.

We're excited to share with you our newly released 2020 issue which is the most comprehensive listing to date, with 1,200 special needs resources in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Use the guide to find service providers, research institutes, specialized doctors, resource providers, camps, therapists, advocates, associations and so much more.

Flourishing Families is available as a print magazine, a digital issue and on SNRFSD.org so you can access via your mobile phone.

In an effort to serve our families and communities better during this time of school closures, we are offering a weekly free Parent Support Group webinar on Sundays at 1p PST. Our hope is to have these weekly not only so we can provide tips on working with your child with special needs from home, but also to build a community so everyone feels supported and less isolated during this uncertain time period.

Our first week's topic is: We Survived Week 1 of Homeschooling, Now What? Pre-registration is required and we will be recording the webinar for those who cannot attend.

As a reminder, participants are encouraged to use only first names when entering the webinar. By participating in the webinar, you implicitly and explicitly assume responsibility for maintaining the confidentiality of you and your student. Advocacy Associates Inc. is not liable for any violation of confidentiality occurring during the webinar as your participation is voluntary. This is not a therapeutic support group.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Mar 22, 2020 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: We Survived Week 1 of Homeschooling: Now What?

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yQnABxLoSIGNSu3VXUbeiA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. http://www.advocacyassociatesinc.net

Wondering if your child might benefit from joining a group? Give us a call at 858-558-9552 to schedule a free consultation.

Social Communication Specialists
5703 Oberlin Dr., Ste 207
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 558-9552
[email protected]
https://socialcommunicationspecialists.com

Keynote Speaker, Kristin Wright, Director
Special Education Division, CA Department of Education Kristin Wright has spent more than a decade working in education with a focus special Education. Since December 2014, she has worked for the California State Board of Education. Kristin holds a CA Education Specialist Teaching Credential and a Masters in Special Education with a focus on students with moderate to severe disabilities. She is a former special education student teacher, and a mother of a child with disabilities.

Saturday, April 25, 2020
7:30a.m. to 3:00p.m.
Click here for all the info and to register!!!!

Your child is entitled to a "free and appropriate public education" or FAPE, whereby the school addresses all of your child's unique needs. A school district must provide your child with an appropriate education regardless of budget cuts, what's convenient, or what's available. Too often the school district offers a "one size fits all" program that fits within their needs, but not within the unique needs of your child. Ensuring that your child's education comes first means having the right team on your side. An effective team works cooperatively and collaboratively with the school district, using their knowledge, expertise and experience to foster quick and yet effective resolutions.

An Affordable Approach
Because of the "Attorney Fee Recovery" provision of the law, we often work with clients on limited incomes. Before concluding that you are unable to afford an attorney, call us for a free evaluation. Knowing your child's rights allows you the ability to direct the next step! Call for a free consultation: 858-945-6621

About Thomas S. Nelson
As a practicing attorney for over 25 years, Thomas S. Nelson takes great pride in helping special needs children through affordable advocacy and legal services. Through his advocacy and legal representation, Mr. Nelson helps children get the services they need. With a collaborative approach, Thomas brings years of experience to the table to ensure that all of your child's needs are met so they can reach their fullest potential.

The Special Education Advocacy & Law Offices of Thomas S. Nelson
16466 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 106
San Diego, California 92128
https://www.specialedlaw.us

Resources for COVID-19 for People with Developmental Disabilities & Their Families

Visit Our Coronavirus Resource Page

Microcurrent 4 Kids is now recognized by the IRS as a non-profit (501(c)(3)) corporation! This means that our innovative therapy program for Autism and other neuro-developmental conditions is now accessible to everyone -- regardless of their financial situation!

Previously our full 3-month program cost upwards of $3000. Understandably, this was unaffordable for many families. Our mission has always been to make a meaningful impact in the lives of kids and families affected by Autism, and so we made the decision to change our structure so that money is not a barrier for families in need to participate in our program.

Safer than Prescription Medication for Anxiety and ADHD/ADD and the Effects are Permanent!

FDA Approved Therapy for Anxiety!!!

MicroCurrent 4 Kids is San Diego's premiere microcurrent therapy program for children, teens and adults with special needs. Our program is the BEST therapy for Autism and ADHD/ADD, as you will see by the rapid improvement in your child's skills and abilities, because of how well it promotes developmental growth and couples with ALL other therapies.

MicroCurrent 4 Kids
4540 Kearny Villa Rd. Ste. 211
San Diego, CA 92123
858-367-9108
http://www.microcurrent4kids.com

March 30th - April 3rd, 2020
Boys and Girls Club
4635 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA. 92117

During the week of Spring Break, March 30th - April 3rd 2020, Aqua Pros Swim School will be providing a full week of private swim lessons for students with autism.

The swim lessons will be a half hour long each day Monday March 30th-Friday April 3rd. You will need to register a class time that you will be able to attend for the entire week.

The cost of the entire week is $125 Non-Members and $50 for current members of the Autism Society San Diego.

To register or if you have additional questions, please contact Aqua Pros Swim School at:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (619) 209-2990

Non-Refundable Fees are required at the time of registration. In addition, this is a special program and there will be no make-ups or refunds for missed classes.

Space is limited and registration must be completed by Thursday March 27th at 6PM.

We hope to see you at the pool!

Registration for Camp I CAN has begun. You can get more information and request registration forms here: Camp I CAN 2020