April is Autism Awareness Month |
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“There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child CAN DO instead of what he can not do.”
– Dr. Temple Grandin
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Save the Date for MPACT's One Step At A Time
Webinar Series April 11-15th at 10 am daily
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Resources from MPACT about Autism:
MPACT provides tools that help parents understand what autism is and is not, identify the early signs of ASD, navigate the process of requesting an educational evaluation, understand how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act impacts educational and related services, and assure access to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment in becoming the best advocate for their child.
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Missouri Eligibility Criteria for Autism Fact Sheet Click HERE
Early Signs of Autism Fact Sheet
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Video: Missouri Eligibility Criteria for Autism |
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The Office of Autism Services (OAS) was established in 2008 (633.225 RSMo) to provide leadership in program development for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. OAS is committed to supporting the independence and self-sufficiency of individuals with autism by leading collaborative efforts to improve system supports for individuals with autism and their families.
Do you need help locating area ASD resources? Click HERE to view the Missouri Department of Mental Health's autism resource sheet.
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Autism Navigator, as mentioned in the Center for Parent Information and Resources Article dated April 4, 2019, is a unique collection of web-based tools and courses that integrate the most current research in autism with an interactive web platform and lots of video footage showing effective evidence-based practices. It’s intended for professionals as well as families.
Families can start with the short video About Autism in Toddlers (you have to register first, but it’s free) to learn more about diagnostic features of autism,
the importance of early detection and intervention, and current information on causes. Close-captioning is available in English and Spanish.
Enter the Autism Navigator collection HERE
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The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Autism page has information including eligibility criteria, instructional/intervention strategies, and state and parent resources. Click HERE to view.
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CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is the only collaborative network to track the number and characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in multiple communities in the United States. CDC encourages partners to use information from ADDM in their local communities and across the country to move forward initiatives, policies, and research that help children and families living with ASD.
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Support for Military Families with Children with Autism |
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Military sources indicate that more than 20,000 military dependents, the majority of them children, have some form of autism. Their families face all the emotions and challenges that accompany having a child diagnosed with autism, compounded by the realities of military service: war, extended family separation, frequent moves, varying access to specialized healthcare, and other stressors that complicate and often work against effective treatment for children with autism. This Guide and Operation Autism, its companion website, are designed for these families.
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Get Involved: ORGANIZATIONS ADVANCING JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM:
These are some of the organizations at the forefront of youth justice reform. These organizations explore alternative visions for how our country responds to youth misbehavior. The following are advocates for replacing a culture of surveillance, punishment and confinement with more effective responses when young people violate the law, even in serious and violent ways.
Click HERE to learn more!
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Check out this video from RISE for Youth: A nonpartisan organization committed to dismantling the youth prison model and ensuring every space that impacts a young person’s life encourages growth and success.
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Seeking Input from Families about Inclusive Technology |
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CAST researchers as part of the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) project in collaboration with research intern Angel Morgan from North Carolina State University are conducting a study about ways in which school district leaders, school leaders, teachers, and service providers involve families of students with disabilities in planning, implementing, and using technology.
Family members of a K-12 student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan who attends a public school in the United States are invited to participate in a survey to share their thoughts. Survey participants may enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card and volunteer to participate in a Focus Group to provide more detailed feedback. For more information (English & Spanish) and a link to the survey, visit https://bit.ly/3L6j8Hp.
Questions? Contact Angel Morgan, email: amorgan@cast.org
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Sign up for #MO-YLF by April 15, 2022! |
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The Forum is a unique career leadership training program for individuals with disabilities ages 16-21. Participants are selected from their local communities to cultivate leadership, citizenship, social and career development skills during the leadership conference.
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Recursos en Español Para Sus Familias |
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(English version: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined)
This 24-page article examines how developing biological systems in the body interact with each other and adapt to the contexts in which a child is developing—for better or for worse—with lifelong consequences for physical and mental health.
This 3-pager is a condensed version of the above resource and highlights its key points.
(English version: How Early Childhood Experiences Affect Lifelong Health and Learning)
For those who prefer videos as a way to access information, this 5-minute video illuminates how early childhood experiences can impact health and learning.
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Families First Early Intervention Program |
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Families First is a free early intervention program serving families of deaf and hard of hearing children from birth through age 8 who live anywhere in Missouri. Services involve an assigned Families First parent advisor to educate, support, and coach parents on a variety of topics unique to children with hearing impairments. These support services are based on the nationally recognized SKI*HI curriculum and include but are not limited to the following topics:
· understanding the audiology process and amplification systems
· exploring various communication methodologies
· impact of the hearing impairment on the child’s developmental skills
· milestones and language assessments
· through coaching, families learn and utilize language and communication strategies to utilize in their home and natural routines
Please email or call the Resource Center at 573-592-2543 for further information.
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Spring and Summer Camp Opportunities* |
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Check out these various virtual and in-person camps, specially designed for children, youth, and adults with varying abilities offered in Missouri:
Camp Barnabas- Camp Barnabas is a unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses, along with their families.
Camp Hickory Hill- Camp Hickory Hill sustains a community, culture, and medically sound program of support for persons with diabetes, especially children, using our camp environment to foster education, self-reliance, confidence, an active lifestyle, and skill in the successful management of diabetes.
Camp Wonderland- Wonderland Camp offers programs for campers ages 6 to 106! People with all types of abilities and challenges are welcomed, and staff helps adapt all our activities and events to meet campers’ needs.
Camp Rainbow- The Camp Rainbow Foundation provides free camp experiences and programs for children and families affected by childhood cancer and blood-related diseases.
Camp Quality USA- Camp Quality serves children with cancer and their families by providing year-round programs, experiences, and companionship, at no cost.
Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis- Annually, the Recreation Council publishes a complete guide of summer day, overnight, specialized, and inclusive programs showing you dates, cost, and detailed description of the program.
Designed with fun in mind, Train Your Brain Summer Camp will support your child in using the critical skills needed for successfully planning a project and carrying out the plan.
*Disclaimer: These spring and summer camp programs listed here are not endorsed by MPACT nor exhaustive of available camp opportunities. These links are provided for informational purposes only.
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We're Looking For You, Apply Now! |
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MPACT Webinars in April
Click on the links below to register
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Effectively Communicating Your Child’s Needs
How to Write Measurable Annual Goals
Understanding the IEP
McKinney Vento Overview
Understanding the Evaluation Process
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What is MPACT
Understanding the IEP for Parents of Students with ASD
Art of Effective Advocacy
Art of Effective Advocacy
Special Education Law
*Featured Training of the Month
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Register for In-Person Training in April |
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Effectively Communicating Your Child’s Needs
Location:
The Library Center
4653 S Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65810
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Art of Effective Advocacy
Location:
On My Own, 428 E. Highland, Nevada, MO 64772
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Understanding the IEP Process
Location:
Wright City Scenic Library
60 Wildcat Dr., Wright City, MO 63390
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Understanding the IEP Process
Art of Effective Advocacy
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Trainings hosted by
Family Counseling Center (FCC) and are
held at location:
2995 Warrior Lane, Popular Bluff MO 63901
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View all upcoming MPACT trainings HERE
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All MPACT trainings are free of charge! If you would like to schedule any MPACT training in your area or for your organization
please click on the link HERE
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Make a Difference in the Lives of
Missouri Families, Join MPACT Today!
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What is an MPACT Mentor Volunteer?
Mentors are trained volunteers who, upon request, provide support to families of children with disabilities throughout the special education process. A mentor does not represent or speak for a parent or family member, but a mentor does help empower an individual to become a strong educational advocate for his or her child. MPACT mentors are screened and receive training and supervision from MPACT staff.
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MPACT (Missouri Parents Act) is looking for enthusiastic individuals to help develop a diverse community-based board of directors. We seek members with a broad variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and experience, people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, people with experience with other children’s issues, people simply interested in child education, people with fundraising expertise, business professionals, and educators.
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Shop with MPACT on Amazon Smile :) |
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Your online shopping can help make a difference, at no additional cost to you!
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, or in the Amazon app with AmazonSmile turned on within Settings, you'll find the same products and same low prices as the Amazon you already know - plus, they donate a portion of your purchases to your chosen charity.
#amazonsmilecharity #amazonsmiledonates
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MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
Copyright © 2022 MPACT. All rights reserved
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