Broward: Awesome IEP Training Seminar NOV 12 in WESTON

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say to the group that I attended Ms. Arnold's seminar last year (see information below), and it was unlike any other IEP conference I have ever attended.

Rather than focusing on the details of the IDEA law, The conference concentrated instead on IEP strategies which are immediately usable.

Many IEP workgroups/seminars are lead by schools or administrators. This seminar is led by a super smart mom and her lawyer and an extremely knowledgable psychologist (regarding evaluations). Every minute of the presenation contains something worth writing down. It was equally as entertaining, as Ms. Arnold speaks from experience and tells it like it is with regard to the struggles parents face in formulating an IEP which fits their child; she is coming from a place where many of us have been and can definitely relate.

This conference is part of the National Autism Associations weekend conference in Weston and should very seriously be considered by anyone in Florida whose child has an IEP.

The cost of $40, which includes a lunch and a workbook, is a complete steal.

Diane

Special Education Law Day: Intensive Training for ParentsDate: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.(This is is a pre-conference session for the National Autism Conference,November 12-15, 2009)Cost: $40 (includes lunch and workbook)Location: Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa, 250 RacquetClub Road, Weston, FloridaComplete Info: <http://www.nationalautismconference.org>Advocating for your child is a complex and sometimes counter-intuitiveprocess. In these sessions, parents will learn the basic concepts of specialeducation law, the importance of strategizing and how to use this knowledgeto gain control of their child's education. The primary goal of this track:Become an empowered IEP team member by gaining an understanding of specialed law, which then can be directly applied to their child's specific needsand situation.This is an intensive track designed to get your team up to speed quickly andwill cover extensive information. To facilitate this process, eachparticipant will receive a workbook with supporting information on keyconcepts, selected sections of IDEA, background facts on case studies aswell as recommended reading and resources.Presenters A. , Esq., Special Education AttorneyLynne Arnold, MA, parentMitchel Perlman, PhD, Clinical Forensic PsychologistAdvocating for your child is a complex and sometimes counter-intuitiveprocess. In these sessions, parents will learn the basic concepts of specialeducation law, the importance of strategizing and how to use this knowledgeto gain control of their child's education. The primary goal of this track:parents will become empowered IEP team members by gaining an understandingof special ed law, which then can be directly applied to their child'sspecific needs and situation.This is an intensive track designed to get parents up to speed quickly andwill cover extensive information. To facilitate this process, eachparticipant will receive a workbook with supporting information on keyconcepts, selected sections of IDEA, background facts on case studies aswell as recommended reading and resources.Topics include:-Documentation, letter writing, gathering and evaluating documents-Selecting and working with independent experts-Timelines-IEP Goals-Independent educational evaluations-Extended school year services (ESY)-NRC's Educating Children with Autism-Stay Put-Prior Written Notice-Least Restrictive Environment-When and how to use the services of a special education attorneySession #1: IDEA 2004 OverviewIDEA was re-authorized in 2004 and many regulations came into effect in fall2006. Do you understand how these recent changes affect your child? Comelearn the basic framework of IDEA 2004 as well as the implications of recentcase law in the context of achieving FAPE for the child affected by autism.Session #2: IEP StrategyThe first step to effectively controlling the IEP process is determining theappropriate strategy to gain leverage with the school district. The IEPprocess will be broken down into components to teach parents how to evaluatethe best course of action in each situation. We will discuss how parents canmore effectively respond to district objections to parental and independentexpert recommendations. Techniques for forcing district personnel to fullyexplain their positions and district "policies" will be explored. Parentswill learn how to apply these concepts to their child's individual needs andtheir district. LUNCHSession #3: Assessments/EvaluationsWhat does a thorough assessment entail? How do you know if your child'scapabilities and needs have been adequately and accurately assessed?Assessing the child in all areas of suspected disability is the legalobligation of the district and usually the most important building block ofthe IEP. Without an accurate assessment, it can be nearly impossible toplace the child in the correct program that capitalizes on hisabilities.This session will explore common contradictions andmisinterpretations in district assessments that result in inappropriaterecommendations. The most important aspects of an independent educationalevaluation as well as critical ages for assessment will be covered.Session #4: Advanced Strategy -- Wrapping It All Up (case studies)Participants will have an opportunity to apply the lessons learned in theprevious five sessions to case studies of three different children. In eachsituation, a different strategic plan is chosen which takes intoconsideration the individual needs of the child in the context of his/herdistrict's autism program.Session #5: Questions & AnswersPresenters A. , Esq. received his Bachelor¹s degree from the University ofCalifornia, Irvine and his Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine UniversitySchool of Law. He has served as an adjunct professor and Associate Directorof the Special Education Advocacy Clinic, Pepperdine University School ofLaw. He is actively involved in educating parents through presentations todisability rights organizations and parent support groups including speakerat Autism One (2005-2009), the National Autism Association (2005 and2007-2008) and the National Epilepsy Foundation Annual Conference (2001). Hehas been interviewed and quoted in publications including the Daily Journal(2001), the Orange County Register and the nationally published magazineParenting (March 2003); He is & Associates¹ Chief Executive Officer.Lynne Arnold is the coordinator of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) ofVisalia, CA and an Autism One parent mentor. Through conferencepresentations and mentoring, she helps parents to understand their child'srights to appropriate interventions and education. Lynne is the editor ofAutism: Asserting Your Child¹s Rights to a Special Education by A.Sherman. She has presented at Autism One (2005-2009), National AutismAssociation Conference (2005 and 2007-2008), Families for Effective AutismTreatment (FEAT, Autism Society of America and other autism groups.Mitchel D. Perlman, Ph.D., focuses on the assessment and treatment ofchildren and adolescents who have specialized needs and/or who are involvedin chaotic-intense-traumatic-critical situations. Known for thecomprehensiveness of his investigatory assessments (psychodiagnostic,psychoeducational, neurocognitive), Dr. Perlman is often called on to be theimpartial independent examiner in juvenile, family, civil and specialeducation proceedings. He lends his expertise and keen insights tochildren/teens who have stepped away from the mainstream and/or who havegotten themselves in over their heads ­ emotionally, legally or in relationto others. He is involved in assessing some of the most fascinatingindividuals, and he has a knack for detecting and/or explaining things thathave often gone unnoticed or that have been misunderstood. For example, inmany children who had been diagnosed with autism and mental retardation, Dr.Perlman has found near-gifted to gifted intelligence and has beeninstrumental in guiding parents to the resources to unlock it.

[Guest guest]

I just spoke with their office and link for registration is hide inside their website.... below is the link for registration for Nov 12 seminar only.http://www.nationalautismconference.org/iepworkshop.htm

They also told me they will have spanish translation services!>> I just wanted to say to the group that I attended Ms. Arnold's seminar last year (see information below), and it was unlike any other IEP conference I have ever attended.> > Rather than focusing on the details of the IDEA law, The conference concentrated instead on IEP strategies which are immediately usable.> > Many IEP workgroups/seminars are lead by schools or administrators. This seminar is led by a super smart mom and her lawyer and an extremely knowledgable psychologist (regarding evaluations). Every minute of the presenation contains something worth writing down. It was equally as entertaining, as Ms. Arnold speaks from experience and tells it like it is with regard to the struggles parents face in formulating an IEP which fits their child; she is coming from a place where many of us have been and can definitely relate.> > This conference is part of the National Autism Associations weekend conference in Weston and should very seriously be considered by anyone in Florida whose child has an IEP.> > The cost of $40, which includes a lunch and a workbook, is a complete steal.> > Diane> > > > Special Education Law Day: Intensive Training for Parents> > Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.> (This is is a pre-conference session for the National Autism Conference,> November 12-15, 2009)> Cost: $40 (includes lunch and workbook)> Location: Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa, 250 Racquet> Club Road, Weston, Florida> Complete Info: <http://www.nationalautismconference.org>> > Advocating for your child is a complex and sometimes counter-intuitive> process. In these sessions, parents will learn the basic concepts of special> education law, the importance of strategizing and how to use this knowledge> to gain control of their child's education. The primary goal of this track:> Become an empowered IEP team member by gaining an understanding of special> ed law, which then can be directly applied to their child's specific needs> and situation.> > This is an intensive track designed to get your team up to speed quickly and> will cover extensive information. To facilitate this process, each> participant will receive a workbook with supporting information on key> concepts, selected sections of IDEA, background facts on case studies as> well as recommended reading and resources.> > Presenters> A. , Esq., Special Education Attorney> Lynne Arnold, MA, parent> Mitchel Perlman, PhD, Clinical Forensic Psychologist> > Advocating for your child is a complex and sometimes counter-intuitive> process. In these sessions, parents will learn the basic concepts of special> education law, the importance of strategizing and how to use this knowledge> to gain control of their child's education. The primary goal of this track:> parents will become empowered IEP team members by gaining an understanding> of special ed law, which then can be directly applied to their child's> specific needs and situation.> > This is an intensive track designed to get parents up to speed quickly and> will cover extensive information. To facilitate this process, each> participant will receive a workbook with supporting information on key> concepts, selected sections of IDEA, background facts on case studies as> well as recommended reading and resources.> > Topics include:> -Documentation, letter writing, gathering and evaluating documents> -Selecting and working with independent experts> -Timelines> -IEP Goals> -Independent educational evaluations> -Extended school year services (ESY)> -NRC's Educating Children with Autism> -Stay Put> -Prior Written Notice> -Least Restrictive Environment> -When and how to use the services of a special education attorney> > Session #1: IDEA 2004 Overview> IDEA was re-authorized in 2004 and many regulations came into effect in fall> 2006. Do you understand how these recent changes affect your child? Come> learn the basic framework of IDEA 2004 as well as the implications of recent> case law in the context of achieving FAPE for the child affected by autism.> > Session #2: IEP Strategy> The first step to effectively controlling the IEP process is determining the> appropriate strategy to gain leverage with the school district. The IEP> process will be broken down into components to teach parents how to evaluate> the best course of action in each situation. We will discuss how parents can> more effectively respond to district objections to parental and independent> expert recommendations. Techniques for forcing district personnel to fully> explain their positions and district "policies" will be explored. Parents> will learn how to apply these concepts to their child's individual needs and> their district.> > LUNCH> > Session #3: Assessments/Evaluations> What does a thorough assessment entail? How do you know if your child's> capabilities and needs have been adequately and accurately assessed?> Assessing the child in all areas of suspected disability is the legal> obligation of the district and usually the most important building block of> the IEP. Without an accurate assessment, it can be nearly impossible to> place the child in the correct program that capitalizes on his> abilities.This session will explore common contradictions and> misinterpretations in district assessments that result in inappropriate> recommendations. The most important aspects of an independent educational> evaluation as well as critical ages for assessment will be covered.> > Session #4: Advanced Strategy -- Wrapping It All Up (case studies)> Participants will have an opportunity to apply the lessons learned in the> previous five sessions to case studies of three different children. In each> situation, a different strategic plan is chosen which takes into> consideration the individual needs of the child in the context of his/her> district's autism program.> > Session #5: Questions & Answers> > Presenters> > A. , Esq. received his Bachelor¹s degree from the University of> California, Irvine and his Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University> School of Law. He has served as an adjunct professor and Associate Director> of the Special Education Advocacy Clinic, Pepperdine University School of> Law. He is actively involved in educating parents through presentations to> disability rights organizations and parent support groups including speaker> at Autism One (2005-2009), the National Autism Association (2005 and> 2007-2008) and the National Epilepsy Foundation Annual Conference (2001). He> has been interviewed and quoted in publications including the Daily Journal> (2001), the Orange County Register and the nationally published magazine> Parenting (March 2003); He is & Associates¹ Chief Executive Officer.> > Lynne Arnold is the coordinator of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) of> Visalia, CA and an Autism One parent mentor. Through conference> presentations and mentoring, she helps parents to understand their child's> rights to appropriate interventions and education. Lynne is the editor of> Autism: Asserting Your Child¹s Rights to a Special Education by A.> Sherman. She has presented at Autism One (2005-2009), National Autism> Association Conference (2005 and 2007-2008), Families for Effective Autism> Treatment (FEAT, Autism Society of America and other autism groups.> > Mitchel D. Perlman, Ph.D., focuses on the assessment and treatment of> children and adolescents who have specialized needs and/or who are involved> in chaotic-intense-traumatic-critical situations. Known for the> comprehensiveness of his investigatory assessments (psychodiagnostic,> psychoeducational, neurocognitive), Dr. Perlman is often called on to be the> impartial independent examiner in juvenile, family, civil and special> education proceedings. He lends his expertise and keen insights to> children/teens who have stepped away from the mainstream and/or who have> gotten themselves in over their heads ­ emotionally, legally or in relation> to others. He is involved in assessing some of the most fascinating> individuals, and he has a knack for detecting and/or explaining things that> have often gone unnoticed or that have been misunderstood. For example, in> many children who had been diagnosed with autism and mental retardation, Dr.> Perlman has found near-gifted to gifted intelligence and has been> instrumental in guiding parents to the resources to unlock it.>