Ms. Cain’s class showcased its presentation skills and shared how winter holidays are celebrated around the world.
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Information From Cotting School
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REMINDER:
Monday, January 17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 18: Professional Development Day
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N95 Masks Are Now Available at No Cost for Students
Please feel free to contact Clinical Director Lynn Coleman at lcoleman@cotting.org to request one for your child.
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NEW Info Sessions
Know someone who’d like to learn more about sending their child to Cotting School? We’ll be holding in-person info sessions (including a brief tour) 9:30-11:00am on:
Please feel free to share this information! RSVP to Elizabeth Russell, 781-862-7323 ext. 114 or erussell@cotting.org.
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Cotting Conversations: Utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis in the Classroom
Don’t miss our next in person panel discussion to learn how ABA is used to teach a variety of skills (not just to eliminate bad behavior) in the classroom, featuring Lynn Condon, BCBA, and Lola Piscopo, Capstone classroom teacher.
Friday, February 11, 9:30-10:30 am at the Cotting Campus Center.
RSVP to Amanda Balagur, 781-862-7323 x205 or abalagur@cotting.org.
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HYGIENE KIT DRIVE
To support the Lincoln Food Pantry and other local organizations, Mr. Adelmann’s class will be collecting travel size hygiene items from January 17-28, 2022.
Your donations will help our students practice their work skills at school through the vocational program. Please label donations “Hygiene Kit Drive” for drop off at the collection box in the library.
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Do you love trivia, fun and giving back to Cotting? Grab some friends and join us for the 5th annual Falcon Trivia Night to support Cotting School!
Would your company be interested in sponsoring a team?
Teams are typically four to eight people and we ask that each team contribute a minimum of $1,000 to play. There will be prizes for the top three teams, a raffle and a silent auction!
Learn more and register here:
781-325-7997.
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Community Resources & Events
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Saturday, January 15, 2022 –
1:00pm to 3:00pm
—Drop in
Cost:
Free with admission
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a designated National Day of Service, to encourage all Americans to volunteer within their communities and honor the life and legacy of the Civil Rights leader. Join the Discovery Museum as we engage in small acts of service to benefit our neighbors.
Assemble no-sew beds and create simple toys for local shelter animals. Make a birthday card and help collect “Birthday-in-a-Box” supplies to support two local charities whose missions are to create special birthday moments for children who are experiencing homelessness or who are in the hospital in their birthdays. Most needed items are:
- Colored/themed paper plates, paper napkins, paper cups (9 oz.), and paper straws
- Happy Birthday banners
- Birthday candles (18-24 count)
- Boxed cake mix and jar frosting: chocolate, vanilla, or Funfetti (please ensure expiration dates are at least 4 months from date of donation)
- Disposable cake pan (8”x8” or 9”x13”)
- All birthday supply donations will benefit Birthday Wishes and The Confetti Foundation and can be donated to the collection bin in our lobby any time in January.
Discovery Museum
177 Main Street (Route 27)
Acton, Massachusetts 01720
Phone: 978-264-4200
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Recognize Martin Luther King Day on Zoom with the Lexington MLK Day of Service
Monday is Martin Luther King Day and there is a whole day of special events planned by the Lexington MLK Day of Service. This is an amazing day of coming together to advance equality and social justice. Because of health concerns, most of the events for the day will be virtual. SNAP Sing Along Chorus will perform in a virtual performance as part of the opening ceremonies. Everyone can sign up on the Lexington MLK Day of Service website to watch the day’s events over Zoom.
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There is still time to become an EPIC Service Warrior!
*Many Cotting students have benefitted from this program!
EPIC Service Warriors is a one-year leadership development and service-learning program for transition-aged youth with disabilities (16-23 yrs old). By creating the change they wish to see in the world, Warriors gain the skills necessary to meet their goals of employment, higher education, independent living, and to be leaders in their communities.
In addition, folks can check out our FAQ page about Service Warriors to learn more. If young people or their support networks want to learn more about EPIC and to speak with EPIC staff please reach out to Boston Youth Program Specialist Dorothy Whitfield at dwhitfield@epicleaders.org. Please note: Applications deadline to become a Service Warrior have been extended to January 31, 2022.
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Information from the Arc of Massachusetts:
Advocates: please take action today on equal access to ABA for Adults (H184/S115) and Cueing and Supervision in the PCA program (H260/S129)!
Thank you for your advocacy last week on our healthcare bills: Operation House Call legislation passed favorably out of committee!
We will keep pushing for our other healthcare bills, but we need your action on these MassHealth bills that will shift policy and create equal access to needed services.
- require MassHealth to cover medically necessary Applied Behavior Analysis services for adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities, and
- will include cueing and prompting as a covered service for those who need it.
Our priority bills have less than a month left to pass out of committee. Please reach out personally to your Representative and Senator’s office as well, if possible.
Thank you and stay well!
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Adaptive Skating: Acton
Acton, January 8th – March 26th, 2022. This Adaptive Program was created to teach skating skills to people of all ages with special needs. They provide a 1/1 partner for most skaters with individualized instruction.
- If ready and able, the skater will graduate into a small group setting.
- Skating independently will be the ultimate goal for most skaters, depending on their abilities.
- Prior skating experience is not needed to participate
- Skaters learn basic skating skills while gaining confidence and trust through the use of special games, toys, and activities.
- Other skills that participants practice will include eye contact, fine motor skills, verbal skills, peer modeling, pretend play, praise, and taking turns
- Skaters need to have their own single blade skates, helmet, snow pants, and gloves.
- Host does NOT provide rental skates.
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On-line sessions, January 12 – 21, 2022, with Westfield State University’s Banacos Academic Center.
For students with any and all disabilities, and for those with the possibility of needing support services.
- Preparing for college is process. It includes learning how to be an independent learner, advocate for one self and how to improve your academic skills continuously.
- Students with disabilities going to college should understand that they will be expected to perform – and will be assessed – in the same manner as their peers.
- Disability/Accessibility Services staff from the other Massachusetts Universities and a Westfield State Admissions representative will be present.
Westfield State University’s Banacos Academic Center is hosting an hour-long Zoom sessions to address these very questions for high school personnel, students and their parents or guardians. Disability/Accessibility Services staff from the other Massachusetts Universities and a Westfield State Admissions representative will be present. Sessions are capped at 50 sign ups.
Sessions for students, families, and high school personnel ( sign up here)
- Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.
Or contact Sarah Lazare, slazare@westfield.ma.edu, director, Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University with questions 413-572-8789
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Sharing Space for Siblings During COVID-19 -Adult Siblings Virtual Get Together
Virtual Event, January 19th, 2022, with the Massachusetts Sibling Support Network. Join in on their Sharing Space for adult siblings to share joys and concerns related to having a brother/sister with disabilities.
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Behavioral Training with the Author of “The Explosive Child”
Virtual Event, January 20 – 22nd, 2022, with Dr. Ross Greene of Lives in the Balance in Maine. Collaborative & Proactive Solutions: 2-Day Virtual Training with Dr. Ross Greene, PhD. This is the evidence-based model Dr. Ross Greene describes in his books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings.
- This model focuses on solving problems rather than on modifying behavior, emphasizes collaborative rather than unilateral solutions, encourages proactive rather than reactive intervention, de-emphasizes diagnostic categories, and provides practical, research-based tools for assessment and intervention.
- In this webinar, Dr. Greene will provide an overview of the CPS model, along with more advanced coverage of the nuances of assessment and engaging kids in solving the problems that affect their lives.
- You don’t have to participate in both days.
- On Day One, Dr. Greene will provide a general overview of the CPS model, including key themes, use of assessment instrumentation, and solving problems collaboratively.
- On Day Two he will dive deeper into various facets of the model, with extensive use of video examples and ample time for questions and discussion.
- If you’re only interested in an introduction to the CPS model, just sign up for the first day.
- If you want both, sign up for both days.
Intended Audience: Parents, Mental Health Professionals, Special Educators, Classroom Teachers, Special Education Administrators, Superintendents, Principals/Assistant Principals, Speech/Language Pathologists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, Pediatricians/Family Physicians, Staff in Restrictive Therapeutic Facilities (Inpatient Psychiatric Units, Residential Facilities, Juvenile Detention Facilities)
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Understanding Teens with an Asperger Profile
Webinar, January 20th, 2022, with CASE Collaborative of Concord, MA. “Understanding Teens with an Asperger Profile is a free presentation that will cover the Asperger autism profile, including common characteristics and support strategies.
- All Parents and Caregivers are Welcome to Attend.
- General information on the following topics will be discussed with a focus on transition-aged youth.
There will be time for Q&A’s following the presentation.
- Strengths-based overview of the Asperger profile (AS101).
- The intersection of sensory needs, anxiety, and behavior.
- Autism & the IEP, including transition considerations.
Presented by Amanda Bailey, Family Support Specialist, from the Asperger/Autism Network.
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By Elise Wulff, MEd
Senior Program Manager
On Wednesday, January 26, Elise Wulff, will be presenting “ parenting a neurodiverse gender fluid child” at a Lurie Center for Autism Coffee Convo event. Elise will facilitate a conversation with Shira Cohen, Aspire parent of Hallel, to hear about their family’s personal experience. In preparation for the upcoming event, Shira has shared her thoughts in response to Elise’s questions.
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“Guardianship 103” Virtual Transition Support Group for Parents
Online, January 26th, 2022, and the fourth Wednesday of each month, with the Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington, MA. Once you have successfully completed your guardianship appointment, one of the important duties for legal guardians in Massachusetts is reporting to the probate court.
- The initial Guardian Care Plan/Report is required within 60 days of the appointment, and then annually on the anniversary of the guardianship appointment.
- This workshop is a hands–on group tutorial that walks you through the questions to help you prepare the Guardian Care Plan/Report. (MPC 821)
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Save the date for a virtual forum!
Mobility Management in Massachusetts
February 3, 10am-noon
Navigating community transportation options can be confusing for older adults, people with disabilities, and others in need of a ride. Through using mobility management strategies, you can facilitate mobility – by working directly with consumers to help them become aware of and learn to use the options available to them, and/or by working with transportation providers and other stakeholders to coordinate and expand mobility options. Join MassMobility, MassDOT Rail & Transit, and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative on February 3 to hear how local agencies are incorporating mobility management into their work. Full agenda coming soon.
This forum is targeted to aging and disability services agencies, transportation providers, planners, advocates, and anyone else interested in expanding mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and others who lack access to transportation. Learn how you can incorporate mobility management strategies to help your consumers.
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The Federation for Children with Special Needs Virtual Visions of Community Conference
March 19, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Visit us here for the most recent updates about the upcoming conference or visit our FAQs page.
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Follow us on social media for more photos, videos & updates!
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