Join us on November 5th and meet others living with and/or have children under the ASD umbrella. Our goal is to share stories, what worked, what didn’t, spread awareness to the community and offer education and support. Our group is for parents, guardians, individuals, teachers, educators, doctors or anyone that would like to learn more about autism!

Date:  November 5, 2011
Time:  9:00 am - 4:30pm
Where:  Arbor Bank in the lower level conference room, 911 Central Avenue
RSVP:  afnlincoln@aol.com

Download a flyer HERE.

Tuesday, November 8

6:15 - 8:30pm

St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church   510 N 93rd Street

(Corner of 93rd & Dodge)

Chelli Westengaard, OTR is the Lead Occupa-tional Therapist for the Feeding and Swallowing De-partment at Children’s Hospital and has worked as a feeding specialist at Children’s Hospital for the past 4 years and in pediatrics for the past 9 years.

Heather Young, OTR is a rehabilitation therapist who works at Children’s Hospital West Village Pointe satellite outpatient clinic and has worked in pediatrics for the past 12 years.

Chelli and Heather complete feeding evaluations using Video Swallow studies to determine safety of swallow-ing and Clinical Feeding Evaluations. They also pro-vide follow up treatment of feeding issues including oral aversions, transitioning from G-tube feeding to oral eating, and progression of feeding using the de-velopmental food continuum.

Download a flyer HERE.

**It’s not too late!  Registration deadline has been moved until October 28th!  Register today!**

November 2-3, 2010

Scott Conference Center, Omaha, NE

Wednesday, November 2 - KEYNOTE:  Carol Gray “Creating Opportunities for Friendship to Decrease the Incidence of Bullying”.

Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding in Grand Rapids Michigan.  In 1991, Carol developed Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations strategies that are used worldwide with person on the autism spectrum.  She has publised several resources on topics related to children and adults with ASD, including articles on bullying, death and dying, and how to teach social understanding.

Thursday, November 3 - Nebraska Legislative Workshop:  What, Where and How.  How to pass legislation and more.

AAP is bringing in speakers with subject matter expertise on the Nebraska legislative process to provide an educational presentation for all parents, cargivers and service providers.

The last part of the presentation will be an update from the Autism Action Partnership about where things stand with their initiative to pass an Autism Insurance Mandate here in Nebraska.

Download a flyer HERE.

The Parent to Parent program of the Ollie Webb Center is in the process of recruiting parents
of children with special needs to become supporting parents (mentors) for new families.

As the mother or father of a child with developmental disabilities, you have unique parenting experiences. Through time, training, and trial and error, you have gained valuable skills. Use your knowledge to help another parent on the journey by becoming a mentor. Parent to Parent (P2P) programs link parents of children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities with experienced and informed veteran parents who understand the day-to-day experiences of raising a child with special needs. Parent to Parent Omaha is offered by Ollie Webb Center, Inc., a local nonprofit agency.

Download a flyer HERE to learn more.

To talk with someone about becoming a mentor, please contact Annie Anderson at 346-5220 ext. 23 or aanderson@olliewebbinc.org.

The goal of this presentation is to provide parents with basic information about the changes that puberty and adolescence bring to every child - including their son or daughter. The information is intended to help participants feel more comfortable and confident as they help their youth safely navigate this important transition from childhood to adulthood. The ultimate aim is to promote the independence, personal safety, healthy lifestyles, healthy relationships, and social inclusion of their youth with disabilities. While other people may help, parents and families have the primary responsibility for conveying this information.

Tuesday, October 11

6:15 - 8:30 pm

St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church

510 North 93rd St    (Corner of 93rd and Dodge)

Presenter:  Sharon Orduna, Outreach coordinator, PTI- Nebraska

Download a flyer HERE.

Come and learn how to tell your own/your child’s story to other caregivers and local elected officials.  Have your voices heard!

The Mosaic MEE! (Nebraska Advocacy Project) is an opportunity for individuals, parents, and guardians of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build relationships with elected officials. You’ll receive resources to assist you along the way.

Tuesday, October 4th @ 2:00pm

Presented by: Sheila Page

Legislative Aide to State Senator Colby Coash

Download a flyer HERE.

**Future Webinars**

Building Collaborations and Working Together Through Difficulties
Tuesday, November 1st @ 2:00pm
By: Bridget Cannon-Hale, MSW; Consultant

Building Relationships with Your State Senators
Wednesday, December 6th @ 2:00pm
Presented by: Denny Byars
Former State Senator for NE Legislature

Tuesday, October 11 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Airman & Family Readiness Center
EFMP - Offutt AFB

Come for an informative workshop about the Tricare Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) program. The Nebraska Regional representative will be available that evening to go over eligibility, enrollment, benefits and to answer any questions guests might have. To reserve your seat at the workshop, or for more information, please contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center, 294-4329. (note: childcare will not be provided for this event.)

Planning & Partnership presented by Michael Smull

September 13, 2011

9:00 am—3:30 pm CST

Lincoln County FairgroundS
5015 West Hwy 30
North Platte, NE 69101

$15 registration fee which includes lunch  (fee waived for family members who attend)

Download a flyer HERE.

This event is sponsored by the Region II DD Council and Region II Developmental Services.

HELP!! How do I Prepare My High School Student with High Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome for the Real World?
Date: October 4, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location: ESU3
Breakfast and Lunch is provided
Cost: $15.00

Presenters: Part I (AM): Claudia Schulte and Susanna Johnston, Employment Coordinators, ACN
Connections, Part II (PM): Teri McGill, Metro Region ASD Network Coordinator, Jill Guenther, Samantha Decj, Allyson Hazelwood & Shannon Gergen -Windsor III

Audience: High School and Transition Staff (Including: Special Ed Resource, SLP, OT, PT, Psychologist,
Guidance Counselor, Administrator), Parents.

Participants will learn about teaching how to make connections, social skills, and life skills

Download a flyer HERE.

Planning Social Skills Instruction for Students on the High End of the Autism Spectrum

Presenters:Teri McGill, Metro Region ASD Coordinator and Melissa Trautman, SE Regional Coordinator

When:  October 11, 2011

Where:  ESU 3, Omaha

Time:  9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Cost:  $15  (lunch will be provided)

This in‐service will provide an overview of how to teach social skills to students on the autism spectrum. Participants will be able to look through a variety of resources and curriculums created to teach social skills to individuals on the spectrum. Time will be allotted for teachers to start planning social skills instruction for the upcoming school year.

Topics covered:

Specific social skills curriculum
Social Thinking
How to create and run a circle‐of‐friends group
How to incorporate social skills throughout the school day

Intended Audience:  Regular Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Parents, Administrators, other Professionals working with students with High Function Autism or Asperger Syndrome

To register, please complete registration form below and fax to 402‐597‐4811 or email to elewis@esu3.org

Download a flyer HERE.

DSAF Wrightslaw Boot Camp:  Providing advocacy training for parents of children with special needs
July 29 & 30, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Scottish Rite Temple
332 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68508

If you have a child that qualifies for an IEP, you don’t want to miss this conference. Pete and Pam Wright are experts in the education law, special education law and special education advocacy areas. In addition to learning from them you will leave the conference with three wonderful books for future reference.

This is probably the lowest price you will find this two day conference.

Register by June 30th to get the early bird discount!
Individual:     $90
Couple:     $165
Professional (CEU/CLU Credit):     $115

REGISTER ONLINE: http://tiny.cc/9jspk

Introduction to Verbal Behavior  (ABLLS - R)

The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills- Revised (The ABLLS ®-R) is an assessment, curriculum guide, and skills tracking system for children with language delays. It is based on the science of Applied Behavioral Analysis with Skinner’s theory of Verbal Behavior along with research by Dr. Partington and includes 25 repertoire areas covering 544 skills.

June 20 - 21, 2011

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

ESU3 OMAHA

$25 FEE

Download a flyer HERE.

Providing advocacy training for parents of children with special needs
Sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association for Families
July 29 - 30, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Scottish Rite Temple
332 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68508

Click here for more information or to REGISTER!

All children qualifying for special education services are required to have an Individualized Education Program (IEP).  The IEP specifies the special education and related services necessary to ensure the child a free appropriate public education.  The IEP process can be overwhelming for parents due to complex federal laws and regulations.  DSAF is hosting an intensive, two-day Wrightslaw training on special education and advocacy.

If you are a parent or guardian of a child receiving special education services, or a professional wanting to better serve kids with disabilities, you don’t want to miss this 2-day training!
 

Participants will learn about:

- special education statutes and regulations to get answers to their questions
- tests and measurements to measure educational progress
- charting out test scores
- writing SMART IEP goals and objectives
- using No Child Left Behind as a tool to open doors to services
- creating paper trails and writing effective letters
- advocacy strategies to negotiate for appropriate special educational programs

Thursday, April 28th

5:30pm - 6:30pm Safety Expo - Resource Booths
6:30pm - 8:30pm Special Training & Presentation

Westside Community Conference Center
3534 South 108th Street, Omaha, NE

Registration Required - No cost to attend

*How to develop an emergency response plan
*Learn safety at home, on campus, and when traveling
*How to register with your local 911 registry
*Develop a partnership with various emergency response agencies

www.neprp.com

Download a flyer HERE.

June 10, 2011

Fremont Public Schools Central Office 
130 E 9th St

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

What does it take to embrace inclusive practices and why is inclusion important?  A variety of topics will be covered for educators, such as inclusion and IDEA, characteristics and values of an inclusive school, improved parent/educator partnerships, effective IEPs using activity based goals, the role of paraeducators, informal assessments, and more.

Download a flyer HERE.

This workshop is free to those inside the ESU boundaries of 225, 1, and 7.  Cost is $10 to those outside those boundaries.  Lunch and snacks provided.

Don’t forget to get registered for the 8th Annual Nebraska State Autism conference!

Click HERE to download a conference brochure.

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Learn more about this year’s speakers!

Michelle Garcia Winner MA, CCC-SLP, specializes in the treatment of individuals with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, ADHD, PDD-NOS, and similar challenges. Michelle directs a small clinic in San Jose, CA, and trains professionals nationally and internationally on Social Thinking. She has authored numerous books on this subject and serves on the Panel of Professional Advisers of the Autism Society of America.

Alex Plank runs, owns, and develops WrongPlanet.net, a popular community for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism which he started after being diagnosed with Asperger’s. He’s also a student at George Mason University majoring in Film and Video Studies.

Laura A. Riffel Ph.D. is a behaviorist who specializes in assisting adults to make proactive changes so that targeted behaviors of children disappear like magic. She has trained thousands of teachers, parents, counselors, psychologists, administrators, and bus drivers how to make data based decisions as a way to change behavior. Her trainings are filled with humor and make data collection easy to understand and use in any setting.

Sean Smith Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education as well as an associate researcher with the Center for Research on Learning and the eLearning Design Lab at the University of Kansas. A researcher, developer and teacher educator, Sean is passionate about helping struggling students and those with special needs experience success. You will leave his session with technology-based solutions applicable to the needs of ALL students, but critical to the success of those with learning challenges

March 24-25, 2011

Embassy Suites, 12520 Westport Pkwy, La Vista, NE

Keynote speakers to include: 

Dr. Temple Grandin
Dr. John F Taylor
Dr. Jed Baker
Carol Kranowitz, M.A.

Download a flyer HERE.

 **Please note that this is different than the Nebraska State Autism Conference.  The State Autism Conference will be held April 7-8th at this same location.  This March 24-25 conference is being sponsored by Future Horizons Publishing.  You can learn more about them at www.fhautism.com.

Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Nebraska Children’s Home Society, 4939 S. 118th St., Omaha, Nebraska

Audience: Parents, Teachers, Special Education Directors, Principals

ESU #3 will sponsor Dr. Paula Kluth for an evening presentation. Dr. Kluth’s presentation “You’re Going to Love This Kid” focuses on practical ways to support special education students within a general education classroom. Topics addressed include differentiating instruction, creating more active and responsive lessons, making the classroom comfortable and providing opportunities for communication and social skill development. The session will focus on the importance of pushing beyond access and participation and asking schools to challenge students and understand each learner as complex and capable.

Dr. Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate and independent scholar who works collaboratively with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, consulting teacher, and inclusion facilitator. She works with teachers in K-12 schools, pre-schools, and early intervention programs. She also regularly works with family organizations and disability-rights and advocacy groups.

Download a flyer HERE fore registration information.