NOVEMBER 2013

The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome will host Tot Discovery Day on Fri., Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. This is a casual, friendly and fun “drop-in” program for parents and preschoolers to discover science together.  The theme for this month is “color play.” The cost is free for members, $10 for nonmember parent with child and $2 for each additional child.

 

The City of Eugene will host the First Friday Family Fun Night on Nov. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Petersen Barn Community Center, located at 870 Berntzen Rd. in Eugene. Dinner will be served until 6:30 pm. There will also be games, crafts and live entertainment. This is a free drop-in program; no registration is required.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Kids Movie Night on Fri.,  Nov. 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. A G- or PG-rated movie will be shown. Call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805 to find out this month’s featured film. Popcorn will be provided. The cost is $3 per child.

 

The Autism Training and Research Center at Portland State University (PSU) is offering a free workshop series for parents of young children with autism (birth to 8 years). This workshop series will focus on building upon a child’s strengths and creating more opportunities for his/her success. Parents will learn how to use research-based strategies to help their child display positive behaviors, communicate more and become more independent in daily activities. The first session will be an Introduction to Autism and Teaching Positive Behavior on Sat., Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will be held on the third floor of the University Technology Building at PSU, 2121 SW 4th Avenue in Portland. To register, visit Free Parent Workshop Series or call 503-725-8009.

 

The Cottage Grove Public Library, located at 700 E. Gibbs Ave., will host Reading with Rover on Mondays at 6:30 p.m., starting Nov. 4 and continuing through Dec. 23. Young readers will have the unique experience of reading to a canine friend in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Visit the Cottage Grove Public Library to learn about this and other story times.

 

Early Childhood CARES Fall Behavior Training will continue in November. This is an 8-week training for parents of preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. Part 5 of the training will be held on Mon., Nov. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. Future behavior trainings will be held in the winter and spring. Check out the December eNews for sign-up information for the Winter Behavior Training!

 

The Northwest Down Syndrome Association (NWDSA) and the Clackamas Education Service District (ESD) will host Facilitating Language Development During Everyday Routines on Tues., Nov. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clackamas ESD Building, located at 13455 SE 97th Ave. in Clackamas. This interactive training will focus on easy, routine ways to encourage your child’s receptive and expressive language. To register for the training, visit the NWDSA Event Calendar or call 503-238-0522 by Nov. 4.

 

Early Childhood CARES speech and language pathologists will be on hand to answer parents’ questions related to speech and language development and articulation on Wed., Nov. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. Come hear tips and learn new strategies to help boost your child’s language skills. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the panel discussion even if childcare is not needed. Please call 541-346-2578 to register by Mon., Nov. 4. This panel discussion will be in English; Early Childhood CARES will host a similar discussion for Spanish families in May 2014. Please note, the panel discussion will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Nov. 7 and Nov. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance if childcare is needed. Please call 541-345-0805 to make childcare arrangements. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

Parents and preschool-age children are invited to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) at the University of Oregon on Fri., Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. for stories and hands-on fun including crafts, songs, games and museum exploration. Little Wonders is hosted the second Friday of every month at MNCH, located at 1680 East 15th Ave. in Eugene. A new theme and new activities will be presented each month. Little Wonders is free for MNCH members and $5 for non-members.

 

Family and Community Together (FACT) will host a free workshop on Understanding the IEP: Development, Process and Your Critically Important Role on the Team on Sat., Nov. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Arc Lane County, 4181 E St., Springfield. Lunch will be served at this workshop, and limited childcare will be available. A Spanish interpreter will also be available. To register,  email Sydney Shook or call 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

The Northwest Down Syndrome Association (NWDSA) will host Understanding Your Child’s Behavior: Exploring Tools and Strategies That Work on Sat., Nov. 9 from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1700 NE 132nd Ave. in Portland. Tracy Branscomb, a positive behavior intervention support specialist with the David Douglas school district, and Stephanie Hunter, a behavior specialist with Oregon Technical Assistance Corporation (OTAC), will talk about behavior intervention and share strategies for unlocking positive behavior. To register for the training, visit the NWDSA Event Calendar or call 503-238-0522 by Nov. 5.

 

Come get up close and personal to hawks, owls and falcons at the Birds of Prey Day on Sat., Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome, located at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. Beloved raptors from the Cascade Raptor Center will be visiting the museum. The cost is free for museum members; for non-members, the cost is $10 for parent with child and $2 for each additional child.

 

Come to Mount Pisgah Arboretum on Sat., Nov. 9 for the Play in the Rain Day!   The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the White Oak Pavilion at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd., Eugene. Local outdoor recreation and education organizations will have fun, family activities on hand, like tree climbing, campfire cookery, nature hikes, nature crafts and more. Visit Play in the Rain Day to learn more.

 

The Pearl Duck Autism Center, a new collaboration between the University of Oregon Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and Pearl Buck Center, is hosting a free talk for professionals and parents of children with autism spectrum disorders on Mon., Nov. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pearl Buck Preschool, 3690 West 1st Ave., Eugene. Tracy Raulston, a doctoral student in special education, will present Evidence-based Practices for Children with Autism. This talk will provide information and resources to parents and professionals to navigate the National Autism Center and the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders. For more information about this talk or to learn more about the services provided by Pearl Duck Autism Center, please email Wendy Machalicek.

 

Come join a group of parents and share in the joys and emotional struggles of parenting a child with special needs. The bimonthly Early Childhood CARES Parent Support Group will meet on Tues., Nov. 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 201A of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Avenue, Eugene. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the meeting even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Fri., Nov. 8. Please note, the support groups will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Come learn what a person-centered plan is and how parents can use this important tool to plan for a positive and possible future for their child. Susana Ramirez, a special education advocate with Disability Rights Oregon and a parent of a young adult with a disability, will lead this workshop on Tues., Nov. 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-0742 by Fri., Nov. 8. Please note, this workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

This workshop will help parents get answers to medical questions, such as diets, immunizations, medications, sleep challenges, behaviors and seizures. Dr. Randall Phelps, a pediatric development specialist with the Child Development and Rehabilitation Clinic, will lead the discussion. Parents are encouraged to bring and ask questions in a relaxed and open environment. This workshop will be in English; a similar workshop will be held for Spanish-speaking parents in April 2014. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Tues., Nov. 12. Please note, this workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

A free presentation on Sensory Strategies for Home and School will be held on Thurs., Nov. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Providence Cancer Center Amphitheater, located at 4805 NE Glisan St. in Portland.  Sharron Donnelly, MS, OTR/L of Advanced Pediatric Therapies, will assist parents, professionals and caregivers in understanding Sensory Processing Disorder and its effects on behaviors and the use of sensory strategies in promoting positive behavior. To register for this free presentation, visit the Providence Online Class Catalog. Search by class name for “Sensory PDX – Sensory Strategies for Home and School – Portland.” Parents may also register by calling the Providence Resource Line at 503-574-6595 or 1-800-562-8964.

 

Children are invited to Bridgeway House on Sat., Nov. 16 for Happy Haircuts. Children can get a no-tears haircut and a chance to create a special fidget toy. Please make sure hair is clean before scheduled haircut. Email Cindy Winkle or call 541-345-0805 for a reserved time. Walk-ins are welcome! Bridgeway House is located at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene.

 

GO DUCKS! And then go to a museum. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art offer will offer free admission during Duck home game weekends. Visit the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at 1680 E 15th Ave. in Eugene; the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is located at 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene.

 

Kids and parents are invited to imagine and create their own artwork of a delightful, tasty and colorful feast at this free, family art activity for all ages and skill-sets. A Feast of Colors will be held on Sun., Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., Eugene.

 

Early Childhood CARES Fall Behavior Training will continue in November. This is an 8-week training for parents of preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. Part 6 of the training will be held on Mon., Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon. Future behavior trainings will be held in the winter and spring. Check out the December eNews for sign-up information for the Winter Behavior Training!

 

The Swindells Resource Center will host a workshop on Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) on Mon., Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Providence Cancer Center Amphitheater, located at 4805 NE Glisan St. in Portland. At this free workshop, attendees will review the core learning challenges associated with ASD, discuss the development of goals for a child with ASD, the continuum of interventions for children with ASD, the importance of data collection and choosing the appropriate program for a child with ASD. To register online, visit the Providence Online Course Catalog and search by class name for “Swindells Center – Interventions for ASD – Portland.” To register by telephone, call 503-215-2429 or 800-833-8899 ext. 52429. Spanish registration and interpretation services are available; please call 503-574-6595 by Nov. 1.

 

Successful Collaboration Between Parents, Teachers & Paraeducators is an interactive training session presented by the Northwest Down Syndrome Association (NWDSA) and Dr. Regina Moreno, special education program director at Concordia University. The training will be held on Mon., Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the MESD Building, 11611 NE Ainsworth Circle in Portland. Attendees will learn how to define roles and responsibilities; best practices and professional standards in a general education setting; home/school communication strategies and practical examples of what successful collaboration looks like. To register, visit the NWDSA Event Calendar or call 503-238-0522 by Fri., Nov. 15.

 

A support group for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder who live in Mapleton or Florence will meet on Tues., Nov. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Early Childhood CARES in Florence, located at 2325 Oak St. (in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot). Childcare is available for children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES’ program. Parents must register for childcare by calling 541-997-1513. For more information, call Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

Families Connected will host its monthly Dinner Night on Wed., Nov. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4181 E St. in Springfield. Families Connected is a way for parents to come together to support each other and be supported. Dinner and respite care will be provided. Pam Ring, executive director of The Arc Lane County, will walk through the history of the developmental disabilities movement in our own community. This year, The Arc is celebrating 60 years in our community. This educational session will help families understand what families had to advocate for and what services looked like decades ago.  Please RSVP by emailing Sydney Shook or calling 541-343-5256 ext. 113. For those needing childcare, please email names and ages of children attending.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Nov. 7 and Nov. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance if childcare is needed. Please call 541-345-0805 to make childcare arrangements. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

The Autism Training and Research Center at Portland State University (PSU) is offering a free workshop series for parents of young children with autism (birth to 8 years). This workshop series will focus on building upon a child’s strengths and creating more opportunities for his/her success. Parents will learn how to use research-based strategies to help their child display positive behaviors, communicate more and become more independent in daily activities. The second session will focus on Building Communication Skills on Sat., Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will be held on the third floor of the University Technology Building at PSU, 2121 SW 4th Avenue in Portland. To register, visit Free Parent Workshop Series or call 503-725-8009.

 

Families Connected will host a Family Fun Day on Sat., Nov. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics (NAAG), 1205 Oak Patch Rd., Eugene. The cost is $5 per child. Siblings are welcome to attend, too. Parents may bring a snack for their child; however, it must be a peanut-free/nut-free snack.

 

GO DUCKS! And then go to a museum. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art offer will offer free admission during Duck home game weekends. Visit the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at 1680 E 15th Ave. in Eugene; the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is located at 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene.

 

The Saturday Respite Program for November is full; however, The Arc Lane County will offer its respite program again on Sat., Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4181 E St., Springfield. This is a low- cost program the Arc Lane County provides to families the first Saturday of each month. The cost is $10 per child with disability and $5 for each sibling. Families must email Megan King or call 541-743-5237 as soon as possible to confirm space availability and reserve a spot for their child.

 

Early Childhood CARES is sponsoring its annual Holiday Gift Giving Campaign for the families it serves. If you would like to purchase a gift for a child in need, tags will be available at the Early Childhood CARES main office (299 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene) beginning Mon., Nov. 18. You can also email Jan Weyers or call 541-346-3492 to request a tag. All gifts need to be returned unwrapped with the gift request tag attached to the Early Childhood CARES main office no later than Mon., Dec. 9.

 

The new Pearl Duck Autism Center is a collaborative effort of the University of Oregon University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Early Autism Research and Learning for the Young Child (EARLY) and the Pearl Buck Center. The Pearl Duck Autism Center is currently enrolling families of children with autism spectrum disorders ages 18 months to 5 years for the following parent child assessment and intervention clinics:

Distance Challenging Behavior Clinic (Oct.-May 2014)
Challenging Behavior Clinic (Nov.-Feb. 2014)
Social Communication Clinic (Dec.-March 2014)
Play Clinic (April-June 2014)

To learn more about the upcoming clinics, read the center’s FAQs. To learn more about the Pearl Duck Autism Center, view the program brochure. To obtain an application for services, call 541-762-1680.

 

Western Oregon University’s Teaching Research Institute is conducting a three-year study on the beneficial effects of parent-delivered massage in children with autism. Often children with autism have abnormal responses to touch such that they avoid touch on many areas of the body. For the past decade, the Teaching Research Institute at Western Oregon University has been teaching parents a daily massage program that has been shown in early studies to be effective in reversing difficulties with touch. As children become more comfortable with touch, they become calmer, are better able to learn and exhibit better behavior overall. Enrollment for children to participate in year two of the study is currently open. Children with autism under the age of six are eligible. (Children ages 6 to 11 will be eligible during the 2014-15 school year.) Families enrolled in the study will receive free training, treatment and assessments. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more about the study, visit Qigong Sensory Training Institute, call 503-585-9239 or send an email.

 

Each year, the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities conducts a survey to measure consumer satisfaction with its activities, projects and programs. The results of the survey will be included in the Council’s annual report to the federal Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), and your input will also help the Council plan for the coming year. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by Fri., Nov. 15. People who respond by this date will be entered in a drawing, and 20 randomly selected people will receive a small gift in appreciation. A hard copy of the survey may be requested by calling 503-945-9941 or 800-292-4154. The survey may be returned by postal mail or fax to:

Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities
540 24th Place NE
Salem, OR 97301
Fax: 503-945-9947

 

The Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) and Families Connected will host a Sibshops workshop in November. The workshop is designed for brothers and sisters (ages 8-13 years) who have a sibling with a developmental disability. Sibshops follows a set curriculum that allows brothers and sisters to express their feelings and have fun. The group will meet for six consecutive weeks, starting Tues., Nov. 5. The workshop will be held in the late afternoon at the Clinical Services Building on the University of Oregon campus, 901 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. Email Sydney Shook or call 541-343-5256 ext. 113 to sign up.

 

Eligibility for Medicaid (the Oregon Health Plan) is expanding and financial assistance is available for many Oregonians who want to purchase new private insurance plans. Mental health benefits are included and individuals can enroll even if they have a preexisting health condition and have been turned down before.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oregon is helping individuals and families sign up for both types of coverage through Cover Oregon, the state’s new health insurance exchange. Individuals do not need to have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from this service. To get help enrolling or determining whether or not you qualify for financial assistance, contact NAMI Oregon at 503-230-8009 or 800-343-6264 to schedule an enrollment assistance appointment. Appointments are available both by phone and in person in Eugene, and by phone around the state.

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has a partnership with Capstone to provide free access to myON Books through December 20, 2013. myON Books is an online library of more than 4,000 digital books for students and families.