All workshops start at 7PM and are held at the Franklin Municipal Building,
355 East Central Street, 3rd Floor conference room. Workshops will be held
on the following dates:

November 18, 2009: Emotional Difficulties in Childhood and Adolescence
Diagnoses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety are becoming increasingly common among children and teenagers. These disorders can manifest in very different ways, across different individuals and across different ages and stages of development. They can also be accompanied by difficulties that affect other domains of functioning, including social problems and learning issues. Therapist Meghan Welsh, MS, from the Integrated Center for Child Development, will discuss psychiatric disorders diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, ways in which they manifest, and how to treat them and support those who experience them.

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January 27, 2010: MCAS Workshop
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is a tool to measure progress in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks or general curriculum. This workshop will help parents understand how their children with disabilities can participate in a meaningful way in MCAS. Robin Foley, from MASSPAC at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, will discuss accommodations and alternate assessments available so that students can demonstrate what they have learned.

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February 24, 2010: Homework Workshop
This interactive presentation provides an overview of the 8 functions of the brain and how they impact learning -- specifically in reading, writing and math. Wendy Van Gyzen, M.Ed, from the Dunn Institute for Learning Differences, will provide strategies for supporting successful homework completion for students with a variety of learning styles, and provide a framework for decreasing the nightly struggle around various assignments.

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March 17, 2010: Executive Dysfunction: Helping Your Child Succeed Academically and Socially
Executive functioning includes a child's ability to regulate his or her attention, emotions, and behavior, as well as her ability to plan and organize tasks. Executive control difficulties are the hallmark feature of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder but are also often experienced by children with learning and developmental disabilities and can undermine a child’s academic performance and social success. Neuropsychologist, Jessica Benetti-McQuoid, PhD, from the Integrated Center for Child Development, will provide an overview of this collaborative process and how it can help your child.

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April 14, 2010: Your Special Education Rights
A basic understanding of the special education process and the laws that govern that process are critical to a parent's ability to work in partnership with schools on behalf of their student with special needs. All Massachusetts school districts are required to provide, in cooperation with their Special Education Parent Advisory Council, an annual workshop on the rights of students and their parents and guardians under state and federal special education laws. This presentation allows schools to meet that regulatory obligation, and gives participants the information they need to participate meaningfully in educational programming decisions. Ellen Chambers, from SpedWatch, will give this presentation.

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May 19, 2010: Estate Planning for Special Needs Families
There are unique aspects of estate planning and probate proceedings concerning individuals with disabilities. Attorney Tasha Buzzell will discuss the basics of legal planning, including guardianships, wills and special needs trusts.

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June 16, 2010: Get Ready for Summer
This last meeting with be a session where everyone can trade ideas on the best and the most fun places to take your children during the summer.