New Year's Special Edition 2012
PEAK's 2012 Conference on Inclusive Education
Opening Doors to Curriculum, Classmates, and Community
"There is nothing else in the country quite like the Annual PEAK Conference. The sessions are top-notch and the people you meet are even more impressive! Whether you are a parent wanting support, a self-advocate seeking inspiration, or a teacher craving new ideas, you will want to be at this conference.” ~ Paula Kluth, 2011 Conference Speaker and Internationally Acclaimed Consultant, Teacher, Author, Advocate, and Independent Scholar, Chicago, Illinois
PEAK’s 2012 Conference on Inclusive Education is right around the corner! Full registration is open, the agenda is almost final and we couldn't be more excited!
5 Tips For Dealing With School Anxiety
It’s that time of year…the holidays are over and students are going back to school for a new semester. Many parents and students feel hopeful about 2012 and the possibilities it can bring. Others feel anxiety - another year of homework battles, stressful IEP meetings, and coaxing- no pleading- with your child to “Please go to school!” If you and your child are feeling anxious, check out these tips to make the back to school transition easier.
5 Sugerencias para Cómo Lidiar con la Ansiedad del Regreso a la Escuela
Es otra vez esa época del año… se acabaron las fiestas de fin de año y los estudiantes van de regreso a la escuela para iniciar un nuevo semestre. Muchos padres y estudiantes tienen esperanzas para el 2012 y las posibilidades que puede traer. Otros sienten angustia – otro año de batallar con las tareas, reuniones del IEP estresantes, y de alentar – no, de rogarle – a su hijo “¡Por favor ve a la escuela!”. Si usted y su niño se sienten angustiados, vean estas sugerencias para hacer que sea más fácil la transición de regreso a la escuela.
Ask A Parent Advisor: Behavior as Communication
Dear Parent Advisor,
I have a lovely 10 year old daughter with a disability, but she can be the most stubborn child on the planet. "No" is her favorite word, and anytime she doesn't want to do something, she puts up a fuss. How can we start the New Year with harmony and peace?
Sincerely,
~ Stressed Out Mom
Dear Stressed Out Mom,
Kids! You have to love them! Many parents are arguing with you right now saying that you are wrong, that THEIR child is the most stubborn on the planet. Having a child who exhibits stubbornness can feel very challenging to your parenting skills.
Self Advocate's Corner: Supporting Our Children to Find their Way in the World: The Push and Pull of Self-Determination
Self-determination is defined as “the right to decide for yourself.” Getting to the point of making your own decisions and having control over your life is a critical part of anyone’s “growing-up” process. During transition years as young people with disabilities move on to their adult lives after years of protection and guidance by their families and teachers, typical stresses and strains for anyone during this important point of passage can be even bigger when disability is involved.
So You Don’t Like Their Language? Speak Up!
Does it make you unhappy when someone in the media or public makes reference to “the handicapped” or uses such phrases as “confined to a wheelchair” or “stricken with cerebral palsy”?
It should, because these labels are demeaning; they tend to define the person in terms of his or her disability, and nothing more. We can all actively campaign to weed these usages out of our vocabulary and conversations, and what better time to start than in a New Year!
When people use these kinds of labels, it is good to proactively address the issue, letting them know that their use of such terminology is inappropriate.
The contents of this e-Newsletter were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H328M110023. However, those contents do notnecessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Carmen Sanchez.