Parent Information Relating to Special Education
All these opportunities are FREE unless noted.
Todos estos eventos son gratuitos excepto donde se indique.
In most cases you must register if registration information is provided.
When other events are announced they will be posted with these at:
Building Strong Parent Advocates — Self-Paced Course
Thu. Nov. 21 to Dec. 12, 6 hours of content
Build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while being empowered to be your child’s best advocate.
Register: https://www.
Social Security Benefits for People With Disabilities: Everything You Wanted To Know
Fri. Dec. 1, 10:00-11:30 am
Learn about the various disability benefits provided by Social Security, including who qualifies, and how to apply.
Register: https://us06web.
ABLE Accounts and the ABLEnow Program
Tue. Dec. 5, 11 am–noon
Learn about the advantages of ABLE accounts: who qualifies, how to open one, and how the money can be used for disability expenses.
Register: https://us06web.
The Holiday Survival Guide for Parents
Tue. Dec. 5, noon-1 pm
Parents of autistic children will gain strategies to increase wellbeing and create/adapt traditions.
Register: https://xminds.org/
Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome: A Distinct Kind of Inattention
Tue. Dec. 5, 1 pm, with replay link
Learn about typical behaviors, how this syndrome is similar to and distinct from ADHD, recommended treatment, and home strategies.
Register: https://www.
Is This Autism? A Framework for Understanding
Tue. Dec. 5, 7:00-8:30 pm
Three authors of a new book will discuss diagnostic criteria for autism that shows a wide variation of characteristics.
Register: https://xminds.org/
Social Security Benefits for People with Disabilities — In Spanish
Beneficios del Seguro Social para personas con discapacidades
Miércoles, 6 de diciembre, 11:00 am-12:30 pm
En línea y en persona, 3060 Williams Dr. #300, Fairfax
Aprender los conceptos básicos de qué es el Seguro Social, cómo solicitarlo, y cómo utilizar los beneficios.
Registrarse: https://
The Truth About Learning Styles and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Success in School
Wed. Dec. 6, 1 pm
Learn how to turn passive studying sessions into active and engaging learning sessions.
Register: https://ectutoring.
Medicaid Waivers in Virginia
Wed. Dec. 6, 6:00-7:30 pm.
Learn who is eligible and how to obtain benefits for personal assistance and community support.
Register: https://www.
Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia
Wed. Dec. 6, 6:30~7:45 pm
Learn about the various dispute resolution options, how they work, and when it may be best to use a specific option.
Register :https://us02web.
How to Talk so that Schools will Listen (and Listen so that Schools will Talk) — In Spanish
Cómo hablar para que las escuelas escuchen (y escuchar para que las escuelas hablen)
Miércoles, 6 de dicembre, 6:30~8:00 pm
Este taller lo ayudará a reconocer y prevenir barreras a la comunicación y a construir acuerdos en torno a problemas difíciles.
Registrarse: https://us02web.
Advanced Training in Collaborative & Proactive Solutions
Thu. & Fri. Dec. 7 & 8, 9 am-4:30 pm $435
Learn how to move from power and control to collaboration and problem solving .
Building Independence with the TFIL Team
Thu. Dec. 7, noon-1 pm
Learn about the Arc2Independence app that can be customized to help your child navigate daily routines and challenges.
Register: https://us06web.
Talk Saves Lives
Thu. Dec. 7, 7-8 pm
Suicide can be prevented. Learn how by recognizing common risk factors and warning signs, and learn how to respond.
Register: https://
Executive Functioning: Helping Your Kids with Organization, Emotional Regulation, and Flexibility — In Spanish
Funcionamiento ejecutivo – ayudando a tus hijos con la organización, la regulación emocional, y la flexibilidad
Lunes, 8 de diciembre, 10:00-11:30 am
Aprenda sobre las funciones ejecutivas y cómo ayudar a nuestros niños a desarrollar y fortalecer su funcionamiento ejecutivo.
Social Media and Cyberbullying: What Parents Need to Know
Mon. Dec. 11, 6:30-8:00 pm, 21000 Education Ct. Ashburn
Learn how to keep your students safe, how to have conversations about this with your child, and rules to set.
Register: https://www.lcps.
Youth Mental Health First Aid — Course for Adults
Mon. & Tue. Dec.11&12, 1:00-4:30 pm, $25
Learn the risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges in youth, their potential impact, and how to respond.
Register: https://www.
Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
Tue. Dec. 12, 10:00-11:30 am
Learn how to recognize stress in children, common sources of stress, and strategies to lower stress.
Register: https://docs.
The Holiday Survival Guide for Parents
Tue. Dec. 12, noon-1 pm
Parents of autistic children will gain strategies to reduce stress, prioritize the important, and commit to self care.
Register: https://xminds.org/
The Holiday Blues: Put Your Mental Health First This Holiday Season
Tue. Dec.12, 1 pm, with replay link
Learn about the “holiday blues,” including symptoms, triggers, risk factors, treatment, tips for coping, and prevention.
Register: https://www.webmd.
From ‘I am Special’ to ‘H.A.P.P.Y.’
Sat. Dec. 13, 1 pm
Learn about a new program that focuses on the happiness and well-being of children with autism.
Register: https://autism.org/
Dip N Paint: Winter Wonderland Edition
Fri. Dec. 15, 6-8 pm
Adopted children and their parents are invited for a virtual, artist led, paint party. All materials provided.
Register; https://www.
Family Village Forum
Sat. Dec. 16, 11 am
Families new to the intellectual or developmental disability worlds are invited to become part of an ongoing sharing community.
Register: https://
Morning at the Museum — U.S. Botanic Garden
Sun. Dec. 17: 8:30-10 am, 100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC
Families with students with cognitive or sensory disabilities may come to enjoy the model trains and pollinator displays.
Register: RSVP to Maura.Nelson@aoc.gov (202-
Talk Saves Lives: An introduction to Suicide Prevention
Sun. Dec. 17, 4-5 pm
Suicide can be prevented. Learn how by recognizing common risk factors and warning signs, and learn how to respond.
Register: https://
Ongoing and On Demand
ADHD @ School: Top 10 Hurdles to Learning with ADHD
This 10-part self-guided course equips caregivers and students with effective solutions to the specific academic and behavioral challenges associated with ADHD
Register: https://www.additudemag.com/
The Arc@School Advocacy Curriculum $99 for 6 months
Build your special education knowledge, know the law, and learn to advocate for the services your child needs. Scholarship: https://
Purchase: https://
Dyslexia & the IEP: How to Make Sure the IEP Is in Tip-Top Shape
24/7 Access: https://www.youtube.
NAMI Basics
This 6-session course is for adults who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms (including ADHD and ASD).
Register: https://www.nami.
Children’s Challenging Behaviors
This 6-hour workshop focuses on children’s challenging behaviors, mental health conditions, special education, and advocacy skills. Register: https://
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training
Learn about special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests to measure progress and regression; SMART IEPs; and strategies for effective advocacy. $50-$90
Info: https://www.wrightslaw.
Advanced Training in Collaborative & Proactive Solutions
Participants will learn how to use the ALSUP assessment and how to solve problems collaboratively. $149
Access: https://vimeo.com/
Access to Success — Online Self-Paced 8-class Course for Students with Disabilities
High school and college students can learn about their disability rights and how to obtain accommodations in college. Use the mp3 files for audio.
Access: https://rtcil.ku.edu/
The Parent Playbook — 9 Module Online Course on Autism
From the VCU Autism Center for Excellence & Virginia Autism Council. An introduction on Autism Spectrum Disorder for families, including tips for caregivers, characteristics, interventions and recommended programs and services.
Access: https://
Two 9-1-1 Pre-Notification Programs Are Now Available
Both allow prior registration so that first responders will be aware of the special needs of individuals at the scene.
Fairfax County Emergency Health Profiles
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/
Ongoing medical and behavioral health conditions can be included, along with emergency contact information.
Fairfax County Community Connect
https://www.communityconnect.
The special needs of individuals, and information about pets and your residence can be included with emergency contacts.
Ongoing Community Support Groups
for Parents
All these support groups are open to newcomers, and they are free, except where noted. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are typically given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality is to be respected
AAC Parent Group meets occasionally on Saturdays. Contact: Amanda amandam@
African American Culturally Focused Virtual Parent Café meets Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Register at least 24 hours in advance by email BuildingStrongerFamilies@
Alpha Moms This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean. Contact: robin4brady@gmail.
Arlington Epilepsy Support Group, a list-serve, can be accessed at ARLepilepsy@googlegroups.
Autism Dads meets one evening monthly. Contact: George Buzby at 571-419-1257 or gbuzby@aol.com
Autism F.I.R.S.T. Family Support Group meets on the 1st Wed. monthly, in Chantilly or Herndon. Register: https://
Autism Society of NoVA Parents and Caregivers meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7-8 pm via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.
Business Networking Event for Special Needs Parents
Alternate Fridays, May 29 and following, 9:00-10:30 am Via Zoom. Connect with fellow special needs parents and business owners, build your referral network, and share best practices. Contact: https://
Cafés Virtuales Para Padres: Miércoles de 7:00-8:30 pm. Regístrese con al menos 24 horas de anticipación: BuildingStrongerFamilies@
CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact: Cathy, ocgreulich@aol.com
CSB Family Support Group at Gatlan Center 2nd and 4th Wed. of each month 6:00-7:30 pm via Zoom Contact: Samar.Chwairy@
D.A.D.S. Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome 3rd Tue. each month, 7-9 pm via Zoom. Contact: George gbuzby@aol.com or call 703- 545-6089.
Dr. Dan’s Support Group for Parents Raising Challenging Children meets via Zoom on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Register: https://www.
Embark in the DC Metro Parent Support Group is for parents of children and youth with mental health challenges. It meets virtually on alternate Thursdays, noon-1 pm. Register: https://www.
Fairfax Juvenile Court Parent Support for problems including runaway behavior, truancy, alcohol/drug abuse, and serious behavioral problems at home, at school, or in the community. Sign up for a phone consultation at
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