August 20, 2008: 6:30pm, Wednesday. The Benefits of Sensory Based Occupational Therapy with Language Based Speech Therapy: A Collaborative Model. This presentation will highlight the collaboration of Speech Language Pathologists and an Occupational Therapist, with expertise in sensory processing. This presentation will describe how these two disciplines work together to identify sensory processing problems that may impact a child's language learning potential. This presentation will take place at Connec-to-Talk, 6 Hollyhock Road Wilton, CT 06897(upper level). Please contact Nika Williams with any questions at (203)210-7124 or nika@connec-to-talk.com.

August 26, 2008: Autism Parents Club: A group of parents (dads too!) of children on the autism spectrum. If you're part of "the club" you will laugh & cry with other parents who could relate to your situation, support each other, share stories & resources, vent & have fun. Open to parents from all over CT. Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM, Francesco's Restaurant, Route 7, Wilton. Casual. No need to RSVP, just come! More info: Patti Sylvia 761-0248 or pattisylvia@aol.com.

September 9, 2008: 7:30 pm. Including Samuel – Special Screening In Fairfield at Community Theatre. 1424 Post Road, Fairfield, CT. www.includingsamuel.com.

Immediately following, there will be a group discussion that the film maker, Dan Habib, is having on Including people with disabilities in schools and communities with Fairfield, and the entire nation.
Including Samuel is the newest film of its kind and is receiving critically acclaimed national recognition from Good Morning America NOW, The Washington Post, Business Week, and NPR to name just a few. The film takes the viewer on a deeply personal journey into the everyday lives of 5 families struggling to include their loved ones at all levels of society, telling their stories in very personal terms.
The event is open to the media. Please RSVP to attend. You can RSVP online at:
Mrembish1@yahoo.com or trembish@fairfield.k12.ct.us.

September 14, 2008: Be part of our 3rd Annual Romp For Research in support of The Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation’s NY Area 2008 Fundraising Drive. The Romp For Research -- an event that strives to raise awareness and funds for Down syndrome and the DSRTF’s efforts to improve the well being and independence of those living with Down syndrome -- will be held at the world-famous Asphalt Green, 555 East 90th Street (York Avenue between 90th and 92nd Streets) in Manhattan at 2:00 on Sunday, September 14. SORRY -- ASPHALT GREEN DOES NOT PERMIT DOGS. The Romp will include music, games, arts and crafts, food, drink, goody bags and prizes for people of all ages. The Romp will feature the “Trisomy Try-Fecta” – a fun challenge in which any kid or kid at heart can partake (without breaking a sweat). Tell your friends that you will be “romping for research and trying to score a Trisomy Try-Fecta for Down syndrome.

DSRTF is a non-profit organization dedicated to Down syndrome cognition research. DSRTF currently funds research projects at Stanford University’s Center for DS Research and Treatment and is committed to funding promising DS research across the country. DSRTF’s goals are to develop cognitive treatments that will further enable people with Down syndrome to be fully included in academic and social environments as well as provide them with greater opportunities to live independently as adults. For more information about the Romp For Research please contact steve@annasamigos.org.

September 17, 2008: Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00pm- NORWALK PUBLIC SCHOOLS PUPIL PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT- This is an opportunity for Norwalk parents to meet and talk with some of the central office staff in charge of special education services in Norwalk Public Schools. Staff will give an overview of services. The forum will take place at Norwalk City Hall, 3rd floor, Room 333, Norwalk and is co-sponsored by NorwalkSEEKS and Connecticut Association of Children and Adults w/LD (CACLD). It is free and open to the public. Questions at info@norwalkseeks.org or (203) 846-2501.

September 17, 2008: Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation presents an evening with Danny Aiello and his band. 7:30 pm at the Landmark in East Rutherford NJ. All proceeds go to Down syndrome research. Here is the link for the event and ticket information. https://secure3.convio.net/dsrtf/site/Donation2?1221.donation=form1&df_id=12. Any questions contact Markley Rizzi email: markleyrizzi@mac.com. We would like to have a CT table, it should be a great event, hope to see you all there.

September 17, 2008: Pizza Moms – Greenwich, CT. Every third Wednesday of the month at Bella Nonna, 371 E Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob. 7 - 9pm. A fun time to network with moms that have children receiving special ed services. We meet throughout the whole year. Contact Philippa Orszulak at 203-531-6471.

September 18, 2008: Thursday. IN CELEBRATION OF UNIQUE MINDS. 6:00-9:00pm. Held at AITORO APPLIANCE, 401 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. JOIN CACLD IN CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF SERVICE.
· Sample delicious food prepared by several of Fairfield County’s top chefs being prepared in Aitoro’s deluxe kitchen showrooms.
· Dance to the “After Hours Band” led by our own Judd McArthur!
· Coffee bar, dessert, raffle, cooking demonstrations, wine, beer and more.
Tickets are $45.00 per person if purchased by September 4. Tickets are $50.00 per person if purchased at the door. Call CACLD at 203-838-5010 to reserve your tickets NOW!

September 20, 2008: Concert for Autism. An evening with Roberta Flack. 7:30 pm, Palace Theatre in Stamford, CT. for more info, contact Stamford Education 4 Autism at Stamforde4autism@aol.com.

September 22, 2008: How We Learn: New Findings Toward Improving Cognition. 7-8 PM in Greenwich Hospital's Nobel Conference Room. Speaker: Paul Lombroso, MD, Director, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Elizabeth Mear and House Jameson Professor, Yale Child Study Center and Department of Neurobiology. What do Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease have in common? A recent model of these disorders suggest that they all lead to disruptions at synapses, the connections between neurons that are required for learning to occur and memories to be formed. This lecture will review some of the recent research in this area, how learning and memory are studied in the laboratory, and how discoveries in the laboratory are suggesting new therapeutic approaches to these devastating disorders. Paul Lombroso, MD is a Child Psychiatrist and Molecular Biologist. He was trained at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and at Harvard University. He then received further training in Molecular Biology at The Rockefeller University before joining the Child Study Center at the Yale University School of Medicine, where he is the Elizabeth Mear and House Jameson Professor of Child Psychiatry. He is particularly interested in learning and memory: how we learn and how, in certain disorders, we don't learn. Registration is available online at www.greenhospital.org or by calling (203)863-3627.

September 25, 2008: 7:30pm - 10:30pm A Rock & Roll Review to benefit the The Pilot House Special Needs Resource Foundation. www.thepilothouse.org. Rob Fried, Jerry Vigorito and Band Together will once again bring musicians of both national and local acclaim to Stage One at the Fairfield Theater Company for an evening of classic rock music from Woodstock to today. For tickets, visit: www.fairfieldtheatre.org.

September 25, 2008: Thursday. Kathy Whitbread, Ph. D., Associate Professor and Program Director of Special Education at St. Joseph College, and Sharon Golder, Director, Educational Consultants of CT, will discuss modifications and accommodations to help your child be successful. Don’t take the “I” out of IEP: Modifications and Accommodations that Work. 10:00 a.m. to noon at The Greens at Cannondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton. Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton. Please RSVP to Pam at 203-563-9994.

September 27, 2008: Disability Convention and Expo 2008. Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM At the Connecticut Expo Center, 265 Reverend Moody Overpass, Hartford (off I-91 Exit 33). Meet with elected officials and candidates for Office, Visit vendors carrying the latest in adaptive equipment and technology, Attend presentations on topics vital to the disability community, such as employment and transportation, Get information on the many services available for children and adults with disabilities, Bring the kids, participate in fun activities for the whole family. GET READY TO VOTE! For more information contact Stan Kosloski at skosloski03@comcast.net. If your agency, organization, or business is interested in having a booth at the Convention and Expo, see the DAC web site to obtain info and the necessary forms –
www.ct-dac.org.

October 4, 2008: Saturday, 2-5pm, Dr. Kathy Whitbread from St. Joseph’s College on Curriculum Modifications. Held at the Westport Library. Sponsored by WE BELONG, Inclusion in Fairfield County; co-sponsored with CDSC – CT Down Syndrome Congress, Early dinner served, RSVP required, to Eva Greenwald at evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net. The Westport Library is located at: Arnold Bernhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. More on CDSC at www.ctdownsyndrome.org.

October 15, 2008: Pizza Moms – Greenwich, CT. Every third Wednesday of the month at Bella Nonna, 371 E Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob. 7 - 9pm. A fun time to network with moms that have children receiving special ed services. We meet throughout the whole year. Contact Philippa Orszulak at 203-531-6471.

October 16, 2008: Thursday. Ruth Eren, Ed.D., Professor at Southern CT State University and one of the finest resources in autism spectrum disorders, and Barbara Cook, MS-SLP, a speech/language pathologist and consultant focusing on program development for children with ASD, will discuss The Hows, Whens and Whys of Inclusion. 10:00 a.m. to noon at The Greens at Cannondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton. Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton. Please RSVP to Pam at 203-563-9994.

October 17, 2008, 7pm: Healing Hearts Pediatric Therapy Center Inc. Gala Event. Mission Statement: Healing Hearts Pediatric Therapy Center is dedicated to improving the lives of children with a wide range of development disabilities and neuro-motor challenges. By offering innovative and specialized therapies in one centralized location regardless of ones financial means our center along with the family will form a cohesive TEAM enabling these children to achieve their maximum potential. Cocktail Reception, Dinner, Silent Auction. For further information please contact: Healing Hearts at (203) 708-0076

October 22, 2008, Wednesday,7:00 to 9:00 pm- NORA BELANGER, SPECIAL EDUCATION ATTORNEY- Interactive Round-table Discussion on a variety of topics such as School-Performed Educational Evaluations and when to give consent, Independent Educational Evaluations, Least Restrictive Environment, and Positive Behavior Strategies, etc. Attorney Belanger will answer general audience member questions. The Round-table Discussion will be held at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave., 3rd floor, Room 333, Norwalk and is co-sponsored by NorwalkSEEKS and Connecticut Association of Children and Adults w/LD (CACLD). It is free and open to the public. Questions at info@norwalkseeks.org or (203) 846-2501.

October 25, 2008: Annual CDSC convention - CT Down Syndrome Congress. Held at the Cromwell Plaza, Cromwell, CT. Check www.ctdownsyndrome.org

October 25, 2008: STAMFORD MARRIOTT. Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficits Through the Lifespan. Offering answers, direction, information, strategies and support. WORKSHOPS • EXHIBITS • GIANT BOOKSTORE. CACLD annual conference. For more info, check www.CACLD.org.

October 29, 2008: Thursday, 7-9pm. Dr. Michael Weiss from Giant Steps and private practice on Social Skills and Making Friendships. Sponsored by WE BELONG, co-sponsored with the Westport SEPTA. Held at Coleytown Middle School, on North Avenue, Westport. RSVP to Eva Greenwald at evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net.

November 12, 2008, Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00pm- NEURO-PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS PRESENTED BY SCOTT BEZSYLKO, Executive Director of Winston Prep Schools/NYC & Norwalk Campuses. Mr. Bezsylko will discuss and explain the fundamentals of a Neuro-psychological evaluation and its implications regarding your child's learning profile, IEP, educational plan and setting. The forum will take place at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave., Room 101, Norwalk and is co-sponsored by NorwalkSEEKS and SmartKids with Learning Disabilities. It is free and open to the public. Questions at info@norwalkseeks.org or (203)846-2501.

November 17, 2008. Monday. Jennifer Laviano, Esq., an attorney whose practice focuses on the representation of children with special needs, will discuss Accountability after the PPT: How to achieve IEP compliance. 10:00 a.m. to noon at The Greens at Cannondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton. Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton. Please RSVP to Pam at 203-563-9994.

November 17, 2008: Monday 6-9pm. Gala Awards Ceremony for 2008 with keynote speaker, Attorney David Shaw, on an update of the PJ Case and Inclusion in the State of CT, at the Westport Library. Sponsored by WE BELONG. RSVP to Eva Greenwald at evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net. The Westport Library is located at: Arnold Bernhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880.

November 19, 2008: Pizza Moms – Greenwich, CT. Every third Wednesday of the month at Bella Nonna, 371 E Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob. 7 - 9pm. A fun time to network with moms that have children receiving special ed services. We meet throughout the whole year. Contact Philippa Orszulak at 203-531-6471.

November 22, 2008: Saturday. RICK LAVOIE. It's So Much Work To Be Your Friend. Sponsored by The Pilot House. SAVE THE DATE for more information visit: www.thepilothouse.org

December 1, 2008: Monday. (Snow date: Monday, 12/8/08 ). Dr. Nancy O'Hara, a specialist in treating children with disabilities and ASD, will present Biomedical Updates: What’s New on the Horizon in Alternative Interventions, discussing therapies and the research behind them, including neurofeedback, detoxification, neuroinflamation, oxytocin and immunoglobulin therapy. 10:00 a.m. to noon at The Greens at Cannondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton. Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton. Please RSVP to Pam at 203-563-9994