From the category archives:

Events

REMINDER: Special Night for Special Kids at the Train Park

by Dru Bloomfield on December 10, 2008

A quick reminder for you.  We went to last year’s holiday event for the first time and will be going again tonight.  We ran into so many people that we knew, some that we hadn’t seen in a really long time.  It was a wonderful evening!

Special Night for Special Kids
at the Railroad Park

December 10, 2008
6:30-8:00 pm

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Scottsdale Road and Indian Bend

This FREE event for special needs children and their families features train rides through a spectacular Holiday Lights show, carousel rides, tons of fun activities and a special visit from Santa and his elves!  Look for your favorite cartoon characters!

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T’was a Special Night… for Special Kids

December 10, 2008
6:30-8:00 pm

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Scottsdale Road and Indian Bend

This FREE event for special needs children and their families features train rides through a spectacular Holiday Lights show, carousel rides, tons of fun activities and a special visit from Santa and his elves!  Look for your favorite cartoon characters!

For more information, please contact:
Julie Gieringer @ 480-310-0521
No reservations or registration needed.

See flyer for more details and local sponsors who are making this Special Night for Special Kids on Dec. 10th possible!

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Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children

by Dru Bloomfield on November 8, 2008

Laura Holgate from the Scottdale 2e Group sent over the following info on this upcoming webinar:

Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: What Parents, Educators and Psychologists Need to Know

90 Minute Webinar Presentation
Presented by James T. Webb, PhD

Thursday November 20
8:30PM Eastern Time (5:30PM Pacific)

Please consider your time zone for correct time in your area!

Cost: $40

Because they lack training, mental health professionals are misdiagnosing gifted and talented children and adults as having mental disorders. The characteristics of gifted/talented children and adults – particularly if not understood at school, home, or work – often are mistaken for significant behavioral or emotional problems that can be misdiagnosed as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, or Bi-Polar Disorder… Parents and educators, therefore, must become more informed about these issues.

However, for other children and adults, their giftedness is related, but often overlooked,for diagnoses that are accurate such as Existential Depression, Bi-Polar, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, Sleep Disorders or Multiple Personality Disorder. That is, these children and adults do indeed have dual diagnoses – giftedness and some disorder. It is important that the aspects related to giftedness not be overlooked or misunderstood by professionals. This session provides information to help parents, educators, and health care professionals understand how they can differentiate gifted behaviors from behavioral pathology. Dr. Webb will describe commonalities and contrasts between the characteristics of gifted children and adults and the behaviors described in the DSM-IV that are used by mental health professionals to make differential diagnoses. In addition,

Dr. Webb will discuss dual diagnoses and how treatment approaches with gifted children and adults often need to be modified.

Dr. James T. Webb founded SENG in 1981, and is the lead author of award winning books including Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults, Guiding the Gifted Child, A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children, Grandparent’s Guide to Gifted Children, and Gifted Parent Groups: The SENG Model. He was previously President of the American Association for Gifted Children, on the board of directors for the National Association for Gifted Children, President of the Ohio Psychological Association, and a member of the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Webb was recognized as one of the 25 most influential psychologists in a national survey published in Gifted Child Today.

Sign Up Today!

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Special Day for Special Kids

by Dru Bloomfield on March 28, 2008

Special Day for Special Kids is a free event for the Valley’s special needs children and their families.

Special Day for Special Kids will be held at The McCormick Stillman Railroad Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 29, 2008.

Special education children and their families can join us for FREE train rides, carnival activities, carousel rides, balloons, activity booths, clowns, face painting, petting zoo and lots of free food and ice cream.

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Disability Expo in Downtown Phoenix Today!

by Dru Bloomfield on February 20, 2008

Remember that today there will be than 100 organizations that provide services and products for people with disabilities will answer questions and distribute information at the Arizona Disabilities Expo.

Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday at Phoenix Convention Center, Hall G, 33 S. Third St. Free. Susan DeNova, 602-470-1802, ext. 114, or www.azdx.com.  

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Fishing Event for Special Kids on Superbowl Saturday

by Dru Bloomfield on January 22, 2008

Please pass this along to all of your Special Olympics and Little League athletes, and anyone else who may be interested.

Linda Woolley

Greetings All:

I got a call this morning from Steve Johnson, the area director of C.A.S.T. for Kids in Arizona. As most of you know, the C.A.S.T. organization offers free fishing clinics throughout the country for special needs and disadvantaged youths. http://www.castforkids.org/.

The Arizona Fish & Game Department is setting up a big fishing tank stocked with trout at the Cardinals Stadium Recreation Village as part of the activities leading up to the Super Bowl. The fishing is available to anyone from Thursday, January 31st through Sunday, February 3rd.

C.A.S.T. is looking for 40 special young fisherman to come and fish for FREE from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on Saturday, February 2nd. This tank will be exclusively theirs for this time. All gear will be provided (including t-shirts), and they are working on setting up free parking as well.

If your athlete, or someone you know would like to participate, please contact Steve Johnson at scjohnson@lc.usbr.gov  (preferred) or by phone at 623-773-6246.  Steve will get back to you on parking, etc.

In addition, if you would like to volunteer and help out with the fishing, either then or at any time that week, please let Steve know. It will be very welcome!

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Arizona Autism Candlelight Vigil

by Dru Bloomfield on January 20, 2008

From the Autism Society of America:

Join us at the Arizona Autism Candlelight Vigil!

The Autism Society of America – Greater Phoenix Chapter has joined with local autism support groups including ROK, S.A.N.E., Asperger Parent Network, HelpASAP, Arizona Autism Support, Northern Arizona ASA, ASA-Pima County Chapter and organizations including the Autism Society of America, Arizona Autism Coalition, SARRC and ACT Today! Arizona Chapter to hold the Arizona Autism Candlelight Vigil!

Where: Arizona State Capitol – House Lawn

When: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 6:00 pm.

Please join us for this important event at the Arizona State Capitol! A large turnout at this event will show Arizona that we are united as a community and could really decide whether the upcoming autism insurance legislation gets passed. This is the time to show up and be counted, so please bring everyone you can, including families, friends, providers and neighbors!

For more information, visit www.azautisminsurance.org  or www.phxautism.org

Autism Society of America – Greater Phoenix Chapter
PO Box 10543
Phoenix, Arizona 85064-0543
480-940-1093

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Walk n' Roll Dog Walk – January 26th

by Dru Bloomfield on January 3, 2008

My son and I did the Power Paws walk two years ago, and it was a blast!  As many dogs as people, and what a variety!  The walk was easy, and very social.  

And, it’s for a good cause:

The mission of Power Paws Assistance Dogs is to provide highly skilled assistance dogs to adults and children with disabilities, to provide education and continuing support for working assistance dog teams and to be a resource in the community for people with disabilities.

Walk n’ Roll Dog Walk and Silent Auction

WHEN: Saturday, January 26, 2008
TIME: Registration Starts at 9 am, Walk Starts at 10 am
WHERE: Town Lake, Beach Park

THE EVENT OVERVIEW:

  • 5K Fun walk & wheelchair roll around Tempe Town Lake
  • Friendly dogs are welcome but not required!
  • Outback Steakhouse will provide lunch for the first 500 qualified pledge levels.
  • Silent Auction – Items includes Hawaiian vacation, sports memorabilia and more!
  • Join us for games for your dog all day long!
  • The Heat Wave Flyball team will entertain us with their outstanding athletic dogs
  • Live music by The Shammys
  • Free Mini Massages
  • The Great Dane Drill Team
  • Canine Good Citizen Testing

Visit Arizona Power Paws for more information!

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Annual Legislative Advocacy Training Day

by Dru Bloomfield on December 29, 2007

From Barbra Ross, Parent Information Network Specialist at the Arizona Department of Education’s
Exceptional Student Services:

AzDAC ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY TRAINING DAY

Sponsored by Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition (AzDAC)

February 5th 2008
1:30 – 8:00 PM

Black Canyon Conference Center
9440 N 25th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85021
602.944.0569

The goals of this training are to help you:
• Understand how the legislative process works
• Advocate for legislation that is important to you
• Prepare to meet and talk with your legislator

The agenda will include:
• LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
• LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR 2008
• MOCK LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

This event is presented in conjunction with the Arizona Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Legislative Awareness Day on February 6, 2008 at the Arizona State Capitol, Phoenix, AZ. For more information go to www.azgcdd.org

Applications for the training must be submitted by December 31st. For more information, contact Liz Olson at l.olson@acdhh.az.gov or (602) 542-3323 Voice/TTY.

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High School Transition Workshops

by Dru Bloomfield on December 29, 2007

Courtesy of Lisa Dee Meyerson Marshal, SEPAC VP Strategic Relationships:

Raising Special Kids will have High School Transition workshops for transition from high schol to post secondary education, employment and life in the community on the following dates:

Jan 9, Jan 30, Feb 13 and Feb 21 (all from 4 to 6 PM)

Call 602-242-4366 to register.

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