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Welcome to the Autism in Connecticut Blog!

Here you will find information on activities, programs and events around the state that might of be of interest to anyone in Connecticut living with autism. You will find a calendar of events listing support groups, speakers, conferences and workshops. There is an announcement section listing research projects, programs, ongoing classes, new groups being organized and other activities that might be of interest to families, professionals, community members, friends or other autism organizations. It is our belief that there is a need for one place to go where anyone can access information on what is happening around the state whether it is sponsored by our organization, by any other autism organization, or by any other disability organization or state agency. Families - this is the place to come to in order to find out what is happening. Organizations - this is the place to post your information to reach families and professionals around the state. Professionals - this is the place to access the autism community in Connecticut. Send your information to autismblogger@sbcglobal.net.

Sponsored by the Autism Society of Connecticut

Made possible by private donations from YOU, our friends.

AUTISM ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Entries in Green

Please send all information to autismblogger@sbcglobal.net and include contact information

New Resources from the State Department of Education: check out the new "Bureau Blogs" that appear each month at the CT State Department of Education website for helpful resources.

Parent Leadership Training: Beginning in January, 2007, the CT Commission on Children will be offering their Parent Leadership Training in Danbury. There are different trainings (1) a 10-week course on parent leadership, understanding personal history and its impact on perception; and (2) a 10-week study of politics, policy and media with a Community Project component. There will be a retreat on Jan. 13 for each group to develop group cohesion and define mission. All programs are free. A full copy of the brochure is available at www.danburychildrenfirst.org or all 203-797-8088 or e-mail pattik@danburychildrenfirst.org.

Jan. 2007 - April 2007: Three Part Workshop Series for Psychologists and Social Workers "How to Work More Effectively with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders". Presented by James Loomis, PhD. Session dates, Jan 20, Feb 10, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. To be held at High Roads Student Learning Center, Wallingford. Sponsored by the Autism Spectrum Resource Center. Commitment to all three sessions required. For more information and registration please contact ASRC at 203-248-5222. Do not call High Roads.

Rhythms of Grace: Monthly church services for children with special needs and their families/caregivers. First Sunday of the month at Trinity Episcopoal Chuch, Torrington from 1:00 p.mm. - 3:00 p.m. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Audrey Scanlon at ascanlan1@yahoo.com for more information.

DMR Pilot Program Now Accepting Appplications. The DMR has established a small pilot program for adults with have Autism Spectrum Disorders and do not have mental retardation and are not receiving services from the DMR. Information can be found at the DMR website at www.dmr.state.ct.us/AutismPilot/index.htm. Applicants for the program must live in certain areas and meet certain requirements. Call Kathryn Reddington, DMR Autism Coordinator at 860-418-6026 with questions and for more information.

Office of the Child Advocate is pulling together stories/circumstances from families that are struggling to locate a child or adolescent psychiatrist (either they are unable to get an appointment with one or the practice doesn't accept their insurance). OCA is working on this project with the Attorney General. Call 1-800-994-0939 at the OCA and ask for Julie or Laurie. All information is confidential.

Valley Shore YMCA in Westbrook announces new adaptive recreation programs. Winter Family Play Dates and Music for Learning. Beginning in January, 2007. Contact Patti MacKenzie at 860-399-9622 or www.vsymc.org.

Clinton SEPTA is forming a "From Emotions To Advocacy" Study Group. Starts Jan. 16 at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. 5 Sessions. Learning to effectively and collaboratively advocate for a child with special needs is not an easy task for most parents. Join this group and you will explore different aspects of advocating for your child's appropriate education supports and services. Utilizing Pete and Pam Wright's "From Emotions to Advocacy". www.wrightslaw.com. For more information and to register contact 860-575-4109 or e-mail leslie.parent@sbcglobal.net Sponsored by the Clinton SEPTA.

Adaptive Recreation Programs for the Winter at Groton Parks and Recreation. Registration now open. Contact Eileen Cicchese at 860-536-5691.

Looking for special needs daycare in Killingworth? Check out Pansy Patch DayCare. PansyPatchDayCare@comcast.net. www.pansypatchdaycare.com.

AUTISM IN CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY CALENDAR

New Entries in Green

e-mail to autismblogger@sbcglobal.net

Tues. Jan. 2, 2007: Pizza Moms tonight in Darien! Post Corner Pizza in Darien. Check www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamoms.html. Pizza moms is a group of moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. We meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. We get together informally and have pizza, salad and beer in Darien. Everyone is welcome. Contact Nanette Jordan at nanette618@yahoo.com for more information.

Thurs, Jan. 4, 2007: Families United Network Northeast - a family support and advocacy group. First Thursday of every month. 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. United Services, Wauregan, call Families United at 860-537-6125 and ask for Lorna.

Sat. Jan. 6, 2007: Kids Dance! A dance for kids of all abilities. Age 9-17 years old. At St John's Lutheran Church, Newfield Ave., Stamford. Participants must have a guardian or chaperone with them. Call Nanette Jordan at 203-354-2943 or e-mail nanette618@yahoo.com for more information and RSVP. www.kidsdance.50megs.com.

Sat. Jan. 6, Sat. Jan 27 and Sat. Feb. 3, 2007: Special Education and Autism Spectrum Disorders - Learning to Advocate Effectively. Speaker: Stacy Hultgren. A three part workshop, you must attend all three. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Spring Glen United Church of Christ, Hamden. Sponsored by the Autism Spectrum Resource Center. Call 203-248-5222 or www.ct-asrc.0rg for more information and registration.

Mon. Jan 8, 2007: Parent Support Group 7:00 p.m. Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester. Sponsored by the East of the River Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call Carolyn Schwartz at 860-644-0524 or www.autismsocietyofct.org for more information.

Mon. Jan. 8, 2007: Parent Support Group. West Haven City Hall 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For parents of special needs children. More information call Karen Muro at 203-937-3565 or e-mail KarenMMuro@aol.com.

Mon. Jan. 8, 2007: Fairfield County Autism Support Group: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Frenchtown Elementary School, Frenchtown Road, Trumbull. Sponsored by the ASRC. Call Lois Rosenwald at 203-248-5222 for more information.

Tues. Jan. 9, 2007: Wilton Parent Advocacy Team (WPAT). For Wilton parents only. 7:00 p .m. - 9:00 p.m. Forum for parents of children with special needs in Wilton who advocate to improve programs within the schools and community. At the Greens at Canondale. RSVP to wiltonspedgroup@aol.com.

Tues. Jan. 9, 2007: Birth to Beyond Support Group: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Stop & Shop Supermarket, 2nd Floor conference room, Waterbury. Topic: CT Family to Family Health Information Network helping families who have children with special health care needs to access funding and health care. Presented by Joy Liebeskind. For more information, contact Alice Buttwell at 860-350-6025 or alicemmbb@aol.com or Joy Liebeskind at 203-272-9058 or sjsjl@cox.net.

Tues. Jan. 9, 2007: Public Comment Invited on the CT Council on Developmental Disabilities Priorities and Initiatives. 1:30 p.m. Institute of Technology and Business Development, CCSU, 186 Main St, New Britain. The public is invited to comment on the Council's current priorities and initiatives and to recommend new ones. www.ct.gov/ctcdd and www.ctcdd.org.

Wed. Jan. 10, 2007: Transition Conference. 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Quinebaug Valley Community College, Danielson. DMR and EASTCONN will host a presentation on transition for students with disabilites and their families. Come learn about: What are the components of transition planning? How to plan during the last years at school? How do school systems and DMR work together? Who are the adult service agencies in your area? How do families arrange for supports? Medicaid Wiaver? How is DMR funding established? Contact Mary Stark for more information at 860-456-6347 or Christine Lessig at 860-774-3770.

Wed. Jan. 10, 2007: Positive Behavior Interventions: What Parents Need to Know. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sponsored by South Windsor Youth and Family Services and presented by the CT Parent Advocacy Center. Families will be introduced to a new way of thinking about their child's behaviors and about the need to advocate for behavioral supports. The workshop introduces and provides an overview of the concepts of functional assessment and positive behavior interventions. For more information and to register contact Ginny Molleur at 860-648-6361 x314.

Wed. Jan. 10, 2007: Parent Support Group for children diagnosed with an ASD. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Westbrook Youth and Family Services, 1163 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Call 860-399-9239 for more information.

Wed. Jan. 10, 2007: Mock IEP. 7:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Drama unfolds in this interactive event, as we re-enact an IEP meeting for a student with special needs. Tips for sucessful meetings will be shared. Faciliated by Anne Eason. Sponsored by Fairfield SEPTA. Jennings Elementary School Cafeteria, 31 Palm Dr., Fairfield. RSVP Doreen Caruso at dornicky@optonline.net.

Thurs. Jan. 11, 2007: Ozreiu: for parents of special needs children. 7:30 p.m. The Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. RSVP Judith Fox at 860-233-2774 or judyefox@emanuelsynagogue.org.

Sat. Jan. 13, 2007: Mozart and the Whale: Film Screening and Cocktail Reception. With special guest, Jerry Newport, whose real life is dramatized in the film. Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave., Hartford. Cocktail Reception 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Ticketed event. Film screening and book signing 8:00 p.m. Registration is required, www.autismsocietyofct.org or call 888-453-4975 for information and registration materials. Sponsored by the Autism Society of Connecticut and the Charter Oak Cultural Center.

Sat. Jan. 13, 2007: Book Reading and Signing. Jerry Newport will be reading from his book, "Mozart and the Whale: an Asperger's Love Story". Questions and anaswers. 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. RJ Julia Booksellers, Boston Post Road, Madison. Call RJJulia at 203-245-3959 to register. Sponsored by the Autism Society of Connecticut.

Sat. Jan. 13, 2007: Stress-Free Sibshops. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven. Come learn fun ways to reduce stress in your life. Please send your child with a towel or mat as we will be lying on the floor. Pack a light lunch. NO NUTS. Parking validation provided. Register by Jan. 10. Contact Erin Spaulding at 203-688-6880 or erin.spaulding@ynnh.org.

Sat. Jan. 13, 2007: Parenting Workshops. 9:00 a.m . - 12:00 p.m. Offered by Behavioral Managements's Neil Quatranno, Director of Clinical Services and Jeanne B. Ayotte, Associate Clinical Director, co-authors of the "tool box approach". This provides caregivers with new "tools", parenting skills and behaior modification utilizing a strength based approach. At CASP, 250 East Main St., Clinton. Fee. Contact 860-669-2195 for more information and registration.

Mon. Jan. 15, 2007: Building Blocks Support Group. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Multi-Purpose Room, Colchester Elementary School. A support group for p arents or caregivers of children with social or emotional challenges aged birth - five. For more information contact: Dana at 860-434-4890 x349 or Rachel at x311. Sponsored by Families United for Children's Mental Health and Building Blocks: Social Emotional Wellness for Young Children.

Tues. Jan. 16, 2007: Parent Support Group: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Groton Public Library. Call Danielle Greene at 860445-9765 for more information.

Tues. Jan. 16, 2007: Andrew Vogl, owner of PPD, LLC in Ivoryton will speak on how control and anxiety affect autism spectrum disorders. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at HARC, 900 Asylum Ave, Hartford. Babysitting provided at cost. Sponsored by the Hartford Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Contact Beth Katten at bethkatten@yahoo.com for more information.

Tues. Jan. 16, 2007: Suspension: Rights and Options for Children with Special Needs. 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. United Church on the Green, New Haven. Sponsored and presented by the CT Parent Advocacy Center. This workshop will review the issues related to discipline that face students with special needs in school IDEA outlines specific steps that schools need to follow before suspending or expelling a student who is receiving special education services. Come and find out how these situations should be handled, how you can participate in the process and how you can help work towards improvement within your community. For more information and to register contact CPAC at 800-445-2722 or cpac@cpacinc.org.

Wed. Jan. 17, 2007: Pizza moms, Greenwich! Held at Bella Nonna's in Cos Cob, 371 East Putnam Ave. Check www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamomsg.html for more information. A support group for moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. We get together informally for food, drink and networking. Everyone welcome. Please contact Philippa Orszulak at 203-531-6471 or angelmannmom@aol.com.

Thurs. Jan. 18, 2007: Creating Effective IEP's. 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p .m. Cheshire Public Library, Cheshire. Presented by the CT Parent Advocacy Center. This workshop will address questions that parents face regarding the effetiveness of their child's IEP. Participants will learn how to determine if their child's program is effective and what to do if it is not. Sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation of CT. For more information and registration, contact Allison Gamber at 860-346-1924.

Sat. Jan 20, 2007: NorthStar Family Day Event! Save the date, more details to follow.

Sat. Jan 20, Feb, 10, Mar 24, 2007: Behavioral Control at Home and in the Neighborhood. A three-part workshop, you must attend all three parts. Presented by Linda Grimm and the staff of Benhaven. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Spring Glen United Church of Christ, Hamden. Sponsored by the Autism Spectrum Resource Center. Call 203-248-5222 or www.ct-asrc.org for more information and registration.

Sat. Jan. 20, 2007: Guiding Your Special Needs Child Through The Educational System. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. The Royale in Derby. A workshop for parents to find out more about the PPT process. Get tips on how to prepare for a PPT. Get tips on how to actively participate in the process, how to advocate for your child while working collaboratively with the school and the educational system. Learn about resource that may be available and adaptive technologies that might help your child. Sponsored by the Lower Naugatuck Valley Systems of Care. For more information and to register call 203-954-0543 x 214 and leave a message or e-mail infosoc@invpcrc.com

Mon. Jan. 22, 2007: The Core Deficits of Autism. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. A presentation by Dr. Nancy Schwartz discussing some of the hallmarks of the disorder including the inability to dynamically appraise a situation, develop episodic memories, share experiences and produce flexible, creative solutions to problems. The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton. Sponsored by Sped*Net, Wilton. RSVP to Eve Kessler at 203-761-0680.

Mon, Jan. 22, 2007: Parent Suport Group with speaker on Family Dynamics. 7:00 p.m. Sterling House Community Center, Main St., Stratford. Sponsored by the Stratford Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Contact Kim Wardlow at bischon03@yahoo.com for more information.

Tues. Jan. 23, 2007: Tamale Tuesday. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Special Education Network of New Cannaan, Ltd, invites all parents and guardians of students who receive special education services in the New Canaan public schools to the Tequila Mockingbird Restaurant on 6 Forest Street, New Canann. Please join us for discussing ideas and developing strategies for special edcuation and 504 issues. RSVP Judi Anders at 203-80-0794 or e-mail judianders@sbcglobal.net.

Wed. Jan. 24, 2007: Parent Support Group for children diagnosed with an ASD. 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Westbrook Youth and Family Services, 1163 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Call 860-399-9239 for more information.

Wed. Jan. 24, 2007: "Achieve Fluency in Academic and Communication Skills with Precision Teaching" a talk by Christine Culkar-Capizzi, BCaBA and Danusia Pawska, BCaBA, from Achieve Fluency Learning Center. 7:30 p.m. IDEA Training Center, 20 Washington Ave., North Haven. Sponsored by the South Central Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call Sally Brockett at 203-234-7401 to reserve a seat.

Thurs. Jan. 25, 2007: Parent Support Group. 6:30 p.m. Preston Public Library. Contact Joan Bachelder at aabddbjmb@aol.com for more information.

Thurs. Jan, 25, 2007: Parent Support Group. 7:00 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Society, Boston Post Rd, Madison. Sponsored by the Shoreline Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call 888-453-4975 for more information.

Mon, Jan. 29, 2007: Processing Broad Band Communication: A talk by Dr. Nancy Schwartz. The complexity of how we communicate is embodied in broad band communication. To successfully communicate, we must process multiple levels of incoming information simultaneously, a skill that is difficult for someone with an ASD. Dr. Schwartz will explain the need for specifically teaching how to process broad band communication. The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Rd, Wilton. Sponsored by Sped*Net, Wilton. RSVP to Eve Kessler at 203-761-0680.

Tues. Jan. 30, 2007: Autism Parents Club: A group of parents (dad's too!) of children on the autism spectrum. Open to parents from all over CT. Meets the last Tuesday of the month ata 7:30 p.m. at Francesco's Restaurant, Route 7, Wilton. No need to RSVP. For more information, contact Patti Sylvia at 203-761-0248 or pattisylvia@aol.com.

Wed. Jan. 31, 2007: What Every Parent Should Know About Their Child's Basic Rights in Special Education. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Coleytown Middle School Cafeteria, 255 North Ave., Westport. Attorney Lawrence Berliner, with the firm of Klebenoff & Alfano, will speak. Sponsored by Westport SEPTA. Reservations suggested. www.westportsetpa.org.

Wed. Jan. 31, 2007: Understanding Your Adolescent with ADHD: School-Based Needs and Supports. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Dr. Christine Siegel, Assistant Professor of School Pyscology at Fairfield University will speak about the changing needs of adolescents, aged 12-19, with ADd/ADHD within the middle school, high school and college settings. As part of the workshop parents will have the option of participating in research about parenting by completing a brief, confidential questionnaire. At Waveny House, Waveny Park, New Canaan. Sponsored by SPED*NET New Canann. RSVP to Beth Lurie at 203-966-2982 or lurie@optonline.net.

Thurs. Feb. 1, 2007: Families United Network Northeast - a family support and advocacy group. First Thursday of every month, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m United Services, Wauregan. Call Families United at 860-537-6125 and ask for Lorna.

Thurs. Feb. 1, 2007: Strategies and Accomodations for Children with Learnaing Disabilities and and/or Attention Difficulties. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. At Jeffrey Elementary School, Madison. Presented by the CT Parent Advocacy Center. The purpose of this training is to familiarize parents with strategies that can help their children succeed in the regular education classroom. Topics include: learning how to contribute to the develpment of the IEP and understanding the range of modfications and accommodations that can support a child in the general education curriculum. Participants will leave with several easy to use ideas and tools that can help their children be more sucessful at home and at school. Sponsored by the Madison School Collaborative. For more information or to register contact Debbie Helgeson at 203-241-0444.

Mon. Feb. 5, 2007: Wilton Parent Advocacy Team (WPAT). 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. For Wilton parents only. Forum for parents of children with special needs in Wilton who advocate to improve programs within the schools and community. At The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Rd., Wilton. RSVP to wiltonspedgroup@aol.com.

Mon. Feb. 5, 2007: Fairfield County Autism Support Group. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Frenchtown Elementary School, 30 Frenchtown Road, Trumbull. Sponsored by ASRC. Call Lois Rosenwald at 203-248-5222 for more information.

Tues. Feb. 6, 2007: Taj Tuesdays. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. YWCA STEPS of Darien invites all parents and guardians of students who receive special education services in the Darien Public Schools to the Coromandel Restaurant located in the Goodwives Shopping Center, 45 Old Kings Highway, Darien. Please join us to share strategies on negotiating the special education maze. RSVP at 203-656-2535 or ywcastepsdarien@optonline.net.

Tues. Feb. 6, 2007: Pizza Moms in Darien! 7:30 p.m. Post Corner Pizza in Darien. www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamoms.html. Pizza moms is a group of moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. We meet the first tuesday of the month. We get together informally and have pizza, salad and beer in Darien. Everyone is welcome. This is a place where moms can talk with other moms who are having similar experiences. If you are interested, contact Nanette Jordan at nanette618@yahoo.com.

Tues. Feb. 6, 2007: Courtney Spencer, attorney with Klebenoff & Alfano will speak on Parent's Rights, Advocacy, IEP's, PPT, IDEA and the Least Restrictive Environment. Q&A. 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. HARC, 900 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Babysitting provided at cost. Sponsored by the Hartford Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Contact Beth Katten at bethkatten@yahoo.com for more information.

Mon. Feb. 12, 2007: Parent Support Group. 7:00 p.m. Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester. Sponsored by the East of the River Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call Carolyn Schwartz at 860-644-0524 or www.autismsocietyofct.org for more information.

Mon. Feb. 12, 2007: Parent Support Group: West Haven City Hall. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For parents of special neeeds children. More information call Karen Muro at 203-937-3565 or e-mail KarenMMuro@aol.com.

Mon. Feb. 12, 2007: Regulation: The Basis for Social Interaction. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Presented by Dr. Nancy Schwartz. Relatedness is based upon a person's ability to regulate and adjust within a social interaction. For children on the spectrum, adults instead of peers typically faciliate these regulations and adjustments. Consequently, many children on the spectrum look markedly better when interacting with adults. Dr. Schwartz will discuss the focus of RDI: to teach children on the spectrum to regulate within a dynamic system, thereby empowering them to be competent within any social interaction. The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Rd, Wilton. Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton. RSVP Eve Kessler at 203-761-0680.

Tues. Feb. 13, 2007: Wilton Parent Advocacy Team (WPAT): For Wilton parents only. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Forum for parents of children with special needs in Wilton who advocate to improve the programs within the schools and community. RSVP to wiltonspedgroup@aol.com.

Wed. Feb. 14, 2007: Parent Support Group for children diagnosed with an ASD. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Westbrook Youth and Family Services, 1163 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook. Call 860-399-9239 for more information.

Mon. Feb. 19, 2007: Building Blocks Support Group. 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Multi-Purpose Room, Colchester Elementary School. A support group for parents or caregivers of children with social or emotional challenges aged birth - five. For more information contact: Dana at 860-434-4890 x349 or Rachel at x311. Sponsored by Families United for Children's Mental Health and Building Blocks Social Emotional Wellness for Young Children.

Tues. Feb. 20, 2007: Parent Support Group: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Groton Public Library. Call Danielle Greene at 860-445-9765 for more information.

Tues. Feb. 20, 2007: Tamale Tuesday. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. SPED*NET, Special Education Network of New Canaan, Ltd, invites all parents and guardians of students who receive special education services in New Canaan Public Schools to the Tequila Mockingbird restaurant on 6 Forest St., New Canaan. Please join us to share strategies on negotiating the special education maze. RSVP to Judi Anders at 203-801-0784 or e-mail judianders@sbcglobal.net.

Wed. Feb. 21, 2007: Pizza Moms Greenwich! Held at Bella Nonna's in Cos Cob, 371 East Putnam Ave. www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamomsg.hmtl for more information. Pizza moms is a support group for moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. We meet the third Wed evvening of every month at 7:00 p .m. We get together informally for food, drink and networking. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Philippa Orszulak at 203-531-6471 or angelmanmom@aol.com.

Thurs. Feb. 22, 2007: Parent Support Group: 6:30 p.m. Preston Public Library. Contact Joan Bachelder at aabddbjmb@aol.com for more information.

Mon. Feb. 26, 2007: Parent Support Group: 7:00 p.m. Sterling House Community Center, Main St., Stratford. Sponsored by the Stratford Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Contact Kim Wardlow at bischon03@yahoo.com for more information.

Tues. Feb. 27, 2007: Autism Parents Club: A group of parents (dad's too!) of children on the autism spectrum. Open to parents from all over CT. Meets the last Tues of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Francesco's Restuarant, Rte 7 in Wilton. For more information contact Patti Sylvia at 203-761-0248 or pattisylvia@aol.com.

Wed. Feb. 28, 2007: Sensory Integration. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Speaker: Rae Suba. At Waveny House, Waveny Park, New Canaan. Sponsored by SPED*NET New Canaan. RSVP to Judi Anders at 203-801-0794 or e-mail judianders@sbcglobal.net.

Wed. Feb. 28, 2007: Emotional and Respite Resources for Families with Special Needs Children. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Speakers will include Linda Snell, STAR; Freida Hecht, Circle of Friends; Tracy Flood, CLASP and Paula Nizzardo, the Kennedy Center. Coleytown Middle School Cafeteria, 225 North Ave., Westport. Sponsored by the Westport SEPTA. RSVP to Janis Fox at 203-222-8485 or e-mail at info@westportsepta.org.

Wed. Feb. 28, 2007: Safety in the Community and the Individual With Special Needs. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with Sara Locke. What does it mean to be safe? How can we keep the special people in our lives safe? This presentation will offer practical tips, a to-do list, models of effective strategies and the chance to design safety teachings that work for your child. First Conregational Church of Derby, 137 Derby Ave., Derby. Sponsored by NorthStar. Call Cathy Adamczyk at 860-869-6021 for more information.

Wed. Feb. 28, 2007: Parent Support Group for children diagnosed with an ASD. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Westbrook Youth and Family Services, 1163 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook. Call 860-399-9239 for more information.

Thurs. Mar. 1, 2007: Parent Support Group. 7:00 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Society, Boston Post Road, Madison. Sponsored by the Shoreline Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call 888-453-4975 or asconn@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Thurs. Mar. 1, 2007: Families United Network Northeast - a family support and advocacy group. First Thursday of every month, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m United Services, Wauregan. Call Families United at 860-537-6125 and ask for Lorna.

Sat. Mar. 3, 2007: Puzzlethon! (tm). A unique social and fundraising event! 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m., Hall High School, West Hartford, CT. Watch for more details. Sponsored by the Autism Society of Connecticut, www.autismsocietyofct.org or 888-453-4975. www.fistgiving/puzzlethon.

Sat. Mar. 3, 2007: Social and Language Skills Parents Can Foster at Home. With Jerriann Mitchell. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.mm., Spring Glen United Church of Christ, Hamden. Sponsored by ASRC. Call 203-248-5222 or www.ct-asrc.org for more information.

Mon. Mar. 5, 2007: Wilton Parent Advocacy Team (WPAT): For Wilton parents only. 0:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Forum for parents of children with special needs in Wilton who advocate to improve the programs within the schools and community. The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Road, Wilton. RSVP to wiltonspedgroup@aol.com.

Mon. Mar. 5, 2007: Fairfield County Autism Support Group. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Frenchtown Elementary School, Frenchtown Road, Trumbull. Sponsored by ASRC. Call Lois Rosenwald at 203-248-5222 for more information.

Tues. Mar. 6, 2007: Pizza Moms in Darien. Post Corner Pizza in Darien. www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamoms.htm. Pizza moms is a group of moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. We meet the first Tues of the month at 7:30 p.m. We get together informally and have pizza, salad and beer in Darien. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Nanette Jordan at nanette618@yahoo.com.

Tues. Mar. 6, 2007: Panel Presentation on DMR services, who qualifies, how to apply, what is covered. With Nancy Taylor. 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., HARC, 900 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Babysitting provided at cost. Sponsored by the Harford Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Contact Beth Katten at bethkatten@yahoo.com for more information.

Tues. Mar. 6, 2007: Help! My Child is Struggling! 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wallingford. Presented by the CT Parent Advocacy Center. The workshop will help participants gain an understanding of the pre-identification strategy called Response-to-Intervention (RTI), learn why intervention is important and become familiar with the special education referral process. Light dinner and childcare provided. Sponsored by the People Empowering People and the Discovery Initiative. Contact Robin Drago at 860-233-4701 for more information.

Wed. Mar. 7, 2007: Fitting the Pieces of the Autism Puzzle Together: An Exploration of the Resources Available to Help Your Child. 7:00 p.m. A panel presentation. At the Greater Hartford Jewich Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford. Co-sponsored by Jewish Family Services, the Greater Hartford JCC and the Autism Society of Connecticut.

Mon. Mar, 12, 2007: Parent Support Group. 7:00 p.m. Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester. Sponsored by the East of the River Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call Carolyn Schwartz at 860-644-0524 or www.autismsocietyofct.org for more information.

Mon. Mar. 12, 2007: Parent Support Group. West Haven City Hall. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For parents of children with special needs. More information call Karen Muro at 203-937-3565 or e-mail KarenMMuro@aol.com.

Tues. Mar. 13, 2007: Asperger's Disorder and Autism: Advances in Understanding and Interventions. Presented by Celine Saulnier, PhD, Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine. Sheraton Danbury Hotel, Danbury. Sponsored by New England Educational Institute. Fee. Register online at www.neei.org or call Carolyn at 413-499-1489x1.

Tues. Mar. 13, 2007: Wilton Parent Advocacy Team (WPAT). For Wilton parents only. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Forum for parents of children with special needs in Wilton who advocate to improve the programs within the schools and community. The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Rd, Wilton. RSVP to wiltonspedgroup@aol.com.

Wed. Mar. 14, 2007: Parent Support Group for children diganosed with an ASD. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Westbrook Youth and Family Services, 1163 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Call 860-399-9239 for more information.

Sat. Mar. 17, 2007: Play at Home - Helping Kids with ASD Have Fun (ages 3-10). With Meghan McCoullough. 9:00 a.m.. - 1:00 p.m. Spring Glen United Church of Christ, Hamden. Sponsored by ASRC. Call 203-248-5222 or www.ct-asrc.org for more information and registration.

Mon. Mar. 19, 2007: Building Blocks Support Group. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Multi-Purpose Room, Colchester Elementary School. A support group for parents or caregivers of children with social or emotional challanges aged birth - five. For more information contact Dana at 860-434-4890x349 or Rachel at x311. Sponsored by Families United for Children's Mental Health and Building Blocks Social Emotional Wellness for Young Chidren.

Tues. Mar. 20, 2007: Tamale Tuesdays. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. SPED*NET, Special Education Network of New Canaan, Ltd invites all parents and guardians of students who receive special education services in New Canaan Public Schools to the Tequila Mockingbird Restaurant on Forest St in New Canaan. Please join us to share strategies on negotiating the special education maze. RSVP to Judi Anders at 203-801-0794 or e-mail judiandners@sbcglobal.net.

Wed. Mar. 21, 2007: Pizza Moms Greenwich. Held at Bella Nonna's in Cos Cob, 371 East Putnam Ave. www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamomsg.htm. Pizza moms is a support group for moms who have children with special needs in the Fairfield County area. We meet the third Wed of the month at 7:00 p.m. We get together informally for food, drink and networking. Everyone is welcome. Contact Philppa Orszulak at 203-531-6471 or angelmanmom@aol.com.

Tues. Mar. 27, 2007: Autism Parents Club. A group of parents (dad's too!) of children on the autism spectrum. Open to parents from all over CT. Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Francesco's Restaurant, Route 7, Wilton. Contact Patti Sylvia at 203-761-0248 or pattisylvia@aol.com for more information.

Tues. Mar. 27, 2007: Understanding the new IDEA regulations, including LRE. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. With Terry DeFrances, CT State Department of Education. Sponsored by We Belong - Inclusion in Fairfield County. Westport Library, Arnold Berhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Rd, Westport. For more information contact Eva Greenwald at (203) 554-4462 or evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net.

Wed. Mar. 28, 2007: Successful High School Inclusion. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Kathleen Whitbread, PhD, Assistant Professor and Associate Director, UCONN Center on Disabilities. This seminar is designed to help parents and professionals design educational programs that enable students with disabilities to be successfully educated in their neighborhood high schools. The session will inclue resources and hands-on activities to enable participants to practice techniques and strategies for providing access to the general education curriculum for students of all abilities. Fee. Norwalk Inn and Conference Center, 99 East Ave., Norwalk. Co-sponsored by SPED*NET New Canaan, STAR, Lighting the Way and The CT Down Syndrome Congress in cooperation with the New Canaan Public Schools. CEU's available. For more information and registration contact Anne Eason at eason55@aol.com or www.spednet.org/HS_Inclusion.htm.

Wed. Mar. 28, 2007: If Your Child with Special Needs Wants to go to College . . . There's a College for Everyone. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Panel presentation on transitioning students from high school to college. Coleytown Middle School Cafeteria, 225 North Ave., Westport. Sponsored by Westport SEPTA. Reservations suggested, call Janis Fox at 203-222-8485 or e-mail info@westportsepta.org.

Wed. Mar. 28, 2007: Parent Support Group for children diagnosed with an ASD. 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. At Westbrook Youth and Family Services, 1163 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Call 860-399-9239 for more information.

Thurs. Mar. 29, 2007: Parent Support Group. 7:00 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Society, Boston Post Rd., Madison. Sponsored by the Shoreline Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut. Call 888-453-4975 or asconn@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Fri. Mar. 30, 2007: How Our Children Learn Best: Successfully Modifying Curricula for Students with Special Needs. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. With Lynne Guilmette, M.Ed. behavioral consultant and clinical supervisor of Behavioral Development and Educational Services, Trumbull. The Greens at Canondale, 435 Danbury Rd, Wilton. Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton. Contact Eve Kessler at 203-761-0680.