On the “better late than never” principle, and with apologies that we were not able to provide this information earlier, here are some workshops happening on April 1 that may be of interest to parents with autistic children.  Click on the titles for further information.

• Keeping Children with Autism Safe

• Non-Violent Crisis Prevention and Intervention Techniques:  Intervening with Individuals with ASD

• The Autism Registry pilot project Launch

Great News!!

OCASC just found out today that our joint application with OCISO (the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization)  for a PRO Grant  has been accepted.

OCASC’s project “Parent Engagement: Strategies and Resources for Parents and Schools” aims to address parent involvement barriers specific to individual schools, working both with parents and with school staff to break down barriers and encourage parent involvement.  We look forward to working with school councils, school staff, and community groups to develop a range of strategies and to create on-line resources for both parents and staff regarding parent involvement in the school.

At the January OCASC meeting our project team – Norah Vollmer, Wali Farah, Heather Wilson and Nihan Kavaslar – made a presentation to the Assembly about the project.  A discussion followed based on a set of four questions about parent involvement –  what works, what doesn’t, and what can be improved at your school.  The PowerPoint presentation is available to view or download and use at your own school council.  The questionnaire with the four questions is also available as either a Word document or a pdf file and makes a great basis for a discussion at your school council.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact us.  We would be happy to talk with your school council.

PRO Grants – Parents Reaching Out Grants – are issued by the Ministry of Education for projects that will increase parent involvement, in particular those that will get more parents involved.

Registration for Kindergarten in the OCDSB starts February 1, 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year.  Visit the OCDSB’s website for complete details about how to register your child, or view the Kindergarten Registration Flyer.

ABC Ottawa – the Association for Bright Children –  is offering a full-day workshop to help parents  understand what gifted children need during their school years.  This $30 workshop will be presented by Dr. Karen Rogers on Saturday, November 14 .  For more information visit the ABC Ontario web site.

OCASC’s Spec Ed Corner, led by our Special Education Advisory Committee rep, Beth Doubt, will host a special meeting for parents to discuss Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) for special education students.  If you have questions about your child’s IEP, this meeting should be of assistance to you.

Join Beth and other parent leaders with many, many years of Spec Ed experience, at Fisher Park School, 250 Holland Avenue, on Thursday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the Library for an opportunity to learn more and have your questions answered.

For more information please contact Beth Doubt or check out the flyer for the evening.