This group operates under the auspices of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, or SEPAC, and is intended to function as a venue for parents to get information on relevant topics, and to meet and talk with fellow parents of children with special needs about how to advocate for their children and meet their needs. Janet facilitates the group in her capacity as program head for the Andover school social workers. This group also affords SEPAC an opportunity to augment their evening speaker series with some during-the-day options for parents who have difficulty getting out in the evening.
2011-12 Schedule
Monday, October 17, 2011 12:30 – 2:00 Open Forum - Meet Joyce Laundre
LOCATION: Conference room C, Third Floor of the School Administration building, 36 Bartlet St.
Monday, November 7, 2011 12:30 – 2:00 “Behavior Intervention Basics”
LOCATION: Conference room C, Third Floor of the School Administration building, 36 Bartlet St.
Examining the Basics of Behavior Intervention
Our first Networking Group presentation
will be held on November 7 and
will discuss the basic behavioral principles
as they relate to children and how
behavior plans are used in classrooms in
the Andover school system. Presented
by Lucie DuFresne, BCBA, she will also
offer suggestions on how parents can
use some basic behavioral tools at
home with their children. There will be time
during this presentation for questions and discussion.
Lucie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
who has been a staff member of the
Andover Public Schools for the past two
years. Before that, Lucie consulted in the
district for seven years under the auspices
of Behavioral Development and
Educational Services.
We hope you will join us on November 7
from 12:30-2pm, at the School Administrative
Building, 36 Bartlet Street, 3rd floor, Conference
Room C.
Monday, January 9, 12:30 – 2:00 “Perspective Taking and Social Thinking”
LOCATION: School Administration Building, 2nd Floor, School Committee Room, 36 Bartlet St.
Being social is a complex task that requires
many aspects of human development. In this
presentation led by Dorothy Lucci, participants
will review the concepts of social thinking and
perspective taking. A few specific vocabulary
concepts will be emphasized as well as a few
tools and strategies to bring these concepts of
perspective taking and social thinking to
life. Sample visuals will be presented as well as
how they are introduced to and used with the
children There will be time during the workshop
to practice creating a visual of your own.
Dorothy Lucci is the Director of MGH/
Youthcare and is a national consultant and
speaker who brings over 30 years of specializing
in individuals on the Autism Spectrum to her
work. She has an advanced degree from the
Univ. of MA and is certified as a school psychologist
with extensive background in neuropsychology
while at the Boston Univ. Medical
School. She holds teaching certificates in early childhood,
elementary and special education. She has
published in a variety of journals, has a book chapter
in the Exceptional Brain (1988) www.guilford.com
and is co-author of The Think Smart Feel Good
Curriculum (2009) www.SmartThot.com. She is a
member of the Board of Directors of the Asperger’s
Association of New England (AANE) and an
adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School at
Lesley University and Antioch College. Dot consults
to specialized programs
in the Andover Public
Schools.
Please join us on January 9
from 12:30-2pm, at the
School Administration Building,
2nd floor, School Committee
Room.
Monday, February 6, 2012 12:30 - 2:00 "Gifted and Learning Disabled"
LOCATION: Conference room C, Third floor of the School Administration building, 36 Bartlet St.
Twice Exceptional - Gifted and Learning Disabled
Many individuals who learn differently
are very bright. These gifted students
with learning disabilities are known as
“twice exceptional”. With an outstanding
ability or talent, evidence of a
processing deficit, and a measurable
difference between actual and expected
achievement, these learners are, in some
ways, the most difficult to identify. Their learning
disability hides their giftedness and their giftedness
hides their learning disability. As a result,
they do not get the services they need for either
their learning disability or their giftedness. How
can these students be included and supported in
challenging high school and college classes?
On February 6, Doreen Arcus will lead a
presentation that discusses the identification
of this specialized learner and strategies for
meeting their academic and social needs. Dr.
Arcus is a Director of the Honors Program
at UMass Lowell as well as the creator of the
course: “Children with Disabilities in the
Classroom,” a requirement for elementary
and early childhood certificate seekers at UMass
Lowell, In addition, Dr. Arcus is a former speechlanguage
pathologist and the parent of a young
adult with learning disabilities.
Please join us in the School Administration Building,
Conference Room C from 12:30-2pm.
Monday, March 5, 2012 12:30 - 2:00 Open Forum - Elementary
LOCATION: Conference room C, Third floor of the School Administration building, 36 Bartlet St.
Monday, April 2, 2012 12:30 - 2:00 Open Forum - Middle
LOCATION: Conference room C, Third floor of the School Administration building, 36 Bartlet St.
Monday, May 7, 2012 12:30 - 2:00 Open Forum - High School
LOCATION: Conference room C, Third floor of the School Administration building, 36 Bartlet St.