Special Programs & Services News
April 2023
In This Issue
Upcoming Family Education Events
Be sure to save the dates for our upcoming meetings! We will send out weekly reminders in our Special Programs Remind classes.
- Wednesday, April 19th- Family Education Workshop Night
- Friday, April 14th - Coffee Chat
- Wednesday, April 26th -LIVE Celebration
- Saturday, April 22nd - SAFE Austin with AAC Out & About
- Friday, April 28th - Family Movie Night
Check out the Parent Meeting Archive for all past family presentations.
🏫Department Spotlights🏫
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
Leander ISD has close to 100 students that receive Special Education Deaf/HH(DHH) Services and/or have a 504 plan that supports their hearing loss. This year, Amy Nichols, Lead DHH Teacher, oversees Evaluations and District Systems and Bethany Mitchum, DHH Teacher, manages all the Hearing Assistive Technology equipment.
Students range in age from 3-22. DHH services include direct student support and/or consultation which includes campus visits, student observations & interactions, collaboration with teachers, parents and the school team, training, and input regarding instructional strategies and environmental accommodations to address students' acoustic access to instruction. Amy & Bethany also provide professional development for Gen Ed & Special Ed Teachers, IAs, Kids First (Elementary), and parents.
Leander partners and refers students to Round Rock ISD's Capital Area Regional Day Program for the Deaf when students require daily support from a DHH Teacher and additional services (staff that sign, interpreter services, etc). We also collaborate with Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) for students who attend their 18+ programs and contract with an independent audiologist who provides services to students to ensure hearing aid(s) and/or Hearing Assistive Technology devices are programmed and in good working condition.
ASL DAY
National American Sign Language (ASL) Day is celebrated on April 15th. April 15th is a significant day for the deaf community because on April 15, 1817, the first school dedicated exclusively to deaf, American School for the Deaf, opened in the United States. Have you been thinking about learning ASL? Here are some resources for learning ASL with your family.
Occupational Therapy (OT) Month
We are thankful for all of our Occupational Therapists(OTs). Our OTs help our students care achieve their maximum level of independence in all areas of daily living, including work, play, self care and school. This is accomplished through designing strategies for everyday living and customizing environments to develop and maximize potential. Therapy Street for Kids is a great resource for parents who want to carry over occupational therapy activities with their child at home.
Smart Devices
â—Ź Doorbells (Ring Video Doorbell)
â—Ź Door locks (August 4th Gen Door Lock)
â—Ź Thermostats (Nest)
â—Ź Delta VoiceIQ Faucet
â—Ź TVs (Fire Stick, Harmony Hub)
â—Ź Bond Bridge (Hub that can control overhead light or
fan)
â—Ź Somfy blinds linked with Bond Bridge or MyLink Hub
â—Ź BedLink Controller
â—Ź Nexx Garage Door Opener
Click here to view the presentation and learn how to connect your AAC device.
Garden Time
Spring is officially here! It’s the perfect time to start a family garden. Your children can learn where food comes from and how things grow. Through gardening, science, math, and reading concepts can be turned into everyday fun.
Here are a few tips to beginning your family garden:
Figure out what type of garden would be best for your family. You can choose to garden indoor, outdoor, fruits, vegetables, or plants.
Research what tools are needed for your garden. You’ll more than likely need some soil, water, and sunlight.
Get some seeds. You can purchase seeds, check them out from your local library, or use ones found in your fruits and vegetables. You can also try using vegetable scraps such as lettuce, avocados, green onions, carrot greens, green peppers or celery.
Form your hypothesis about the items you plant. How long it will take to grow? Where it would grow best? How much water do you need? What will it look like?
Make a schedule for caring for your plants. Ensure everyone has a task or turn to take.
Journal your observations
Check out this article on Gardening With Children for more tips.
Self-Determination Skill of the Month
Self-Regulation is the ability to assess your behavior and make adjustments as necessary. A person who can self regulate has the ability to evaluate their actions and the impacts that it has on themselves and others. Working through self regulation may look like experiencing delayed gratification during some events. When your student is facing challenges, model ways to self regulate their emotions. You can utilize some calming strategies or meditation techniques to figure out what works best for them. Practice these strategies with them regularly so that it becomes a natural part of their routine. Practicing these skills helps students utilize them in times of delayed gratification, high emotion, or uncertainty.
đź“’Have You Heard?đź“’
What's Next?
Have you ever wondered...
- What kind of support(s) will be available when my child becomes an adult?
- What are my options for supporting my child when they turn 18 and become a legal adult?
- Will my child be able to attend College?
- Will my child’s future employers provide them with support while on the job?
Our Special Programs team has created the Commonly Asked Questions. The Commonly Asked Questions explore all of these questions and more! Answers may change depending on the age of your child. It's never too early to check it out. We also have an interactive version that can be found in the Special Programs Handbook.
World Autism Month
April is known as World Autism Month! The purpose of World Autism Month is to celebrate Autism, spread awareness and promote acceptance for students and adults with Autism. Click here to learn ways that you can support and advocate for Autism acceptance.
Bring Me Home - Cedar Park Police Department
The Bring Me Home Program is a free service offered by the Cedar Park Police Department that allows you to register individuals who may have difficulty communicating with first responders. This program is particularly intended to serve individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia. By providing detailed information about the registrant, public safety personnel will be able to quickly access that information in the event they become lost or disoriented and need help returning home. Click here to learn more and register your loved one.
Reading Nook
Check out these resources from our team that supports young readers! This month they are covering topics of working with short vowel sounds, word families, pre-fixes, suffixes, and reading comprehension skills.