Special Education Scoop
Special Education Newsletter May 2021
Welcome to the May 2021 Family Newsletter
We are excited to roll out the May edition of Pflugerville Independent School District's Special Education Scoop. This has been a year like no other and all of our staff, families, and students have done a fantastic job.
This issue is chock-full of important information such as the transition from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, and ECSE to kindergarten. Check out important links about summer camps. We have also included a link to "How to Write a Social Narrative". Writing a social narrative is important to help the student know what to do during different situations they may come across in daily life.
We are in this together!
The Pflugerville Special Education Team
In This Issue
Kindergarten Advancement Parent Information
Elementary to Middle School Parent Information
Middle to High School Parent Information
Speech Spot
Parent Handbook
Operating Procedures Website
Free Autism Training Opportunity for Families
Summer Ideas
Summer Camps
Medicaid Waiver
Important Dates
Resources
Kindergarten Advancement Parent Information
Elementary to Middle School Transition Parent Information
Middle to High School Transition Parent Information
Speech Spot
Summer is always a time for heightened risk for kids since they have more free time on their hands—time they often use for gaming, scrolling TikTok, or streaming music on their devices, often with earbuds or headphones in their ears. Kids have already spent a full year online for school, using devices for 6 or more hours per day for educational purposes alone. The amount of time spent listening, coupled with volume, are the two factors that can put a person’s hearing at risk.
Follow these simples steps to protect children’s hearing:
- Turn the volume down—best choice is to keep it at half level.
- Use noise-canceling earbuds/headphones—reduces the need to crank up the volume.
- Take regular listening breaks—give kids’ ears a rest hourly even if just for a few minutes.
- Model safe use—watch your own volume and take prevention steps.
- Help children appreciate their hearing—talk to kids why safe listening is important. Hearing is something to value, and children should want to continue enjoying their entertainment (and more) for years to come.
To learn more about hearing loss, visit www.asha.org/public.
Operating Procedures for PfISD Special Education
FREE Autism Training for Families
2021 Texas Autism Conference June 26th FREE Family Day:
The Texas Autism Conference is an annual event sponsored by the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training. The conference goal is to promote increased awareness and understanding of evidence-based practices, interventions, standards, and services in the area of Autism. It provides not only professional development, but also networking opportunities for families, individuals with autism, educators, and professionals.
Saturday, June 26 is Family Day! We invite parents and caretakers to join our conference on this date to view sessions focused on the home and community. This date includes our closing keynote. Sessions will be available in Spanish. Better yet, presentations on this day will be presented at NO CHARGE! That's right, Family Day is Free!
Register here: https://txautism.net/conference#schedule
Summer Ideas
Summer is a great time to take a break from school, relax, and connect with family and friends. It can also be a time where kids with anxiety, ADHD, and other behavioral challenges struggle due to the lack of structure. You can help ease your child’s anxiety by creating routines, visual schedules, and setting expectations during the Summer break. Take some time to read this article that has some great quick tips on how to provide structure for your child while also enjoying some downtime.
https://www.additudemag.com/saving-summer-adhd-routine-children-vacation/
Camp Guides
Medicaid Waivers
What is a Medicaid Waiver? A Medicaid waiver allows the state to assist individuals and provide some long-term services to those with disabilities. Most of these waivers assist after adulthood, however please look at slide deck to see what waiver can provide and what are the age ranges. If an individual meets eligibility requirements, they can receive services they need in their own homes or other community settings, instead of having to go into a nursing facility or institution. You may apply and/or qualify for both Medicaid benefits, as well as Medicaid Waiver programs.
In Texas, there are several different waiver programs that offer a broad range of home and community-based services to people with disabilities and elderly citizens. There are different rules and funding amounts for each of the different waivers.
You do not need to be on Medicaid to be placed on the interest list. Most of the interest lists take years until a person is able to be considered for services. It is important to get on the interest list as early as possible.
How to Write a Social Narrative
Remote Learning Resources and Coronavirus Information
Pflugerville ISD Special Education Department
Pflugerville ISD Summer Programs
Parent ResourcesCampus Special Education Coordinators
Transition Services- Legal Framework
Mental Health Support at School
STAR Autism Support Free Covid 19 Home Resources
August 12, 2021 - First day of school