Parent Coordination Network
ARD Buddy - A Padlet from Region 12 ESC
Welcome to ARD Buddy, the Positive Participation Platform. This Dashboard is designed to demystify the ARD Process, empower the ARD Committee Members, and amplify State and Regional Special Education Resources. Initially iterated as a tool for ARD Committee members to quickly locate SPED Resources from around the Great State of Texas, it also serves to personalize professional development and increase organizational capacity by supporting the flow of information more efficiently throughout communities, schools, and systems.
If you would like to access this information on your smartphone, download the free “Padlet” app in the app store and scan the QR Code with the QR scanner in the app. When you “like” the Dashboard in Padlet, it will save the Dashboard in your Padlet App. For the Dashboards to show up in your “liked” section of the Padlet App you will need to refresh the App by closing it and reopening it.
If you find these products helpful, please consider taking the survey on the front page of each dashboard. They take about 30 seconds to complete, and your feedback is needed for continued improvements. Remember, information is meant to flow through us not to us so don’t forget to share ARD Buddy with colleagues and friends.
For additional information or further questions, contact John Bullion, Special Education Liaison for ESC Region 12.
Low Incidence Disabilities Network
This year the LID Network is focusing on Active Learning. This approach, based on the work of Dr. Lilli Nielsen, views student development holistically, including motor, cognitive, sensory, and social/emotional skills. It is most effective for those who have significant multiple disabilities and are functioning in the 0-48 month range and focuses on supporting the learner as a more active participant in the learning environment.
The LID Network is also accepting session proposals for the Making Waves! - Low Incidence Disability Institute, upcoming on March 4-5, 2019 at the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Innovation Center. The deadline for proposal submission is December 14. Contact Lottie Tomko for more information: ltomko@esc3.net and/or (361) 573.0731 ext. 327.
For a listing of all Special Education Statewide Leadership Functions and Projects, click here.
Procedural Safeguards & ARD Guide Available in Multiple Languages
TEA Time Podcast
TEA Time, the Texas Education Agency’s official podcast, can now be downloaded on iTunes and other major podcast subscription services. The TEA Time podcast provides information on various TEA projects, initiatives, programs and specific public education issues. Listen and subscribe to all TEA Time episodes by visiting the following links: iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn or Stitcher.
All TEA Time podcasts are also available and can be heard on the TEA website. The TEA Time podcast library continues to grow to encompass additional public education topics. Podcast episodes are added on a bi-weekly basis.
Parent Toolkit
Explore resources by grade level or topics such as academics, social/emotional, health and wellness, financial literacy, and college/career.
Texas ABLE: A Savings Program for Texans with Disabilities
Here are a few resources to help you determine if the Texas ABLE program is right for your child.
Reading is Fundamental
Check out the Parent Resources site to discover online resources to support your child’s favorite books - activities, puzzles, videos, and much more! Also featured are:
Reading Tips for Parents and Families
Reading Activities for Parents and Caregivers
Books as Gifts
as published by Reading Rockets
It’s the time of year when we think of sharing with others. What’s better to share than a bit of time? And what better way to share your time than by reading books together!
Looking for book recommendations? Browse the annual book gift guide, with wonderful choices for kids 0-12 years old. Also included are science and nature books, funny stories, family stories, picture book biographies, poetry, fantasy, historical fiction, graphic novels – plus the new chapter books from Kate DiCamillo, Meg Medina, Sharon Creech, and other favorite authors. You may want to download and print the PDF before you head out to the library or bookstore.
Plan now to attend the Inclusion Works! Conference
February 10-12, 2019
Denton Embassy Suites & Convention Center
The 2019 Inclusion Works! Conference celebrates leaders that are rocking the boat to improve inclusion in Special Education. The conference will offer more than 30 sessions covering curriculum, behavioral supports in the Special Education system and an exhibit hall where attendees can see new technologies and solutions that are changing the way we all work. Participants at different stages of their careers will leave with lasing connections and new tools to rock the boat!
The Parent and Family Engagement Connection
The Second Quarter issue of the newsletter includes articles about Helping Your Child Manage Test Anxiety, Teen Suicide, Ideas to Encourage Your Kids to Get Into the Spirit of Giving During the Holidays, Tips to Cope with Holiday Depression, Raising "Happy" Successful Children, and Improving Self-Esteem.
Read it here in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, German, or Korean.
Partners Resource Network
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PATH Project | PEN Project | TEAM Project |
How to Prepare for a Less Stressful Holiday Season
The holiday season is right around the corner—an exciting but challenging time for many families. The change in climate and school schedule, the gatherings and celebrations can all be overwhelming. There are several things that families can try to better prepare for such changes. Click here to access the full text of this article.
Other helpful resources to help keep the holidays happy can be found on these sites:
Holiday Gift Ideas
2018 Mom Approved Gift Ideas For Special Kids (2018)
500+ Gift Ideas for a Special Needs Child {All Ages!} (2018)
Holiday Gift Guide (2018) by Ilene Miller
Special Needs Gift Guides (2017) by Orange Effect Foundation
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