Hello Autism Email Update List and Friends,
If you wish to be removed from this update email list, please reply to me and you will not receive future updates or webinar invitations.
I hope your year is wrapping up safely and the transition to summer is positive.
Please pass along the opportunities for families, students, and educators (section below) as there are many exciting opportunities happening around the state this summer.
If you quickly look at three things in this email please check out:
1) Scholarship Opportunity for Students and Educators (attachments in google folder)
There is still one week left to apply for Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin’s two $500 scholarships.
The first, called the Jacob Trotter Memorial Scholarship, is for a student diagnosed on the spectrum, who is pursuing a college degree.
The second, called the Kadane Foundation Scholarship, is for someone seeking a degree of study or college credit related to serving those with ASD.
The deadline to apply for these scholarships is May 30th.
Applications are attached. For more information, here's a link to our website
2) FREE Transition Community of Practice on ASD/DD Meeting
Tools for Transition: Learn them Early, Use them for Life May 28th in Madison
We are excited to announce that registration is open for the May 28th CoP ASD/DD meeting. We will be at Madison College in Madison from 8:30-2:30 in the Health Education Building. Our topic is:
Register today at:
If you have trouble registering, please call Tim Markle at (608) 261-6879 or email him at .
More information can be found at https://www.waisman.wisc.edu/connections/future_meetings.php and on the attached flyer. Please forward the flyer on!
3) Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities and Parents
Summer 2015 Youth Leadership Summit Applications
Applications are being accepted now for Summer 2015 Youth Leadership Summit (YLS). Presented by WI FACETS and IndependenceFirst, YLS is in its 11th year. YLS is a FREE week-long leadership and self-advocacy event for high school students with disabilities. The focus is on the importance of these skills in facing life with a disability after high school. Sessions cover employment, college options, money management and healthy relationships in a fun, interactive way.
Students may attend the YLS from July 13-17 at the Mequon Nature Preserve. The YLS is held from 10-4 daily. Participants who complete the full week receive a $100 stipend. Breakfast, lunch & afternoon snack are provided. Space is limited to 25 youth per Summit. For an application: Matthew Zellmer, WI FACETS’ Transition Specialist, or 877-374-0511.
WI FACETS is recruiting for Volunteer Parent Leader program
NEW PARENT LEADER ORIENTATIONS
Saturday June 6, 2015 in Wausau, WIORSaturday June 13, 2015 in Milwaukee WI
WI FACETS is seeking for individuals to join its Volunteer Parent Leader (VPL) Program. The deadline for applications is Wednesday May 27, 2015.
For more information on how to become a Parent Leader or to sign up for the upcoming orientations for new Parent Leaders contact Nelsinia Wroblewski, WI FACETS VPL coordinator at or (414) 374-4645.
Take care,
Daniel
Below you can Hyperlink to the Following Sections
- Important Updates and Timelines
- Shared Google Doc Folders (Updated)
- Current Professional Development / Trainings
- Ongoing Training Links
- Opportunities and Information for Students, Families, Educators
- New Resources and Information (Autism/General, DPI, Family Engagement)
- Archived Resources to Check Up on and View Again (Daniel’s Top Picks)
Archived Sections Now Stored in Google Documents
- Archived Resources(DPI / State / Dept of Ed)
- Archived Resources (Classroom Instruction)
- Archived Resources (Family Engagement)
- Archived Resources (Informational Web Sites, Articles, Podcasts, Webinars and Videos)
- Parent / Family Support Organizations
1) Important DPI Autism Updates and Timelines (back to top)
Updated Archived DPI Autism and Family Engagement Webinar Registration
We have updated the process for accessing recorded webinars for autism and family engagement (WSPEI webinars). Now you can receive the webinar link automatically after requesting specific webinars. In addition, we hope to have the guides and video links completed for a few additional recorded webinars by June.
Registration at:
2014-15 Two Day Autism Training Registration 1 Training Left!
Reduced Price! 2 Day Trainings in 2014-15 now only $100!!!
- NEW TRAINING! From Self Advocacy to Self Determination: June 23-24, 2015, Green Bay
Kate McGinnity, Mary Graczyk-McMullen, and Judy Endow are Trainers.
For all trainings, Registration on the DPI autism web page: http://sped.dpi.wi.gov/sped_autism
DPI Autism Page Updated with 2015-16 Two Day Autism Training Flier and Registration
Check out updated links to state and national resources as well as the new 2 day autism training schedule for 2015-16.http://sped.dpi.wi.gov/sped_autism
2) Shared Google Doc Folders (Updated) (back to top)
In an effort to reduce file attachments, I have put together 3 google document folders which contain information on the following:
1) Shared Trainings and Professional Development for Students with Autism In Wisconsin:
This folder will hold fliers for professional development around Wisconsin
2) Shared New Autism Resources:
This will be new information each time I send a new email update (about once every 1-3 months)
3) Shared Archived Autism Resources:
Any documents I have shared in the past with email distribution lists and are still relevant. This folder is broken into “autism resources”, “DPI and Dept of Education”, “Family Engagement”, and “General Education Resources”
Some people have difficulty with Google Doc Technology. Here are a few tips.
1) Use Chrome or Firefox browser
2) Cut/paste or click on link to google doc
3) Depending on your browser, you may need to click around to open it up. Typically, most browsers now show a "preview" page, but if you print this, it only prints part of the document. To get the full document, find a button called "open" or "download" or dropdown menu under file and then download or open.
3) Autism Related Professional Development Opportunities(back to top)
RescheduledMay 13th: WSEMS Parent Friendly IEP Webinar
(Rescheduled for Fall 2015 – date tbd)
We will have guests from WI FACETS and CESA 7 to discuss the new presentation on parent friendly and productive IEP meetings. The purpose of this webinar is to review the new powerpoint presentation resource and discuss how it can be used by anyone interested in providing professional development to educators on how to conduct parent friendly IEPs. Registration to this webinar will be sent out to the family engagement and autism general update email list.
May 28, Tools for Transition: Learn them Early, Use them for Life
Madison College, Truax Campus
The Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities, Transition Improvement Grant, Madison College, and WI Community on Transition is sponsoring this free meeting and PD event.
For more information: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/connections/future_meetings.php
June 15 and 16, Oconomowoc Area School District Autism Summer Institute
Oconomowoc High School
Presented by Kate McGinnity, members of Oconomowoc School District Autism Resource Team, OASD Students and Keynote by Grace Keegan and Max McKeough.
Focus on Supporting New Behavior!
To Register Visit:
June 15 - 17, Walking the Four Directions: A Traditional View of Discipline
Bad River Convention Center, UW Highway 2, Odanah, WI
This is a 3 day workshop on using the medicine wheel to develop strength based techniques when working with tribal youth.
More information and registration at:
June 23-24, 2015, From Self Advocacy to Self Determination
WDPI Two Day Autism Training
Radisson, Green Bay
Kate McGinnity, Mary Graczyk-McMullen, and Judy Endow are Trainers.
For all trainings, Registration on the DPI autism web page: http://sped.dpi.wi.gov/sped_autism
July 27-28, Utilizing the Ziggurat Model and CAPS Collaboratively to Provide Comprehensive Programming for Students with ASD
St. Matthews New Life Church, 7564 Cottage Grove Road, Madison WI
Dr. Ruth Aspy presenting. Sponsored by Common Threads
Register at
July 27-29, 2015, 22nd Annual Inclusion Institute
Westwood Conference Center, Wauasau
Michael Remus keynote July 28 and Katherine and Ben Perreth Keynote on July 29.
Flier in google folder.
Information & Registration is available at:
July 29 and 30th. Autism, Inclusion and Technology Institute
New Richmond High School is hosting Autism, Inclusion and Technology Institute
Presented by Kate McGinnity, Sharon Hammer, and Lisa Ladson
Contact Julie Klaeser, for more information
More information at:
August 5-6, Kettle Moraine Autism Summer Institute
Aurora Medical Center, Summit WI
Kate McGinnity and Max McKeough, (college freshman with autism), KMAST members and students from KMHS Presenters.
Questions: Please contact Student Services at 262-968-6300, ext. 5342 or ext. 5343
Register online by going to www.kmsd.edu/summerautisminstitute
August 6, Differentiated Instruction to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners
Oak Creek Community Center, Oak Creek WI (8:30 am to 3:30 pm)
Sponsored by Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin
Participants will learn the differences between adaptations, modifications and accommodations and their effective use. Julie Arens, Lynn Brusnahan, Barb Christensen, Rosemary Gardner, Jessica Lowney, Mary Graczyk McMullen presenters.
Registration and information at:
August 10-11, 2015 Intellectual Disabilities Conference
Madison at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Please join us at the annual Intellectual Disabilities (formerly Cognitive Disabilities) Conference. This DPI conference is for K-12 teachers of students with intellectual disabilities, general education teachers, principals, directors of special education, parents and other interested educators. The theme for this year’s conference is Literacy.
Day one will include keynote presentations from Dr. Barbara Van Haren and Kay Guberud, with afternoon literacy strands for leadership personnel and educators working with general and alternate reading curriculum. Day two will include sectionals on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Assistive Technology (AT) and literacy, next generation IEPs, working with parents to support literacy, and developing classroom materials to use to teach literacy. Day two will end after lunch. There will be an optional training on the new Intellectual Disabilities (ID) rule open to all attendees.
We are encouraging teams of teachers (general and special education) and administrators to come, share and learn together. To register please follow the link below.
Registration available at:
Contact Mare Schenk, or Molly Bever for more information.
August 10-12 Wisconsin Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA) Conference
Keynote Michael Perone, West Virginia University
Workshops include . . .
William Ahern, Ph.D., BCBA-D: Feeding problems in children with developmental disability and autism: From useful assessment to effective treatment.
Troy Fry, MA, BCBA and Patrick McGreevy, Ph.D. BCBA-D: Essential for Living: Assessment and curriculum for children and adults with moderate-to-severe disabilities, including, but not limited to, autism.
Mike Miklos, MS, BCBA and Dr. Amiris DiPuglia: Treatment fidelity procedures and school based autism support programs
More information go to:
Registration go to:
October 12 and 13, 2015, Special Education Conference – Now Accepting Proposals
Submissions accepted throughJuly 24, 2015
Presenters notified byAugust 7, 2015
Possible topics may include:Assistive Technology, transition, self-directed IEPs, classroom management, facilitating IEP team meetings, functional behavioral assessments, team teaching, collaborating with parents and common core standards.
Go to click on the conference of your choice.
October 29 & 30, 2015, 2015 Wisconsin Statewide Transition Academy
Wilderness Glacier Canyon Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
New this year – the Transition Academy will be a TWO-DAY event and will be packed with information relating to all areas of transition. This conference is perfect for all, whether you are an agency member, teacher, paraprofessional, parent or student.
This event is free. More information and registration coming soon!
November 6, 2015, Save the Date – Foro Latino
4:30 to 8:00 pm, South Division High School, Milwaukee WI
Celebrando a las Familias de Niños con Necesidad Especiales
Celebrating Families of Children with Special Needs
November 10-11, 2015, 25th Annual Children Come First Conference Save the Date!
Glacier Canyon Lodge at Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Sponsored by Wisconsin Family Ties, this year’s theme is “Include Me”
November 12-13, Statewide School Based OT/PT Conference
Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Additional information regarding presenters and schedule will be posted on the conference website this Spring. Registration will open in August.
November 16 and 17, 2015,Technology Conferencefor Special Education – Now Accepting Proposals
Submissions accepted throughSeptember 1, 2015
Presenters notified bySeptember 18,2015
Possible topics may include:using Google apps in the classroom, iPads and apps, selecting and implementing the correct assistive technology, integrating technology into the home, workplace and school environment, AT and the IEP, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, social networking for educators and students and teaching with iOS
Go to click on the conference of your choice.
December 3-4, 2015, Across the Lifespan Conference (now accepting proposals)
CHULA VISTA RESORT, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Across the Lifespan Conference Call for Proposals
The Across the Lifespan Conference will be held December 3 and 4 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Presentations in the areas of Assistive Technology, Special Education, Universal Design for Learning, Transition and Employment are requested. If you know of a school team or individual that would be interested in presenting, please direct them to complete the Call for Proposals by June 1st at
More information at:
February 18-19, 2016, Wisconsin Transition Conference
Proposals are now being accepted forthe 14th Annual Wisconsin Transition Conference onFebruary 18 and 19, 2016at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center! Proposalsubmissions will be accepted throughOctober 2, 2015.
Tosubmitaproposalto present:
- Go to click on theWisconsin Transition Conference.
- On the right side of theWisconsin Transition Conference home page, you will seeSubmitaProposal. Click on that link to access your account.
- If you don't already have an account, you will need to create one. If you do have an account just type in your email and password to access theproposalsubmissionform. The system recognizes you by your unique email address and password combination, so be sure to use the same email address whenever you log on to EdEvents.
- Complete the form and clickSubmitProposal.
Presenters will be notified byOctober 23, 2015.
4) Ongoing Training Opportunity Links!(back to top)
Wisconsin Special Education Professional Development Calendar Now Live
This project was funded through the State Professional Development Grant and is also funded and supported by WSPEI. We hope this calendar helps families and educators find professional development and information through the calendar’s unique ability to filter by topic, region, disability, and organization. The WI SPED PD Calendar also links to Wisconsin’s Education Calendar at DPI.
Check out Recorded Webinars from Illinois’ Parent Training and Information Center “Family Matters”
This group has several recorded webinars which may be of interest to families and educators available for FREE on many topics to assist students. Topics include “Creating Positive Behavioral Change”, “Teaching Teens and Adults how to Interact Safely with Police”, “Using Technology to Access General Education Curriculum”, “Being Your Child’s Reading Coach”, and “Drawing a Blank [evidence based strategies to assist students with autism with reading comprehension]”
Family Matters recorded Webinar site:
Community of Practice on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities – Current Trainings and Networking Opportunities
The CoP ASD/DD has 3 free meetings a year as well as posts several local, regional, and statewide information on their web site.
For main page go to:https://www.waisman.wisc.edu/connections/Community.php
For list of upcoming PD / Networking / Resources go to: https://www.waisman.wisc.edu/connections/currentinterests.php
Autism Society of Wisconsin Trainings: Check out Professional Development and Support Groups at Autism Society of Wisconsin (ASW). ASW also has links to regional Autism Society Chapters across Wisconsin which hold regional events, support groups, and professional development opportunities.
Autism Society of Southeastern WisconsinTrainings and Support: Check out additional Parent and Educator Professional Development, Support Groups, and Sibshop opportunities at Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin:
Early Childhood Seminar Series
Flier in google doc. Talks on a variety of Early Childhood topics including “Effects of Autism on Family Routines (Feb 17)”, “Functional Assessment and Positive Support to Address Challenging Behavior in Young Children (March 17)”, and “Social Influences on Infants’ and Children’s Food Preferences and Eating (April 21)”.
For more information, contact : Joan Ershler, 262.4718 or
Carol Noddings Eichinger, 890-0144 or
Parents United Trainings in Pewaukee
Parents United is a consortium of school districts toprovide high quality speakers on a wide variety of educational topics. Open to parents and professionals, the programs are offered both during the day and in the evening. Go to web site for participating districts.
WI FACETS Free Phone Workshops for Families and Educators and Other Trainings (New Training Schedule Now Available for 2015! – in google folder)
Information and registration information at:
TIG (Transition Improvement Grant Trainings). The Transition Improvement Grant website has a new feature: Request a Training. If your local educational agency, school, or organization would like free high-quality professional development in the area of postsecondary transition, visit the grant website: and click “Request Training” at the top of the page and fill out and submit the request form. Use this URL to view a description of available training opportunities:
Disproportionality Technical Assistance Network *(DTAN) Trainings
DTAN is a grant through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Education team. Several trainings on culturally responsive practices which can assist educators in decreasing disproportionality and improve students outcomes are available throughout the year. (updated calendars in google drive).