The Needham SEPAC has school liaisons for each school in the district. You can also join our newsgroup to ask questions and share resources and community meeting information.

Here are the key governmental Web sites:

• Needham Schools' Special Education Site
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
  • Their section on applicable law
• US Department of Education
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Web Site
• Guidance on SEPACs
• Needham Youth Services Parent Resources including articles on Internet safety and bullying.

Needham Public Schools' Social Emotional Learning Survey results are summarized in this document provided by the school system.

Here are some additional Web sites:

• Concord-Carlisle SEPAC Site - Links to a huge amount of resources
• Wrights Law Site - information about special education law
• SPED Watch - Political Action Committee supporting special education
• Sensory Processing Disorders Resource Center
• Think Kids - A non-profit associated with Mass. General Hospital dedicated to providing education and support for caregivers of behaviorally challenged children.
• Mass. General School Psychiatry Program - The site will help you meet the needs of young people with depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• SPED Child and Teen - Listing special needs workshops and resources in Greater Massachusetts. Including a 2009 camp listing.
• The National Institute for Twice Exceptionality (NITE) is a national resource for gifted students who have one or more disabilities (twice-exceptional) as well as a training center for parents, educators, counselors, and psychologists.

Recreation and Sports Education:

• A Recreational Resource Guide made available by the Fransciscan Hospital.
• Here is a letter from New England Sports Academy describing their programs for 2010.

IEP Preparation:

• A good set of questions to consider when preparing for your IEP.
• A handy online tool to use throughout the IEP process.

Advocacy:

• Mass Advocates for Childrem
• SPaN MassSpecial Needs Advocacy Network

Extended School Year Articles

• Presentation given by Cynthia Moore
• Good foundational article by Nissan Bar-Lev
• Determining ESY Services
• DOE Question and aswer guide

Autism:

• The Interactive Collaborative Autism Network (ICAN)

Transitions

• Two articles by Ann Palmer, one about transitions to middle school and the other about transition to college.

We have a whole page of Social Skills Resources

Here are some articles and sites that may be useful:

• Party and Holiday Survival Guide for all kids, especially those with Autism, Sensory Difficulties, or other Challenges.
• A lengthy article on 50 tips for teachers of children with ADHD by Ned Hallowell.
• A good article on bullying (New York Times).
• The eyes on bullying site.