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.

We have a whole page of Social Skills Resources

We have a whole page of Assistive Technology Resources

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. Parental Request for Observation Form from Needham Public Schools.

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.

Family:

• A The Sibling Experience: What Parents Need to Know

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 comprehensive listing of potential IEP Goals
• 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

Inclusion:

• Inclusive Schools Network
• Essential Best Practices in Inclusive Schools
• Inclusive Education: How Do You Know It If You See It?

Extended School Year Articles

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

After School Activities

• Elementary After School Enrichment program

Autism:

• For Jake’s Sake is a non-profit created to raise money and provide the ability for autistic children to access effective therapies their families otherwise could not afford.
• The Autism Aliance of MetroWest has lots of resources and programs available. Contact them to get on their mailing list.
• The Interactive Collaborative Autism Network (ICAN)
• Acing Autism provides tennis clinics to children with autism.
• Article: ASD Diagnosis: What Do We Tell the Kids?
• Open Gym hosted by the Autism Alliance
• This website is dedicated to providing developmentally-based, practical information and resources for children on the autism spectrum and to the people who support them. (It is also helpful to other developmental disabilities.)
• A useful article about telling your child about their Autism diagnosis.
• Sensory Processing Disorder Blog

Dyslexia:

• The Massachusetts Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (MABIDA) supports individuals who have dyslexia through sharing research and remediation techniques.

Attention Deficit Disorder / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD):

• ADD/ADHD and special ed: Is ADHD a Disability? article on wrightslaw site.
• ADD/ADHD books page on wrightslaw site.
• National Resource Center on ADHD

Teen Depression:

• A documentary that focuses on stories and lives of diverse adolescents and families as they struggle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Consumer Empowerment Funds:

• Documentation of and Application Form for Consumer Empowerment Funds for the Developmentally Disabled

Transitions

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

Bullying

• A good article on bullying (New York Times).
• The eyes on bullying site.
• Bullying Intervention Resources from the DOE
• link to Dr. Englander's website on Bullying Resources
• Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2011-2: Bullying Prevention and Intervention
• Needham School's Bullying Prevention 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.