Welcome to the SSEPAC Site
Other Events
This page contains information regarding workshops, speakers and other events that you may find helpful. They are offered by other organizations so please check the links provided for further information and pre-registration information. These listing are being provided as a information service to our members it does not constitute an endorsement by SSEPAC.
For listings of many of these events and workshops as well as others across Massachusetts, please check SPED Child Mass.
Events/Programs - In The Local Area
Physical Activity and Recreation Program For Autism Spectrum Disorders Teens: Research Study
"Supporting Physical Activity and Recreation in the Community (SPARC)" is a no-cost, walking and physical activity program for Autism Spectrum Disorders teens, 12 -17, with moderate needs. SPARC includes support and supervision provided by trained staff (1 staff per 2 teens), an individualized SPARC plan, and an opportunity to meet new people and have fun.
SPARC starts on February 21, 2010 and runs
to June 10, 2010 twice a week.
Two different site locations:
Malden, Sunday 12:30-2pm and Wednesday 4:30-6pm
West Newton, Sunday 3-4:30pm and Thursday 4:30-6pm
For more information about SPARC, and to see if your child qualifies for participation, please call Renee at 781-642-0259; or email:
Free Workshops - In The Local Area
Here are a few of the free workshops that are being held in the local area.
Executive Function Skills Seminars. These are seminars open to the public, usually sponsored by PAC's (see the seminar offered by the Westwood PAC below). Please click this link Executive Function seminars by Sarah Ward to view the calendar for seminars open to the public and their dates and locations.
Various seminars are offered by the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN). Please check this link FCSN workshops for further information, pre-registration and to reference all of their workshops that are currently scheduled.
June 2010
6/8/2010 Taunton, Turning Three, Associates of Human Services E.I. Program, 68 Alison Avenue, 9-11am
6/10/2010 Taunton, Turning Three, Associates of Human Services E.I. Program, 68 Alison Avenue, 9-11am
6/16/2010 Taunton, Turning Three, Associates of Human Services E.I. Program, 68 Alison Avenue, 9-11am
6/16/2010 Taunton, Turning Three, Associates of Human Services E.I. Program, 68 Alison Avenue, 12:30-2:30pm
Free Workshop - Seminars on Residential Settings by JF&CS
Monthly workshops designed to provide the opportunity to learn about the issues, and programs, families may want to consider when creating successful, and affordable, residential settings for our children with disabilities. For more information click JF&CS
Making Healthy Connections: Youths ages 14-22
with disabilities and/or special health care needs, may apply to Making Healthy Connections (MHC), a program of Partners for Youth with Disabilities. Participants can meet new friends with similar disabilities, learn about independent living and fitness, talking with their health care providers , adaptive driving, and enjoy adaptive sports and recreation activities. There is a parent group component as well. Pre-registration appointments are required.
-Boston MHC meetings will be two Friday evenings per month, 7-9:30 p.m., beginning in October 2009. For more information call 617-556-4075, x20, or email
Telephone Conferences/Radio Series
WGBH 89.7 10 part radio series called Educating Everyone: The Struggles and Costs of Special Education in Massachusetts
Beginning Monday, January 11, reports air weekdays at 7:35am on 89.7 WGBH, Boston's NPR Station for News and Culture and WCAI 90.1, 91.1 and 94.3 for the Cape and Islands. Click here for more information on the series.
The current 10 part series is an outgrowth of a similar series done by WCAI radio on Cape Cod a few months ago called Educating Everybody: The human side of the special education story. This series can be heard here WCAI radio series
OTHER SPECIAL EDUCATION PAC WORKSHOPS
Foxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council Foxborough SEPAC
Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council Framingham SEPAC
The Canton Parent Advisory Council for Student Services (CPACSS)
The Wrentham Parent Supporting Parents PSP is hosting a workshop on:
Applied Behavioral Analysis
Presented by Susan Nicholson, BCBA Make a Difference in Children, LLC
Topics to be discussed:
Applied Behavioral Analysis - what it is?
How to set up programs and what that may look like.
Determining the function of behaviors and setting up contingent
reinforcement systems. (behaviors may include frustration with
homework demands, routines, etc.)
Bring your Questions! Get valuable answers to challenges you face with your child on a daily basis.
June 9th 7pm at Fiske Library
110 Randall Road Wrentham, MA
Space is limited! To RSVP Email:
.
For a Fee Workshops/Events/Programs
YouthCare (a therapeutically-based program of the Massachusetts General Hospital) serves children and adolescents with social cognitive deficits such as Asperger’s syndrome, non-verbal learning disabilities and high functioning autism.
See their website for more information on their social skills groups for children and their summer programs.
YouthCare Transitions for teenagers programs beginning this February. Both programs (TV Dinner Group and Saturday Explorations) are designed to offer teenagers with Asperger's Syndrome and related challenges opportunities to develop important social and life skills while transitioning into adulthood.
TV Dinner Group
(February 2-May 25, 2010)
This weekly therapeutic group
teaches teens aged 15-19 valuable
communication and perspective-taking
skills through viewing and discussion of
current television shows. Teens also
eat a group meal together and engage
in board games, card games, and other
carefully designed group activities.
Wellesley Hills, MA
Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:00pm
$75.00 per session
(15 sessions in total)
Saturday Explorations
This program offers teens aged 13-19
fun recreational experiences while
learning practical life skills. Teens take
part in skill instruction (e.g. money
management, communication, public
transportation, safety, leisure
planning), a field trip each Saturday,
team building activities and more.
Charlestown, MA
Saturdays 12:30-4:30pm
$125.00 per session
(8 sessions in total)
Sensory Friendly Films: Framingham
AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society offer families affected by autism and other disabilities a monthly opportunity to enjoy films in a safe and accepting environment with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program. Movie auditoriums will have their lights up and the sound turned down, families may bring their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown. Audience members may dance, walk, shout or sing. Tickets are $4-6 depending on location and can be purchased on the day of the event.
June 26 – Toy Story 3
July 17 – Despicable Me
August 7 – Cats & Dogs 2
September 25 – Guardians of Ga’Hoole
October 9 – The Zookeeper
All shows are on Satursday (except where noted above) at 10:00 am at the Framingham 16.
Click on Sensory Friendly Films for more information.
After School/Saturday Respite Programs
The Bridge Center, Bridgewater, MA www.thebridgectr.org/home.html
Bridges to Independence
A Group Program promoting Career, Life, Vocational & Social Skills
Ages 14-25
April 3, 2010 - June 12, 2010
Saturdays 11:00am - 3:00pm
Cost – $900 per 9 week module. Financial assistance based on demonstrated need may be available.
Register on-line at Bridges
Spring Programs Social Adventures and Saturday Rec Program: March - June 2010 (13 weeks)
Social Adventures
Weekly Social Skills Groups
Age-Appropriate Groups Available for Children Ages 5-22
Social Adventures for pre-teens and teens meets on Friday from 4-6pm.
Social Adventures for elementary students and pre-teens meet on Saturday from 3:15-5:15pm
Cost – The cost for the full session is $225. Financial assistance based on demonstrated need may be available.
Register on-line at Social Adventures
Saturday Rec Program
Schedule: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Saturday recreation program for children and teens participating in activities such as Art, Music, Sports, Teambuilding, and Barn Activities.
Cost: The cost for the session is $980. Financial assistance based on demonstrated need may be available.
Register on-line at Saturday Rec
House of Possibilities, Stonehill College, Easton, MA www.houseofpossibilities.org
