PLUK News feed

YMCA Writer’s Voice presents a reading by Craig Lancaster - Billings - Apr. 11, 2013

View the press release for this event

What:
The YMCA Writer’s Voice presents a reading by Craig Lancaster of his new novel. "Edward Adrift" is the much-anticipated continuation from Craig Lancaster’s award-winning debut novel, "600 Hours of Edward". The reading is free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale.

When:
Thursday, april 11, 2013
7:00 pm Mountain

Where:
Yellowstone Art Museum’s Visible Vault
505 North 26th St.
Billings MT, 59101

Cost:
Free of charge, books will be available for sale.

Aspergers will no longer exist after May of 2013

The American Psychological Association (APA) is changing the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorders, a change which will occur in May of 2013. Click here to review he changes that will be included in the DSM-5.

Note: A diagnosis of Aspergers does not qualify a student for eligibility under the disability category of Other Health Impairment. The OHI criteria require that the student has a health problem and Aspergers is a psychological disorder.

There are several changes which concern parents, education professionals and people with autism spectrum disorders. Very briefly, these changes are:

The new APA criterion for autism spectrum disorders is different from the current APA, IDEA and Montana educational criteria for autism spectrum disorders.

Asperger's Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) will no longer exist as separate APA diagnostic categories, but will be subsumed in the revised APA criteria for "Autism Spectrum Disorder." Aspergers and PDD will no longer exist.

What will these changes mean for students with autism spectrum disorders in Montana's public schools?

Montana is unlikely to change the current criteria for identification of a student as having autism until the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) is reauthorized.The IDEA was last reauthorized in 2004 and the revised regulations were published in 2006. There is no anticipated date for when the next reauthorization will occur.

When the IDEA or Montana educational criteria for educational disabilities change, there is no requirement that students who are currently identified as eligible for special education and related services be reevaluated to determine eligibility under the new criteria. These students have previously been determined as eligible using the criteria which were in effect at the time of their identification.

Children and youth who are evaluated and diagnosed by non-school agencies as meeting the current or revised APA definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder are still required to have a separate educational evaluation by the school district to determine their eligibility using the Montana educational criteria for autism.

If necessary, the OPI Division of Special Education will provide guidance and technical assistance in interpreting any differences between the new APA criteria for autism spectrum disorders and the current Montana educational criteria for autism.

Contact:
ddoty@mt.gov
Doug Doty, Statewide Coordinator
OPI Montana Autism Education Project
406-459-5303

Montana Autism Education Project Presents Rudy Simone - Bozeman/Great Falls/Missoula - May 1,2,4, 2013

Click here to register for these presentations

What:
The Montana Autism Education Project of the Office of Public Instruction is proud to present Rudy Simone in three presentations. Simone is the author of four books on Asperger syndrome, all best-sellers. Presentation on the following topics:

Childhood, Adolescent and Adult Aspergers - This talk covers the traits and hallmarks of early childhood ASCs (autism spectrum conditions, incl. but not limited to Asperger Syndrome), adolescence and adulthood with some attention paid to how the same AS traits may manifest or be perceived differently in females.

Relationships - This talk is tailored to suit the audience: whether they are mostly couples or simply individuals on the spectrum looking for relationship advice and assistance, professionals, friends and family members. Discusses the types of challenges spectrum people face throughout life when navigating friendships, dating, cohabitating, marriage, sex and children.

Aspergers on the Job - This topic includes education and career and so is relevant for virtually all ages. Discusses how sensory, social, cognitive and physical challenges and strengths impact our work choices and experience. Positively focuses on training the talent, making the right educational and career choices, and managing challenges.

Where/When:
Bozeman, Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Holiday Inn Hotel (5 East Baxter)
Great Falls, Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn (2520 14th Street, SW)
Missoula, Saturday, May 4th, 2013 - 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Holiday Inn at the Park ( 200 South Pattee)

Cost:
Free

Common Core: The Right Tool for Each Student - Conference - Missoula, MT - Feb. 6-8, 2013

Click here to register for the conference

What:
Wednesday:
Learning in Hand is an educator's resources for mobile learning. It was started in 2002 as part of Tony Vincent's classroom website. At first focusing on Palm handhelds, Learning in Hand now covers podcasting, iPods, iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, and netbooks.

Thursday:
75 Quick on-the-spot Techniques for Children with Emotional & Behavioral Problems with Dr. Steve Olivas.

Thursday:
Improving Social Skills & Decreasing Disruptive Classroom Behavior with Kids with Aspergers Syndrome with Melissa Genaux.

When/Where:
February 6-8, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn
3720 North Reserve Street
Missoula, MT

Contact:
Conference Coordinator
Nancy Marks
WM-CSPD Coordinator
Missoula, MT
nmarks@mcps.k12.mt.us

“Autism & Asperger’s Disorder” Fall Conference - Helena - Sept 28-29, 2012

More Information and Registration Coming Soon!

What:
1st Day - Featuring: Keynote Speaker - Patricia Wright, National Director of Autism Services for Easter Seals & Ellen Notbohm, Award Winning Author of “Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew”

2nd Day - Breakout Session Topics on: Nutrition, Usage of the Ipad for Communication, The Insurance Company’s Responsibility, The Schools Responsibility, Transition Into Adulthood

Where:
Great Northern Hotel
Helena, MT

When:
September 28 & 29, 2012

Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism - Missoula - April 19, 2012

Click here to download the flier for this event

What:
This free workshop provides an overview of Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism. Learn how to create environments that give all young people and staff in your program the strategies to be successful., presented by PLUK's Mary Hall.

When:
Thursday, April 19, 2012
11:30am - 1:00pm Mountain

Where:
MCPS Business Building
915 South Ave.
Missoula MT

RSVP:
Nina Cramer
ncramer@co.missoula.mt.us
406-721-300 ext. 1023

The Western Montana Autism Conference - Missoula - April 26, 2012

Click here to register for this event

What:
Join us for this year's conference titled "We Can Do It! Transitioning from School to a Future," featuring tools and resoucrces to create a succesful transition for adolescents with Asperger's and Autism. 

When:
Thursday, April 26, 2012
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where:
Double Tree by Hilton Missoula-Edgewater
100 Madison Street
Missoula, MT

More information:
Registration is required prior to the conference date.
Cost is $30, parent scholarships are available here or for more information check out our flier.

Enhancing the Social Communication Skills of Children and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder - Billings - March 17, 2012

You can download the registration form here!

What:
The social communication and social thinking needs of individuals on the Autism Spectrum are often the most challenging aspects of parenting, treating, and teaching this population. This workshop will address numerous intervention strategies highlighting methods and materials available from leading experts in the area of social language. The presenters will provide detailed information, video demonstrations, and materials that will enhance the attendee's abilities to help children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome improve social interaction, perspective taking, and other Theory of Mind issues.

When:
March 17, 2012
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where:
College of Technology
Great Room - Health and Sciences Building
3803 Central Avenue
Billings, MT 59102

Contact:
Nancy or Vicki
Phone: (406) 256-7148
Email: vlandre@bresnan.net

This event is sponsored by Region III CSPD

Girls on the Spectrum: Q&A with the Author of Aspergirls - Billings, Helena, Missoula, Kalispell - April 25-28, 2012

Click here to register for this event

What:
Is Asperger's syndrome really less common in girls and women, or are females just better than males at masking autistic symptoms?

Rudy Simone, a San Francisco singer, writer and stand-up comic, didn't learn that she was on the autism spectrum until her mid-40s. Simone has Asperger's syndrome - a high-functioning form of autism that leads to social problems but no intellectual disabilities - which, like all forms of autism, appear much more commonly in boys than in girls. Ten times more men are believed to reside on the spectrum than women.

But some experts think the real prevalence of Asperger's in girls may be much higher than believed, because girls tend to be far better than boys at concealing its symptoms, masking social problems and hiding the repetitive behaviors often associated with autism. So, many women go undiagnosed until middle age, along the way given other labels and therapies that do not address their real issues.

To help make up for the lack of resources available to girls with Asperger's and their families, Simone wrote Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger's Syndrome. Healthland spoke with her recently.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/27/mind-reading-a-qa-with-the-author-of-aspergirls/#ixzz1hl7AHuDt

Ms. Simone will be speaking in Montana this spring. More details will be provided in mid-March. All of her appearances will free and open to the public.

When/Where:

• Wednesday, April 25th -- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
  • Billings Convention Center
    1223 Mullowney Lane
    Billings MT


• Thursday, April 26th -- 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Gateway Center
    1710 National Avenue
    Helena, MT


• Friday, April 27th -- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • DoubleTree Hotel Edgewater
    100 Madison Avenue
    Missoula, MT

Contact:

Doug Doty, Coordinator

Website: www.opi.mt.gov/autism/maep
Phone: (406) 444-0907

MCT Presents: Once Upon A Mattress - Missoula - January 24, 2012

Click here for more information!

What:
MCT in Missoula is putting on two special performances of Once Upon A Mattress, designed specifically for people with Autism and Aspergers.  This means they will be moderating noise levels, using increased visual aids, eliminating any lights shining into the audience and making other adaptations to make the play accessible and enjoyable for people with different sensory processing. Quiet areas will be provided for children who want to withdraw for a break.  A company in New York originally did an adaptive play for school children on the autism spectrum to great success and heartfelt appreciation by the children and their families. MCT is adopting some of the lessons learned by the NY company and doing some adapting of their own. MCT plans to put on at least two performances and may extend if that seems desirable.

To help apprehensive theatre-goers who might not know what to expect, a website is being created so that families can travel step-by-step through the evening and be fully prepared for the fun to follow.

When:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Show begins at 6:30 pm

Where:
Missoula, MT
Missoula Childrens Theatre

Contact and Reservations:
Alexandra Volkerts - (406)449-2344 or email her at Alexis@disabilityrightsmt.org
Tickets are available at the MCT Box Office or to make your reservations call (406) 728-7529.
All seats are $10.