Building A Sharing Circle of Support
by Suzanne Swanton
A Sharing Circle of Support is Continuity Care’s model of a support network. The goal of a Sharing Circle is to build friendships and create connections in the community for people with intellectual disabilities. Suzanne will provide practical information about how to develop and maintain a Sharing Circle for your family member or individuals that you are supporting. Perspectives will be shared by those who participate in existing circles. Suzanne will provide details about the new Sharing Circle of Support Program, including the Facilitator and Tool Kit options that are now available.
Thursday
December 9th, 2010
7:00 - 9:00pm
LOCATION: All sessions will be held at 120 Maryland Street (at Westminster)
REGISTRATION: Please register in advance by calling 779-1679 to ensure there is space for everyone. It is also helpful for us to know who is attending in case there is a cancellation.
COST: Non-members - $10 (per family)
Continuity Care Members – FREE
1 year Family Membership - $20
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Nov 30th meeting
with Anne Kresta has been cancelled and we will re-schedule for the spring. Give thanks to mother nature and her wonderful blustery snow :)
have a Merry Christmas and we will hopefully see you at the next meeting with David D, Jan 11, 2011.
have a Merry Christmas and we will hopefully see you at the next meeting with David D, Jan 11, 2011.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
CTV Winnipeg Nov 16 2010 - Inclusion in MB Schools
Debate surfaces over policy of inclusion in Manitoba schools
Under a mandated policy of inclusion in Manitoba, children with special needs are taught in classrooms with other children.
Some say the policy benefits children, while others question whether students are getting the assistance they need.
Amanda Manness is a teacher at Lord Roberts School. She supports the policy of inclusion.
"I think it benefits all the students because they learn to accept others for who they are," says Manness.
Monique St. Germain's son Dylan has autism and he is in one of Manness' classes.
"He takes a little bit to process things. So when you talk to him, sometimes you have to wait a few seconds, sometimes a little longer, to get a response," says St. Germain.
As a result, Manness has adapted her lesssons.
"We will work together and decide what he can do from the assignment -- whether it's shortening it, whether having him do a visual instead of the writing," says Manness.
But some say that doesn't benefit Dylan or other students.
John Long and Rod Clifton are two of the authors of a book called What's Wrong with Our Schools: and How We Can Fix Them.
They suggest policies of inclusion force teachers to divide their attention, which may prevent scholastic achievement.
"The children who otherwise are quite gifted…they're not going to be well-served under a strategy in which attention is focused always in the middle or at the bottom," says John Long.
They said it doesn't make sense to teach people with vastly different abilities all in the same class.
Clifton and Long said some children should instead be put in segregated classes.
"A severely handicapped child would be best served by a specialized environment," says Long.
Monique St. Germain said that may be true from a strictly academic perspective, but adds other matters come into play for students like her son Dylan.
"He has to be a whole person. It's not just about academics. It's also about making friends. It's also about being around and being able to function in society," says St. Germain.
School officials also say children need to learn about living in a world filled with diversity.
"We…certainly don't want to create a community where we only accept those who are just like us," said Julie Millar, director of student support services at the Winnipeg School Division.
- with a report from CTV's Jon Hendricks
Under a mandated policy of inclusion in Manitoba, children with special needs are taught in classrooms with other children.
Some say the policy benefits children, while others question whether students are getting the assistance they need.
Amanda Manness is a teacher at Lord Roberts School. She supports the policy of inclusion.
"I think it benefits all the students because they learn to accept others for who they are," says Manness.
Monique St. Germain's son Dylan has autism and he is in one of Manness' classes.
"He takes a little bit to process things. So when you talk to him, sometimes you have to wait a few seconds, sometimes a little longer, to get a response," says St. Germain.
As a result, Manness has adapted her lesssons.
"We will work together and decide what he can do from the assignment -- whether it's shortening it, whether having him do a visual instead of the writing," says Manness.
But some say that doesn't benefit Dylan or other students.
John Long and Rod Clifton are two of the authors of a book called What's Wrong with Our Schools: and How We Can Fix Them.
They suggest policies of inclusion force teachers to divide their attention, which may prevent scholastic achievement.
"The children who otherwise are quite gifted…they're not going to be well-served under a strategy in which attention is focused always in the middle or at the bottom," says John Long.
They said it doesn't make sense to teach people with vastly different abilities all in the same class.
Clifton and Long said some children should instead be put in segregated classes.
"A severely handicapped child would be best served by a specialized environment," says Long.
Monique St. Germain said that may be true from a strictly academic perspective, but adds other matters come into play for students like her son Dylan.
"He has to be a whole person. It's not just about academics. It's also about making friends. It's also about being around and being able to function in society," says St. Germain.
School officials also say children need to learn about living in a world filled with diversity.
"We…certainly don't want to create a community where we only accept those who are just like us," said Julie Millar, director of student support services at the Winnipeg School Division.
- with a report from CTV's Jon Hendricks
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Nov 4 -Connect with Mark Kelley
Julian Seguin, 13, talks about living with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism
{watch video}
Temple Grandin, one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2010, talks to the CBC's Mark Kelley about how she has learned to live with her autism
{watch video}
*both pages are currently having loading issues, but the sound does work
{watch video}
Temple Grandin, one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2010, talks to the CBC's Mark Kelley about how she has learned to live with her autism
{watch video}
*both pages are currently having loading issues, but the sound does work
Monday, November 1, 2010
Nov 2 Meeting - Social Thinking
Meeting is tomorrow! same time same place :) 7:30 pm at the Boundary Trails Health Centre.
Our topic of Discussion: Social Thinking By Michelle Garcia Winner
What is Social Thinking?
Social Thinking® is required prior to the development of social skills. Successful social thinkers consider the points of view, emotions, thoughts, beliefs, prior knowledge and intentions of others (this is often called perspective-taking - considering the perspectives of others). This is for most of us an intuitive process. We can determine the meanings behind the messages communicated by others and how to respond to them within milliseconds to three seconds! Social thinking occurs everywhere, when we talk, share space, walk down the street, even when we read a novel and relate to our pets. It is an intelligence that integrates information across home, work and community settings - something we usually take for granted!
In neurotypical (so-called normal-thinking) people, social thinking is hard-wired at birth and learned intuitively from infancy onward. While most of us develop our communication skills as we grow up, steadily observing and acquiring social information and learning how to respond to the people around us, many have great difficulties with this process. These difficulties with learning and applying social information is often considered a social learning disability.
to learn more about social thinking, please visit Michelle Garcia Winner's website.
Please also remember to bring back any books you have borrowed from our lending library, so that we may pass them on to our other members!
see you tomorrow!
Our topic of Discussion: Social Thinking By Michelle Garcia Winner
What is Social Thinking?
Social Thinking® is required prior to the development of social skills. Successful social thinkers consider the points of view, emotions, thoughts, beliefs, prior knowledge and intentions of others (this is often called perspective-taking - considering the perspectives of others). This is for most of us an intuitive process. We can determine the meanings behind the messages communicated by others and how to respond to them within milliseconds to three seconds! Social thinking occurs everywhere, when we talk, share space, walk down the street, even when we read a novel and relate to our pets. It is an intelligence that integrates information across home, work and community settings - something we usually take for granted!
In neurotypical (so-called normal-thinking) people, social thinking is hard-wired at birth and learned intuitively from infancy onward. While most of us develop our communication skills as we grow up, steadily observing and acquiring social information and learning how to respond to the people around us, many have great difficulties with this process. These difficulties with learning and applying social information is often considered a social learning disability.
to learn more about social thinking, please visit Michelle Garcia Winner's website.
Please also remember to bring back any books you have borrowed from our lending library, so that we may pass them on to our other members!
see you tomorrow!
Thank you to our Volunteers & Sponsors!
The basket donated from Floral Scents in Morden was won by Isabelle C from Morden.
The stoneware bake pan & pizza server donated by Cheryl Peters for Pampered Chef was won by Agnes C from Winnipeg
The metal art donated by Linda Rempel and the 8x8 digital scrapbook donated by Michelle C was won by Robyn G of Greysville* the $40.00 gift certificate donated by Town 'n' Country Grooming and the $30.00 gift certificate donated by Colors was won by Julie H of Darlingford.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our raffle and to those who purchased tickets. We truly appreciate your support! With the money that was raised, we will be purchasing a some more books to add to our lending library.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
IEP's
This is the time of year when we, as parents, make the trip to the school or division office to formulate a plan called the IEP - Individual Educational Plans for our child/ren. People at the table to discuss this plan varies from divisions; but generally it is the principal, the resource teacher, the teacher of your child, a division representative and yourself, the parents. Sometimes the speech & language teacher, school psychologist, Occupational Therapists, your child's educational assistant, even a daycare provider [if your child goes to daycare], and your child care worker can participate.
According to the IEP handbook, there are 3 teams to help in the making and implementing of an IEP.
1- Core Team: the Student, Parents, & the Classroom Teacher
2- In-School Team: Principal, Special Education Teacher, School Counsellor, Resource Teacher
3- School Support Team: Mental Health Professionals, Community Resources Personnel, Child and/or Adult Support Services, Personnel Health Professionals, Clinicians, Therapists & Consultants
So when you sit down the next time to do your child's IEP, look around the table; is everyone there that should be there? If not, ask where they are, or if you feel someone should be there, contact your Resource teacher or division office ahead of time and let them know of that person who you feel should be there. Because it doesn't hurt to ask? And remember, everyone at the table is there to help your child, so be honest, because you are the one who knows your child best! You are their best advocate!
NOVEMBER 30th @ 6:30, *weather pending* Anne Kresta from Community Living will be joining us once again, to discuss IEP's. Please remember IEP's are not just for Autisic children, it is for any child who needs modifications to his/her educational plan! So please feel free to join us at the Boundary Trails Health Centre
According to the IEP handbook, there are 3 teams to help in the making and implementing of an IEP.
1- Core Team: the Student, Parents, & the Classroom Teacher
2- In-School Team: Principal, Special Education Teacher, School Counsellor, Resource Teacher
3- School Support Team: Mental Health Professionals, Community Resources Personnel, Child and/or Adult Support Services, Personnel Health Professionals, Clinicians, Therapists & Consultants
So when you sit down the next time to do your child's IEP, look around the table; is everyone there that should be there? If not, ask where they are, or if you feel someone should be there, contact your Resource teacher or division office ahead of time and let them know of that person who you feel should be there. Because it doesn't hurt to ask? And remember, everyone at the table is there to help your child, so be honest, because you are the one who knows your child best! You are their best advocate!
NOVEMBER 30th @ 6:30, *weather pending* Anne Kresta from Community Living will be joining us once again, to discuss IEP's. Please remember IEP's are not just for Autisic children, it is for any child who needs modifications to his/her educational plan! So please feel free to join us at the Boundary Trails Health Centre
Friday, October 15, 2010
Winkler Wal Mart
We will be there for an information session from 10-2 on Oct 16 2010. There will be raffle tickets for sale. prizes?
Prize #1
* $100.00 gift basket from Floral Scents
Prize #2
* $40.00 gift basket from Cheryl Peters for Pampered Chef
Prize #3
* $40.00 gift certificate to Town 'n' Country Grooming
* $30.00 gift certificate to Colors
Prize #4
* $80.00 20 page custom 8" x 8" digital scrapbook
* Metal Art from Linda Rempel
Thank you to everyone who donated! and thank you to Winkler Wal Mart for allowing us to share our information with the Pembina Valley.
Prize #1
* $100.00 gift basket from Floral Scents
Prize #2
* $40.00 gift basket from Cheryl Peters for Pampered Chef
Prize #3
* $40.00 gift certificate to Town 'n' Country Grooming
* $30.00 gift certificate to Colors
Prize #4
* $80.00 20 page custom 8" x 8" digital scrapbook
* Metal Art from Linda Rempel
Thank you to everyone who donated! and thank you to Winkler Wal Mart for allowing us to share our information with the Pembina Valley.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Altogether Strong 2010 -Asperger Manitoba Inc
Brochure
Poster
Thursday, November 4th
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Centro Caboto
1055 Wilkes Avenue
with Keynote Presenters:
Dr. Jonathan A. Weiss
“Supporting Youth with Asperger Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder who are being Bullied: Student, Family, and School Strategies”
Lewena Bayer
“That’s Just Plain Rude! Modern Guidelines for Civility at Work Dealing with Bullying in the Workplace”
Next Year: Tony Attwood October 5, 2011
Poster
Thursday, November 4th
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Centro Caboto
1055 Wilkes Avenue
with Keynote Presenters:
Dr. Jonathan A. Weiss
“Supporting Youth with Asperger Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder who are being Bullied: Student, Family, and School Strategies”
Lewena Bayer
“That’s Just Plain Rude! Modern Guidelines for Civility at Work Dealing with Bullying in the Workplace”
Next Year: Tony Attwood October 5, 2011
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