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How do Elementary and Middle Schools Provide and Inclusive Environment for all Students? A healthy, diverse and inclusive classroom environment can allow every student to thrive. Children should be given the opportunity to learn free from discrimination and feel comfortable expressing their identities within their classroom and school community. Parents will learn what practical steps schools take to build a welcoming environment for all students including differing cultures, gender identities and learning differences. Schools will share why creating an inclusive and diverse community is important for all students and families and what they are doing inside the classroom and with families to support these principles. Our panel of speakers will include representatives from: Bennett Day School Francis W. Parker School The Frances Xavier Warde School North Park Elementary School

We are thrilled to invite you to our sensory-friendly Fall-themed Open House in celebration of our brand-new center at North Shore Pediatric Therapy in Evanston. Join us for an evening where the essence of Fall meets sensory understanding and inclusivity. 🍁 Activities Include: ~ Guided Tours: Explore our state-of-the-art pediatric therapy center built for all children. Our staff will be available to answer any questions you might have about our services and your child's unique needs. ~ Pumpkin Decorating: Get creative and decorate your very own pumpkin! ~ Fishing for Apples: A twist on a classic autumn activity. ~ Free Play: An opportunity for kids to play and parents to mingle. ~ Cookie Bar: Delight in delicious cookies and make your own edible masterpiece. ~ Cozy Meals: Indulge in a range of comforting, seasonal eats to warm your heart and belly. Meet our clinicians, including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavior Therapists, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts. This is a free event, but for more information and to reserve your spot, please go here. Public transportation and paid lot parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: salsa769@yahoo.com.

Making Sense of Autism, founded by an Autistic now retired Occupational therapist, helps parents and professionals discover the key to connecting with Autistic individuals through strenths and motivations.

This webinar will serve as an introduction to Chicago Park District programs for parents of individuals with disabilities and also act as a hands-on guide for creating an Activenet account and using the Chicago Park District website and registration system. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: ttjeanbaptiste@cps.edu.

Executive Functioning (EF) has become a popular term mentioned among educators. EF refers to the process in which we initiate a task, organize and plan how to accomplish the task, and lastly persevere and stay focused despite distractions until we complete the task. Although we typically think of executive functioning skills for middle and high school students, research shows the importance of explicitly teaching executive functioning skills to early childhood-aged children to foster independence, responsibility, and self-regulation. This webinar will give parents tools and strategies to help their early learners practice executive functioning skills, giving them a strong foundation to succeed! This webinar is for parents with early learners that have an IFSP, IEP, or 504 plan. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: ttjeanbaptiste@cps.edu.

Attention Chicago moms of young children with developmental differences, you will have an opportunity to relax, rest, and relate to each other. You can release and eliminate any tension, hurt, anger, or negative toxic energy built up from everyday stress. Moms, you will leave feeling refreshed with the intention of having a positive year and having tools to implement self-care and remove stress. Moms can sign up for activities like Yoga with Guided Meditation, Personal Massage, Nature Walks, Courtyard Games, Art for A Purpose, and much more! This event starts on Saturday at 9 am and concludes on Sunday, August 13 at 4 pm. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Registration closes on July 31st, 2023. The retreat location is about 45 miles outside of the city of Chicago, more information for driving or chartered transportation will be provided when registering. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: ttjeanbaptiste@cps.edu.

Designed for young kids with developmental disabilities with a participating grown-up, this highly- interactive drama class will get the whole family moving and imagining! Bond with your little one through creative drama, music, and multisensory activities, while supporting your child’s motor development, communication skills, self-confidence, and blossoming creative spirit. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Lot parking is available at Chicago Children's Theater. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: ttjeanbaptiste@cps.edu.

It’s a night to be supported, to ask questions and share resources, and to be with other parents who get what it’s like to deal with special challenges for their kids. Parents of kids with all types of developmental differences welcome (sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down syndrome, physical disabilities, medical issues, etc.). Parents/family only, please (no therapists, students or business owners). This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. Register for upcoming dates in 2023 here: December - virtual Do you live south of the Loop and want help starting NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group in your neighborhood? Email Amy at amy@npnparents.org to discuss!

It’s a night to be supported, to ask questions and share resources, and to be with other parents who get what it’s like to deal with special challenges for their kids. Parents of kids with all types of developmental differences welcome (sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down syndrome, physical disabilities, medical issues, etc.). Parents/family only, please (no therapists, students or business owners). The Zoom link will be included in your eticket. Register for upcoming dates in 2023 here: November - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. December - virtual Do you live south of the Loop and want help starting NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group in your neighborhood? Email Amy at amy@npnparents.org to discuss!

It’s a night to be supported, to ask questions and share resources, and to be with other parents who get what it’s like to deal with special challenges for their kids. Parents of kids with all types of developmental differences welcome (sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down syndrome, physical disabilities, medical issues, etc.). Parents/family only, please (no therapists, students or business owners). This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. Register for upcoming dates in 2023 here: October - virtual November - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. December - virtual Do you live south of the Loop and want help starting NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group in your neighborhood? Email Amy at amy@npnparents.org to discuss!

It’s a night to be supported, to ask questions and share resources, and to be with other parents who get what it’s like to deal with special challenges for their kids. Parents of kids with all types of developmental differences welcome (sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down syndrome, physical disabilities, medical issues, etc.). Parents/family only, please (no therapists, students or business owners). The Zoom link will be included in your eticket. Register for upcoming dates in 2023 here: September - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. October - virtual November - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. December - virtual Do you live south of the Loop and want help starting NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group in your neighborhood? Email Amy at amy@npnparents.org to discuss!

It’s a night to be supported, to ask questions and share resources, and to be with other parents who get what it’s like to deal with special challenges for their kids. Parents of kids with all types of developmental differences welcome (sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down syndrome, physical disabilities, medical issues, etc.). Parents/family only, please (no therapists, students or business owners). This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. Register for upcoming dates in 2023 here: August - virtual September - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. October - virtual November - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. December - virtual Do you live south of the Loop and want help starting NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group in your neighborhood? Email Amy at amy@npnparents.org to discuss!

It’s a night to be supported, to ask questions and share resources, and to be with other parents who get what it’s like to deal with special challenges for their kids. Parents of kids with all types of developmental differences welcome (sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down syndrome, physical disabilities, medical issues, etc.). Parents/family only, please (no therapists, students or business owners). The Zoom link will be included in your eticket. Register for upcoming dates in 2023 here: July - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. August - virtual September - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. October - virtual November - This event is in person at Gigi's Play House, 3948 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60613. December - virtual Do you live south of the Loop and want help starting NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group in your neighborhood? Email Amy at amy@npnparents.org to discuss!

Designed for early learners with developmental disabilities and a participating grown-up, this highly- interactive drama class will get the whole family moving and imagining! Bond with your little one through creative drama, music, and multisensory activities, while supporting your child’s motor development, communication skills, self-confidence, and blossoming creative spirit. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Lot parking is available at Chicago Children's Theater. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: ttjeanbaptiste@cps.edu.

Join us at LaBagh Woods for our Run, Walk, or Ride Event to bring more inclusion and community supports for people with invisible disabilities like Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. $15 for kids, $30 for Kids / Family. Team discounts are available. No RSVP is required, please go here for more information. Plenty of parking right at our pavilion. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: jen.puccini@twentyonesenses.org.

Raising a child is expensive, especially when your child has special needs. Government benefits are helpful however understanding the process can be overwhelming. Well NPN is here to help! In this session, we will discuss what types of benefit programs exist, which benefits programs are available to you, and what is needed for the application process. You will walk away with clarity about government benefits and how to set your child up with financial support as they become an adult. This session is helpful for parents of special needs children from ages 3 to 22. Our Esteemed Presenter: Sherri Schneider, founder, Family Benefit Solutions, Inc For more than 25 years, Sherri has been tirelessly dedicated to helping individuals with special needs and their families. Her career began as a Case Manager in a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) where she helped those with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses acquire the government benefits they so desperately needed, including SSI, Medicaid, and food stamps. She was instrumental in creating one of the first Community Living Facility (CLF) facilities funded under a Medicaid waiver. Sherri now meets privately with families to thoroughly assess their individual situations and pursue the appropriate benefit assistance program(s), personally guiding them through the application process. Based on her vast experience, she has skillfully established and maintained open, productive relationships with government agencies involved in the decision-making process. Professionals find her in-service expertise to be invaluable as they navigate the government benefit process.

Unique Sweets and Chicagoland Autism Connection (CAC) present a night of uplifting stories, music, and dancing as we come together to celebrate and honor our journey. This exciting event will feature comedic storytelling from both members of the autism community and comedians followed by music and dancing from DJ EdLo. $35 Donation. RSVP required. Please go here for tickets. Valet parking during operating hours. Street parking is extremely limited near Joe's. Pay lots are in the area and their price ranges from $10 - $20. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: kljohnsonevans@cps.edu.

Join Illinois Action for Children for giveaways, family fun, activities for kids, and early childhood development and resources! Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) in collaboration with early childhood community partners is hosting a resource fair at the Southside YMCA. We invite you and your family to come and learn about important early childhood resources, developmental screenings, health services, and join in some family-friendly activities. There will also be some giveaways! This is a free event. RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Parking is available at the Southside YMCA. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: Rossmayaross@gmail.com.

This webinar is for parents, caregivers, and families of special needs children. In this session, we will discuss what is special education, who is eligible for special education services, how to initiate services, and what rights children have within the State of Illinois. Parents will also be able to ask questions and hear directly from Kimberly Johnson, Parent Involvement Specialist CPS ODLSS. This is an online and free event. RSVP is necessary. Please go here to register. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: ttjeanbaptiste@cps.edu.