Newsletter DEC 17 3rd Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events 700 x 100 REDO
New Year's Eve Celebration for 2021 2
New Special-Needs Events for 2021. Our support organizations continue to offer virtual support for a wide range of topics, including remote learning, virtual recreation classes, transition-to-adult options for work and living, and much more.

Coming up in January:
• Parenting the Anxious Child
• Sensory-Friendly Ice Skating
• An Introduction to Assistive Technology
• Self-Directed Transition with the DDS

Have a safe and Happy New Year! Sharon Marie.
Emotional Child Depressed Anxiety

Parenting the Anxious Child

Webinar, January 5th, with a social support center in Boxborough, MA. Anxiety in children may present itself as a behavior problem and you may have noticed an uptick in, or new behaviors, during virtual learning....Read more

Inform, Engage & Advocate- with Keith Jones

Webinar, January 6, with Autism Sprinter of Mass. Guest speaker Keith Jones is focuses on multi cultural, cross disability education, outreach and training to provide information to people with disabilities...Read more

An Introduction to Assistive Technology

An Introduction to Assistive Technology

Webinar, January 7th, with Easter Seals Massachusetts. Hear a definition of AT, an overview of the different options, and discuss what to consider when referring someone for AT services...Read more
The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange MARE January 2021 Virtual Adoption Event jpg (3)

Adoption Party For Special-Needs Kids

Virtual Event, January 7th & 9th. The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange and the Department of Children and Families invite you to a two-part virtual information session and matching event...Read more

Successful Inclusion in a Time of Social Distancing

Successful Inclusion in a Time of Social Distancing

Webinar, January 9th, with the 321 Foundation in Burlington, MA. Learn how to structure an effective learning environment, whether it is in-person or remote, using activities, tools, and support systems commonly found in successful inclusive programs...Read more
Parent Support Group of Children Under 18 with II & ID

Parent Support Group of Children Under 18 with II & ID

Webinars, through January 2021, with Vinfen of Cambridge, MA. Getting “cabin fever” from COVID-19? Want to chat with some other parents who are feeling the same way? * Join Vinfen’s Family …Read more
virtual Special-Need Siblings Sib Shops

Virtual Special-Need Siblings Sib Shops

Online line groups, through January 2021, with the JFCS of Newton / Waltham, MA. A free support group for kids ages 8-14 who have siblings with special needs...Read more
Executive Function & Hybrid Education with Sarah Ward

Executive Function & Hybrid Education

Webinar, January 12th, with the Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society. Open to parents and professionals. Students with executive function challenges and ADHD are having difficulty with the hybrid and online educational models. Hear executive function expert Sarah Ward share...Read more
Hamilton Relay Scholarship for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-blind or Have Difficulty Speaking

Hamilton Relay Scholarship for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-blind or Have Difficulty Speaking

Applications close on January 30th, 2021. For graduating high school seniors in Massachusetts who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking to assist in their goals of …Read more

Special-Needs Recreation

Sensory- Friendly Ice Skating Recreational Therapy

Sensory- Friendly Ice Skating Recreational Therapy

Now through Winter 2021, with the Brookline Recreation Department's. The music will be turned down, and the host will reduce noise and lights. *Ages - please inquire with the host …Read more

Snow Shoe Program for Special Needs Families in Massachusetts

Snowshoeing Recreational Therapy Program

Now through Winter 2021, with the Brookline Recreation Department. Strap on your snowshoes, its time for a fun time in the snow. Dates listed are for the entire winter. The Rec Department will …Read more

Project Ride: For families with special needs in Western Mass

Project Ride:

Springfield, through January 2021, in person. Project RIDE provides special-needs children and young adults with modified tricycles and information about adaptive sports programs in Western Massachusetts. * COVID-19 Protocols...Read more
Down Syndrome Virtual New-Family Social

Down Syndrome Virtual New-Family Social

Online, January 2nd, with the Mass Down Syndrome Congress. For families of children with Down syndrome under four, their siblings and expectant families, including grandparents. Join MDSC staff and ..Read more
Artful Healing Boston Museum of Fine Arts Virtual "Beyond the Spectrum: Autism / ASD Art Class

Virtual "Beyond the Spectrum: Autism / ASD Art Class

Online, January 2nd, with the Boston MFA. For kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ages 8 - 12. Artful Healing and Beyond the Spectrum offer a specially designed program for Autism Spectrum, including Asperger’s...Read more
Virtual "Beyond The Spectrum" Art Classes for Teens

Virtual "Beyond The Spectrum" Art Classes for Teens

Online only, January 16th, 2021, with the Boston MFA. For teens with Autism Spectrum and Aspergers Disorders ages 13 to 18. Focus on specific art topics and incorporate discussion, critical inquiry, and sketching...Read more

Holiday Drive or Walk Thru Events


* Attleboro: La Salette Christmas Lights
* Foxboro: Drive Thru "Magic of Lights"
* Haverhill: Drive Thru Holiday Light Show
* Lancaster: Drive Thru Holiday Lights
* Loudon, NH: Drive Thru "Gift of Lights"
* Marshfield: Drive Thru Holiday Lights
* Northhampton/Florence: Drive-Thru Holiday Lights
* Southwick: Winter Wonderland Drive Thru
* Stoneham: Zoo Lights Holiday Walk Thru

Read more on our Recreation Page
An INCLUSIVE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts for Students with Learning Differences. The EXCEL Program will be accepting applications for the 2021/22 academic year through the end of December 2021. For more information visit  https://www.bridgew.edu/academics/EXCEL-program

Transition to Adult Event Events

Disability Housing Massachusetts Section 8 & Beyond

Section 8 & Beyond

Webinar, January 5th, with the Arc of Massachusetts. Free. Cathy Boyle from Autism Housing Pathways will walk participants through the new AHP website, the Section 8 process and other affordable housing...Read more

Self-Directed Services with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services

Self-Directed Services with the DDS

Webinar Series, January 6th - March 9th 2021, with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. Learn how Self Directed Services for adults with disabilities can help your family. Self-Direction is a process through which an individual/family can design...Read more

Virtual Housing Workshop for people with disabilities in Massachusetts

Virtual Housing Workshop

Online, January 6th, with the Boston Center for Independent Living. This workshop will teach you about:
• Navigating subsidized and affordable housing
• Completing applications for state voucher programs
• Requesting reasonable accommodations for your disability...Read more

Planning for a Secure Future: The Special Needs Trust

Planning for a Secure Future: The Special Needs Trust

Webinar, January 13th, with the Minute Man Arc of Concord, MA. A supplemental needs trust should be crafted to fit your family’s needs. Discussion will also include ABLE accounts, Section 8, and the importance of updating wills and other key documents, especially in light of the pandemic...Read more

Best Buddies for Western Massachusetts

Best Buddies for Western Massachusetts

Virtual Meetings with Kehillah JCC Springfield. Best Buddies is a non-profit global organization that creates opportunities for one to one friendships for people with social, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
* The Kehillah Best Buddies is now able to accept teens from all Western MA school districts...Read more
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Advertise Your 2021 Special-Needs Camp or Summer Program with us.                                           Contact info@spedchildmass.com or 508-303-3424
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