Fantastic Community Resource!


The Community's Studio, Where Art is Making a Difference!

Our specialized programming is art therapy based, where creativity is used in working toward specific goals. Participants develop an appreciation for the value and enjoyment practicing the arts bring to their lives. Experienced art therapists work with adults and youth who are in recovery from mental illness and substance use, those who have developmental disabilities, those who have cognitive or physical impairment, and children who are at-risk due to socioeconomic circumstances. Participants become more self-aware, learn how to express emotions in a safe manner, build self-esteem and identity, along with learning skills to develop healthy social relationships and coping techniques.
Floral Painting - Carolyn Masnari


CONTACT US:
175 S. Saginaw #109 Pontiac, MI 48342
(248) 706-3304 phone
(248) 706-7830 fax
Office hours: Tues - Fri 12 - 5 pm; all other times by appt.
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AIMS- Achieving Independent Minds

-Achieving Independent Mind Skills (AIMS)-

Providing age appropriate programming focusing on vocational, life, and social skills training as well as recreational opportunities. AIMS is a specialized, high quality program centering on self- advocacy, problem solving, and increasing overall independence.
    Winter Breakdays 2014 at AIMS
    Each day we will have an adventure exploring our community. Activities may include; parks, eating out, museums, baking, shopping, and hanging out.
    Dates: 
    Monday, December 22
    Tuesday, December 23
    Wednesday, December 24
    Friday, December 26
    Monday, December 29
    Tuesday, December 30
    Time: 10:00-3:00
    Cost: $60.00 plus spending money/admission fees

    Tuesday Out and About
    We will explore different places in our community. Each week participants will decide where we will go as a group. We will pick from going out to eat, working out at JCC, shopping, cooking, library, nature parks. (Activities subject to change)
    Dates: 
    January 6, 13, 20, 27 
    February 3, 10, 24, (NO Feb 17) 
    March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 
    April 14, 21, 28 (No April 7) 
    May 5, 12, 19, 26
    Time 3:30-6:30
    Cost $800.00

    Saturday Night Out
    Come “hang out” in a safe supervised environment. Meet new friends and create life long friendships. Chit- chat with friends, play games, ping-pong, crafts and much more. Dinner and snack are included.
    Dates: 
    January 10, 24 
    February 7, 14, 28 
    March 14, 21, 
    April and May dates will come out soon.
    Time: 5:30-9:30
    Cost: $40.00 each time, January - May

     For more information, contact Amy Seidman at amyaseidman@gmail.com
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    Camp & Resource Fair

    Friends of Different Learners Presents...
    CAMP & RESOURCE FAIR
    + Micro Businesses

    Summer and year round programs for children with special needs!

    Thursday, January 22, 2015
    6:30—9:00 p.m.
    Groves High School Commons
    20500 West Thirteen Mile Rd
    Beverly Hills, MI 48025
    Enter school from west parking lot

    The 13th annual Camp and Resource Fair is an information event servicing families seeking camps, therapies, educational, recreational, and healthcare services and products that support children with special needs in both self-contained and inclusive environments as well as summer and year round programs.

    Meet with representatives and take home information from
    organizations throughout the tri-county area:
    • Camps 
    • Tutors
    • Therapists
    • Service Providers
    • After School Programs
    • Respite Support
    • Recreational and Arts Programs
    • Special Needs Trust Advisors
    • Alternative Education and Classrooms
    • Shop for products designed to help people with special needs! 
    Shop and support Local Micro/Small Businesses founded in the special needs community and supported by our entire community who have created jewelry, cards, ceramics, calendars, gifts and much more. (Cash only.)
    Our goal is to connect families within the special needs community to the many resources available that can help make their lives more manageable and productive!

    If you have questions or need additional information please contact:
    Aryn Zwierzchowski at 248-318-5148 or Jo Ellen Schwartz at 248-646-5172; 
    or visit our web site: www.friendsofdifferentlearners.org
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    “Life After High School” College Night


    Eton Academy Presents: Life After High School
    November 19, 2014 6:30 – 8:00 PM
    High School students from any school are invited to attend with their parents
    -FREE ADMISSION-
    Featuring unique college programs available for different learners

    What to expect: There will be at least 25 colleges and post high school programs represented at this exciting event.  What makes this College Night different is that we ask the representatives to explain their programs and also the services they offer for students who have learning disabilities.  Colleges that specialize in working with students with learning challenges – Landmark (Vermont), Muskingum University (Ohio) College Living Experience (with locations throughout the US), Minnesota Life College – will be here, along with many of the colleges in Michigan.  All students, whether or not they have a learning disability, and their parents are welcome to attend this free event.

    Join us and meet representatives from:

    • Camp/Club Kodiak
    • Central Michigan University
    • College Internship Program
    • College Living Experience
    • College of Creative Studies
    • Henry Ford Community College
    • Lake Superior State University
    • Landmark College
    • Madonna University
    • Michigan Rehabilitative Services
    • Michigan State University
    • Minnesota Life College
    • Muskingum University
    • Oakland University
    • Ohio Technical
    • Optiminds
    • Options for Success
    • Rochester College
    • Saginaw Valley State University
    • Shepherds College
    • Specs Howard School of Media Arts
    • University of Michigan
    • Wayne State University
    • Western Michigan University
    • And more...

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    Autism & Sexuality Across the Lifespan



    Autism & Sexuality
         Across the Lifespan     
    Presented by Dr. Jan Graetz, PhD 
    Thursday, November 13, 2014 
    6:00 - 7:30 pm 
    Oakland (Heritage) Room, Oakland Center


    Individuals with ASD may face challenges throughout their lives related to understanding their bodies, physical urges, and sexuality. From young children’s issues such as discovering their anatomy to puberty and beyond, families often have questions. How can you explain appropriate vs. inappropriate behaviors? How do you explain dating and relationships? How can you help your loved one maintain their dignity when it comes to issues of sexuality? Dr. Jan Graetz, Associate Professor in the School of Education at Oakland University, will discuss these topics and more and offer strategies that may help you address these issues with your loved one with ASD. 

    This event is designed for educators, social workers, parents, caregivers, and anyone interested 
    in learning how to address the issues of sexuality and ASD. 

    RSVP by emailing oucares@oakland.edu or call 248-370-2424. 
    There is no cost however donations to support OUCARES are always welcome.

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    Don't miss these transition workshop opportunities!

    Plan Today, Sleep Better Tomorrow! 
    Specialized Financial Planning Advice for Families of Loved Ones with Special Needs
    Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
    Our friends from Planned Financial Services, LLC will:
    • Give examples of how to fund a special needs trust with tax free dollars. There are special options that may be a very smart move for you
    • Show how to keep government benefits and plan for your child’s future lifestyle. This is not about how to get government benefits
    • Explain the SpecialCare team approach to ensure person-centered life care planning for a person with a disability. These professionals have received advanced training to become Chartered Special Needs Consultants™ as part of their commitment to addressing the unique circumstances of each family
    • Location: Berkley High School Auditorium- 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072
    • Cost: Free!
    • For additional information: Contact Sharon Berke at: sberke@berkleyschools.org or at 248-302-5719
    Building a Bridge to the Future:  Crossing the Bridge from School to Community Agency Services
    This one day information session takes a closer look at transition for students with an IEP, as they move from school to adult community agency supports. Participants will learn about planning tools, the process, and resources. Hear from parents and/or young adults sharing their tips & lessons learned.  Topics include:
    • Transition Services: Requirements, Planning & Resources 
    • Community Mental Health: Eligibility to Services 
    • Person Centered Planning: The Plan for Adult Life
    November 21, 2014
    9:00 am – 3:00 pm, check in 8:30 - 9:00 am
    Troy Community Center
    3179 Livernois Rd.
    Troy, MI 48083
    You must register ($15 registration fee)! 
    Please visit: www.oakland.k12.mi.us
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    Colleges for Students with SLD

    September 18, 2014

    Copyright 2014© LRP Publications
    by Mark W. Sherman, a Washington bureau correspondent, covers special education issues for LRP Publications.

     Key points:
    • Postsecondary institutions resemble K-12 schools for children with certain disabilities
    • School leaders offer no apologies for taking noninclusive approach
    • Leaders of schools say students with disabilities are central to mission, not distraction

    Specialized colleges offer haven for students who prefer segregated program
    In theory, a student who had an IEP in high school can get the support she needs in college by invoking her rights under Section 504 and the ADA.

     Indeed, efforts are under way at various colleges and universities to make sure such students get those services and any necessary accommodations.

     But at Landmark College in Putney, Vt., those efforts aren't ancillary to the school's regular program: they are the program. That's because enrollment at Landmark, which was founded in 1985, is limited to students with a formal diagnosis of LD, ADHD, or autism.

     The result is a community whose entire focus is on helping such students thrive and eventually graduate, according to President Peter Eden.

     "Many colleges and universities do a good job [of serving students with LD], but at the end of the day, it's almost always a resource or a program, and there can still be stigma associated with that," said Eden, who is scheduled to testify Sept. 18 at a hearing on dyslexia. "Here, they don't have to be part of a small program or optional resource."

     A similar program exists in Leesburg, Fla., where George Hagerty is president of Beacon College.

     "Many of our students come to this institution because they can pursue their undergraduate preparation in a safe environment -- safe for them," he said.

     Indeed, taking the post has brought his life full circle, said Hagerty, who began his career in 1978 as a postdoctoral fellow for the Bureau for the Education of the Handicapped, where he helped write the regulations for P.L. 94-142, the precursor to the IDEA.

     "I can remember the conversations with respect to students with LD and other disabling conditions," he said. The rules might help such students get through high school, he and his colleagues agreed, but "when they age out, then what? Because we know that some of the students are capable of pursuing an undergraduate curriculum."

     In short, just as some students attend specialized K-12 schools, such as charter schools for students with autism or the long-standing schools for the deaf and the blind, some students may prefer a college or university that, while not as diverse as a regular school, offers them an experience that is tailored to their needs.

     Having different conversations
    At the hearing, which is before the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Eden is likely to emphasize his school's new STEM programs, designed to tap the technical bent of many Landmark students.

     Eden acknowledged, however, that it would be a mistake to typecast students with LD, ADHD, or autism as hidden geniuses just waiting to be discovered.

     Rather, he said, such students are like all young people -- full of ideas, with ambitions and dreams. They simply need the right supports, he said. In particular, he said, such students need what he calls metacognition -- the ability to understand their own learning pitfalls.

     At other colleges, he said, "I was always surprised to see students who did well in class, with participatory learning ... but when it came time for the test, they did not produce."

     "Whoa, what happened?" he said he would ask himself. "I thought that student really understood it."

     Even when he sat down with them and went over the material, such students often continued to do poorly on tests, he said.

     "They could not understand why they weren't doing well," he said. "They couldn't understand their own weaknesses when it came to learning."

     Such experiences can be demoralizing, he said; a student starts to doubt his own intelligence, and teachers may too.

     But at Landmark, "students don't have to cross their fingers and hope they get the right professor who will understand their strengths and weaknesses," he said. "This is all we do."

     Likewise, students at Beacon meet for an hour each week with a learning specialist, and during their first year they also meet every week with a life coach, Hagerty said. There's even occupational therapy at no additional cost for students who need it, he said.

     The result, he said, are graduation rates not seen in other settings -- and for teachers, a chance to focus on students whose presence they once might have resented.

     "I convict myself," he said, meaning he pleads guilty to thinking of students with disabilities as distractions in his teaching days at other schools. "How's your class?" a colleague would ask, to which he would say, "It's great, except I've got these two outliers -- one is just bouncing around, the other tells me he's got this learning disability and needs extra time."

     That's not how it works at Beacon, he said.

     "Here, you go to a faculty room, it's all about, 'How are we going to ensure that this student masters what we're trying to teach? What's the modality?'" he said. "So it's a very different conversation, and it's the kind of conversation that has to happen for these students to succeed."
    ---------------Landmark College will be at Berkley High School---------------
    Nov. 19th at 8:45 am for an "Informational Meeting"
    Landmark is one of almost 50 colleges/universities visiting BHS for an informational meeting- allowing juniors & seniors to have the opportunity to meet and speak with admissions representatives and to receive information/materials about the college or university they represent. Students need to sign-up in the Career Center, rm. 110 to be able to attend these meeting.

    Posted by

    Transition Workshop Opportunities!

    -----TRANSITIONING TO YOUNG ADULTHOOD-----

    Transitioning from childhood to young adulthood presents a new set of decisions for families. The JCC of Metropolitan Detroit, JARC, and Friends of Different Learners are pleased to present a series of seminars designed to help guide families through this new chapter in their lives:

     Transition: From Schools to Agencies
    September 23, 2014, 6:30—8 p.m.
    Representatives from Community Living Services (CLS) and Macomb Oakland Regional Center (MORC) will answer questions and talk about the process of applying for public mental health. They also will discuss each agency provides.
    Location: Location: Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W. Maple Rd West Bloomfield
    Cost: $5

     An Overview of SSI and SSDI
    September 30, 2014, 6:30—8 p.m.
    Clifford L. Weisberg has been a practicing attorney for more than 40 years, much of his time devoted exclusively to Social Security Disability law. In 1979, he was one of the three founding members of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives, the only nationally recognized group of attorneys specializing in Social Security Disability law. He is a senior partner with the Law Center for Social Security Rights.
    Location: Location: Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W. Maple Rd West Bloomfield
    Cost: $5
    --------BERKLEY SCHOOLS PRESENTS--------

    Plan Today, Sleep Better Tomorrow! 
    Specialized Financial Planning Advice for Families of Loved Ones with Special Needs
    Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
    Our friends from Planned Financial Services, LLC will:

    • Give examples of how to fund a special needs trust with tax free dollars. There are special options that may be a very smart move for you
    • Show how to keep government benefits and plan for your child’s future lifestyle. This is not about how to get government benefits
    • Explain the SpecialCare team approach to ensure person-centered life care planning for a person with a disability. These professionals have received advanced training to become Chartered Special Needs Consultants™ as part of their commitment to addressing the unique circumstances of each family
    • Location: Berkley High School Auditorium- 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072
    • Cost: Free!
    • For additional information: Contact Sharon Berke at: sberke@berkleyschools.org or at 248-302-5719

    Posted by

    Obama Signs Law Limiting

    Sheltered Workshop Eligibility


    Disability Scoop
    By MICHELLE DIAMENT
    July 22, 2014

    The transition from school to work for students with disabilities will undergo sweeping changes under a bill President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday.
    The measure known as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act significantly limits placements at sheltered workshops and other work environments where people with disabilities earn less than minimum wage.
    Under the new law, individuals with disabilities age 24 and younger will no longer be allowed to work for less than the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour unless they first receive pre-employment transition services at school and try vocational rehabilitation services.
    The measure also mandates that state vocational rehabilitation agencies work with schools to provide transition services to all students with disabilities and requires that the agencies allocate at least 15 percent of their federal funding toward such transition efforts.
    “As we approach the 24th anniversary of the ADA, this bill takes new steps to support Americans with disabilities who want to live and work independently,” Obama said in signing the legislation, which provides a broad update to the nation’s workforce system that took years to come to fruition.
    The updated rules specific to what’s known as subminimum wage will take effect two years after the law’s enactment.
    Though requiring that most young people try competitive employment before working for less than minimum wage, there are exceptions for those who are deemed ineligible for vocational rehabilitation and to allow individuals already earning less than the federal minimum to continue in their jobs.
    In cases where individuals with disabilities do earn less than minimum wage, the measure requires that they periodically be provided career counseling by their state and are informed about other work opportunities.
    Aside from changes to employment opportunities for people with disabilities, the new law also shifts responsibility for some disability and independent living program functions from the U.S. Department of Education to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    Posted by

    Life Skills Camp

    O U C A R E S
    Oakland University Center for Autism 
    Is opening a new summer camp in:
    South Lyon 
     Centennial Middle School 
    62500 W. Nine Mile Rd., South Lyon

    ---------------Life Skills Camp---------------
    For 11-14 year olds with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger’s or PDD-NOS 

    We are proud to offer a fun camp with daily activities that include: 
    • Practical Living Skills: clothing care, menu planning, grocery shopping, & cooking 
    • Interpersonal Skills: team-building, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem 
    • Personal Management Skills: money management, time management, & hygiene 
    • Field Trips into the Community: to practice the social and life skills learned at camp 


    Each session will be 3 weeks. 9am-3pm—Monday-Friday 
    Session 1: June 30-July 18 (no camp July 4) 
    Session 2: July 21-August 8 

    The fee is $900 per 3 week session. 
    Deadline for applications is May 23rd 

    For more information and to register, 
    please visit oakland.edu/oucares or call 248-370-2424. 

    Once applications are received, we will contact you to schedule an in-person 
    Assessment Interview with both the parent and potential camper.
    Posted by

    Post Secondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

    -CALL TO ACTION-
    from ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY CENTERS ON DISABILITIES
    AUCD has issued an Action Alert regarding 
    postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. 

    In 2008, Congress made an historic move and included the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) and a National Coordinating Center for those programs in the Higher Education Opportunity Act.  The President's FY 2015 Budget proposes to end funding for these programs.  Please urge Congress to continue funding these promising programs!


    Please share this Action Alert with your networks!


    Posted by

    Community Resource Guide

    Oakland County Community Resource Guide

    2014 

    Early On® Oakland 
    Community Resource Guide 
    A guide to finding the right resources 
    to match a child’s and family’s needs

    Posted by

    Game Programming @ OCC

    In this exciting class being offerd at OCC's Orchard Ridge Campus, students will learn how to use a new software system called "Unity" and it is very popular in the game developer community. The students will also be learning the C# programming language. C# is a general purpose object-oriented programming language (very similar to Java) that would be useful to students in programming tasks other than game development.

    Term: Summer 2014
    Course Title: CIS 2859 - Game Programming I
    Section number: O1500 
    Registration code: 102096 
    First day: 05/08/2014 
    Last day: 08/14/2014 Meeting date:
    Thursday Meeting time: 06:00PM - 09:55PM
    Meeting location: F Building, Room F106, Orchard Ridge Campus
    Duration: 15 Weeks
    Enrollment fees: https://www.oaklandcc.edu/FutureStudents/TuitionAndFees.aspx
    Course Fee: $40
    Textbook: Learning C# by Developing Games with Unity 3D (ISBN: 978-1-84969-658-6)
    Software: Visual Studio with C# and the Unity game engine
    Notes: No cost to students for the required software. Software may also be used at home.

    Bill Schanerberger
    Professor, OCC Computer Information Systems
    Posted by

    March Into Transition


    Posted by

    Project Venture at MSU

    Project Venture

     
    As a student with a disability, considering college comes with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. RCPD invites you to join us for a unique on-campus pre-college experience. Project Venture offers you the chance to “try on” university life through an interactive experience here at Michigan State University (MSU). RCPD hosts the Project Venture program thanks to the generous contributions of the Wochholz endowment, which encourages students with disabilities to pursue higher education at an inclusive university such as MSU. During your time at Project Venture you will:
    • Talk directly with current MSU students with disabilities who have “been there” and understand the journey
    • Consult with university disability specialists to learn skills for college
    • Experience firsthand the latest assistive technology through breakout sessions during the program
    • Be ready to attend a college class, stay overnight, and build connections with other high school students with disabilities 
    • Become aware of self-advocacy skills and resources for a successful transition 
    • Develop a long-range goal that includes a vision of higher education in your future!
    Explore the possibilities, design your future, and commit to success- it’s in your hands!

    Applications for the Project Venture Program will open March 1, 2014. 

    Please take note that the program fills quickly and the application system will close after the first 50 applications are received. We accept 20 participants based on the quality of the applications submitted. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by May 1.

     
     

    Who can apply?

    College-bound high school students who will receive a high school diploma with a disability between the ages of 16-18. We accept students with a range of disabilities (autism spectrum disorders, blindness/visual impairment, brain injury, chronic health, deaf/hard of hearing, learning disabilities and attention deficit, mobility, mental health)

    When is Project Venture?

    July 9-11, 2014. Programming will begin Wednesday evening, and run through Friday afternoon.

    Where do I stay? What do I eat?

    Participants will stay overnight in an accessible residence hall with another student in the Project Venture program (of the same gender). All meals (Thursday breakfast through Friday lunch) are included in the cost of the program. If you have food-related concerns, we will work with you along with our dining staff to meet your needs as best as we can.

    What do I do if I need accommodations?

    Through the application and registration process, students will be able to fully explain accommodations necessary for full participation in the program. We are committed to making this a meaningful experience for all involved and will work actively with you to meet your accommodation needs.

    What is the cost of Project Venture?

    $115.00. If this program cost presents financial hardship, or is prohibitive of your participation, please contact us for individual funding consideration.

    Who do I contact with questions?

    Project Venture staff will be on hand through the duration of the program, and will provide daytime and overnight supervision at all times. If you have any questions prior to or during the program please email the Project Venture Team or call the RCPD front office.
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