FCPS Parent Resource Center

The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for parents, educators and community members to access information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities. Free workshops, confidential consultations and over 5,000 lending library materials available at the PRC help ensure that ALL students are inspired, engaged and thriving.  

 

Parent Information Relating to Special Education
 
All these opportunities are FREE unless noted.  
Todos estos eventos son gratuitos excepto donde se indique.
In most cases you must register if registration information is provided.
When other events are announced they will be posted with these at:
 
October
 
Plan Ahead — Parents of Challenging Children: Preschool through Early Adolescence
10 Tuesdays  8-9 pm, Oct. 10 to Dec. 12    $25-$350
Includes video course with > 10 hours of content in 3-5 min. videos 
This discussion course helps parents to identify the source of their child’s challenging behavior and learn what they can do about it.  
 
Plan Ahead — Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy
Thu. Oct. 19, 9:00 am-4:30 pm,  $165-$225
Learn about special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests and measurements, SMART IEPs; and effective advocacy.  Includes 4 books.
Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish
 
ADHD in Communities of Color: Scrutinizing Barriers to Health Equity, Diagnosis, & Treatment
Tue. Oct, 3, 1 pm, with replay link
Consider the factors that hamper proper diagnosis and treatment, and gain strategies for improving outcomes.
 
Restrained and Secluded: How a Change in Perspective for Students With Disabilities and Simple Science Can Change Everything
Tue. Oct. 3, 1 pm
A new lens on behavior can reduce and eliminate punitive practices and lead to endless potential.
 
Special Topics in Raising Your Challenging Child (Buffet)
One or more Wednesdays, Oct. 4 to Oct. 25, 9:30-10:30 am
Video course plus group discussion on neurodiversity, ADHD, autism, children’s violent play, and helping siblings get along.  $$ varies
Oct 4: Coexisting ADHD, Anxiety and Autism
Oct 11: Neurodiversity, Gender and Sexual Variation
Oct. 18: Children and Violent Play
Oct 25: Helping Siblings Get Along
 
Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Children, Teens, and Young Adults: What Parents and Educators Can Do
Wed. Oct. 4, 7 pm    Zoom
Fostering a healthy sense of control at home and in school will be emphasized, and multiple strategies will be covered.
 
Special Education Workshop Series
Wednesdays: 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/15, 12/6, 6:30~7:45 pm
Learn about all the major features of the special education process in Virginia. Register for one or more presentations.
 
From Referral to Eligibility
Wed. May 4, 6:30-7:30 pm
Learn how to initiate a  a referral and about the other initial stages of special education in Virginia.
 
Special Education Formed Families: Making It Work
Wed. Oct. 4, 7-8 pm
Learn about specialized topics for foster, adoptive, and kinship families to be aware of regarding special education.
 
Meet the Tech for Independent Living Team
Thu. Oct. 5, noon-1 pm
Learn about a free service that creates custom apps to help your child with activities of daily living and safety.
 
Building Family and School Partnerships for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students K-12
Fri. Oct. 6, 10:00-11:30 am
Join the FCPS 2e Specialist for ways to work with school and outside staff to address your child’s learning, social, and emotional needs.
 
ADHD Resource Fair and Lecture
Sat. Oct. 7, 9:30 am-12:30 pm, 120 Cherry St. Vienna
Dr. Stixrud will speak (11:30 am-12:30 pm) on how to nurture a healthy sense of control in kids with ADHD to support their self-motivation. 
 
Sibshops— For Siblings (in Grades 2-6) of a Child with Special Needs
Mon. Oct. 9, 9 am-noon, Providence CC, 3001 Vaden Dr. Fairfax
Siblings share experiences and receive peer support in a relaxed setting with fun games and activities. 
 
When Lack of Motivation Runs in the Family:  Getting Kids with ADHD Organized & Focused for Learning
Tue. Oct. 10, 1 pm,
Consider effective strategies for helping parents with ADHD to guide the schoolwork of their children with ADHD.
 
Parents of Challenging Children: Preschool through Early Adolescence
Ten Tuesdays,  8-9 pm, Oct. 10 to Dec. 12,    $25-$350
Includes video course with > 10 hours of content in 3-5 min. videos 
This discussion course helps parents to identify the source of their child’s challenging behavior and learn what they can do about it.  
 
Neurodiversity, Gender and Sexual Variation
Wed. Oct 11, 9:30-10:30 am
Video course will be available with registration and the group discussion will be held on Oct. 11.  $$ varies
 
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Overview
Wed. Oct. 11, 10:00-11:30 am OR 7:00-8:30 pm
ABA  is used to study a student’s problematic behavior and then to shape their future behavior and teach skills.
 
Understanding Special Education
Wed. Oct.11, 6:30-7:30 pm
Learn the steps of the special education process and the importance of both high expectations and the role of parents in that process.
 
Communication, Collaboration, and What to Do When You Just Can’t Agree
Wed. Oct. 11, 7-8 pm
Learn the specifics about special education dispute resolution options for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
 
From Referral to Eligibility — in Spanish
De la referencia a la eligibilidad
Jueves, 12 de octubre, 6:30~7:45 pm
Conozca las etapas iniciales de la educación especial en Virginia.
 
Morning at the Museum — National Air and Space Museum 
Sat. Oct. 14, 8:30-10:00 am, 6th St. & Independence Ave. Washington, DC
Families with students with cognitive or sensory processing disabilities may explore the exhibits and sensory-friendly activities. 
 
Let’s Take a Hike 
Sat. Oct. 14, 10 am-noon, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd.  Woodbridge
Adoptive families with children under 12 are invited for a hike at Occoquan Bay Wildlife Refuge.
 
Morning at the Museum — U. S. Botanical Garden
Sun. Oct. 15, 8:30-10:00 am, 100 Maryland Ave. SW Washington DC
Families with students with cognitive or sensory disabilities may come explore the garden and for sensory-friendly activities. 
Register:  email family name and number attending to Maura.Nelson@aoc.gov
 
ADHD in the Workplace:  Finding the Fit, the Interface and How to Problem Solve
Tue. Oct. 17, 7:30-9:00 pm
A panel of adults with ADHD will share their experiences in the workplace.
 
Children and Violent Play
Wed. Oct 18, 9:30-10:30 am
Video course will be available with registration and group discussion will be held on Oct. 18.  $$ varies
 
Research Updates:  Nutrition and Autism 2023
Wed. Oct. 18, 1 pm
Learn about the recent research on nutrition and autism.
 
Anatomy of an IEP
Wed. Oct 18, 6:30-7:45 pm
Learn about the sequence and contents of the separate sections of an Individualized  Educational Plan  (IEP).
 
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy
Thu. Oct. 19, 9:00 am-4:30 pm,  $165-$225
Learn about special education law, rights and responsibilities; tests and measurements, SMART IEPs; and advocacy.  Includes 4 books.
Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish
 
RSD Toolkit: Strategies for Managing Your Sensitivities in Real Time
Thu. Oct 19, 1 pm with replay link
This webinar for adults with rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) may help you understand your child with ADHD.
 
Building a Growth Mindset for Math — for 4th & 5th graders
Sat. Oct. 21, 1:30-3:00 pm The StudyPro, 6849 Old Dominion Dr. #200, McLean
The focus will be on how to use a growth mindset to shift our goal from "get it done fast" to "honor the process". 
Register:   571-321-5800
 
Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings — In Spanish
Dentro y Fuera de las Reuniones del IEP
Lunes, 23 de octubre, 6:30~7:45 pm
Aprenda a planificar una reunión del IEP, qué esperar durante la reunión, cómo entablar relaciones allí y cómo defender a su hijo.
 
The Importance of Assessing and Treating Anxiety and Trauma in Understanding ADHD Symptoms
Tue. Oct. 24, 7:30-9:00 pm
Consider how ADHD symptoms can also reflect the impact of underlying anxiety.
 
Chat with an Attorney about Special Education
Wed.Oct. 25, 9:00-3:30 pm
Free 45-minute appointments with an attorney are available for parents to receive guidance on special education topics. 
Register: https://form.jotform.com/232527274803153
 
Helping Siblings Get Along
Wed. Oct 25, 9:30-10:30 am
Video course will be available with registration, and group discussion will be held on Oct. 25.  $$ varies
 
Preparing for Emergencies for People with Disabilities
Wed. Oct. 25, 11 am-noon
Three agencies will together guide participants in how to create their own emergency plan and toolkit.
 
Autism and Anthropomorphism
Wed. Oct. 25, 1 pm
Consider recent findings suggesting that autistic individuals tend to anthropomorphize more than neurotypicals.
 
Suicide Prevention:  What Every Parent Needs to Know
Wed. Oct. 25, 6:30-8:00 pm, 21000 Educ. Ct, Ashburn
 
Youth Mental Health First Aid — Course for Adults
Thu. & Fri. Oct. 26 & 27, 9:00 am-12:30 pm,  $25
Learn the risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges in youth, their potential impact, and how to respond.
 
Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress 
Fri. Oct. 27, 10:00-11:30 am, Part 1 of 2
Learn how to identify if a child has anxiety or depression, treatment options, and ways to support those children.
 
Service Dog Day at the Museum of the Army
Sat. Oct. 28 4-6 pm, 1775 Liberty Dr. Ft. Belvoir
A hands-on special educational program and docent led tours will be available in a sensory-friendly environment. 
 
Building a Growth Mindset for Math — for 4th & 5th graders
Sat. Oct. 21, 1:30-3:00 pm The StudyPro, 6849 Old Dominion Dr. #200, McLean
The focus will be on how to use a growth mindset to shift the goal from "get it done fast" to "honor the process". 
Register:  571-321-5800
 

Ongoing and On Demand

 

ADHD @ School: Top 10 Hurdles to Learning with ADHD
This 10-part self-guided course equips caregivers and students with effective solutions to the specific academic and behavioral challenges associated with ADHD 
 
The Arc@School Advocacy Curriculum    $99 for 6 months