Category: Families

Meet Sesame Street’s First Character with Autism!

October 23, 2015

“Fuzzy favorites Grover, Abby and Elmo are joined by their newest muppet pal, Julia, a character with autism, in Sesame Street Workshop‘s new nationwide initiative. Launched Wednesday morning, Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children aims to reduce “the stigma of autism” with the introduction of the first muppet with autism.  The initiative, created for communities and families with children ages 2 to 5, includes a free downloadable app that incorporates video, digital story cards designed to make daily life tasks easier for families of children with autism and storybook materials for providers, organizations and caregivers. ” (article found … Continue reading


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Sensory Sunday at Kidcity Museum Nov 1st

October 15, 2015

Families of toddlers or preschoolers with sensory processing or autism disorders are invited to a FREE playtime in Middletown on Sunday, November 1, 2015 from 9 – 11 AM.  Kidcity is a hands-on children’s museum with three floors of pretend play for young children. Enjoy a judgement-free zone and experience the museum. Pre-registration required.  To reserve a spot, please email the number of adults and kids (& their ages) to frontdesk@kidcitymuseum.com Note: This event is just for kids ages 1 to 5 years old – please don’t bring older siblings to this special playtime. The museum opens to the public … Continue reading


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New Publication: Advancing Trauma-Informed Systems for Children

September 24, 2015

Childhood trauma exposure is a significant and costly public health concern that affects tens of thousands of Connecticut children resulting in lifelong impairments to health, behavioral health and academic outcomes. CHDI has released its latest publication to inform early childhood practice:  “Advancing Trauma-Informed Systems for Children” The report includes: Guidelines and best-practices for developing a comprehensive and integrated trauma-informed system of care for children A summary and timeline of trauma-informed programs and services in Connecticut An analysis of progress and gaps for each major child-serving system in Connecticut Recommendations for system integration and improvement


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CTAIMH Home Visitor Training -New Haven

September 24, 2015

The CT-AIMH is delighted to invite you to this FREE 5-part infant mental health training series offered to Home Visitors working in the New Haven area beginning on Monday, October 5, 2015. Get more information Register Now! These five workshops will increase your knowledge and practice in the area of infant mental health, and will include: how to see families and their young children through an attachment lens, how to understand infants/toddlers and their families and the challenges of unresolved trauma and loss, how to reflect and recognize your own feelings about your work that can impact your relationships with families, … Continue reading


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Office of Early Childhood Kicks Off CLICK for Babies Campaign

August 28, 2015

The CT. Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is kicking off its participation in the nationwide CLICK for Babies Campaign organized by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.  The purpose is to create awareness of the leading trigger for infant abuse, frustration with infant crying.  The OEC and community organizations will be collecting and distributing purple handmade caps across the state to new parents.  Some good information for parents related to infant crying can be found at CLICK for Babies .  


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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Awareness Day – Informational Forum

August 28, 2015

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) is an often overlooked and under-diagnosed condition with serious developmental implications that confers automatic eligibility for IDEA Part C, Connecticut Birth to Three System supports.  Learn more from Dr. Carol Cohen Weitzman, Yale School of Medicine and State ICC member, and colleagues from across the state: Wednesday, Sept. 9  – 9 AM – 12 noon Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room 2E,  Hartford, CT registration begins at 8:30 Space is limited.  Please RSVP to mgiovannucci@abhct.com or dachenbach@abhct.com Co-Sponsored by the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, The CT Department of Children and Families and Advanced Behavioral … Continue reading


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View Archived Sessions from the National Autism Conference

August 13, 2015

Earlier this month the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, and PaTTAN sponsored the National Autism Conference.  Many of the sessions were made available at no cost via live webcasting.  Here is a link to see some of the archived sessions from this year and last years conference. View the archived webcasting sessions here.


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Conference: Building A Great Life!

August 6, 2015

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ADA and the 40th anniversary of the IDEA with families, self-advocates and professionals on October 2 and 3, 2015 in Farmington. Go here for more information: http://pathct.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Building-a-Great-Life-Registration-Book-SERC-FINAL-7-14-_Page_1.jpg Register  before Sept. 11th: http://buildingagreatlife.eventbrite.com Hemos incluido información y hoja de inscripción en español


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STEPs Parent Leadership Series

July 17, 2015

The CT Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) is conducting a STEPs Parent Leadership series in New Britain this September.  Learn more at  www.cpacinc.org . Register at http://www.cpacinc.org/projects-programs/next-steps/ Please share this opportunity with parents!


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Provider Focus Group July 14th

June 17, 2015

The CT Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Planning Committee wants Your input on Screening A Focus Group just for Birth to Three System providers is planned for: Tuesday, July 14 9:30 – 11 AM United Way of CT – 1344 Silas Deane Highway, 4th floor, Rocky Hill Continental breakfast provided ECCS is focusing on comprehensive developmental screening in Connecticut. Your perception of current screening practices and their impact on you, childcare providers and families is vital. Please share your experiences and insight. Contact Heather Spada, ECCS Coordinator, at heather.spada@ctunitedway.org or 860-372-4240 to RSVP before July 10. Visit www.eccsct.org for more … Continue reading


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Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers Toolkit

June 8, 2015

The Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers is a free, online resource developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Designed for families of toddlers and preschoolers, this website is organized by child age, and offers videos, activities, and print materials to address common parenting challenges, including tantrums and whining.    


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Parent Training Opportunity – Understanding Data

June 3, 2015

Family Leaders Institute by DaSy* – What’s in a number? Do you know a parent leader who is seeking training in understanding children’s educational data? One parent can be sponsored to go to Atlanta, Georgia this October 6 and 7 and learn how to meaningfully engage as a stakeholder in conversations about data. This institute is intended to help the parent advocate for improvements in Part C and preschool special education. Go to http://dasycenter.sri.com/downloads/FLI_flyer.pdf for more information.   *DaSy is the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems


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Share the Eligibility Result with PHCP

May 21, 2015

PHCPs Need To Know the Eligibility Result for Their Patients “Our son”….“My patient”….“A child on my roster” When a child is evaluated by Birth to Three, there are at least three adults that think of that child as “mine”: the parent, the child’s primary health care provider (PHCP), and You – if you are on his Birth to Three team.  All help support the little one’s health and development.  All need to communicate – with parent consent – about what is happening with the little guy. It starts at your first visit: Ask the parent for permission to release the Eligibility result … Continue reading


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Go Baby Go!

May 12, 2015

Two great opportunities coming up to support early mobility and exploration through the Go Baby Go Program founded by the University of Delaware! Central Connecticut State University and Plainville High School will team up to build 6-8 modified toy cars for kids who need them @ Plainville High School. No cost to family, just need to register, contact  Contact: Rose Flammang PT, DPT rflammang@connecticutchildrens.org  or Michele Dischino CCSU Associate Professor dischinomic@ccsu.edu Initial modifications will occur May 26th. Kids and their families will join on May 27th 8am-11am to be fitted and final modifications made.  Families will get to take home … Continue reading


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Take Time, Talk

April 15, 2015

Studies show that by the time children reach a mere three years old, a 30-million word gap exists between children of the lowest and highest income families. This refers to the number of words children are exposed to—well before they reach kindergarten. The “Take Time. Talk!” tool offers demonstrations on how adults can talk more in-depth with their infants, toddlers and preschool-age children, whether at the grocery store, enjoying a meal, bath time and more.  There are simple handouts available in English and Spanish.


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B23 Banner at the Capitol This Week

March 30, 2015

B23 Banner posted across from the Capitol this week! Planning to visit Hartford this week? Be sure to pass by the Capitol building and look at 165 Capitol Avenue across the street. When Governor Malloy looks out his office window this week, he will see a 3 foot tall Birth to Three logo and our intake phone number next to the message, “Life is full of Surprises.  Call Birth to Three if your baby isn’t developing as expected.”  Hundreds of passersby have seen  our public awareness banner every year since 2006.  This week, you can too!  


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Free child car seats & training for Naugatuck Valley parents

March 23, 2015

DERBY (WTNH) – Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital and The Derby Elks are teaming up to offer a free training on child car seats and a seat giveaway. It’s on Wednesday, April 15 from 2-6 p.m. at Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach parking lot, 4 Mountain St., Derby. This training will help answer questions about safety requirements for children in various car seats. At the end of this training, participants will receive a free seat appropriate to their child’s needs and instruction on proper use. To be eligible for the giveaway, participants must preregister. Free seats are limited, so the program … Continue reading


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Parent-Led Intervention Improves Outcomes for Toddlers With Autism

March 2, 2015

A recent research study reports that toddlers with autism have demonstrated significant improvement after intensive intervention by parents rather than clinicians. Parent-led intense intervention during everyday activities resulted in significant improvements in several areas for children diagnosed with Autism.  Parent-Implemented Social Intervention for Toddlers With Autism: An RCT Additional research found that that parent-led  intervention may lower the risk for toddlers that are at high risk for autism.  


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Another Great Video!

February 17, 2015

If you haven’t bookmarked the Desired Results video library yet, now is a good time.  Be sure to let families know about this resource as well. Team Lydia Rose: Supporting Inclusion Every Day in Every Way (16:18) This video illustrates how inclusive practices should begin as early as possible. In the first part, Janelle describes her two year old daughter’s birth, early weeks in the NICU, and her stroke at four months old. In the second part, Janelle is joined by Lydia Rose’s child development center teacher and her early interventionist as they discuss and illustrate a range of topics … Continue reading


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Reflective Supervision Groups Forming Soon

February 17, 2015

Aileen McKenna is meeting with Margaret Holmberg and Heidi Maderia from CT Association of Infant Mental Health to discuss starting up several new reflective supervision groups for Birth to Three providers. If you are interested or want more information please contact Aileen McKenna at aileen.mckenna@ct.gov or 860-418-6136.


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