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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
SPIN is co-sponsored by the
Disability & Communication Access Board and the Special Education
Section of the Department of Education. Services include a phone
line for information referral and support, a quarterly newsletter,
an annual conference and community workshops. SPIN is guided
by an Advisory Committee made up of parents, teachers and people
with disabilities.
SPIN
919 Ala Moana Blvd.,
# 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
PHONE
586-8126
Neighbor Islands dial the following exchange then 6-8126: Kauai
-274-3141; Hawai'i-974-4000; Maui-984-2400; Molokai & Lanai
- 1-800-468-4644
FAX
586-8129
E-MAIL
accesshi@aloha.net
WEB
www.spinhawaii.org
IDEA
REAUTHORIZATION: LET IT 'B'
As Congress gets closer to
passing a bill to revise the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act, parents and advocacy organizations are telling their Representatives
and Senators to let it 'B'-leave the current Part B (the part
of IDEA that regulates services to preschool and school age children)
as it stands.
That's because neither the House or Senate versions of the reauthorization
bill are acceptable. H.R. 1350 passed the House this Spring despite
the opposition of practically every parent and advocacy organization.
It removed a number of the protections for children with disabilities
that have been in place for the last 25 years.
The Senate bill (S. 1248) that will be voted on by the full Senate
this March or April restored many of these protections and added
a few improvements. However, it contains a number of provisions
that are seen as backward steps:
® removing short term objectives in the IEP,
® giving the option of a 3 yr. IEP for a student's final
three years of special education,
® using up to 15% of IDEA funds to help children who are
not eligible for special education,
® removing "stay put" protections for some students
® allowing governors to place a limit on the rate attorneys
can charge for representing families in due process hearings.
In addition, neither S. 1248 or H.R. 1350 fully funds IDEA--a
promise made to states in 1975.
Before the Senate bill gets to the floor for a vote, parents
are being urged to write their Senators and ask them to VOTE
NO on S. 1248. Part B was permanently reauthorized in 1997. The
1997 Amendments preserve student rights. Leave Part B alone.
For more information, call SPIN or go to our website:
www.spinhawaii.org.
EBS*
- DRUG TREATMENTS FOR ADHD & DEPRESSION
Parents are sometimes reluctant
to consider medication as part of the treatment of their child's
emotional or behavioral disorder. They may fear side effects,
or prefer that non-medical interventions be tried first. Cost
and inconvenience can be factors, too.
Evidence has shown that medication can be an effective part of
the treatment for a number of mental health disorders like attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression. The right medication
can reduce or eliminate troubling symptoms and improve the daily
functioning of children and teens. So it important for parents
to keep an open mind when medication is being suggested for your
child.
Guidelines Regarding the Use
of Medication
¸ Medication should not be used alone; it should be part
of a comprehensive treatment plan;
¸ The prescribing physician should be experienced in treating
psychiatric conditions in children and teens;
¸ Parents should know why the drug is being prescribed,
its benefits and any side effects;
¸ Negative side effects should be reported immediately;
¸ Once a child is taking a medication, it should not be
stopped or changed without speaking to the doctor.
A recent conference sponsored
by the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division looked into
the latest scientific evidence on the effectiveness of different
drugs to treat mental health disorders in children and teens.
Here is some of the information that was shared:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
Dr. Peter Jensen, a noted child psychiatrist from Columbia University
in New York City, talked about lessons that were learned from
the MTA Study, a large long term study involving 7-9 year olds
with ADHD and different treatments:
* Medication alone and medication combined with behavior treatment
were equally effective in treating the symptoms of inattention
and hyperactivity;
* Medication alone was much more effective than behavior treatment
alone;
* Combined therapy was more
effective than medication alone in improving academic performance,
parent-child relationships, and social skills;
* For medication treatment to be most effective it should be
an optimal dose, include regular follow-up visits with the doctor
or therapist, and regular feedback from parents and teachers.
The stimulant medications used in the study included dextroamphetamine
(Adderal, Dexedrine), methylphenidate (Ritalin) and pemoline
(Cylert).
Depression
Dr. James McCracken from UCLA
discussed the use of antidepressants to treat depression in children
and teens. Research shows that certain Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)-specifically fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine
(Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft)-are the first line of antidepressant
treatment. Their common side effects (nausea, abdominal discomfort,
headache and fatigue) are mostly well tolerated.
In June, 2003 the Food & Drug Administration recommended
that another SSRI, Paxil, not be used for children under 18 because
of reports of a possible increased risk in suicidal thoughts
and attempts in children with depression taking the medication.
Research findings to date have pointed to the depression itself,
and not the medication, as the most likely cause of suicide in
the reported cases.
*EBS--evidence-based services
or interventions--are those that have been scientifically proven
to have a positive effect in the treatment of a particular disorder.
Hawaii's Evidence Based Services Committee has published a tool
that can be used to help determine appropriate drug treatment.
It can be found on the web at:
http://www.hawaii.gov/doh/camhd/reports/psychopharmacology.pdf
or you can call SPIN for a copy.
AUTISM/PDD
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP & WORKSHOP
Autism Bridges Maui and the
Mental Health
Association of Maui is sponsoring an Autism/PDD Family support
group that meets every other month begining January 2004, on
the 4th Saturday of the month. Meetings are held from 9:00 a.m.
to 10:30 a.m. at the Cameron Center Conference Room # 2, 200
Mahalani Street, Kahului, Maui. Meetings are open to direct care
providers and families of children with autism spectrum disorder,
pervasive developmental disorder and other neuro-developmental
disorders.
The Autism Bridges Maui will also be hosting a workshop on Positive
Behavioral Supports on Saturday, February 28, 2004 from 9:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Cameron Center Conference Room #2. Christine
Kim, Ph.D., from the Developmental Disabilities Division will
be the speaker. Registration begins at 8:30 a..m. Refreshments
will be served in the morning but lunch is on your own.
For more information regarding the support group contact Sing
Vista at 572-8070 or Kathie Leonard at 572-6364 or e-mail to
autismbridges@hawaii.rr.com.
HAWAII FAMILIES AS ALLIES
(HFAA) ADHD SUPPORT GROUPS
Hawaii Families As Allies (HFAA)
has started
ADHD Support Groups--one for youth 12-17 years old and several
for parents. The youth will meet from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at
the HFAA office in Aiea (99-209 Moanalua Road). Meetings will
be held quarterly on the following Fridays: March 5, June 4,
September 3 and December 3. For more information contact Linda
at 478-2490.
Parent Support Groups:
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Fridays at the Central Oahu Family
Guidance Center Demo Room on the 1st floor. For specific dates,
contact Charlie at 453-6767 or by pager 582-8010.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Waianae District Park
Multipurpose Room. For specific dates, contact Gloria at 692-8232
or by pager 680-1716.
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Fridays in Kailua- Kona at the Old Industrial
Area, Kaiwi Square. For specific dates, contact Sandie at 322-1530.
Call HFAA at 487-8785 to find out about other support groups
in your area.
HAPVI SUPPORT GROUP
The Hawaii Association of Parents
of the
Visually Impaired (HAPVI) is a local organization dedicated to
providing support, awareness and information to parents with
children who are blind and visually impaired. Its primary goal
is to advocate for the needs and rights of these special needs
children, and to create workable solutions to problems and concerns
that are presented by their parents during monthly support group
meetings.
HAPVI members assist one another by sharing relevant information,
lending an ear, or offering sound advice. HAPVI will be holding
their next meeting on Saturday, February 21, 2004 from 9:00 a.m.
- 12:00 noon at the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind . There
will be a morning potluck, talk story and advocacy discussion.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining HAPVI, attending
a support group meeting, or would like further information, please
contact Myles Tamashiro, HAPVI President at 626-0535. Membership
is not a requirement to attend.
"ARTS
MEAN BUSINESS" -LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT
The "Artists Mean Business
in Hawaii" - Legislative Summit will be held on Tuesday,
March 30, 2004 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol.
The Summit is being planned in collaboration with the 20th Anniversary
of the PAC Rim Conference.
The central focus of the Summit will be the presentation and
discussion of the findings of the statewide forum series, and
the recommendations for systems change needed to advance arts
access and career opportunties in the arts for people with disabilities
in Hawaii. Artists with disabilities will be conducting all aspects
of the Summit. A small art show and entertainment by artists
with disabilities will also be featured.
Contact Susan Miller, Hawaii Statewide Forum Coordinator, 295-0659
or millers@hawaii.edu for more information.
SEA
OF DREAMS FOUNDATION COMPUTER CLASSES
The Sea of Dreams Foundation
(SDF) is offering computer classes every Friday starting in February
2004. The computer class schedule is as follows:
February 6,13, 20 Basic Word Processing
February 27 Basic Excel
March 19, 26 & Basic I-Movie/Basic &
April 2 Powe r Point
April 16, 23, 30 Basic Internet Use & Basic Access
There is a fee for each segment of the computer training - $5
for SDF members and $10 for non-members. Seats are limited. SDF
members may also lease a computer for an annual fee of $20 or
$30 for two years.
For more information contact the Sea of Dreams Foundation at
695-5877.
"LOW
VISION: REACHING HIGH TO ADDRESS LOW VISION"
The State of Hawaii Chapter
of the Association
for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually
Impaired (SHAER) will be holding their spring conference, "LOW
VISION: Reaching High to Address Low Vision" from 8 a.m.
- 4 p.m. on April 16 & 17, 2004 at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel.
Conference topics will focus on Low Vision Clinics that provide
opticalaids to visually impaired, importance of developing non-visual
skills, such as Braille and mobility training, and a panel discussion
from local eye care professionals regarding current trends and
treatments in eye care.
Conference participants include parents, families and students
who are visually impaired, DOE teachers of the visually impaired,
Ho'opono vocational rehabilitation counselors, early interventionists,
and organizations of the blind among others. Vendors and exhibitors
of low vision products and services will be present. For registration
and conference details, Contact SHAER president Amy Downard at
808-587-4710 or email downarda001@hawaii.rr.com.
CURE
AUTISM NOW FOUNDATION WALK & COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR
Cure Autism Now (CAN) Foundation
is sponsoring a 5K Walk and Community Resource Fair on March
13, 2004 at Magic Island to support autism research and to increase
awareness of autism and related disorders in the community.
This family friendly event begins at 7:30 a.m. and will include
activities for the children. For those interested in participating
in the Community Resource Fair or for more information about
this event,contact Kalma Wong at 235-4411 or www.walknow.org.
FIRST
SIGHTINGS, PO`OHALA PROJECT
Training from a person-centered
perspective on the Individualized Service Plan (ISP) process
is now available through "Na 'Ohana Ne'i I Mua" (Families
Moving Forward). This planning document, utilized by the Developmental
Disabilities Division, Department of Health, is designed to embrace
Self-Determination. To find out more:
(1) Contact Pam Haydon by e-mail at konaccc@hawaii-aloha.net
to request the two attachment pages that present their Po`ohala
Grant Project and profiles.
(2) Call Honey Burns, workshop trainer, at (808) 965-7699 to
schedule a training.
(3) Visit SPIN's website at www.spinhawaii.org, where the ISP
workshop dates and locations are being posted. Registration is
required.
HAWAII
ARTSPLACE (HAPA)
Volunteers have been busy on
weekends preparing the site that will mark the official launching
of the Hawaii Artsplace (HAPA) on Waimano Home Road in Pearl
City.
HAPA will focus on artists with disabilities (and all non-disabled
artists) and allies who are willing to help with the development
of this micro-enterprise. The goal of the center is to give artists
a place to learn, work, and be part of a successful creative
industries enterprise.
It will offer arts education and business development, technical
assistance and support. The center will include visual arts,
media arts and performance arts.
A Pearl City Community Open House is being planned for Thursday,
March 4. If you would like to get involved, call VSA arts of
Hawaii-Pacific at 295-0659.
STATEWIDE
PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING
The Hawaii Partners in Policymaking
is celebrating 10 years of Partners training. All graduates of
this program are invited to attend this special event on Saturday,
February 21, 2004 at Tokai University from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00
p.m. (sign-in 9:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.).
RSVP to Susan Kawano at the Developmental Disabilities Council
office at 586-8100 for the lunch count. Airfare will be provided
to Neighbor Island Participants.
********
The Eleventh Partners in Policymaking training will be held at
Tokai University. The dates for this training are as follows:
August 20-21, September 17-18, October 15-16, December 3-4, and
January 28-29, 2005. Recruitment will take place at the upcoming
SPIN Conference.
For more information or an application call Susan K. at the Developmental
Disabililities Council Office at 586-8100.
'04
SPIN Conference -"Take A SPIN Through Hollywood"
Saturday, April 24th,
UH Campus Center
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration/Networking/Displays
9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Keynote Presentation: "There's No Business
Like SPIN Business"
10:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Networking Break
Act 1 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Rebel with a Cause - Positive Behavioral Support
Kindergarten Hop - Transitioning to Kindergarten
It Can Be a Wonderful Life - Self-Determination
Dances with Words - Reading Success for Your Child
An Executive Decision - The No Child Left Behind Act of
2001
Good Will Hunting - Estate Planning
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Buffet * Award Presentation
Act 2 12:45 p.m. - 2:00
p.m.
I'm Clueless - Government Benefits
How to Get Your Groove Back - Techniques to reduce stress
What Dreams Will Come - Transitions
The Cutting Edge - Evidence Based Services
Mission Possible- IEP Development
Up Close and Personal - Understanding Your Child's Sexuality
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Networking Break
Act 3 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rebel with a Cause 2 - Positive
Behavioral Supports
The "A" Team - Autism
Stand By Me - Learning Disabilities
The Blues Brothers (and Sisters) - Emotional Disabilities
A League of Our Own- Deafness
Look Who's Talking? - Speech-language Impairments
Workshops are subject to
change
MARK
YOUR CALENDAR
Hawaii Families As Allies (HFAA)
& Ko'olauloa CCC Workshops
2/24 Effective Record Keeping for Parents & Families
3/23 Impact of Emotional/Behavioral Disorders on the Family
4/27 Effective Communication & Negotiation Skills
May Family Leadership Academy
Contact HFAA at 487-8785 or Charlotte at 215-4121, pager
HFAA Workshops - East Hawaii Family Guidance Center
3/1 & 3 Behavioral Intervention
4/5 & 7 Emotional Impact
5/3 & 5 ODD/OCD
Contact Carmen at 933-0640 for meeting sites
2/28 Positive Behavioral Support
Workshop (see page 4 ) Call Sing at 572-8070 or Kathie at 572-6364
3/29 PAC Rim Conference on Disabilities 2004
& 30 Sheraton Waikiki, www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/ or 956-9810
or cds@hawaii.edu (see page 4)
4/16 "LOW VISION: Reaching
High to Address
& 17 Low Vsion" Conference (see page 5)
4/24 "Take a SPIN Through
Hollywood"
SPIN Conference, UH Campus Center
Call SPIN to reserve your seat
