On February 28^th at 6pm, Open Doors for Multicultural Families will be hosting an ‘IEP Overview and Development’ Parent Workshop at the Federal Way Public Schools Support Services Building. This workshop will cover a wide array of topics, including: who is eligible for special education, what is included in an IEP, who performs IEP evaluations, and how schools use IEPs. The event includes FREE on-site childcare, refreshments, and translation assistance. Registration is required! To learn more and to register for the workshop, click here.

Lizzy Karp, one of Wendy’s grad students, was offered a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Autism at Stanford University for next year, which she has accepted! During her fellowship year, Lizzy will be involved in conducting diagnostic assessments and providing evidence-based interventions such as Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) and the PEERS program for individuals with ASD and their families. She will also continue to develop her program of research examining the experiences of caregivers who participate in interventions with their children. Lizzy is currently completing her predoctoral internship in the TEACCH Autism Program at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

We are excited to report that Sarah Edmunds, Wendy’s grad student who is currently doing her clinical internship at Duke University, will be giving a job talk today for a faculty position at University of Miami! Knock em’ dead, Sarah!

This year, two non-profit organizations, The Art of Autism and Mainly Mozart, are teaming up to sponsor an art competition for individuals age 14 and older who identify as neurodiverse. Cash prizes range from $25-$150. The goal of the competition is to celebrate the inner-genius within all individuals and to promote the opening activities of the Mainly Mozart festival, which begins on May 30^th in San Diego. Work of any medium may be submitted, and music-themed pieces will receive priority judging. For more information on submission, click here!

Happy birthday to our kind, caring, and curious friend on Sesame Street, Julia! We hope you have a great day! #HappyBirthdayJulia #SeeAmazing