​ BEYOND THE BOOK!

schedule a virtual meet & greet!

The Beyond the Book Program is a social skills class that provides children the opportunity to share their love of reading with others in a small group setting. The sessions are one hour long and include book discussions that focus on higher level comprehension skills including, but not limited to making inferences, drawing conclusions, character analysis and so much more! Participants are provided with opportunities to participate in group activities that focus on themes from the books they read together. Through engaging book discussions and activities, the children will blend their reading skills and social skills together while having fun! This unique blend offers opportunities to improve in these critical areas of education by:

• strengthening conversation skills facilitated through book discussions 
• inferencing social situations through reading comprehension
• recognizing multiple perspectives, through a variety of reading genres
• cooperating with others through theme-related group activities
• developing friendships with gentle guidance 

​Contact us to register!

Employment for Adults with ASD!

Tuesday, May 8th from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

What is the DARS Consumer Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program? The Consumer Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep a job. It helps to increase their ability to live independently in their communities. The Consumer VR program works with individuals with every type of disability. VR services include but are not limited to, vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

• Do you have a disability?
• Do you want to work?
• Are you having trouble getting or keeping a job because of your disability?
• Do you have a loved one in their early adult years who can't seem to find a suitable job?
• Maybe he or she has a college degree (or two) and just hasn't made the next step of settling into a lifelong career...

Lisa Handke is a vocational counselor for DARS (Department for Aging Rehabilitation & Services) who specializes in helping individuals on the autism spectrum. Join us to learn: 

• how to apply to DARS
• services offered
• outline of the process ...and so much more!

This will be an informal discussion with all of the information you need to help your loved one with disabilities get work experience and/or find a career! We believe this is one of Virginia's best kept secrets! PLEASE REGISTER BELOW TO LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING!

                                            How to Speak Your Child's Developmental Language
                                                                 Wednesday, April 25th, 2018
                                                                                           4:30-5:30 p.m.

                                                                                                                                    Please note that this workshop will be located at:
                                                                                                                                      Primrose School at Cahoon Commons                                                                                                                                                           660 Grassfield Parkway,
                                                                                                                                                           Chesapeake, Virginia 23322
                                                                                                                                                                     (757) 842-6589 

What you’ll learn.......

• Developmental Expectations for your child
• Personality Development of your child
• Personality, Temperament and Sensory Input- How does it all work
  together?
• Tips & Tricks to encourage cooperation
• Tips & Tricks to help you communicate efficiently with your child
• What is Sensory Integration- how do you use it successfully?

As always, we offer our parent workshops free of charge however please RSVP at the following link to let us know you're coming: www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a49a9aa2ba4fb6-howtospeak

Come to Your Senses! Join us for this hands-on experience with Inside Out Learners that offers a better understanding of sensory deficits, as well as a plethora of tools/strategies to use with your loved ones. Light refreshments and a make n' take project are included! This is a perfect opportunity to socialize with other parents/caregivers who experience similar challenges with their loved ones! Space is limited, so register here to reserve your spot! Attendees will receive a voucher for a FREE Social of choice for their loved one: Friday Night Freedom Social, Sunday Social, Lunch Sack Social,or RPG Social!

Making Connections Through Reading Comprehension

So, what do social skills have to do with reading comprehension? A WHOLE lot!! Join us for our monthly Social Workshop to learn how the development of social competencies and the ability to understand what we read, work together to enhance social interactions. Literacy brings people together in profound ways through conversations, imaginative thinking, and making connections. Come to learn what you can do to help strengthen reading comprehension skills of loved ones who struggle with social skills. Refreshments provided. Attendees will receive a voucher for a FREE Social of choice for their loved one: Lunch Sack Social, Sunday Social, Friday Night Freedom Social or RPG Social!

Blair Kersh, M.Ed.

Teacher

Blair recently returned to the Hampton Roads area.  She grew up and went to high school in Williamsburg, VA. Blair earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies with a minor in Exceptional Education at James Madison University (JMU).  She then received her Master’s Degree in Education with a Special Education: General Curriculum K-12 endorsement from George Mason University (GMU).  While at GMU Blair worked as an Instructor and Residential Housing Liaison for the MasonLIFE program, a post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After completing her Master’s degree, Blair accepted a teaching position with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). She spent 7 years with FCPS, where she held the roles of: Multiple/Intellectual Disabilities, Career and Transition, and Visual Impairment teacher.  During that time, Blair returned to GMU and completed 2 graduate certificate programs for teacher licensure in Special Education: Adapted Curriculum (K-12) and Visual Impairment (K-12). Blair is working as a Multiple Disabilities teacher with Norfolk Public Schools for the 2020-2021 school year.  She has learned much about working with individuals with disabilities, from her younger sister who has an autism diagnosis with significant behavioral needs.  Blair is passionate about building her student’s independence by teaching them social, emotional regulation, and life skills. In her free time, Blair enjoys working out, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.