Special Event – Chicago Special Needs Resource Fair Next Month
Image source: NPNParents.org
Calling all Chicago parents of special needs children! Whether you are looking for information on speech therapy techniques, schools, summer camps or any other resource, this annual fair is not to miss. Its’ coming up soon on February 10th. You can find more information including location and directions below. The event is organized by Neighborhood Parent Network (NPN) and is officially called “The Developmental Differences Resource Fair.”
And not only is NPN committed to helping parents of special needs children find resources, but their associate executive director Melanie Schlachter knows first hand how important it is to have tools at hand. Schlachter says, “As the parent of a child who was recently diagnosed with a developmental difference, I’ve just been absolutely amazed by all of the extraordinary resources that exist to help kids with different challenges.”
One of the fair’s major sponsors is Chicago Parent, an award winning parent magazine. If you haven’t checked this out – it’s a great resource for family fun ideas that’s published monthly and can be picked up for FREE (yeah!) at grocery stores, book stores, libraries, toy stores and tons of other locations. If you’re not sure where you can get a copy, click here for a location near you. Best of all, twice yearly Chicago Parent devotes an entire issue to special needs parents and children titled “Special Parent.” What’s more, each month they feature articles about special needs issues and include special needs events on their monthly calendar.
Schlachter told Chicago Parent about the fair: “As a parent it’s just a matter of finding those resources. I think (the fair) gives people the opportunity to explore some of those and make connections so they can find the right resources for their family. It’s the only fair of its kind, so it is just such a unique offering,” This is the second year for the event and they’re expecting over 50 exhibitors including speech therapists, occupational therapists, schools, businesses and other therapy providers. A complete list of exhibitors is available here.
Image source: CommunicationTherapy.wordpress.com
The NPN Developmental Differences Resource Fair will focus on special needs children from birth up to eighth grade, including resources for pregnant moms. The categories of needs to be covered include: developmental delays (such as speech and motor skills), sensory processing disorder, autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Down Syndrome and physical disabilities.
In addition to the exhibitors, there will be a number of excellent workshops offered for parents. The workshops are also free, but are limited to the first 50 attendees who show up on a first come, first serve basis. Here is the workshop schedule:
- 10:30 am-11:15 am Understanding & Dealing with Health Insurance
- 10:30 am-11:15 am Managing Challenging Behaviors
- 11:30 am-12:15 pm Understanding Sensory Processing to Support Attention and Development
- 12:30 pm-1:15 pm Navigating the IEP Process
Image source: VolunteerInfo.net
If you would like to pre-register for the NPN Developmental Differences Resource Fair, you can RSVP here. Pre-registration is not required, but can facilitate your entry to the event. Here is all the information you need to get to the fair and find all the local Chicago special needs resources you need:
Event Details
When: Sunday February 10th, 2013
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Gordon Tech High School
Address: 3633 N. California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Directions: Click here for Google Map of the event location and to get directions from your location to the resource fair!
If you can’t make it to the fair, remember Speech Buddies is always here 24/7 as a resource for you!
