F.E.A.T. - Chattanooga NEWSLETTER PO Box 23731 Chattanooga, TN 37422  (423) 296-0092 Volume I Issue 4 March 1999 http://www.featchatt.org/ February's Guest Speaker As part of our February meeting, Anna Davenport, M.A., CCC-SLP gave a wonderful presentation on Speech Therapy as it pertains to the needs of our children. It was a very informative and uplifting talk. FEAT-Chattanooga says, "Thanks, Anna!"  Upcoming Meetings March 9, 1999 - No Regular Meeting Guest Speaker -    Karen Harrison Topic: Communication, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution A three-hour STEP Workshop Registration required. No children please. April 13, 1999 - Guest Speaker -   Teresa Bruns Topic: Occupational Therapy May 11, 1999 - Guest Speaker - Valerie Jianotti Topic: Special Education Meeting Time and Place Second Tuesday of Each Month  6:30 pm   Room 140 Massoud Pediatric Building  T. C. Thompson Children's Hospital Read our March Feature Story (see our Group Information Page) This Space Available We need your information for the newsletter. Please fax, email or mail your submission to Phillip Deal prior to the 25th of each month. Fax: 778-6837 Email: message@featchatt.org Mail: PO Box 23731 Chatt, TN 37422 Welcome Packets Don't forget if you haven't picked up your copy of the Welcome Packet, please do so at the next meeting.

Project STEP Presents "Next STEP: Communication, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution" Tuesday March 9, 1999 6:30 - 9:30 PM This FREE workshop replaces our monthly meeting. Would you like to learn how to better communicate what your child needs? Does your child have an educational plan that is not being carried out and you want to know what steps to take?                Come and learn about your part in your child's special education, including the skills you need to work with the schools in the development of an appropriate education plan (IEP) for your child and the process to follow if you are having difficulties making the special education system work. STEP (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents) is a parent-to-parent program designed to inform and assist parents regarding the education rights of their children in special education. Registration is required. Space is limited to 30 people. So please call as soon as possible 1-800-280-7837 Sorry, no children please. FEAT Television Appearances On February 3rd and 4th, FEAT-Chattanooga members  Phillip Deal and Cindy Marshall, along with Dr. Susan Speraw appeared on Channel 9. They "got the word out" about Autism and our group and we've received several interested phone calls related to their TV appearance. Great Job Cindy, Phil and Dr. Speraw and Thanks to Channel 9!  National Conferences March 26 - 27, 1999 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, "Teach Your Children Well." A 'How To' Conference for Parents and professionals working with children with Behavior and/or Learning Problems. The cost of the conference is $75.00 per day if you register by March 1st, and $90.00 per day thereafter. The various pre-conference workshops are priced separately. For further information, you can call  (888) 423-4284, or visit their web site at http://www.behavioranalysis.com/ April 8 - 9, 1999 Houston, Texas - Seven Internationally Recognized experts offer ideas and strategies on: Early Intervention, Behavior Challenges, Communication / Language and Music Therapy. Presented by Future Horizons, Inc. For detailed information, visit http://www.futurehorizons-autism.com/  Conference may satisfy state licensing requirements for special education teachers and related special service professionals. Please consult your state's licensing agency. Registration Fees: Professional ($145.00); Family Member/Student ($120.00); Person with Autism or Single Day only ($95.00). April 17 - 18, 1999 in Chicago, Illinois - "Recent Advances in the Treatment of Autism for Enhancing Communication." Sponsored by Pyramid Educational Consultants the founders of and the premier source of training for PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). The fee for both days (which includes lunch) is $250.00 for individuals and $400.00 for parent couples. The optional dinner is an additional $35.00. For further information, you can call Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. at (888) 752-7462, or visit http://www.pecs.com/ May 7 - 8, 1999 Dallas, Texas - Sponsored by FEAT-NT (North Texas) "Intensive Behavioral Intervention in Autism" featuring Ivar Lovaas, Ph.D. and others. Fees: Postmarked on or before April 9 $210.00 per person; before April 27 $250.00 per person. On-site registration $275.00 per person. For more information, visit http://www.lovaas.com/ July 6 - 10, 1999 Kansas City, Missouri - The Autism Society of America's Annual National Conference will be held from July 6, 1999 through July 10, 1999 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Missouri. For more details, visit http://www.autism-society.org/