All About Developmental Disabilities Offers Fall 2014 Workshops on Dating, Employment, High School Transition Planning, Post-Secondary Education

Contact: Mitch Leff, Leff & Associates, (404) 861-4769, mitch@leffassociates.com

All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) will host workshops for families living with developmental disabilities at two locations this fall. Through their Family Support Center, designed to serve individuals and families living with developmental disabilities in metro Atlanta and across Georgia, AADD offers assistance during various life transitions.

Each workshop will help participants learn more about a specific issue, including dating, employment and planning for future needs. Tuesday workshops will be held at AADD’s Family Support Center in Decatur at 125 Clairemont Ave, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30030. Thursday workshops will be held at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30338.

Tuesdays from 6 - 8 pm

Location: AADD’s Family Support Center, 125 Clairemont Ave, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30030Cost: All classes $10/attendee or $15/family

Aug 26: Understanding Sexual Development and Healthy Sexual Function (For parents only)

• Facilitators: Dave Nelson, executive director and Beth Champ, young adult program director, The Community School

Sept. 2: What’s Next? Transition Out of High School Panel

• Facilitators: Karla Wade, executive director, American International Leadership Institute; Jamie Shailer, DeKalb County School Transition Liaison; and George Mabry, parent of a recent graduate

Sept. 9: Supported/Customized Employment

• Facilitators: Karla Wade, executive director, American International Leadership Institute; Jamie Shailer, DeKalb County transition liaison, and George Mabry, parent of a recent graduate

Sept. 23: Concurrent SessionsManaging and Supporting Your Child’s Sexual Behavior (For parents only)Understanding Sexual Development and Healthy Sexual Function (For teens/young adults only)

• Facilitators: Dave Nelson, executive director and Beth Champ, young adult program director, The Community School

Sept. 30: Behavior Issues and Creating a Behavior Plan

• Facilitators: Dave Nelson, executive director and Beth Champ, young adult program director, The Community School

Oct. 7: Self-Directing the NOW and COMP Waivers

• Facilitators: Dave Nelson, executive director and Beth Champ, young adult program director, The Community School

Oct. 21: Supporting Romantic Relationships (For parents only)

• Facilitators: Dave Nelson, executive director and Beth Champ, young adult program director, The Community School

Oct. 28: Futures Planning for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

Nov. 4: AADD Ambassadors (for parents, teens and young adults)

Nov. 18: The Challenge of Handling Sex on the Internet, in Video Games, and in Other Media (for parents, teens and young adults)

• Facilitators: Dave Nelson, executive director and Beth Champ, young adult program director, The Community School, and Crandall Heard, director of community engagement, AADD

Thursdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m Location: Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30338Cost: All classes $10/attendee or $15/family

Sept. 4: What’s Next? Transition Out of High School Panel

• Facilitators: Karla Wade, executive director, American International Leadership Institute; Jamie Shailer, DeKalb County School Transition Liaison; and George Mabry, parent of a recent graduate

Sept. 18: Post-Secondary Education for Students with Developmental Disabilities

• Facilitators: Susannah Miller, Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University; Sheryl Arno, AADD

Oct. 2: Behavior Issues and Creating a Behavior Plan

Oct. 23: Supported/Customized Employment

• Facilitators: Karla Wade, executive director, American International Leadership Institute; Jamie Shailer, DeKalb County transition liaison, and George Mabry, parent of a recent graduate

Oct. 30: Futures Planning for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

Nov. 6: AADD Ambassadors (for parents, teens and young adults)


For registration and information about all workshops, please email Family Support Center Coordinator Madeline Griffin at madeline@aadd.org or call AADD at (404) 881-9777.

All About Developmental DisabilitiesFounded in 1956, All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating lifelong support, education and opportunities for children, adults and families living with developmental disabilities. AADD provides support services, advocacy and training to families living with developmental disabilities.

Developmental disabilities are defined as severe chronic disabilities that limit three or more critical functional abilities. Examples include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism disorders, fetal alcohol disorders and intellectual disabilities. These disabilities often manifest early in life (before age 22) and last a lifetime.

Georgia relies on a disjointed system of services and support that cannot be sustained long-term. Economic uncertainties are reducing funding support, even as the number of people in need increases. AADD offers a range of services focusing on Family Support, Public Policy and Advocacy and Community Engagement. For more information, go to www.AADD.org or call us at (404) 881-9777.