Workshops Cover Child Disabilities

A new series of seminars for families of children in special-education programs that deal with specific disabilities will continue this week.

The county’s Special Education Local Plan Area, which includes all school districts in Ventura County and the Las Virgenes Unified School District, is sponsoring the workshops.

The topic of the latest seminar is Rett syndrome, a progressively degenerative disease that has characteristics similar to autism. It is characterized by developmental regression or loss of previously acquired skills, leading to mental and physical retardation. It primarily affects girls.

Those with Rett syndrome lose purposeful movements of their hands and may rub their hands together in front of their faces or chests, similar to the motion of hand washing. Many children have episodes of hyperventilation and/or hold their breath, walk with a broad-based gait and may experience a slowing of head growth.

Admission for the seminar is $15 at the door for those within the Ventura County local plan area or $20 for others. Child care will not be available. Spanish or sign-language interpretation will be made available only if reserved at least six days in advance.

The two-hour workshop begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Administrative Service Center at the Ventura County superintendent of schools office, 5189 Verdugo Way, Camarillo.

The workshop is the second in the series dealing with specific disabilities. Other seminars will be offered during the current school year.

For more information or to reserve an interpreter, call SELPA at 383-1919 or visit the SELPA Web site at https://www.vcss.k12.ca.us/vcsso/sped.