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DCIDA SpeakersTRANSCRIPT
The D.C. Capital Area and MD Branches of the International Dyslexia Association
Proudly Present A Full Day Conference
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: READING, ATTENTION
& EXECUTIVE FUNCTION
March 15, 2014
The Universities at Shady Grove
Rockville MD
Two Major Keynote Presentations and 24 Breakout
Sessions with Topics for Both Professionals & Parents
Topics Include: Dealing with Reading, Attention Executive Function, Interventions, Writing
Skills, Math Elementary and Secondary, Advocacy, IEP's, Evaluations, MSLE Interventions,
Spelling, Grammar, Assistive Technology , Options for Parents, Early Education & Post
Intervention Academics
Time: 8:30-4:00
Registration: 7:30 am - 8:30 am, CEU's Available for a small processing fee.
Keynote: Dr. Eric Tridas, Medical Director of the Tridas Center for Child Development
and President of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Consultants, Inc. He is a Developmental Pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and management of handicapping conditions including ADHD, learning differences, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and other
neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems. Dr. Tridas is a nationally known pediatrician and authority on learning differences, the immediate Past President of the IDA, and Editor of From
ABC to ADHD: What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia and Attention Problems.
Luncheon Speaker: Shreya Patel Hessler, Psy.D., LLCs A licensed psychologist in the state of MD with training in pediatric psychology at the
Johns Hopkins Hospital and Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Hessler has taught at Towson
University and currently offers evaluations and therapy in practice in Bel Air MD.
Hotel Accommodations: Preferred Rate $99 (Friday & Saturday) at the Hilton Garden
Inn and Homewood Suites Rockville-Gaithersburg 14975 Shady Grove Road | Rockville, MD 20850
offering a free shuttle to & from the conference.
Website:
Registration:
Fees: Early Registration by Feb. 20 (Members: $90, Non-Members: $110) After Feb.20: Members$100 Non-
Member $125 On-Site: $150 BYO Lunch
PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:
Keynote: Dr. Eric Tridas
Topic: FEAR: Reading Attention and Executive Function
Dr. Tridas is the Medical Director of the Tridas Center for Child Development and
President of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Consultants, Inc. He is a
Developmental Pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and management of
handicapping conditions including ADHD, learning differences, dyslexia, autism
spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and other neurodevelopmental and
behavioral problems.
Dr. Tridas has resided in the Tampa Bay area since 1982. He completed his fellowship in Ambulatory
Pediatrics with emphasis on Developmental Disabilities at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in
Boston. During that time he held an appointment as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University. Dr.
Tridas completed his residency in Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo. He graduated from the
University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine in 1977.
Dr. Tridas lectures nationally and internationally on topics such as dyslexia, learning disabilities, ADHD,
autism spectrum disorders, executive functions and other behavioral and developmental pediatrics
related subjects.
Dr. Tridas edited a book for parents titled From ABC to ADHD: What Every Parent Should Know About
Dyslexia and Attention Problems
Luncheon Speaker: Shreya Patel Hessler, Psy.D.
Topic: Anxiety and Learning Differences: Working Through The Worry
Dr. Hessler is a licensed psychologist who specializes in anxiety, ADHD, and
learning differences. She works with children, adolescents, and adults
providing individual and family therapy as well as comprehensive psycho-
educational assessments. Dr. Hessler speaks to parents, children, and school
systems frequently on the identification of anxiety and related conditions
and how to treat these symptoms effectively.
Discovering and understanding learning differences can often be overwhelming for students
and their families. What is often unknown is that many students have symptoms of anxiety
associated with learning. Signs of stress and anxiety are reviewed and strategies are presented
to help students and families with overall coping and adjustment.
WEBSITE & REGISTRATION LINK: www.dcidamdconf.com
PRESENTATIONS OFFERED IN BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Featured Presenter: William Van Cleave -Two Presentations in Breakouts 1 & 2
Writing Matters: Developing Sentence Skills in Struggling Students
Word Smarts: Using Morphology to Develop Word Decoding and Vocabulary Skills
William Van Cleave is in private practice as an educational consultant whose specialties
include morphology and written expression.
A nationally recognized speaker, he has presented on effective teaching practices at
conferences and schools around the country since 1995. While his own background is in
language-based learning difficulties, the strategies William promotes are effective for
students of all skill levels and abilities. His high level of enthusiasm and energy, his
interactive style, and his passion for working with teachers make him an effective
presenter, whether he is visiting a school and sharing with its faculty or presenting at a
national conference.
Author of Everything You Want To Know & Exactly Where To Find It, an Orton-
Gillingham based reference guide, Writing Matters: Developing Sentence Skills in
Students of All Ages.
Exceeding Expectations: Your Child can become a Successful Adult
Henry B. Reiff, Ph.D. Coordinator of Graduate Program in Special Education, McDaniel
College, Professor of Special Education
Few things are more frustrating than trying to keep a child with learning differences on
the right track. Parents and teachers have a delicate balancing act between doing too
little and too much. Dr. Reiff to share stories from successful adults with learning
differences who can inspire and motivate your children and students.
Dr. Reiff is a Professor of Special Education at McDaniel College Westminster, MD. He
coordinates the Graduate Program in Special Education and is on the Board of Directors
for the Maryland Branch of the IDA.
IPad Innovation in the Classroom
Barry James , Jemicy Lower School Math and Science Teacher and iPad Coordinator
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
We will be looking at various language, math, and general applications and how they are
used in the classroom to capture student knowledge. We will also discuss the backend
points of using iPads in the classroom such as transferring files, printing from an iPad,
and basic logistics.
Everyday Executive Functions
Paula Moraine, M.Ed., Educational Consultant & Author
Educational Consultant, Speaker, and author of Helping Students Take Control of Everyday
Executive Functions - The Attention Fix
Executive controls impact learning in all aspect of everyday life, inside and outside the classroom. This workshop offers insight into how to take control of areas of executive skill such as organization, time management, and attention.
Navigating the Contents of Your Child's IEP
Kathleen Bosserman, Special Education Advocate at Creative Learning Experiences
This presentation will provide a breakdown of the IEP into its specific parts. Briefly
explaining the acronyms, as well as the relevance and meaning behind each part.
Kathleen Bosserman is an Educational Advocate, specializing in helping families to
successfully advocate for their child with special needs.
Six Approaches to Spelling
Ann M. Bain, Ed.D. Adjunct Professor at Loyola University and Goucher College;
Educational Consultant in Private Practice
Spelling is a pesky little area of the dyslexic student's life that is a continuous, long-term
struggle. Even as reading skills improve, spelling tends to lag far behind. Students are
told to use a spell checker. Not only does the spell checker not locate all errors, but it is
definitely not intuitive. Six Approaches to Spelling will present teaching and
proofreading/editing skills for the dyslexic child and adult.
The Common Core: Strategies for Teaching Special Needs Students
Marilyn Zecher, M.A., CALT, ASDEC Instructor, National Speaker
This presentation will provide teachers, educational support professionals and parents with
strategies for helping special needs students be successful within the Common Core State
Standards. The standards offer a new approach to educating students for college and career
readiness and may thus require changes in how we meet the needs of students who struggle.
This presentation will offer specific suggestions for meeting those needs.
Ms Zecher is a nationally recognized speaker and private academic language therapist, a
multisensory specialist in methods for content area instruction and Multisensory Math. She is
an Instructor at The Multisensory Training Institute of The Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia
Education Center. She offers accredited graduate level courses as well as workshops for
schools and the community.
Homeschooling Children with Learning Challenges
Kathy Kuhl, Nationally Recognized Speaker and Author
Veteran homeschooler, author, and consultant, Kathy Kuhl helps parents help their children
through her organization, Learn Differently.com. As the author of Staying Sane as You
Homeschool, Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner, and the upcoming Encouraging Your
Child, Kathy speaks and consults internationally, bridging the homeschool and special needs
communities. Kathy offers ideas, encouragement, and humor, for all parents, but has a special
concern for students who are struggling, discouraged, gifted—or all three!
Learn how to prepare to homeschool, find resources, set goals, plan, adapt, get support, and
avoid common mistakes. Whether you are new to homeschooling or not, this session will help
you help your child with learning disabilities.
Early Signs of a Reading Disorder
Jeanine Schwartz, M.Ed. Learning Specialist, K-1st Grades, Flint Hill School
This session will help parents and early-elementary educators understand the
importance of identifying ‘red flags’ for potential reading disorders in kindergarteners
and early elementary students. In addition, we will discuss research-based strategies
and the role phonemic awareness instruction plays in reading development.
Options for Parents of Children Who Have Dyslexia
Panel Presentation and Discussion Moderated by Ellen O'Neill, Director of the Atlantic
Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center
Parents who suspect or learn that their child has dyslexia face many questions and alternatives
for intervention and support. This presentation will offer parents a guide to a range of
possibilities. Interventions are not one size fits all. Parents need to find the right fit for their
family. Options discussed will include: public and private school with and without outside
support, academic language therapy (MSLE), home schooling, and tutoring.
Panel Participants: Jilly Darefsky, Kathy Kuhl, Marilyn Zecher,
Jilly Darefsky, Head of School at The Siena School, is an experienced private school
administrator, currently serving on the Board of the D.C. Capital Area Branch of the IDA. Ms.
Darefsky holds a B.A., with honors, in English Literature with Psychology and a Postgraduate
Certificate in Education. In addition she holds a Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties/
Dyslexia from Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre and a Master's in specific learning
difficulties from Middlesex University.
A Guide to Creating Your Digital Backpack
Sonya Atkinson, Upper School Learning Specialist, Flint Hill School
Tired of lugging books to and from school? Loose papers hard to keep track of? Forget
to bring your flashcards with you to study on the bus? What about that essay you
started at school...have you saved it in a way that you’ll be able to continue working on
it later using ANY device? This breakout session will offer practical solutions for parents,
students, and teachers alike on how to create a digital backpack that is convenient,
user-friendly, and easy to access. Learn how to turn loose papers into PDFs using your
smartphone. Find out how to access free and low-cost online versions of your
textbooks, and explore alternative study aids that are accessible on any device.
Sonya Atkinson, the upper school learning specialist at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA
also works closely with The Siena School in Silver Spring, MD where she is the
Coordinator of the Summer Programs. She holds a M.Ed. in Literacy and has done
extensive post-graduate work in the field of Educational Psychology. For the past 15
years, she has worked as a classroom teacher, Director of a Learning Center, Academic
Coach, and private tutor for middle and high school students who struggle with learning
differences.
Identifying Dyslexia: The Assessment Process
Heather Powell, Ph.D. Psychologist
Implementing the right supports for students who are struggling academically often
begins with the proper identification of each student's underlying strengths and
weaknesses. In addition to diagnosing dyslexia or other learning differences, a
comprehensive psychological assessment is useful in determining a student's
neurocognitive profile and the way that it impacts their learning style. Domains that are
commonly assessed will be reviewed, and their impact on real-world functioning will be
discussed.
Dr. Powell is a licensed psychologist in Towson, MD. who specializes in the
neurocognitive assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention
deficit disorders (ADHD), learning disabilities, psychiatric illness, and emotional and/or
behavioral issues.
Reading, Reflecting On, and Writing About Fiction: Structured Procedures for Stellar Essays
Laurie M. Moloney, CALT
For the dyslexic student, writing about literature requires a constellation of skills:
reading fluency, vocabulary knowledge, and knowledge of text structures; recognition of
literary devices; sensitivity to non-literal language; inferential thinking; and an
appreciation of the constructs of plot, characterization, and theme development, to
name but a few. The ability to craft and support an original argument using textual
evidence in a well structured, well written essay need not be an epic struggle for our
students. This workshop presents a set of proven procedures that enable students to
read literature with a critical eye and respond efficiently and effectively to essay
assignments. Further, these reading and writing skills can apply generally to texts
across the humanities.
Laurie M. Moloney is a Certified Academic Language Therapist in private practice in the
metropolitan D.C. area, serving students of all ages . Her areas of expertise
include teaching students to read, handwrite, and spell; take notes; enlarge their
vocabulary through the study of morphemes; write; manage time and materials; use
memory strategies; and self-advocate. Ms. Moloney received her training from Tri-
Services/National Institute of Dyslexia, from the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education
Center (ASDEC), and from Sandra Dillion of the Multisensory Language Training Institute
of New Mexico.
Multisensory Math: Strategies for Algebra
Anna Vanderlugt, Math & Science Department Chair, The Siena School
Multisensory Math program is nationally recognized as offering concept-based, hands-on
strategies for teaching mathematics to all students at all levels. This workshop focuses
on algebra concepts of linear functions including positive and negative slope, and
transformations of functions. Practical applications will include manipulatives, games,
chants and activities to teach and reinforce mathematical concepts in school and at
home. The multisensory math overview is appropriate for parents, teachers and all
educators.
Anna VanderLugt, Math and Science department chair at The Siena School in Silver
Spring, MD. Currently she teaches geometry, algebra II and FST: functions, statistics,
trigonometry but has previously also taught algebra I. She was a presenter in the recent
"Math at Siena" Workshop (part of the Siena Educational Workshop Series) and has
completed both the Multisensory Math I and II courses through ASDEC.
Multisensory Math: Foundation Skills - Place Value, Multiplication & Division
Amy Isaacson & Jennifer Sanzone
This presentation will feature two presenters demonstrating techniques for teaching
foundation skills in math. Ms Isaacson will demonstrate Building math skills from
numeracy to place value with manipulatives. Ms Sanzone will demonstrate strategies for
illustrating multiplication and division.
Amy Isaacson is the math and science department head at the Chelsea School. The
Chelsea School is a non-public school that serves middle and high school students with
langue base learning disabilities. She has worked at Chelsea for 6 years and is a certified
in Multi-Sensory Math.
Jennifer Sanzone, fourth and fifth grade teacher at The Siena School, Silver Spring
MD, graduated from Goucher College with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in
Instructional Leadership from Towson University as well. She began her teaching career
in Baltimore, MD where she taught for 8 years before joining the staff of the Siena
School.
On The Road to Improved Metacognition and Self Regulation
Shannon McCarty, M.A. Upper School Learning Specialists, Flint Hill School
We will explore the interplay of self-regulation and student learning beliefs as they relate
to academic success and discuss the relationship between these ideas and
motivation. In the classroom, explicit instruction in self-regulated learning allows
student to be more metacogntive about how learning happens. Join us as we discuss
practical ways to help your students set goals, choose strategies, monitor their progress
and reflect on the process.
Shannon McCarty, Upper School Learning Specialist at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA
holds an M.A. in Special Education: Learning Disabilities from American University in
Washington, D.C. For the past 13 years, she has worked as a classroom teacher,
learning specialist and academic AD/HD coach in VA/DC independent schools. She has
presented at several local and national conferences on issues relating to teaching
practices for students with learning disabilities and AD/HD. She also works as a private
tutor with a focus on early math and reading skills and provides support for high school
students with executive functioning challenges.
Reading Interventions: Understanding the Options
Laurie Heuple, M.Ed & Marcia Jeffries, Educational Diagnostician
There are a variety of reading intervention programs that meet the IDA’s Knowledge and
Practice Standards. The presenters will help parents and educators in surveying the
options available. They will discuss interventions with varying degrees of intensity so
that participants will be better able to evaluate what is appropriate for their students or
their child.
Laurie Heuple: M.Ed, CAT is in private practice in Northern VA for educational
assessments and educational therapy. She MSLE reading specialist.
Marcia Jeffries, M.Ed. Retired educational diagnostician and school support coordinator for students in grades
K-6. Mrs. Jeffries is an Orton Oak –Member and DCIDA Board Member with 25 years of
experience in the field of learning disabilities.
Identifying Dyslexia: The Assessment Process
Heather Powell, Ph.D. Psychologist
Implementing the right supports for students who are struggling academically often
begins with the proper identification of each student's underlying strengths and
weaknesses. In addition to diagnosing dyslexia or other learning differences, a
comprehensive psychological assessment is useful in determining a student's
neurocognitive profile and the way that it impacts their learning style. Domains that are
commonly assessed will be reviewed, and their impact on real-world functioning will be
discussed.
Dr. Powell is a licensed psychologist in Towson, MD. who specializes in the
neurocognitive assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention
deficit disorders (ADHD), learning disabilities, psychiatric illness, and emotional and/or
behavioral issues.
Tech Tips and Tricks to Empower Dave Darefsky, Director of Technology, Green Acres school
Have you ever spent endless hours searching through reams and reams of information
but not find what you're looking for? Or you find the information only to discover it to be too difficult to access and navigate? Join us as we explore selective, efficient and
accessible 21st century tools necessary to yield the information you're looking for. Learn about free, readily available services that have the greatest impact to remove
roadblocks and empower individuals with learning differences with necessary skills. Explore how to overcome everyday difficulties using technology such as how to find
information using key words, images and reading level, as well as a diverse range of assistive technologies such as Readability, Read & Write, Speak It! and more.
David Darefsky, Director of Technology at Green Acres School, has extensive experience
navigating the world, both professionally and personally, through the lens of an
individual with language based learning differences. He has presented workshops for Independent Education, the Association of Independent Maryland Schools and the D.C.
Capital Area Branch of IDA.
Apps to Reinforce Elementary Reading and Writing Skills
Jeanine Schwartz, M.Ed. Learning Specialist, K-1st Grades, Flint Hill School
This session will provide parents and educators examples of apps that can be used to
reinforce elementary- level reading and writing skills. While the list of educational apps is exhaustive, this break-out session will focus on three specific apps that participants
will find useful. Additionally, handouts will be provided with more educational apps to try at home! The platform for the presentation will be the iPad; however, suggested apps
will be for other platforms as well.
Essentials of Effective Reading and Spelling Instruction: An Overview Traude Smith, M.Ed., CALT, Clinical Co-Director at ASDEC
This workshop will provide a summary of the essential components of an effective reading and spelling program: The 44 Sounds of the English Language, the Six Syllable
Types and Spelling Generalizations. No, English is not as crazy as people make it out to be.
Ms. Smith completed her training as Academic Therapist in 1988 and was certified in
2007. Ms. Smith has a B.A. in speech pathology and a M.Ed in special education. Her background training in speech pathology and teaching the hearing impaired has been of
benefit in the work with dyslexic children and adults. Ms. Smith is a faculty member at ASDEC and presents workshops and professional development training at schools and
conferences.
Navigating the Special Ed Maze Jennifer Fisher and Janet Price, Authors, Educational Consultants with the Weinfeld
Educational Group
Participants will come away with an understanding of the special education process, from the early stages of referral and eligibility all the way through what makes up an IEP
and 504 Plan. Participants will be able to tell the difference between a “good” goal and a “bad” goal, and how accommodations work. They will learn about the laws governing
both IEP’s and 504 Plans and how to distinguish between eligibility for the two. Most
importantly, they will leave knowing how to analyze their child’s IEP, paying particular attention to Present Levels of Performance and how they relate to annual goals.
Jennifer Engel Fisher, M.S. is the Director of Advocacy of Weinfeld Education Group, LLC.
She a B. S. Degree from the University of Maryland and a M.S. Degree in Special Education from The Johns Hopkins University. Jennifer has taught in both public and
private schools in inclusion and self-contained settings. Specialties include organizational coaching for students with Executive Functioning difficulties. She teaches
a graduate-level advocacy course through Catholic University and conducts parent trainings on the IEP Process. Jennifer is the co-author of Take Control of Asperger’s
Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. She is a contributing author of School Success for Kids
with ADHD.
Janet Price is the Director of Training and Community Partnerships at Weinfeld Education Group, LLC. Janet is the co-author of the award winning book Take Control of
Asperger’s Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (Prufrock Press, 2010), and co-author of Take Control
of Dyslexia: The Ultimate Guide for Kids (Prufrock Press, 2011). She authored an article entitled When Common Core Standards Meet Uncommon Learners for Attention
Magazine (June 2013).. She has lectured at local universities, and has presented at
numerous conferences around the country.
Writer’s Workshop & Written Expression
Jane Hansen, CALT, Commonwealth Academy
The workshop will provide an overview of a curriculum for a middle school writing class. The curriculum covers grammar, the writing process, and a writer's workshop unit
for personal narrative. Structured, incremental exercises move students from developing skills to expressive writers.
Jane Hanson has spent her career in education – secondary, alternative, training and
development in the business world, and in private practice. Jane has worked with
children and adults with learning differences as an academic therapist teaching reading, study skills, and executive function skills. Currently, Jane is a full time teacher at
Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria Virginia, an independent school for college bound students who benefit from small classes and instruction geared to students with learning
differences, ADHD, and organizational challenges. She teaches writing in the middle school, and reading to two groups of lower school students.
Post Conference Networking Rooms
Literacy Law, Parents Concerns, Networking, Q & A: Rooms will be available after the conference to touch base, exchange business cards or learn about a group with shared
interests. Networking room assignments and topics will be displayed at registration and during lunch.