Workshops and Presentations: Reaching out to a larger audience ...
Through all these years, it has been a blessing and one of life's true treasures to work one to one with parents walking the Special Needs path. I am ever grateful for the opportunity to support parents and staff as both sides navigate the challenges of discovering what lies on the other side of conflict and confusion. How often do we meet people who are doing what they were meant to do in this life? All I know, it is a precious experience and I appreciate the work I was meant to do!
In doing so, one of the frustations I face within this path is how I am unable to reach many more parents and staff who are struggling within the IEP and 504 process. And I know you are out there. I meet you every day.
So with this in mind, I continue to offer workshops (4-6 hours) and presentations (1-3 hours) in support of Special Needs children and specifically, advocacy, mutual understanding, and creating bridges of collaboration between school and home. And I am looking forward to continuing this work with a larger number of parents, staff, and community members.
Most recent themes include:
"Advocacy Within the IEP - 504 Process: Mutual Understanding and an Evidence Based Decision Process"
This is the Special Education - 101 Primer for parents or staff.
"The Davis Hypothesis on Autism: A Sense-ational Life ..."
One of my favorite presentations for it strikes a chord within the Autism community: "Autism is not a disease nor an illness requiring a cure" ... it is a sense-ational life: one riddled many complex idiosyncratic behaviors and extraordinary gifts.
"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Special Education But Didn't Know Who or What to Ask!"
Simply; the Special Education arena is chockful of mazes, twists, turns, and a language unique to its own world. A often frustrating and confusing for many parents. The primary purpose of this session is to give straight answers to your questions, translate as needed, and offer tried and true strategies in support of learning through advocacy and instructional planning.
"Every Child is a Blessing: Appreciative Advocacy"
Someone much wiser than me shared the following statement: "We are all spiritual beings having a human experience". As such, we are all part of a greater mosiac called life where we are all contribute in extraordinary ways. Based upon years of research, study after study has determined that the best conditions for learning build upon previous success. And within the IEP / 504 process, our greatest strides will always develop from each child's gifts, interests, and learning assets. Appreciative Advocacy offers a fresh perspective on meeting the instructional needs of our children through a strength-based frame of reference.
"Private School Kids Accessing Public School Special Education Support: Your Rights Through Child Find!" Often parents choose to take matters in their own hands and place their kids in private schools. This is a matter of choice. Nevertheless, many do not know that special education services may be available through the Child Find process. This presentation highlights the laws, procedural safeguards, and the specific process accessing resources through your neighborhood school district. This also applies to students who attend a private school in a neighboring district. Fascinating information for your parent group or private school parent organization.
For more information, hit "Contact us" tab or call 206 914-0975.