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A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES
OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by:
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Circle of support conference
committee members
Rick Beaman
Kate Brackney
Chris Caseman
Susan Clarke
Brenda Dennie
Debbie Fleischmann
Kathy Forsberg
Mary Geisler
Tony Geisler
Sue Gladstone
April Grover
Jay Iacuele
Betty Ann Maher
Leah Long Moore
Linda Moore
Gina Parr
Susan Rudolph
Jan Toone Russell
Darlene Smith
Karen L. Smith
Elaine Snyder
Rose Ann Stern
Heidi J. M. Thorpe
Elsa Toth-Polo
Rashawn Webster
Anne Will
A SPECIAL THANKS TO
THE FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES
POTOMAC MILLS
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Don’t forget ONLINE REGISTRATION: SEE DETAILS BELOW.
REGISTRATION FEES:
The charge per person for the conference is $25.00 for selfadvocates*, $50.00 for parents, and $80.00 for professionals.
This includes registration, a continental breakfast, and a box
lunch. Special early bird registration is $20.00 for selfadvocates, $40.00 for parents, and $60.00 for professionals.
Your registration form and payment must be postmarked by
October 1, 2014 or you must register online by October 1,
2014 to qualify for the special rate. Scholarships are available
for childcare as well as the conference. For more information,
please call 703-730-3124. A half-day attendance option is
available again this year; $25.00 per person includes continental breakfast, the first keynote speaker, and a choice of workshop in Session I. Childcare and the sibling group costs remain
the same.
* Self-advocates must have an intellectual or developmental
disability to qualify for this special rate.
Please be sure to indicate on the registration form any special
needs you may require. Requests for foreign language or
sign language interpreters must be made by October 10,
2014. After this date, accommodations cannot be guaranteed. We cannot accommodate special diet requests.
SIBling group:
The Sibling Group, an exciting program just for brothers and
sisters - ages 8 to 13 - of children with special needs will take
place at Hylton High School during conference hours. A registration form is included in this packet. There is a $15.00 fee
per child for supplies and food. You may also register for the
sibling group as part of the online registration process.
CHILDCARE:
Childcare will be available at the conference site; however,
space is limited to 60 children. A waiting list will be maintained once the maximum number of 60 is reached. There will
be a $15.00 per child charge for the day. We cannot provide
childcare for children who require total one-on-one attention.
HOW TO REGISTER:
Each person must complete a registration form and return it no
later than Friday, October 31, 2014. Online registration is
available at www.arcgpw.org if you wish to pay by credit
card. Don’t delay; mail your registration or register online today. Registration is limited to 600 people. A waiting list will
be maintained after that number is reached. If you need to
cancel, please do so as early as possible so someone else may
attend. Because our registration fees are low, no refunds will
be made for cancellations. Online registration is not available
for scholarship recipients, volunteers or committee members, Arc/Insight staff, or individuals and groups that must
pay via purchase order.
If you need to cancel childcare, please do so as early as possible so another child may have your placement.
Full payment must accompany your form in order for your
registration to be processed. Checks should be made payable
to The Arc-GPW. Confirmations will not be mailed. You
will receive your 1st or 2nd choice unless you hear from us.
Online registrants will receive an email confirmation if you
provide a valid email address.
EXHIBITORS/VENDORS:
There will be exhibitor/vendor booths at the conference. Some
will have items for sale. Bring cash or a checkbook for potential purchases. Not all vendors accept credit cards.
Send all forms or payments to:
Conference
The Arc of Greater Prince William
13505 Hillendale Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22193
No lunch or snack will be provided, so pack and clearly label
your child’s food. Water and juice will be provided. Do not
include peanut butter or other nut products in your child’s
lunch due to food allergies of some of the children attending. An emergency information form must be completed for
each child prior to the day of the conference. Two forms are
included in this packet. To receive additional forms, call 703730-3124 or download from our website at www.arcgpw.org.
You may also register for childcare as part of the online registration process.
Fairfield inn:
For hotel reservations, please call the Fairfield Inn at 703-4974000 and ask for The Arc special rate, good for November 7
and November 8, 2014.
Because our registration fees are low,
no refunds will be made for cancellations.
We cannot accommodate special diet requests.
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THe PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SCHEDULE
8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Registration - Continental Breakfast - Exhibits
8:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
Karen L. Smith, Executive Director
The Arc of Greater Prince William/INSIGHT, Inc.
Keynote Address I
Dan Keplinger
“King Gimp & the King’s Miracle”
10:45a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Session I: Concurrent Workshop Sessions
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch - Exhibits - Networking
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Keynote Address II
Dr. Carol Schall
“ Preparing for Tomorrow”
2:15 p. m. - 3:30 p.m.
Session II: Concurrent Workshop Sessions
KEYNOTE ADDRESS I
KEYNOTE ADDRESS II
Dan Keplinger
Dr. Carol Schall
“KING GIMP & THE KING’S MIRACLE”
“PREPARING FOR TOMORROW”
Born with cerebral palsy, Dan Keplinger began early
intervention at eighteen months and continued in special
education until he was mainstreamed at the age of sixteen.
It was then that he discovered his artistic talent. He
received his MFA at the age of thirty-five. His keynote
presentation will feature a showing of King Gimp, the
2000 Oscar-winning documentary that follows Mr.
Keplinger’s life from elementary school to college
graduation and his discovery of the world of art; the new
journey this miracle of an Oscar win enabled Dan to
embark upon; and a question and answer session with the
audience. Mr. Keplinger now travels internationally as an
artist and speaker, including a live painting demonstration
at a DC Metro Theater and a panel at the United Nations.
As a group, individuals with disabilities struggle with
many aspects of adult life. This keynote address will focus
on the important career awareness and self-determination
activities that must occur throughout an individual's life, as
early as preschool, continuing through graduation from
high school. Dr. Schall will focus attention on activities in
which students must engage to increase their awareness of
themselves as self-determined workers in adult life. Dr.
Schall has been working with and learning from
individuals with autism since the 1980’s. She is the
director of technical assistance for the Virginia
Commonwealth University Autism Center for Excellence
and director of the Virginia Autism Resource Center at
Virginia Commonwealth University.
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
wITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Workshop descriptions
Session I
1. Power from Passion: My Life as an Artist (ALL)
Dan Keplinger
Born with cerebral palsy, Dan Keplinger began early intervention at eighteen months and continued in special education until
he was mainstreamed at the age of sixteen. It was then that he
discovered his artistic talent. He received his MFA at the age
of thirty-five. Mr. Keplinger now travels internationally as an
artist and speaker, including a live painting demonstration at a
DC Metro Theater and a panel at the United Nations. He was
also featured in a Cingular commercial shown during the 2001
Super Bowl. The presentation will focus on Mr. Keplinger and
his life as an artist and will include a showing of The King of
Arts, a virtual gallery of his paintings along with his commentary.
2. Humor: Prescription for Healing (ALL)
Maureen Deutermann, MSN, RN
This upbeat, fun presentation explores the use of humor and
even the practice of a simple smile as tools for stress management and promotion of general well-being. Participants will
learn why these techniques assist in stress reduction and will
practice simple exercises to begin their journey into the intentional use of humor for healing. Maureen Deutermann, MSN,
RN, is a Wisconsin native, receiving her BSN in nursing from
Marquette University in Milwaukee. She also holds a Master's
degree in nursing administration from George Mason University. She is certified in stress management training through the
American Institute for Preventive Medicine. Ms. Deutermann
has been employed at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) for over 25 years, with extensive experience in
community education and wellness programs. She is currently
the manager of leadership and organizational development at
SNVMC.
4. By Dads, For Dads, About Dads (ALL)
Scott Campbell, Tony Geisler, John Maher,
Michael Toobin, Jonathan Uy
Fathering a child with an intellectual or developmental disability can be demanding and frustrating. It can be stressful on
your marriage and other relationships, as well as on yourself.
Come talk with other dads who have faced this challenge for a
number of years and exchange opinions on how to better meet
the needs of your child and your family. Scott Campbell is the
father of a 16 year-old, nonverbal son with severe autism. He
has been a leading advocate in the autism and disability communities of northern Virginia for ten years. Tony Geisler has
been involved with individuals with developmental disabilities
since his daughter received her first diagnosis in 1995. He currently serves on the board for The Arc of Greater Prince William. John Maher is the father of a 34 year-old son with both
an intellectual disability and autism. John has served as both
district member and Chairman of the Prince William County
Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee. Michael Toobin is the father of a son with disabilities and an attorney whose practice emphasizes working with families with
special needs members. Jonathan Uy is the father of two children, a 16 year-old daughter and an 11 year-old son with Down
syndrome.
5. Sensory Processing: An Overview and Strategies to Use at
Home (ALL)
Rebecca Wise, MOT, OTR/L
Rebecca (Becki) Wise, MS, OTR/L graduated from James
Madison University in 2010 with a Master’s in occupational
therapy. Since then, she has gained experience working in early
intervention, several DC charter schools, and in private outpatient clinics. Ms. Wise is a full time therapist at Pediatric
Achievements in Lake Ridge. Becki received her SIPT
(Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests) certification in 2012 and
has extensive experience using sensory integration strategies in
therapy sessions. This presentation will provide an overview of
sensory processing including the typical development of the 7
senses (vision, auditory, gustatory (taste), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), proprioception, and vestibular) and typically observed difficulties/patterns of sensory processing dysfunction.
It will include a discussion about sensory integration occupational therapy services and information about the SIPT
(Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests.) There will also be information for families about strategies they can try at home to
help their children with possible sensory processing difficulties.
3. Neurofeedback: Strengthening Connections, Optimizing
Performance (ALL)
Sandra Molle, LPC, BCN
Sandra Molle has been a licensed professional counselor for
over 15 years, working with all ages in diverse settings including residential, outpatient, and schools. Much of her focus has
been on helping clients learn self-regulation skills. Now that
technology has caught up with an innovative way to train the
brain, self-regulation can be addressed at its core. This new
frontier works to strengthen the brain’s neural connections to
optimize brain function and performance. Neurofeedback is
data-driven, client-focused, non-invasive, and relatively sideeffect free (as compared to psychotropic medications). Ms.
Molle is a BCIA (Biofeedback Certification International Alliance) board-certified neurofeedback provider.
workshop content is not necessarily endorsed by the arc of greater prince William
Or the circle of support conference committee.
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION I, continued
6. Improving Language Comprehension, Auditory Processing
and Verbal Expression (ALL)
Catherine Coleman
Language comprehension, auditory processing, and expressive
language are terms which are often misunderstood and confused.
These terms will be clearly defined. Evidence-based therapeutic
techniques will be discussed and demonstrated through video
examples. In addition, functional strategies to improve overall
communication, academic performance, and social interactions
will be explored. Catherine Coleman is a speech-language
pathologist who owns a busy pediatric and adult private practice
in Centreville, VA. She is a former George Washington University adjunct professor and clinical supervisor in the Department
of Speech and Hearing Science and believes families play a
unique and very important role in the therapeutic process. Ms.
Coleman is trained in PROMPT, augmentative/alternative communication methods, Lindamood Bell, hippotherapy, and a variety of other specialized interventions.
7. Say What? I Don’t Have to Talk to Say Something (P, ES)
Stacey Collazo
Stacey Collazo is currently a teacher of students with severe intellectual disabilities at Leesylvania Elementary School in Woodbridge, VA. She has worked in the field of special education for
21 years with a focus on communication and multi-modal instruction. Ms. Collazo’s presentation will focus on various communications modes and how interactive exchanges are happening
without our awareness, at least until you attend this workshop!
All modes of communication are meaningful; we simply have to
pay attention, validate, and facilitate them based on the communicator’s needs.
8. Siblings: Reasons for Rivalry and Strategies for Building
Better Relationships (ES, M)
Dr. James Crist
While many kids are lucky enough to become the best of friends
with their siblings, it's common for brothers and sisters to fight.
It's also common for them to swing back and forth between adoring and detesting one other! A household that's full of conflict is
stressful for everyone. You can take steps to promote peace in
your household and help your kids get along. This workshop will
address differences among siblings and how this can contribute
to conflict and rivalry, the underlying reasons for such rivalry,
and the importance of understanding it before you can intervene
successfully. Numerous coping strategies will be provided. Dr.
Crist is the Clinical Director of the Child & Family Counseling
Center in Woodbridge, VA. As a licensed clinical psychologist,
he works with a wide variety of clients, including children, adolescents, adults, and families. An adjunct faculty member at Ar-
gosy University in their graduate program in counseling, Dr.
Crist is the author of several self-help books for kids including
ADHD—A Teenagers Guide, What To Do When You’re Sad &
Lonely, and Siblings—You’re Stuck With Each Other, So Stick
Together, with co-author Elizabeth Verdick. His latest book, The
Survival Guide to Making and Being Friends, will be released
this fall. His website is http://jamesjcrist.com.
9. Introduction to Basic American Sign Language (ALL)
Kim Lemaster
Kim Lemaster is the Administrative Coordinator for the program
for students with hearing impairments for Prince William County
Public Schools. She began learning American Sign Language at
an early age in order to communicate with her brother, who is
deaf, and has been a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in
both center-based classrooms and itinerant settings. In her
presentation, Ms. Lemaster will give an introduction to American
Sign Language that will include the alphabet, numbers, and basic
vocabulary.
10. Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality: What you Need
to Know, and How to Talk about It! (ES, M, HS, AD, SA)
Staci Carr, EdM, MS
Social and sexual development occurs together for individuals
with developmental disabilities, though often not at the same rate
as neuro-typical individuals, through interaction with the family
and others. Learning about acceptable ways to behave socially is
paramount to learning how to behave in sexually appropriate
ways. This behavior is shaped from infancy and continues to
develop over the years. This workshop will discuss what this
means for individuals with developmental disabilities and how
you can support this development as parents or professionals.
Staci Carr has two Masters’ degrees, in education and psychology, and will complete her Ph.D. in developmental psychology at
Virginia Commonwealth in December, 2014. Since 1993, Staci
has been working and conducting research in the field of autism
spectrum disorders, specifically social skills training and competence, sexuality, transition to post-secondary education, and quality of life.
Key to Age Group Initials
I — Infant; P — Preschool; ES — Elementary School;
M — Middle School; HS — High School; Ad — Adult;
SA— Self-Advocate; ALL— ALL
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION I, continued
11. The Imagifriends of Imagiville (ALL)
D.J. & Cindi Svoboda
D.J. and Cindi Svoboda share their story of living with autism.
D.J. Svoboda was diagnosed at the age of 3 with autism spectrum
disorder with psychomotor retardation which included speech
delays and issues with his fine motor skills. Today, D.J. is a dynamic, motivational public speaker, accomplished artist, and author with three books to his credit. Growing up, D.J. was teased
and bullied. These negative experiences inspired him to create the
land of Imagiville, a safe place in his imagination where everyone
is treated kindly and accepted just the way they are. Through his
art and public speaking, he brings Imagiville and the Imagifriends
to life and uses them as a vehicle to spread a message of hope,
inspiration, and awareness that those with autism and special
needs are special just the way they are. D.J. is an advocate for the
North Carolina Autism Society, has been nominated for the Naturally Autistic ANCA Visual Arts Award, and has been interviewed on numerous radio and television shows. Cindi shares how
she dealt with D.J.'s diagnosis, discussing all of the "why" questions, and shows how acceptance helped her create a better world
for her son and her family and enabled her to see past the autism
to discover and nurture the gifts that lie within her son.
12. How Occupational Therapy and Developmental Optometry
Can Help the Child with Special Needs (P, ES, M, HS)
Erin Clemens, OTR/L, & Dr. Tod Davis OD
Beginning with a discussion of the basics of functional vision and
occupational therapy, this workshop will evolve into an explanation of the relationship between both professions and how complementary they are to the comprehensive treatment plan of children who have vision and motor issues. Attendees will gain an
understanding of symptoms that indicate both a vision and sensory-motor issue as well as general strategies to utilize at home that
will support a foundation of optimal balance, coordination, and
visual development. Erin Clemens has been a pediatric occupational therapist for 13 years and is the owner of Pediatric Achievements in Woodbridge, VA, a private clinic providing occupational
therapy services. Dr. Tod Davis is owner of Virginia Vision Therapy Services, Inc., located in Gainesville, Springfield, Fredericksburg, and Winchester, VA.
13. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
(P, ES, M, HS)
Jennifer DiVello
Many schools in northern Virginia have begun implementation of
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a proactive
and preventative form of school-wide behavior management.
This session will provide families with a general overview of the
framework of PBIS, as well as the underlying principles and beliefs. Ideas will be presented to parents who are interested in creating consistency between PBIS in schools and at home by utiliz-
ing the components of PBIS in the context of family life. Jennifer
DiVello recently became an Assistant Principal at Fitzgerald Elementary School with Prince William County Public Schools. She
was formerly a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
(PBIS) division-wide coach and Administrative Coordinator in the
Office of Special Education, specifically with learning and emotional disabilities.
14. Transition from School to Work: Essential Ingredients to
Assure Success (M, HS, AD)
Dr. Carol Schall
Dr. Schall has been learning from and supporting individuals with
autism since the early 1980's. She is involved in supporting individuals across Virginia through her work as the director of technical assistance for the Autism Center for Excellence and as director of the Virginia Autism Resource Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her research interests include positive behavior support and transition for individuals with ASD. Dr. Schall is
listed in the 2005 and 2006 editions of Who’s Who in America
and has been honored by TASH with their Positive Approaches
Award. Finally, she is the lead author of the Youth with Autism
Chapter in the 5th edition of Dr. Paul Wehman’s popular book
Life Beyond the Classroom and author and editor of a new book,
Autism and the Transition to Adulthood: Success Beyond the
Classroom published by Brookes Publishing Co. This session will
focus on essential skills that youth with ASD need to successfully
transition from school to independence and employment upon
graduation from high school. The presenter will use case studies
to illustrate these essential skills as well as discuss teaching and
support strategies.
15. Making Connections: From Face-to-Face to Facebook,
Part I (SA)
Joy Ocetnik & The Arc Recreation Team
Making a new friend or keeping up with old ones can be challenging with busy schedules and technology. Come join us as we discuss some of the ways to break down barriers, not only in face-toface communication, but also in the world of social media. This
workshop is geared towards individuals who want some help connecting with new people and/or keeping relationships going. Part
I will focus on face-to-face communication, including conversation starters. Joy Ocetnik has been with The Arc of Greater
Prince William for nearly twenty years, currently serving as the
Recreation Director/Training Coordinator. The mother of four
and the recipient of a degree in physical education and recreation,
Ms. Ocetnik has also worked in nursing home settings, parks and
recreation, camping resorts, group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities, and a group home for children who had been
abused. The Arc Recreation Team and individuals who have
bridged the relational gap successfully will join Ms. Ocetnik in
this presentation.
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
wITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION I, Continued
16. Introduction to Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers: Navigating
the System (ALL)
Keri Ayres
Keri Ayres is the mother of a child with autism and was approved for the EDCD waiver in 2008. Because this waiver provided so much benefit to her family and realizing that many
families knew nothing about it, she founded Moms in Motion, a
Virginia Medicaid case management and service facilitation
provider, in 2009. The organization now has over 70 team
members and serves the northern half of the state. Ms. Ayres’s
focus is to assist other families to access resources and she continues to educate herself and advocate for her clients. She will
graduate from VCU’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Va-LEND) this year and is a graduate of
Partners in Policymaking. This workshop will provide an overview of Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers and explore the details of
qualification requirements, application process, and benefits of
the EDCD Waiver, the only waiver currently available that does
not have a waiting list. Ms. Ayres will also discuss the importance of getting on a waiting list for other waivers.
17. Understanding Acquired Brain Injury (ALL)
Elizabeth Zeigler, ACSW, CCM, CBIS
In order to understand the impact of acquired brain injury, a
review of normal brain functioning will be provided. Causes
and outcomes from a brain injury will also be discussed.
Unique aspects of brain injury in children and adolescents will
be presented and similarities/differences with other disabilities
will be reviewed. Some general strategies for dealing with the
injury will also be offered. Betsy holds a Bachelor’s degree in
sociology and a Master’s in social work. She has spent her career as a medical social worker/case manager. Most of her work
experience has been in neurological rehabilitation. She has been
involved with individuals recovering from brain injuries since
the early 1980s. Most recently, Ms. Zeigler has served as Program Director, Child and Adolescent Services, at Brain Injury
Services. She founded and facilitated a spouses’ support group
for the Colorado and Northern Virginia Brain Injury Associations. The author of eight articles which have appeared in consumer and professional publications, Ms. Zeigler is a certified
case manager as well as a certified brain injury specialist.
18. Pediatric and Adolescent Orthotic Management
(I, P, ES, M, HS)
Jennilee Faux & Albert Garney
Jennilee Kaiser-Faux is a physical therapist with 18 years of
experience who has worked in a variety of settings, including
managing rehabilitation orthopedic/prosthetic clinics. She is
currently with the early intervention program in Prince William
County. Mr. Garney is with Prince William Orthotics and Prosthetics located in Manassas, VA. This workshop will give par-
ents and caregivers an understanding of when bracing is appropriate and explore the various bracing options for a variety of
conditions, such as low tone, cerebral palsy, and idiopathic toewalking.
19. Advocacy in the Schools (ES, M, HS)
Barbara Lloyd Kessinger, JD
In this presentation, learn about skills and strategies that can be
used to help enhance your child’s special education experience.
Barbara Lloyd Kessinger will discuss educational evaluations,
Individualized Education Programs, and resolution of educational disputes. The primary focus will be on creative solutions to
common problems that are encountered in the special education
setting. Ms. Kessinger has advocated in schools for her son with
disabilities for over 16 years. She is the founding attorney of
Lloyd Law, PLLC. Her practice areas include estate planning,
special needs trusts, special education advocacy, and guardianship proceedings.
20. Gut-Brain Model and Retained Primitive Reflex (ALL)
Dr. Stéphane Provencher, CC, CKTP
Stéphane Provencher, BS, DC, CC, CKTP was born in Québec,
Canada, and received his B.S. degree in medical biology from
the University of Québec at Trois-Rivières. Dr. Stéphane went
on to attend Logan College of Chiropractic, where he earned his
Doctor of Chiropractic degree with honors in 2007. He is fluent
in French and English. In collaboration with Dr. Joseph F. Unger, Jr., he developed information on ADHD and autism for use
by chiropractors and their patients wishing to learn more about
the disease and the multiple treatment modalities available
through chiropractic and related natural therapies. Dr. Stéphane
is also the chairman of research for SORSI (Sacro-Occipital
Research Society International), was named Researcher of the
Year 2009 by SORSI, and was considered America's Chiropractors of the Year 2009, 2011 and 2012 by the Consumer Research
Council of America. This workshop presentation is designed to
explain why the gut is so important for a healthy brain and how
to facilitate this process, as well as how to recognize the retained
primitive reflex. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common
source of distress in children with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD). Primitive reflexes are automatic stereotypic movements
directed from the brainstem and require no cortical involvement
(thought). They are needed for survival and development in the
womb and in the early months of life. Children with learning
disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum, and various other neurodevelopmental disorders are known to have retained these primitive reflexes, contributing to their symptoms and level of dysfunction.
Don’t forget early birD
Registration: Register by mail or online!
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION I, continued
21. Decoding Dyslexia (ALL)
Shannon Duncan & Kristin Kane
Shannon Duncan and Kristin Kane, parents with Decoding Dyslexia Virginia, will share a short presentation on dyslexia and its
warning signs followed by “Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of
Dyslexia” from the Dyslexia Training Institute. “Dyslexia for a
Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia” is a presentation that can be used
for individuals or groups of experienced teachers, teacher training candidates, practitioners, immediate and extended family
members, or anyone interested in learning more about dyslexia
and what those with dyslexia often experience with reading, writing and processing. The activities walk participants through five
different simulations: two reading, two writing, and one processing simulation. It is designed to help individuals gain a better
understanding of and empathy for those children and adults who
struggle with dyslexia. Decoding Dyslexia Virginia is a grassroots movement focused on linking families to resources, support, and educational interventions for dyslexia.
22.
Managing the Angry Child (P, ES, M)
Sonia Hinds
In this presentation, common reasons for anger and how it is
manifested in children will be discussed, as well as specific strategies for working with the angry child. The role of parents in
coaching children to let go of anger will be explored. Sonia
Hinds is the founder and Executive Director of Chesapeake
Beach Professional Seminars and Barstow Acres Children’s Center, a non-profit organization that provides children’s mental
health services. This workshop is particularly important since a
significant number of children in therapy experience anger that is
out of control.
23. Anxiety in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ES, M, HS)
Dr. Sajjad Khan, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Dr. Sajjad Khan has worked with families, children, adolescents,
and adults with a wide range of behavioral, mood, and developmental conditions, including anxiety (generalized, social, OCD,
etc.); ADHD; depression; autism (including PDD-NOS); Asperger’s; and Tourette’s. Dr. Khan specializes in cognitive behavior
therapy. Prior to joining Neuroscience, Inc., in Herndon, VA,
Dr. Khan spent a decade at Eli Lilly and Company, where he
conducted clinical and health outcomes research. In his workshop, Dr. Khan will give an historical overview of ASD, diagnostic criteria, brain development and physiological functions,
assessment strategies, and comprehensive treatment (including
applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavior therapy).
24. Servicios de transición: Departamento de envejecimiento y
rehabilitación de servicios Resumen (HS, AD)
Leslie Ortiz-Díaz, MRC, CRC
Leslie Díaz Ortiz, MRC, CRC, trabaja como consejera de rehabilitación para el Departamento de envejecimiento y servicios de
rehabilitación. Después proporcionando servicios de trabajo social en un proyecto residencial en el territorio de Estados Unidos
de Puerto Rico, descubrió la verdadera pasión era ayudar a personas con discapacidades a alcanzar sus metas de empleo. Después
de completar una maestría en Consejería de rehabilitación que
incluye una pasantía en la oficina de DARS Winchester, la Sra.
Díaz Ortiz fue contratado como consejero de rehabilitación en la
oficina de campo de Lynchburg pero transferido a la oficina de
DARS Manassas donde se necesitaban mucho sus habilidades
bilingües. Leslie Díaz Ortiz continúa como un consejero de transición para el extremo oriental de escuelas del Condado de Prince
William, ciudad de Manassas y Manassas Park, así como servir
cada hispanohablante con discapacidades en el Condado buscan
servicios de rehabilitación vocacional. Esta presentación explicará información general sobre el Departamento de Virginia para el
envejecimiento y servicios de rehabilitación (DARS), coordinación y servicios de transición. Los participantes recibirán un Resumen de los tipos de evaluaciones, servicios de carrera, profesionales o capacitación laboral, asistencia en colocación laboral y
servicios de entrenamiento de empleo. Habilidades de vida independiente y servicios de tecnología asistencial se discutirá brevemente.
25. Toilet Training for Students with ASD and Developmental
Disabilities (P, ES)
Cathy Hopfinger, Nicole Niles, &
Leigh Ann Sutton
Toileting is an essential life skill that is critical to independence
and can often create a challenge for children with disabilities,
particularly for children with autism and related disorders. This
workshop will focus on strategies and supports that are effective
in teaching these skills. Resources and examples will be discussed. Cathy Hopfinger has been an Administrative Coordinator with the Office of Special Education, Prince William County
Public Schools, for the last 15 years. She has been in the teaching field for 34 years and attended 11 different universities. Nicole Niles has been a Behavior Specialist with PWCS for the past
7 years. Prior to that, she served as both a general and special
educator for 12 years. Leigh Ann Sutton has been an Administrative Coordinator for the Office of Special Education, PWCS, for
4 years. She has been teaching students in special education since
1987.
Workshop content is not necessarily endorsed by The Arc of Greater
Prince William or the Circle of Support Conference Committee.
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION II
26. Autism Spectrum Disorders and Public Safety Considerations: Guidance for Families, Caregivers, and Self-Advocates
(ALL)
Scott Campbell
Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder or other cognitive
disability are at far greater risk throughout their lives than the
general population. Tragically, that is clear in an increasing
amount of news stories every day. Learn the typical extraordinary dangers for these individuals and what proactive steps you
can do today to reduce the criminal and safety issues for both
your loved one and you. Scott Campbell has presented this
workshop over 260 times since 2005 for a variety of audiences,
including four times at this conference. As a nationallyrecognized expert, he is uniquely qualified to speak on the significant concerns about safety in the world of autism.
27. Effective Strategies to Treat Apraxia (ALL)
Catherine Coleman
This presentation will describe the diagnosis and effective treatment of apraxia of speech in children with Down syndrome.
Strategies for therapeutic planning and home intervention will be
discussed; participants will be able to identify appropriately written motor-planning goals and will understand the differences
between motor therapy and typical articulation therapy. Attendees will be given information on how to advocate for appropriate therapeutic services in the public school system. Catherine
Coleman is a speech-language pathologist in private practice in
Centreville, Va. She is a former George Washington University
professor and public school speech pathologist. Ms. Coleman is
trained in PROMPT, augmentative/alternative communication
methods, Lindamood Bell, hippotherapy, and a variety of other
specialized interventions.
28. I Sense I’m Learning Something … But I Am Having So
Much Fun (P, ES)
Stacey Collazo
Stacey Collazo is currently a teacher of students with severe intellectual disabilities at Leesylvania Elementary School in
Woodbridge, VA. She has been in the field of special education
for 21 years with a focus on communication and multi-modal
instruction. This workshop will focus on various learning opportunities that involve sensory activities. Pre-academics/academics
can be taught using a multi-modal approach. Learning is supposed to be meaningful (and fun!) and everyone uses their senses
in very distinct ways, creating quality learning experiences for
all.
29. Using Visuals to Enhance Communication (P, ES)
René Rynestad
René Rynestad will present visual strategies to facilitate communication skills in young children with disabilities and/or developmental delays. These strategies can be used in the home as well
as in preschools and childcare centers. The goal is to build a
language learning environment for children who are non-verbal
or difficult to understand. A language learning environment
with a structured, daily routine will promote communication and
social skills as well as age appropriate behaviors. Demonstrating a variety of methods to introduce and maintain the use of
visuals in the home and other environments, this workshop will
share concrete examples from picture schedules to social stories.
René Rynestad has been teaching early childhood special education for over twenty years, most of them with Prince William
County Public Schools. She is currently working as a home resource teacher for Child Find with a focus on non-verbal 2 year
olds.
30. Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment
Strategies (ES, M HS)
Dr. James Crist
Anxiety and mood disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, are being increasingly identified in children. Left untreated, they can cause
serious problems in academic, social, and family functioning. In
this talk, Dr. Crist will discuss how common these disorders are
in children and teens, types and symptoms of the various anxiety
and mood disorders, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and how to
help your children or those you may be working with to cope
with these disorders, get help if needed, and how you can make
sure you are helping the problem, and not contributing to it. Dr.
James Crist is the Clinical Director of the Child & Family Counseling Center in Woodbridge, VA. As a licensed clinical psychologist, he works with a wide variety of clients, including children, adolescents, adults, and families. An adjunct faculty member at Argosy University in their graduate program in counseling,
Dr. Crist is the author of several self-help books for kids including ADHD—A Teenagers Guide, What To Do When You’re
Sad & Lonely, and MAD—How to Deal With Your Anger and
Get Respect. His latest book, The Survival Guide to Making
and Being Friends, will be released this fall. His website is
http://jamesjcrist.com.
Key to Age Group Initials
I — Infant; P — Preschool; ES — Elementary School;
M — Middle School; HS — High School; Ad — Adult; SA— Self-Advocate; ALL— ALL
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION II, Continued
31. Introduction to Basic American Sign Language (ALL)
Kim Lemaster
Kim Lemaster is the Administrative Coordinator for the program
for students with hearing impairments for Prince William County
Public Schools. She began learning American Sign Language at
an early age in order to communicate with her brother, who is
deaf, and has been a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in
both center-based classrooms and itinerant settings. In her
presentation, Ms. Lemaster will give an introduction to American
Sign Language that will include the alphabet, numbers, and basic
vocabulary.
32. Bullying and Individuals with Social Skills Challenges
(ALL)
Staci Carr, EdM, MS
Many parents of individuals with social deficits are well aware
that their children are bullied at school and more recent research
suggests the problem is pervasive. Youth with autism spectrum
disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities experience
difficulties in communication, interaction and imagination, and
often find the social world difficult and confusing. This leads to
children with disabilities being picked on, tormented, and bullied. This workshop will briefly discuss the ways bullying happens (from teasing to cyberbullying) and what can be done to
help our children cope with bullying, as well as strategies to address bullying. Staci Carr has two Masters’ degrees in education
and psychology. Since 1993, Staci has been working and conducting research in the field of autism spectrum disorders, specifically social skills training and competence, sexuality, transition,
and more. She will complete her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth in December, 2014.
33. How Developmental Optometry Can Help People on the
Autism Spectrum (ALL)
Dr. Tod Davis, OD, FCOVD
Dr. Tod R. Davis is board certified in developmental optometry
and vision therapy; he is the co-owner of Virginia Vision Therapy Centers, Inc., located throughout northern and western Virginia. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Gesell
Institute of Child Development, New Haven CT, and has lectured extensively on visual disorders to a number of organizations including the Society of European Optometry, Brussels,
Belgium; National University, Irvine, CA.; the Master’s program
in Special Education and School of PT at Loma Linda University, CA. He regularly provides in-services to parent groups, educators, and other professionals. This presentation will cover a
description of vision development and visual processing, how
autism impacts the visual system causing a variety of visual signs
and symptoms including side glancing and clumsiness, how to
identify visual signs and symptoms, and finally how developmental optometry can help. Time will be provided to answer
questions.
34. Waiver Reform in Virginia (ALL)
Susan Rudolph, RN
A registered nurse, Susan Rudolph is the Deputy Executive Director of The Arc of Greater Prince William/INSIGHT,
Inc. Over the last twenty years, her focus has been in developing
and facilitating programs for persons with disabilities, specifically those with higher intensity needs. Ms. Rudolph has been involved at the local and state levels in advocacy for appropriate,
timely, and adequate services and supports for those with disabilities and for a service delivery system and payment system
that is streamlined and easy for families and providers to navigate. In this session, Ms. Rudolph will discuss the Commonwealth of Virginia's System Reform, the new waiver recommendations, and how family members and self-advocates can still
impact the system. This is the largest reformation since the waivers’ inception and these changes will influence how services are
delivered, where they are delivered, and by whom.
35. Fitness and Yoga for Students (P, ES, M, HS, AD)
Lauren Lawhead, MSOTR/L, &
Jackie Waddell, OTR/L
Lauren Lawhead, an occupational therapist, has 19 years’ experience working with acute care, home health, neurologicallyimpaired, geriatric, and pediatric patients. She has been with
Prince William County Schools for the last 14 years. Jackie
Waddell, also an occupational therapist, has over 30 years’ experience working with hand therapy, geriatric, psychiatric, and pediatric patients. She has been with Prince William County
Schools for the past 11 years. Recent studies have confirmed
what many parents and teachers instinctively know: incorporating physical activity into the school day is a good way to increase student learning, focus, and test results. While there are
benefits associated with a student’s participation in any motor
activity, yoga has a practical and powerful place within the
school day. Children of all ages and physical abilities can benefit
from yoga. This session will discuss the benefits of exercise and
offer practical ways to incorporate fitness activities and yoga into
the school and home settings.
Online registration is easy: go to
arcgpw.org to register today!
Because our registration fees are low,
no refunds will be made for cancellations.
We cannot accommodate special diet requests.
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION II, Continued
36. Finding Gold: Financial and Legal Planning for Special
Needs Families (ALL)
Mark Friese, Chase Phillips, & Michael Toobin
The goal of this workshop is to educate families and simplify the
long-term planning process. Included in the discussion are: how
can I make sure my child receives entitled benefits; should I establish a special needs trust; what government benefits are available for my child; and implications and considerations of guardianship. Mark Friese joined Merrill Lynch in 1987 and has
helped many families implement multigenerational wealth management strategies. Mr. Friese is a member of the Merrill Lynch
Special Needs Council, which helps families assess and address
the financial challenges of caring for a family member with disabilities, understanding these challenges first hand since he has a
son with autism. Chase Phillips, also with Merrill Lynch, specializes in developing and implementing advanced financial
strategies for families, businesses, and individuals (including
those with long-term disabilities) such as special needs trusts,
guardianships, charitable trusts, and more. Michael Toobin has
been in the private practice of law in northern Virginia since
1974. His practice is general in nature, with emphasis on estate
planning, special needs estate planning, administration of estates,
and real estate law.
37. Effective Parenting (P, ES, M, HS)
Jesse Kushner, M. Ed.
Mr. Jesse Kushner has been a special educator for over 35 years.
He has experience working in private residential schools and
public schools with children with special needs and specifically
children with autism, cognitive disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. He is the founder and owner of Professional
Education and Respite Service Inc. located in Winchester, VA.
His licensed board certified behavior analysts and trained ABA
therapists train children and their families in the counties of
Prince William, Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun. Mr. Kushner is
both candid and humorous and will guide you through his proven
strategies and best practices for living with children with special
needs. Although you never know what to expect from him, his
presentations often include topics such as whose line is it?, the
positive opposite, getting stuck on stupid, and more. This seminar is for you if you don't remember what a date is, if your children never see the inside of a grocery store, sit down restaurants
are distant memories, your child is a permanent fixture to your
leg, if you are being abused by your child, your child tantrums A
LOT or has poor social skills, difficulty transitioning, and engages in repetitive and patterned behavior throughout the day. If
you just need help or are frustrated and tired, you definitely need
this seminar.
38. Recognizing and Reporting Seizures in Individuals with
Intellectual Disability (ALL)
Andrew Becker, MD
This lecture will provide basic information on epilepsy and ex-
plain the different types of seizures and how to distinguish them.
In addition, participants will learn about other conditions that can
mimic seizures. Dr. Becker will also provide tips on what information is critical to make sure that a person with epilepsy receives the most out of their neurology appointment. Dr. Andrew
Becker had a private practice in neurology for seven years before
becoming the medical director at the Northern Virginia Training
Center. He is board-certified in neurology and internal medicine.
39. Preschoolers and ADHD: Some Basics for Parents and
Caregivers (P)
Dr. KFM. Gholam Kibria
Dr. KFM. Gholam Kibria was a professor of special education,
coordinator of special education programs, and founding Dean of
the College of Education at Delaware State University. The parent of a child with disabilities, Dr. Kibria has also served as president of the Delaware Federation of the Council for Exceptional
Children, as a Fulbright lecturer in special education, and as a
founding member of the International Association of Special
Education. Currently, preschoolers are not classified into any
specific category of disability, but rather are put under the broad
term of “developmental delay.” However, recent studies have
indicated a positive correlation between early identification and
intervention of ADHD during preschool years and a substantive
recovery during adult life. In his presentation, Dr. Kibria will
discuss the development of appropriate and effective measures
for identification and remediation, which can only be effective
with parental participation and collaboration with professionals.
40. Making Connections: From Face-to-Face to Facebook,
Part II (SA)
Joy Ocetnik & The Arc Recreation Team
Making a new friend or keeping up with old ones can be challenging with busy schedules and technology. Come join us as we
discuss some of the ways to break down barriers, not only in face
-to-face communication, but also in the world of social media.
This workshop is geared towards individuals who want some
help connecting with new people and/or keeping relationships
going. Part II will concentrate on social media, including using
tools such as email and social media to stay in touch with friends
and tips for keeping your internet and social media usage as safe
as possible. Joy Ocetnik has been with The Arc of Greater Prince
William for nearly twenty years, currently serving as the Recreation Director/Training Coordinator. The mother of four and the
recipient of a degree in physical education and recreation, Ms.
Ocetnik has also worked in nursing home settings, parks and
recreation, camping resorts, group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities, and a group home for children who had been
abused. The Arc Recreation Team and individuals who have
bridged the relational gap successfully will join Ms. Ocetnik in
this presentation.
Thank you for
your continued support!
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION II, Continued
41. Transition Services for High School and Beyond: Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services Overview (HS, AD)
Eleana Boyer
This presentation will explain transition services, coordination,
and overall information about the Virginia Department for Aging
and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Participants will receive an
overview of types of assessments, career services, vocational or
job training, job placement assistance, and job coaching services.
Independent living skills and assistive technology services will
be briefly discussed. Eleana Boyer has over 20 years’ vocational
rehabilitation experience as a business development director,
vocational rehabilitation counselor, and program manager for
both non-profits and government agencies serving individuals
with disabilities. She received a statewide Corbett Reedy award
for excellence in 2006 and is the current treasurer for the Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Leadership. She is a Transition
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for nine Prince William
County high schools.
42. Cómo hablar para que las escuelas los escuchen (Y escuchar lo que las escuelas les quieren decir) (P, ES, M, HS)
Daniela R. Ancalle
Daniela Ancalle es la coordinadora de alcance a familias hispanas del Centro Educativo de Capacitación para Padres que Abogan por sus Hijos (the Parent Educational Advocacy Training
Center – PEATC). Tiene experiencia trabajando con la comunidad hispana en el norte de Virginia. ¿Por qué es la colaboración
tan difícil? ¿Qué se puede hacer para mejorar la comprensión
entre los padres y profesionales mientras que tratan de llegar a un
acuerdo mutuo en el IEP y otras cuestiones relacionadas con la
educación para estudiantes con discapacidades? Este taller ayudará a que los participantes puedan descubrir técnicas de comunicación, aprender a reconocer y prevenir las barreras en la comunicación y construir acuerdos alrededor de problemas difíciles.
43. How to Raise “Socially-Skilled” Children
(I, P, ES, M, HS)
Dr. Christopher Haley
This interactive workshop will teach participants how to assist
children gain essential life skills, including eye contact, developing friendships, accurately perceiving verbal and non-verbal social cues, boosting self-esteem, and a multitude of other skills.
Dr. Christopher Haley is a licensed clinical psychologist and
owner of two practices: Psychological and Life Skills Associates
and the Social Skills Center. He has 20 years’ experience in psychotherapy with children, adolescents, adults, families, and
groups. His primary specialty is teaching social skills to patients
of all ages.
44. Homework and School Success for Children with Special
Needs (ES, M)
Sharon Fuentes & Neil McNerney
Sharon Fuentes is an award-winning freelance writer, special
needs advocate, and public speaker. She is the co-author of The
Don’t Freak Out Guide to Parenting Kids with Asperger’s,
winner of the 2014 Expert’s Choice Award for the best new special needs parenting book by About.com. Neil NcNerney is a
licensed professional counselor in the northern Virginia area and
serves on the faculty of Virginia Tech’s Graduate School of Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the co-author of The Don’t
Freak Out Guide to Parenting Kids with Asperger’s and author
of two additional books. For the parents of children with special
needs, homework time can be a daily battle. Learn specific tools
to guide your child through some of the challenges of the homework process, including techniques to help with memorization;
positive feedback to increase motivation; why punishments aren't
effective; and how to implement a simple reward system that
works. This session also covers the importance of good school to
home communication and offers tools such as One Pagers and
Communication Logs that will allow you to lead your child towards self-advocacy, more school independence, and less homework stress and battles.
45. A Survival Guide for Parents of Children who Are Deaf,
Hard of Hearing, or Deaf Blind ( I, P, ES)
Beth Klein and Linda Ware
This workshop will focus on communication strategies and behavior modification that will help the entire family. The presenters will discuss challenges that all families face and collectively
arrive at solutions. Available educational and healthcare options
and a list of local and national resources that can assist with accessing healthcare and community resources will be provided.
Beth Klein is the Executive Director of PAH, Inc., a Prince William agency that provides healthcare and community resources
for deaf and hard of hearing. She provides individual advocacy
services for families and individuals who are deaf. Linda Ware
is an early childhood educator who has worked with children
with disabilities for over 15 years. She has a Master’s degree
from Gallaudet University and has worked as a preschool teacher, early intervention specialist, and educational interpreter.
Following each workshop title are initials in
parentheses. These initials represent the age
group of individuals with disabilities to whom the
workshop pertains.
Key to Age Group Initials
I — Infant; P — Preschool; ES — Elementary School;
M — Middle School; HS — High School; Ad — Adult;
Sa — Self-advocate; ALL—ALL
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
SESSION II, continued
46. Essential Elements of Effective Programs for Individuals with
Autism (ALL)
Christine Holland, MS, BCBA
With the increase in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders,
there has also been an increase in program options. But are all programs equal? Parents and service providers are often left wondering
which program or intervention to choose. This session will review
the essential elements of effective programs for individuals with
autism across the lifespan. Session participants will leave this
presentation better able to evaluate intervention options. Christine
Holland is the Learning Institute Coordinator for Commonwealth
Autism Service and a clinical coordinator for The Dominion School
for Autism. With a Master of Science in behavior analysis and as a
board-certified behavior analyst, Ms. Holland has worked with individuals and their families in the home, school, and community and
provided trainings across Virginia.
47. Executive Functions: What They Are & Why We Need Them
(ES, M, HS, AS)
Dr. Emma B. Jurrens, Jodi Hartigan, and
Priscilla Wright
This workshop is designed to define "executive functioning" and to
help build an effective toolbox of strategies for setting goals, planning, organizing, initiating tasks, managing time, and selfmonitoring. Executive functioning skills help us to decide what to
pay attention to and for how long, manage our impulses and responses, organize our thoughts, plan activities, complete tasks, and
manage our emotions and regulate our behavior across many areas
of our lives. Participants will explore practical skills and tools, including technologies that help build and improve executive functioning skills. Dr. Emma Jurrens has been a practicing psychologist
in Virginia for over 10 years. She has presented at local and national conferences on topics related to child development, gifted education, and other aspects of learning and mental health. Jodi Hartigan
is a practicing school psychologist. She works primarily with elementary school children with a range of abilities and needs, including attention difficulties, academic struggles, developmental delays,
characteristics of autism, and behavioral concerns. She runs groups
for elementary and middle school girls aimed at increasing assertiveness, developing social skills, managing anxiety, and enhancing
executive functioning, such as planning, organizing and managing
time. Priscilla Wright is a licensed professional counselor. Prior to
becoming a counselor, Ms. Wright worked as a special education
teacher in Richmond, VA.
48. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
(P, ES, M, HS)
Jennifer DiVello
Many schools in northern Virginia have begun implementation of
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a proactive
and preventative form of school-wide behavior management. This
session will provide families with a general overview of the framework of PBIS, as well as the underlying principles and beliefs. Ide-
as will be presented to parents who are interested in creating consistency between PBIS in schools and at home by utilizing the components of PBIS in the context of family life. Jennifer DiVello recently became an Assistant Principal at Fitzgerald Elementary
School with Prince William County Public Schools. She was formerly a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) division-wide coach and Administrative Coordinator in the Office of
Special Education, specifically with learning and emotional disabilities.
49. Understanding the Complexities of Attachment Related
Disorders and Trauma: From Proper Assessment to Family
Interventions (ALL)
Dr. Ronald Federici
In an overview presentation, Dr. Ronald Federici will outline the
symptomology, assessment, and proper diagnosis of RAD (Reactive
Attachment Disorder). The workshop will also feature a discussion
of treatment methodologies that offer hope for individuals and families affected by attachment related disorders and trauma. Dr. Ronald
Federici is the author of Help for the Hopeless Child: A Guide for
Families (2004), Family Intervention Program for Developmental
Disorders and Trauma (2012), and Escape from Despair (2014).
He is a developmental neuropsychologist and CEO of Care for Children International, Inc. In addition to being the father of eight adopted children, Dr. Federici has also fostered forty children from all
over the world. He is widely regarded as the country's expert in the
evaluation and treatment of children having multi-sensory neurodevelopmental impairments, particularly children who have been
adopted, both domestically and internationally. He has appeared on
multiple television shows and has been the focus of numerous publications regarding complex children with severe developmental and
emotional disorders.
50. APPsolutely APPropriate APPs for your Child
(P, ES, M, HS)
Cindi Carmina, OTR/L, Teresa Dubovsky, CCC-SLP,
Rochelle Hamilton, OTR/L, and Connie Mills, OTR/L
In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to the favorite apps of
local school-based speech therapists and occupational therapists, and
will learn how to use them effectively with their child at home. Be
sure to bring your iPad as there will also be an "APP Smackdown",
where members of the audience will each be given the opportunity
to share their favorite app, amassing a "real time" list of audience
favorites. Cindi Carmina OTR/L, Rochelle Hamilton OTR/L, and
Connie Mills OTR/L (Occupational Therapists) in conjunction with
Teresa L. Dubovsky CCC-SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) provide school-based OT and speech services to the children enrolled in
Prince William County Schools. In addition, they have Masters' degrees in assistive technology and provide assistive technology consultation, evaluation, and training to students and staff county-wide.
This dynamic group of therapists and assistive technology specialists also present at local and state conferences, and teach graduate
level assistive technology courses at George Mason University.
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Registration form
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
You may also register online
at www.arcgpw.org.
This is a two - sided form. Workshop choices are listed
on the other side of this form.
Please print or type.
Mr./Mrs./Ms.
First Name
Last Name
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER _____________________________EMAIL________________________________
MARK ALL THAT APPLY (FOR STATISTICAL INFORMATION ONLY):
Age of Child(ren) with Disabilities _______ Parent/Family Member ________ Relative/Friend ________
County of Residence (if in Virginia) _______________________________________________________
Professional _________ Type (i.e., OT, PT) _____________Jurisdiction (i.e. PWC Schools) __________
Self-Advocate_______ Student________
Special accommodations required (e.g., hearing/visual aids, Spanish interpretation, etc.):
Will you need childcare?
YES_______#OF CHILDREN________NO________
Will any children be attending the Sibling group? YES_______#OF CHILDREN________NO_______
We cannot accommodate special dietary requests.
Make checks payable to: The Arc-GPW
Mail registration forms and payment to:
Conference
The Arc of Greater Prince William
13505 Hillendale Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22193
Tel: 703/730-3124
Full payment and registration forms
must be received by FRIDAY,
OCTOBER 31, 2014.
FAX: 703/670-8648
WORKSHOP CHOICES ARE LISTED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS FORM.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS SECTION TO BE FULLY REGISTERED.
PLEASE SELECT YOUR FIRST & SECOND CHOICES FOR THE WORKSHOPS
YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND IN EACH SESSION.
WORKSHOP SPACES ARE LIMITED DUE TO CLASSROOM SIZE.
Please read the Workshop descriptions
before Making your Selections.
PUT A “1” BY FIRST CHOICE AND A “2” BY SECOND CHOICE FOR EACH SESSION.
I: 10:45 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
____ 1. Power from Passion: My Life as an Artist
II: 2:15 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
____ 26. ASD & Public Safety
____ 2. Humor: Prescription for Healing
____ 27. Effective Strategies to Treat Apraxia
____ 3. Neurofeedback
____ 28. I Sense I’m Learning Something
____ 4. By Dads, For Dads, About Dads
____ 29. Using Visuals to Enhance Communication
____ 5. Sensory Processing
____ 30. Anxiety and Mood Disorders
____ 6. Improving Language Comprehension
____ 31. Introduction to Basic American Sign Language
____ 7. Say What?
____ 32. Bullying
____ 8. Siblings: Reasons for Rivalry and Strategies for
Building Better Relationships
____ 33. How Developmental Optometry Can Help
____ 9. Introduction to Basic American Sign Language
____ 10. Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality
____ 11. The Imagifriends of Imagiville
____ 12. How Occupational Therapy and Developmental
Optometry Can Help
____ 13. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
____ 14. Transition from School to Work
____ 15. Making Connections, Part I
____ 16. Introduction to Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers
____ 34. Waiver Reform in Virginia
____ 35. Fitness and Yoga for Students
____ 36. Finding Gold: Financial and Legal Planning
for Special Needs Families
____ 37. Effective Parenting
____ 38. Recognizing and Reporting Seizures
____ 39. Preschoolers and ADHD
____ 40. Making Connections, Part II
____ 41. Transition Services for High School and Beyond
____ 17. Understanding Acquired Brain Injury
____ 42. Cómo hablar para que las escuelas los escuchen
(Y escuchar lo que las escuelas les quieren decir)
____ 18. Pediatric and Adolescent Orthotic Management
____ 43. How to Raise “Socially-Skilled” Children
____ 19. Advocacy in the Schools
____ 44. Homework and School Success
____ 20. Gut-Brain Model and Retained Primitive Reflex
____ 45. A Survival Guide for Parents of Children who
Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf Blind
____ 21. Decoding Dyslexia
____ 22. Managing the Angry Child
____ 46. Essential Elements of Effective Programs for
Individuals with Autism
____ 23. Anxiety in Students with ASD
____ 47. Executive Functions
____ 24. Servicios de transición
____ 48. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
____ 25. Toilet Training
____ 49. Understanding Attachment Related Disorders
____ 50. APPsolutely APPropriate APPs
Chicken Salad Sandwich
____
We strive to offer a wide variety of workshops. Please give us
your ideas for future workshops by calling us at (703) 730-3124,
by e-mailing us at [email protected], or by writing below.
Ham Sandwich
____
___________________________________________
Turkey Sandwich
____
___________________________________________
Vegetarian Sandwich
____
Grilled Chicken Salad
____
Please make your lunch selection:
___________________________________________
A CONFERENCE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THEM
Registration form
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Hylton High School
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
You may also register online
at www.arcgpw.org.
This is a two - sided form. Workshop choices are listed
on the other side of this form.
Please print or type.
Mr./Mrs./Ms.
First Name
Last Name
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER _____________________________EMAIL________________________________
MARK ALL THAT APPLY (FOR STATISTICAL INFORMATION ONLY):
Age of Child(ren) with Disabilities _______ Parent/Family Member ________ Relative/Friend ________
County of Residence (if in Virginia) _______________________________________________________
Professional _________ Type (i.e., OT, PT) _____________Jurisdiction (i.e. PWC Schools) __________
Self-Advocate_______ Student________
Special accommodations required (e.g., hearing/visual aids, Spanish interpretation, etc.):
Will you need childcare?
YES_______#OF CHILDREN________NO________
Will any children be attending the Sibling group? YES_______#OF CHILDREN________NO_______
We cannot accommodate special dietary requests.
Make checks payable to: The Arc-GPW
Mail registration forms and payment to:
Conference
The Arc of Greater Prince William
13505 Hillendale Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22193
Tel: 703/730-3124
Full payment and registration forms
must be received by FRIDAY,
OCTOBER 31, 2014.
FAX: 703/670-8648
WORKSHOP CHOICES ARE LISTED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS FORM.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS SECTION TO BE FULLY REGISTERED.
PLEASE SELECT YOUR FIRST & SECOND CHOICES FOR THE WORKSHOPS
YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND IN EACH SESSION.
WORKSHOP SPACES ARE LIMITED DUE TO CLASSROOM SIZE.
Please read the Workshop descriptions
before Making your Selections.
PUT A “1” BY FIRST CHOICE AND A “2” BY SECOND CHOICE FOR EACH SESSION.
I: 10:45 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
____ 1. Power from Passion: My Life as an Artist
II: 2:15 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
____ 26. ASD & Public Safety
____ 2. Humor: Prescription for Healing
____ 27. Effective Strategies to Treat Apraxia
____ 3. Neurofeedback
____ 28. I Sense I’m Learning Something
____ 4. By Dads, For Dads, About Dads
____ 29. Using Visuals to Enhance Communication
____ 5. Sensory Processing
____ 30. Anxiety and Mood Disorders
____ 6. Improving Language Comprehension
____ 31. Introduction to Basic American Sign Language
____ 7. Say What?
____ 32. Bullying
____ 8. Siblings: Reasons for Rivalry and Strategies for
Building Better Relationships
____ 33. How Developmental Optometry Can Help
____ 9. Introduction to Basic American Sign Language
____ 10. Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality
____ 11. The Imagifriends of Imagiville
____ 12. How Occupational Therapy and Developmental
Optometry Can Help
____ 13. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
____ 14. Transition from School to Work
____ 15. Making Connections, Part I
____ 16. Introduction to Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers
____ 34. Waiver Reform in Virginia
____ 35. Fitness and Yoga for Students
____ 36. Finding Gold: Financial and Legal Planning
for Special Needs Families
____ 37. Effective Parenting
____ 38. Recognizing and Reporting Seizures
____ 39. Preschoolers and ADHD
____ 40. Making Connections, Part II
____ 41. Transition Services for High School and Beyond
____ 17. Understanding Acquired Brain Injury
____ 42. Cómo hablar para que las escuelas los escuchen
(Y escuchar lo que las escuelas les quieren decir)
____ 18. Pediatric and Adolescent Orthotic Management
____ 43. How to Raise “Socially-Skilled” Children
____ 19. Advocacy in the Schools
____ 44. Homework and School Success
____ 20. Gut-Brain Model and Retained Primitive Reflex
____ 45. A Survival Guide for Parents of Children who
Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf Blind
____ 21. Decoding Dyslexia
____ 22. Managing the Angry Child
____ 46. Essential Elements of Effective Programs for
Individuals with Autism
____ 23. Anxiety in Students with ASD
____ 47. Executive Functions
____ 24. Servicios de transición
____ 48. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
____ 25. Toilet Training
____ 49. Understanding Attachment Related Disorders
____ 50. APPsolutely APPropriate APPs
Chicken Salad Sandwich
____
We strive to offer a wide variety of workshops. Please give us
your ideas for future workshops by calling us at (703) 730-3124,
by e-mailing us at [email protected], or by writing below.
Ham Sandwich
____
___________________________________________
Turkey Sandwich
____
___________________________________________
Vegetarian Sandwich
____
Grilled Chicken Salad
____
Please make your lunch selection:
___________________________________________