24 Preconference Workshops
Monday and Tuesday October 10-11, 2011
Twenty-four, full-day, in-depth preconference workshops were presented by experts in the field in very practical and effective ways.
See list of preconference presenters.
Below are the workshops and unsurpassed content that were offered.
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Monday and Tuesday October 10-11, 2011
Multi-Modal Communication Strategies for Children Who Have Complex Communication Needs PODD Communication Books (Two-Day Introductory Workshop)
(This workshop is full. You can be placed on a waiting list.)
Description:
Children who are non-speaking or have only limited speech, in addition to other challenges, often struggle to interact and communicate. This may include children who have physical disabilities, multiple disabilities, sensory processing challenges, limited social interaction skills and/or a range of cognitive limitations and learning difficulties. This two-day workshop will demonstrate the use of a Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) approach developed by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia). Generic templates for multi-page light tech communication books have been carefully designed to support genuine communication for a variety of functions throughout the day. These templates may be customized for a range of access methods and other individual needs. Come learn strategies for creating multi-modal language learning environments that provide receptive models and expressive opportunities for language development. Learn strategies for teaching and using PODD with children and their communication partners. Videos and case examples will be shared. Participants will have an opportunity for hands-on practice with PODD communication books. There is a $15 fee for the PODD course manual in addition to the $490 cost of the two-day workshop.
Presenters:
Linda J. Burkhart, B.S., is a Special Educator/Augmentative Communication Specialist/Technology Integration Specialist in private practice, Eldersburg, MD and Dale Gardner Fox, M.S., RPT, is an Assistive Technology Consultant, Hampshire Educational Collaborative, CCATT, Northampton, MA.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Monday, October 10, 2011
An Introduction to the iPad and iPod touch as Assistive Technology Solutions
Description:
Originally developed for the consumer market, the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone have proven to provide a wealth of possibilities for assistive technology. We will start by teaching you all about the use of these devices, iTunes and school deployment. Subsequently, we will combine demonstration with a hands-on lab experience on the iPad with applications for sign language, for planning, for story telling, for reading/writing, for AAC and much more! You will learn how these solutions can make a difference for people with various disabilities, such as traumatic brain injuries, autism, fluency disorders, mild cerebral palsy and others. At the end of the day, you will know what hardware and applications to recommend and you will have learned to use some of the most promising AT applications available. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on Closing The Gap-provided iPads - one iPad for every two participants.) There is a $20 fee in addition to the cost of the workshop.
Presenters:
David Niemeijer, Ph.D., is the CEO, AssistiveWare, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Mark Coppin, B.S., is an Apple Distinguished Educator and the Director of Assistive Technology, Anne Carlsen Center for Children, Jamestown, ND; Eric Sailers, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist, La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, La Mesa, CA; Jennifer Marden, M.S., M.A., is a Speech Language Pathologist, Technically Speaking, Roslindale, MA; Martijn Leopold, MSc., is the Chief Technical Officer, AssistiveWare, Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Cathy Kingeter, M.A., is the Director of Sales and Marketing, Origin Instruments Corp., Grand Prairie, TX.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
"Help! I'm an AT Specialist and I Can't Get Up!" Creating Manageable School-Based AT Services
Description:
Feeling the pressure of delivering AT services in your district? Well, we are a handful of folks serving a large district of over 63,000 students in approximately 95 schools and were here to help. We know that many AT professionals working actively in the schools are left with little or no time to assess their programs, develop targets for change and produce a focused plan to address these targets. This workshop will provide an active program analysis and opportunity for attendees to develop a plan to improve their services and meet the needs of students, staff and families. Specific elements addressed in the planning process will include differentiated referral systems (e.g., high and low incidence), consultative services, systems of follow-up, training and technical assistance, equipment management, documentation, participation in district planning and initiatives, methods of self-evaluation and reporting, and strategies to build site capacity for AT decision making. Networking, brainstorming, practice and discussion will be an integral part of the workshop and ample resources will be disseminated to allow participants to leave with ideas for immediate change.
Presenters:
Keri Huddleston, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Specialist, Moira Soulia, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Specialist, and Teru Langsdale, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a Special Education Consultant, all, Washoe County School District, Reno, NV.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Integrating Augmentative Communication and Augmentative Mobility: Equipment options and teaching strategies needed when supporting independence in the use of access for powered mobility and AAC and computer access for both the experienced user and the beginning user
Description:
Powered chairs and augmentative communication systems (and/or computer access) need to work together. These systems can be physically configured to work together, but are frequently NOT. We will share what powered systems are currently available, how the programmable electronics and hardware need to be set up to allow integration with augmentative systems and computer access. We will also share strategies needed for teaching and supporting this integration with specific students and learning in mind.
Presenters:
Karen M. Kangas, OTR/L, ATP, is an Occupational Therapist, AT Specialist, Seating and Mobility Specialist and Clinical Educator in private practice, Karen M. Kangas OTR/L, Shamokin, PA and Lisa Rotelli, A.S. in Physical Therapy, is an Educational Consultant, Adaptive Switch Labs, Inc., Spicewood, TX.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Capturing the Power of Visual Strategies: Meeting the Communication, Behavior and Social Skill Challenges in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Related Learning Needs
Description:
Most students with autism or Asperger's syndrome and many with related communication challenges are visual learners. This observation has tremendous implications. Their social skill and behavior difficulties are frequently related to their communication difficulties. While it is common for educational programming to focus on enhancing expressive communication, comparatively little attention is directed toward supporting the student's ability to understand. This program will demonstrate how even students with a lot of verbal language can experience a significant challenge with communication. Capitalizing on their strengths, expanding the use of visual strategies helps students organize their lives, significantly reduces behavior problems and improves successful social participation. A range of simple low tech strategies will be emphasized, along with high tech options, like video. This program will define the need, discuss training and demonstrate many practical ideas for helping students participate effectively in life opportunities.
Presenters:
Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a Consultant for Autism and Related Learning Challenges and the Director, Cornerstone Communication Center, Troy, MI.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Getting Writing on the Radar for Students with Significant Disabilities, Including Deaf-Blindness
Description:
From the very start, writing is an unquestioned component of literacy development for children without disabilities. However, for children with significant disabilities, including deaf-blindness, writing is often impossible due to their vision, speech and motor problems. Many of these students may have unknown cognitive skills and may not even know the alphabet, yet educators are faced with the overwhelming task of helping these students become writers. This workshop will focus on getting writing on the radar for these students. Individual and group emergent writing activities connected to state standards will be demonstrated, along with teaching strategies, sample goals, informal assessment methods and ways for students to write and scribble using alternative pencils that do not require hand use. Videos and very beginning writing samples will be shown of real students with significant disabilities in preschool to high school classrooms.
Presenters:
Gretchen Hanser, Ph.D., is the Director of the Deaf-Blind Model Demonstration Classroom Project, Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC and Toy Dills Booth, M.Ed., NBCT, is a Special Educator, The North Shelby School, Shelby, NC.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Using 21st Century Tools for Teaching and Accessible Learning
Description:
Teaching and learning can take place anywhere and from a variety of devices - computers, iPhones, iPods, digital pens, the Internet or electronic paper. Create an engaging and accessible learning environment by integrating a mix of free and inexpensive Web 2.0 tools for writing, creativity, support, research, assignments and more! Utilize multi-use classroom response programs and send instructions, texts, quizzes or forms to iPods, iPads or computers, then display responses immediately onscreen, with grades, comments and more! Infuse the learning environment with wireless document cameras, digital pens, wifi-enabled digital microscopes accessible by iPads or iPods and switch-accessible word prediction programs on iPods or iPads. Import video and digital images into these devices as teaching and learning lessons. Use the cloud for free file storage and management between devices, collaborative projects and more! Learn to connect these technologies together, from the hardware to the software, within a cohesive web of connectivity and sharing. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on PC and Macintosh computers.)
Presenters:
Dan Herlihy is an Assistive Technology/Technology Resource Specialist, Connective Technology Solutions, Inc., Hoosick, NY and Liz Medvetz is an Applications Training and Support Specialist, University at Albany, Albany, NY.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Help is Just a Fingertip Away! Exploring AIM Center Tools for Educators and Families
Description:
In this workshop, Joy, Diana and Joan will lead participants through an action-packed day of demonstrations, strategizing and hands-on experiences with the free and low cost tools available from the National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (the AIM Center). Each product will be explored via guided practice, with scenarios and independent practice with case studies. Participants will walk away with copies of the AIMing for Achievement DVD and other tools, along with the knowledge of which tools should be used for which task and the skills needed to use the tools yourself and to lead others in using them so that students have what they need to participate actively and AIM for Achievement! Given the practical nature of this hands-on workshop, participants MUST bring their own laptop computer that includes a wireless network card and a Web browser to the workshop.
Presenters:
Joy Smiley Zabala, Ed.D., ATP, is the Director of Technical Assistance, CAST and the National Center on AIM, Lake Jackson, TX; Diana Carl, M.A., LSSP, is an Independent Consultant, Houston, TX; and Joan Breslin Larson is a Supervisor, Special Education Policy Division, Minnesota Department of Education, Roseville, MN.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
CREATING PDFs in Special Education
Description:
PDFs are becoming more and more important file types for todays special education professional. Teachers need to be able to create PDFs so that their students can have a digital copy of the text or notes, a digital worksheet, a modified chapter and more. In this intermediate to advanced hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to create a variety of PDF files from both digital and print originals. Well compare free and inexpensive PDF creation programs to Adobe Acrobat Professional 10, and then spend most of the day learning how to create, modify and adapt PDFs for student and professional use with Acrobat. Youll learn how to enable, extend features, use annotations and commenting, add hyperlinks, create talking PDFs, make PDFs readable, create presentations, create custom stamps for use on maps, measure, modify worksheet PDFs and more! Well also feature the new parts of Acrobat 10 for users of previous versions. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on Closing The Gap-provided Mac computers one computer for every two participants; OR, participants are welcome to bring their own laptop computer [Mac or PC] with Adobe Acrobat Professional version 10 pre-installed.) (Note: Although not mandatory, it is encouraged that this Creating PDFs workshop be followed by Tuesday's Using PDFs workshop. Taken sequentially, these two workshops offer comprehensive PDF training and skills.)
Presenters:
Judith P. Sweeney, M.A. Special Education, is an AT Consultant and the President, Onion Mountain Technology, Inc., Canton, CT.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Every Move Counts, Clicks and Chats ASSESSMENT Strategies: Getting the Information You Need for Individuals with Significant Sensory/Motor Needs
Description:
This workshop is appropriate for all professional skill levels and will focus on assessment protocols that support identification of purposeful motor patterns, motor access options, motivating consequences, current communication strategies, system content and appropriate symbol systems for individuals with significant sensory/motor differences. These assessment tools are components of Every Move Counts, Clicks and Chats. They include the Sensory Assessment, Probes, Communication Survey, Symbol Identification, Purposeful Switch Use and Voice Output Feature Assessment. This workshop is the foundation for all implementation strategies that will be presented in Tuesday's Implementation workshop. (Note: Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that this Assessment workshop be followed up with Every Move Counts, Clicks and Chats Implementation [on Tuesday] in order to better understand how to build on the information that will be gathered through the assessment process.) There is a $75 materials fee (manual) in addition to the cost of the workshop.
Presenters:
Jane Korsten, M.A., is a Speech Language Pathologist, AT Resource Specialist and Co-Author of Every Move Counts, EMC Communication Inc., Leawood, KS and Terry Foss, M.Ed., is an AT Resource Specialist and Co-Author of Every Move Counts, EMC Communication Inc., Lee's Summit, MO.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Teaching Reading When Students are at Emergent Level: For Students with Autism and Other Severe Disabilities of All Ages
Description:
This fast-paced workshop looks at the important development of emergent literacy skills for children with autism and other severe disabilities. Extensive video clips highlight the importance of relationship development, adapted supported reading and sound and letter play/work. Woven throughout are the foundational underpinnings of augmentative communication and technology. Participants will leave with an understanding of how to use supported readings and how to establish communication and interaction around reading with students with more severe disabilities. An understanding of the Building Blocks Model will be established and adapted in light of working with children who are non-verbal. The morning will cover the building blocks of supported reading, concept and vocabulary development and print concepts. The afternoon will cover the building blocks of phonemic awareness, writing and letter names and sounds. This workshop is perfect for special education teachers who are working with young or older students who are at an emergent level developmentally or cognitively. Hands-on computer activities utilizing Classroom Suite and Powerpoint will help integrate technology into the emergent reading strategies. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on PC and Macintosh computers.) There is a $30 materials fee in addition to the cost of the workshop.
Presenters:
Susan Norwell, M.A., is an Educational Specialist in private practice/Focused Learning Solutions and Instructor, Northeastern Illinois University, Buffalo Grove, IL.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Switch Access to the Curriculum: How to Make Software Accessible to Switch Users
Description:
Do you struggle with finding curriculum-based switch accessible software? Are you tired of your child/students playing the same switch games repeatedly and their data is interpreted as lack of mastery, when it's truly boredom, non-curricular, non-age appropriate? Well, we are, especially when the products exist to make the good, content-supporting software accessible to all users of switches. Come join us as we walk you through the considerations and process of creating a truly accessible computer for all your students. We will take an especially close look at the switch input to products for electronic reading and writing, since those functions provide access to the entire curriculum. On their own, not one of the major tools has switch access built in. How do users of switches independently operate these popular programs for opening and manipulating accessible instructional materials (AIM)? During the workshop, we'll demonstrate examples of software, hardware and strategies to use throughout the school day and how, together, they can promote inclusion, as well as improve independence in functioning for the full range of your switch-using students. The day is made up of three major sections: the components, the curriculum and planning. Well have plenty of illustrations and information to use and follow up with afterwards.
Presenters:
Kelly Fonner, M.S., is an Assistive/Educational Technology Consultant, Lake Geneva, WI and Scott Marfilius, M.S., is an Assistive/Educational Technology Consultant, Milton, WI.
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
In-Depth Exploration of Some of the Most Advanced Assistive Technology iPad Apps
Description:
This workshop, which requires a basic knowledge of and experience with iTunes, iPad/iPod touch/iPhone, will focus on in-depth coverage of key advanced assistive technology solutions for the iPad in the fields of low vision, AAC, story telling, language development, organization/planning and reading/writing. We will cover a handful of apps through short presentations, including case studies, some modeling and in-depth hands-on exploration through a number of step-by-step tutorials. You will, for example, learn how to use and configure the built-in VoiceOver screen reader, how to customize and configure Proloquo2Go for a variety of AAC users, how to use Pictellos advanced features for creating visual stories and how to keep track of progress of students when using ArtikPix to improve their articulation. We will cover several other apps, depending on whats hot at the time of the conference and, last but not least, will cover multiple switch interfaces and switch adapted apps. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on Closing The Gap-provided iPads - one iPad for every two participants.) (Note: This advanced workshop can be taken as a follow up to Monday's Introduction to the iPad and iPod touch as Assistive Technology Solutions, or it can be taken separately.) There is a $20 fee in addition to the cost of the workshop.
Presenters:
David Niemeijer, Ph.D., is the CEO, AssistiveWare, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Mark Coppin, B.S., is an Apple Distinguished Educator and the Director of Assistive Technology, Anne Carlsen Center for Children, Jamestown, ND; Eric Sailers, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist, La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, La Mesa, CA; Jennifer Marden, M.S., M.A., is a Speech Language Pathologist, Technically Speaking, Roslindale, MA; and Cathy Kingeter, M.A., is the Director of Sales and Marketing, Origin Instruments Corp., Grand Prairie, TX.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Using Interactive White Boards to Address AAC Language and Literacy in the Classroom
Description:
Come witness six creative ways SLPs and teachers can collaborate using Interactive White Board (IWB) technology to conduct differentiated, group intervention within a classroom setting. Learn how to use the IWB to provide your students with symbol-supported e-books, interactive poems/songs, step-by-step instructions (food prep, arts and crafts, science), dynamic communication pages amenable to aided language stimulation, e-writing activities and interactive academic games. Students won't even realize these fun IWB activities have a "hidden" therapeutic and academic agenda. Numerous "in classroom" videos will be shown to help participants conceptualize the concepts discussed. All materials and strategies are reflective of Universal Design for Learning principles.
Presenters:
Carol Goossens', Ph.D., is a Speech Language Pathologist and Special Educator currently in private practice in New York City. She is presently working as a consultant to the Henry Viscardi School and to Abilities! Dr. Goossens' has presented extensively both nationally and internationally, and has co-authored numerous clinical books regarding her work in the area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. She is known for her ability to provide successful, classroom-based strategies.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Facing the Challenges of Access with Students with High Tone and Reflexes, or Low Tone and Weakness, or Mixed Tone and Inconsistent Motor Control
Description:
To support some of our most challenging students, we must better understand their challenges. We must look at the activity, the environment, the student's current postural mechanism and our activity use with AT. The usual historical paradigms of spending inordinate time to "discover" consistent access first, so that learning can begin, will be altered. Instead, we will put into perspective the need of understanding more current neurophysiology, particularly the sensory processing and integration used by students with tone, weakness and/or mixed tone and its subsequent reflexive involvement. We will look at access as a part of an activity and the student's interests and intention regarding activity engagement. We will examine and analyze activity, environment and equipment, and how we introduce AT and its access within these paradigms. This workshop will include sharing case studies, videos and equipment needed and used.
Presenters:
Karen M. Kangas, OTR/L, ATP, is an Occupational Therapist, AT Specialist, Seating and Mobility Specialist and Clinical Educator in private practice, Karen M. Kangas OTR/L, Shamokin, PA.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Navigating the World of Technology to Enhance Skill Development for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Description:
This beginner workshop will give participants a wealth of information and resources for blending low and high tech strategies, using technology tools to teach students with ASD a broad range of skills, from social relations, communication and academics to life skills. Participants will leave this training with dozens of practical, easy-to-make low tech strategies that can be used immediately to meet the unique learning and behavioral needs of students with ASD and, most importantly, to increase their independent functioning. High tech strategies to be explored include free Web-based tools (Glogster, Animoto, VoiceThread, word cloud tools), interactive white boards, social networking tools and mobile devices, including iPods, iPads, smartpens and smartphones. Numerous evidence-based examples of technology to teach various skills to students with ASD will be shared through a combination of video clips, actual materials and personal stories. Participants will also be provided with access to a wiki created for this workshop. The wiki will provide links to research supporting demonstrated strategies, tutorials for use of the tools, directions for creation of low tech supports and links to Web-based resources. (Participants are strongly encouraged to bring a wireless capable laptop/netbook/smartphone/iPad/iPod touch for interactive participation throughout the day.)
Presenters:
Susan L. Stokes, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an Educational Autism Consultant and Trainer in private practice, Fond du Lac, WI and Paula Walser, M.S., CCC-SLP, is the Director of E-Learning/Assistive Technology, CESA 6, Oshkosh, WI.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Technology Integration and UDL Implementation in General Education Classrooms: What's It Take to Make It Happen?
Description:
This intermediate workshop will be of interest to leadership staff, providers of staff development, teachers and assistive technology teams who are ready to move beyond the provision of technology, one student at a time. For the past two years, the HIAT team has been systematically working with teachers in five schools using the tenets of Universal Design for Learning to focus on technology integration in elementary and middle school, general education classrooms. In each school, Instructional Technology Leadership Teams formed the nexus of these efforts. Implementation research that guided our efforts will be described. Driving forces and teacher-driven solutions will be demonstrated through the use of powerful classroom videos. Getting beyond implementation barriers will be discussed. And, because UDL implementation cannot rest with teachers alone, district level efforts will also be addressed. Much has been learned and much will be shared. Participants are encouraged to bring personal laptops to further explore Web-based resources and online collaborative networking tools throughout the day.
Presenters:
Denise C. DeCoste, Ed.D., is an Assistive Technology Specialist and a High Incidence Accessible Technology Team Leader and William McGrath, M.S., is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist, both, Montgomery County Public Schools, Bethesda, MD.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Assistive Technology Supports for Struggling Students: Hands-On!
Description:
Participants in this workshop will have a hands-on experience using a full range of off-the-shelf tools, enabling students to function more independently and successfully. Hand-held devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and talking pens, and anything else that is new and cool will be explored. Emphasis will be on the applications that make them tick, from text readers, communication tools to visual assistants, Web conferencing for therapy and Web sites that support learning and more! Throughout this fast-paced show-and-play session, participants will learn by using the most current and emerging technology tools, enabling a wide range of students, including the participant him or herself, to become more efficient at a variety of tasks. From the hardware and software that drive them, to the innovative ideas that open a world of possibilities for use, todays tools for access and success are waiting for you! (Hands-on activities will be conducted on PC and Macintosh computers.)
Presenters:
Pati King DeBaun, M.S., is a Speech Language Pathologist/Consultant specializing in assistive technology, Creative Communicating, Park City, UT and Dan Herlihy is an Assistive Technology/Technology Resource Specialist, Connective Technology Solutions, Inc., Hoosick, NY.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
WRITE ON: From Scribbling to Persuasive Essays Supporting Conventional Writing!
Description:
This workshop is for those working with students who are beginning to use the alphabet to create meaning, supporting text production from invented spelling and simple sentences to persuasive essays. We will go beyond using symbols/words/phrases, produced traditionally or with technology, to impact writing with the alphabet. We will explore the full writing process, covering prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing, including specific strategies for struggling students at each phase (e.g., using T.I.E. - Topic/Ideas/Ending to develop a paragraph). Multiple student writing samples (pre- and post-) will be shared, and participants will engage in brainstorming activities to customize materials for their students and curriculum. Targeted students are beginning to spell, but struggling to keep up with content-based writing. Participants will receive a CD with light tech and high tech scaffolds, including sample graphic organizers in Word, Classroom Suite, Clicker and Inspiration. There is a $10 materials fee in addition to the cost of the workshop.
Presenters:
Caroline Musselwhite, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Consultant and Author, AAC Intervention, Litchfield Park, AZ; Jerolyn Allen, M.Ed., OTR/L, ATACP, is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Coordinator, Litchfield Elementary School District, Litchfield Park, AZ; Laurel Richardson Buell, M.S., OTR, is an Occupational Therapist/AT Specialist, Assistive Technology Services, Mesa, AZ; Kim James, M.Ed., is a Special Educator/Cross-Categorical Multi-Age Middle School Teacher, Litchfield Elementary School District, Litchfield Park, AZ; Deanna K. Wagner, M.S., CCC-CLP, is an Assistive Technology Specialist, Madison Elementary School District, Phoenix, AZ; and Patty Ashby, M.N.S. in Speech Language Pathology, is an Assistive Technology Consultant, Southwest Human Development/Washington School District, Phoenix, AZ.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
USING PDFs in Special Education
Description:
This intermediate to advanced hands-on workshop is designed to deal with the use of teacher- or publisher-created PDF files in special education for reading, note-taking and worksheet/test tasks. Throughout the day, well work with using PDFs on the computer, iPhone and iTouch, iPad and Kindle. Youll learn how to transfer PDFs to these devices, which apps you need on portable devices and what tasks can and cant be done on mobile devices versus the computer. Well look at student use of PDFs, stressing changing settings to meet student needs, and teaching students and their parents how to use PDF files for reading and/or for worksheets and tests. Well also look at teacher use of PDFs, primarily for creating student portfolios and organizing forms and records. Finally, participants in this hands-on workshop will learn about other programs that directly use PDFs and how to change PDFs into different file types. Participants who have an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad should bring them, having the Good Reader app already installed. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on Closing The Gap-provided Mac computers one computer for every two participants; OR, participants are welcome to bring their own laptop computer [Mac or PC] with Adobe Acrobat Professional version 10 pre-installed.) (Note: Although this workshop serves as a continuum of Monday's Creating PDFs workshop, it can be taken separately.)
Presenters:
Judith P. Sweeney, M.A. Special Education, is an AT Consultant and the President, Onion Mountain Technology, Inc., Canton, CT.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Every Move Counts, Clicks and Chats IMPLEMENTATION Strategies: Where Do You Go After Assessment?
Description:
Selecting instructional strategies that lead to student success is often challenging for those who live and work with individuals having severe and profound sensory/motor differences. This workshop is appropriate for all professional skill levels and will build on the Assessment workshop, providing strategies for incorporating information gathered during assessment into implementation and development of appropriate programs for students with the most significant sensory/motor differences. It will address ways to design an effective individualized communication program that builds on the abilities identified through the Every Move Counts, Clicks and Chats assessment protocols. It will address the relationship of switch use, symbol understanding, low tech communication and assistive technology (including speech generating devices), and will teach participants to recognize five levels of sequential strategies that support the development of communication and purposeful switch use, to effectively integrate communication training into daily activities by providing appropriate choice-making opportunities and to progress through a hierarchy of alternate and augmentative communication systems, in order to identify and provide the communication system (no tech through high tech) that best meets an individual's needs and abilities. (Note: Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that the Every Move Counts Assessment workshop [on Monday] be taken first to better understand and apply that which will be taught in this Implementation workshop. The manual is included in the cost of Monday's Assessment workshop.)
Presenters:
Jane Korsten, M.A., is a Speech Language Pathologist, AT Resource Specialist and Co-Author of Every Move Counts, EMC Communication Inc., Leawood, KS and Terry Foss, M.Ed., is an AT Resource Specialist and Co-Author of Every Move Counts, EMC Communication Inc., Lee's Summit, MO.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Teaching Non-Verbal Children to Read: The Link Between Reading and Communication
Description:
This exciting workshop will focus on teaching non-verbal children with severe disabilities to read and write, utilizing a Balanced Approach to reading, while stressing the efficacy of literacy as an instructional tool for language development. Hands-on experiences with computer technology that supports reading instruction will be explicitly integrated into the learning. Often, technology is seen as an "add-on" to the instructional sequence; but in this workshop, it will be integrated so participants can better grasp the need for an integrated use of technology in instruction. The needs of the student who is non-verbal or "less than verbal" will be highlighted. Participants will learn to understand that these needs dictate how to "tweak" a Balanced Literacy Approach to work for a particular child. Extensive videos illustrate key points and techniques in the instruction of decoding, guided reading and comprehension. Writing and self-selected reading will be explored as various technologies are utilized for the child who is unable to hold a pencil or even a book independently. The integration of augmentative communication and technology as a platform for giving children with disabilities a research-based approach to reading, similar to the more typical peers, is the focus. Participants should have an intermediate computer skill level and a desire to learn Classroom Suite. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on PC and Macintosh computers.) There is a $30 materials fee in addition to the cost of the workshop.
Presenters:
Susan Norwell, M.A., is an Educational Specialist in private practice/Focused Learning Solutions and Instructor, Northeastern Illinois University, Buffalo Grove, IL.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Put Me in Coach! Coaching Strategies for AT Integration
Description:
This intermediate workshop will focus on the specific support strategy of coaching educators and how it can be applied to help develop more integrated AT services. Effective assistive technology supports involve a variety of strategies, including direct service to students, consultation to families and educators and collaboration with team members. However, coaching emerges from the literature as the most effective support strategy to accomplish this goal. This workshop will teach three aspects of effective educational coaching for AT. They are questioning and dialogue skills, active listening and the provision of feedback that empowers. The workshop will address each of these skill areas, providing information, self-assessments and practice. Participants will develop a specific AT Question Recipe, complete a listening skills self-assessment and practice providing reflective feedback that includes value statements, clarification and possibilities. Well coach each other as we learn more effective ways to provide support.
Presenters:
Gayl Bowser, M.S. Ed., is an Independent Consultant, Roseburg, OR.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
AAC Evaluation The Beginning of Successful AAC Outcomes: Best Practices and Tools for AAC Assessment
Description:
The ultimate outcome or goal of AAC assessment is effective use of communication. With the complexity of AAC evaluation, the diversity of those needing assessment and the overwhelming choices of devices, AAC apps and possible systems, the need for a systematic, comprehensive approach to assessment is critical to the goal of successful AAC use. But how do you get there when there are few systematic assessment protocols available? This workshop will look at organizing the tools, knowledge and procedures to maximize resources and outcomes. An overview of the major components of the AAC evaluation process, as well as the information that must be obtained for each area, will be provided. Currently published AAC evaluation tools will be examined, procedures and strategies for gathering pertinent information efficiently will be reviewed and budget-conscious devices and tools that are fundamental to testing various functions of communication will be identified. A free assessment protocol will be examined in depth. All participants will receive a CD that contains forms for use throughout the evaluation process, a summary of essential items for a basic AAC evaluation toolkit, the AAC Evaluation Genie assessment protocol and a detailed video explaining the rationale and administration of the different subtests, and many more new and tried-and-true resources and strategies.
Presenters:
Elizabeth (Libby) S. Rush, M.A., CCC-SLP, CPM, is an AAC Consultant in private practice, Durham, NC; Celeste Helling, M.A., CCC-SLP, ATP, is a Speech Language Pathologist, North Carolina Assistive Technology Program, Charlotte, NC; Karen M. Casey, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an AT Consultant, Durham Children's Developmental Services Agency, Durham, NC and Paula Justice, M.S., Ed., is a TVI/AT Team Member, Alamance Burlington School System, Burlington, NC.
Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
What participants have said
A very well-run and informative conference, as always!
~Special Educator
LOVE Closing The Gap‚ always learn so much to take back and get to network with great folks.
~Occupational Therapist/AT
This is definitely a conference I will recommend to BOTH regular and special education teachers.
~Special Education Consultant
