The D.C. Capital Area and MD Branches of the International Dyslexia Association

Proudly Present A Full Day Conference

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: READING, ATTENTION

& EXECUTIVE FUNCTION

March 15, 2014

The Universities at Shady Grove

Rockville MD

Two Major Keynote Presentations and 24 Breakout

Sessions with Topics for Both Professionals & Parents

Topics Include: Dealing with Reading, Attention Executive Function, Interventions, Writing

Skills, Math Elementary and Secondary, Advocacy, IEP's, Evaluations, MSLE Interventions,

Spelling, Grammar, Assistive Technology , Options for Parents, Early Education & Post

Intervention Academics

Time: 8:30-4:00

Registration: 7:30 am - 8:30 am, CEU's Available for a small processing fee.

Keynote: Dr. Eric Tridas, Medical Director of the Tridas Center for Child Development

and President of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Consultants, Inc. He is a Developmental Pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and management of handicapping conditions including ADHD, learning differences, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and other

neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems. Dr. Tridas is a nationally known pediatrician and authority on learning differences, the immediate Past President of the IDA, and Editor of From

ABC to ADHD: What Every Parent Should Know About Dyslexia and Attention Problems.

Luncheon Speaker: Shreya Patel Hessler, Psy.D., LLCs A licensed psychologist in the state of MD with training in pediatric psychology at the

Johns Hopkins Hospital and Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Hessler has taught at Towson

University and currently offers evaluations and therapy in practice in Bel Air MD.

Hotel Accommodations: Preferred Rate $99 (Friday & Saturday) at the Hilton Garden

Inn and Homewood Suites Rockville-Gaithersburg 14975 Shady Grove Road | Rockville, MD 20850

offering a free shuttle to & from the conference.

Website:

Registration:

Fees: Early Registration by Feb. 20 (Members: $90, Non-Members: $110) After Feb.20: Members$100 Non-

Member $125 On-Site: $150 BYO Lunch

PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:

Keynote: Dr. Eric Tridas

Topic: FEAR: Reading Attention and Executive Function

Dr. Tridas is the Medical Director of the Tridas Center for Child Development and

President of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Consultants, Inc. He is a

Developmental Pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and management of

handicapping conditions including ADHD, learning differences, dyslexia, autism

spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and other neurodevelopmental and

behavioral problems.

Dr. Tridas has resided in the Tampa Bay area since 1982. He completed his fellowship in Ambulatory

Pediatrics with emphasis on Developmental Disabilities at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in

Boston. During that time he held an appointment as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University. Dr.

Tridas completed his residency in Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo. He graduated from the

University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine in 1977.

Dr. Tridas lectures nationally and internationally on topics such as dyslexia, learning disabilities, ADHD,

autism spectrum disorders, executive functions and other behavioral and developmental pediatrics

related subjects.

Dr. Tridas edited a book for parents titled From ABC to ADHD: What Every Parent Should Know About

Dyslexia and Attention Problems

Luncheon Speaker: Shreya Patel Hessler, Psy.D.

Topic: Anxiety and Learning Differences: Working Through The Worry

Dr. Hessler is a licensed psychologist who specializes in anxiety, ADHD, and

learning differences. She works with children, adolescents, and adults

providing individual and family therapy as well as comprehensive psycho-

educational assessments. Dr. Hessler speaks to parents, children, and school

systems frequently on the identification of anxiety and related conditions

and how to treat these symptoms effectively.

Discovering and understanding learning differences can often be overwhelming for students

and their families. What is often unknown is that many students have symptoms of anxiety

associated with learning. Signs of stress and anxiety are reviewed and strategies are presented

to help students and families with overall coping and adjustment.

WEBSITE & REGISTRATION LINK: www.dcidamdconf.com

PRESENTATIONS OFFERED IN BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Featured Presenter: William Van Cleave -Two Presentations in Breakouts 1 & 2

Writing Matters: Developing Sentence Skills in Struggling Students

Word Smarts: Using Morphology to Develop Word Decoding and Vocabulary Skills

William Van Cleave is in private practice as an educational consultant whose specialties

include morphology and written expression.

A nationally recognized speaker, he has presented on effective teaching practices at

conferences and schools around the country since 1995. While his own background is in

language-based learning difficulties, the strategies William promotes are effective for

students of all skill levels and abilities. His high level of enthusiasm and energy, his

interactive style, and his passion for working with teachers make him an effective

presenter, whether he is visiting a school and sharing with its faculty or presenting at a

national conference.

Author of Everything You Want To Know & Exactly Where To Find It, an Orton-

Gillingham based reference guide, Writing Matters: Developing Sentence Skills in

Students of All Ages.

Exceeding Expectations: Your Child can become a Successful Adult

Henry B. Reiff, Ph.D. Coordinator of Graduate Program in Special Education, McDaniel

College, Professor of Special Education

Few things are more frustrating than trying to keep a child with learning differences on

the right track. Parents and teachers have a delicate balancing act between doing too

little and too much. Dr. Reiff to share stories from successful adults with learning

differences who can inspire and motivate your children and students.

Dr. Reiff is a Professor of Special Education at McDaniel College Westminster, MD. He

coordinates the Graduate Program in Special Education and is on the Board of Directors

for the Maryland Branch of the IDA.

IPad Innovation in the Classroom

Barry James , Jemicy Lower School Math and Science Teacher and iPad Coordinator

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership

We will be looking at various language, math, and general applications and how they are

used in the classroom to capture student knowledge. We will also discuss the backend

points of using iPads in the classroom such as transferring files, printing from an iPad,

and basic logistics.

Everyday Executive Functions

Paula Moraine, M.Ed., Educational Consultant & Author

Educational Consultant, Speaker, and author of Helping Students Take Control of Everyday

Executive Functions - The Attention Fix

Executive controls impact learning in all aspect of everyday life, inside and outside the classroom. This workshop offers insight into how to take control of areas of executive skill such as organization, time management, and attention.

Navigating the Contents of Your Child's IEP

Kathleen Bosserman, Special Education Advocate at Creative Learning Experiences

This presentation will provide a breakdown of the IEP into its specific parts. Briefly

explaining the acronyms, as well as the relevance and meaning behind each part.

Kathleen Bosserman is an Educational Advocate, specializing in helping families to

successfully advocate for their child with special needs.

Six Approaches to Spelling

Ann M. Bain, Ed.D. Adjunct Professor at Loyola University and Goucher College;

Educational Consultant in Private Practice

Spelling is a pesky little area of the dyslexic student's life that is a continuous, long-term

struggle. Even as reading skills improve, spelling tends to lag far behind. Students are

told to use a spell checker. Not only does the spell checker not locate all errors, but it is

definitely not intuitive. Six Approaches to Spelling will present teaching and

proofreading/editing skills for the dyslexic child and adult.

The Common Core: Strategies for Teaching Special Needs Students

Marilyn Zecher, M.A., CALT, ASDEC Instructor, National Speaker

This presentation will provide teachers, educational support professionals and parents with

strategies for helping special needs students be successful within the Common Core State

Standards. The standards offer a new approach to educating students for college and career

readiness and may thus require changes in how we meet the needs of students who struggle.

This presentation will offer specific suggestions for meeting those needs.

Ms Zecher is a nationally recognized speaker and private academic language therapist, a

multisensory specialist in methods for content area instruction and Multisensory Math. She is

an Instructor at The Multisensory Training Institute of The Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia

Education Center. She offers accredited graduate level courses as well as workshops for

schools and the community.

Homeschooling Children with Learning Challenges

Kathy Kuhl, Nationally Recognized Speaker and Author

Veteran homeschooler, author, and consultant, Kathy Kuhl helps parents help their children

through her organization, Learn Differently.com. As the author of Staying Sane as You

Homeschool, Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner, and the upcoming Encouraging Your

Child, Kathy speaks and consults internationally, bridging the homeschool and special needs

communities. Kathy offers ideas, encouragement, and humor, for all parents, but has a special

concern for students who are struggling, discouraged, gifted—or all three!

Learn how to prepare to homeschool, find resources, set goals, plan, adapt, get support, and

avoid common mistakes. Whether you are new to homeschooling or not, this session will help

you help your child with learning disabilities.

Early Signs of a Reading Disorder

Jeanine Schwartz, M.Ed. Learning Specialist, K-1st Grades, Flint Hill School

This session will help parents and early-elementary educators understand the

importance of identifying ‘red flags’ for potential reading disorders in kindergarteners

and early elementary students. In addition, we will discuss research-based strategies

and the role phonemic awareness instruction plays in reading development.

Options for Parents of Children Who Have Dyslexia

Panel Presentation and Discussion Moderated by Ellen O'Neill, Director of the Atlantic

Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center

Parents who suspect or learn that their child has dyslexia face many questions and alternatives

for intervention and support. This presentation will offer parents a guide to a range of

possibilities. Interventions are not one size fits all. Parents need to find the right fit for their

family. Options discussed will include: public and private school with and without outside

support, academic language therapy (MSLE), home schooling, and tutoring.

Panel Participants: Jilly Darefsky, Kathy Kuhl, Marilyn Zecher,

Jilly Darefsky, Head of School at The Siena School, is an experienced private school

administrator, currently serving on the Board of the D.C. Capital Area Branch of the IDA. Ms.

Darefsky holds a B.A., with honors, in English Literature with Psychology and a Postgraduate

Certificate in Education. In addition she holds a Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties/

Dyslexia from Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre and a Master's in specific learning

difficulties from Middlesex University.

A Guide to Creating Your Digital Backpack

Sonya Atkinson, Upper School Learning Specialist, Flint Hill School

Tired of lugging books to and from school? Loose papers hard to keep track of? Forget

to bring your flashcards with you to study on the bus? What about that essay you

started at school...have you saved it in a way that you’ll be able to continue working on

it later using ANY device? This breakout session will offer practical solutions for parents,

students, and teachers alike on how to create a digital backpack that is convenient,

user-friendly, and easy to access. Learn how to turn loose papers into PDFs using your

smartphone. Find out how to access free and low-cost online versions of your

textbooks, and explore alternative study aids that are accessible on any device.

Sonya Atkinson, the upper school learning specialist at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA

also works closely with The Siena School in Silver Spring, MD where she is the

Coordinator of the Summer Programs. She holds a M.Ed. in Literacy and has done

extensive post-graduate work in the field of Educational Psychology. For the past 15

years, she has worked as a classroom teacher, Director of a Learning Center, Academic

Coach, and private tutor for middle and high school students who struggle with learning

differences.

Identifying Dyslexia: The Assessment Process

Heather Powell, Ph.D. Psychologist

Implementing the right supports for students who are struggling academically often

begins with the proper identification of each student's underlying strengths and

weaknesses. In addition to diagnosing dyslexia or other learning differences, a

comprehensive psychological assessment is useful in determining a student's

neurocognitive profile and the way that it impacts their learning style. Domains that are

commonly assessed will be reviewed, and their impact on real-world functioning will be

discussed.

Dr. Powell is a licensed psychologist in Towson, MD. who specializes in the

neurocognitive assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention

deficit disorders (ADHD), learning disabilities, psychiatric illness, and emotional and/or

behavioral issues.

Reading, Reflecting On, and Writing About Fiction: Structured Procedures for Stellar Essays

Laurie M. Moloney, CALT

For the dyslexic student, writing about literature requires a constellation of skills:

reading fluency, vocabulary knowledge, and knowledge of text structures; recognition of

literary devices; sensitivity to non-literal language; inferential thinking; and an

appreciation of the constructs of plot, characterization, and theme development, to

name but a few. The ability to craft and support an original argument using textual

evidence in a well structured, well written essay need not be an epic struggle for our

students. This workshop presents a set of proven procedures that enable students to

read literature with a critical eye and respond efficiently and effectively to essay

assignments. Further, these reading and writing skills can apply generally to texts

across the humanities.

Laurie M. Moloney is a Certified Academic Language Therapist in private practice in the

metropolitan D.C. area, serving students of all ages . Her areas of expertise

include teaching students to read, handwrite, and spell; take notes; enlarge their

vocabulary through the study of morphemes; write; manage time and materials; use

memory strategies; and self-advocate. Ms. Moloney received her training from Tri-

Services/National Institute of Dyslexia, from the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education

Center (ASDEC), and from Sandra Dillion of the Multisensory Language Training Institute

of New Mexico.

Multisensory Math: Strategies for Algebra

Anna Vanderlugt, Math & Science Department Chair, The Siena School

Multisensory Math program is nationally recognized as offering concept-based, hands-on

strategies for teaching mathematics to all students at all levels. This workshop focuses

on algebra concepts of linear functions including positive and negative slope, and

transformations of functions. Practical applications will include manipulatives, games,

chants and activities to teach and reinforce mathematical concepts in school and at

home. The multisensory math overview is appropriate for parents, teachers and all

educators.

Anna VanderLugt, Math and Science department chair at The Siena School in Silver

Spring, MD. Currently she teaches geometry, algebra II and FST: functions, statistics,

trigonometry but has previously also taught algebra I. She was a presenter in the recent

"Math at Siena" Workshop (part of the Siena Educational Workshop Series) and has

completed both the Multisensory Math I and II courses through ASDEC.

Multisensory Math: Foundation Skills - Place Value, Multiplication & Division

Amy Isaacson & Jennifer Sanzone

This presentation will feature two presenters demonstrating techniques for teaching

foundation skills in math. Ms Isaacson will demonstrate Building math skills from

numeracy to place value with manipulatives. Ms Sanzone will demonstrate strategies for

illustrating multiplication and division.

Amy Isaacson is the math and science department head at the Chelsea School. The

Chelsea School is a non-public school that serves middle and high school students with

langue base learning disabilities. She has worked at Chelsea for 6 years and is a certified

in Multi-Sensory Math.

Jennifer Sanzone, fourth and fifth grade teacher at The Siena School, Silver Spring

MD, graduated from Goucher College with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in

Instructional Leadership from Towson University as well. She began her teaching career

in Baltimore, MD where she taught for 8 years before joining the staff of the Siena

School.

On The Road to Improved Metacognition and Self Regulation

Shannon McCarty, M.A. Upper School Learning Specialists, Flint Hill School

We will explore the interplay of self-regulation and student learning beliefs as they relate

to academic success and discuss the relationship between these ideas and

motivation. In the classroom, explicit instruction in self-regulated learning allows

student to be more metacogntive about how learning happens. Join us as we discuss

practical ways to help your students set goals, choose strategies, monitor their progress

and reflect on the process.

Shannon McCarty, Upper School Learning Specialist at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA

holds an M.A. in Special Education: Learning Disabilities from American University in

Washington, D.C. For the past 13 years, she has worked as a classroom teacher,

learning specialist and academic AD/HD coach in VA/DC independent schools. She has

presented at several local and national conferences on issues relating to teaching

practices for students with learning disabilities and AD/HD. She also works as a private

tutor with a focus on early math and reading skills and provides support for high school

students with executive functioning challenges.

Reading Interventions: Understanding the Options

Laurie Heuple, M.Ed & Marcia Jeffries, Educational Diagnostician

There are a variety of reading intervention programs that meet the IDA’s Knowledge and

Practice Standards. The presenters will help parents and educators in surveying the

options available. They will discuss interventions with varying degrees of intensity so

that participants will be better able to evaluate what is appropriate for their students or

their child.

Laurie Heuple: M.Ed, CAT is in private practice in Northern VA for educational

assessments and educational therapy. She MSLE reading specialist.

Marcia Jeffries, M.Ed. Retired educational diagnostician and school support coordinator for students in grades

K-6. Mrs. Jeffries is an Orton Oak –Member and DCIDA Board Member with 25 years of

experience in the field of learning disabilities.

Identifying Dyslexia: The Assessment Process

Heather Powell, Ph.D. Psychologist

Implementing the right supports for students who are struggling academically often

begins with the proper identification of each student's underlying strengths and

weaknesses. In addition to diagnosing dyslexia or other learning differences, a

comprehensive psychological assessment is useful in determining a student's

neurocognitive profile and the way that it impacts their learning style. Domains that are

commonly assessed will be reviewed, and their impact on real-world functioning will be

discussed.

Dr. Powell is a licensed psychologist in Towson, MD. who specializes in the

neurocognitive assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention

deficit disorders (ADHD), learning disabilities, psychiatric illness, and emotional and/or

behavioral issues.

Tech Tips and Tricks to Empower Dave Darefsky, Director of Technology, Green Acres school

Have you ever spent endless hours searching through reams and reams of information

but not find what you're looking for? Or you find the information only to discover it to be too difficult to access and navigate? Join us as we explore selective, efficient and

accessible 21st century tools necessary to yield the information you're looking for. Learn about free, readily available services that have the greatest impact to remove

roadblocks and empower individuals with learning differences with necessary skills. Explore how to overcome everyday difficulties using technology such as how to find

information using key words, images and reading level, as well as a diverse range of assistive technologies such as Readability, Read & Write, Speak It! and more.

David Darefsky, Director of Technology at Green Acres School, has extensive experience

navigating the world, both professionally and personally, through the lens of an

individual with language based learning differences. He has presented workshops for Independent Education, the Association of Independent Maryland Schools and the D.C.

Capital Area Branch of IDA.

Apps to Reinforce Elementary Reading and Writing Skills

Jeanine Schwartz, M.Ed. Learning Specialist, K-1st Grades, Flint Hill School

This session will provide parents and educators examples of apps that can be used to

reinforce elementary- level reading and writing skills. While the list of educational apps is exhaustive, this break-out session will focus on three specific apps that participants

will find useful. Additionally, handouts will be provided with more educational apps to try at home! The platform for the presentation will be the iPad; however, suggested apps

will be for other platforms as well.

Essentials of Effective Reading and Spelling Instruction: An Overview Traude Smith, M.Ed., CALT, Clinical Co-Director at ASDEC

This workshop will provide a summary of the essential components of an effective reading and spelling program: The 44 Sounds of the English Language, the Six Syllable

Types and Spelling Generalizations. No, English is not as crazy as people make it out to be.

Ms. Smith completed her training as Academic Therapist in 1988 and was certified in

2007. Ms. Smith has a B.A. in speech pathology and a M.Ed in special education. Her background training in speech pathology and teaching the hearing impaired has been of

benefit in the work with dyslexic children and adults. Ms. Smith is a faculty member at ASDEC and presents workshops and professional development training at schools and

conferences.

Navigating the Special Ed Maze Jennifer Fisher and Janet Price, Authors, Educational Consultants with the Weinfeld

Educational Group

Participants will come away with an understanding of the special education process, from the early stages of referral and eligibility all the way through what makes up an IEP

and 504 Plan. Participants will be able to tell the difference between a “good” goal and a “bad” goal, and how accommodations work. They will learn about the laws governing

both IEP’s and 504 Plans and how to distinguish between eligibility for the two. Most

importantly, they will leave knowing how to analyze their child’s IEP, paying particular attention to Present Levels of Performance and how they relate to annual goals.

Jennifer Engel Fisher, M.S. is the Director of Advocacy of Weinfeld Education Group, LLC.

She a B. S. Degree from the University of Maryland and a M.S. Degree in Special Education from The Johns Hopkins University. Jennifer has taught in both public and

private schools in inclusion and self-contained settings. Specialties include organizational coaching for students with Executive Functioning difficulties. She teaches

a graduate-level advocacy course through Catholic University and conducts parent trainings on the IEP Process. Jennifer is the co-author of Take Control of Asperger’s

Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. She is a contributing author of School Success for Kids

with ADHD.

Janet Price is the Director of Training and Community Partnerships at Weinfeld Education Group, LLC. Janet is the co-author of the award winning book Take Control of

Asperger’s Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (Prufrock Press, 2010), and co-author of Take Control

of Dyslexia: The Ultimate Guide for Kids (Prufrock Press, 2011). She authored an article entitled When Common Core Standards Meet Uncommon Learners for Attention

Magazine (June 2013).. She has lectured at local universities, and has presented at

numerous conferences around the country.

Writer’s Workshop & Written Expression

Jane Hansen, CALT, Commonwealth Academy

The workshop will provide an overview of a curriculum for a middle school writing class. The curriculum covers grammar, the writing process, and a writer's workshop unit

for personal narrative. Structured, incremental exercises move students from developing skills to expressive writers.

Jane Hanson has spent her career in education – secondary, alternative, training and

development in the business world, and in private practice. Jane has worked with

children and adults with learning differences as an academic therapist teaching reading, study skills, and executive function skills. Currently, Jane is a full time teacher at

Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria Virginia, an independent school for college bound students who benefit from small classes and instruction geared to students with learning

differences, ADHD, and organizational challenges. She teaches writing in the middle school, and reading to two groups of lower school students.

Post Conference Networking Rooms

Literacy Law, Parents Concerns, Networking, Q & A: Rooms will be available after the conference to touch base, exchange business cards or learn about a group with shared

interests. Networking room assignments and topics will be displayed at registration and during lunch.