Speakers for You Are The Expert 2009

Here is a complete agenda featuring speakers and breaks. Click Here is you would like a .pdf file to print out.

Friday, May 29, 2009

8:30-10:00: Keynote: Rick Lavoie: Last One Picked/First One Picked On

This seminar will explore the impact of learning disorders (i.e. LD, ADHD, Asperger Syndrome) on a child’s social skills. Playing with friends is a daily ritual for most children, but kids with learning disabilities are often isolated and rejected. Their problems making and keeping friends are compounded by their poor social skills. Children who struggle with academics because of memory and perceptual problems also have marked difficulty functioning in social settings.

The typical child spends approximately 1080 hours per year in the classroom. That compromises a mere 5% of the child’s waking time. Ninety-five percent of the child’s time is spent in social settings (school bus, cafeteria, community, home front.) It is crucial that parents and professionals understand the impact of social problems upon the success, progress and self-concept of children.

10:00-10:15: Break

10:30-12:00:

A: Families Are Important: Debbie Jackson & Cassie Johnston

This training is for families who have infants or toddlers birth to three in an Early Intervention Program. It is also for families, groups, providers and others to use as a tool in their communities in helping families better understand their rights as part of the IDEA Part C and the Washington State Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program.

B: Guardianships, Wills & Trusts: Kerrie Feeney

Attorney at Law Kerrie Feeney will present an overview of the Guardianship process in Washington State and how to provide for your special needs child in your will.

C: Methods of Teaching Social Skills: Dr. Steve Becker

Looking for new ways of teaching social skills to your child or teen? This interactive session offers practical suggestions on how to write social skill goals into IEP’s, evaluating needs for training, specific methods for teaching friendship skills and suggestions for how to help your child stay out of trouble.

D: It’s So Much Work to be Your Friend: Helping Children With Special Needs Find Social Success : Rick Lavoie

Rick Lavoie provides powerful strategies for teaching friendship skills in the classroom, the home front and the community. You will explore the causes and consequences of “social incompetence” and then gain field-tested advice on how to help children work through daily social struggles and go from being picked on and isolated to becoming accepted and involved. Specific strategies will be provided that will enable parents and teachers to better understand – and solve—the child’s social obstacles.

12:00-1:00—Lunch

1:00-2:30:

A: How to Talk to Your Teen about Sex: Dr. Steve Becker

What are the best ways to talk about sex? This practical workshop discusses basic concepts of human sexuality, levels of intimacy, appropriate sexual behavior, sexual issues and ways to prevent problems.

B: Turning Enabling Actions into Facilitating Actions: Dr. Nancie Payne

Immersed in the care and nurturing of an individual who has learning or attention disabilities, it is easy to fall into the role of enabler. Too often enabling behaviors, while well-meaning, prevent individuals from achieving the necessary self-determination and self–advocacy skills.

C: Guardianships, Wills & Trusts: Kerrie Feeney

Attorney at Law Kerrie Feeney will present an overview of the guardianship process in Washington State and how to provide for your child with special needs in your will.

D: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resources in Washington State: Lauren Kimball

In the U.S. today, one in ten children suffer from a mental disorder severe enough to cause some level of impairment. This session will outline how families can navigate mental health resources in their local communities.

2:30-2:45: Break

2:45-4:15:

A: Disability Laws in Washington State that Protect Your Rights: Juanita Soto

This session will cover RCW 49.60 and the regulations relating to various areas of jurisdiction such as housing, employment and places of public accommodation as they pertain to disability. The training will include reasonable accommodation, reasonable modification and service animals. Attendees will obtain a basic knowledge of their civil rights and responsibilities.

B: Collaboration—Parents and Professionals Partnering Successfully! Cathy Callahan-Clem

This presentation teaches how to comfortably and effectively create and sustain partnerships between families and professionals-particularly as this applies to multiple systems with whom most special education student’s families must collaborate.

C: Mental Health Transformation—Hopes and Dreams for Youth and Families: Jeanette Barnes, Tamara Johnson, Dawn Grosz & Ryan Orelich

We will present a panel discussion with audience interaction sharing how the foundation for partnerships/relationships with the many systems, including the varying levels of education, touches our families and youth’s lives. How these partnerships/relationships have begun to bring about transformation of mental health supports and services to best meet the needs of children, youth and families in Washington State.

D: Discipline and the Special Needs Child—A Toolbox for Parents: Curtis Dennis & Ron Jaeger

Parents, caregivers, and professionals will learn about two specific parenting techniques that have been very successful in gaining skills to have fewer meltdowns, less stress in the home, and less stigma. We will cover the difference between them, as well as common mistakes to avoid, maximizing the positive effects.

6:00: Reception, You Make a Difference Awards, & Silent Auction

Saturday, May 30, 2009

8:30-10:00: Keynote: Lessons from Jed: Spencer Hatton

This is presented from a uniquely different perspective, that of a father. It talks about what it means for a father to raise a child with special needs, about the dreams that are lost, the heartaches that are felt and the wonderful joy of seeing your child overcome so many obstacles that have been placed in their way. The speech interweaves the family’s experiences through the medical and educational system. Spencer, a columnist and newsroom editor for the Yakima Herald-Republic, has written extensively about issues dealing with families who care for children with special needs.

10-10:15—Break

10:15-11:45

A: Safe and Strong: Don & Nancy Martin

This session will provide an opportunity for the participants to preview a video curriculum designed to replace vulnerability with knowledge and safety training. Safety in the Community will teach you how to keep safe and strong in the community with key information presented in an easy to understand way. Home Alone: Safe and Secure teaches basic home safety including how to prevent entrance or assault, when to call 911 and what to say.

B: Emergency Readiness for children with Special Health-care Needs: Julie Finholm & Cassie Johnston

Please join us in an interactive panel discussion and presentation about emergency preparedness and the special needs child.

C: Four Voices of Autism: Hal Hunsaker, Matthew Just, Cameron Miller, Anders Nelson, Amanda St. John

Four young adults, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, share information correct misconceptions and provide hope to parents and families regarding Autism.

D: What if I Missed Something? Transition Musts!: Tracy Jess

Transition out of school can be very stressful. Employment & college are the most common things thought of in transition, but these are just a piece of what needs to be considered. Knowing what needs to be addressed and when it should be addressed are the keys to making transitions smooth and less stressful for everyone.

11:45—Closing

Contact PAVE for more information. Call 253-565-2266 (v/tty) or1-800-572-7368 (v/tty) or by email: pave@washingtonpave.com.