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Struggling Learner / Gifted Learner / Special Needs Seminar Schedule Updated
4-7-10
Friday, April 9, 2010 10:00 - 11:00 am Room 300: Dianne Craft - Identifying
and Correcting Blocked Learning Gates This is for your ‘puzzling child'. A child may be a reluctant
learner for several reasons. If you have a bright, hardworking child who has to work too hard to learn,
he is telling you that one or more of his Four Learning Gates is blocked. This workshop will help you identify which
of the learning gates is blocked, and, more importantly, what you can do about it at home! It doesn't have to be so
hard for your child! Find out specifically how the brain processes information, and where that processing can break
down. Then, receive the corrections for each processing area. This can be done by the parents, at home.
You will learn things you have never heard of before in a Homeschool workshop. A homeschooling mom with a Ph.D. in special
education said that she learned more in this workshop about how kids learn and how to make learning easier, than she had in
all her university courses! Room 311: Joan Brennan - Practical Ideas, Teaching Strategies,
and Teaching Tools for the Special Needs Child You want very much to meet the needs of your struggling learner.
What can you do to accomplish this? Learn how you can effectively teach your special needs child/struggling learner
using strategies, tools, and other resources for more learning success. Room 313: Vicky Servi
- Challenging Gifted Children to Their Full Potential Gifted children have a wide range of abilities and emotional
needs. They need to be challenged and mentally stimulated to reach their full potential. Learn ways to motivate,
encourage creativity, increase depth and complexity of curriculum, use Socratic Questioning to challenge, develop and strengthen
cognitive abilities, and teach problem-solving skills. Add logic, reasoning, and critical thinking activities to your
curriculum to engage your child in deeper thinking and more effective learning. Discover activities to exercise all
parts of the brain - brain building fun! Teach your children to use logic to analyze and evaluate evidence in order
to create a deeper understanding of what is being learned and to foster better communication skills. A child that has
a deeper understanding of the subject and who can distinguish between valid and invalid arguments inevitably becomes a better
communicator. Expand your child's mind to think in new ways and to search for the logic and reasoning behind the correct
answers rather than asking your child simply to know the correct answers. Lunch Break 11:00 -12:30
p.m. Friday, April 9, 2010 12:30 - 1:30 pm Room 300: Dr. Matthew E. Worth,
DC: Neurology of Learning Disabilities - Why Does My Child Struggle With Learning? Understanding the
struggles that their child has goes a long way in helping parents homeschool their children. Answers to
questions such as "Why can't she catch on to reading?", or "Why does he act this way?", or "Why can't
he learn his math facts?" come to light as Dr. Worth presents a review of the mechanisms ("what areas of the brain
are affected" and "what areas are not working appropriately") of various learning disabilities including reading
& comprehension difficulties, as well as autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and OCD. He will demonstrate how the brain
is working in these learning and behavioral difficulties by showing functional MRI's and SPECT imaging of the brains of people
diagnosed with these disorders. Parents can then see how their children's brains might be responding in comparison to
brain responses in children without learning or behavioral struggles. He will then explain, in layman's terms, what
is going on neurologically so that parents can better understand their child's struggles and will better be able to determine
the best course of action for their child. Dr. Worth will also offer some great ‘take home' ideas to use with
your kids and will talk about some of the current treatments available, addressing which ones are the most effective.
Room 311: Patty Yager - The Adopted Child - Barriers to Learning It is not
uncommon for an adopted child to come home with educational challenges. Patty Yager will discuss the most common stumbling
blocks to learning in the adopted child, how to tell root of the problem, and what can be done. This session will be half
lecture and half question and answer period. Room 313: Lauri Robins - Using Thinking Skills
Games in Gifted Education Explore the benefits of hands-on learning! We now know that by exercising our brains
throughout our lives, we can build new connections that result in stronger critical thinking skills when we are young and
will protect our minds from decline as we age. In this presentation, you will learn what research is telling us about gifted
kids and families. You will hear about the common learning styles that often accompany giftedness. You will discover how tactile
puzzles, games, and learning tools can provide the pace, complexity, and independence that your bright kids crave. You will
find out why diversity matters. You will see how you can strengthen your homeschooling curriculums by including hands-on puzzles
and games that will provide daily "brain fitness" for you and your family. You will be inspired to develop a life-long
love of puzzles and games in your children and yourselves! Friday,
April 9, 2010 2:00 - 3:00 pm Room
300: Dianne Craft - Smart Kids Who Hate to Write If you have a child who groans and fusses about writing,
or still writes reversals, or spells a word orally correctly but leaves out letters when he writes, this workshop is for you!
This child's math papers are so hard to read because they are lined up so poorly! These children are often thought of
as sloppy, lazy, or unmotivated, when they really have a writing glitch. They are using way too much energy for the writing
process, thus are reluctant to put pencil to paper for anything. This often is a true Dysgraphia. The writing
learning gate is the most common gate that is blocked with gifted kids. They know so much, but just can't get their
thoughts down because of this blocked learning gate. In this workshop you will be shown a daily exercise you can do
with your child to get the writing into his ‘automatic' brain hemisphere, and take the stress out of his writing system.
This exercise is used throughout the United States by athletes! Room 311: Marlene Barron,
OT - The Misunderstood Child - Adopted Kids and Sensory Processing Is your adopted child overly picky? Does
his/her inflexibility interfere with activities in and out of the home school environment? Does your child need to know the
schedule from dawn to dusk? Is your child emotionally volitle? Does he/she not enjoy a good hug or simple hygiene tasks? Your
child may have a difficulty known as sensory defensiveness. Come and hear about this challenge and treatment techniques that
can support your child to be an effective learner. Room 313: Rene Hayes - You
Can Successfully Homeschool Your Special Needs Child - Part 1 Are you thinking about homeschooling or already
doing it and feeling lost? Wondering where to start and gain your footing? In a practical way we will cover how to determine
goals and break them down into real steps you can manage, current methodologies that will work with any child, great resources
- how and where to find them, and how to home school a special needs child without blowing your budget or draining your retirement
account. Friday, April 9, 2010 3:30 - 4:30 pm Room 300:
Dianne Craft - Teaching the Right Brained Child, Part 1 Half of the population is right brain
dominant, and half is left brain dominant. You may have a right brain learner in your midst. These wonderful children
learn in a different manner than their left brain siblings. If you have a child who does not "like'" school work
no matter what you do, you will learn much in this workshop. Parents say, "I can't believe it, but my child asks
to do spelling now." This happens when the child stores spelling words in his/her photographic memory. You
will learn how to identify the right brain child, and learn many simple teaching techniques, such as Right Brain Spelling,
(making the words "stick instead of slip") and Right Brain Reading. This is the method Dianne used in her
Resource room to help all of her students make a two-year gain in reading and spelling in one year! You can do this,
too. Watch your children become good spellers and readers by using a totally different strategy! Room
311: Jackie Worth - Educational Testing: The Tests , What They Test, and Does My Child Need Testing? Explore
the realm of educational testing and learn whether or not it will benefit you to have your child tested. Jackie will
go through some of the major tests that the school districts and private testers utilize when doing an educational assessment.
What do these tests actually tell you about your child's learning struggles? When are they necessary? Which ones
should you ask for if you have your child tested? Come and hear Jackie unravel some of the mysteries behind these tests. Room
313: Rene Hayes - You Can Successfully Homeschool Your Special Needs Child - Part 2 In very practical
ways we will cover how to make sensory needs work for you, unconventional ways to school and retain your child's attention,
making school relevant, pacing tasks to fit your child's needs, dealing with plateaus and regression, stretching your therapy
dollars, and the critical importance of life skills and friends-how both can help you and your child accomplish your goals.
Seminar Schedule for Saturday, April 10, 2010 Saturday, April 10, 2010 10:00 - 11:00 am Room 300:
Dianne Craft - Teaching the Right Brained child - part 2 Once you have identified your right brain learners,
become an expert at training those children to use their superior "photographic memory" in many areas of learning.
Teach your children the lifelong skill of studying for tests by taking a picture of the contents of a chapter. These
memory techniques are commonly used by Cambridge University students to reduce studying time. For some
children, math is a monster! They hate it and always feel dumb when doing it. Math is almost always taught in a left
brain manner. You can teach it in a right brain manner. These children have difficulty learning math facts.
They tend to do poorly on tests, because they ‘forget' how to do the math processes (division, fractions, algebra, etc.)
In this workshop you will learn how to help your child 1) finally store the math facts in their long term memory; 2) finally
store math processes in their long term memory. Your child will finally be able to pass the math tests to be able to
go on to the higher math courses using right brain math. No curriculum to purchase... just fast, effective, right brain
strategies to use at home to reduce math frustration and tears! So many moms report that their child now likes math! Room
311: Joan Brennan - Gifted Education on a Shoestring Do you have a gifted or talented child? Is
your child "Twice Exceptional?" Learn how you can adapt or differentiate the curriculum you already have to
meet your child's unique learning needs. Practical ideas will be offered for your immediate use. Room
313: Carrie Salyer, OT - Sensory Make and Take In this session, you will learn how to make a variety
of sensory tools that can be used throughout the day to enhance your child's attention and learning. You will actually
make items to take home and learn how and when to use them effectively. Lunch Break 11:00 -12:30 p.m.
Saturday,
April 10, 2010 12:30 - 1:30 pm Room
300: Steve Demme - Finding Hope and Redemption in the Valleys of Life This workshop is Steve's testimony
of the last twenty years as the father of a child with special needs. He shares what his family has learned as a result of
Johnny's disability, and the special, rewarding, and joyful role he has played in their lives. Even in the difficult experiences
of life, God proved faithful. His grace sustained them and brought good out of their struggles and disappointments. Room
311: Carrie Salyer, OT - Music and Learning - How Music Enhances Your Child's Learning Environment This
seminar will provide you with information about why and how to use music and rhythm to enhance your child's attention and
learning. Discussion will range from basic rhythmical strategies to therapeutic auditory programs. Room
313: Dr. Matthew Worth, DC - Addressing ADD/ADHD Dr. Worth has designed an interactive lecture that
will address the ever growing topic of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders. He will present pictures of functional
MRI's and SPECT scans of children with ADD/ADHD so parents can actually see how their child's brain responds as compared to
children without attention and/or hyperactivity problems. This presentation will include the breadth, depth and application
of ADD/ADHD, the most current research (published as well as "in the works"), effectiveness of available treatment
modalities, and insight into teaching techniques for these learners. Finally, Dr. Worth will send you home with ideas
and techniques to help your child improve his focusing abilities both with school work and in life activities in general.
Saturday, April 10, 2010 2:00 - 3:00 pm Room 300: Dianne Craft - Biology
of Behavior and Learning - Part 1 Johnny is a constant motion machine. Tom cries in frustration over
minor matters. Susie forgets what she has just learned. According to Dr. Sydney Walker, children tend to "act
how they feel". This fascinating workshop provides you with clues to your child's brain/body chemistry. Dr. Crook
has found that over 85% of children who suffer with Sensory Processing Disorders or attention or mood disorders when older
have experienced multiple ear infections as a young child. Untreated, these children often go on to have many hidden food
allergies and asthma. It is easy to correct these imbalances at home and dramatically affect your child's
learning day. The testimonies that we receive from parents across the United States who are using these simple remedies
with their children are amazing! Room 311: Jennifer Soerries - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - Encouragement
for Parents with Struggling Learners and Special Needs Children Psalm 139 declares that
each of our children are "fearfully and wonderfully made." God has given each child special gifts and callings,
and has fashioned them in unique ways. How do we co-labor with the Lord to bring forth the unique expression of His glory
through our child? Jennifer will share timeless and timely principles from God's Word and His heart to encourage and equip
you to "unwrap" and cultivate the gifts within your children. What is God's perspective for the struggling learner
and the special needs child? How do we adjust our dreams and our lives when God's plans are different than our own? If your
child can't remember Math facts or struggles to read, God still has powerful promises, purposes and plans for their life!
He calls you to be their biggest earthly advocate. Can children who "don't fit into the box" still succeed and fulfill
their destiny? The answer is a resounding, "YES"! Discover practical ways to build up your precious child, improve
their God confidence, and release their gifts, through the power of encouragement. What about us parents? God
is intimately acquainted with our weariness, weakness, doubts and fears. What about our fears for the future? Does God really
have a plan?
How do we find our strength in Him on those days when there is food coloring on the new couch, or gravel
in the blender?! He invites us to greater intimacy with and dependence on Him. This talk will be two-fold. There will be spiritual
and practical encouragement for parents to fill them with new hope and strength. There will also be principles and tips to
discovering and cultivating the special gifts within our children. Room 313: Katie Breneman
- Managing Problem Behaviors in Learning Why are kids engaging in problem behavior? From non-compliant
behaviors (such as not following instructions) to aggressive behaviors (such as hitting, kicking or biting), this seminar
sets out to help understand the basic principles of behavior based on the Applied Behavior Analysis Methodology, including
understanding why problem behavior is occurring, how to respond to the behavior, and how to prevent future behaviors from
occurring by using positive behavior supports. This seminar seeks to not only help audience members understand basic
principles of behavior, but also give practical pointers for working with problem behavior on a day-to-day basis. Though this
seminar is primarily geared toward working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, these behavior analytic principles
are beneficial to apply when working with anyone exhibiting problem behaviors. Saturday, April 10, 2010 3:30
- 4:30 pm Room 300: Dianne Craft - Biology of Behavior and Learning - Part
2 Remember when your mom told you that "fish is brain food"? The brain is 60% FAT. For the
brain "connections" to be made properly, proper fats are required. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADD, hyperactivity, and
Sensory Processing Problems may be conditions of essential fatty acid deficiency. Getting the protocol amounts of DHA every
day can make a huge difference in a child's speech fluency, mood, reading ability, and reactions to outside stimuli like loud
noises, clothing tags, and transitions. Get the real skinny on fats! Learn how to help your child feel better,
and thus act and learn better. New research is coming out every day on the role of fats and memory, mood, and learning
ability! It's also the number one cause of post-partum depression in moms, according to all the Harvard studies. Room
311: Vickie Servi - Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together Feeling overwhelmed? Confused about
where to start? We have so many options as parents and teachers: ABA, Sensory Integration, Neurodevelopmental
Techniques, Cognitive Brain Therapy, Right Brain Learning, RDI, Sound Therapy, and so much more... As a certified Educational
Consultant and a veteran homeschool mother of three children with very different learning abilities, I will share what I have
learned and used over the years and help you put the pieces of the puzzle together for your child. After all, no one
program or therapy is a "cure all" for any learning challenge or disability, just another piece of the puzzle to
help make learning and life easier for our children. Room 313: Katie Breneman
and parent panel - Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insight and Support from Parent You've got questions? We've
got answers. This seminar will give you the opportunity to ask questions to a panel of people with professional knowledge
and personal experience in working with children with special needs and children exhibiting problem behaviors. This
panel's knowledge and experience is primarily in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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