8:30 am

1. Vision Related Learning Problems by Dr. Tom Cunningham

                  St. Louis’ Dr. Cunningham will cover the underlying vision problems that are expressed as learning difficulties.  He believes that a great percentage of learning problems have a visual component that can be treated. He will share a series of drills and visual exercises that greatly reduce or eliminate the disability.

2. Therapeutic Listening by Carrie Salyer, Occupational Therapist

                  Does your child have trouble understanding verbal directions? Does your child seem unusually disorganized? Learn about this relatively inexpensive auditory therapy that has helped so many with their listening skills, motor coordination, attention and sensory processing skills.

9:45 am

1. The Autism Spectrum and Oxidative Stress: A Roadmap for Effective Treatment  by Dr. Bill Walsh, Founder and Director of the Pfeiffer Institute

Much of the recent research in autism has concentrated on the role of oxidative stress. This has led to advanced biochemical therapies. Dr. Walsh’s presentation will summarize important new research findings and novel effective therapy approaches. These include changing dietary habits and adding important nutrients. It is becoming increasingly clear that autism involves a brain that hasn’t completed the process of maturation. There will be a 15 minute question and answer period at the end.

2. Ask a Speech Therapist by Leaps and Bounds Speech Therapist

                   Does your child say some sounds incorrectly? Does speaking seem to be difficult? Is there improvement over time? Do the patterns stay the same? Are you wondering if your child would benefit from speech therapy? Are you even sure what speech therapy is? Leaps and Bounds Speech Therapist, Jaime, will be in the small room in the Special Needs Area to answer any questions you may have about speech therapy.

11:00 am

1. Nutrient Therapy for Depression and Bipolar Disorder by Dr. Bill Walsh, Founder and Director of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center

                    What is the nutrition connection?  A lack of essential nutrients affects mood, behavior, development and mental illness.  The most common biochemical deficiencies will be described.  Dr. Walsh will explain the important role of nutrients in brain chemistry. He will also summarize nutrient therapy approaches aimed at improved functioning and reduced medication. The Pfeiffer Center has treated over 20,000 patients.

2. St. Louis County Special School District Home School Programs by Kim Perry 

                     Special School District offers programs to assist home schoolers with special needs. In an objective manner, Kim provides all the information you need to know to use -or not to use- SSD. She explains the options available, the intake process, parental rights, and more.

1:30 pm

1. Nutrient Therapy for ADD/ADHD and Behavior Disorders by Dr. Bill Walsh, Founder and Director of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center

                    The Pfeiffer Treatment Center has amassed the world’s largest collection of blood and urine chemistry data for these disorders. They have identified the primary biochemical abnormalities associated with ADD/ADHD and behavior disorders. You don’t want to miss Dr. Walsh’s presentation. He will describe individualized non-drug nutrient therapy and outcome studies that illustrate this treatment approach.

2. Deaf Discussion Group by Mary Broudeaux

                    Join Mary in discussing issues surrounding having deaf home schooled children.

3:00 pm

1. Auditory Processing by Ken Schmidt, Founder and Director and Home Remedial Services

                  Academic learning depends upon “give and take” between teachers and students. Good communication depends upon how efficiently the brain processes what it hears. Auditory processing difficulties are often present even in children with “normal” hearing.  What are the symptoms of auditory processing difficulties? What can be done about such deficiencies? Ken Schmidt will answer these questions and more.

2. Attachment - Getting Your Child’s Heart by Patty Yager, M.O.M.

                  It is God’s design for us to be in a close relationship with our children. But sometimes due to medical problems, unplanned trauma, family disruptions, and overworked mommies these relationships become strained. If you have a child that is adopted and/or has patterns of lying, cheating, violence, anger, controlling behaviors, familiarity with strangers or video/computer/television addiction, you won’t want to miss this talk. Patty Yager will discuss the tools needed to repair your God-given relationship with your child.

4:30 pm

1. Reading Problems by Ken Schmidt, Founder and Director of Hope Remedial Services

                     Why is it that children with normal intelligence, good attitudes, and great work ethics have difficulty learning to read?  Reading is a complex task, and certain foundational skills must be firmly in place for reading abilities to develop normally.  What are those foundational skills and what can be done if they are not sufficiently developed?

2. My Child Won’t do His Work – What can I do? by Patty Yager, M.O.M.

                      The Bible says “Whatever you do, do heartily as for the Lord…” Col.3:23 Do you have a child who won’t do his work? Does he complain a lot? Is it impossible to get your child to do his chores? Are you tired of asking? Begging? Pleading? Threatening? Does you child complain about his work? Come learn some hands-on ideas from veteran home schooler, Patty Yager, for getting you children to work cheerfully.

Saturday, March 31st

8:30 am

1. Practical Answers in a Day-To-Day Setting For Children with ADD / ADHD by Margaret Porch

                      This talk will provide parents with some hands on ideas to help children who struggle to stay on task when doing schoolwork.  This session will also address methods to employ to help kids who do not respond well to workbooks and seat work in general.  Handouts will be provided that will list a number of techniques that home school moms have employed successfully when dealing with kids who would rather do anything than sit still and work.

2. Special Needs Panel with Kim Perry, Wendy Dickens-Bradshaw, Lurlean Hayes, Faye Dilday and Patty Yager

                      There are home school moms out there who have gone through what you’re going through. With prayer they have found answers. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask them questions about their successes.

9:45 am

1. Sensory Processing: The Foundation for Learning and Life Skills by Carrie Salyer

                       Sensory Processing is a neurological process that occurs in every nervous system.  It helps us learn about the world around us.  When an individual has inefficient sensory processing, then daily life activities can become challenging.  Activities such as sitting to pay attention, writing, reading, and interacting are affected by the nervous system’s ability to process sensory information.  This seminar will define sensory processing, discuss signs of sensory processing disorder, and identify strategies to facilitate your child’s learning and life skills.

2. Personal Experiences with the National Association of Child Development by Lori Cobb

                       Home school mom, Lori Cobb and others will share positive experiences with the NACD, an organization that evaluates children and sets up a parent-guided home therapy program to enhance development.

11:00 am

1. Sensory Processing, Part 2: What now?  Strategies to Promote Learning and Life Skills by Carrie Salyer, O.T.

                        Recognizing that your child might have sensory processing disorder is the first step in understanding his learning style.  In the second part of this seminar, licensed occupational therapists will provide you with strategies and activities that can be incorporated into your daily routines and lessons.  These strategies will help your child organize his nervous system to promote learning and other daily life activities.

2. Down’s Syndrome Discussion Group with Steve Demme and Lori Cobb   

1:30 pm

1. New Approaches in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders by Dr. Amy Davis, Internist

                       Discussion of nutritional concerns, vitamins and supplements, biomedical treatment, food allergies, various therapies, detoxification and more. Kids that have taken this approach have had significant recoveries.

2. Arranging Your Special Needs Curriculum by Kelli Kellen

                        Long time teacher, Kelli Kellen, will discuss how to narrow in on your special needs curriculum vision, various curriculums that work well for special needs and practical everyday solutions for success.

3:00 pm

1. Alternatives to Drugs when Treating ADD and ADHD by Dr. Amy Davis  

                        Is it possible to get rid of ADD/ADHD without drugs? Don’t miss a Christian doctor, Dr. Davis’ discussion of this topic. She will address food allergies, vitamins, enzymes, biomedical treatment, and detoxification as a means of healing the body.

2. Reading Discussion Group with Kris Nettles and others

                      Would like to share ideas that have worked for you? Would you like to learn what others have figured out? If so, join Kris Nettles and other home school moms to discuss the issues surrounding reading.

4:30 pm

1. Visual Disabilities by Ken Schmidt, Founder and Director of Hope Remedial Services

                     Most of usable information in academic learning reaches the brain through the eyes.  It is possible to have visual problems even when visual acuity is 20/20.  What are the symptoms of visual disabilities? What specifically are the various breakdowns in eye functioning? And how can those disabilities be improved or corrected? Ken Schmidt will address these issues.

2.  5 Minute Perceptual Motor Activities that Organize the Brain by Patty Yager

                     Movement is so important to academic learning because it does keep our brains working properly. Learn some quick and easy movements that fit easily into your daily schedule.