LDA of IN August 2018 Newsletter

Learning Disabilities Association

of Indiana

INsider Newsletter

August 31, 2018 Volume 23 Issue 6

In This Issue

A Word from the President
2018 LDA Annual Conference Speakers and Keynote Flyer
Conference at a Glance
Conference Breakout Sessions
Conference Registration Link
Submit an Award Nomination for 2018
LDA's New Privacy Policy
2018 LDA of Indiana Advertising Information
Meet the LDA Board Members
Attend the Board Meeting on October 6th

A Word from the President

Over the past months, the LDA of Indiana Board has been busy completing the program for the November 2nd Annual Conference. We have planned an exciting conference and one that has a different format which we hope will maximize the day!

Our keynote speaker is Rick Lavoie. He has been in the field of special education for over forty years as a teacher, school administrator, university professor, and consultant. In fact, he has provided consulting services related in Learning Disabilities and Special Education to over 400 school organizations across forty-two states. He has received many accolades and awards for his important work in the field of learning disabilities. We are very pleased to have Rick presenting both morning and afternoon keynotes: you will learn so many ideas and strategies that you will be able to take with you to your home and classroom. As stated on his website, Rick will indeed provide wonderful "Information and inspiration for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities."

A s our luncheon speaker, we welcome Meg Edwards. Within her theme, Meg's Mirror Message, she will present an in-depth and insightful look into how learning disabilities can affect self-esteem. Meg is a contestant and titleholder for the Miss America Organization has chosen learning disabilities as her official platform, pairing the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization with Meg's Mirror Message. She writes:

Partnering with the Indiana chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association of America has helped me to develop my platform and share my experiences with their organization... Given this opportunity I will make a difference by changing the way those with disabilities view themselves.

Along with these great keynote speakers, we have included breakout sessions covering an interesting variety of topics including writing, music therapy, school transitions, and the Indiana Department of Education proposed regulations for implementing SEA 217, examining the new requirements focusing on dyslexia.

Patty Useem

Mark your calendars - November 2, 2018 at the Ritz Charles - and join us for the Learning Disability Association of Indiana

44th Annual LD & ADHD Conference

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

LDA of Indiana has a New Address

Please use the following address for communications via mail.

PO Box 2452
West Lafayette, IN 47996

Paid Advertisement

Follow the link to print the flyer to share with others.

LDA Flyer--2018 Conference

2018 LDA Conference at a Glance

Schedule

8:00-9:00

Registration in Hallway Alcove; Continental Breakfast in Room E

9:00-11:00

Morning Keynote

Keynote Address: Rick Lavoie, It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success"

The average American child spends less than 5% of his waking hours in the classroom. The vast majority of his time is spent in social situations...in the hallways, in the lunch room, on the bus and in the neighborhood on evenings and weekends. This presents a particular challenge for children with learning disabilities who often experience isolation and rejection by their peers. The majority of people with learning disorders have marked difficulty perceiving, understanding and responding to social situations. Rick will describe the link between academic problems and social skills and will provide specific, field tested strategies that parents, teachers, coaches, caregivers, and other professionals can use to assist students in gaining peer acceptance, developing age-appropriate social skills, and ensuring the child's social success.

11:15-12:15

Breakout

Session I

Pathways Through the School Maze

Patricia Useem, LD Specialist, Education Solutions of Indiana

Improving Writing Outcomes for Children with LD
Kelly Williams, Ph.D. Ass't Prof of Special Ed IN Univ, Bloomington

The Formula for a Successful IEP Lesa Paddack, INSOURCE Parent Liaison to the IN Dept. of Educ., Regional Supervisor

Indiana's New Dyslexia Screening Law Joseph Risch, M.A., BCBA Rdg Specialist Trained in Dyslexia, IN Dept of Educ.

12:15-1:15

Lunch

Luncheon Speaker: Meg Edwards, "Meg's Mirror Message: Encouraging Kids to Look in the Mirror and Love Who They See"

"By pairing "Meg's Mirror Message" with the Miss America Organization, I have connected with others as the girl who could give a voice to this social issue of self-confidence. I want to promote my platform and provide a living proof example that people living with learning challenges can do anything they set their mind to. I will show others that their goals are valid."

1:20-2:20

Breakout

Session II

An Introduction in the Classroom
Margaret Jessop, PsyD Child Psychologist

Using 'Growth-Minded' Feedback to Motivate Reluctant Writers
Lorna Timmerman, Ph.D.

Ball State Univ.

Skills for Effective Parent Advocates

Lesa Paddack, INSOURCE, Parent Liaison to the IN Dept. of Educ., Regional Supervisor

Music Therapy as a Motivational Tool for Students with LD

Kara Tucker, Board Certified Music Therapist, 'Sister Strings"

2:30-4:30

Afternoon

Keynote

Keynote Address: Rick Lavoie, "The Motivation Breakthrough: Secrets to Turning On the Tuned-Out Child"

Kids go to school for a living. They do it six hours a day. It is their job. Therefore, a child's performance in school becomes the child's identity and the basis of his self-esteem. Chronic school failure often causes a child to lose her motivation to learn. Teachers and parents find that traditional Motivation Strategies (reward systems, punishment, competition, etc.) are unsuccessful. This presentation describes an innovative motivation approach that was designed for children who struggle with learning. Rick will begin with an exploration of some of the common misconceptions related to student motivation and some of the common strategies that are, simply, ineffective (competition, reward systems, punishment). Specific approaches and strategies will be presented that will enable teachers and parents to motivate students...and maintain that motivation throughout the school year.

4:30	Pick Up Attendance Certificates at Registration Desk

Follow the link to print the conference program.

Please share with others who are interested.

2018 Conference at a Glance

LDA of IN Annual Conference

November 2, 2018

RITZ CHARLES CONFERENCE CENTER

CARMEL, INDIANA

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Session I 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

ROOM A	Pathways Through the School Maze PATRICIA USEEM, MA, President, LDA of Indiana LD Specialist, Private Practice Educational Solutions of Indiana It is often hard for families to navigate through the school system, ensuring along the way that their children are heading to graduation ... and then to a positive post-secondary experience. This session will explore the many transitions that students encounter, starting in primary grades and ending in high school. It is sometimes hard to identify what skills and abilities students need to develop: these include not only academic ones, but organizational and executive function ones. Then, as students transition from elementary to middle to junior high and finally to senior high school, there are many adaptations that need to be addressed. Both parents and teachers will learn strategies that are aimed at developing specific student skills for smooth transitioning.
B	Improving Writing Outcomes for Students with Learning Disabilities KELLY WILLIAMS, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Special Education Indiana University, Bloomington This session is designed for a variety of participants including elementary and secondary general and special educators who teach writing instruction to students with learning disabilities or those with difficulties with written expression. Participants will learn about the characteristics associated with writing difficulties, and how Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) can be used to improve written expression outcomes. Participants will also learn how to implement the different components of SRSD and will be provided with several examples of writing strategies that can be taught with SRSD.
C	The Formula for a Successful IEP LESA PADDACK INSOURCE Parent Liaison to the Indiana Dept. of Education Regional Program Specialist Supervisor This session will explore that many facets of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) case conference. The roles of the many players - the school personnel, the various therapists, parent advocate to name a few - will be discussed. Basic information about the IEP and dispute resolution are included. This session also helps parents identify issues of concern, organize documents, prepare information, and communicate effectively during the case conference. This information will help parents become their child's best advocate and build positive relationships with school personnel.
D	Information on the new "Dyslexia Law" Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 217 JOSEPH RISCH, M.A. BCBA Reading Specialist with training in Dyslexia Indiana Department of Education Learn about the new law, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb, which went into effect on July 1 and is expected to be implemented in Indiana public schools by the 2019-20 school year. The law creates a universal screening process to include dyslexia and to provide resources to help those who struggle with the condition. The new law will eventually require districts to hire at least one reading specialist trained in dyslexia. The presentation will give specifics on how schools can meet their obligations under the new law. Twenty percent of students in Indiana are living with dyslexia. The Mayo Clinic describes dyslexia as a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading because of problems relating speech sounds to letters and words. The Indiana Department of Education has hired a specialist in dyslexia, Mr. Joe Risch, whose job it is to plan for the implementation of the law, SEA 217/PL 95.

Session II 1:20 p.m.-2:20 p.m.

ROOM A	An Introduction to Mindfulness in the Classroom: How Imagination, Mindfulness, and Brain Science can Decrease Distraction Due to Negative Emotions Like Fear, Frustration and Anger. MARGARET JESSOP, PsyD Child Psychologist Margaret Jessop is the author of Hornets and Hippos: How to use Imagination, Mindfulness, and Brain Science to Decrease Fear and Anger and Reach Your Goals. In this session she will present definitions of mindfulness and beginner's mindset, and why these skills build self-awareness and emotional coping strategies. The fight or flight response will be described using brain science and imagination (Hornet in Your Brain) to learn what is happening in the body when we get reactive. Teachers and parents will able to incorporate basic mindful activities for home and in the classroom to help kids calm their body and stay on task. The session will also include a description of a four-step Mindful MEDS outline that can be incorporated in the classroom and at home. Because of the playful nature of Hornets and Hippos, kids relate to the information. All children benefit from mindful practices, but children with attention or learning disabilities may find it even more useful. Participants will receive a handout with strategies that can be used immediately.
B	Using 'Growth-Minded' Feedback to Motivate Reluctant Writers LORNA TIMMERMAN, Ph. D. Ball State University This session will focus the discussion on how to give effective, growth-minded feedback to reluctant writers. What can we say to motivate them to pick up the pencil in the first place? And, once they have begun (say a rough draft), how can we best word the feedback we give in order to encourage them to keep at it and work to improve their written expression skills? These strategies will benefit teachers and parents of middle and high school students, although the same strategies would also work with younger students.
C	Skills for Effective Parent Advocates LESA PADDACK INSOURCE Parent Liaison to the Indiana Dept. of Education Regional Program Specialist Supervisor How to be an effective parent advocate for your child: This training is designed to help parents feel more comfortable in the role of advocating for their child at school. Participants will learn what advocacy means, how to improve their advocacy skills, learn to use six skills for effective advocacy, and learn the importance of being organized and using clear and effective communication.
D	Music Therapy as a Motivational Tool for Students with LD KARA TUCKER Board Certified Music Therapist "Sister Strings," partnering with Creative Pathways In this session, Kara will discuss how music can be used in daily activities as a motivational tool for individual students and how music therapy can be utilized effectively in a classroom setting. She will explain the use of music activities to strengthen goal areas, as transition cues throughout the day, and as a strategy to teach educational subject matter. Participants will learn also how music can influence the home setting, including facilitating family bonding, simplifying family scheduling, and as a reward. Kara will show how music can be soothing, relaxing, and used as a coping strategy. She will explain the concept of her own program, "Sister Strings," and its goals: communication skills, social skills, cognitive skills, confidence building, creative expression, coping strategies, motor skills, body awareness/image, and coordination/guitar technique. Lessons are student driven to promote learning guitar and music skills while also learning other life skills for the betterment of each student.

Follow the link to print the descriptions of Breakout Sessions.

2018 Breakout Sessions

Follow the Link Below to Register for the Conference

2018 LDA Conference Registration Form

We are now accepting nominations for the 2018 AWARDS!

Who do you know that deserves the award?

Submit your nomination today below!

2017 Award Winners

Learn, Dream, & Achieve Award This award acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of an Indiana high school or college student who has a learning disability or attention deficit disorder. 2017 Winner: Beverly Winters Cascade High School, Clayton
Amy Forshey Memorial Excellence in Education Award This award acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of an Indiana educational professional who excels in the field of learning disabilities and/or ADHD. 2017 Winner: Dr. Beth Tulbert Fortune Academy, Indianapolis
You Make a Difference Award This award acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of a community member or organization in Indiana that has been especially helpful to persons with learning disabilities and/or ADHD. 2017 Winner: Amanda Whybrew Kokomo Center Schools, Kokomo