Webinar Wednesday: ELLevating All: Overlapping Strategies for ELLs and students with SLD (including dyslexia)

PATINS Specialist, Amanda Crecelius, will provide resources and tools for English Language Learners (ELLs) and/or students with Specific Learning Difference (SLD), including dyslexia in this live webinar. This is an overview of overlapping strategies for promoting literacy for ELLs and students with SLD with a focus on how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can eliminate barriers for ELLs/students with SLD and all students. In the "ELLevating All" training, you will learn many helpful strategies, including the Literacy Building UDL Checklist - VICS

Visuals (Phonological Awareness) Interaction (Multisensory) Connections (Context & Culture)  Scaffolding (Gradual Release of Responsibility)

Date: October 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST/2:00 pm CST Target Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, English Language Teachers PGPs/ASHA Hours: Yes  To request this training at a different date and time, please email Amanda Crecelius

Webinar Wednesday: Dysgraphia? What is it anyway?

Is illegible handwriting why your child is failing school? Could the illegibility be a symptom of something else? In this presentation, learn how to differentiate dysgraphia in your discussions with the IEP team members.

This webinar with Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR/L and Dysgraphia Life took place on June 23, 2021. The full recording is archived above.

Cheri Dotterer, MS, OTR/L is an international speaker, author, and consultant who equips educators and therapists to help students succeed in school by overcoming the social-emotional trauma associated with illegible handwriting and dysgraphia.

Her book, Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect, has remained in the
Top 100 on Amazon since publication in Handwriting Reference and Learning Disabilities. It was also a Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards in 2019.

​Being an occupational therapist for 25 years, she has worked in many concentration areas. It wasn't until starting her own private practice that she found her passion. She has been an adjunct instructor at Penn State, Alvernia, and Misericordia Universities and has guest lectured at several other colleges throughout her career. She lives with her husband of 30 years. They have two adult children. She and her team seek to synthesize best practices surrounding dysgraphia, build community across all disciplines working with the students, and transform personal perspectives to empower lifelong learners.

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Resources mentioned in the Webinar:

For Parents:

Dotterer Dysgraphia Toolkit

Parent's Guide to Dysgraphia (FREE)


For Professionals:

Professional's Guide to Dysgraphia (FREE)

Dotterer Dysgraphia Method

2021 ATAC Virtual Assistive Technology & Community Living Summit

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) at Disability Rights New Jersey is hosting their 5th annual virtual AT Summit on September 23rd and 24th. This year's event includes over 45 sessions and 2 keynotes providing valuable information related to K-12 education, higher education, employment, and community living.  

Visit their conference website to see the sessions, keynote speakers,  schedule AND to register for your free ticket.

Motivational Monday: Back to School

 

This is Not About Me

 Take a look into the life of Jordyn Zimmerman- a 26-year-old non-speaking autistic woman. Spend time with her, her family, and others as they recount her experiences growing up. Follow her on her journey from running away from school when she was unable to communicate to finishing high school in a year and pursuing degrees in Education to improve the education system. While this documentary follows Jordyn’s experiences, they are similar to many others across the world. This Is Not About Me shows us what happens when we judge someone based on what they can or can’t say, and what can happen when educators foster an inclusive education culture by presuming competence.

                                         

               Meet Jordyn          Explore AAC & Autism

                                               Resources

Source: This Is Not About Me from This is not about me on Vimeo.

Back to School Tips

Schools across the country are reopening their doors and welcoming students. For parents of children with varying needs the start of the school year can prove to be a stressful time. Thoughts swirling if their children's needs will be met and if their child will succeed in their new environment, socially, emotionally and academically. The article linked here from LD Online puts together a list of eight helpful back-to-school tips that aim to make the transition into a new school year a little easier for parents and their children.