Happy Halloween

Webinar Wednesday: Supporting Students with Dyslexia: Standards, Accommodations, and Strategies

In this archived CTD webinar, AT Specialists Diana Petschauer and Kelsey Hall demonstrate AT tools to support students who experience dyslexia with regard to developing goals and choosing appropriate accommodations as part of students’ IEPs. Presenters also discuss interventions designed to close achievement gaps by providing well-researched programming that is explicit, systematic, and multi-sensory in nature, with plenty of opportunities for practice. (Click here to view the slides.)

Webinar Wednesday: Writing Strategies for the Reluctant Writer

In this archived CTD webinar, participants explore some of the reasons students develop a reluctance to express themselves in writing, among these is dysgraphia. Regina Richards, M.A., shares a variety of high-tech and low-tech strategies for reversing writing reluctance. Also discussed are handwriting, spelling, and information organization (generating ideas and planning/translating the ideas into written format). Learn proven strategies that may be immediately implemented. 

Get the presentation slides and handout.

Accommodating Students With Dyslexia

Dyslexia is one of the most common disabilities affecting approximately 1 in 5 individuals (see the previous WIA blogpost focusing on Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative). It does not reflect an overall defect in language, but a localized weakness within the phonologic module of the brain, which is where sounds of language are put together to form words or break words down into sounds. 

Often times individuals with dyslexia are mistaken as less cognitively intact while the truth is....most of the time these said individuals are of average to above average in intelligence and exceed in their creativity. Although we are living in 2018, schools are still not designed to be accessible for all learners and many educators are not provided the proper training to identify and tools to support dyslexic students. This ripple effect causes many students to go through their educational career compensating for their deficits, experiencing undue stress and prohibiting students from reaching their full potential. The underlying message here is knowledge and tools are powerful and impactful, which is why I am sharing the following article, Accommodating Students with Dyslexia by Jessica Hamman, focuses on five easy-to-implement accommodations that can make class less stressful and more manageable for students with dyslexia. 

Friday Appy Hour: Apple's Everyone Can Create Curriculum

Take the ZYX Challenge!

The ZYX Challenge is an idea that was created last spring by Jasleen Toor and friends all currently ninth graders living in New Jersey. They have created ZYX Challenge social media accounts for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with the goal of raising funds and awareness for IDA (International Dyslexia Association).

We ask each of you to take the Challenge and post it on social media.Encourage your kids, friends, and family to do the same.  It’s a fun and easy way to raise awareness and show your support.

Here’s how it works:

1. Make a video of your attempt to say the alphabet backwards in under 45 seconds. Open the video with a brief introduction such as “I’m taking the challenge to support the millions of kids in schools who struggle daily with dyslexia.”
2. If you make a mistake or are unable to complete the challenge, make a donation to IDA on this page: http://idysa.convio.net/goto/zyxchallenge
3. Challenge another person to do the same and post it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtags #ZYXChallenge and #UntilEveryoneCanRead

Get ready…ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA!

Webinar Wednesday: How Do I Develop Switch Skills?

DATE:

October 17, 2018, 02:00 pm CST - 60-minutes

TITLE:

How Do I Develop Switch Skills?

DESCRIPTION

You have selected an optimal switch site and switch type. How do you help the student to develop switch competence? This webinar will present strategies to increase the student’s ability to use a switch effectively.

COST:

FREE

PRESENTER:

MICHELLE LANGE

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

About the presenter

Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle is an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 10 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide, editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed., NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of Directions magazine. Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA. Michelle is a member of the Clinician Task Force. Michelle is a certified ATP, certified SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA. 

5 Important Steps to Navigating Dyslexia

Navigating and then overcoming the challenges that many individuals with dyslexia experience is a process that requires both time and patience. What's more, a vital approach that tames the turbulence is revealing and addressing inherent weaknesses while embracing the many gifts that come with this diagnosis. The article, What are the 5 Important Steps to Navigating Dyslexia by Dr. Erica Warren, focuses on strategies to help professionals and parents help guide dyslexic students to achieve success and reach their potential. Click the link below to read more in details about the steps to navigate dyslexia. 

5 Important Steps to Navigating Dyslexia Article

Source: https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/

Motivational Monday

Dyslexia Facts

The Creative Brilliance of Dyslexia | Kate Griggs | TEDxBrighton

Even in 2018, there are many misconceptions and lack of awareness when it comes to dyslexia. The month of October is dedicated to bringing awareness to dyslexia to help empower those living with dyslexia and educate those working with students with dyslexia.

The following TEDx Talk featuring Kate Griggs helps us to re-think our perception in dyslexia and to change the way we approach learning differences in our day-to-day lives. Kate is passionate about helping the world understand dyslexia as a different way of thinking, not a disadvantage.

In 2005 Kate founded dyslexia charity Xtraordinary People, uniting the UK dyslexia charities and devising and leading a high-profile campaign, which culminated in the UK government’s Dyslexia Review. Kate was given an award by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in recognition of her campaigning work. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Webinar Wednesday: Feature Match...What's That?

DATE:

October 04, 2018, 12:00 pm CST - 60-minutes

TITLE:

Feature Match… What’s That?

DESCRIPTION:

As a key component of an Assistive Technology Assessment, Feature Match, is often misunderstood, misused, or missed completely in the process of a consumer receiving an unbiased and full-scoping AT evaluation. Often consumers are met with AT tool recommendations based upon the knowledge base of their local assessor, rather than the consumers own full range of abilities and needs being matched to the features that are available throughout a wide range of products that are available throughout the marketplace. AT and Rehabilitation Technology providers do not always need to know ALL of the products that are available, but they do need to know how to do a proper Feature Match process and how to search for products beyond their immediate toolbox. Join Kirk and Kelly to explore these options and receive a full set of feature match charts that are composed to range a wide variety of AT areas.

COST:

FREE

PRESENTERs:

KIRK BEHNKE

 & 

KELLY FONNER

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

About the presenters

Kelly Fonner, MS

Kelly Fonner, MS is a self-employed consultant and trainer in assistive and educational technology. She has a BS in Special Education from Millersville University & an MS in Educational Technology with emphasis in Rehabilitation/Special Education Technology from The Johns Hopkins University. Her continuing education & research is in the area of Adult Education & Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She holds an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate of Learning from California State University - Northridge. Kelly has been a teacher, para-educator, instructional media specialist, assistive technology specialist in early education, school & university settings. She has worked for a statewide AT project & has been an instructor in university courses.

Kirk Behke, M.Ed., ATP

Kirk was the Director of Technical Assistance for the National Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Center at CAST where he supported the delivery of universal, targeted & intensive technical assistance & learning opportunities regarding accessible educational materials & accessible technologies. He has presented internationally on AT, Web Tools & UDL for over 25 yrs. His passion is helping to facilitate excellence in learning for all, whether in a classroom, lecture hall or presentation room. His greatest accomplishment was developing & implementing the “AT Applications Certificate Program (ATACP)” at CA State U, Northridge (CSUN). He holds a Master’s from Temple University in Education/Special Education, a credential as an AT Professional from the Rehabilitation & Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) & a Certificate in AT Applications from the University College of Dublin, Ireland. He was the former Lead for the Texas AT Network at Region 4 ESC.

Myths and Truths About Dyslexia

Source: https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/

Motivational Monday