This session will explore strategies for supporting young children to participate in STEM inquiry experiences. All children benefit from building the problem-solving and critical thinking skills used in STEM learning, but we need to plan and create UDL-friendly environments to support their participation and learning. Dr. Stone-MacDonald will provide ideas and resources that families can use to support learning at home while having fun at the same time (and early childhood educators will gain valuable ideas too!). Read More
When we evaluation bilingual children who are suspected of having DLD, it is important to consider both languages. Yet, given the shortage of bilingual SLPs it is important to know what we can glean from testing in one language and how reliable that information might be given children’s level of exposure to their home language and the school language. Dr. Elizabeth Peña will talk about instances in which we can make fairly good diagnostic decisions when testing in English and how the home language can be considered in making diagnostic decisions. Read More
Referencing practical guidance from her book, Let's Talk, and podcast, Let's Talk about Super Special Kids & Cake, expert Rhea Paul, Ph.D., CCC-SLP will present several ways for SLPs, particularly those working with young children, to talk with parents about language stimulation, behavior management, and family inclusion for their children with disabilities. Read More
Build the self-determination skills of an individual with a disability by assisting him or her in setting short-term goals. With so many schools being conducted virtually, students with disabilities may be struggling to make sense of their new home-school environments. Helping them take charge of each day by setting and working toward a goal could help relieve anxiety and increase productivity– in both students and adults! Read More
Comprehension is a complex task that involves multiple processes and skills. Informed instruction is only possible when educators understand how written language conveys meaning. Take a few minutes and check your comprehension fitness with this coffee chat from Nancy Hennessy, M.Ed. Read More
In this coffee chat school psychologist Ondine Gross will discuss how to facilitate restorative teacher-student mediation—an easy, evidence-based intervention that reduces disciplinary actions and promotes wellness in a school community. She will share how restorative mediation brings the teacher and student together in a positive meeting to model social, problem solving, and communication skills. Read More
This presentation, led by Louise Spear-Swirling, Ph.D., will focus on three common patterns of reading difficulties that are based in the “simple view of reading.” These patterns include specific word recognition difficulties; specific reading comprehension difficulties; and mixed reading difficulties, in which the student has difficulties involving both areas, word recognition and comprehension. Each profile and its implications for instruction will be discussed. Read More
In this coffee chat school psychologist Ondine Gross will discuss how to facilitate restorative teacher-student mediation—an easy, evidence-based intervention that reduces disciplinary actions and promotes wellness in a school community. She will share how restorative mediation brings the teacher and student together in a positive meeting to model social, problem solving, and communication skills. Read More
This session will focus on the translation of student engagement strategies from typical classroom settings to a virtual instruction environment. Emphasis will be placed on virtual means of providing students with Opportunities to Respond, student acknowledgement and encouragement procedures to enhance student motivation, as well as methods to engage students in virtual communication about course content. Read More
This session will review practical suggestions for how to support grieving students and make helpful academic accommodations. Read More
