Track: Family, Community and Education
Special Education Law – The
New Face of IDEA and NCLB
Speakers: TBD
The new IDEA bill is now law and will be in full effect. How does it align with IDEA? What does it mean for you and your
loved ones? Do you know what
waivers are available in your state? This session will include everything that
you need to know.
Who Should Attend: Family members, Caregivers,
professionals
Track: Family, Community and Education
Physical Restraints & Seclusion
/ Behavior & Discipline / Positive Behavior Support
Speakers: TBD
Has your child been threatened with restraint, suspension or
expulsion due to behaviors in the educational setting? You do have rights and options. Do you know what they are? Do you know what to do or how to handle
such a situation should it arise?
This session will teach you what you need to know before now, before the
situation arises.
Who Should Attend: Family members, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
Inclusion/Mainstreaming/Least
Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Extended School Year (ESY) Options
Speakers: TBD
What does all this mean? Does my child have options or does the school system make
the call? Can I be involved in the
process? What/who determines the
best setting for my child? Why can’t
my child participate in an extended school year program?
Who Should Attend: Family members, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
Respite Care – Military
Specific
Speakers: TMA, Carmen DeLeon-Dingman
Although many of the respite resources available in civilian
world are also available to our military families, it has some differences and
must be obtained through different channels. Come and discover what it takes in order to obtain the
respite care you are entitled too.
Who Should Attend: Military personnel, family members
and military health care professionals
Track: Family, Community and Education
Transition & Post Secondary
Education – Does your child need an IEP or a Resume
Speakers: Catherine Burizio, Parent Advocacy Education Training Center
of Virginia
The Transition phase can be a difficult time for a special
needs family, but it is more easily navigated when it is planned for early
on. In this session, learn about
ways to promote self-determination, assist with developing micro-enterprises
and options to guardianship.
Who Should Attend: Family members, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
IEP Facilitation – Do you have
a SMART IEP
Speakers: Dr. Dave Spilik, MCEC Board Member and Superintendant of
Lackland ISD, Lackland, Texas
Across the country, externally facilitated IEP’s are
growing. A skilled and capable
facilitator can address conflicts and disagreements that may arise, while
developing a high quality IEP.
Find out more about this growing trend, and the difference between IEP
Facilitation and Mediation. Make
sure it holds up the following; is it Specific to the needs, contain
Measureable goals, does it contain Action words, are the goals Realistic and
Relevant, and is it Time limited?
If not, it may not be a SMART IEP.
Who Should Attend: Family members, Caregivers,
Teachers, Nurses, Therapists
Track: Family, Community and Education
Reaching the Media – YES WE
CAN, Interest the Media and Government
Speakers: Herb Drill - feature writer and editor of
www.NotAccessible.com, Jack Gillrup, ADA consultant, former chief of
Jacksonville's Disabled Services Division, former Social Security public
information officer, Charlie Patton – Florida Times Union
The physically and developmentally challenged population
controls $220 billion-plus in disposable income and spends $80 billion on
travel (source: Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality). Those expansive
figures don't even begin to account for the influence these people have on the
spending by family members, friends, and caregivers! Nonetheless, the
disability community broadcasts "muted voices" when it comes to good,
consistent national media coverage. Come hear some of the country's top
print, Internet, and academic journalism experts on disabilities provide
direction on how you can reach the media with newsworthy, important stories
related to your disabilities issues.
Who Should Attend: Family members, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
Coordination of Services for Parent
Resources
Speakers: Rhonda LaVenuta, DODEA
Do you know how to coordinate your services between school,
related services, medical services and community based services? Where to start, who to ask or
even …..what to ask? Let us help
you figure it out.
Who Should Attend: Parents, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
Section 504’s, MIP’s, IHP’s &
EHP’s…………oh my! What is all of
this?
Speakers: Ms. Amanda Hulsey, MCEC
Not all children will qualify for an IEP, but they may by
nature of their way of learning or health qualify under one of these other
plans. As a matter of a fact, some
children may transfer from one to another as a “safe hold” should start to
regress after coming off of an IEP.
Should your child be considered?
Find out.
Who Should Attend: Parents, caregivers, professionals
Track: Family, Community and Education
Dealing with Conflict – The
Special Needs Alliance & Academy of Special Care Planner Lawyers –
Know who to go to when Things aren’t Going Quite Right! For those who want to know!
Speakers: Bernie Krooks, ESQ., Special Needs Alliance
Are you dealing with adverse assumptions, but want to avoid
conflict at all possible cost?
Avoid crisis now. Speak
with the individuals that will tell you how.
Who Should Attend: Parents, Caregivers, Professionals
Track: Family, Community and Education
911 Disaster Preparedness –
Are you ready for an Emergency or Crisis
Speakers: TBD FEMA
Are you really prepared for a disaster if something should
happen? Do you have your Emergency
Preparedness Plan in place? Do the
local authorities know who you are and that someone in your home has a special
need? What would you do if they
came up missing? There are many
things to think about and with special needs, it just compounds the
matter. Let us help you plan.
Who Should Attend: Parents, caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
Preparing for the Move
Speakers: Mrs. Toni Hill, Board Member MCEC
We know longer live in a society that settles down and lives
quietly in a nice little house in suburbia and have lifelong friends that we
grow up with. We have become a
very mobile society! The latest
statistics show that an individual will change jobs at least 5 to 7 times in a
lifetime and move just as many, if not more (if you are military). Will your child’s IEP be accepted in
your new location or will you have to start the process all over again? Have you prepared your special needs
individual for that move and what do you do when you get there? How do you introduce them to
their new environment and make them feel safe and secure when you are uncertain
yourself?
Who Should Attend: Parents, caregivers, professionals
Track: Family, Community and Education
Early Intervention & Early
Childhood Education – From first “Burp” to the “IEP” (Part 1)
Speakers: Laura Gluhm, Early Intervention Specialist, USN, EDIS
This course will go into the depths of why early intervention
is so important from infancy to preschool. The presenters will tell you what signs to be looking for,
why pre-communication, play and nutrition are so important during these crucial
years of early development.
Who Should Attend: Parents, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
Early Intervention & Early
Childhood Education – From first “Burp” to the “IEP” (Part 2)
Speakers: Laura Gluhm, Early Intervention Specialist, USN, EDIS
This course will go into the depths of why early intervention
is so important from infancy to preschool. The presenters will tell you what signs to be looking for,
why pre-communication, play and nutrition are so important during these crucial
years of early development.
Who Should Attend: Parents, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
Starting at the Beginning: Nutrition,
Behavior and Learning
Speakers: Pam Schmidle, Early Childhood Specialist, Secondary Area -
Nutritional/Behavioral Effects on Learning
This session will address the importance of basic nutrition
in the home and in the school setting, and its effect on the child as a
Learner. The presenter will offer simple suggestions for changes in
the home, while sharing lessons learned through years of experience and
observation. An initial diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming for
parents, and all to often they turn to educators to 'cure' their
children without realizing that they themselves have the ultimate power to make
dramatic and exciting changes, as the best advocates for their own child.
This presentation will give guidelines to make those changes, both at home and
in school.
Who Should Attend: Parents, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
WWR - What's wrong with Mommy/Daddy
- Post War
Speakers: TBD
Mommy and/or Daddy come rushing home. The world is whole again! Or is it? Suddenly or gradually, mommy and/or daddy aren’t acting like
they did before. Something is
wrong. A child’s first thought is
generally that they have done something wrong to upset their parents, but they
haven’t done anything and the child doesn’t understand. How do you explain to a child that
mommy or daddy is suffering mentally from all that they have been through? Come listen to these experts explain
what you can do to help, how to explain it to the children and why it’s so
important to help them understand.
Don’t miss this event!
Who Should Attend: Parents, Caregivers
Track: Family, Community and Education
WWR - Who is eligible & Where to
obtain the type of medical/psychological assistance you require
Speakers: TBD
You know that while you’re in the service and/or military
hospital, assistance is available, but once you’re returned to light duty or no
duty at all, where do you go from there?
The Veteran’s Administration is there to help, but even they can only
provide so much assistance and you may require some type of assistance for the
rest of your life. Where to you go
after the initial assistance is gone?
Who do you turn to and how do you find them? Please don’t miss this exciting opportunity to take through
what may be the hardest thing in your life you’ll ever have to face!
Who Should Attend: Spouses, caregivers, physicians and
allied health care professionals
Track: Family, Community and Education
WWR - What to expect from your
spouse now (Statistics)
Speakers: TBD
Your spouse has returned from war and the “honeymoon” period
is starting to settle down. Life
is starting to settle back into a state of normalcy…………….but wait a minute………….something’s
not quite normal. Is it just an
adjustment period or could it be the early signs of Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) or perhaps even more?
You don’t know everything that you spouse has been exposed to during
their time away from you. “Shell
Shock”, “Brain Blast Injury”, do these sound familiar? Is it possible that they could be
suffering from a one or more of these maladies and you are totally
unaware? But wait, they went
through two weeks of desensitization; isn’t everything supposed to be ok
now? Know what signs to look for,
what’s normal in a time frame and when you seek assistance. Even if your spouse hasn’t been to war,
you’ll want to take this course, as you may never know when it may be you or
someone you know that need this important information; a friend, neighbor or
relative. Don’t miss this class!
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Track: Family, Community and Education
WWR - Employment / Training /
Educational opportunities
Speakers: Michael Reardon, America's Heroes at Work, Office of
Disability Employment Policy, Ron Drach of our Veterans Employment and Training
Services Office
You’ve returned from war and the wounds that you’ve
experienced, have left you unable to perform the job that you once did. What are you to do now? What options do you have for retraining
or education to become a productive member of society and what financial
assistance is available to you and your family while you go through this
retraining or education? Once you’ve
completed it, who is going to hire you?
Are there agencies to assist a disabled vet to locate a new position in
society? Come and find out who is
there to assist you when you need them the most!
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Track: Family, Community and Education
Special Needs Planning – What
is it and Why is it Imperative
Speakers: Joseph Eppy, CLTC, RIA, SCP, Ohio State University, BS in Business majoring in
Accounting. Joe is President of
Eppy Financial Group, Inc. founded in 1993. He is on the Advisory Board of the American Friends of
Hebrew University (AFHU), Foundation Board of B’nai Torah Congregation and an
active sponsor of National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) and Special
Olympics. Joe has given numerous
seminars on special needs planning throughout Flordia.
The lecture will cover protecting benefits, special needs
trusts, related documents and the financials that go into special needs
planning.
Who Should Attend: Anyone who closely interacts with a
person with a disability.
Track: Family, Community and Education
The Letter of Intent and Other
Pieces of the Puzzle
Speakers: Lary Bailey, SCP, Eastern Michigan University, BS, 1970. Lary entered the financial services
industry in 1991 and joined the Seymour Gill Financial Group in 2002 and
specializes in Retirement Planning and Special Needs Planning. He is a Board Member of Oakland County
Home of Your Own and Rainbow Homes of Ingham County. Larry is the five-year sponsor of the annual Hole-In-One
contest at golf outings for Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy
(WACA). He has worked closely with
and conducted seminars for the ARC of Northeast Wayne County as well as parent
groups in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Livingston and Ingham counties in
Michigan.
The lecture will cover the Letter of Intent and how families
can document the needs of the person with disability and how to ensure their
plans are carried out.
Who Should Attend: Parents, caregivers, case managers,
extended families.
Track: Family, Community and Education
Medicaid Planning from Birth to
Death
Speakers: TBD Mass Mutual
What every parent or caregiver needs to know about
Medicaid. How to plan for
long-term incapacity and preservation of assets and Medicaid avoidance.
Who Should Attend: Parents, caregivers, case managers,
discharge planners, extended families.
Track: Family, Community and Education
How to Treat Serious Money Seriously
(Steps to take to prevent a specials needs child from outliving his or her
money.)
Speakers: TBD Mass Mutual
DESCRIPTION IN PROGRESS
Who Should Attend:
Track: Family, Community and Education
A Blueprint for 21st Century
Education (Part 1)
Speakers: Dr. Derek Cabrera and Dr. Laura Colosi
The focus of this informative and interactive session is on a
new framework and educational tool for teaching content and infusing thinking
skills into any curriculum for any student. We’ll present the results of
research conducted by educational theorist Dr. Derek Cabrera and Dr. Laura
Colosi as it relates to developing children who are better thinkers and
learners. We’ll offer insight into its application with special-needs students,
including how special-needs public school teachers have experienced success
using the Patterns of Thinking Method and tactile manipulatives that enable
their students to “handle” more than these teachers expected. With these
innovative new methods and approaches to developing advanced thinking skills in
all students, teachers can chart a vertical articulation of thinking skills
with their special-needs populations and thus, these students are not exempt
from developing increasingly robust thinking skills..
Who Should Attend: Everyone interested in a whole new
way of learning, from preschoolers to individuals with special needs to the
corporate executive!
Track: Family, Community and Education
A Blueprint for 21st Century
Education (Part 2)
Speakers: Dr. Derek Cabrera and Dr. Laura Colosi
The focus of this informative and interactive session is on a
new framework and educational tool for teaching content and infusing thinking
skills into any curriculum for any student. We’ll present the results of
research conducted by educational theorist Dr. Derek Cabrera and Dr. Laura
Colosi as it relates to developing children who are better thinkers and
learners. We’ll offer insight into its application with special-needs students,
including how special-needs public school teachers have experienced success
using the Patterns of Thinking Method and tactile manipulatives that enable
their students to “handle” more than these teachers expected. With these
innovative new methods and approaches to developing advanced thinking skills in
all students, teachers can chart a vertical articulation of thinking skills
with their special-needs populations and thus, these students are not exempt
from developing increasingly robust thinking skills..
Who Should Attend: Everyone interested in a whole new
way of learning, from preschoolers to individuals with special needs to the
corporate executive!
Track: Family, Community and Education
Delaware Sports Club for Children
with Asperger Syndrome
Speakers: Iva Obrusnikova, University of Delaware, Newark
The Delaware Sports Club for Children with Asperger Syndrome
(DSCAS) is an afterschool exercise program that was created by the presenter to
promote health of children with AS, ages 8-15 years, by enhancing their sports,
social, and communication skills in a positive learning environment. This presentation is for educators,
families, paraprofessionals, or other professionals who work with children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders. It will
describe the process of development of DSCAS, the goals, procedures and
programming, recruitment of the staff and volunteers, and some issues that
arose during DSCAS. Practical
strategies will be offered in the areas of behavior management, instructional
modifications, and organization of the physical environment. The presentation of strategies will be
supplemented with images and videos obtained in DSCAS. Testimonials collected from parents,
DSCAS participants, volunteers, and other professionals will also be presented
to demonstrate effectiveness of the program for participants with AS.
Who Should Attend: Everyone working or giving support
and care to those with ASD
Track:
Speakers:
Who Should Attend:
Track: Health & Medical Track
Pain and Pain Management
Speakers: TBD Elan Pharmaceuticals
The subject of pain is much discussed and analyzed; but how
one evaluates pain in the patient with profound disabilities represents a
unique challenge for clinicians and caregivers. This session will focus on the
evaluation of how levels of pain can be effectively evaluated and managed from
the perspective of a physician.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family practitioners,
case managers, discharge planners, social workers, teachers,
families/caregivers, nurses, OTs, PTs, SLPs.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Management of Spasticity Arising Out
of Central Nervous System Disorders
Speakers: Marc DiFazio, MD, Capitol Neurology Research
To address practical considerations for the clinical use of
botulinum toxin (Botox) in the treatment of spasticity and the importance of treatments
to achieve goals in functionality on a patient by patient basis. A brief review
of dosing guidelines for Botox to minimize the potential for complications and
antibody formation will be discussed.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family physicians,
physiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists; PTs, OTs;
recreational therapists; psychologists, social workers, case managers;
educators and educational administrators, including coaches and phys ed
teachers; people with disabilities, direct support professionals and families.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Autism: What The Research Tells Us
Speakers: Pauline Filipek, MD, UCI School of Medicine, Department of
Pediatric Neurology
What do we really know about autism and where are we in terms
of better understanding the underlying causes of this very complex and serious
disorder. What do genetic studies
of autism tell us and where are we with our current research? What does the future hold for the
children with autistic spectrum disorders?
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, families ,
caregivers, family practitioners, general practitioners, nurses, OTs, PTs,
SLPs.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Management of Spasticity Arising Out
of Central Nervous System Disorders: Pain
Speakers: Hank Chambers, MD, San Diego, CA
To discuss the management of pain resulting from spasticity
and its treatments as well as how this is assessed.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family physicians,
physiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists; PTs, OTs;
recreational therapists; psychologists, social workers, case managers;
educators and educational administrators, including coaches and phys ed
teachers; people with disabilities, direct support professionals and families
Track: Health & Medical Track
Seizures & Seizure Management:
Brain Mapping & Surgical Intervention
Speakers: Blanca Vasquez, MD/ Orrin Devinsky, MD, NYU Medical Center
The need for an emergency seizure preparedness and readiness
plans in unique issues and challenges faced by physicians and allied health
care professionals in controlling seizures in the ND/ID Environment.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family practitioners
and other primary care physicians, neurologists, ER physicians; volunteer
firefighters, EMTs, ambulance staff, and others responding to medical
emergencies; school and community-based nurses, OTs, PTs; special educators and
administrators, including coaches and phys ed teachers; early-childhood
educators; psychologists, social workers; families and direct support professionals.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Seizures & Seizure Management:
Confirming Diagnosis and Assessing Treatment
Speakers: Orrin Devinsky, MD NYU Medical Center
To outline how to make a confirmed diagnosis and assess
available treatment options including various drug therapies and their risks
and benefits.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family practitioners
and other primary care physicians, neurologists, ER physicians; volunteer
firefighters, EMTs, ambulance staff, and others responding to medical
emergencies; school and community-based nurses, OTs, PTs; special educators and
administrators, including coaches and phys ed teachers; early-childhood
educators; psychologists, social workers; families and direct support
professionals.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Management of Spasticity Arising Out
of Central Nervous System Disorders
Speakers: Hank Chambers, MD Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
To address how patients are evaluated for various therapeutic
interventions including the full spectrum of drug therapies, oral and
injectible, e.g. (botox, myobloc); selected dorsal rhizotomy; intrathecal
baclofen, ITB Therapy.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family physicians,
physiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists; PTs, OTs;
recreational therapists; psychologists, social workers, case managers;
educators and educational administrators, including coaches and phys ed
teachers; people with disabilities, direct support professionals and families.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Seizures Preparedness the Need to
Develop and Maintain an Emergency
(get from internet)
Speakers: Jack Pellock and Blanca Vasquez, MD, NYU Medical Center
To present a clinical perspective for families concerned
about whether or not their child who has a febrile seizure will develop
epilepsy. Dr. Crumrine will also present some definitions of what a seizure is,
what constitutes breakthrough/refractory seizures and those less sever in
nature and how a confirmed diagnosis is usually made and by whom.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family practitioners
and other primary care physicians, neurologists, ER physicians; volunteer
firefighters, EMTs, ambulance staff, and others responding to medical
emergencies; school and community-based nurses, OTs, PTs; special educators.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Attention Deficit Hyperactive
Disorder (ADHD): Medication, Side Effects, and Physical Activity
Speakers: Pasquale Accardo, MD, FAAP, Virginia Commonwealth University
Children's Hospital, Richmond, VA; Vidya Gupta, MD, Demarest, NJ
The overall emphasis of this session is to give practitioners
strategies on how to effectively teach children with ADHD in a safe and
successful environment.
Who Should Attend: Teachers, therapists, aids,
professional preparation personnel, parents
Track: Health & Medical Track
Developmental Disabilities
Speakers: Tom Gallagher, MD, Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii
Using neuromaturation as a method of demonstrating the
neurodevelopmental progress that children make
Who Should Attend: Everyone
Track: Health & Medical Track
Spectrum of Autism Disorders (Part
1)
Speakers: Pasquale Accardo, MD, FAAP, Virginia Commonwealth University
Children's Hospital, Richmond, VA; Vidya Gupta, MD, Demarest, NJ
Definitions of the Spectrum of Autism Disorders; The Need for
Differential Diagnosis; The Role of Behavioral Interventions and How They Can
Be Done Effectively. Presenters will touch on the spectrum of learning
disorders, how they are recognized and diagnosed and the various treatment
options associated with each. Specific emphasis will be placed on ADD/ASD,
particularly within the pediatric and teenage population, remains a topic of
significant general public discourse and concern.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family physicians,
internists, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, case
managers, mainstream and special education teachers, families and direct
support professionals; school coaches.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Spectrum of Autism Disorders (Part
2)
Speakers: Pasquale Accardo, MD, FAAP, Virginia Commonwealth University
Children's Hospital, Richmond, VA; Vidya Gupta, MD, Demarest, NJ
Definitions of the Spectrum of Autism Disorders; The Need for
Differential Diagnosis; The Role of Behavioral Interventions and How They Can
Be Done Effectively. Presenters will touch on the spectrum of learning
disorders, how they are recognized and diagnosed and the various treatment
options associated with each. Specific emphasis will be placed on ADD/ASD,
particularly within the pediatric and teenage population, remains a topic of
significant general public discourse and concern.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family physicians,
internists, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, case
managers, mainstream and special education teachers, families and direct
support professionals; school coaches.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Genetic Disorders and Counseling
Speakers: Keith Vaux, MD, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
To provide an overview and update on genetic disorders and
counseling. Topics include status of research; early identification and
diagnosis; interventions and treatments; genetic counseling, including
assessment of recurrence of risk.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family physicians,
neurologists, obstetricians, neonatologists, perinatologists, genetic
counselors, social workers, psychologists, families.
Track: Health & Medical Track
What to Know about Clinical Trials
for Rare Diseases
Speakers: Peter Stacpoole, PhD, MD, University of Florida Medical
School, Gainesville, FL
To explain what a clinical trial is, who conducts them and
where, who pays for them, how they are regulated, and how they are structured.
Also addressed will be the important question should you (or a relative)
participate in a clinical trial?
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, families, caregivers,
researchers, geneticists, academicians.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Seizures and Seizure Management: The
Vagus Nerve Stimulator
Speakers: Dr Laura Hershkowitz, Northshore Clinical Assoc, Erie, PA
What is the Vagus Nerve Stimulator and when should this be
considered as necessary therapy.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family practitioners
and other primary care physicians, neurologists, ER physicians; volunteer
firefighters, EMTs, ambulance staff, and others responding to medical
emergencies; school and community-based nurses, OTs, PTs; special educators.
Track: Health & Medical Track
The Spectrum of Mitochondrial and
Metabolic Disorders
Speakers: Peter Stacpoole, Md, University of FL Medical School,
Gainesville, Fl
To discuss what mitochondrial and metabolic disorders are,
what they do, how they can be diagnosed and detected, and what we can do about
them.
Who Should Attend: Pediatricians, family practitioners,
perinatologists, neonatologists, neurologists, OB/GYNs; genetic researchers,
genetic counselors; psychologists, social workers, case managers, family
members and direct support professionals.
Track: Health & Medical Track
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Myths and
Realities Panel Discussion
Speakers: Pauline Filipek, MD, UCI School of Medicine, Department of
Neurology, Pasquale Accardo, MD, FAAP, Virginia Commonwealth University
Children's Hospital, Richmond, VA; Vidya Gupta, MD, Demarest, NJ
Following a brief review of the history of autism and
prevailing myths, the presentation will focus on the behaviors that define ASD,
theories regarding prevalence and causation, available screening tests and the importance
of making an early clinical diagnosis and referring early to intervention
programs. Finally brief comments regarding the realities of traditional and
alternative therapies will be presented.
Who Should Attend: Teachers, therapists, geneticists
and genetic counselors., physicians, particularly family practitioners,
pediatricians and pediatric neurologists, families and direct support
professionals.
Track: Health & Medical Track
The Efficacy and Safety of
Hypeparbaric Oxygen Therapy in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy, Brain Blast
Injury and Autism – Panel Discussion involving experienced physicians in
the field
Speakers: Moderated by Rick Rader, MD, participating faculty; Pauline
Filipek, MD, John Rosignol, MD, Paul Harch, MD
HBOT Therapy is an effective therapy for cases encountered in
diving and the bends. It has also proven effective and acceptable in treating
serious burns and muscle disorders encountered in athletes. But, in recent years there has been an
increasing use of HBOT in the treatment of brain blast injury and traumatic
brain injury as well as cerebral palsy and autistic spectrum disorders. Much of the data is anecdotal but there
is a preponderance of such data
that gives rise to the need for
further analysis. Some of
the better well run HBOT Centers share their knowledge followed by a panel
discussion of physicians who support its use across a wide spectrum and those
who are just not yet sold on its efficacy…and safety.
Who Should Attend: Physicians, Allied Health Care
Professionals, Families, caregivers, Researchers
Track: Health & Medical Track
The Brain Injury Navigator:
Achieving the Rehabilitation Continuum of Care through an Innovative Consumer
and Provider Tool
Speakers: Eileen Elias, MEd (Senior Policy Advisor, JBS International)
Raphael Gaeta, MSW (Policy Associate, JBS
International)
The historic fragmentation, gaps, and inefficiencies of brain
injury rehabilitation services and systems across the country have prohibited
the optimal recovery of Americans with brain injury and undermined the efforts
of their family members,
caregivers, and providers. The
Brain Injury Navigator is a unique, innovative, and one-stop web-based tool
for individuals with traumatic
brain injury, family members, caregivers and providers. It provides individually tailored
service information reports based
on queries of its comprehensive database and Internet search engine
functionality, facilitates long
term rehabilitation planning and care coordination, and offers
comprehensive, centralized education and resource material including evidence based and best
practices in brain injury rehabilitation.
Who Should Attend: Individuals with Brain Injury,
Family members, Caregivers, Brain Injury Professionals, and anyone else
Interested in learning more!
Track: Health & Medical Track
The Technology Enabled
Rehabilitation Project: On the Cutting Edge of Clinical Treatment, Evaluation,
and Research in Assistive Technology.
Speakers: Eileen Elias, MEd (Senior Policy Advisor, JBS International)
Dr. Marcia Scherer, PhD (President, The Institute for Matching Person and
Technology) Dr. Tina Trudel, PhD (President and Chief Operating Officer,
Lakeview HealthCare Systems)
Assistive technology, although a cornerstone of
rehabilitation and community living, is frequently underutilized or used
inappropriately. There is a pressing need for improved assessment tools that
providers can use to identify, select and match AT to an individual's unique
needs and preferences across the rehabilitation continuum as well as tools for
measuring meaningful outcomes. The
Technology Enabled Rehabilitation Project combines leading clinical AT measures
developed at the Institute for Matching Person and Technology, IT systems
development capabilities at JBS International, and the vast clinical care
delivery system and expertise of Lakeview Healthcare Systems to create four
innovations that collect, store, analyze, and transfer AT data through an
advanced electronic information system used by patients, providers,
researchers.
Who Should Attend: Assistive Technology Users, Family
members, Caregivers, Professionals, and anyone else Interested in learning
more!
Track: Assistive Technology Track
Funding for Assistive Technology
Speakers: TBD
You know that you or your loved one would be able to function
on a higher level, but what you need to purchase is well beyond your
threshold. Certainly there is an
agency or someone who can assist with funding, but who are they and where do
you go to find them. Are there
certain conditions that apply and documentation and can someone apply for you
if you are physically unable? Are
you seeing red from “Red Tape”?
Come
Who Should Attend: Parents, caregivers, professionals
Track: Assistive Technology Track
Getting Assistive Technology Through
the Schools
Speakers: TBD
Your child has been utilizing the same AT device since you
can remember! You are quite
certain that you child has outgrown it and you know there are other products on
the market. Isn’t your child entitled
to receive the best technology available?
What does it take to get what your child needs in order to provide for
them the best education possible?
Who Should Attend: Parents, caregiviers, teachers,
physicians
Track: Assistive Technology Track
Vehicle Modifications: Where to Go; How to Get Them Done…Now
that’s the $25,000 Question!
Speakers: TBD
$25,000.00,
where are you going to get that much or more to modify your vehicle to
be able to accommodate your loved one?
Are there government/social/private sources that you can tap into? What does it take in order to apply for
the money and/or accommodations?
Who Should Attend:
Track: Assistive Technology Track
Computer Access for Individuals with
Special Needs
Speakers: TBD
Want to know what the latest and greatest computer technology
is available to individuals with special needs and how to go about obtaining
in? Step on in to this class and
become informed!
Who Should Attend:
Track: Assistive Technology Track
The Rehabilitation Engineering
Research Center on Communication Enhancement (RERC) An NIDRR Funded
Initiative: What You Need to Know
-
Speakers: TBD
DESCRIPTION IN PROGRESS
Who Should Attend:
Track: Assistive Technology Track
Augmentative Communication: What Does the Future Hold
Speakers: TBD
There are new ways of augmentative communication that you
only dreamed about and some that you had no idea about! Come and see what the future holds!
Who Should Attend:
Track: Assistive Technology Track
Navigating the Reimbursement and
Insurance Maze for Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication
Speakers: TBD
Bottom line, who’s going to pay for it? Don’t get tangled up in the maze, come
and let us show you the way to navigate the system !
Who Should Attend:
Track: Assistive Technology Track
Augmentative and Alternative
Communication (AAC) Evidence-Based Clinical. Practice Using Performance Measurement Tools
Speakers: TBD
AAC professionals are embracing the concept of evidence-based
practice. Clinical tools are
available to facilitate this objective approach to AAC service delivery. This presentation is designed for both
pre-service and in-service education of AAC professionals. Topics will include automated language
activity monitoring, collecting language samples, applications, resources and
contacts.
Who Should Attend:
