We're excited to invite you to join us for this special day of learning and networking - and it's free!

Special thanks to Entergy and Exxon for supporting our work to help LD students.

We honored to dedicate this free conference to Christopher Austin who was tragically killed at age 20. His learning disabilities did not stop him from achieving success as a creative college student with plans to become a screen writer. A talented singer/song. writer, he loved to sing the blues and he had plans for a bright future. He was passionate about helping other students with learning disabilities follow their dreams.

We provide free 6.0 CEU hours to educators, parents and foster parents and $25 CEU's to counselors, social workers and SLPs. Payment at the door: cash, credit or check

Catered hot lunch available for purchase: $10

This is an adult event and we don't provide babysitting but if you would like a stipend to pay a sitter contact Families Helping Families: dpeoples@fhfgbr.org

Presentations

Use of Medications in Autism and ADHD and Tourette syndrome by Charlotte Hollman, M.D., of Baton Rouge Clinic: Discussion of use of medications with side effects explained and with discussion of efficacy for neurological disorders including autism, ADHD, Tourette syndrome

Math Strategies for Dyslexic Students by DesLey V. Plaisance, Ph.D.Director of University Graduate Studies and Associate Professor of Mathematics at Nicholls State University: .Attend this session to find out exactly what dyslexia is and how dyslexia affects the learning of mathematics. Explore methods and strategies to facilitate mathematics learning for students with dyslexia. Learning Disabilities: Dyslexia and language based learning disabilities

DIY Career: Tools Parents, Teachers, and Counselors Can Use to Build a Future by Mary Feduccia, Ph.D., LPC and Lisa Hibner, MA of the Louisiana Career Development Association: Have you ever wondered how you can support your students or your children as they work to develop career and educational goals for their future? If so, then join us for the DIY Career session where you will have the opportunity to build your career tool box. Learning Disabilities: All

Using the Zones of Regulations – A Think Social Publishing, Inc. Program by Teri Wilton L.O.T. and Laura Barbin, M.O.T., L.O.T. of NeuroTherapy Specialists: Zones of Regulation is a program developed by Leah Kuypers, OTR, to teach children and their caregivers skills to improve self-control, self- emotional management, and impulse control. There are four different Zones that will be discussed along with strategies on how to stay in the Zone that is optimal for learning.

Neuropsychological Evaluations – What are They and How Can They Help? by Traci W. Olivier, Psy.D.
of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health and the Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana: Neuropsychological evaluations are a valuable tool that can help parents and educators understand a child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Often, these evaluations can assist parents in requesting academic accommodations and modifications through an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Plan. Learning Disabilities: Reading and Mathematics

The Neurology of Dyslexia and Related Learning Differences and the Importance of Early Identification by Theresa Hastings, BS, CALP and Cheryl Ollmann M.Ed, CALP of the The Brighton School: This presentation will help unmask the neurological underpinnings of dyslexia and related learning differences. Because dyslexia is neurological in origin, it is possible to identify children at-risk for a learning difference. Encouraging early identification of “at-risk” and early intervention practices can set young children on the path to success.

Demystifying Reading Comprehension: Beyond Decoding by Rebecca Parker, PhD, CCC-SLP of Southeastern Louisiana University: Many students have difficulty with reading comprehension even when they are able to decode words accurately and read fluently. This session will explore factors that contribute to reading comprehension success and failure and will address strategies for prevention and remediation of reading comprehension deficits.

Creating Executive Functions in Tweens with Learning Difficulties by Darlyne G. Nemeth, Ph.D., M.P., M.P.A.P. Fernando Pastrana, Ph.D. Patricia A. McElroy, Ed.S., NCED Scott Johnson, M.Ed. Kayla Mckenzie Chustz, B.S. of The Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana, LLC. (NCLA): NCLA’s summer Build-A-Brain program focused on developing math skills by creating solid underlying Executive Functions, with an emphasis was on cultivating Working Memory Skills. Techniques to improve these fun learning skills were offered to participants and their parents.

What? Huh?: Making Sense of Auditory Processing Disorders by Dr Vicky Roy & Dr. Katie Cordell of Dynamic Therapy Specialists: This presentation will help participants understand the nature of auditory processing disorders and their impact on learning outcomes. Dr.’s Cordell and Roy will discuss the importance of brain-based intervention methods and provide parents with examples of practical techniques that can be used to remediate auditory processing disorders.

How To Improve Reading Fluency by Stacy Levy, M.S., CCC-SLP of Dynamic Therapy Specialists: In this presentation Stacy Levy will 1) outline the necessary components for reading fluency 2) engage the participants with activities on how to identify the "trouble maker" components holding the child back from true reading fluency and 3) provide techniques that families, teachers and therapists can easily implement that will improve reading fluency.

IDEA vs Section 504: Which does my child need and how are they different? by Speaker Kara Shupe of Families Helping Families: Explain the differences between an IEP (Individual Education Plan) and a Section 504 (Individual Accommodation Plan).

Improving Word Learning – The Role of Word Retrieval During Learning by Dr. Eileen Haebig of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University. This presentation will present strategies to enhance word learning in individuals with language impairments. First, we will review characteristics of language impairments. Then we will discuss strategies that have been found to optimize word learning in students with language impairments. Learning Disabilities: Specific language impairment (SLI), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Language impairment.

CPR for Anxiety by Brandy Klingman, LCSW, CEO and Psychotherapist, Legacy Behavioral Health, LLC, offering medication management and counseling; Lifeworks Psychiatry and Wellness, LL: Easy coaching techniques for teaching children to refocus and manage school stressors: Learning Disabilities: All

A to Z Self-Care for Adult Stewards of Learning Disabilities by Bora Sunseri, LCSW-BACS of Department of Children and Family Services: Diagnoses of stress and the importance of self-care in roles of caregivers, educators, and therapists (of learning disabled students) will be presented. Stressors and their impacts will be identified. Participants will take a stress management inventory, identify self-care methods and tools. Learning Disabilities: All

IEP: Paperwork, People, and Procedures by Jannean Dixon, M.Ed. of Cornerstone Educational Consulting: In this session, participants will learn about each component of the IEP, the people involved with the IEP team, and the procedures that the school must follow. Parents will learn tips for improving their child's IEP. Learning Disabilities: All

Writing with Assistive Technology by Kim Haynes, MA, CCC-SLP and Anne Hindrichs, LCSW of McMains Children’s Developmental Center: The use of assistive technology (AT) is an effective approach for many children with learning disabilities. There are a wide range of tools to help students who struggle with writing. This presentation will discuss some of the AT tools available to help struggling writers. Learning Disabilities - Auditory Processing Disorder, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Language Processing Disorder and ADHD

School at Home – Panel Discussion by Jane St. Pierre from International Connections Academy and Kara Shupe from Families Helping Families and Randall Lemoine, Ph.D: A panel of parents, educators and mental health professionals who will discuss homeschooling opportunities and challenges. Different options for homeschooling will be discussed as well as first person narratives from parents. A mental health professional will also be on the panel to talk about ways to support home school students and parents. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions of those on the panel. Learning disabilities: All

Hacking ADHD: Finding Strategies and Techniques that help manage life with ADHD by by Belynda Gauthier, President of CHADD, the National Resource on ADHD: Help your child with ADHD improve organization, time management, social skills, self-control and other issues. Help yourself manage when ADHD is an everyday challenge in your home or classroom. Learning disabilities:

Experience the Frustration of Learning Disabilities by Georgann Mire, Founder of the CW Austin Learning Disabilities Conference, President of Greater Baton Rouge Learning Disabilities Coalition who also works in Baton Rouge Community College Office of Disability Services and Board Member of the Louisiana Branch of the International Dyslexia Association: This interactive presentation helps participants empathize with and understand the frustrations of people with learning disabilities in a typical classroom setting, and how to create a successful school experience for them. Learning Disabilities: ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia) Autism, and Auditory Processing

Teaching Writing to Dyslexic Students: Developing Oral and Written Language by Andromeda Love and Portia Bradford of Louisiana Key Academy: Dyslexia is defined as "an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader" (S. Res. 680) and accounts for 80%- 90% of all Learning Disabilities. The core deficit in dyslexia reflects an inability to manipulate single speech sounds or phonemes within words, and has a downstream of effects which include speaking, reading, writing, spelling, and math. This presentation will delve into the connection of oral and written language and examples of activities to build oral and written language skills for dyslexic students. Learning Disabilities: Dyslexia