SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
The Southwest Branch of the International Dyslexia Association 2015 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE Martha Steger, Chairman, Speaker Arrangements Mary Gilroy, Cathleen Tomlinson, and Carolee Dean, Program Merlinda Foreman and Michelle Wick, Local Arrangements Erin Brown, Exhibits Carolee Dean, Hospitality Claudia Gutierrez, Fundraising Montine Gibbons, Volunteers Carilyn Alarid, CEUs Mary Gilroy, Conference Secretary Bernard Coffey and Rosemarie Tomasini, Registration The International Dyslexia Association® (IDA) is an international organization that concerns itself with the complex issue of dyslexia. IDA membership consists of a variety of professionals in partnership with individuals with dyslexia and their families. They actively promote effective teaching approaches and intervention strategies for the educational management of dyslexia. The organization and its branches do not recommend or endorse any specific speaker, school, instructional program or remedial method. The Southwest Branch of The International Dyslexia Association® is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide information to the public regarding dyslexia and to support the rights of people with dyslexia so that they may receive appropriate education and lead fulfilling lives. The branch disseminates information, publishes a newsletter, provides referral services, and offers workshops, professional trainings, and conferences. The Branch’s geographical area covers all of New Mexico and the El Paso, Texas area.
Southwest Branch The International Dyslexia Association 2014 Executive Committee Montine Gibbons, President Cathleen Tomlinson, Vice-President Erin Brown, Recording Secretary Mary Poirier Gilroy, Corresponding Secretary Marion Woolam, Treasurer Carolee Dean, Board Representative Rosemarie Tomasini, Administrative Assistant 2014 Board of Directors Mari Bauman, Catherine Bornhorst, Carolee Dean, Angelica Duran, Merlinda Foreman, Claudia Gutierrez, Maridell Monnheimer, Cynthia Nava, Katrina Radosevich, Steven Sanchez, Martha Steger, Michelle Wick 2014 Advisory Council Melissa Behrens-Blake, Jane Blumenfeld, Linda Curry, Sandra Dillon, Candace Head-Dylla, Elwyn Hulett, Janet Lear, Mimi Stewart SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
28th Annual SWIDA Conference 2015 Welcome to the 28th Annual SWIDA Conference, “Nurturing the Dyslexic Brain” Research, Best Practices, Advocacy, Technology. Not only are we celebrating recent advances in research, best practices, and technology, we are exploring ways to nurture those young dyslexic brains so these bright and talented individuals can reach their potential. Both parents and teachers know all too well the frustration, confusion, and negativity that surrounds dyslexia. Normally, dyslexia is considered a disability or handicap that makes reading, spelling, writing, and sometimes math extremely difficult to learn. Drs. Brock and Fernette Edie, acclaimed leaning disabilities specialists and authors of The Dyslexic Advantage, explain that “while dyslexic children may struggle in the early grades, they often grow into gifted story tellers, inventors and entrepreneurs.” They feel it is important to shift from a negative mode of thinking to a more positive one by “assisting dyslexics and their families to recognize and nurture the benefits of a dyslexic brain. Often times all the focus is on fixing what’s wrong rather than celebrating and nurturing what’s right.” There is a nonprofit organization called Dyslexiaville, that cleverly describes students with dyslexia as d! kids and they call their website d-Ville. They are committed to providing children ways to reach out and network with other children just like themelves because the need for nurturing is so important. Clearly, all individuals with dyslexia require support, and encouragement from the people in their lives they are closest to: their parents, families, and teachers. SWIDA couldn’t agree more and that is why we decided to focus on nurturing as a theme for this conference. We have called on some of the finest experts in the field to speak to parents, teachers and students on this theme. In addition to an intriguing lineup of sessions for professionals and parents, SWIDA is pleased to present our popular student conference with sessions created especially for those teenagers and young adults who happen to have dyslexia, the d! kids. Our speakers have painstakingly developed specific sessions to provide parents and educational professionals with strategies to assist in supporting the d! kids in finding their hidden potential. And, the d! kids have their own conference to provide opportunities for meeting others with dyslexia and to learn about new tools that will help them on their journey toward reaching their true potential and their dreams.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
28th Annual SWIDA Conference 2015 FRIDAY NIGHT CONFERENCE KICK OFF! We open the conference with two events Friday evening. Lyn Pollard, from The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Decoding Dyslexia Texas, will present Decoding Dyslexia: Who We Are and How We Connect Parents to Dyslexia Education and Resources. This will be followed by a Round Table Discussion allowing for Questions and Answers This event is open to all parents at no cost. At the same time, Dr. Teri Lesesne, a Professor of Library Science at Sam Houston University, will discuss exciting new titles for teens and tweens in an engaging format that will inspire teachers and students alike to go out and try new books. This will be followed by a 45 minute author panel by local authors, each with a special connection to dyslexia. A book signing will follow the panel discussion with books available by the authors as well as several selections recommended by Teri Lesesne. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the presenters, buy books, and ask questions.
SATURDAY CONFERENCE The Student Conference is an all-day conference designed to meet the needs of middle school students through young adults. Speakers will present on topics such as, Digital Story Telling and Book matching. In addition, a panel of young adults will discuss After High School: College and/or Work. The Student Conference will be located in the same room all day. Keynote Address: We are pleased to have Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, the co-owner of the Dyslexia Training Institute in San Diego, CA., deliver the keynote address, Dyslexia and the Brain 101. Dr. Sandman-Hurley will talk about myths of dyslexia and will explain the research that informs us about the underlying causes of dyslexia. She will also take a look at the general principles for appropriate intervention. The Professionals and Parents Conference will offer attendees three choices of breakout sessions during each session time slot throughout the day. This will provide participants the freedom to decide which session best suits their needs. Parents may wish to hear Lyn Pollard, from Decoding Dyslexia Texas, speak on Empowering Parents whereas professional educators may want to listen to Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley talk about Warning Signs in the Classroom or Using Structured Word Inquiry to Teach Spelling. Others may wish to hear Megan Shanley speak on iPad accessibility or, if you missed her Friday night, Teri Lesesne will be talking about Book Matching. The Board of Directors of the Southwest Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, the conference committee, and the presenters invite you to settle in for a night full of information and a full day of lively and engaging sessions to inspire us all to Nurture the Dyslexic Brain.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday Evening Conference Kick Off 6:30pm – 9:00 pm A Choice of Two Engaging Presentations Decoding Dyslexia: Who We Are and How We Connect Parents to Dyslexia Education and Resources Presenter: Lyn Pollard, The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Decoding Dyslexia Texas Description: Has your child been recently identified as Dyslexic? Are you seeking answers about school-based intervention, accommodations, or how to best advocate for your child. Connect with a wide spectrum of resources through the Decoding Dyslexia national network, a grassroots parent-led movement in 46 states (and counting). This presentation will be followed by a Round Table Discussion allowing for Questions and Answers. This Friday evening event is open to all parents at no cost. Please note: in order to attend Ms. Pollard’s three Saturday sessions, parents and teachers must register for the conference.
The Reading Fire: Kindling A Love for Books- Author/Librarian Panel Presenter: Dr. Teri Lesesne, Professor of Library Science Sam Houston University Description: Open to the public and to all conference attendees, this presentation will begin with a 45 minute book talk by Teri Lesesne who will discuss exciting new titles for teens and tweens in an engaging format that will inspire teachers and students alike to go out and try new books. Parents, bring your d! kids! This will be followed by a 45 minute author panel by three local authors, each with a special connection to dyslexia. Each author will discuss dyslexia as it relates to her work. A book signing will follow the panel discussion with books available by the authors as well as several selections recommended by Teri Lesesne. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the presenters, buy books, and ask questions. This Friday evening event is open to all audiences at no cost. Presenters on the Author Panel: Carolee Dean is a speech-language pathologist at Rio Rancho High School and a SWIDA board member. Her YA novel, Forget Me Not, is about a seventeen-year-old boy who cannot read or write but dreams of being a poet. It is a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Caroline Starr Rose is a former teacher whose verse novel, May B. features a young heroine who struggles with dyslexia. This middle grade selection is reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie. Kersten Hamilton has written numerous titles, from picture books to fantasy novels, including the Goblin Wars series. She dropped out of high school due, in large part, to a significant reading disability, but went on to become a highly successful professional author. Earn two and a half CEUs for the Friday evening event when you register for Saturday’s Conference.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Saturday Conference – At a Glance 7:00am REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST 7:00am – 5:00pm EXHIBITS OPEN 8:00am – 8:30am WELCOME 8:30am – 10:00am KEYNOTE ADDRESS 8:30am STUDENT CONFERENCE BEGINS IN EAGLE ROOM 10:30am – 5:00pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS Earn six CEU’s for Saturday’s Sessions.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
students
Student Conference Sessions* and Presenters 8:30am – 12:00pm Digital Story Telling
Presenters: Carolee Dean, Speech-Language Pathologist and Author Megan Shanley, Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Practitioner Dan Shanley, high school National Board Certified English teacher Session Description: Part 1. Carolee Dean will lead students through a group creative writing project aimed at writing a story for an imaginary video game. She will teach students story plotting techniques used by professional writers that have been simplified into a fun, engaging, visual format. Part 2. Then, Megan Shanley and Dan Shanley will demonstrate commonly available technology tools such as text-to-speech, word prediction, and voice recognition to assist in the writing process. Students will have the opportunity to use these tools to create their own original stories either individually or in pairs using iPads or laptops and drawing on their writing projects from Part 1. (A limited number of iPads will be provided for this session) SPECIAL NOTE TO STUDENTS: If you wish to bring your own iPad, please have it updated to the latest operating system and/or perform all system updates.”
12:15pm – 1:15pm Lunch 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Young Adult Panel Discussion After High School: College and/or Work Proposed Session/Topics: Panel Discussion featuring at least three students currently in college from around New Mexico, plus two young adults who are in the workforce. Panelists will discuss their experiences in and out of school, how college courses differ from high school courses, accommodations that help them, and support services in their colleges and on the job.
3:15pm – 4:45pm
Hot off the Press! Great New Books for YOU! Presenter: Teri Lesesne, Professor of Library Science, Sam Houston University Session Description: What are some great new books? Come and learn about new titles in a session focused on 2014 and 2015 books for teens and tweens.
*Please note that the sessions for the Student Conference are predetermined.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
professionals / parents
Professionals and Parents Conference 10:30am – 12:00pm Sessions
Decoding Dyslexia: Focus on Strengths, Not Weaknesses Presenter: Lyn Pollard, The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Decoding Dyslexia Texas Session Description: Too often, we focus on the weaknesses of people with dyslexia rather than their strengths. In the words of David Flink, co-founder of the national Eye to Eye mentoring movement, kids with dyslexia are too often defined “by what they can’t do.” But by focusing on strengths, dyslexic students can reframe how they learn and more importantly, who they are. Drawing from The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by dyslexic author Foss, and The Dyslexic Advantage by Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide, learn how to play up strengths and play down weaknesses to better support your child emotionally at home, in school and in life.
Warning Signs for the Classroom Presenter: Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Dyslexia Training Institute Session Description: Dyslexia can be identified as early as preschool. This workshop will provide educators with some early warning signs as well as what to look for when a student is gifted and struggling, otherwise know as the twice exceptional student, who is often undiagnosed.
Making the Match: Finding Good Books for Kids Presenter: Dr. Teri Lesesne, Professor of Library Science Sam Houston State University Session Description: How do we make good matches between books and readers? We need to know the readers, know the books, and know the best ways/strategies for bringing them together. Teri will talk a bit about what kids need and want in books and how to get the right books into their hands. Teri will explore alternative formats that work well with struggling readers such as graphic novels, novels in verse, as well as audiobooks and eBooks. She will discuss what goes into choosing books for the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers and other YALSA lists (GGNT, BFYA, YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction, etc.) and why these are good selections for students with reading challenges. Finally, she will advise how to use your local school and city libraries as a resource for locating books of interest to students of all ages.
12:15pm – 1:15pm Lunch 1:30pm – 3:00pm Sessions
Empowering Parents: Dyslexia Advocacy 101: Part 1 Presenter: Lyn Pollard, The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Decoding Dyslexia Texas Session Description: Once a parent discovers a child has dyslexia, the learning has just begun. To become an educated and effective advocate for your child with a specific learning disability, it’s your responsibility to come up to speed on the federal and state laws in place to serve and protect your child at school. This session and the session at 3:15 will walk you through the Federal IDEA and 504 processes at a high level as well as explain accommodations, direct services and other helpful resources at the state level. Audience: Parents of newly diagnosed children (but all welcome). SPECIAL NOTE: Registration for both Sessions Part 1 and Part 2 is advised.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
professionals / parents
Professionals and Parents Conference Using Structured Word Inquiry to Teach Spelling Presenter: Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Dyslexia Training Institute Session Description: It is very common to hear the English language demonized as crazy and nonsensical. That perception is then taught to students and they are required to memorize ‘red’ and ‘demon’ words. This workshop will introduce you to Structured Word Inquiry which teaches the student that the written language is not meant to represent spoken language and that it is highly orderly and predictable. Attendees will learn how to teach students using a multisensory, explicit, linguistic approach to teaching spelling and reading.
The Power of Digital Books! Presenter: Megan Shanley, Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Practitioner Session Description: Megan will discuss the amazing changes in the ease of accessing digital books. The session will focus on free digital text options such as Bookshare.org for students who qualify with a print disability and features such as text-to-speech, highlighting while reading, and other technology supports. Learn how to access fiction and non-fiction reading, textbooks, even newspapers and magazines at school and at home. Join us in discussing how to spark the joy of reading, provide access to engaging text, and start the process of life-long learning.
3:15pm – 4:45pm Sessions
Empowering Parents: Dyslexia Advocacy 101: Part 2 Presenter: Lyn Pollard, The National Center for Learning Disabilities and Decoding Dyslexia Texas Session Description: This session is a continuation of Dyslexia Advocacy 101: Part 1. Audience: Parents of newly diagnosed children (but all welcome). SPECIAL NOTE: Registration for both Sessions Part 1 and Part 2 is advised.
Best Practices for Professionals Presenter: Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Dyslexia Training Institute Session Description: Accommodations and modifications can be the difference between a successful academic career for a student with dyslexia and a frustrating, disappointing experience. This workshop will introduce participants to the most effective and productive accommodations that can implemented for a student with dyslexia.
Entering the World of iAccessibility Presenter: Megan Shanley, Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Practitioner Session Description: There are so many different devices on the market that now provide accessibility features for our dyslexic students. It can be both exciting and overwhelming. Megan Shanley will focus on one choice, the iPad, and its built-in accessibility features such as text-to-speech, dictation features, attention aids, and more. We will discuss apps that provide additional help for note-taking, digital text, word prediction, and organizational skills. Because of the short nature of the presentation we will not be able to focus on all devices on the market, but some suggestions will be provided for similar supports for other devices.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
Presenters Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D. Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D. is the co-owner of the Dyslexia Training Institute. She received her doctorate in literacy with a specialization in reading and dyslexia from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. She is a trained special education advocate assisting parents and children through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan process. Kelli is trained by a fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy and in the Lindamood-Bell, RAVE-O and Wilson Reading Programs. She is the Past-President of the San Diego Branch of IDA. She co-created and produced “Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia,” is a frequent speaker at conferences, and is currently writing “Dyslexia: Decoding the System.
Dr. Teri Lesesne Dr. Teri Lesesne is a professor in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University where she teaches classes in literature for children, tweens, and teens. She is the author of 3 professional books, many chapters and columns and reviews book for various journals. Teri is the recipient of the ALAN Award for lifetime contributions to YA literature.
Lyn Massey Pollard Lyn Massey Pollard is a writer, marketing consultant and special education advocate. She writes, talks and tweets about collaborative parent advocacy, equal access to education for children with learning disabilities and attention issues, and the importance of social responsibility in our educational system. She contributes parent-focused content regularly for the National Center for Learning Disabilities (LD.org) and her writing has appeared on Parents.com, The Child Mind Institute and The New York Times Motherlode parenting blog. Lyn is an active member of the Decoding Dyslexia national parent-led grassroots movement and serves on the advisory board for the upcoming Dyslexiaville.com. Follow Lyn on Twitter @LynPollard
Megan Shanley Megan Shanley is an Occupational Therapist and a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Practitioner who works for Southwest Neuropsychology & Behavioral Health and Albuquerque Public Schools. She conducts trainings on Assistive Technology throughout tri-state area and has been a presenter for SWIDA and NMTAP on multiple occasions. She is a self-professed “geek,” and as a Dyslexic who is also a user of Assistive Technology she has a unique understanding of the power and the challenges of integrating Assistive Technology into everyday life.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org
Presenters Dan Shanley Dan Shanley is a passionate National Boards Certified English Language Arts teacher at Manzano High School in Albuquerque. He specializes in courses focusing on Shakespeare, American Literature, and Film as Literature, and has certifications in Social Studies, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Library Media. He is a supporter of providing adaption of curriculum for ALL students and has spoken at the Council of Administrators of Special Education about the impact of Bookshare in the General Education Environment.
Carolee Dean Carolee Dean is a speech-language pathologist at Rio Rancho High School and an author. She serves on the SWIDA Board of Directors as the newsletter editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and a master’s degree in communicative disorders. Carolee has made numerous appearances as a guest poet/author at schools, libraries, poetry events, and educational conferences. Her YA novel, Forget Me Not, is about a seventeen-year-old boy who cannot read or write but dreams of being a poet. It is a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers.
Kersten Hamilton Kersten Hamilton’s struggle with dyslexia may have made school so difficult that she dropped out, but nothing could make her give up her dream of becoming a writer. Dyslexics learn early that life is not easy. They learn to choose thier battles, master technological tools, and devise work-arounds for their specific problems. They learn not to judge their progress by the progress of those around them. And they learn that the only true failure is giving up. Kersten is now the author of many critically acclaimed books for preschoolers, middlegraders and young adults. She has worked as a curriculum consultant and taught creative writing to students of all ages.
Caroline Starr Rose Caroline Starr Rose is a former teacher whose verse novel, May B. features a young heroine who struggles with dyslexia. This middle grade selection is reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie.
SWIDA Conference 2015 / www.southwestida.org