Melissa Packwood

Many special needs fall under the SLD umbrella. A class may include students with a variety of needs and teachers must provide support for each and every one of these needs. Participants will learn how to utilize universal curriculum design and accommodations in an effective manner. Assistive technology (from low and high tech), visual supports, movement breaks, homemade and store bought tools, sensory activities and areas, and more can assist students in accessing the curriculum. 1. Participants will implement at least one universal design strategy to assist all students, including those with learning disabilities. 2. Participants will use at least one new accommodation to assist students who are struggling with SLDs. (Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and more). 3. Participants will implement at least one assistive technology option to assist students with SLDs.

Are you a parent or professional who takes care of children who have Autism? Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is an Autism profile that is characterized by heightened anxiety, which causes demand avoidance. During the Pathological Demand Avoidance in Autistic Children presentation, you will learn strategies to assist with preventing meltdowns and aid in de-escalation of big emotions. Participants will learn to recognize when PDA may be a reason for behavioral issues. Participants will learn de-escalation techniques. Participants will leave the seminar with tools and strategies to assist them in providing support and teamwork to those with demand avoidance resulting from anxiety.

Executive functioning includes working memory, cognitive flexibility (flexibility in thinking), and inhibitory control. These are challenging skills to learn yet teens and young adults need these skills to successfully move into adulthood. This workshop will explain what executive functioning is and how to facilitate the learning of these skills for teens and young adults. Participants will learn what executive functioning is and how it affects daily life. Participants will learn ways to facilitate executive functioning skill growth in teens and young adults. Participants will leave with ideas for activities and supports to assist with the process of facilitating executive functioning skill growth.