Early Connections: Taking Care of Our Children Taking ...

Early Connections: Taking Care of Our Children ...Taking Care of Ourselves

COME CELEBRATE OUR 29th CONFERENCE

Parents * Professionals * Children

Presented by: The New England Regional Seminar for Families

of Children with Visual Impairments, Ages 0-7

April 28, 2012 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

At: Perkins School for the Blind 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472

General Information:

We encourage parents of young children (ages 0-7) with visual impairments or deafblindness, and other family members and professionals throughout New England, to come and participate in this opportunity to share our common concerns and to learn from one another.

Activities and childcare will be provided for your children by counselors assigned, according to your child's age, disability, and special considerations.

Please call Sharon Stelzer at 617- 972-7604 or 617-784-6739 or e-mail Sharon.Stelzer@ and leave a message if you have a last-minute change of plans regarding your child's attendance, or if you would prefer to bring your own sitter.

Parent Responsibilities:

? Bring a written schedule for your child's medications, meals, naps, and any other special instructions.

? Parents are responsible for administering all their child's medications and managing G-tube feedings.

? Label your child's clothes, toys, and/or special equipment.

? Bring any special equipment (stroller, porta-crib, highchair, wheelchair, etc.) and food or feeding equipment, which may help your child feel more comfortable.

? Kitchen areas will be available for you to heat foods.

? Emergency number on the day of the conference is: (617) 201-7512.

For more information, please contact the following person(s) within your state:

MASSACHUSETTS RHODE ISLAND CONNECTICUT

NEW HAMPSHIRE VERMONT MAINE

MARGUERITE TYRANCE Educational Partnerships

Eileen Cermak INSIGHT

Martha Delaney Yvonne Locke BESB Beverly Temple MICE Program

MELINDA Underwood VABVI

Jean Small CC Maine

(617) 972-7553 marguerite.tyrance@

(401) 941-3322 X 113 ecermak@in-

(860) 602-4230 (860) 602-4130 (800) 842-4510 (603) 228-1028 bevtemple@

(802) 254-8761 munderwood@

(207) 299-1933 jeansmall@

Please call the contact person from your state if you are unable to pay the registration costs.

Taking Care of our Children ... Taking Care of Ourselves Parents * Professionals * Children

AGENDA

7:30 - 8:00 8:00 - 8:30

All counselors check in at the Hilton Building Lobby. Head counselors meet with Tom and group contacts.

Counselors meet for orientation in the Auditorium

8:30 - 2:00 EXHIBITS OPEN VISIT EXHIBITORS TO ENTER RAFFLE - Hilton Building

8:15 - 9:00

REGISTRATION AND COFFEE

Parents bring children to counselors in assigned areas and have an opportunity to informally meet with other parents. (PLEASE DO NOT BRING CHILDREN TO CHILDCARE BEFORE 8:30 A.M.)

9:10 - 9:25 9:30 - 10:45

WELCOME ADDRESS - UPDATE ON NATIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Hilton Building Auditorium, with:

Dorinda Rife, Superintendent of School Programs, Perkins School for the Blind Steven Rothstein, President, Perkins School for the Blind Susan LaVenture, Executive Director, National Association for Parents of

Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)

MORNING CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Choose One)

1. THE iPAD FOR YOUNG CHILDREN: "HOW IT WORKS" AND "WILL IT WORK?" FOR MY CHILD This session will offer a brief demonstration of different types of iPAD applications, features, and settings; interactive books, cause and effect, early literacy, early math, communication apps, camera and video features, voice over and magnification. Throughout the session, attendees will be encouraged to consider what the iPAD can as well as cannot do for their child. Presenter: Jean Petrone, Assistive Technology Specialist (MA)

2. IDEAS FOR LEARNING AND PLAY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DUAL SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS AND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES This presentation is designed to provide information on maximizing learning opportunities for children with deafblindness and/or multiple disabilities. The presenters will share ideas and strategies to facilitate learning through play, the importance of anticipation cues, and using daily routines to encourage participation and communication.

Presenters: Margaret McNerney, Educational Consultant (RI)

Terri LaPlante, Educational Consultant (RI)

3. CORTICAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT: STRATEGIES FOR PHASE II AND III Using the Christine Roman CVI Scale, Dr. Gordon Sutton's Survey and information from Dr. Mary Morse, this session will explore concrete teaching strategies, accommodations and modifications. This session is for parents whose children have CVI, including those with multiple disabilities or deafblindness. Presenter: Ellen Cadigan Mazel, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (MA)

4. JUST SAY "YES I CAN" TO DOING EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES IN THE HOME This session is a practical "how to" for Expanded Core Curriculum activities in the home. It will offer a hands on, practical approach that will empower parents to say "YES I CAN". Families will learn about the ECC, strategies for its implementation, how to do ECC activities in as little as 5 minutes and work together with the presenter on problem solving common problems and frustrations. Presenter: Robbin Keating, Education Projects Coordinator, (CT)

5. KEEPING THE "O&M" IN HOME This session will introduce parents to many of the orientation and mobility strategies which can be reinforced at home and discuss the role of orientation and mobility in the home for learners with visual impairments of all ability levels. Presenter: Brendan Foley, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, (RI)

6. ADAPTING THE VISUAL ENVIRONMENT In this session, participants will learn about environmental concepts and modifications that can increase a child's ability to use their vision more effectively. Presenters: Darick Wright, Clinic Coordinator, New England Eye Clinic, (MA)

EXHIBITS WILL BE OPEN ON THE SECOND FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSIONS

UNTIL 2:00PM

10:45 - 11:30 SUPPORT GROUPS (Choose One)

1. Parent-to-Parent Support ~ These parent-only sessions offer an opportunity for parents of children with similar visual and/or sensory impairments to meet and share their experiences and ideas. Please indicate on the attached registration form which group you plan to attend.

q Aniridia q Cataracts q Deafblind q Retinoblastoma q Retinal Conditions q Anophthalmia/ Microphthalmia

q Cortical Visual Impairment

q Glaucoma q ROP/RLF q Albinism q Coloboma q CHARGE

q Leber's Amaurosis q Optic Nerve

Hypoplasia/Septo Optic Dysplasia q Other Visual Conditions

2. Grandparent-to-Grandparent Support Group

3. Professional-to-Professional Discussion Groups ~ These sessions are an opportunity for professionals to meet, ask questions and share their experiences and ideas on one of the related topics below. (Choose One)

A. THE iPAD FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, Jean Petrone, Assistive Technology Specialist (MA) B. CORTICAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, Ellen Cadigan Mazel, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments

(MA) C. ADAPTING THE VISUAL ENVIRONMENT, Darick Wright, Clinic Coordinator, New England Eye Clinic,

(MA)

11:30 PARENTS PICK UP CHILDREN FROM CHILDCARE AREAS

11:45 - 12:30 LUNCH (TO BE PROVIDED)

12:45 - 2:00 AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Choose One)

1. "APPS"OLUTELY ENGAGING AND EDUCATIONAL: IPAD APPS FOR CHILDREN WITH LOW VISION AND SPECIAL NEEDS This session will offer information on five categories of iPad Apps that will make it easier for you to shop for, purchase and use iPad Apps for your children with low vision and special needs. Information on some Apps appropriate for children with blindness will also be shared. Presenters: Eric Jerman, Parent, (MA)

2. JUSTIFYING THE EXPANDED CORE CURRICULUM IN THE IEP This session will explore how parents can approach the IEP team with justifications for including the disability specific skills training that are often referred to as the Expanded Core Curriculum into the IEP. Presenter: Nancy Moulton, Program Director, Education Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Children, (ME)

3. MEALTIME SKILLS This session will provide families with tips to improve mealtime skills with their toddlers. Presenter: Elizabeth Torrey, Speech and Language Pathologist, (MA)

4. RAISING A CHILD WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES A panel of parents will discuss and share their experiences, challenges and strategies for raising a child with visual impairments. Moderator: Susan LaVenture, Executive Director of the National Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, (NAPVI)

Panel:

Tammy Frez-Albrecht Parent, (CT) Jeff Frez-Albrecht, Parent, (CT) Jenn Kendall, Parent, (CT)

5. MAXIMIZING INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN WITH CVI OR MULTIPLE DISABILITIES This session will discuss the unique challenges of children with CVI and/or multiple disabilities in learning to move safely and independently. Strategies to encourage movement will be shared. Presenters: Nancy Wittmerhaus, Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, (NH) Claudia Libis, Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, (NH)

2:00 ? 3:00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS: "IN THIS TOGETHER: BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM"

One mom's journey finding the resources, professional services, and community support necessary to raise a child with multiple disabilities.

Presenter: Amber Bobnar, Founder and Web Administrator of Amber lives with her husband, Esoos, and six year old son, Ivan, in Watertown, MA. Originally hailing from Hawaii, Amber and her family moved to Watertown to be closer to the Perkins School for the Blind where her son now attends the Early Learning Center. She has a Master's degree in English from Tufts University and is founder of and writer for an online resource for parents and caregivers of children with visual impairments.

2:00 ? 3:00 PARENTS PICK UP CHILDREN FROM CHILDCARE AREAS AND RAFFLE PRIZES

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