Helping Kids Soar Workshops 2009-2010
Thursday, September 17, 2009 HKS 022-1
Helping Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder Soar - Social Communication and Peer Play: Bringing out your child’s social potential
Nicole Segall, M.Cl.Sc., R.SLP, S-LP(c), Speech-Language Pathologist
This is the first in a series of six workshops on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This presentation will assist you in understanding the complex nature of social interactions and the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. You will also learn strategies to assist children on the autism spectrum in developing positive relationships with others, and the important role that we as their supporters play in making this happen!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 HKS 027-1
Make and Take Workshop - "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"
Kimberly Assie, Ms., R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kara Budden, B.Sc.O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Note: There is a $10.00 resource fee for this workshop.
This theme-based workshop provides participants with a package of activities that focus on improving development of language and communication skills along with fine and gross motor skills. Through completion of these activities children will also be exposed to a variety of sensory experiences. Participants will construct props from the beautifully written and illustrated, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. This workshop is targeted for use in the Kingergarten/Grade One setting and is also suitable for Special Education Programs.
Thursday, September 24, 2009 HKS 006
Boardmaker™ v6 (3 Hour Workshop)
Eleanor Craighead, B.Sc (Log), R.SLP. S-LP, (C), Augmentative Communication Specialist
This 3 hour introduction to Boardmaker™ v6 will provide participants with a hands-on experience leaving you thoroughly familiar with this useful program. Create your own boards and discover how to create and store your own symbols by importing clipart or digital photos. The differences between this program and Boardmaker Plus™, and speaking Dynamically Pro™ will be discussed.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 HKS 002
Classroom Strategies: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Nicole Avanthey, MSc. SLP, R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Stacy Finnbogason, B.H.Sc.P.T., Physical Therapist
Dayna Jansen-Nessler, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
A general overview of the characteristics of kindergarten through early elementary school aged children with mild to moderate learning needs from a speech-language, occupational and physical therapy perspective. Specific emphasis will be placed on reviewing general classroom strategies that support language and communication difficulties, fine and gross motor challenges and sensory processing concerns. Participants will also look at some typical therapy recommendations and how to incorporate them into the classroom.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 HKS 003
Building Awareness of Boundaries
Karen Beekhuizen, B.A., BSW, RSW, Social Worker
This workshop is designed to generate discussion around building awareness of boundary issues when working closely with children with special needs and their families. As caregivers, we often feel compelled to give more and more. This can lead to caregiver burnout. This workshop will leave participants asking questions about why they do some of the things they do and leave them with a clearer understanding of their roles. Suggestions for strategies to build a support network will also be provided.
This workshop can come to your organization or location.
Contact us for additional costs and other details.
Thursday, October 1, 2009 HKS 013
Assistive Technology for the Classroom
Andrea Jewers, Assistive Technology Assistant
Jared Shore, O.T. (c), RSLP, Occupational Therapist
This workshop will be an introduction to simple technology and its application in the classroom. A variety of products (i.e. Big Mack, Step by Step, Jelly Bean Switches and Powerlink) will be demonstrated in realistic classroom activities. Attendees will be provided with a new set of creative activity ideas for simple technology users at school.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 HKS 005
Let’s Get Organized! Setting Your Child Up For Success in School and at Home
Jill Botelho, BKin, MScOT(c), Occupational Therapist
Kara Budden, B.Sc.O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
For some children, the missing link to success in school lies in their ability to organize themselves. Participants will learn what organizational skills are and why they are important for learning. Possible causes for difficulties or a lack of organizational skills will be discussed, as well as indicators that may be observed in a child struggling in this area. Strategies for supporting your child and facilitating improved organizational skills at school and at home will be provided. This workshop will focus on the school-age population.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 HKS 008
Movement Breaks and Daily Physical Activity
Angela Goertzen, B.Sc.(P.T.), Physical Therapist
A sound body, sound mind! Physical movement and academic strength complement each other for the potential of greater achievements in both areas. With the expectation of 30 minutes of daily physical activity in schools, space and gym time are often limited. Movement breaks in the classroom or other areas of the school can be a great solution to helping students stay active during the day. This workshop will target K-1 activities.
Thursday, October 8, 2009 HKS 010
Speaking Dynamically Pro™ and Boardmaker Plus™ (3 Hour Workshop)
Eleanor Craighead, B.Sc (Log), R.SLP. S-LP, (C), Augmentative Communication Specialist
Andrea Jewers, Assistive Technology Assistant
(Prerequisite – HKS Workshop 006 or equivalent) PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT an introductory Boardmaker™ workshop; working familiarity with Boardmaker™ is required.
This 3 hour workshop will be focused on programming for these two programs which are part of the Boardmaker™ family. Boardmaker Plus™ adds on voice, sound, animation and video capabilities, and Speaking Dynamically Pro™ adds further features to support augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This workshop is aimed at teachers, therapists and support staff in a special needs environment.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 HKS 004-1
Sensory Processing - Part 1 - Understanding the Child with Sensory Processing Needs
Dayna Jansen-Nessler, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Leah Loiselle, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
This workshop is designed to help develop an understanding of how the sensory systems impact learning and behaviour. You will learn theory related to sensory processing and develop a better ability to understand your child’s sensory processing needs and abilities. (Prerequisite for workshop #004-2)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 HKS 007
Classroom Suite 4™ Intro
Eleanor Craighead, B.Sc (Log), R.SLP. S-LP, (C), Augmentative Communication Specialist
This 2 hour workshop will give an overview of Classroom Suite™, specifically for teachers, classroom assistants and parents. Learn how to use and publish from the pre-existing activities within Classroom Suite 4™, and explore its application to Early Learning, Math and Literacy in particular. The use of the Intellikeys alternate keyboard and scanning within the program will be demonstrated.
Thursday, October 22, 2009 HKS 029
Positive Behaviour Support for Home and School
Ashleigh Yule, BA (hons.), MA, Registered Provisional Psychologist
This workshop will offer practical and effective behaviour solutions to support preschool and elementary aged children. Participants will develop a functional approach to understanding behaviour, review basic behavioural principles and research, and work through effective strategies to deal with behaviour both at home and in the classroom.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 HKS 004-2
Sensory Processing - Part 2 - Helping the Child with Sensory Processing Needs
Dayna Jansen-Nessler, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Leah Loiselle, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Note: Workshop 004-1 is a prerequisite for this workshop.
This workshop is designed to help develop strategies that are helpful to children with a variety of sensory processing needs. We will discuss how a child’s arousal state, level of attention, and ability to learn can be impacted by sensory based programming. We will introduce programs that are commonly used by OTs to support children with sensory processing needs.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 HKS 014
Childhood Obesity: What Can We Do?
Stacy Finnbogason, B.H.Sc.P.T., Physical Therapist
This workshop will provide an overview of the scope of the obesity problem for Canadian children, as well as the potential health consequences for children as they age. More importantly, there will be a discussion about strategies for increasing the activity level of children at home, at school and in the community.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 HKS 011
Yoga for the Child With Special Needs
Dayna Jansen-Nessler, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Leah Loiselle, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Do you want to learn how to help your children pay better attention, improve motor control, or increase self confidence? This course will focus on how breath work and yoga can help with self regulation, body awareness, and self esteem. Limit 20 people. Dress comfortably. Namaste.
Thursday, November 5, 2009 HKS 012-1
Helping Kids With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Soar - Part 1 - What is FASD?
Mel Bergmann, MS, R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Laura Casey Foss, BSc, MSc Provisional Psychologist
This three-part series provides the participant with information on how a diagnosis is made, characteristic challenges and behaviours of these children in the preschool and elementary school years and strategies to support children with an FASD diagnosis. Information is presented through lecture, hands-on activities, video, and case examples.
"...and so the FASD diagnosis is static encephalopaty, sentinal physical findings..." Huh? Part 1 explores the diagnostic process and describes what this means for the child. Characteristic learning and memory challenges will be discussed and strategies provided.
Thursday, November 12, 2009 HKS 012-2
Helping Kids With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Soar - Part 2 - Communication, Sensory Processing and Motor Challenges
Mel Bergmann, MS, R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Shawna Malin, B.Sc. OT (c), Occupation Therapist
Note: Workshop 012-1 is a prerequisite for this workshop.
The first half of this workshop provides a more in-depth examination of the role sensory processing abilities, self-regulation concerns and motor challenges play in the behavioural challenges children with FASD face. The second half explores the communication difficulties of children with FASD, specifically in reference to receptive, expressive, and social skills deficits.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 HKS 015
Learning the Tricks of the Trade: How to work on speech sound development in the classroom and one-to-one sessions
Nicole Avanthey, MSc. SLP, R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica Reid, MSc. SLP, R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
This hands-on workshop will give you the tools necessary to help children develop their speech sounds. We will discuss how sounds are made, when to know if a sound will develop naturally and when we need to give children a boost. Specific therapy ideas and techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. Materials will be provided that will get you started right away.
Thursday, November 19, 2009 HKS 012-3
Helping Kids With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Soar - Part 3 - Behavioural and Learning Strategies
Laura Casey Foss, BSc, MSc Provisional Psychologist
Note: Workshop 012-2 is a prerequisite for this workshop.
This final workshop will discuss social and behavioural challenges and strategies that have been effective in supporting children with FASD. Participants will have an opportunity to work in small groups to apply the strategies they have learned.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 HKS 017
Social Skills for Preschool and Elementary Aged Children
Susan Hendrickson, M.Sc.Registered Provisional Psychologist / Clinical Service Coordinator
To succeed in school and life, children have to be able to get along and work with others. Quite often with children challenging behaviours can mask an underlying deficit in social skills. This workshop provides information on common topics covered in social skills training as well as strategies for teaching those topics. Strategies are transferable to inclusive settings and across children’s varying ability levels.
Thursday, November 26, 2009 HKS 018
Communicate: SymWriter™ (3 hour workshop)
Eleanor Craighead, B.Sc (Log), R.SLP. S-LP, (C), Augmentative Communication Specialist
Come and spend 3 hours discovering Communicate: SymWriter™ program which replaces Writing with Symbols™. At its simplest, this software is a talking and symbol word processor, but can also be used to promote errorless and guided writing. Communicate: SymWriter™ can be used to develop worksheets and computer based activities for your classroom, as well as social stories. This program uses either PCS symbols or the Widgit Literacy Symbols.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 HKS 020
Developmental Coordination Disorder - What is it and what can you do?
Tammy Nighswander, BScKin, MScPT, Physical Therapist
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and other motor coordination disorders affect children and adults of all ages. This workshop will review common coordination disorders and how children commonly present with these conditions. Suggested strategies, current research and concepts will be discussed for potential practical use in the school and home settings.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 HKS 024
Publishing with Classroom Suite 4™ (3 hour workshop)
Eleanor Craighead, B.Sc (Log), R.SLP. S-LP, (C), Augmentative Communication Specialist
Andrea Jewers, Assistive Technology Assistant
Prerequisite: 007 or equivalent. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT an introductory CLASSROOM SUITE 4™ workshop; some experience with CLASSROOM SUITE 4™ is required.
This 3 hour workshop provides a hands-on opportunity for creating activities from scratch, or from existing templates within Classroom Suite 4™. Directions will be provided for specific activities, or bring your own materials (e.g. digital pictures, scanned books) and we will help you translate them into Classroom Suite 4™ activities. Remember to bring your USB flash drive to take home your activities!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 HKS 021
Power To The Printer
Dayna Jansen-Nessler, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Leah Loiselle, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
This workshop provides practical ideas to help your children become more legible printers. We will explore the most common causes of printing difficulties and discuss strategies to overcome them. We will discuss:
- fine motor difficulties and ideas that can be used at home and at school to overcome them.
- how to teach printing so that your child is able to produce more consistent, legible printing.
- tools and adaptations that can help encourage success.
Thursday, January 21, 2010 HKS 022-2
Helping Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder Soar - What is Autism?
Susan Hendrickson, M.Sc., Registered Provisional Psychologist / Clinical Service Coordinator
The second in a six-part ASD series, this workshop will provide information on the diagnostic categories, the diagnostic process, history of the disorders, and provide resource information for further exploration. It will briefly discuss theories related to the disorders. This session provides the basis for later workshops on intervention strategies, behaviour supports, sensory strategies, and the importance of play with children with an ASD.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 HKS 009
Assistive Technology for Home and the Community
Andrea Jewers, Assistive Technology Assistant
Jared Shore, O.T. (c), RSLP, Occupational Therapist
Simple use of switches and low-tech devices will be demonstrated in practical applications for the home and community, to encourage play skills, participation and communication. Computer access will also be discussed and various alternate means of accessing the computer will be demonstrated. This workshop is geared to parents and people who work with children in the home and community.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 HKS 016
Learning to the Beat of a Different Drummer
Kim Locke, BChSt, CCLS, Behaviour Consultant
Nicole Segall, M.Cl.Sc., R.SLP, S-LP(c), Speech-Language Pathologistl
If you’ve ever wondered how to unite the minds and bodies of the children in your environment, then this is the presentation for you! Open your mind and free your hands for a fun and exciting way of connecting with children. This presentation explores the wonderful opportunities for growth and development in many different areas such as speech and language, social skills, behaviour and movement/coordination, all through the beat of a drum.
Thursday, January 28, 2010 HKS 022-3
Helping Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder Soar - Sensory Processing and Strategies to Support the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Leah Loiselle, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Dayna Jansen-Nessler, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Note: Workshop 022-2 is a prerequisite for this workshop.
The third in a six-part ASD series, this workshop will provide a brief introduction to what sensory processing is, its role in attention and learning and how to use sensory strategies to engage and interact with children with ASD to support their learning and play.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 HKS 025
Parenting At-Risk Adolescents
Laura Casey Foss, BSc, MSc Provisional Psychologist
What places a teen "at risk"? What can parents do to help their teenager make positive decisions? This workshop will define what "at-risk" behaviours are and help parents understand the various influences in their teen’s life. Focus will be placed on identifying risk and protective factors of risky behaviour. Strategies for how to improve protective factors, how to talk to teens, and how to foster responsible decision-making will be discussed and practiced.
Thursday, February 4, 2010 HKS 022-4
Helping Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder Soar - Visual Strategies and Behavioural Supports
Susan Hendrickson, M.Sc., Registered Provisional Psychologist / Clinical Service Coordinator
Erin McWhirter, Behaviour Consultant
Note: Workshop 022-3 is a prerequisite for this workshop.
The fourth in a six-part ASD series, this session focuses on intervention strategies for children with an ASD. It provides practical information on how to implement visual strategies across environments. Speakers will also discuss positive behaviour supports - what they are and how to use them.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 HKS 027-2
Make and Take Workshop - "Silly Sally"
Kimberly Assie, Ms., R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kara Budden, B.Sc.O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Note: There is a $10.00 resource fee for this workshop.
This theme-based workshop provides participants with a package of activities that focus on improving development of language and communication skills along with fine and gross motor skills. Through completion of these activities children will also be exposed to a variety of sensory experiences. Participants will construct props from the beautifully written and illustrated "Silly Sally" by Audrey Wood. This workshop is targeted for use in the Kindergarten/Grade One setting and is also suitable for Special Education Programs.
Thursday, February 18, 2010 HKS 022-5
Helping Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder Soar - The Power of Play: Connecting and interacting with a child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Daidre Gent, BMR, OT(C), Occupational Therapist
Susan Yee, Play Specialist, SAS Program
Note: Workshop 022-4 is a prerequisite for this workshop.
The fifth in a six-part ASD series, this presentation emphasizes the importance of play as a child’s means to learn and refine a wide variety of skills. However, teaching play skills to children with ASD can be challenging and it is important to learn a variety of strategies to incorporate into your interactions. Children with ASD often require additional support when learning to play with others as well as with toys. Knowing what stage of play development your child is at will help guide your play choices. Through an increased number of video examples and discussion, participants will gain this key knowledge and leave with practical ideas to use on a daily basis with children with ASD.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 HKS 026
Computers for Everyone
Andrea Jewers, Assistive Technology Assistant
Jared Shore, O.T. (c), RSLP, Occupational Therapist
Computers are fast becoming a standard learning tool in homes and classrooms. For children with physical impairments, the computer is one of the most powerful mediums for active learning. This workshop will review and demonstrate access tools and software that allows all children to participate in computer activities. In addition, there will be discussion and demonstration of ways to adapt standard classroom activities to allow children to access them on the computer.
Thursday, February 25, 2010 HKS 023
Strategies to Encourage Early Language Development
Jessica Reid, MSc. SLP, R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
This workshop focuses on basic strategies that caregivers, child-care workers and educational assistants can use within everyday routines to help build language with children who are beginning to use words and/or have limited language skills. The importance of keeping children engaged through play and how this impacts language development will also be discussed. This workshop is appropriate for caregivers and professionals working with preschool aged children who are not yet talking, or who are just beginning to use and put words together.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 HKS 019
Printing and Literacy Skills
Kimberly Assie, Ms., R.SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kara Budden, B.Sc.O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
Participants in this workshop will be presented with a multidisciplinary (occupational therapy and speech language pathology) perspective to teaching printing and literacy as coexisting skills. A student’s production of written output is often impacted by difficulties with thought formulation and motor planning. However, there seems to be a relationship between limited pre-literacy skills and the development of written skills in early elementary school students. The question is, "what comes first, auditory awareness or motor output and can we address them together?"
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 HKS 028
The Teen Scene
Leah Loiselle, B.Sc. O.T.(C), Occupational Therapist
This workshop is designed to share information that will help you understand and support children as they (and we!) enter their teenage years. We will describe how the teenage brain is different than the child and adult brain. We will explore changes in sleep, behaviour, and self-regulation patterns. We will discuss ideas to help our teenage children function more optimally in their classrooms and at home.
Thursday, March 4, 2010 HKS 022-6
Helping Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder Soar - Increasing Communication in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Jennifer Blancher, M.Sc. SLP, R.SLP, S-LP(C) Speech-Language Pathologist
Emily Chan, M.Sc., R.SLP, S.LP(C) Speech-Language Pathologist
The final session in a six-part ASD series, this workshop will teach basic language stimulation strategies to use with children who are not yet communicating or who have just begun to communicate. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about different stages of communication that children progress through. Video examples and hands-on activities will be provided in order to enhance the learning experience.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 HKS 030
School Psychology
Ashleigh Yule, BA (hons.), MA, Registered Provisional Psychologist
This workshop will review the roles and responsibilities of school psychologists at Renfrew Educational Services. Participants will develop an understanding of the supports available from the school psychology team and will receive information about the consultation, intervention, assessment, prevention, and advocacy the school psychology team provides.
Thursday, March 11, 2010 HKS 001
Beyond the Classroom: The Playground as a Learning Environment
Stacy Finnbogason, B.H.Sc.P.T., Physical Therapist
This workshop provides an overview of the physical, social and creative benefits of playground equipment, a review of important playground safety issues and a discussion of how parents, teachers and therapists can work on a child’s goals on the playground.