Conference Sessions

Break Out Session Descriptions

First Breakout Session

Supporting Learning Disabilities in the Community

This session will discuss the parent, school and, community triangle of support for students with learning disabilities, with an emphasis on literacy, math, executive functioning and transition to post-secondary

Keep Calm and Use Visuals

This session will explore visual supports for students with Intellectual Disabilities around routines, schedules, and transitions; when communicating expectations; for detailing tasks; and for self-monitoring.

Including Emerging Communicators in Your Classroom

This session will explore strategies for using students' preferences and setting up the environment (communication temptations) to create the need and give students a REASON to interact and communicate with you.

Sounds of Language

This session will support educators and families in their understanding of how Phonological Awareness skills (sound awareness skills) develop and the role that they play in the early reading and writing for our young learners.

Positive Reinforcement- How to Make the Good Behaviours Stick!

This session will cover the concept of positive reinforcement and just how powerful it can be in changing one's behaviour! We will explore different types of reinforcement including individual, and group systems and different ways to identify what items might be reinforcing for your child/learner!

Asset Focused Support of ELD Students

This presentation will describe specific programming considerations when welcoming students with limited and interrupted prior schooling in elementary grades 4-8. A brief introduction to the English Literacy Development (ELD) Ministry STEP framework and the Special Education protocol will also be introduced.

Inclusion and Sensory Loss - A Student's Perspective

Join a panel of intermediate/senior students who have sensory loss (vision and/or hearing) for their insight on inclusionary practices, challenges, and successes. Workshop participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions to students and/or vision and hearing resource teachers.

Focused and Flexible: Calming Spaces and Flexible Seating

The effective implementation of environmental supports is proven to reduce disruptive behaviours and increase academic productivity. This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies, tools and resources geared towards developing flexible seating and calming spaces within the classroom environment.

ASD 101: Practical Classroom Strategies for Secondary Educators

This session will explore best practices in programming for students on the Autism Spectrum and universal supports that are beneficial for all! We will provide an overview of the diagnosis, PPM 140, and Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) strategies that support all learners and how these elements can look in the secondary environment.

Universal Strategies Across Settings in the Early Years

This session will focus on Universal Support strategies to help promote a calm, safe, and inclusive environment at home and at school. Participants will also explore tools and strategies to build independence and foster skills development in various learning areas.

TRACKS

This session will discuss the TRACKS (Try Again, Right Thing, Assist, Congratulate, Keep Trying and Show) peer-mediated social skills intervention program developed by Thames Valley Children's Centre, Fanshawe College and the City of London. TRACKS provides children with skills to interact to create an environment of inclusion, belonging, and meaningful participation.

Inclusion Through a Collaborative Team Approach

Focusing on a leadership approach to promoting inclusion in schools.

Second Breakout Session

Conversations, Making Friends and Problem Solving: Learning Social Communication in the Primary Years

This interactive session will explore how to identify children with social communication needs and explore inclusive strategies for building these skills.

Do More with Core

Core vocabulary refers to a small set of words that non-verbal or minimally verbal students can use to express a wide variety of communication functions. This session will describe what "core vocabulary" words are, and share ideas on how to model them in the classroom.

Positive Reinforcement- How to Make the Good Behaviours Stick!

Shared Interventions using the ELL-Special Education Protocol

This session will discuss the TVDSB English Language Learners (ELL)-Special Education Protocol and explore how classroom teachers, English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, and English Literacy Development (ELD) teachers, and LSTs can monitor and plan appropriate interventions and next steps.

Building Community with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Students and Families

FASD 101: Practical Classroom Strategies

In this session, participants will develop an understanding of the characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and effective strategies to support students with FASD in the classroom.

ASD 101: Practical Classroom Strategies for Elementary Educators

This session will explore best practices in programming for students on the Autism Spectrum and universal supports that are beneficial for all! We will provide an overview of the diagnosis, PPM 140, the functions that behaviours serve, and Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) strategies that support all learners.

Universal Strategies Across Settings in the Early Years

Positive Parent Advocacy

This session is designed for parents navigating the school system for their child with special needs. We look at the common challenges of the role of parent advocate and explore solutions to building a positive and effective relationship between home and school.

Using a Class Profile to Support Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Using a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, participants will learn how to build a classroom profile of individual student differences to guide strategic instruction and support.

Third Breakout Session

Beyond Social skills: Understanding and Supporting Social Competence in Students with a Learning Disability

This session will focus on furthering participants’ understanding of the skills required to navigate social interactions and drive academic success. Practical strategies and tips for promoting social competencies for students with LDs will be shared.

INclude

Include extensions and enrichment for your entire class, not just Identified Gifted students

FSL is for Everyone!

This session will investigate the documents supporting the inclusion of ALL learners in French Immersion and CORE French programs. Participants will learn effective universal strategies to support all students in French.

Understanding and Supporting Students with Challenging Behaviours

Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of behaviour and engage in practical universal supports and targeted interventions to promote desired behaviours within the school environment.

Unpacking Implicit Bias

This workshop will explore the implications of unchecked bias and how we can manage our bias in order to ensure that we are meeting the unique needs of each student.

Peer Awareness for Students on the Autism Spectrum - How to Support Social Skills Development

This session will discuss some common misconceptions, how to support the creation of supportive peer relationships, and increase the acceptance of commonly implemented strategies in the classroom.

Understanding the Educational Psychological Report

Attendees will learn about psychological assessments, the information the assessments provide and how that information can be used to help students academically, socially, behaviourally and emotionally.

Leads Employment Services - Features, Advantages, and Benefits: An Employer and Participant Perspective

This session will be facilitated by Leads Employment services and through a panel of clients and employers, will discuss their supports.

Epilepsy 101: How to Support a child with Seizures and Epilepsy

An overview of epilepsy, seizure first aid, rescue medication and impact on learning.

Understanding Executive Functioning: Supporting Students' Work Habits in the Classroom

In this session, we will define executive functioning and describe their importance to school success. The session will be focused on classroom based strategies that support the development of these skills in both elementary and secondary school students.