Conference Schedule

Building a Roadmap for Inclusive Lives

After Saturday's Keynote Session on "Building a Roadmap for Inclusive Lives", Dan Habib returns for a special parent Question and Answer at the monthly SECACPG Meeting.

During this interactive workshop focused on self-care, participants will have the opportunity to identify ways in which stress shows up in their lives; explore and practice practical self-care tips for stress reduction; and, engage in a gentle, relaxing yoga flow. Participants should dress comfortably, have a yoga mat and a journal (or note-taking app) handy.

If our kids don’t feel safe, they can’t learn. When most people think about what safe means, they think about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like losing a parent, experiencing poverty, or being abused. But safety is actually more than that. In this talk, Sarah Wayland will explain why a sense of safety is important, what safe actually means, and how to tell if your child is feeling safe. She will provide strategies you can implement to help your child feel safer, as well as changes you can make in your home and classroom to foster a feeling of safety and acceptance.

In this interactive presentation, Dr. Heller will briefly provide participants with a basic understanding of how ADHD and executive function weaknesses manifest, since understanding this is crucial to effectively implementing tools to make improvements. Aside from this explanation, the presentation will be completely practical, helping participants learn practical principles and tangible strategies that they can adapt to meet the needs of their children, teens, and themselves. Part I focuses on school related items including tracking assignments, planning, staying on task at school and when doing homework, and other related school things.

Overwhelmed by everything that is available on the internet? This workshop will introduce you to reliable, trustworthy, and vetted resources provided by PGPCS and the public libraries to help your child (and you!) with their educational and entertainment needs.

If you ever find yourself trying to understand your child’s behaviors, this is the session for you! Behaviors are your child’s way of sharing feelings, preferences, wants and needs, but finding out what they are saying can be a challenge. Learn about how children grow and change in the way they interact with others and cope with their emotions. Then explore the detective work you can do to understand what your child is trying to say to you and other caregivers.

1 in 49 children in Maryland are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Undoubtedly, you are interacting with someone with Autism, whether in your home, your neighborhood, your school, or your workplace. Understanding ASD is one way to improve your interactions with someone on the spectrum. Our presentation will provide a practical and experiential opportunity for you to learn strategies and tips for success.

In part II, Dr. Heller will help participants learn to use parenting tools that promote independence at home related to ADHD and executive function issues (i.e., trouble doing chores, staying on task, disconnecting from technology, morning routine). His general philosophy is that if you are taking the time to help your child or teen, be intentional with your approach and help support them in learning to do things for themselves. Therefore, rather than picking up your child’s laundry, reminding them for the fifth time to do their homework, and engaging in other methods that may only help short-term if at all, learn how to get your child or teen to do things for themselves. It’s a win-win for both of you.

Developing a good relationship with your child’s teacher will make it easier for you to share concerns and work together to help your child succeed. Let's review some tips for building and maintaining a STRONG partnership. Parents are the key!!

This session is designed to provide families with information about the Autism Waiver. The waiver provides opportunities for students with ASD to receive specialized services, such as intensive individual support services, therapeutic integration, and residential habilitation.

You know your child better than anyone else! You know what makes them laugh, cry, shout, and sing. Learn ways to share all of that important information with the other caregivers in your child’s life so that they can help support your child’s development. Find tools to advocate for your child and address social emotional concerns quickly. The context you offer to the professionals who support your family can transform challenges into successes.

Children struggle with reading for many reasons, but many problems can be treated. The research on reading tells us how important it is to recognize problems as soon as possible. Recent developments in the Science of Reading make early identification and intervention more effective than ever, but it is essential for parents and teachers alike to know signs of reading problems. In this talk, Dr. Rebecca Resnik, Licensed Psychologist and Special Educator, will describe how effective reading instruction builds a "reading brain" in typical learners. She will also describe "red flags" of Dyslexia and how Dyslexia manifests throughout the K-12 years. Dr. Resnik will also provide ideas and resources to help you collaborate with your child's teachers for your child's success.