Recorded Presentations

This presentation is part of the Lurie Center for Autism Coffee Convo Series.  

The Massachusetts Department of Education and Secondary Education has recently rolled out a new IEP form. The Lurie Center for Autism invites you to join Gretchen Timmel, MEd and Lisa Nowinski, PhD, for a brief overview of the form and how it should be implemented to support students with autism. This presentation is intended to provide families with an introduction to the new form, highlighting a number of features including elements that allow for inclusive involvement among student, family and school in defining the needs of a student, provision of interpreters and conversion of IEP into native language of student and parent as needed, and the specific listing of teaching methodology that will be used to achieve each specific IEP goal. Previewing the new IEP form should be empowering!

This presentation by the Regional Technical Support Center (RTSC) covers key topics such as eligibility, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), procedural safeguards, and how to navigate meetings with schools. It’s a valuable resource for parents who are new to special education or wish to refresh their understanding of foundational rights and responsibilities. 

This Q&A style presentation presented by the Regional Technical Support Center (RTSC) offers a comprehensive walkthrough of the special education process—from referral and eligibility through IEP development, placement, and transition services. Participants will hear real-world questions from parents and detailed responses that clarify timelines, rights, district responsibilities, and ways families can actively participate. It’s an excellent resource for parents seeking clarity on how to navigate the steps, ask effective questions, and partner successfully with their school team. 

This informative session by the Regional Technical Support Center (RTSC) explores the range of placement options available under IDEA for students receiving special education services. From in-district programs to inclusion models, specialized classrooms, and out-of-district placements, viewers will gain a clearer understanding of how decisions are made, what factors influence placement, and how families can actively engage in placement discussions for their child.

This presentation is part of the Lurie Center for Autism Coffee Convo Series (Sept 2024) and it focuses on strategies parents can use to encourage and support their child’s active participation in the IEP process. The discussion covers ways to promote self-advocacy, prepare children for meetings, facilitate meaningful contributions, and collaborate as a team with educators. Ideal for families whose children are transitioning into or through IEP meetings and looking to strengthen student voice and involvement. 

As hard as it can be to advocate for your child, effectively working with educators, doctors, and other professionals is a skill you can learn. In this expert talk, hosted by the Chris Walsh Center, Leslie Leslie of the Federation for Children with Special Needs will teach you skills to help you advocate for your child across multiple settings. So grab a cup of coffee, sit down with us, and improve your advocacy skills today. 

This presentation is part of the Lurie Center for Autism Coffee Convo Series (Sept 2022) and it offers parents practical strategies to build constructive partnerships with schools. The discussion focuses on setting shared goals, maintaining open communication, participating effectively in meetings, and navigating the roles of educators, specialists, and families. Especially helpful for caregivers seeking collaborative team relationships to support their child’s success.

In this “Ask the Expert” session by the Chris Walsh Center, parents and educators address the key differences between a Section 504 Plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The discussion covers eligibility criteria, services each provides, how accommodations differ from modifications, and how families can determine which path is appropriate for their child. It’s an informative resource for caregivers who want clarity on how 504 and IEP frameworks work — and how to advocate for supports that match their child’s needs. 

This informative RTSC session explores dyslexia and learning differences, highlighting how schools, families, and students can work together to create a stronger success pathway. The video covers indicators of dyslexia, best practices for early intervention, effective approaches and accommodations, and real-world stories of students thriving. It’s a valuable watch for parents and educators who want to deepen their understanding of dyslexia and support students learning differently. 

"Moving from a reactive to a proactive approach in education: The importance of screening, early identification, and preventive strategies for dyslexia and other reading disabilities"

Learning disabilities and learning differences are commonly diagnosed in middle childhood, but divergent trajectories of brain development and language skills are already present in preschool or even at birth. This session will offer a general introduction to the neurobiology of reading development, including developmental dyslexia. We will cover the development of the typical and atypical reading brain and the importance of early screening for reading disabilities in young children with a special emphasis on screening and early preventive strategies. Topics covered will include typical and atypical reading development and its neurobiology, the “Dyslexia Paradox” (the discrepancy between the current window for diagnoses and the windows for most effective intervention), early neural and behavioral pre-markers of reading difficulties before reading onset, screening (why, when, whom, how, where), the importance of evidence-based response to screening and educational and clinical implications.

In this “Ask the Expert” session by the Chris Walsh Center, viewers learn about what dyslexia is, what the earliest indicators might be, and practical strategies families and schools can use to provide timely support. The discussion covers: identifying signs of dyslexia, understanding how it impacts learning, intervention approaches, accommodations, and how parents can collaborate with educators and specialists. A helpful resource for caregivers, educators, and anyone supporting students with learning differences. 

In this “Ask the Expert” session by the Chris Walsh Center, parents will learn about the state’s new dyslexia screening laws, what the regulations require schools to do (such as early literacy screenings), and how these changes will affect children and families in real-world settings. The presenter also explains key family rights, how to interpret screening results, and ways to actively partner with school teams for timely intervention and support. 

This presentation by FCSN provides an overview of the neuro-immune conditions known as Pediatric Acute‑Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). The presenter explains how these disorders can begin with a sudden onset of symptoms like obsessive-compulsive behaviors, anxiety, tics, or eating restrictions, often triggered by infection or immune response. Families will learn about typical symptom patterns, diagnostic considerations, and what to ask when working with healthcare providers and schools. A valuable resource for caregivers seeking clearer understanding of how PANS/PANDAS may impact a child’s behavior, learning, and school supports. 

This presentation by the Regional Technical Support Center (RTSC) focuses on the intersection of mental health and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. It covers how mental-health needs can impact eligibility, service decisions, accommodations, and team planning within the IEP. Parents will gain insights into how to bring mental-health considerations into IEP meetings, communicate effectively with school teams, and advocate for supports that address both emotional and educational needs. 

This presentation from the Regional Technical Support Center (RTSC) focuses on crafting meaningful social-emotional goals for students who display challenging behaviors. The video explores how to write goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound), how to align goals with behavior support plans and IEPs, and how to engage teams and families in monitoring progress. It’s especially helpful for caregivers and educators who want to write or review goals that support positive behavioral and emotional development. 

This expert-led session by the Chris Walsh Center, brings together STEM educators and specialists to explore inclusive teaching practices within math, science, engineering, and technology classrooms. The discussion examines how STEM teachers design accommodations, scaffold complex content, and weave inclusion into rigorous lessons so students with IEPs can thrive. Parents and caregivers will gain valuable insights into collaborative planning, instructional adaptations, and how to advocate for meaningful participation in STEM fields. 

This inspiring session from NEADS World Class Service Dogs shows how service dogs are matched with families and individuals to transform daily life and enhance independence. You’ll hear firsthand stories of training, placement, and the outcomes for people of all ages. The video also explores how service dogs can be a powerful support tool in educational contexts, emotional regulation, and school inclusion — especially for students with disabilities and their families. 

Ask the Expert: Executive Function Series PLAYLIST - Chris Walsh Center

This series from the Christopher Walsh Center focuses on executive functioning skills — how they affect students with disabilities and what supports can help. Across multiple videos, parents and educators will explore topics such as: time-management, organization, working memory, task initiation, emotional regulation, and planning. The content provides both the “why” behind executive challenges and the “how” of strategies that families and school teams can implement to bolster student success in and out of the classroom.