24th ANNUAL AWARENESS EXPO SET FOR MARCH 15th IN WESTFIELD, NJ

March 1, 2017 — Westfield, NJ — The 24^th Annual Awareness Expo is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Edison Intermediate School, 800 Rahway Avenue, Westfield, NJ from 7 PM - 9:45 PM. Presented by the Westfield PTC — Special Education Committee, the Awareness Expo will provide parents and educators of special needs children with information and resources to aid in their ongoing education and growth. The Expo is open to the public and is free of charge.

Since 1993, the Awareness Expo has showcased distinguished speakers ranging from highly acclaimed psychologists and educators to financial experts and attorneys who provide insight into a variety of issues that empower parents and educators to advocate for their children.

“The goal of the Expo has always been to educate the community about issues that impact our students and their ability to succeed. This year, the Expo will once again be a one-stop platform for parents and educators seeking to learn more about educational resources and enrichment programs that exist for special needs children in New Jersey and the surrounding areas,” says Lisa Wendel, Chair of the Westfield PTC — Special Education Committee.

“Sharing information and finding support among other parents going through the same issues is another reason why the Expo has always been so successful. We all work together to help our children reach their fullest potential,” added Julie Steinberg, Expo Committee Co-Chair.

With an estimated 300 attendees anticipated, the Expo will feature several well-regarded specialists and speakers from all across the tri-state area who will present their topics twice during the evening in small break out sessions. All programs have been approved for 1.5 Professional Development Hours.

We encourage you to visit http://24th-westfield-awareness-expo.blogspot.com/ for a link to our early registration and/or e-mail WestfieldSpecialEdParents@gmail.com for additional information.

This year’s Expo will include the following topics and speakers:

SPEAKERS

Overcoming Disability

Independent business woman. Entrepreneur. Outdoors enthusiast. Wife. Mother. Philanthropist. Pioneer. And amputee, at age 15. Join Brooke Artesi as she shares her story of how she has lived her best life, and how our children may do the same.

· Brooke Artesi, CPO, LPO

Standardized Testing Accommodations

From PARCC and NJ ASK to the ACT and SATs, standardized testing is used from elementary grades through high school. Join this panel of Westfield’s Special Services team to explain the in’s and outs of available accommodations, when to ask for them, and how to collaborate on proper implementation.

· Andrea Lo, LDT-C, Supervisor of Spec Ed

· Panel

Fitting in at the Gym: Adapting to Physical Education

Adapted Physical Education is physical education that has been adapted or modified, so that it is as appropriate for the person with a disability as it is for a person without a disability. Join this diverse panel of educators to learn how to level the playing field through physical education.

· Nancy Babbitt, M.A.

· Beth Richardson, MSPT

· Beverly Torok, Phys.l Ed. WHS

Dispelling Dyslexia:

Overcoming the Myths and Misconceptions

Join this session to discover how children with dyslexia are evaluated, diagnosed, treated, and baselined to determine personal progress. This will be followed with an update on the state of dyslexia in NJ legislature and nationally.

· Jaime Lehrhoff, M.A., LDT-C

· Dr. Megan Brown, Ph.D

Occupational Therapy:
Self-Advocacy and Resiliency for Children with Special Needs

This presentation will describe how new and innovative occupational therapy programs help promote self-advocacy and resiliency for children with special needs. We will review 7 objectives inherent in the delivery of therapy programs and services that will help kids become more resilient, self-advocates BECAUSE they will be more independent, active participants in their community.

· Scott Matthews OT

· Sarah Dowzycki MS OTR/L

· Danielle Kearns, MS OTR/L

Autism Spectrum: A Pharmacological Treatment Update

Updates on the latest developments in the treatment of the core features of autism as well as associated conditions. The session will explore the current state of the science of treating these core features, namely the social/emotional aspects, language and communication issues, and cognitive rigidity, inflexibility, and obsessional patterns of interest.

· Dr. Charles Cartwright, M.D

21st Century Families:

Keep Stress Low - Communication is the Way to Go

This presentation will address effective communication skills, coping with family stresses (i.e. having a special needs child, divorce, death in the family, moving, and sibling rivalry), and incorporating technology in happy family life.

· Dr. Michael Osit

· Dr. Matthew Liebman

Twice Exceptional:

Gifted and Challenged – How Do We Meet Their Needs?

Twice-exceptional students present a unique identification and service delivery dilemma for educators. Join Helen Waldron to discuss how these students are identified and characterized, roles and responsibilities of the districts and teachers to ensure appropriate programming and needs for them, and best practices for accommodations and adaptations for these students.

· Helen Waldron, M. Ed.

Setting Yourself Up for Success: Understanding and Managing Challenging Behavior

This workshop will provide participants with a framework for understanding problem behaviors (school refusal, behavioral outbursts, etc.) in the home and school settings, as well as practical, research-supported strategies for their prevention and management.

· Dr. Meir Flancbaum, Psy.D.

The State of Special Education Law: Trends in Today's Climate

IDEA. Section 504. And of course related funding for these critical elements that comprise the backbone of federal special education law. Join attorney Hillary Freeman to review these legal structures, as well as gain an understanding of what may lay ahead in this rapidly changing political climate.

· Hillary Freeman, Esq.

The Westfield PTC — Special Education Committee will also award the “Make a Difference Award” to the Achieve Educators, who truly made a difference to the parents, students, and educators of the Westfield Special Education Community.