Westfield Parents Host 26th Annual Awareness Expo (Photos)

WESTFIELD, NJ - More than 225 parents, educators and other members of the Westfield community attended the 26th Annual Awareness Expo on March 13, hearing from well-regarded specialists on such topics as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), neurodiversity, digital youth culture and deconstructing reading disabilities.

“Many attendees on their way into Expo were excited by the presentation topics and found it hard to pick just two,” said Liz Bedner, co-chair of the Westfield Parent-Teacher Council’s Special Education Committee which hosted the event.

Since 1993, the Awareness Expo has showcased distinguished speakers ranging from highly acclaimed psychologists and educators to financial experts and attorneys whose varied insights empower parents and educators to better serve their children., oragnizers said. This year’s speakers were:

Dr. Robert Zambrano, a private practitioner with Stress and Anxiety Services of New Jersey who presented “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Not Just Hand-Washing.” "Many people say ‘I’m a little OCD,’ not really knowing what that means and how much this minimizes this often painful and difficult disorder,” said Dr. Zambrano who provided attendees tips on how to recognize the symptoms of OCD and how to (and not to) address it.

Psychologist Dr. Megan Brown and Jaime Lehrhoff, a learning disabilities teacher consultant, whose presentation “Deconstructing Reading Disabilities” examined the differences and similarities between various reading disabilities and how to address them.

Robin Roscigno, a neurodivergent scholar-activist and disability justice advocate who explained that neurodiversity is “a framework for thinking about neurological difference and disability outside of a medical or deficit model” which “offers a way to help children reach their potential while respecting their unique strengths and support needs.”

A team from Watchung Psychological Associates -- Dr. Michael Osit, Dr. Matthew Liebman, Nicole Liebman, and Megan Cook – who presented “F2F in Digital Space: Coping with Your Child’s Use of Social Media, Cell Phones, and Video Games” which explored “youth and digital space and how kids use these assets in productive as well as in negative ways.”

“We select the presenters based on feedback from the community,” said co-chair Amy Kolchinsky, who said that presentation topics are chosen from “a combination of feedback from the special education community and working with the presenters to match topics with their expertise.”

Kolchinsky and Bedner say that reaction to the Expo has been “overwhelmingly positive.” They encouraged attendees to fill out an evaluation form to provide feedback to the committee “so we can make it even better next year.”

“As proven by the past 26 years, the Awareness Expo provides invaluable support and enrichment to parents, educators and community members,” said Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan. “I am impressed each year by the caliber of speakers at the Awareness Expo and the dedication of the parents who organize this important event.”

At the March 13 event held at Edison Intermediate School, the committee also presented the 18th Annual Make a Difference Award to Lisa Wendel who has held many positions as committee member and co-chair on various Parent Teacher council committees, including the Special Education Committee.

“Lisa Wendel is a caring, honest, dedicated woman who has had a profound and positive impact on the Westfield special education community,” said committee advisor Gina Totino, in presenting the award. “She poured hours of herself into program development and execution with a positive and energetic attitude and we recognize her unique dedication.”

Photo #1 Caption: Michael M. Osit, Ed.D presents on “Coping with Your Child's Use of Social Media, Cell Phones, and Video Games” at the 26th Annual Awareness Expo on March 13.

Photo #2 Caption: Among the presenters at the 26th Annual Awareness Expo on March 13 were (l to r) Dr. Megan A. Brown, Ph.D., and Jaime Lehrhoff, M.A., LDT-C who spoke about “Deconstructing Reading Disabilities: The Differences and Similarities and How to Address Them.”

Photo #3 Caption: The Westfield Parent Teacher Council Special Education Committee held its 26th Annual Awareness Expo on March 13, presenting the “Make a Difference Award” to former PTC Special Education Committee Co-Chair Lisa Wendel. Pictured here from left to right are: r) 2019 Expo Co-Chairs Suzanne Schneider and Diane Quinn, Westfield PTC - Special Education Committee Co-Chairs Amy Kolchinsky and Liz Bedner, 18th Annual Make a Difference Award recipient and former Committee Co-Chair Lisa Wendel, former Committee Co-Chair Helene Bergman, Committee Advisor Gina Totino.

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