The WRAML-2: Wide-Range Assessment of Memory and Learning

The new WRAML-2 test is a memory and learning assessment battery that allows for broader, more in-depth analysis. This carefully standardized psychometric instrument is a more versatile measure that evaluates both immediate and delayed memory ability, as well as the acquisition of new learning. Optional working memory measures have been added, and allow in-depth qualitative analysis. Dr. Singer, an expert in its administration, will introduce its many new features and train NESCA clinical staff in their use.

Bonnie Singer, Ph.D., CCC, President/CEO, Architects for Learning, Wellesley, MA
Co-Author (with Dr. Anthony Bashir), EmPOWER

http://www.architectsforlearning.com

Voice Colors: Billy’s Story – A Visual History of the Teaching of Communications Skills to a Child with Autism

Eve Megargel is the parent of Billy, a 17-year-old son on the autism spectrum. She has extensive experience related to the educational and communication aspects of autism. In 2005, Eve created an educational program for her son Billy to expand his repertoire of communication initiatives and exchanges. This rewarding and unique home school project was subsequently produced as the 60-minute film “Voice Colors: Billy’s Story”. This film is unique in that it presents footage from ages 3 to 16, showing Billy learning and wrestling with all that is entailed in understanding the elements involved in a social interaction. In addition to the historic perspective presented, this film offers the viewer an opportunity to see firsthand how the different communication objectives were identified and then translated into meaningful, educational experiences.

Eve Megargel, M.T.S., Creator and Developer, Weston, MA
http://voicecolors.org/reviews.html

The Neuroscience of Neurofeedback: Current Research, Efficacy and

Clinical Psychologist Laurence Hirshberg, Ph.D. is one of this country’s foremost authorities on, and practitioners of neurofeedback, an EEG-based form of biofeedback. On the Department of Psychiatry faculty at Brown University Medical School, he has been certified by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America, is a Fellow of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research and has served on the Executive Board of the EEG Division of the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. He will speak on the current science, efficacy and exciting new therapeutic applications of neurofeedback in treating a wide variety of conditions including ADHD, anxiety and autism spectrum disorders.

Laurence Hirshberg, Ph.D., Director, The NeuroDevelopment Centers, Providence, R.I. and Cambridge, MA
http://neurodevelopmentcenter.com/

Case Studies: The Developmental Progression of Visual/Spatial Thinking in Young Children

Andra Munger, Ph.D., Certified Waldorf Teacher and director of The Interactive Learning Center in Lexington, MA will be speaking about developmental approaches to improving cognitive foundations for learning. The ILC’s approach to helping children to improve these skills is based largely on the Thinking Goes To School framework developed by Harry Wachs, O.D. and Hans Furth, Ph.D. Her presentation will describe the developmental progression of visual/spatial thinking and include video clips of activities and case studies of children for whom improved visual/spatial problem solving abilities generalized to their academic and social learning.

Andra Munger, Ph.D., Director, The Interactive Learning Center, Lexington, MA
http://www.theinteractivelearningcenter.com

Toxic Environmental Threats to Child Development: The BIDIP Conference

Boston Institute for the Development of Infants and Parents (BIDIP) is a non-profit multidisciplinary, professional organization, of which Dr. Kohlenberg is past co-president, established in 1973 to study the dynamic interaction of the psychological, biological, social, and cognitive systems of the infant and those within the infant-parent relationship. In November, 2009, BIDIP sponsored an important conference on the threats posed by various environmental toxicants, including endocrine-disruptors and anti-androgenic compounds including plasticizers like phthalates and Bisphenol-A. Dr. Kohlenberg will report on the findings and discuss mitigation of risk.

Teresa (Tesi) Kohlenberg, M.D., Pediatric Psychiatrist Practicing Privately and at NESCA, Newton, MA
http://www.carrollschool.org

Educational Advocacy for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Boston-based Laurel Collins is both an autism mom and FCSN-trained and certified educational advocate on behalf of young children on the autism spectrum and their families. She will describe her work in helping them obtain from their school systems the range of services they need, through participation in TEAM meetings and the I.E.P. planning process. She will also discuss the increasingly contentious regulatory, budgetary and political context within which decisions about special education programming are currently being made, thus the need for effective advocacy.

Laurel Collins, Educational Advocate, Woburn, MA
See Facebook Group Page

Admissions Criteria for The Carroll School’s New 9th Grade

The Carroll School is a leading independent day school for elementary and middle school students who have been diagnosed with specific learning disabilities in reading and writing, such as dyslexia. Ms. Nesbitt will discuss the role of neuropsychological testing and evaluation in their admissions process. She will also describe the school’s expanded 9th grade program, which in addition to providing another year of support to Carroll students who need it, will also admit new students in need of additional academic structure and scaffolding.

Lesley Nesbitt, Director of Admissions, The Carroll School, Lincoln, MA
http://www.carrollschool.org

Occupational and Sensory-Integration for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

In Japanese, ‘kioko’ means ‘a happy child.’ At the Kioko Center in Andover, MA, occupation therapy and other services are offered in a playful atmosphere. Their assessments, customized treatment programs and consultation services are individually designed to enhance the lives of each child. Center Director Tara McCormick will speak about the theory and practice of sensory-integration therapy, particularly as they relate to children on the autism spectrum, with whom Kioko works extensively.

Tara McCormick, OTR/L, OTD, Occupational Therapist and Director, The Kioko Center, Andover, MA

http://www.kiokocenter.com/index.html

The Neuroscience of Human Connection: Therapy at The Center for Couples and Family

The Center for Couples and Family specializes in delivering clinical services, professional training and research to couples and families in the New England area. Through the lens of the most recent research on attachment and the neuroscience of human connection, the group provides couples and family therapy for families presenting with a variety of concerns including communication issues, parenting, life-cycle and developmental challenges, dual diagnosis, trauma, managing the stress of a life-threatening or chronic illness, divorce and blended families. Their staff includes senior clinicians from various disciplines with advanced training in both family and couples models of treatment, including the scientifically-validated, short-term model of Emotionally Focused Couple and Family Therapy.

Danielle Green, LICSW, Director, Couples and Family Therapy Program, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, Teaching Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Suzanne McCarthy, Psy.D., Psychologist, Boston Behavioral Medicine, Brookline, MA, Clinical Instructor in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, Reiki Master/Teacher

http://suzannemccarthy.com/

The DIR Model: Providing Services to Children with Developmental Disorders

In her Cambridge practice, Tal Baz provides occupational and speech therapy to children with developmental challenges using the DIR (developmental, individualized, relationship-based) model, which she also teaches to professionals at The Astra Foundation. This approach is family-centered, time-intensive and interdisciplinary, and is effective in supporting children with regulation, sensory, relational and behavioral issues, as well as autism spectrum disorders. She will discuss her work and her methods.

Tal Baz, M.S., OTR/L, Occupational Therapist in Private Practice, Cambridge, MA Instructor, The Astra Foundation, Acton, MA

Surviving Autism: All Happy Families Are Not Alike

Prolific blogger extraordinaire, writing teacher, author of "Making Peace with Autism: One Family’s Story of Struggle, Discovery and Unexpected Gifts" and the soon-to-be-published (Spring, 2010) "The Autism Mom’s Survival Guide", Susan Senator has learned through personal experience that "all happy families are not alike…" In a very special presentation, Ms. Senator will speak on the need to focus on one’s family and how to maintain balance in the face of the many very difficult challenges presented by autism.

Susan Senator, Autism Mom and Author, Newton, MA

Buy "Making Peace with Autism" from Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1590302443

Read Susan Senator’s extraordinary blog here: http://susansenator.com/blog/index.html

Challenging Assumptions: A Meaning-Making Model of Support for Parents of Learning-Disabled Children

Katherine Scott, Ed.D. trained in psycho-educational evaluation at Harvard University, the Neurodevelopmental Center of North Shore Children’s Hospital and in the School Function Clinic of Children’s Hospital Boston. A diagnostician, teacher and parent counselor of many years’ experience, Dr. Scott will discuss the role of psycho-educational testing in planning appropriate educational programs for children with learning disabilities.

Katherine Scott, Ed.D., Educational Consultant in Private Practice, Cambridge, MA