SESSIONS
These session descriptions will help you decide which sessions you would like to attend during each of the breakouts. In order to help our presenters and conference planners be best prepared, you will be required to pre-register for ONE session during each of the three breakouts.
Friday’s Keynote Session
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
How Micah Grew his Beard and Other Family Stories of Growth Presented by the Fialka Feldman Family
Nearly two decades ago, Janice and Rich learned their son, Micah had a cognitive disability. They were stunned, scared, and felt isolated…but the story doesn’t end there. Like many families, they learned how to navigate through their fears and uncertainties. They learned how to “break the silence” by reaching out to their family, friends, professionals, and the larger community. They learned the importance of listening, laughing, advocating, having great expectations, and embracing the idea of disability pride!
Each member of the Fialka Feldman Family – Janice, Rich, Micah and his sister Emma – will share their unique personal experiences with honesty, humility, and humor! You will learn how Micah grew his beard, as well as other stories of their family’s growth. More importantly the audience will leave with a renewed sense of hope and possibility.
To Learn more about the Fialka Feldman’s, visit: www.throughthesamedoor.com and www.danceofpartnership.com.
Saturday, March 26, 20119:00 – 11:00 a.m. Breakout Session AA1: The Use of Tools, Maps and Paths in Planning for Post High School Options
Janice Fialka & Micah Fialka Feldman
“Thinking outside the box” isn’t just a cool phrase to use. It is a way of living in the world. Come explore the tools, values, and resources that Micah and his family used to support Micah as he created a life of great expectations beyond high school. The award winning film, Through the Same Door will be shown.
A2: Law Enforcement and Individuals with Disabilities
Agent Kyle Andersen
Agent Andersen has been a Law Enforcement Officer for 15 years and works as a Parole and Probation Agent for the Utah Department of Corrections. He is MOST importantly, the parent of a son with Autism. He is on the Board of Directors at the Spectrum Academy, a charter school for children with Asperger’s, and High Functioning Autism, where his son is in 8th grade. His unique perspective has prompted him to put together this presentation for parents to help them know and understand how they can prepare for the various types of Law Enforcement contact they may have.
A3: Keeping It Safe: Managing Escalating and Aggressive Behavior at Home
Marian Hunt, TKJ, Inc., IOTI grant for Positive Behavioral Supports
Parents, would you like more information about how you can manage difficult behavior at home? Come to this in depth seminar and learn techniques to prevent and de-escalate meltdowns. Learn about safety precautions you can take and resources that can be helpful during a behavior crisis. This seminar is intended to be helpful to families who are concerned about safety issues that arise from the behavior of children and youth with disabilities.
A4: Self Regulation through Sensory Experiences
Katie Mangus, MOT, OTR/L, Easter Seals
We will be discussing sensory processing and what it means to each one of us! We will look at sensory processing difficulties and learning how to self-regulate ourselves and help our kids self-regulate. We will also be discussing tips on how to help our kids be regulated at home/school/work/ and play!
A5: Supporting Siblings of Children with Disabilities
Karen Wong, LCSW
Have you ever wondered how having a brother or sister with disabilities affects your other children? Have you ever struggled with how to manage the issues this raises in your family? Siblings of children with disabilities face a lot of challenges and questions that they sometimes don’t share (or aren’t even aware of), but they also often gain great strength from this experience. In this workshop we will discuss many of these challenges and questions and how parents can help their children manage these effectively. We will also discuss the positive outcomes across the lifespan for children in having a sibling with disabilities.
A6: Emotional Coaching and Parents as Teachers
Meg Miles, Director, Utah Parents as Teachers
Emotional coaching teaches parents and professionals how to handle their own emotions in a way that shows a powerful example to children as they learn about their feelings. This workshop will give you a toolkit of information and techniques that will help you respond to children’s emotions in a healthy way, and will provide research based information on children’s emotional development. An introduction to the Utah Parents as Teachers program will also be presented.
A7: Section 504: What Parents Need to Know
Rebecca Turley, Utah Parent Center
Section 504 is a law that provides accessibility and reasonable accommodations in a school setting. Equal access and opportunity is the focus! The provisions of this law are not intended to reduce learning expectations. In this workshop, we will discuss how a student becomes eligible for services and the types of accommodations available depending on the individual needs of the student. We will also discuss several problem solving scenarios that could occur and give recommendations for a successful outcome. This workshop will help parents understand their role and responsibilities in working with school personnel.
A8: Health Care Reform – The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Gina Pola-Money, Director of Utah Family Voices Family to Family Health Information Center
This presentation will be an interactive discussion about the new law and how it will help families and their children with special needs as well.
A9: What is a Learning Disability?
Deanne Shields, Learning Disabilities Association of Utah
Deanne Shields with the Learning Disabilities Association of Utah will discuss what a learning disability is, various accommodations and aids to help individuals with LD and how to be a better advocate for your children and teach them to advocate for themselves.
A-Spanish Session Sección 504 — Lo Que los Padres Deben Saber
Julie Moreno, Utah Parent Center
La Sección 504 es una ley que provee accesibilidad y ajustes razonables en un entorno escolar. El foco de esta ley es tener la oportunidad de igualdad de acceso! Las disposiciones de esta ley no tienen por objeto reducir las expectativas de aprendizaje. En este taller, vamos a discutir como un estudiante puede ser elegible para los servicios y tipos de acomodaciones disponibles dependiendo de las necesidades individuales del estudiante. También se discutirá como resolver los diversos problemas y escenarios que podrían ocurrir como equipo y les daremos recomendaciones de lo que pueden hacer para tener un resultado exitoso. Este taller ayudará a los padres a entender su papel y sus responsabilidades trabajando con el personal de la escuela.
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Session B
B1: The Journey to Adulthood: What Every Parent Needs to Know about Puberty and Sexuality
Michelle Murphey, Utah Parent Center
This workshop will offer information on preparing and talking with your child, developing appropriate social skills, and planning for adulthood.
B2: Executive Skills and ADHD: I Can’t Find My Pencils, Homework, Keys, or Money
Ed Williams
Watch for more information!
B3: Bring Families Together to Develop a Statewide Council
Lori Cerar, Tracy Johnson and Wendy Mair
The Utah Family Coalition is three family organizations in Utah who have united to form the Coalition. We have partnered in order to more effectively advocate for families who have children/youth with complex needs for appropriate community-based, family driven and youth guided services throughout Utah. Please come and be informed about the current goals and initiatives that are helping to keep our kids at home, in school, and out of trouble. Also learn how to become involved and inform others about the services that are being provided and those that are still needed to accomplish these goals. Your voice is important!!
B4: Yes We Can! Healthy Lifestyle Interventions for Young Adults with Disabilities.
Lauren Clark, RN, PhD, FAAN
In this breakout session we review key findings from a recent local study called Yes We Can! The study included 32 young adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. They participated in a 3-month healthy lifestyle intervention. Over the course of the study young adults set weight loss or other health goals. We review keys to their success. We also provide best practices for families and people with disabilities to answer common questions about physical activity, nutrition, and family support for healthy lifestyles.
B5: An Introduction to the ABC’s of Autism
Christine Evans and Tina Persels, Utah Family Voices Family to Family Health Information Center
This presentation will give information to families of children who are newly diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. This introduction will focus on building resiliency in families as well as being an informed consumer of services. This is part of an ongoing series that will be offered on an on-going basis in the community.
B6: Getting and Keeping That First Job
Linda Smith, Utah Parent Center
This workshop will offer information about preparing your youth or young adult with disabilities for employment. Topics include: career planning, networking, interviewing, keeping the job and resources.
B7: Accommodations and Assessment
Wendy Carver, Utah State Office of Education
This session will review appropriate accommodations for instruction and assessment for students in kindergarten through high school. Participants will receive information about the new Text-to-Speech tool for assessments. The future of Utah’s assessments will also be discussed.
B8: Emergency Preparedness
Jodi Hansen, Utah Family Voices Family to Family Health Information Center
Earthquakes, tornadoes acts of terrorism, and floods are all clear in the minds of everyone today. Are we prepared? Can we protect ourselves and our family? Would we know what to do? For families of children and youth with special health care needs it can become even more difficult. Planning how you will respond is critical. It means extra attention to details and needs that typical families may not have to worry about. We need to take care of equipment, medication, go to special shelters, and notify doctors just to name a few. Using this preparation and planning guide can help you be better prepared, no matter what the emergency!
B9: Grandparents
Judith Holt, Center for Persons with Disabilities
A child with a disability affects every member of the family. Grandparents often play a key role that influences how well a family adjusts. This interactive session will discuss strategies for grandparents to support and empower their children and grandchildren, link to support networks such as the Pacer grandparent to grandparent program, and find available local, state and federal resources.
B10: Co-Operatives – Ways to Empower Families
Gerald Nebeker, Claire Mantonya, and Deb Bowman, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council
Many families are starting to explore ways to get help to support their child with a disability without formal services. Come join in the conversation to learn about possibilities and add your voice to the discussion.
B- Spanish Session El camino a la adultez: lo que todo padre debe saber (sexualidad)
Julie Moreno, Utah Parent Center
Durante la bienvenida, reconozca lo incómodo que puede ser el tema de la pubertad y la sexualidad para la mayoría de los padres. Tenga en cuenta que estas conversaciones pueden ser particularmente difíciles para los padres y quienes se encargan del cuidado de los jóvenes con discapacidades.
2:45 – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Session C
C1: Putting Pieces of the Puzzle Together: Transitions to Adult Life
Carol Ruddell, WorkAbility
Don’t be overwhelmed by all the many services, supports, choices, etc. It’s like a puzzle. You need the right pieces, in the right places, at the right time. The Pieces include employment, education, vocational training, housing, transportation, financial planning, health care, social security, and more! Learn how the pieces can fit together to create smoother transitions from high school to adult life that includes employment and community living.
C2: Utah Down Syndrome Foundation Chat Room
Facilitated by: Ann Marie Christensen
Come on in and chat informally with other parents of people with down syndrome. Share your ideas, ask questions, and get to know other parents who are experiencing the same joys and challenges.
C3: Disabilities and Faith
Christopher Phillips
Disabilities should not stand in the way of experiencing a religious life yet many families feel ostracized from their own religious communities because of a child with disabilities. As caregivers we have many opportunities to develop “inclusive spiritual supports” for our children in religious settings. Come learn what can be done to enhance this experience for you, your family and your congregation.
C4: Discovery, Customized Employment and Employment First Strategies
Tricia Jones-Parkin
People who experience disabilities can and want to work! Join the discussion about how to make work a reality with discovery and customized employment strategies.
C5: Looking Forward – Utah Developmental Disabilities Council
Claire Mantonya and Deb Bowman, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council
The Utah Developmental Disabilities Council is celebrating their 40th year in 2011. Charged by federal law to advocate and bring about changes for people with DD, please come and review the Council’s newly developing 5-Year strategic plan and lend your thoughts to the direction that we need to go!
C6: Funding Special Needs
Jodi Hansen, Utah Family Voices, Family to Family Health Information Center
This will be an interactive session on health care and community supports for children and youth. The overall goal of this session is to help parents identify services that will benefit their children and families. Resource information about programs that help fund special needs such as Medicaid, SSI, private insurance, etc. will be given. Information presented will also help to build effective parent/professional partnerships in efforts to navigate a system where children and families have adequate sources of financing for the services they require.
C7: Improving Socialization for Children with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism
Barbara Lester
Barbara Lester will draw from her many years of experience in working with children and young adults with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism to provide parents with practical strategies that work to improve social skills. Socialization is very important in helping our youth to have friendships, be involved in the community, and to have successful employment.
C8: Dad’s Session
Facilitated by: Corey Tadd
The victories and challenges dads experience are often unique and only experienced by other dads. Come and make some new friends, talk openly, and most importantly…eat pie!
C9: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders: The Hidden Disability
Lynn Tanner, RN, BS
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are misunderstood and often go unrecognized. Find out what it is like to have this disability that no one can see, but everyone notices. Join Lynn for a discussion about strategies and resources for families raising children with an FASD.
C10: Think College!
Jeff Sheen, Center for Persons with Disabilities
Utah has a new grant to develop a plan to make college more inclusive for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Come and share your ideas for what needs to happen to open doors for you and/or your family member to fully participate in a postsecondary (college) experience. All are welcome, but young adults and parents with young adults age 14 and up are the primary target audience. Session will be run by Jeff Sheen, MSW from the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University.
C Spanish Session – Una Introducción al ABC de Autismo
Julie Moreno, Utah Parent Center
Esta presentación dará información a las familias de niños que han sido recién diagnosticados con un Desorden de Espectro de Autismo. Esta introducción se concentrará en la edificación de la elasticidad en las familias así como también ser un consumidor informado de los servicios. Esto es parte de una serie en curso que será ofrecida en una base en curso en la comunidad.
