Workshops

2021 Early Intervention and Preschool Conference Breakout Sessions

Great Big Visual World:  Bringing Visual Supports into the Classroom-Dr. Whitney Meade

Visual supports can be provided in different ways in all settings: school, home, work and community (Kluth & Darmody-Latham, 2003).  Recognizing that our “visual language” is one of the very first to develop, this session will introduce teachers to the principles of visual structure and how incorporation of these strategies into our classrooms increases student engagement.  After an initial presentation to teach the concepts, the presenter will facilitate a hands-on portion creation of visuals by participants that can be used for circle time, centers and overall classroom operation.

Practical Tips from a Family Therapist-Caroline May, MS, LMFT and Cynthia Cook-Smith

Practical guidance for using play as a way to connect, teach social and emotional skills, as well as a tool for assessments for early childhood service providers and families.

Messy Hands, Growing Minds: The Developmental Benefits of Messy Play- Deana Aumalis, MA and Kimberly Hile, PhD  

Messy play supports learning and development as it is open ended, child led, and process oriented—all indicators of developmentally appropriate practice for young children. This session will highlight the developmental benefits of engaging in messy play while taking into consideration cultural perspectives, allergies and sensitivities, program regulations (e.g., not playing with food items), safety issues, and strategies for supporting young children with developmental delays and disabilities. This will be a very hands-on presentation as participants will be provided a variety of “messy play” materials and will practice identifying developmentally appropriate activities for young children that will support their growth and development across all developmental domains.

Little Minds Big Opportunity! Technology in the Pre-K Classroom- Keri Howard, BS and Angela Driskell

STEAM/ Technology is an important tool in problem solving, higher order thinking, and skills needed in the 21st century classroom. I will demonstrate how to incorporate BeeBots and other steam devices in the Pre-K classroom. I plan to make this hands on and interactive for teachers to be able to practice activities they could bring into their own classroom.

Disordered Feeding Development in the Birth to 3 Population-Mary Collins MS., CCC-SLP

Understanding the development of pre-feeding skills, perinatal and postnatal in order to identify, recognize and predict possible feeding challenges. Common feeding challenges in birth to 3 and addressing feeding issues within the Early Intervention Model.

Baby! Baby! Early Orientation & Mobility Skills-Susie Thomas, EdD and Cathryn Smith

This will include practical, easy to use techniques to get babies and small children ready for O&M. Orientation  and Mobility (O&M) is how one moves around in the environment. Early O&M sets the stage for independence and self -awareness in children who are blind or visually impaired.

Building a language castle out of dirt: Practical ideas to incorporate a child’s environment in increase language skills-Shauna Ashley, MAT, MS, CCC-SLP and Danielle Waldrep-Rich, PhD, CCC-SLP

Guiding families and service providers to use the child’s strengths and skills to develop goals of achieving typical language using a practical, hands-on, play-based approach in the child’s natural environment.

Family School Experience Journal in Preparing for Transition into kindergarten-Shawnna Yates, Patsy Jones, and JoAnn Shealey

The school experience journal is designed to help Parent Educators assist families with the transition from Parents as Teachers into the school system and kindergarten. It reinforces the Parents as Teachers' curriculum by utilizing specific handouts for each area of development and need as families make the transition. This school experience journal was developed by a former Parent Educator in our program to help the families we serve make the transition from our program into kindergarten.

Tackling Tantrums: A BCBA Guide to Improving Behavior in the Pre-K Classroom-Jennifer Williams, M.S., BCBA and Kristie Tullis, M.S., BCBA

The training will give preschool teachers knowledge of the most important behavior tools to implement in the classroom. The training will also provide teachers with a basic understanding of the four functions of behavior and how to select the matching behavior tool.

Urgency of Language Acquisition- Suzanne Mattox, MAT and Debbie Trapani

This session focuses on the urgency of language acquisition in children (ages 0-3) who are deaf and hard of hearing. It also focuses on how we can provide opportunities to support language acquisition during this critical period of the lives of young deaf and hard of hearing children, birth - age 3.

Integrating Language Into Play and Daily Routines: Keeping it REAL Simple for D/HH Infants, Toddlers, and Families- Lacey Wood, MA Deaf Education and Abby Burke, MEd, CCC-SLP

REAL connections through language are vital for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) children and their families! We will share, model, and practice alongside EI providers and families simple, research-based strategies for incorporating both visual (ie--ASL) and spoken language into play, daily routines, and family life with D/HH infants and toddlers. We will draw on decades of research based on behaviors of Deaf parents with their D/HH babies, as well as that which examines hearing parent-D/HH child dyads. This interactive session will build upon what service providers and families are likely already doing, but make it more accommodating to the visual needs of D/HH little ones.

What is Normal? Stress & Anxiety in Children in a Post Pandemic World-Angela Washington MA, LPC

The focus of this session is to recognize stress and anxiety in children and the effects of the pandemic, social distancing has on children and families. Recognizing the manner in which stress and anxiety may manifest in in children through behavior, sleep patterns and development will be addressed. In addition to recognizing stress and anxiety, this session addresses methods to help children cope at home, and when outside help may be needed.

Getting a Strong Start with Fair Housing, Financial Literacy, money management &budgeting, and understanding credit-Danita Washington, HUD Certified Housing Counselor and Lisa Jenkins

Building wealth by prioritizing your spending, living within your means and using credit wisely. Learning banking basics and recover from financial missteps.

Caregivers' Teaching Any Skill to Any Child in Any Routine: Incidental Teaching-Robin McWilliam, Ph.D.

How do you empower a parent or a teacher with the steps of incidental teaching? And why would you? Incidental teaching, as defined in the Routines-Based Model, is a method caregivers can use to address any child goal on an IFSP or IEP.

Integrating Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation(IECMHC) in Early Intervention Programs: Reflections from the Pilot- Jane Duer, M.Ed., IMH-E®, Tyesha Durr, LPC,IMH-E®, and Jamie Hill, M.Ed., LPC

EI program staff and IECMH Consultants share their perspectives about the IECMHC in EI pilot. We will explain what IECMH Consultation in EI looks like, benefits of having this service available to EI programs, and how other EI programs can take part now and plans for the near future.

Vicarious Trauma in the Workplace- Dallas Rabig, LPC, IMH-E and Christal Coker, Ed.S, NCC, ECMH-E

Working with young children and their families is a specialized area of practice that carries a unique emotional burden. Concerns about ability to ensure the well-being of both infant and parents, about being involved in legal issues, and about their own personal safety, can lead to practitioner anxiety, anger, withdrawal and/or burnout, known as vicarious or secondary trauma. What can organizations do to prevent or alleviate the negative impact on practice effectiveness with high-risk families?

Core Prevention & Intervention for the Early Years- Dallas Rabig, LPC, IMH-E and Christal Coker, Ed.S, NCC, ECMH-E

Frequently practitioners and organizations question what kinds of interventions and supports should be made available for young children and their families. This session will provide a framework for the different types of interventions needed by individual children and families and the training needed by practitioners to provide different levels of intervention.

ALSDE Preschool Updates-Stephanie Frucci, Ed.S., CCC-SLP and Kathy Wilkins, M.Ed.

The focus of this presentation is sharing the most recent information from the State Department on various topics with a focus on preschool students with disabilities for preschool special education service providers and administrators, including IEP development, eligibility considerations, new preschool standards, Indicator 7, Preschool outcomes, early intervention to preschool transition, monitoring, and more!

"Research Based" what does it mean? -Vanessa Hinton, PhD

Research based: What does it mean? Where does it come from? And, how to determine if the research is applicable to babies, toddlers (Part C) and children (Part B).

Routines Based Home Visiting: A Roundtable Discussion-Wendy Pittard, Taylor Vane, Iana Ham, Michelle Creekmore

This session will guide participants with how to implement Routines-Based Home Visiting in natural environments. Participants will learn best practices of Routines-Based Home Visiting and completing a Next Steps Form. The session will be led by an Early Intervention panel with discussion from the participants.

Routines Based Interview- A Roundtable Discussion-Bonnie Johnson and Rachel Gray

This roundtable discussion is designed for Early Intervention Service Coordinators or Service Providers to collaborate about conducting Routines Based Interviews with families. By working in small groups, Early Interventionists will be able to discuss with colleagues ways to address shared challenges or issues, share ideas, and come up with ways to improve the process in order to obtain the best information to benefit the whole family.

Coaching with the Brain in Mind-Joy Winchester

Making changes in practice requires higher thinking skills. How do we support change in those we coach when they are stressed or overwhelmed and may not have access to those higher thinking skills needed to make change. We can use neuroscience to understand those who seem resistant and build strategies so they will be successful.

Part C Autism Screening Initiative-Dr. Sarah O’Kelley

This session will provide an overview of the pilot screening process and the data collected to support on-going Part C Autism initiatives. The session will also cover next steps within the Part C Autism Screening initiative.

Autism Specific Interventions for the Early Intervention Coach-Angie Barber, PhD

An overview of how the Part C Autism Coaches can assist EI providers in the state.

Literacy for Littles: Incorporating Language-Rich Shared Reading Routines into Early Intervention Sessions-Kelli Ellis, MS, CCC/SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT and Kameron Carden, MA, CCC/SLP, LSLS Cert. AVEd

This session will focus on incorporating early emerging literacy outcomes into daily routines to maximize engagement, promote social relationships with caregivers, and facilitate language development. Presenters will share practical strategies and expectations for the birth to three population to incorporate into routines-based visits.

Listening, Language, and Literacy: Building a Strong Foundation for Preschoolers with Hearing Loss-Kameron Carden, MA, CCC/SLP, LSLS Cert AVE and Kelli Ellis, MS, CCC/SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT

Preschoolers with hearing loss require explicit instruction to build the listening, language, and emergent literacy skills necessary for success in the mainstream kindergarten classroom. This session will focus on practical strategies to incorporate listening, language, and literacy goals and objectives into single lesson plans and activities to create engaging, efficient, and effective learning opportunities for children with hearing loss.

Potty Training Technique for Children with Disabilities-Donna Wooster, Ph.D.,OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA

The audience will learn how to design potty training programs that include cognitive behavioral strategies, environmental modifications, just right adaptive equipment, positive reinforcement and outcome tracking.

PreK Brain Pump- Amy Brakenhoff, Erin Reilly Ph.D., Tiffany Higginbotham MS PT, Laura Wildman, Tami Shelley, and Andria Walker

Is there a connection between the brain and movement? YES! Join us as we bring practical brain research and movement together with fun for our little ones ages birth to 5. You’ll be amazed at how your body links the two together and you’ll leave the session with new, hands-on, practical strategies to implement easily into your classroom.

Baby Brain Pump-Amy Brakenhoff, Erin Reilly Ph.D,, Tiffany Higginbotham MS PT, Laura Wildman, and Tami Shelley

Can we exercise the brain and body? YES! Learn cutting edge research on the connection between movement and the brain. Discover how to combine traditional physical therapy techniques with exercise concepts for infants and toddlers. We’ll discuss the science, best practices and recommendations for physical exercise for children ages birth to 3 years old.

Get Your Baby Time to Play- Amy Brakenhoff and Jessica Scott

Moments of Connection are enormously important for each of us. Capturing and reliving those moments encourages the connection to come alive time and time again. Learn how to foster those moments of connection with Baby Doll Circle Time in your classroom so children can relive the precious moments of connection with you over and over again.

Generation Them: Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce-Kristin Scroggin

Generation "THEM" examines the “WHY” behind each American generation's common perspectives so that we can better understand one another and build more cohesive teams. This presentation gives attendees solid understanding of generational norms and the importance of attracting and retaining top young talent to ensure sustainability while allowing them to laugh at how silly we are deep down.

In Layman's Terms: Personal Cybersecurity and Protecting Your Data-Reid Gilliam

A practical, layman's term session discussing data protection for people using mobile devices in the field, record protection for computers that connect to company servers, and personal cybersecurity/cyber hygiene measures.

Creating Inclusive Outdoor Learning Environments-Caliste Boswell Chong, MS

Creating an inclusive outdoor learning environment can be a challenge. Join us to learn about utilizing outdoor play spaces to promote physical development for children of all abilities.

Dis-ability Update-David M. Finn, Ed.D.

This session will provide an evidence-based update on a few of the most common disability characteristics. Ways to monitor certain emerging developmental issues and concerns will also be included.

Home Visits: Competence, Confidence, and Consultation-Melissa White, MSPT and Amy Moore, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, and Julia Stanley

This session will guide participants in understanding foundational skills across disciplines when working with families. Participants will learn how to identify when consultation with another discipline may be appropriate. Whether working in a program, contracting with another agency, or as a community provider, participants will gain ways to improve relationships and learn how to access resources in the community as well as communication with others locally or across the state. By having this knowledge, Early Interventionists can identify when to call someone in for additional help and who to call. Confidence and competence leads to the ability to have better consultation skills with other providers, Service Coordinators, or community providers.

The Effects of Stress on Children: How to Cope in the Inclusive Classroom-Samantha Davidson, LBSW

In this session, participants will learn about the different types of stress and how it affects behavior and development. We will also explore different strategies to reduce stress in the classroom and include ALL children regardless of developmental level or ability status. Classroom solutions to reduce challenging behaviors and help children with disabilities cope will also be discussed.

Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Updates for Speech-Language Pathologists-Stephanie Frucci, Ed.S., CCC-SLP

The focus of this presentation is sharing the most recent information from the State Department with a focus on preschool Speech-Language Pathologists, including eligibility for Speech Language Impairment and Developmental Delay, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development, new articulation norms, re-evaluations, and more!

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