Workshop: ONBIDA Toronto 2007

A little late notice on this one, but it looks like sessions are still open. The Ontario Branch of the International Dyslexia Association always produces a great conference focused on reading disabilities. Sessions are targeted towards Psych, SLP, SERTS, and also have the occasional parent based session (already full for that one unfortunately).

You can view the conference by CLICKING HERE.

Here's a break down:

Conference: IDA Ontario, 3rd Annual Conference
Date: Saturday, May 26, 2007
Location: Toronto

Keynote: Written Expression: From Sounds through Sentences

• Speaker: Dr. Pamela Hook
• Description: The missing link for many students who struggle with writing is automaticity and fluency of writing at the word and sentence levels. This session will focus on processes involved in spelling and sentence level writing as important factors in written expression. The relationship of these skills to underlying spoken language abilities will be highlighted. Error analysis will be used to demonstrate areas of difficulty, and strategies and techniques for enhancing skills in these areas will be presented.

Title: Using Assistive Technology to Improve Written Expression

• Speaker: Kendra Grant
• Description: This workshop will provide an overview of assistive technology and an exploration of the pros and cons of each one (cost, prerequisite skills, availability, ease of use, suitability, etc.) Through demonstration, participants will learn how the various software programmes bypass roadblocks to written expression: Word prediction software; Voice recognition software; Screen reader software; Visual digital organizer software

Title: Strategies for Boosting Adolescent Writing at the Paragraph and Multi-Paragraph Level

• Speaker: Dr. Charles Haynes
• Description: Students with deficits in retrieving and manipulating speech information typically struggle to express themselves in writing. These same adolescents are at risk for failing socially and academically. Through lecture, discussion, and hands-on activities, participants will learn practical strategies and techniques for supporting, or ‘scaffolding’, students’ development of oral and written expression. Examples of theme-centred skills instruction at the paragraph and essay levels will be explored, and special attention will be given to techniques for developing self-monitoring, elaboration and flexibility. Examples from seventh through twelfth grades will be provided. This session will be of particular interest to regular education teachers, speech-language pathologists, reading-writing specialists, English as a Second Language instructors, advocates, and others who want to learn research-based ideas for spoken-written language intervention. Comprehensive handouts will be provided.

Title: Early Intervention – Reading, Writing, Phonemic Awareness

• Speaker: Dr. Pamela Hook
• Description: The importance of individualizing instruction as early as possible in areas related to reading and writing has become increasingly evident. This session will highlight issues related to phonemic awareness and reading acquisition for the beginning and struggling reader. Specific techniques will be addressed for 1) assessing skills related to phonemic awareness and reading/writing; 2) identifying salient patterns of strengths and weaknesses: and 3) implementing generic techniques for developing these skills. Implications of the three-tiered model and response to intervention will also be discussed.