The GTLD Network was proud to support Howard County's IDL's conference, What Work and Why--Unmasking Student Strengths Through Innovative Learning Experiences. GREAT CONFERENCE!!! Thanks to all the organizers.

http://www.gifteddifferentlearners.org/
WhatWorksWhy Description.html

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Speakers Series 2008-2009

Thursday, April 16   

Video Games, Electronic Media, and ADHD: The good, the bad and the ugly!

Psychologist, Edward Spector, will discuss the research concerning video games.   Children and adolescents who have ADHD, learning disabilities, and depression have been found to interact differently with electronic media than those without these issues.  These differences will be discussed as well as how to help children and adolescents form a healthy relationship with electronic media.   Dr. Spector will share his professional observations and advice as to how to handle this complex issue, including how parents can monitor and set appropriate limits on what games their children play and how much.

SCHEDULE

6:30 – 7:30 PM Your Turn to Speak - Advocacy and Open Discussion
Bring Your Own Dinner – Discuss Your Concerns

7:30 – 9:00 PM Speaker Presentation

Walter Johnson High School cafeteria, 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD  - conveniently located just two minutes off I-270 Old Georgetown Road or Democracy Blvd exits

Walter Johnson High School
 6400 Rock Spring Dr Bethesda, MD 20814

Sponsorship of a program never explicitly or implicitly endorses a speaker, program, or product. The GT/LD Network simply aims to present a range of information for the consideration of members.

Past Presentations This Year:

THURSDAY 9/18 Social Anxiety – Many bright children worry about what others think of them or whether they can measure up to their own expectations. However, when social anxiety interferes with a student’s ability to engage in school and social activities, intervention is sometimes needed. Jonathan Dalton, Ph.D., of the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders and will provide information on diagnosis and behavioral treatment of social anxiety in children and adolescents.

THURSDAY 10/16 From ADD through Autism: The Dietary and Nutritional Interventions – Dana Godbout Laake, a licensed nutritionist providing preventive and therapeutic medical nutrition services will address issues including: What is the science behind special diets and how they work? What are the tests for nutritional deficiencies, toxic exposures,
maldigestion , and defects in metabolism? She received her master’s degree in nutrition from the University of MD and has recently co-authored The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook - The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-free Casein-free Diet.

THURSDAY 11/20           Executive Function:  Looking Ahead – Only 54% of the students who go to college finish their degree within six years.  For students with  diagnosed learning difficulties it falls as low as 40%.  How does  executive functioning relate to attrition in higher education and what can parents do now to prepare their student for success?  Landmark College Assistant Professor and Director of Admissions, Ben Mitchell, will discuss the experience of the disabled student in higher education. Participants should leave with a greater understanding of the significant barriers in higher education for students with executive  functioning difficulties.  Participants will get a clearer idea of the landscape of available higher education support services and the challenges that face students in their move from high school to college.

Thursday, January 15

  
The GT/LD Network presents, Neuropsychological Testing and the GT/LD Student:  Adele Green, Ph.D., will describe how to perform neuropsychological evaluations for GT/LD children.  She will present scenarios that are commonly observed in this population and how she approaches and adapts her testing to a child’s needs when she performs her assessments. She would also like to welcome the audience to bring their personal experiences so she can share how she would approach testing under different circumstances and how she develops a comprehensive plan to intervene and support GT/LD children.  Walter Johnson High School cafeteria, 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda.

Thursday, February 19th        

How Hidden Eye Problems Can Block Learning: 
Is it ADHD or is it a vision problem?

Dr. Stanley A. Appelbaum will explain the “vision connection” and how undetected visual problems keep many bright students from performing to their full potential even with 20/20 eyesight.  The top five symptoms of vision problems that affect reading and learning are: 
*Struggles When Reading
*Frustration with Homework
*Poor Concentration and Attention Problems with Reading
*Poor Memory
*Loses Place Easily When Reading

Thursday, March 19      

Help for Bright Students Who Struggle:
 Services and Supports for GT/LD Students in Montgomery County Public Schools

Twice exceptional students—those who are gifted and talented and also learning disabled—sometimes require extra help to realize their potential.  MPCS has set goals to ensure that differentiated educational programs and/or services are systematically provided for these students which focus on their strengths while accommodating their weaknesses.  Marisa Stemple, GT/LD Specialist for MCPS, will be joined by school staff, parents, and students to describe the array of programs and services available.   These include:

  • professional development programs,

  • the WINGS mentor program,

  • consultative services, application and choice programs, and

  • GT/LD programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

The program will include formal presentations and a variety of staffed tables to allow participants to appreciate the variety of offerings for bright, struggling students.