Keynote

Dyslexia: Embracing the Process of Discovery and Your Child's Path to Success

Don M. Winn, Award-Winning Author and Speaker

Whether a child has been diagnosed with dyslexia or you just suspect the issue, the struggle to read and write causes educational and emotional fallout for parents and their children. What can parents do to educate themselves about dyslexia, and to deal with their own emotional responses to discovering their child's learning challenges? And how can parents and educators support and encourage a child so they can reach their full potential? The keynote address will cover these topics as well as practical suggestions for the classroom and fostering critical social and emotional skills at home.  

Breakout Session 1

Multisensory Grammar 

Allison Peck, M.Ed., LDT, CALT-QI, CDT

This session will give participants an opportunity to see how grammar can be taught in an interactive and quite painless way. We will then see how grammar can be used to nurture the writing and editing processes, especially for hesitant or struggling writers.  

Spotting Dyslexia in the Classroom

Suzann Vera, M.S. Ed., CDT, LDT, CALT & Paula Mc Coy, BFA

Common indicators and signs of dyslexia by age and grade level will be presented and will include audio clips of proficient and struggling readers. The presentation will give parents, general educators, and administrators a clear understanding of what to look for when considering if a child should be screened or further evaluated for dyslexia. Additionally, organization resources will be shared with participants looking to learn more using reputable information. Indicators and signs will be derived from information provided by the International Dyslexia Association, Understood.org, and the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity. 

Getting Googley with Technology for Dyslexics

Sharon McMichael: Google 
Ajit Narayanan: Google 

Learn and explore the wonderful dyslexic-friendly tools, platform, and availability with Google. Please feel free to bring your device. Users can actively participate if they've previously downloaded Google Chrome before the conference. 

Dyslexia Evaluation Including Considerations for ELs (Spanish)

Jennifer Covington, LSSP, NCSP: AISD

The session will review dyslexia evaluation requirements per the Texas Dyslexia Handbook as well as explore best practice considerations when evaluating EL populations (Spanish).

Lunch & Learn Sessions

Bookshare: Making Reading Accessible

Matt Hattoon,  Bookshare

Come learn about Bookshare, the world’s largest library of eBooks in accessible formats (over 750,000 titles, including textbooks). Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Bookshare is FREE for any U.S. student with a qualifying print disability, including dyslexia, and allows your child to read in ways that work for them. Compatible with Computers, Chromebooks, Tablets, and Smartphones, Bookshare makes reading accessible to all!

My Journey with Dyslexia: Strength-Driven Paths to Success for Kids with Dyslexia and Related Disorders  

Kelly O'Mullan, M.Ed., LDT, CALT-QI, Co-founder of Dyslexia Center of Austin, and mom of two children with dyslexia

This session will explore how parents and educators can help children find their strengths, learn to self-advocate, and thrive, not just survive.

Breakout Session 2

Morphology: Teaching Latin and Greek Roots Out of Your Junk Drawer

By Perry D. Stokes, CALT-QI, M.Ed.  Rawson Saunders Institute

Word elements can be taught using found objects right from one’s junk drawer or supply closet. Participants will be provided with a source list of word elements and shown how to employ common objects to teach morphological word elements via interactive experiences. Suggestions for the lesson plan, lesson order, lesson resource materials and lesson pacing of forty word elements will be given. The presenter will model an interactive teaching experience of a Greek word element(s) using common objects. 

Empowering Students Affected by Dyslexia

Casey Salinas: Microsoft

Explore tools to empower different learning styles and abilities, and tools to support students with disabilities. Get hands-on experience with Microsoft applications and tools including Learning Tools, the Ease of Access menu, and accessibility and productivity features of Office 365. Also gain resources to continue to explore Learning Tools and accessibility tools and features. 

Experience Dyslexia® (Dyslexia Simulation) 

Shonna Skarda, M.A., LDT, CALT: International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

Experience Dyslexia® is a simulation in which participants are guided through six activities that help them understand the challenges and frustrations faced by individuals with language-based learning differences. After completing the activities, the participants have an opportunity to discuss what they have learned from their experience.

Dyslexia & Dysgraphia 101

Cherry Lee, M.Ed,  Ed. Diag, CALT, LDT: Texas Education Agency (TEA)

This session will provide participants an overview of dyslexia and dysgraphia. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how students learn to read and write, identify common sources of academic challenges associated with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia, and review components of dyslexia intervention.

Breakout Session 3

Multisensory Spelling 

Allison Peck, M.Ed., LDT, CALT-QI, CDT

This session tackles the rules of spelling in the English language. Come enjoy a thought-provoking presentation that can make spelling a bit more palatable for teachers, students and parents.  

Reading Comprehension for Students With Reading Disabilities: A Misunderstood Construct 

Sharon Vaughn, PhD: The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at UT Austin

Students with dyslexia often experience reading comprehension difficulties because they have inadequate access to word reading. Not all students with dyslexia have reading problems that are the same.  Some students with near-adequate word reading respond very well to reading instruction and may need less extensive intervention.  Students  with very low word reading are likely to require extensive and customized reading interventions. Productive reading comprehension instruction for these students requires considerably more than reading comprehension strategy instruction. 

Supporting Students through Section 504 and Special Education

Leandra Trevino, LSSP, LPA: AISD

This session will explore the differences and similarities between Section 504 and Special Education, both of which are programs that public schools implement to support students with disabilities. Specific emphasis will be on supporting students with dyslexia within the programs. 

Changing the Narrative: How Kids with Disabilities Can Cope with Emotional Challenges

Mike Brooks, PhD, LSSP: Austin Psychology & Assessment Center (APA Center)

Kids face many challenges growing up these days, which might be why mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even suicide have been on the rise. However, kids who have disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD are particularly vulnerable to experiencing emotional challenges and having low self-esteem. Why are kids with disabilities more prone to such challenges? What can parents and educators do to help kids with disabilities cope more effectively? In this presentation, Dr. Mike Brooks will address these questions with the goals of offering a more hopeful narrative about these struggles as well as providing effective tools that parents and educators can use to support kids who have disabilities.