

2007 Michigan POHI/SXI Conference
Session Descriptions
Sunday, November 4, 2007
2:00 PM Keynote Speaker Dr. Nancy Dodge
DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids
Nutrition and Disability: It Takes a Team to Feed a Child
Children with physical and multiple impairments comprise a high-risk population for problems in feeding. These problems may lead to comprised growth, respiratory complications and stress for and among families and professionals. In the formal part of the lecture I will cover the following: 1) Causes for feeding problems in this group of students, 2) Medical approaches to POHI/SXI students with nutritional compromise, 3) Tools to assess feeding safety, 4) Special considerations in certain populations, such as children with spina bifida and 5) Issues in communication. The remainder of the session I would like to discuss challenging cases and share perspectives. I will answer as many questions as I am able.
Monday, November 5, 2007
8:30 – Noon Session A Dr. Peggy Dutcher & Dr. Vincent Dean
Michigan Department of Education, Lansing
MI Access: What’s in It for Me?
The implications of MI Access and the administration of this tool will be discussed
8:30 – 10:00 AM Session B Linda Murphy, Pediatric O.T.
Mary Free Bed Hospital, Grand Rapids
Hard to Swallow: Dysphagia Assessment and Treatment
This presentation will concentrate on Oral Motor Feeding Assessment Guidelines including initiating student referral, relevant case histories, clinical evaluation and critical factors used during feeding observation. Needs identification, including limiting factors, goals and treatment will be covered. Criteria for effective feeding equipment will be reviewed. The emphasis will be on feeding and swallowing intervention particular to SXI, SMI and POHI students.
8:30 – 10:00 AM Session C Doug Kish, M.A.
Utica High School, Utica Community Schools
In a Budget Crunch? Inexpensive Technology Tips and Strategies for Your Toolbox
Discover how easy accessible tools can support you classroom and student learning. Apply the principles of “universal Design for Learning” to enhance your curriculum and instruction. Explore strategies to create technology plans that are easily adaptable for any age, curriculum, or budget.
10:30 – Noon Session D Sr. Kathryn Mullarkey, FSE
Mary Free Bed Hospital, Grand Rapids
Technology Options to Assist Education
To be announced.
10:30 – Noon Session E Lisa Kowalski
MSENM, Parent, Rochester
Adapted Books Make and Take: Promoting Participation, Speech, Language and Literacy
Adding props, visual cues, and activities help books come alive for all children including those with more severe disabilities. Take ordinary published children’s books and adapt them to meet the needs of a wide variety of students. This will be a hands-on make and take opportunity allowing participants to leave with an adapted book and supporting materials.
10:30 – Noon Session F Dr. Robert Erlandson
Wayne State University, College of Engineering,
Detroit
David Bastile
AdamLab, L.L.C., Troy
New Technologies to Address Physical Cognitive and Communication Needs
A variety of new and emerging technologies will be presented that address the physical, cognitive and communication needs of POHI and SXI designated individuals. The concept of Agile Devices will be introduced along with numerous examples dealing with positioning of a person and materials so as to maximize the person’s functional capabilities. Cognitive assistive technology devices and systems will be presented. New and emerging technological approaches utilizing RFID tags, talking lights, and various wireless communication protocols will be discussed and examples of their application provided. Lastly time will be left to brainstorm with the participants as to what technology they believe is most needed to them and their students achieve their functional goals.
1:00 – 4:30 PM Session G Dr. Peggy Dutcher & Dr. Vincent Dean
Michigan Department of Education, Lansing
MI Access: What’s in It for Me?
The implications of MI Access and the administration of this tool will be discussed.
1:00 – 2:30 PM Session H Dr. Robert Erlandson
Wayne State University, College of Engineering,
Detroit
David Bastile
AdamLab, L.L.C., Troy
New Technologies to Address Physical Cognitive and Communication Needs
A variety of new and emerging technologies will be presented that address the physical, cognitive and communication needs of POHI and SXI designated individuals. The concept of Agile Devices will be introduced along with numerous examples dealing with positioning of a person and materials so as to maximize the person’s functional capabilities. Cognitive assistive technology devices and systems will be presented. New and emerging technological approaches utilizing RFID tags, talking lights, and various wireless communication protocols will be discussed and examples of their application provided. Lastly time will be left to brainstorm with the participants as to what technology they believe is most needed to them and their students achieve their functional goals.
1:00 – 2:30 PM Session I Daniel Blauw, J.D.
Law Office of Daniel Blauw, Grand Rapids, MI
Understanding Government Benefits
To be announced.
3:00 – 4:30 PM Session J Daniel Blauw, J.D.
Law Office of Daniel Blauw, Grand Rapids, MI
Special Needs Trusts
To be announced.
3:00 – 4:30 PM Session K Lisa Kowalski
MSENM, Parent, Rochester
Adapted Books Make and Take: Promoting Participation, Speech, Language and Literacy
Adding props, visual cues, and activities help books come alive for all children including those with more severe disabilities. Take ordinary published children’s books and adapt them to meet the needs of a wide variety of students. This will be a hands-on make and take opportunity allowing participants to leave with an adapted book and supporting materials.
3:00 - 4:30 AM Session L Doug Kish, M.A.
Utica High School, Utica Community Schools
In a Budget Crunch? Inexpensive Technology Tips and Strategies for Your Toolbox
Discover how easy accessible tools can support you classroom and student learning. Apply the principles of “universal Design for Learning” to enhance your curriculum and instruction. Explore strategies to create technology plans that are easily adaptable for any age, curriculum, or budget.
3:00 – 4:30 PM Session M Linda Murphy, Pediatric O.T.
Mary Free Bed Hospital, Grand Rapids
Hard to Swallow: Dysphagia Assessment and Treatment
This presentation will concentrate on Oral Motor Feeding Assessment Guidelines including initiating student referral, relevant case histories, clinical evaluation and critical factors used during feeding observation. Needs identification, including limiting factors, goals and treatment will be covered. Criteria for effective feeding equipment will be reviewed. The emphasis will be on feeding and swallowing intervention particular to SXI, SMI and POHI students.
4:45 – 5:45 PM New - Read Flyer Networking Session
Educators, Therapists, and Parents
Willow Room
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
8:30 – 11:00 AM Featured Speaker Lyn Beekman, J.D.
Special Education Solutions, L.L.C., Okemos
What’s New and So What for Us?
This presentation will provide a gentle update with regard to those things in the special education world which are new and will probably affect your role and responsibilities. Examples will be cases and interpretations on the new IDEA regulation, new or proposed state regulations, new or proposed state procedures or guidelines, such as regarding extended school year and seclusion restraint practices. In addition, selected cases on issues that have arisen concerning the role and responsibilities of teachers, OT’s, PT’s, and nurses in providing services to students with more severe disabilities.
Some participants have expressed concerns regarding their possible involvement in hearings, medications, resolution meetings, and facilitated IEPT meetings. There will be discussion of what is expected of you in these various processes and how to answer questions concerning them—or anything else that may be bothering you—as long as it’s related to special education!
12:00 – 3:00 PM Site Visitation Mary Free Bed Hospital
Grand Rapids
Pediatric Programs and Tours
Site Visitation Aquinas College
Grand Rapids
Conductive Education Program
Classroom Visitations Sites to be announced
Grand Rapids Area
3:00 PM - Travel home safely
Download: [ Conference Brochure ] [ Registration Form ] [ Networking Session ]
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