LDA of Maine logo

Learning Disabilities of Maine

Home
About Us
Contact Us
Membership
Donate
News
Legislative Updates
Events

About Learning and Attention Disabilities

Learning Disabilities Association of Maine

Events

Here you can browse the LDA of ME Calendar or check out some of the events happening in our Events Spotlight

Special Events | Calendar | Events Spotlight

lda logo

Special Events (Updated 5-06-09)

LDA of Maine Calendar

Dates & Location subject to change; call 465-7700 or in state toll free 877-208-4029.

LDA Board of Directors & Committee Meetings

LDA state office, 97 Rocky Shore LN, Oakland, ME 04963

Our goal is to start and end meetings promptly on time; meetings are usually held on a Wednesday or Saturday during the months of January, March, May, August, September, October, and November.

Members often arrive one half hour early for social time and networking. Committees may meet earlier, stay later, or at other times to accomplish their annual goals.

Wednesday Meetings:

6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Committee Meetings

7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting

Saturday Meetings:

9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Committee Meetings

10:00 to 12:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting

#####

2009 BOARD MEETING DATES:

May 9, 2009 Saturday

at The Maine Transition Network/Committee on Transition

In the Olde Federal Building, Suite 14, 295 Water St. Augusta, Maine

August 12, 2009 Wednesday(pot luck at 5:00 p.m.)

September 12, 2009 Saturday

October 14, 2009 Wednesday

November 14, 2009 Saturday

SPECIAL NOTICE

LDA offers Adult, Family, & Youth Leadership, Mentoring & Support Programs. These are closed programs limited to 12 -15 attendees who decide when, where, and how often they meet based on their needs.

If you wish to learn more about these programs or want to be added to next enrollment cycle, please contact us know.

2009 LDA of Maine Annual Conference

Date TBA

Life after High School:

Preparing Teens for the Transition to Adulthood
with Dr. Arlyn Roffman, PhD.

See further down for more information.

#####

 

 

Department of Health and Human Services

Child and Family Services

2 Anthony Avenue

# 11 State House Station

Augusta, Maine  04333-0011
Tel: (207) 287-5060; Fax: (207) 287-6156

TTY: 1-800-606-0215

 

April 9, 2009

 

Hello Everyone:

 

I would like to extend a warm and personal invitation to all of our friends and colleagues who have given their support to Children’s Behavioral Health Services to join with us in a celebration of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 8, in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House.

 

This is the fourth annual celebration that recognizes that “Mental Health Matters” and gives us all an opportunity to come together in the morning for several hours and to hear from others; including families and youth, speaking from the heart about the difference that providers, families and family organizations, neighbors, peers, natural supports and members of our communities make.

 

One of the many successful aspects to the Hall of Flags event has been the presence of providers of children’s behavioral health services – whether direct services, support services, collaborators or other friends – that came to offer information about what they do and how they can support families and youth in Maine’s system of care.  We hope the turnout will be as energetic this year as it has been in the past.

 

Once again there will be a limited number of tables available for exhibitors.  Therefore, sharing space will be a must.  We welcome all who plan to come with their informational materials and displays, but because of the limited space please do not bring expansive display boards such as trifolds. 

 

 We are asking that anyone wishing to occupy table space to please make your intentions      known by Friday, April 30th to our planning group, specifically to Lisa Preney of Thrive.  Lisa can be contacted by email at lpreney@tcmhs.org or by phone at 782-5783 x 1608.  Again, due to the limited space, we must honor everyone on a first come, first served basis.

 

Thank you for your continuing support

Director, Children’s Behavioral Health Services

Office of Child & Family Services

````````````````````````````````````````````````

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

 

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

MAY 4-10, 2009

 

 

Joan Smyrski, MS

Director of Children’s Behavioral Health Services

Office of Child & Family Services

and the Department of Health and Human Services,

cordially invites Community Members, Mental Health Providers, Parents, Youth and Family Organizations

 

TO CELEBRATE

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY

 

When:   Friday, May 8th

Where:  Hall of Flags, State House Building, Augusta, Me

Time:     10:30 to 12:30 p.m.

 

It is requested that all exhibitors bring agency brochures and informational & educational items concerning child, youth and family mental health services.  Please no display boards.

 

Important facts to remember:

  • Every child’s social-emotional health is important.
  • Many children have mental health needs and challenges. These problems are real, painful, and can be severe.
  • Stigma is a barrier and discourages families and youth from getting the help they need.
  • Mental health problems can be recognized and successfully treated.
  • By working together, caring families and communities can help.

 

This celebration is endorsed by Maine’s Mental Health Planning Council and its Children’s Committee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Introduction to Mediation
presented by

Jacqui Clark, MPA & Debbie Mattson, MSW

June 4, 5, 9, 10 & 12, 2009
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
11 King Street, Augusta, Maine

Mediation is an opportunity for people in conflict to listen to each other in an attempt to find resolution.

Mediation is often required as a first step in resolving differences or chosen when self-determination is an important value for developing a resolution.


A mediator guides the mediation process using knowledge of conflict, negotiation, human behavior and systems.


“Introduction to Mediation” is of interest to:


Attorneys wishing to expand their understanding of mediation;

Educators and administrators planning to implement mediation programs in
their schools or workplaces;

Professionals considering a career change to the field of mediation;

Individuals seeking to expand their own skills and resources for managing conflict;


Professionals working with people and systems, such as: counselors,
social workers, and law enforcement officials;


Supervisors expanding their conflict skills to strengthen work teams.

“Introduction to Mediation” is a 40-hour training. Students learn generalist mediation
theory and skills including:


1) Definition and roles of mediator
2) Stages of resolution
3) Conflict diagnoses and interventions
4) Awareness of diversity and bias
5) Professional standards and ethics
6) Development of effective communication interventions
7) Identification and management of power imbalances

 

Training Format: “Introduction to Mediation” is designed for 12 participants, ensuring individual attention and quality group interaction. It is a combination of reading, lecture, experiential learning, and simulation. The participants are involved in role plays, observations, self-reflection, summary reports, evaluations, and small group exploration.


The curriculum is designed in compliance with the expectations of Alternative Dispute Resolution professional associations. The fifth day of the training is a full day mediation
simulation with actors from outside the training group. This format allows participants to practice new skills while receiving critique and support for their work.


Location: Mediation and Facilitation Resources training facility in Augusta, an accessible (ADA) facility.


Cost: The cost per participant is $750, or $695 if registered by April 10, 2009. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required for registration.


CEUs and CLEs from many professions are awarded for this program.

For registration information, contact:
Mediation & Facilitation Resources
11 King Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-622-1429
Fax: 207-622-3318
mediate@mediateresources.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

13th Annual Advances in the Identification and Treatment of Childhood Behavioral Disorders

July 13–14, 2009     8:30 to 5:00 both days

Colby College, Waterville, Maine

Who Should Attend: Psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapists.

 CMEs and CEUS will be awarded

Best practices & current concepts in the field

of developmental & behavioral pediatrics.

Colby College presents the thirteenth annual Childhood Behavioral Disorders Conference, a two-day program for professionals working with children and teens with behavioral problems and their families. The program will be particularly useful for primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, teachers and counselors. Strategies that work in the home, school and community to help children and families experience their world as a better place will be provided. The program features interactive sessions, case studies, didactic and small group presentations.

Maine's experts will describe and discuss evidenced-based practices in the early recognition, evaluation and treatment of the most common and, at times, perplexing behavioral, emotional, learning, social and psychiatric conditions affecting children. Attendees will be given the opportunity for focused learning with knowledgeable speakers and plenty of time for questions, answers and informal discussion in a comfortable atmosphere. 

Topics include Anxiety Disorders which affects about 10-15% of children, OCD which affects 2-5%, Autism which occurs in 1 out of 150 children, Bipolar Disorder, environmental toxins and their effects on children, the use of SSRI's during pregnancy, the effects of maternal depression on children and families, and the use of hypnosis in a primary care physician's office.

Overall Course Objectives: 

-Participants will learn what the current research says about evaluating and treating a variety of conditions such as childhood anxiety, bipolar disorder and autism.

-Participants will be able learn some tools they can use immediately in their practices in managing children with behavior problems.

-Participants will gain a better understanding of best practices and appropriate treatment approaches for infants and young children who are under stress or who have been traumatized. -Current research will outline the effects of the environment and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on fetal and newborn development  

This years Presenters & Presentations:

  • SSRI’s During Pregnancy   John Salvato, MD FAAP
  • Current Concepts in the Identification and Treatment of Autism    Ellen Gellerstedt, MD FAAP    
  • The Dysregulated Preschooler: Beyond ADHD Victoria Dalzell, MD FAAP  
  • The Use of Hypnosis in Pediatric Office Settings   Cindy Howes, RN, CPNP 
  • Traumatic Stress in Infants and Toddlers    Nancy Ponzetti-Dyer, PhD and Dr Anne Uecker
  • Functional Behavioral Analysis   Mark Steege, PhD                    
  • Positive Behavioral Supports     Mark Steege, PhD                    
  • Complex Trauma in Children   Miranda Phelps, PsyD  
  • Effects of Maternal Depression on Infants and Children Eileen Fair, LCSW  
  • Exposure Based Treatment of OCD in Children and Teens    Gordon Street, PhD                   
  • Exposure Based Treatment of Other Anxiety Disorders in Children and Teens   Gordon Street, PhD    
  • Consequences of Fetal and Childhood Exposure to Environmental Chemicals on Cognition and Behavior   Deborah Rice, PhD  
  • Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescence Teresa Hermida MD 
  • Developmental Coordination Disorder   Kathy Kelleher, PT, MA, PCS

The all-inclusive registration fee includes tuition, two lunches, breaks, and handouts.

$199 for MD's and $134 for PhD's and others;Fourth professional from same organization, $99.

One-day tuition for MDs is $129 and for others $85.

Register online or to request a printed brochure/registration form:

http://www.colby.edu/spec.prog/cme/childhood_behavior/application.shtml

Contact Information Information:

Colby College Special Programs

4730 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, ME 04901-8847
E-mail: summer@colby.edu

Phone: 207-859-4730  fax: 207-859-4734

Jean Youde, M.A. Programs Coordinator

Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center

MaineGeneral Medical Center 271

Water Street Augusta, ME 04330

E-mail: jean.youde@mainegeneral.org

Phone: 207- 623-6503  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 19-23, 2009; various times, 8:30-4:15 + evening events

University of Southern Maine & University of Maine Law School, Portland, ME

For 15 years, the Education Law Conference has presented an important and cogent program on education law and policy for a unique audience of attorneys, educators, policy makers, parents, and child advocates. This year promises to be the best yet!

The Education Law Conference consistently attracts nationally-known and respected speakers to its New England locations, and this year will be packed with such expertise and thinking. Attendees love the subject matter, the high level of presentations, the interaction, the extensive conference materials, and the simple joy of being in Maine in summer

Who Should Attend

Educators at all levels - public/private schools superintendents, principals, teachers, special educators, guidance and school health specialists, and college and university leaders;

Policy-makers - school boards, trustees, and local, state and national leaders;

Advocates - child, parent and school advocates and attorneys, mediators and law students;

Practitioners - concerned with civil rights, disability issues, bullying and harassment, No Child Left Behind, compliance with federal and state law . . .

In short, anyone who needs to know how laws, regulations, and policy may impact our youth and their schools and colleges.

KEYNOTES

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX—Panel of education leaders with interests in law and education including New York’s Urban Assembly Schools, the University of California at Irvine (home of the Saturday Academy of Law), and the principal of New Mexico’s new themed school Atrisco Heritage—phenomenal ideas ready to be replicated

MY SPACE, YOUR SPACE , WHOSE SPACE?—The Law and reality of cyber-issues – attorney expert Pete Lowe, Peggy McAllister, NH Association of School Principals, and other stars – the role-play is back! 

MADE IN AMERICA:  THE GLOBAL YOUTH JUSTICE MOVEMENT—with 1,200+ local youth and teen court programs throughout the country, hearing over 100,000 cases, youth court programs offer a positive and proven alternative to traditional juvenile justice and school disciplinary procedures;  the speaker, Scott Bernard Peterson, Esq., National Director of Criminal and Juvenile Justice, YouthBuild USA & International,  is THE national expert.

WORKSHOPS

OVER 60 small workshops for educators and policy makers at all levels—Religion and Intelligent Design, Cyberbullying, Innovative Assessment and Programming, Human Rights, OCR, Charter Schools, Search and Seizure, Food Allergies, Juvenile Justice, Civil Rights and Diversity, School Safety, Suicide . . .

DAY LONG STRANDS

Wingspread (M)—Joint session w/bench & bar leaders—Diversity, Philanthropy, LRE. . .

JOINT SESSION with ABA ACD (M)—Underrepresented Minorities Outreach…

Autism (M)Nationally known Autism Autism Spectrum Differences Institute of New England, full day training

Law-themed Education (M&T)Showcase, programs ready to replicate!

Special Ed (M, T, W)

Assessment(T) e-portfolios and other innovative value-added approaches…

Higher Ed (W)college-going, limiting liability for suicide and brutality, diversity. . .

CONFERENCE EVENTS

Opening Reception Wingspread and Early Arrivers (Sunday)

«  Maine Lobster Bake (M)

«  All Conference Blackboard Bench & Bar Reception (T)

To REGISTER

USM Conferences 207-780-5960; or online, www.edlaw.org;

or mail PO Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104;

FMI: Professor Redfield, sarah.redfield@gmail.com

Check out the Maine Transition Network web site for more information about their services and for regional training's available in your area.

Visit Maine Transition Network

www.mainetransition.org


FREE Informational Workshops for Parents

Check out these web sites for more information.

The G.E.A.R Parent Network offers workshops, trainings, and events most open free (unless otherwise specified) to parents of children with special needs.

www.gearparentnetwork.com 1-800-264-9224

Southern Maine Parent Awareness

Southern Maine Parent Awareness helps families expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of their children and young adults with disabilities.
www.somepa.org 1-800-564-9696

Maine Parent Federation

www.mpf.org 1-800-870-7746

www.downeasthealth.org


Southern Maine Parent Awareness & the Learning Disabilities Association of Maine's

Second Southern Maine Fall Conference

October 17, 2009

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Village by the Sea, Wells, Maine.

Information & Inspiration for Parents & Educators for Children with Learning Disabilities & Related Disorders

Back by Popular Demand: Rick Lavoie,M.A., M.Ed.

"Rick's experiences as an educator, father, and consultant shine through as he describes obstacles to motivation and eloquently articulates interventions that will be most effective in sparking the interest and joy of kids, especially given their different needs."

Robert Brooks, Ph.D., author of The Self-Esteem Teacher and coauthor of Raising Resilient Children

More Information to Coming Soon.

http://www.ricklavoie.com/

Richard Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed.

Rick Lavoie has served as an administrator of residential programs for children with special needs since 1972. He holds three degrees in Special Education and has served as an adjunct professor or visiting lecturer at numerous universities including Syracuse, Harvard, Gallaudet, Manhattanville College, University of Alabama and Georgetown. His numerous national television appearances include CBS Morning Show, Good Morning Amedca, ABC Evening News and Disney Channel Presents.

Rick serves as a consultant on Learning Disabilities to several agencies and organizations including Public Broadcasting Service, New York Times, National Center for Learning Disabilities, Girl Scouts of America, Child Magazine and WETA. He is a member of the Professional Advisor Board of the Learning Disabilities Association.

Rick has delivered his message to over 500,000 parents and professionals throughout North America. He has the distinction of having delivered Keynote Addresses for all three of the major special needs advocacy organizations in the United States (Learning Disabilities Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Children with Attention Deficit Disorder).

Rick has held administrative positions at residential programs for thirty years. These experiences at residential school have provided Rick with a "living laboratory" in which he developed and refined his methods and philosophies related to the education of adolescents with special needs.

Rick is probably best known for his videos "How Difficult Can This Be?: The F.A.T. City Workshop" and "Last One Picked, First One Picked On: The Social Implications of Learning Disabilities". These award-winning films have brought Rick's sensitive and compelling message to countless thousands throughout the world. After viewing the videos, former First Lady Barbara Bush stated, "You really wowed us! I only wish that every parent and teacher in the United States today could also see your program." His new video on behavior management is entitled "When the Chips are Down ..." is now available through LD OnLine.

Rick lives on Cape Cod with his wife.



Back to Top


 

LDA of Maine Annual Conference

In collaboration with Maine Transition Network (MTN)/Committee on Transition (COT)

2009 Date TBA

Life after High School:

Preparing Teens for the Transition to Adulthood
with Dr. Arlyn Roffman, PhD.

THOMAS COLLEGE 180 West River Road, Waterville, Maine 04901

Guest Speaker: Arlyn J. Roffman, Ph.D.

Arlyn Roffman, Ph.D. from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, & the LDA of America Professional Advisory Board will focus on the skills required for independent living.

Roffman Biography:

Dr. Arlyn Roffman, author of the recently published Guiding Teens with Learning Disabilities: Navigating the Transition from High School to Adulthood (Princeton Review/Random House) will be our guest speaker on April 11, 2009. Dr. Roffman is a Professor of Special Education at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she served as the founding director of the Threshold Program, a non-degree transition program for young adults with LD, from 1981-1996. A licensed psychologist, she also maintains a private practice focusing on the adjustment of youth and adults with learning disabilities.

Dr. Hoffman earned her Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Boston College, an M.Ed. in special education from Lesley University, and a B. A. at Connecticut College. She is the author of numerous articles and chapters on learning disabilities and two other books, A Classroom Teacher’s Guide to Mainstreaming and Meeting the Challenge of LD in Adulthood.

Dr. Roffman has served on the professional advisory boards of the Learning Disabilities Association of American (LDAA), National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), the National Adult Literacy and Learning Disability Center, and several other organizations. She has consulted and made conference presentations on issues related to special education and psychology throughout the U.S. And abroad and has served as an expert witness on several cases related to transition for students with disabilities.

Want to learn more about transition after high school? Contact us. We have questionnaires for parents/youth & providers to assist in developing transition plans, samples, articles, books, & audio tapes including the one below by Arlyn Roffman, PhD, as well as the two chapter excerpts from her latest book. *

Helping Teens with LD Develop a Healthy, Balanced Lifestyle by Arlyn Roffman, PhD

We all want our children to grow up to have a healthy lifestyle, wherein they maintain personal hygiene & good grooming, eat a nutritious diet, take care of medical & dental needs, & fill their leisure time with enough exercise and personal interests to create balance & quality of life. Many teens with LD/ADHD struggle to achieve a healthy, balanced life. This article will offer parents/counselors of middle & high school youth strategies in this important area.

Guiding Teens with Learning Disabilities- Low Self Esteem Adolescence is a trying time under the best of circumstances. For teens with learning disabilities and related disorders, the daily and life-long struggles of coping with their disability-related symptoms can be wearing and dispiriting. Repeated failure, taunts from peers, and negative feedback from teachers often come at a considerable psychological cost.

Guiding Teens with Learning Disabilities- Preparing for the Process You and your child should prepare for the IEP meeting in advance to help you make the most of the transition planning process.

* Youth under age 18 years? Please ask your parent’s permission before calling us. Thank you.

Most services free to youth with SLD thanks to partial funding by the Maine Department of Education, Special Services .

Back to Top


Events Spotlight

January 15 Deadline Sylvester Award Submissions

October 15 Deadline Principal/Administers Scholarship September National Literacy Month
October National Learning Disabilities Month
October 15 Deadline Educator of the Year Submissions
October 15 Deadline Principal/Administers Scholarship Application

Back to Top

LDA International Conference Schedule

2010 February 17-20 in Baltimore, MD

2011 February 23-26 in Jacksonville, FL

2012 February 29 - March 3 in Chicago, IL

LDAA Letter on International Conference

ldaamerica.org

LDA of MAINE: PROUD to be THE MAINE STATE AFFILIATE OF LDAA

adobe reader Click on this link to download Adobe's Acrobat Reader.