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WALK-UPS WELCOME!
PURCHASE ORDERS still accepted!(Contact Denise Gillespie)


Huntsville's 2nd
"Unlocking the Mystery of Developmental Disorders" Conference!
 

Date:  Friday, May 5. 2023
Time:  8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Registration starts at 7:30) 
Place: Trinity United Methodist Church

              607 Airport Road  
            Huntsville, AL 35802

**School Teachers**
CEUs will be awarded- Details provided as date gets closer!

 

                                                   
Individual Tickets:  

Early bird (ends Saturday, April 22th) = $100 per person
Beginning April 23th = $125 per person




Purchase Orders and Group Discount Orders:
Please contact Denise Gillespie for details!
Phone (text or call): 205-612-4458
Email: seccodg@gmail.com
 
Early bird for 5 or more individuals (ends Saturday, April 15th) = $80 per person
Beginning April 16th for 5 or more individuals = $100 per person

EXTENDED! Deadline for Purchase Orders = Friday, May 5th- if you contact Denise Gillespie before conference date)
 
***If you are interested in being an Exhibitor***
Contact Denise Gillespie:
seccodg@gmail.com or call/text (205)612-4458
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ABOUT

Special Education Consultants & Conference Organizers' mission is working to "unlock the mystery" of developmental disabilities by providing current information and professional expertise that will empower parents and educators. 

This conference is designed to educate parents, teachers, and other professionals on critical issues associated with disabilities! Speakers will cover topics including special education law, behavior concerns and plans, transition options, first response advocacy/safety and managing compassion/fatigue.

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What others are saying....

"To say I enjoyed the conference today is an understatement! I was bombarded with knowledge and tidbits to assist my students to improve behavior and access the curriculum. I was very impressed with the fundamentals of Special Education Law. Leslie Allen was phenomenal! Sarah from UAB Sparks was amazing! As special education teachers we get so wrapped up in the behaviors we see on the surface forgetting the function or triggers that cause the behaviors. Laura Cole was inspiring! Her reminder of getting in the Awe-tism world and take the small steps to help bridge communication is core to improving language skills in all students.
I have saved the best for last, Dustin. I am amazed by his story and his dedication to changing the lives of others, heartwarming! I am not a sky diver yet but I am inspired to take risks.
I have called and emailed several other teachers and next year hope to represent (our) County Schools well at the conference!" Huntsville Conference, 2019

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About
Speakers

SPEAKERS

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W. Jeff Bryson, Ph.D
"Catatonia and Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Overlooked Feature"
This presentation will provide information about catatonia and why it is seen with autism
spectrum disorders. This will include defining catatonia, how it presents in various conditions
including autism spectrum disorder, and an overview of research in this area.


BIO:

Dr. Bryson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and credentialed Health Service
Psychologist. He is a co-founder of Alliance Behavioral Health, LLC in Huntsville, AL
and an associate professor of Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University in
Santa Barbara, CA. He earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate
University along with Certificates of Concentration in Health Psychology and
Neuropsychology. He completed his clinical internship at Duke University Medical
Center / Duke University School of Medicine. This included training in Health
Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Behavioral Sleep Medicine. He has also published
multiple articles in peer-reviewed medical journals on the topics of sleep, dreams, sleep
disorders, tics, cognitive-behavioral therapy, health disparities, and quality of life. Dr.
Bryson is also a co-author of the Sleep Hygiene Index, a psychometric tool that is used
to quantify sleep hygiene practices in clinical and research settings worldwide. He also
serves on the International Advisory Committee for the journal Quality of Life Research.

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Regan Crane M.S., CCC-SLP

"Visual Supports for Communication at Home and School"

Attendees will leave with strategies and resources to immediately begin creating visual language supports and modeling those language supports in functional, productive ways. Through discussion and video, we will discuss the research supporting aided language stimulation and the use of CORE vocubulary in instruction for students who are non-speaking or who have significant articulation or language delays.

BIO:

Regan Crane M.S., CCC-SLP is the Speech-Language Pathology Resource Specialist and Assistive Technology Specialist for Madison County Schools. She was the recipient of the 2022 AAC Professional Award from the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama. Regan has a passion for increasing communication access and opportunities for all students. She received her Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and is licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology.

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Leslie Allen

“Special Ed Law 101: A Crash Course for Educators”

Special education law is complex and litigious with many moving parts to be considered when trying to understand the legal requirements of educating students with disabilities. This session will provide educators with an overview of significant areas of special education law, including child-find, evaluation, eligibility, IEP/placement, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504)/the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues. The overview is designed to highlight basic rules and common (and typically unintentional) missteps that can result in legal difficulties for school systems.

BIO:

Leslie A. Allen is a Partner in the Birmingham, Alabama office of Resolutions in Special Education, Inc.,where she represents and advises public school districts and other education agencies on special education law matters. Leslie is a member of the State Bars of Alabama and Georgia and is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in both states, as well as before the UnitedStates Supreme Court. With nearly 15years of experience focused exclusively on special education matters, she also has more than 10 years of broad business litigation experience, including in the areas of employment, healthcare and general liability insurance. Leslie and Founding RISE Partner  Julie J. Weatherly previously worked together in Atlanta, Georgia, where they were both members of another law firm also devoted exclusively to special education law. In 2021, Leslie was selected to the Mid-South Super Lawyers list for professional achievements in Schools &  Education Law.

Leslie is a Birmingham native and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Alabama, where she graduated summa cum laude. She then graduated cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Tish MacInnis - - Ambassador of the CDC and Prevention Learn the Signs Act. Early
"Developmental Milestones - Helping Parents Monitor their Child's Development"
Attendees will be provided information to recognize developmental milestones. Small group activities and power point presentation will offer examples of CDC resources and other Alabama state partners for Learn the Sign Act early.

BIO:
Tish earned a BS degree from the University of South Alabama. She is the Alabama Strengthening Family Coordinator. She is a certified trainer by the National Alliance for the Children’s Trust Fund and provides statewide for the curriculum of the Protective Factors of the Strengthening Families™ Initiative and Zero to Three’s “The Growing Brain”. She also manages the distribution of the Smart Start Parenting Kit. This kit  is provided across the state to parents of newborns, resources from local, state, and national partners.

Tish is also the Alabama Ambassador of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outreach
program for Learn the Signs. Act Early. that aims to improve early identification of children with autism
and other developmental disabilities so children and families can get the services and support they
need.

Suzanne Hoy

Jessica Daiger

Jessica Daiger + Suzanne Hoy  - -Safe in Home
"Empowering Independent Living Through Remote Supports"

This presentation will focus on solutions that can support independence with safety.  Remote Supports can help meet an individual’s goals of medication management, transitional living, prompts for ADL’s, kitchen safety, visitor safety, and more.  The focus of our presentation is to communicate how remote supports and assistive technology can help unlock new possibilities for individuals while driving self-determination and creating opportunities for learning.  This is accomplished through supported independence, dignity of risk, and the opportunity to control one’s environment.

BIO:

Jessica has been with SafeinHome since 2020 and her mission is to educate the community on how
to promote independence and self-determination through the use of Remote Supports and Assistive
Technology. Jessica began working in the ID/DD Community over ten years and has not looked back
since. Her heart is fueled by helping others and seeking positive change throughout the community.
Jessica has a young family and they enjoy being on the water during the summer!



 

Stephanie Wright
"Equipping Families to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect"

This session will discuss the prevalence of child abuse and the neglect in children with special needs.  It will also address the importance of equipping families with protective factors which research has shown to strengthen families and decrease the risk of child abuse and neglect.  Participants will also learn the harmful effects of Abusive Head Trauma.
BIO:
Stephanie has a BS in Nursing from Tennessee Technological University. She currently serves as the Director of Family Services at UCP providing leadership for UCP's outpatient program, Children's Therapy Services, and managing the Hearts and Family Connections Programs. With a passion for supporting families, she has had over 20 years of coordinating prevention programs for families of children with disabilities.

 

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Tricia Daniels
"Early Yellow Flags of Autism"
We will review signs that teachers can observe when working with preschoolers, how to develop a relationship with parents to share these concerns and where to go to get answers.

BIO:
I have been a school psychologist for approximately 20 years graduating from Middle Tennessee State University. I have worked in school systems to complete a variety of evaluations, assist in safety and security measures, provided counseling to students (and staff) and worked with families/students/teachers/administrators to help address concerns and problem solve to ensure students become the best version of themselves and become po
sitive, contributing members of the community where they reside.


W

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Tayfflor Callicutt

Ashley Schneider

Taylor Callicutt & Ashley Schneider
"Educational and Outpatient Therapy Model-What's the difference?"
An overview of the education and medical models of intervention and the roles outpatient and
school-based therapist have in developing and implementing individual care for the pediatric
population.

BIOS:
Taylor Callicutt, MS CCC-SLP is the Supervisor for Speech-Language Pathology and Ashley
Schneider, MOT, OTR/L is the Supervisor for Occupational and Physical Therapy at Child’s Play Therapy Center.
Taylor received her Bachelor of Science from Auburn University and her Master of Science from the University of Montevallo. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association and Licensure from the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Ashley received her Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University and her Master of Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. She is registered through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed in both Illinois and Alabama.
Prior to moving into outpatient clinical services, both Ashley and Taylor served as therapists within
the public school system.

Agenda

AGENDA

7:30- 8:00 a.m.

REGISTRATION

8:00-8:15 a.m.

WELCOME:
Cindy Nelson

11:30-12:00 p.m.

Break/ Pick up lunch- Go to your selected Session 3 room

8:15-8:30 a.m.
 

8:30-9:50 a.m.

9:50-10:10 a.m.

Break
 

12:00- 1:20 p.m.
SESSION ONE
Gym:          Regan Cane
Room 126:  Stephanie Wright

1:20-1:35  p. m.

Break

1:35-2:55 p.m.

SESSION THREE:
Gym:         Leslie Allen
Room 126: Tricia Daniels

  

Break

SESSION FOUR:
Gym:         
Tish MacInnis
Room 126:  Taylor Callicutt & 
                 Ashley Schneider

  

10:10-11:30 a.m.

SESSION TWO:
Gym:          Jeff Bryson
Room 126:  Jessica Daiger &
                 Suzanne Hoy

  

2:55 p.m.

Pick up Certificates at

New Room/Foyer area

Info
Contact Us

   SECCO MEMBERS' CONTACT INFORMATION:

CINDY NELSON: Conference Coordinator

205-356-7213      cnsecco16@gmail.com   

DENISE GILLESPIE: 
205-612-4458   se
ccodg@gmail.com
Sponores/ Exhibitors

SPONSORS + EXHIBITORS

Alabama Dept. of Mental Health
AL Dept. of Mental Health- Office of Autism Services
Alabama Lifespan Respite
Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose/ UCP
Child's Play Therapy Center
Cognition, Brain and Autism Lab
Doss & Co.
The Horizons School
Master Mary's Taekwondo Academy
People First of Alabama

Safe In Home
Silver Linings Neurodevelopment

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