This year's conference, The Art of Early Intervention, offers opportunities for personnel to build upon the foundation of their practices in areas including: autism spectrum disorders, cultural competency, resiliency, use of technology, communication, social emotional support, and much more. A variety of sessions, in-depth and overview, are offered that meet the needs of providers, administrators, faculty, and parents.
Experience the art of hospitality and a freshly imagined new vision of modern luxury at The Henry, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel. Stylish living amenities are also designed to make you feel right at home and enhance your stay. Guests of our Dearborn, Michigan hotel enjoy seasonal organic dining at TRIA - An American Brasserie, complimentary signature beverages in the lobby, business center services, indoor swimming pool & fitness center, massage treatment rooms, guided tours of our art collection, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. From the moment you check-in until the time you check-out, enjoy a gracious new luxury boutique hotel experience that will make you want to call The Henry home again and again.
For conference participants, a block of rooms is reserved at The Henry at the nightly rate of $77.00 (single or double) plus applicable state and local tax (currently 14%).
The Henry is happy to honor the Early On discounted group rate until October 22, 2013.
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Thursday - November 14, 2013
Session 1: Thursday - 11:00am to 12:15pm
A - Working with Challenging Behaviors in Young Children
Jessica Holmes, MSW, Neighborhood Service Organization
Devin Dupree, MSC, LLPC, Neighborhood Service Organization
This presentation will identify challenging behaviors often described by parents. Participants will discuss why these behaviors may be occurring for these children and learn new techniques for working with children that show challenging behaviors. Scenarios, current research, open discussion and a presentation will support participants’ learning techniques to create a positive learning environment for their children and promote positive behavior from the young children they encounter.
(Intermediate)(Advanced)
Presidential Ballroom
B - A Facilitative Approach to Home Visiting
Kerenda Applebey, MSW, Berrien RESA
Susan Haselhoff, BA, Berrien RESA
This workshop is intended for both practitioners and supervisors. There is growing research and evidence that interventions targeted primarily toward children or parents are not as effective as interventions targeted at parent-child interactions. This workshop identifies current research, best practices and resources regarding a facilitative approach to early intervention. Participants will understand the differences between traditional approaches to home visiting and a facilitative approach.
(Intermediate)
Plaza B
C - Working With Multilingual Families: Myths & Best Practices
Christy Schweitzer, MA, SLP, Henry Ford Health System
This presentation is intended to be a follow up to last year’s introductory presentation on multilingualism. Following a brief review of multilingual language development, the presentation will focus specifically on the latest research regarding best practices for assessment and intervention for children birth to three who live in multilingual environments. Particular attention will be paid to rationale for use of more than one language in intervention as well as rationale for using alternative assessment procedures. The target audience includes Early On service providers as well as administrators and other professionals involved in policy planning for agency assessment/intervention procedures.
(Advanced)
Gallery
D - Early Literacy and Language Through Play (This session has reached capacity)
Ann Gendron, MA, CCC-SLP, Marquette-Alger RESA
Michelle DenBeste, MA, SLP, Marquette-Alger RESA
This session will explore what the experts are saying about the importance of play and how play has changed for today’s children. Participants will become familiar with how play may impact language development and early literacy skills as well as characteristics of a child and adult during play and strategies to assist with early literacy and language development.
(Introductory)
Directors
E - Maximizing Parent Involvement In Your LICC
Celena Barnes, Michigan Alliance for Families
Sandee Koski, MA, Michigan Alliance for Families
Research has shown that parent involvement helps improve outcomes for children and families. Nationally recognized models include parents as partners in decisions that affect children and families, including the creation of policies, practices, and programs. By participating in this workshop you will gain an understanding of the needs of parents to be effective members of your local interagency coordinating council (LICC), including tools for assessing your LICC practices for building capacity in parents, and resources available to support and educate parents.
(Introductory)
Delegate
F - “What’s Wrong with my Kid” – How Food Affects Sensory Processing, Behavior and Other Childhood Ailments (This session has reached capacity)
Paula Johnson, OTR, Naturopathic Doctor, Ingham ISD
The content of this presentation will focus on how food sensitivities can affect behavior. The audience will learn about the gut/brain connection, symptoms of food sensitivities, how sensory processing is influenced by food intolerances, and strategies to help families support their children nutritionally. This information can help to understand the child from a holistic point of view along with providing simple nutritional strategies.
(Intermediate)
Plaza A
Session 2: Thursday - 1:30pm to 4:30pm
A - Moving From Ideas to Changing Practices in Service Delivery
Lynda Cook Pletcher, M.Ed, Early Childhood TA Center
Providers attend many conferences and workshops where ideas are presented that could impact what we do with the children and families we work with. How do we move from hearing an idea we might like to do to seeing real change in the entire service delivery approach? Why should we make changes, how do we go about it and what do we need from leadership to effectively make real differences?
(Advanced)
Plaza A
B - Identifying Risks and Promoting Resilience in Infants and Toddlers with Suspected Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Prachi Shah, MD, University of Michigan FASD Diagnostic Clinic
Fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are underdiagnosed in general treatment settings. It is necessary for professionals who work and interact with young children to become familiar with the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, to facilitate referrals for evaluation, and to optimize outcomes for affected children. Using adult learning principles and case-based learning, participants will refine their skills in the assessment of suspected alcohol related diagnoses, and distinguish potential FASDs from other developmental and behavioral conditions.
(Advanced)
Plaza B
C - iSee, uSee, iPads and Reflection to Strengthen Parent/Child Interactions (This session has reached capacity)
Colleen D’Arcy, Ph.D., SVSU
Debbie Lively, Ph.D., SVSU
This presentation is designed to provide an overview of parent coaching techniques, to develop competencies with video recorded interactions using an iPad, phone or other recording device, and to facilitate reflection for enhancing parent child interactions. Using technology to capture interactions provides a way to review, reflect, and encourage positive strategies to enhance future interactions. By engaging in consistent and ongoing reflection, educators and caregivers will enhance their understanding of interactions and ways to solve problems.
(Intermediate)
Directors
D - When Sensory is Not Enough: A New Understanding (This session has reached capacity)
Terri Zartman, OTRL, Family Tree Therapies
Stacy Pulley, M.S. CCC-SLP, Family Tree Therapies
We will discuss the underlying sensory systems, including the hidden systems of the vestibular, tactile and proprioceptive systems. To gain a further understanding of WHY challenges happen, we will explore the concept of a neurosensorimotor reflex system, including infant primitive and postural reflexes. Participants will experience the neurophysiological “laws” within their own systems through experiential activities. We will discuss causes of poor reflex integration, and therefore outward signs of sensory processing challenges.
(Intermediate)
Presidential Ballroom
E - Listening and Responding to the Voices of Infants and Toddlers in Foster Care (This session has reached capacity)
Kathleen Baltman, MA, IMH-E (IV), Infancy & Early Childhood Consultant, Private Practice
Given the large number of people who are responsible for advocating, mandating and providing care for infants and toddlers in foster care settings, the needs of the babies are easily lost. Through scripted role-play and shared reflection, this interactive workshop will attend to the voices of the infants/toddlers and discuss caregiver/interventionists’ relationship-based responses to their needs.
(Intermediate)
Delegate
F - Navigating the ASD Maze – A Collaborative and Innovative Approach to Services and Intervention for Toddlers with Autism
Holly Nichols, S.Psy.S, Ionia ISD
Jessica Murphy, Parent, Ionia ISD
This session will explore one mother’s Early On experience with her twin daughters who have been diagnosed with autism. It will look at the Early On process from referral to transition and will cover topics including assessment (Early On and medical), home-based and group-based intervention (including Applied Behavior Analysis), parent support, and community-based services. The impact of the recent Michigan Autism Legislation and its implications for service delivery also will be discussed. A collaborative approach involving family, Early On staff, and the ISD’s autism staff will be highlighted. Participants will leave the session with a first-hand account as to what works when providing family-centered, routine-based, and research-based intervention in home and group settings.
(Introductory)
Gallery
Friday - November 15, 2013
Session 3: Friday - 9:30am to 11:30am
A - Stop Hitting, Kicking, and Biting: How to Handle Problem Behavior with Young Children
Amy Hund, MA, Total Education Solutions
This presentation will provide an overview of the reasons that young children engage in problem behavior, including hitting, kicking and biting. Parents and providers will learn how to determine the function of a particular behavior, using data sheets that can be reproduced in homes. Once a parent or provider has determined the function of the behavior, an appropriate and effective intervention can be implemented to decrease the behavior. The target audience is parents and providers. Participants will benefit from a practical approach to understanding the functions of behavior and will learn techniques to address those behaviors in home.
(Intermediate)
Presidential Ballroom
B - Home Visitor Safety through Drug Awareness (This session has reached capacity)
Michael Anderson, D/F/Lt, Michigan State
Police Metropolitan Enforcement Team
The target audience includes home visitors in early childhood. Home visitors will participate in an interactive presentation of provider safety including awareness and prevention of harm to themselves while working with a vulnerable population.
(Introductory)(Intermediate)
Directors
C - Lesbian & Gay Parent Families: Issues and Interventions
Lucy R Mercier, Ph.D., MSW, Saginaw Valley State University
This session will provide an overview of lesbian and gay parent families and current research on issues relevant to service provision to parents and children. The focus of the session will be on understanding the unique experiences of the families and examining problems in effective service delivery, including common institutional and individual blocks to communication and intervention. Case studies and small group discussions will be used to help participants examine reactions to family diversity, and develop and refine skills for effective service with these families. This session is intended for service providers interacting directly and indirectly with lesbian and gay parent families.
(Intermediate)
Delegate
D - Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis
Elyse Bradford, MA in Applied Behavior
Analysis, Hope Network Center for Autism
This presentation will be a power point in a lecture format with question and answer. Target audience is anyone interested in learning more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and treatment, parents of children with Autism, and professionals who work with children diagnosed with Autism. The presentation will discuss diagnosis of ASD, changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, and treatments – specifically Applied Behavior Analysis.
(Intermediate)
Plaza A
E - Social Media in Early Intervention: Tools for Making Important Connections
Susan L. Wit, M.Ed., OT, Royal Oak
Schools
Lynn Legg, BS, PT, Royal Oak Schools
As early intervention professionals, we seek effective means to quickly and easily communicate information and resources with families in our daily work. We also struggle with finding ways to engage our team in meaningful professional development opportunities. Although initially intimidating, we make a commitment to include social media and technology in our early intervention program. This workshop will discuss how to use social media in early intervention settings. We will provide an overview of readily available tools such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs, offer tutorials, highlight their unique benefits, and identify challenges/obstacles as well. This session is for any early interventionist thinking about using social media and promises to help you connect in technologically savvy ways to families and peers.
(Intermediate)
The Gallery
F - Communication is More Than Just Talking! (This session has reached capacity)
Christin R. Dowd, MA, CCC-SLP, Lenawee ISD
Michelle Moorehead, MA, SLP with Autism
Endorsement, Lenawee ISD
This session will explain typical development of communication and how sensory processing and motor patterning plays a huge role in development of communication skills. Participants will be able to identify activities to facilitate communication at each level of development.
(Intermediate)
Plaza B
Session 4: Friday - 12:30pm to 3:30pm
A - Understanding Trauma and Building Resiliency
Dr. Jim Henry
Dr. Jim Henry is Co-Founder and Project Director of the Children’s Trauma Assessment Center with a professional history that includes over 17 years as child welfare/protective services worker. He has been a professor at Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work for 15 years with a focus on developing and providing trauma-informed instruction. Award winning, Dr. Henry has published over 20 articles in professional journals and has trained over 50,000 professionals, caregivers and community members on child maltreatment and trauma-informed practices.
Dr. Henry’s presentation will identify the impact of intra-familial trauma on young children’s neurodevelopment, share a useful instrument to screen for trauma in young children, and explore how a parental history of unresolved trauma affects attachment. Strategies for building child and family resiliency to achieve child well-being will be addressed.
Presidential Ballroom
