Upcoming Events

Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Linda has more than 25 years experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist.  A popular international presenter, she has been labelled the "Queen of Visuals" for pioneering the development of visual strategies for supporting students with communication and behaviour challenges. Linda is the author of the best-selling books, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication and Solving Behaviour Problems in Autism, which are currently two of the most recommended books in the field of autism because of their practical, easy-to-implement innovative programming strategies.

Monday Jan 19^th Discovering the possibilities with visual strategies

Using visually supported communication is an extremely helpful approach for students with communication and behaviour challenges. Many people use a few visual tools in their homes and educational environments. Few people use this medium of communication support nearly as much as would be beneficial for these students.

This program will define the need, discuss training, and demonstrate many practical ideas for school and home. This program will highlight a variety of visually mediated communication strategies that have proven successful with students of varying ages and ability levels.

Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP

Michelle is a speech language pathologist who specializes in the treatment of students with social cognitive deficits, which includes diagnoses such as Autism, Asperger and non-verbal learning disorder. 

The title that best fits Michelle now is “Specialist for Persons with Social Cognitive Deficits”. Michelle is passionate about educating all persons, parents, educators, administrators and students about the real impact of social cognitive deficits across the home, school and work day. She is convinced that we can do more to help students find increasing levels of success as adults.

Tuesday Jan 20^th Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day: The ILAUGH Model of Social Cognition

This session is designed for parents & professionals to understand the inner mind of persons high on the Autism Spectrum (Asperger Syndrome, or High Functioning Autism), with ADHD, Non-Verbal Learning Disability or have no working diagnosis but they fit the clinical picture! Participants will learn not only functional treatment strategies they can use both at school and at home, but they will also better understand why students react and respond the way they do.

 Wednesday AM Jan 21^st: Teaching Beyond the Think Social! Curriculum: Addressing Preschool, Anxiety, "Superflex" and Emerging Perspective Takers

 In this advanced session, we will explore how social thinking lessons can be incorporated with preschool age students. Different levels of play will be introduced to consider how best to initiate social thinking teachings with little ones.

Superflex: a cognitive behavioural strategy for helping elementary school students identify their social and behavioural learning challenges and develop related strategies to encourage the use of positive thinking and behaviours. This curriculum, developed by Stephanie Madrigal is being widely embraced by students and teachers.

Exploring how most of our students by middle school have very real mental health challenges, we will discuss strategies to help students identify their anxiety as well as related strategies.