P.O. Box 50030 London, ON N6A 6H8 info@rett.ca (519) 474-6877

Communication Workshop

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Rett Syndrome Communication Workshop: From Theory to Hands-On Training

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1409889295099{border-color: #6b0065 !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The Ontario Rett Syndrome Association is proud to offer this educational opportunity, focused on communication strategies for individuals with Rett syndrome. Having an effective communication system for a child or adult with Rett syndrome can be challenging. In recent years, there have been exciting advancements in communication technology. We will provide exceptional speakers to inspire family members, care givers, support staff, educators, speech and occupational therapists and medical professionals. You’ll meet two of the leading experts in literacy and communication strategies for people with complex communication needs. Let’s work together to continue to unlock the communication and learning potential of each person with Rett syndrome!

 

Download the complete brochure with all the details.

 

Workshop registration opens on September 12th, 2014 and is closed on October 27th, 2014 or once all spaces are filled.

 

SPEAKERS

 

Erin Sheldon earned her M. Ed. at Queen’s University studying assistive technology and literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities. Erin is the mother of a grade 6 student diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, including co-morbid autism, low-vision, and intractable epilepsy. Erin works with families and school teams to create literacy programs that all students can access.

 

Judy Lariviere is an Assistive Technology Specialist and Occupational Therapist with a Master’s degree in Special Education who has worked in the field of AAC for the past 26 years. Through her private practice in California, Judy has over 16 years of experience working with girls and young women with Rett syndrome; identifying their best means of access to technology for communication and learning, while also implementing tools and strategies to support their educational progress, particularly in the area of literacy.

 

WORKSHOP COMPONENTS

 

Limited unique private consultation sessions with Judy Lariviere are available for current O.R.S.A. family members. Each session is one half hour.  The session will provide a time to discuss current communication challenges and to obtain strategies directly related to your specific child.  Your child/adult with Rett syndrome will not attend.

 

Erin Sheldon will discuss the role of literacy to empower every person to tell us what she’s thinking.  This workshop will demonstrate strategies to ensure every person can access the literacy experiences that bring joy, enhance friendships, and give her power.

 

Judy Lariviere will show how significant improvements in communication have been observed and documented over a relatively short period of time when apraxia, sensory regulation, and ease of access are taken into account.  She will show various strategies for building on each individual’s unique natural gestures and best “yes” responses, including videos of girls and women engaging in conversations and literacy learning experiences on their eye gaze systems.

 

Day Two is an advanced hands-on workshop in which participants will learn several functions and features of Tobii Communicator, the communication-based software that runs on Tobii C series, I series, and Windows-compatible tablets. Attendees for Day Two will be emailed with the links and page sets required to participate in the Advanced Tobii Eye Gaze Workshop: Hands-on Make and Take full-day session. A PC laptop or a Tobii communication eye gaze device will be required to participate in the Day Two session.

 

REGISTRATION

 

The workshops will be held in two locations, Mississauga and Ottawa. Attendees can attend either one or both days. Space is limited. Before registering, carefully review the detailed brochure. Please register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

 

Registration for the workshop is only be available online.  Registration is limited and will be closed once the maximum number of attendees has been reached for each day. Registration fee of $50.00 per day includes all required materials, two breaks and lunch. There are 75 spaces available for Day One and 30 spaces for Day Two. In order to provide every attendee with a positive workshop experience, please review and input all the acquired information on the registration form.

 

Workshop registration opens on September 12th, 2014 and is closed on October 27th, 2014 or once all spaces are filled.

 

QUESTIONS

 

If you have any questions please call (519) 474-6877 or email karen@rett.ca or terry@rett.ca.

 

WORKSHOP SPONSORS

Edwards Charitable Foundation

Ontario Rett Syndrome Association

Integration Action for Inclusion[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Rett Syndrome Communication Workshop

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In November, the Ontario Rett Syndrome Association was proud to offer this educational opportunity, focused on communication strategies for individuals with Rett syndrome. Having an effective communication system for a child or adult with Rett syndrome can be challenging. In recent years, there have been exciting advancements in communication technology. It was wonderful to gather together with clinicians, educators, care givers, and family members to discuss the latest ideas and strategies for literacy and communication!

 

WORKSHOP COMPONENTS

 

Judy Lariviere provided unique private consultation sessions for current O.R.S.A. family members. The sessions provided a time to discuss current communication challenges and to obtain strategies directly related to the specific child.

 

Karen Congram discussed the role of literacy to empower every person to tell us what she’s thinking. She demonstrated several strategies to ensure every person can access the literacy experiences that bring joy, enhance friendships, and give her power to speak her authentic thoughts.

 

Judy Lariviere showed how significant improvements in communication have been observed and documented over a relatively short period of time when apraxia, sensory regulation, and ease of access are taken into account. She showed various strategies for building on each individual’s unique natural gestures and best “yes” responses, including videos of people with Rett syndrome engaging in conversations and literacy learning experiences on their eye gaze systems.

 

Day Two was an advanced hands-on workshop in which participants learned several functions and features of Tobii Communicator, the communication-based software that runs on Tobii C series, I series, and Windows-compatible tablets. Learning to program these eye-gaze devices has become a new and important skill for supporting individuals with Rett syndrome.

 

Download the complete brochure with all the details.

 

Download slides from Literacy Presentation.

 

We are grateful to the Edwards Charitable Foundation for the funding to make these workshops possible.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]