Early Connections Conference

It’s never too early to get started with the Expanded Core Curriculum!

This presentation will include a review of the expanded core curriculum components with an emphasis on the notion that it is never too early to get started! We will explore how the ECC is embedded into experiences and opportunities provided through Outreach Programs at Perkins (Outreach provides extracurricular skill-building residential and day programs for students ages 7-22), but more so, how the ECC can be incorporated within regular routines within the home setting, right now and in the future.

Audience

Parents, teachers, and caregivers of children of any age, as the sentiment of fostering individualized independence is pertinent throughout childhood and beyond.

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Data shows that students who start using technology early are more likely to be independent and have more post-school opportunities.

Many students with visual impairments are often “college eligible” but not “college ready”, so come learn about the technology available, the laws surrounding assistive technology, importance around assessments, and the skills needed to ensure success that you can start NOW!

This session will provide an overview of technology available for students who are visually impaired while stressing the importance of getting children exposed and assessed in technology as young as possible.

Audience

The skills and technology that will be discussed have a focus towards academic and functional use, but we welcome all families to join!

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CVI impacts all parts of a child’s development and learning.

Understanding the CVI visual behaviors, how they impact your child and supporting those access needs will create optimal learning in the home, the first and most frequently

Audience

Parents, teachers, and caregivers of children of any age.

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This presentation includes the results of a narrative review regarding the ways in which cochlear implants can mediate the access to language and forming of peer relationships.

It focuses on how cochlear implants bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf worlds, specifically regarding their impact on school aged children. Future directions are included, as well as variables that affected the data and overall takeaways regarding the linguistic and social development of cochlear implant users.

Audience

All are welcome, but applies most to families and professionals who work with children ages 3-18, who are deaf/deafblind who use cochlear implants in the classroom setting.

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Sensory loss has an impact on the development of children from infancy to school age.

This presentation will discuss the development of a child from infancy to school-age and the impact that sensory loss has on development. The presentation will expand on the importance and need for team collaboration and strategies to support the child. The goal is to understand that the child needs a cohesive team to lessen the impact of vision loss and other impairments, and how the Expanded Core Curriculum can support this.

Audience

Birth to school age.

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Analyze the breakdown of the IEP process that children go through.

We will bring to light how parents/caregivers can effectively navigate through that process to allow them to hit the ground running once their child becomes eligible. Special considerations for children with vision impairment and who are deafblind will be highlighted.

Audience

All ages

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During this hands-on presentation, participants will learn how a person with a visual impairment navigates different environments.

We will discuss what a white cane is, what it symbolizes, different types as well how cane skills are taught. Participants will learn what a human guide is and how to provide it as well as trailing and protective skills. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these techniques under vision shades/simulators.

Parents, teachers, and caregivers of children of any age, as the sentiment of fostering individualized independence is pertinent throughout childhood and beyond.

Audience

All ages

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This inviting and interactive presentation is geared toward parents looking for affordable and accessible options for creating simple but meaningful modifications to their homes, making the space more accessible for everyone.

Using common household items found at local dollar stores, parents and caregivers will leave the presentation excited and equipt to put these ideas into place – and will notice the increase in their child’s ability to interact and grow in independence around the home. From the kitchen to the bathroom, no room will be left unscathed!

Audience

Families with children 5 years old + looking for affordable and accessible modifications to their home.

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APE can expand your child’s world.

This session will include an overview of early childhood adapted physical education (APE), concept development in APE and how APE ties into the expanded core curriculum. This session will also community resources for recreation in the area.

Audience

Most relevant to 3-7 years old but can be made relevant for all ages.

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This presentation will include the personal experiences of the presenter, Lacey Smith, as it relates to navigating the medical system with her daughter, Savannah, who has complex medical needs and a diagnosis of Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI).

Lacey will share her journey with Savannah across the years, sharing examples of how the medical system was navigated to ensure continued exceptional care for Savannah as her diagnoses continued. Some of the ‘takeaways’ will include; advocacy, challenges and how they were overcome, and guiding points for parents/professionals.

Audience

Birth to 7 years old.

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Disability parenting is hard, and that’s an understatement.

Let’s get real about all the challenges we face raising a child with CVI, both systematically and emotionally. We’ll dive into resources from CVI Now that will support your CVI learning and advocacy, and summarize actionable ideas for the everyday. Rachel will also discuss the current CVI landscape, synthesizing research, what we’re learning from people with CVI, and promising practices for creating access.

Audience

Any and all!

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Addressing social skills is a required component of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for individuals who are visually impaired.

In this workshop, the presenter will share strategies and techniques to best facilitate social development for young children who are diagnosed with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI). The presenter will address areas of consideration, including the implications of CVI as it relates to common difficulties with attention to faces, facial recognition, understanding facial expressions, and body language.

Audience

Birth to 14 years old.

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The idea of “fun” can often be forgotten in the chaos of medical appointments, paperwork, and the stress of worrying for your baby when you are raising a child who has special needs.

We will discuss the importance of finding fun and playing, especially through hands-on play, for children with visual impairment. We’ll talk about incorporating play into the day, communicating through connecting with your child, turning your recycling into sensory toys, and adapting commercial toys for use with switches. Participants will create a make and take toy using common household items. Our main focus will be on how important it is to find the magical moments when you can connect with your child, and how those can happen any time if you are present for them.

Audience

This presentation is appropriate for caregivers of infants and toddlers with visual and multiple impairments, developmental delay, and sensory needs. It is geared toward all skill levels in this age range.

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The goal is to create FUN play opportunities for the child to actively participate as independently as possible, improve their endurance, strength, and body control, and to help them move through the gross motor developmental progression.

This presentation will discuss the gross motor developmental progression from initiating tummy time through standing activities, whether standing without help or using a support or a device like a walker or stander. The presentation will cover the benefits and ideal positioning in tummy time, sitting on the floor, kneeling, and standing, as appropriate for the child. The presenters will also give examples of play activities for each position, using environmental modifications that are readily available or easily DIY’d, to make the most out of the time in that position.

Audience

This presentation is appropriate for caregivers of children of any age whose gross motor skills are up to about 12 months developmentally, which means children who are not yet walking independently (with or without a device). For children with delayed motor skills, their developmental age will not correspond to their chronological age.

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This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of working with children with disabilities from the perspectives of a parent, special educator, and program developer.

The presenters will share their personal experiences and insights, including practices and approaches that have proven effective in their respective regions. The parent’s perspective will provide a personal account of raising a child with vision impairment. The talk will cover the challenges faced in early childhood and the strategies that were adapted to enable the child’s transformation into an independent adult with notable achievements. The parent will also reflect on personal experience in supporting other families to raise awareness, acceptance, and access for the visually impaired community. The special educator’s perspective will focus on the practices and approaches used in the Philippines to provide guidance and support to families as they navigate the special education system and provide the best possible care for their child. The program developer will discuss the importance of building a network with key stakeholders in a child’s life and the value of staying connected with each of them, based on practices that have been successful in India.

Audience

Anyone and everyone!

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Paths to Literacy is a website designed for teachers, families, and others interested in literacy for children and youth with visual impairments, including those who are deafblind and/or have multiple disabilities.

The presentation will introduce the audience to the thousands of articles, lessons, and tools available to learners. We will break down the microsites and focus on early literacy.

Audience

Since this website has materials relevant to all student age groups, all are welcome and can learn from the resources specific to their student’s developmental age and needs.

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Ever heard of music therapy?

In this presentation, we will explain what music therapy services are all about and how engaging in musical activities with your children can connect to the goals and growth points found in the Expanded Core Curriculum. This presentation will be more experiential than didactic, so come ready to experience the music that you can explore and enjoy with your child/children. Along with demonstrations, we will provide video examples of work that will help illustrate the power of musical engagement to help children grow!

Audience

This presentation will apply to children in the age levels birth through 7, with a wide variety of skills and interests as well as developmental and physical abilities.

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All babies, including babies who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind, learn about the world through experiences and routines with their families.

In this workshop, we will explore how a parent coaching model engages families to learn the skills and strategies to support the development of infants and toddlers with visual impairments, identify techniques for successful coaching, and explore ways to incorporate technology to increase opportunities for parent coaching and family participation. Parent coaching and modeling is a critical component of Early Intervention practice. This presentation aims to provide examples and strategies of parent coaching to support children with visual impairments and students with multiple disabilities in the home and in the school environments. The presentation also incorporates technology through the use of virtual visits to support parent coaching.

Audience

Families with children from birth to 3 years old.

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Executive functioning skills begin to develop early in a child’s life, and include elements such as emotional regulation, task initiation and working memory.

Students with strong executive functioning skills often naturally develop them, while other students benefit from explicit instruction. These key skills are often learned incidentally by many children. However, for children with visual impairments, cues may be missed. Being intentionally and explicitly instructed about skills such as time management, organization and categorization can help children gain academic and personal independence in school, at home and throughout life. Join Leslie Thatcher, Director of College Success@Perkins, and an Executive Functioning coach, to learn how you can support your child now and in the future.

Audience

Families with children from 3 years to adulthood.

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