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5.5 PD HOURS

Event Details

29/11/2024

9.00am - 4.00pm - Log on between 8.45am and 9.00am Victorian Time

Webinar via Zoom

All Primary and Secondary Teachers and support staff.

$289 + GST

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Booking Conditions

No applications for this program will be accepted after all vacancies have been filled. Unsuccessful applicants will have their monies refunded in full. Cancellation prior to two weeks before the program date (cut-off date) will incur a 15% service charge per applicant. This program will be payable in full for cancellations made on or after the cut-off date or for failure to attend the program. All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to us. In the event of insufficient applications this program will not proceed and registration monies be fully refunded. In the event of this program being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances registration monies only will be refunded as Critical Agendas will not accept liability for the payment of any other associated costs. Critical Agendas reserves the right to vary the advertised programs prior to commencement. Please note Critical Agendas reserves the right to transfer participants from face to face to webinar format with price adjustments (if required), should minimum numbers not be met for face to face event

Understanding & Supporting our Neuro-diverse Learners

8.45 am – 9.00am – Conference Registration.

9.00am – 10.20am – Emily Ballenden – Understanding Autism and Trauma: Supporting students with compassion

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition, contemporary research suggests that ASD results from changes to the growth and development of the brain. Characteristics can appear very early in childhood and remain throughout a lifetime. ASD is different for everyone who has it – no two students are the same.

‘Studies have suggested that those with intellectual or developmental disabilities are at an elevated risk (1.5 to 3.4 times) for experiencing maltreatment when compared to neurotypical individuals’. (Dinkler et al., 2017; Hibbard & Desch, 2007; Sullivan & Knutson, 2000).

Come along to this informative workshop to find out how you can further assist the ASD & traumatised students in your class.

10.20 am – 10.50am – Morning Tea.

10.50 am – 12.10 pm – Shirley Houston – Identifying and Teaching the Student Who Has a Learning Disability and High Cognitive Ability

Multi-exceptional students (students who have both high intellectual ability and a disability) are among the most under-identified and under-served populations in schools. Their exceptionalities can mask each other. Training, tools and procedures for identifying multi-exceptional students are often not readily available in schools. At many schools, ‘gifted’ education is the role of one teacher while work with students with a disability is the role of another. This presentation will focus on the needs of students who have high cognitive ability and dyslexia. It will:

–      describe the common characteristics of students who are gifted and have a specific learning disability

–      outline processes for identification of these students

–      identify common strengths that can be used in a strengths-based approach to teaching these students and

–      explain specific strategies that can be used to cater better for these students at your school

 12.10pm – 1.00pm –  Lunch.

1.00pm – 2.20pm -Emily Ballenden – Understanding & Supporting your ADHD students

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may affect an individual’s ability to self-regulate, manifesting characteristics such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. ADHD is one of the most diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in Australia with anywhere from   6%-10% of our paediatric population being diagnosed.

Children as young as two are being diagnosed and the diagnosis explains behaviours that can continue into adulthood. At times there may be other comorbidities that need to be acknowledged and understood.

With this informative workshop build on your knowledge and add to your ‘toolkit’ to find out how you can further assist the ADHD students in your class and the wider school community.

2.20pm – 2.30pm – Mini Break.

2.30pm – 3.50pm -Shirley Houston – ‘Peer tutoring and mentoring with students who have learning disabilities’ 

Peer tutoring is an instructional strategy in which students are taught by their peers, in pairs or small groups, with a teacher acting as facilitator and guide. Research indicates that students who are low-achieving, and those with special educational needs, gain the most from the use of this strategy. Peer tutoring is a cost-effective intervention for students with learning disabilities that can benefit both the tutor and tutee, socially and educationally. In peer mentoring the sharing of personal experiences and insights can help both tutee and tutor to grow in self-esteem, confidence and sense of connectedness.

This presentation will:

–         outline the design formats peer tutoring can take

–         identify the benefits of peer tutoring and mentoring

–         identify the principles of effective peer tutoring and mentoring programs for students with a learning disability and

–         provide practical suggestions for the implementation of a peer tutoring program

3.50pm – 4.00pm  Close

Critical Agendas Speaker
Presented by Critical Agendas

Emily Ballenden

Emily Ballenden is a specialised teacher, education consultant, private SEN tutor and the founder of Additional Education Services. Emily holds a Bachelor of Education P-12, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Educational Learning and Leadership and a Masters degree in Special Education.

Emily has taught in the early childhood, primary and secondary school sectors for 15 years. She is a specialist educator based in schools and online, working with students from K-12, assisting teachers and parents alike to achieve desirable outcomes for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs).

Emily runs interactive seminars with attendee participation through discussions, questions and workshops.

Critical Agendas Speaker
Presented by Critical Agendas

Shirley Houston

Shirley Houston is an independent educational consultant with 40 years of teaching experience. She has a Masters degree in Special Education and has taught students in years K-12 at government, Catholic and Independent schools, in Australia and in America. She has lectured at several universities in Western Australia and at the Central Institute of Technology. Shirley has an enduring passion for work with children and adults who have specific learning difficulties and is a long-standing Board member of The Dyslexia- SPELD Foundation of Western Australia. She runs teacher-training, advises companies on educational product development and tutors students with diverse needs.

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Tania The Geelong College

Just a big Thank you for giving us the opportunity to attend the Critical Agenda Workshop yesterday.  David presented a great program, lots of handy strategies and he was very engaging and supportive. Highly recommended.  I was very happy we did not have to do any Role play’s. 

Paul Dillon

Keep up the fantastic PD opportunities! Very  professional and well-researched workshops and conferences.

Liberty Hatzidimitriou

Loved the honesty in the sharing of information and strategies

Ivana Ryan

Loved the passion of the Presenters

Susan Snooks

The best P.D. I have attended in living memory!” I loved every minute of this engaging, interesting and informative PD. And I have been teaching for 40+ years!

Meaghan

“It is the first P.L. in a long long time that I haven’t been checking in with my watch.”

Tim Livy

I love the fantastic variety of workshops and conferences on offer. Always look forward to Critical Agendas PD’s.