TIKVAH: A Special Needs Program
A Monthly Program to Educate Family Members and Professionals
on Issues Related to Children with Special Needs
Program services include information and community referrals, support services and expert guest speakers. Tikvah is the Hebrew word for hope. Services are available to all families without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin or disability. Unless otherwise noted, the program is held at the Tampa Jewish Community Center at 13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa, FL 33625.
SEPTEMBER 2014 Held at the Tampa Jewish Community Center
ENHANCING CREATIVITY AND DEVELOPMENT USING THE ARTS
Thursday, September 18, 2014 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Christine Rollins, MA, MSW, Art Therapist and Social Worker
This month’s TIKVAH presentation will address the importance of creativity and recommend activities to enhance each stage of artistic development. By learning about artistic growth and development, parents, teachers and child care providers can better understand why kids create what they do and how to support them in the process. Art Therapist Christine Rollins, MA, MSW, will illustrate how the arts can be used to help with sensory issues and motor skills, and about how creativity is an essential element in forming new ideas and perceptions, which can lead to more effective problem solving skills.
About the Presenter: Christine Rollins is an art therapist and a master’s level clinical social worker. Rollins has worked with children and adults in the field of art therapy in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, schools and community nonprofit organizations. Rollins is in private practice at ProTherapy Plus where she uses art, play, and verbal therapy with clients of all ages.
To register: e-mail Dr. Nicole Agresto at dr.agresto@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015). Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
MAY 2014 Held at the Tampa Jewish Community Center
HELPING CHILDREN WITH ADHD
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Licensed Psychologist Jennifer L. Mockler, Ph.D.
Dr. Mockler will discuss ways to help children with ADHD succeed in school and at home. Dr. Mockler will share tips and interventions that can be used in various situations. Please join Tampa Jewish Family Services for this special presentation.
To register: e-mail marketing@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015). Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
MARCH 2014 New location: Keystone Prep High School
HEALTHY BODIES, HEALTHY MINDS
Monday, March 24, 2014 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenters: David Berger, MD, FAAP, Board Certified Pediatrician, and Melanie Wardle, ARNP, CPNP, Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, of Wholistic Pediatrics and Family Care
Pediatrician David Berger, M.D., FAAP
Location: Keystone Prep High School at 12363 Hampton Park Blvd. Tampa, FL 33624
To register: e-mail Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation. Seating is limited to 40.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015). Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
FEBRUARY 2014
WIGGLE AND SQUISH: FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenters: Olivia Shindel, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist,
Marcy White, MA, Educator
This month’s TIKVAH focuses on fine motor activities to assist children at home or in the workplace. Participants will learn how motor separation of the hand impacts fine motor development, and they will be given specific ideas on how to enhance these skills.
HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATION: PARTICIPANTS WILL SEE HOW TOYS AND ACTIVITIES IMPACT FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
To register: e-mail Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015).
Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
JANUARY 2014
NAVIGATING THERAPY OPTIONS FOR THE CHILD WITH AUTISM
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Danielle Sutton, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Danielle Sutton, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
The program will address what it means for parents to receive a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, which can include Asperger Syndrome. Parents will learn what signs to look for to indicate if a child should be evaluated, how and where to get evaluated, and what services and/or interventions are available if a child is diagnosed. The program will also look at some positive aspects of the diagnosis.
About the presenter: Dr. Sutton has been working in the field of autism for over 20 years. Her diverse experiences include research, assessment and intervention with individuals with autism of all ages and their families. Dr. Sutton has served in an executive position at two university-based autism clinics and an international applied behavior analysis company. Dr. Sutton’s work on autism has been published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Infancy, and the American Journal of Human Genetics, among others. She is a frequent guest speaker on the topic of autism, presenting across the U.S., Canada, Bermuda, and Italy.
To register: e-mail Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015).
Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
NOVEMBER 2013
COMMUNICATING WITH SIGN LANGUAGE
Wednesday, November 20, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Zoe Stewart-Turner, Owner/Founder of Designed To Sign, LLC and Independent Certified Baby Signs Instructor
Zoe Stewart-Turner, Independent Certified Baby Signs® Instructor
Learn about the benefits of using sign language to communicate with children. Using sign language with special needs children will enhance and further facilitate communication. Zoe Steward-Turner will demonstrate how to use signs with babies as well as how to introduce signs to children with special needs.
To register: e-mail Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015).
Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
OCTOBER 2013
FUNCTIONS OF BEHAVIOR: WHY WE BEHAVE THE WAY WE DO
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenters: Jill Castellani, M.S., BCBA, and Didiana De La Osa, M.S., BCaBA with Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay, Inc.
All behavior, positive or negative, has a function. Understanding a child’s behavior allows us to prevent it from reoccurring, teach something better in its place, or be prepared if it does reoccur. Find out how to identify and define a child’s behavior, and how to address problematic situations.
To register: e-mail Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015).
Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
SEPTEMBER 2013
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: WALK INTO YOUR NEXT SCHOOL MEETING WITH CONFIDENCE
Monday, September 30, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Erica DuPont, LCSW, ProTherapy Plus, LLC and Co-Owner of SeeMyIEP.com
Are you concerned your child may need an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan? Find out how to begin the evaluation process, learn about the McKay Scholarship, and discuss ways to enhance your child’s education. Bring your child’s existing IEP and 504 Plans for open discussion and Q & A session.
To register: e-mail Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015).
Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
AUGUST 2013
Navigating Services for Young Adults with Disabilities
Tuesday, August 27, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter Gary Martoccia, director of programs and services, from Self-Reliance, Inc. of Tampa, will provide information on local services for young adults with disabilities. Attendees will learn about state and private sector programs that assist with employment, education, social and residential needs. Martoccia will share useful information from how to work and live independently to how to access residential or in-home services for those who cannot live independently. The presentation will also be useful for teenagers that are preparing to transition into adulthood.
To register: e-mail Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org and include your phone number. A $5 donation is requested for the program presentation.
C.E. HOURS
CEs are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (1.5 CEs for $15; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2015).
Special needs training hours are available for childcare providers (1.5 hours for $5).
JUNE 2013
Helping Children Control Anxiety
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Brittany Zern, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Licensed Psychologist/Clinical Supervisory, Engage Behavioral Health
Presenter Brittany Zern, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Licensed Psychologist/Clinical Supervisory, with Engage Behavioral Health will address how many people suffer from anxiety disorders – including children.Find out how a child’s temperament relates to generalized anxiety, OCD, phobias, Tics, etc. Dr. Brittany Zern will explain common disorders associated with anxiety, how to tell the difference between defiance and anxiety, and how anxiety presents differently in children and adults.
What exactly is anxiety and what can we do about it?
Participants will learn what can be done to help anxious children, how to improve communication and gain a better understanding of a child’s emotions, and specific strategies that will help to decrease anxiety.
To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
Sensory-based Play to Promote healthy Development
Thursday, May 23, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter Argie Criner, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, will discuss how stimulating a child’s senses through play can help them to develop cognitively, socially, emotionally,physically and creatively. Criner will demonstrate a fun and easy-to-create sensory play that can assist all children from birth onward. Attendees will observe various types of sensory-based play and learn how to utilize the technique in their home, classroom and/or workplace.
This presentation is beneficial to parents and caregivers of children with or without special needs, child care providers, teachers and other professionals.
To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
APRIL 2013
Train Your Brain to Optimize Attention, Memory and Organization
Thursday, April 25, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter Wendy B. Rice, Psy.D., licensed psychologist, of Rice Psychology Group, will share some effective and easy to understand research about how individuals can retrain their brains to build attention, memory and organization.
Do you or a loved one have a difficult time paying attention in class, meetings or when reading? Perhaps a family member is forgetful or absentminded and you know that age-related problems are not the cause? Are you or your child plagued by disorganization and constant messes? Dr. Rice will address how a combination of individualized computer game-like exercises and coaching can help kids as well as adults train their brains so that grades, productivity at work, and family relationships can improve.
To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
FEBRUARY 2013
The Development of the Parent: The Child’s Contribution
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter Dana Johnson, M.S., OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, will explore why all parents, at some point, struggle with understanding what their child is thinking. This is especially true when schedules become hectic and stressful. One minute your child wants to eat what you made for dinner, the next minute he doesn’t. A behavior change like this is sometimes much deeper and less obvious than a child changing his mind about to eat for dinner.
This month’s Tikvah presentation will introduce the concept of what it means to “hold your child in mind,” and provide parents and clinicians with specific ways of understanding children. This includes how a parent’s response to their child’s behavior can affect the outcome of the interaction and the parent-child relationship.
The presentation is geared toward parents with typically developing children, as well as parents who have children with various developmental disorders of relating and communicating. Clinicians that work with children, and families of children, with developmental disorders will learn valuable tools through specific case examples and discussion.
To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
JANUARY 2013
Developing Your Child’s Reading Skills
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 / 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Presenter Gloria Berkowitz, M.S., Hillel Academy Reading Specialist will provide information on typical reading development, how parents can assist with reading readiness skills in the preschool and primary years, when and how to identify reading challenges, and tips to assist children with reading and comprehension concerns. To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
DECEMBER 2012
Special Needs, Holidays, and Havoc, Oh My!
Coping and stress management during the holidays and all year round
Monday, December 3, 2012 / 7 – 9 p.m.
Erica Dupont, LCSW, will present on coping with the ongoing stress of having a child with special needs. Parents and family members will learn how to care for their own and their family’s mental health. Professionals, teachers, and child care providers will also learn stress management techniques.
DuPont is the president of ProTherapyPlus, LLC. She provides counseling to a wide population of people with varying needs and challenges. A large part of her practice focuses on helping those with special needs. DuPont serves as a school advocate,support group leader and parent trainer for families with special needs children. To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
NOVEMBER 2012
A Parent-Implemented Program for Young Non-Verbal Children with Autism
Thursday, November 8, 2012 / 7 – 9 p.m.
LorRainne Jones, M.A., CCC-SLP, Ph.D., BCBA, will present on a cost effective ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program to enhance language, speech and cognitive skills for young children on the Autism Spectrum. This parent-implemented program can also be used by home and school ABA teams. Dr. Jones will provide an overview of the methodology and discuss future applications.
Dr. Jones is a licensed speech-language pathologist with a Ph.D. in Education. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who, for over 20 years, has specialized in teaching speech, language, and cognitive skills to young nonverbal children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Jones is the owner of Kid Pro Therapy and the author of “The Source for Expressive Language Delay.” To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
OCTOBER 2012
Neuropsychological Assessment of Learning Disorders
Thursday, October 11, 2012 / 7 – 9 p.m.
Alina Font, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, will provide an overview of neuropsychological assessment, describing what it is, the evaluation process, and how it serves as a guide to effective intervention of learning disorders in children and adolescents. Special emphasis will be placed on reviewing disorders of reading, written language and mathematics, as well as AD/HD. To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
AUGUST 2012
What Services Are Available From The Public School System
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 / 7 – 9 p.m.
Presenter Pam Lindemann, The I.E.P. Advocate, will discuss what services are available from the public school system for children with special needs. Lindemann will also look at the process one needs to follow to secure services for their child. To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
JULY 2012
Improving Brain Function in Children with Autism, ADD and Learning Disability
Thursday, July 26, 2012 / 7 – 9 p.m.
Presenter Larry Polnicky, Executive Director of the Brain Balance Achievement Center, will share research that shows diminished brain function at the root of childhood neurological disorders. The speaker will present on non-invasive methods to improve brain activity and connectivity, and outcomes of a program that utilizes these methods. Polnicky will also discuss his own personal journey as a father of a son with Autism. To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
JUNE 2012
Assistive Technology and Transition
Monday, June 25, 2012 / 7 – 9 p.m.
Presenter Amber Dame, Training Coordinator for the TILES project of Family Network on Disabilities, will addreess the topic of high school students and young adults with disabilities. The program will address how to obtain Assistive Technology in the workforce, independent living, and post-secondary education, as well as the positive impact it can have on a student’s transitional Individualized Education Plan (IEP). To register, please R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to lydiaa@tjfs.org.
Information for all Lori & Alec Sanchez Tikvah programs:
Childcare is not available. Please contact Lydia Abrams to discuss options for your child(ren). Parents, family members, self-advocates and professionals can benefit from this program. CE’s are available for LCSWs, MFTs, MHCs (2.0 CE’s for $20; BAP #1002 Exp. 3/2013). Special needs training hours are available for Childcare Providers (2.0 hours for $5).
Held at the Tampa Jewish Community Center at 13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa, FL 33625. For more information about these or other Lori & Alec Sanchez Tikvah programs, contact Lydia Abrams at lydiaa@tjfs.org, or 813.960.1848.