Vision Statement
Custom Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF) is a not-for profit 501(c)(3)
charitable organization formed to be a safety net for children with special
needs and their families, such as autism spectrum disorder, Asperger
syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, ADHD, OCD, and other neurobiological disorders.
CEF is dedicated to helping these children and their families obtain an
enhanced quality of life. The foundation will provide funding directly to
educational, recreational, and social support programs for these children as
well as their families. We are dedicated to supporting the community at large
in order to help educate these children. Custom Education Foundation provides
answers where others only ask the questions.
For more information, contact Kimberly Mergl at (631) 385-3342
Address:
150 Broadhollow Road Suite 120, Melville, NY 11747
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILTIES INSTITUTE & CUSTOM EDUCATION FOUNDATION
PUBLIC SPEAKER SERIES RETURNS FOR FALL 2009
FOUR PART LECTURE SERIES
Developmental Disabilities Institute’s (DDI) Speaker Series is proud to announce its Fall 2009 presentation schedule. The upcoming 4 part series, which will run from September through December, is being offered in collaboration with Custom Education Foundation, Inc. These informative free seminars are intended for all those interested in hearing about topics related to developmental disabilities. Each of these presentations will feature a different expert providing valuable tips and information on a wide array of topics pertaining to the field of autism and developmental disabilities.
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Developmental Disabilities Institute
Hollywood Drive Campus
99 Hollywood Dr.
Smithtown, NY 11787
Space is limited for free lectures; anyone interested should call 631-366-5875 or email mromas@ddiinfo.org to register.
September 24
Sensory Integration: How processing interferes with learning
Presented by: Margaret Polino
Ten Percent of the U.S. population has Sensory Integration Disorder, also known as Sensory Processing Disorder. It is characterized by the inability of the brain to accurately process information coming in from the senses. This lecture will focus on the eight (yes 8, not 5) senses, how this disorder manifests among the senses and how it can interfere with learning.
*Margaret Polino spent four years as the Director of Training and Education for New York Families for Autistic Children. In this capacity, she created and conducted workshops on autism, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and sensory integration for schools, hospitals and agencies. Ms. Polino has also worked for Metro Children's Service and YAI/New York League for Early Learning as an ABA teacher and trainer. While at these agencies, she worked extensively with preschool children who had been recently diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.
October 22
Self Advocacy for Teens with Special Needs
Presented by: Valerie Gaus, PhD
Self-advocacy is an extremely important tool that students/adults with learning disabilities must have to ensure continued success when going off to college, entering the workforce, etc. Dr. Gaus' presentation will allow parents to help their children develop the necessary skills for communication, self-advocacy, autonomy, and the ability to access needed services and support. Teens with learning differences grow up to be adults with learning differences. Once students know how they learn, they are then able to facilitate their own learning and advocate for themselves. Research supports the fact that less than 10% of students with special needs who go on to college, remain in college after the first year. Those who have the strongest self-advocacy skills are among that 10% who are most successful. Dr. Gaus' presentation provides tangible ways for parents to help their children become strong self advocates.
* Dr. Gaus has been a practicing cognitive-behavioral therapist serving adults and adolescents with dual diagnosis (intellectual disability with co-morbid psychiatric disorder), autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders since she received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Stony Brook University in 1992. Dr. Gaus is on the advisory board of the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association, the grant review committee of the Organization for Autism Research, and an adjunct faculty at Long Island University/C.W. Post. She was also a founding board member of the New York Metro chapter of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed. Dr. Gaus has written numerous articles and book chapters on mental health issues in developmental disabilities and has lectured extensively on these topics across the United States and abroad. Dr. Gaus has been applauded on the release of her book Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Asperger Syndrome.
November 12
Differentiated Instruction: One size does not fit most
Presented by: Dr. Veronica McCue
“Differentiated instruction (DI) refers to a systematic approach to planning curriculum and instruction for academically diverse learners. It is a way of thinking about the classroom with the dual goals of honoring each student's learning needs and maximizing each student's learning capacity.”~ Carol Ann Tomlinson, 2003
This workshop is designed for parents and professionals. This workshop is interactive and will discuss:
* What differentiated instruction is (and what it is not)
* How to easily transfer a classroom into a learning community using differentiated instruction.
* What parents should look for when a school uses differentiated instruction (and why they want their school to).
*Dr. McCue has worked with thousands of children in east coast schools for more than 30 years. Her expertise in special education has served her well as a teacher and principal of special education programs and schools in New York City and Maryland. Dr. McCue received her undergraduate degree in child psychology and special education from Marymount Manhattan College. She earned her master's degree in School Administration from CW Post and her doctorate in educational leadership from NOVA Southeastern University.
December 10
Transition Planning: Ensuring a smooth transition from high school to adulthood
Presented by: Arlene Wishnew
This informative workshop will help parents begin to prepare for the transition that their child will go through from high school to college and/or the work force. Finding the appropriate college or work program can be a daunting task. It requires an early start and a thorough examination of the options available to your child. This process can be especially daunting of parent of children with developmental and /or learning disabilities. Parents will receive sage advice on job placement and other resources that can make the transition phase easier on the entire family.
*Mrs. Wishnew has been an educator for more than 30 years. She has taught remedial reading and high school English and math. Her administrative experiences include principal, assistant headmaster and Head of School. Mrs. Wishnew is an active member of the educational community and several professional organizations, which include, but are not limited to, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Nassau Counselors Association, the Long Island Association of Special Education Administrators, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, CHADD, the International Dyslexic Association, and the Clamdiggers (Heads of School on Long Island). Mrs. Wishnew received her bachelor's and master's degrees from CW Post College.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Michael Romas at 631-366-5875 or via e-mail to mromas@ddiinfo.org
Developmental Disabilities Institute
99 Hollywood Drive
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-366-2900
From Eastern Long Island: LIE to Exit 55, make right on
Motor Parkway
. Continue about 200 ft and bare right onto Old Willets Path. Continue on Old Willets Path for approximately 2 miles, then cross over Jericho Turnpike. Old Willets Path now changes to
Plymouth Blvd.
Go to the first stop sign and make a left onto
Parnell Drive
. Make the next left onto
Hollywood Drive
. The campus is at the end of the block.
From Western Long Island: LIE to Exit 55, make left onto
Motor Parkway
. Go over LIE bridge and proceed about 200 ft and bare right onto Old Willets Path. Follow directions above.