Needham, MA, March 7th, 2025, hosted by the League School of Walpole, MA. A conference designed for educators, administrators, consultants, therapists, and families in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Special Education Summit: Collaborative Solutions to Current Issues targets the unique needs of our region and aims to create an environment where we harness our collective experience to shape the climate of special education.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MICHAEL JOHN CARLEY – Michael John Carley is an author, school and business consultant, and former Executive Director in the autism, neurodiversity, mental health, disability, and DEI worlds. He runs New York University’s Connections Program for Global Students with Autism, and is the author of “Asperger’s From the Inside-Out”, and “Unemployed on the Autism Spectrum” .
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: TERRI DUNCAN – Terri is the founder and Executive Director of Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton. She is a Speech Language Pathologist and has worked with Autistic children and a broad range of developmental delays.
Fees apply, registration is required to https://whova.com/web/7tjnbpoEDEg-XMONTNqEpjzoGBrnJu7LXMpVCRDmvWA%3D/ or contact smanno@leagueschoolforautism.
Workshops & Speakers:
- Stress = Regress! Revive = Thrive! Trauma Informed Care Practices for School-based Teams. Social Emotional Learning & Trauma Informed Education. Kathleen Schlenz, Assistant Professor & Graduate Program Coordinator, OT Dept, Salem State University
- Utilizing AI in Special Education – Dr. Ryan Place, Student Services Director, Medway Public Schools.
- Integrating Sensory-based and Trauma Informed Care Approaches in Special Education. Tina Champagne, Chief Executive Officer, Cutchins Programs for Children and Families, Victoria Lehr, Occupational Therapy & Vocational Program Supervisor, New Directions School, and Jennifer Rehbein, Occupational Therapy Assistant, New Directions School.
- Promoting Self-Confidence for Neurodiverse Graduates Entering the Workforce – Transition To Adulthood, Vocational Development, Secondary Education Preparation. Shea Belsky, Autistic Self-Advocate.
- Barriers to Access: How Effective Partnerships Can be Facilitated with Culturally and Linguistically Different Families. Kara Hardiman, Social WorkerCampus School at Boston College, and Jessica Pugliesi, Assistant DirectorCampus School at Boston College.
- From Embedded Data Collection to the New IEP Goals: Making the Form Work. Cheryl Cutter, Head Teacher, Pathfinders Program, League School for Autism. Margaret Reed, Special Education Consultant.
- Embracing Neurodiversity Through UDL and Innovative Educational Practices. Giordana Basta, Department of Education ChairpersonCurry College.
- Designing for Success: Leveraging Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to Strengthen Executive Function Skills. Niel Albero, Senior Professional Learning Specialist, CAST
- Equity by Design: Leveraging Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Continuous Improvement to Implement the New Massachusetts IEP. Melissa Sanjeh, Senior Professional Learning Specialist CAST, and Ruth Templeton, IEP Implementation Specialist, CAST
- Transition Planning: Building Bridges to the Future. Becki Lauzon, Transition & Educational Consultant, ICCD, and Michelle Lagana, Educational Consultant.
- Safe Spaces, Strong Minds: Trauma-Informed Education in Alignment with the Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Michaela Fanelli, Assistant Director of Education, League School, and Rachel Coffey, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, League School
- Integrating Evidence Into Practice and Evaluating Implementation in the Classrooms. Assistant Director of EducationLeague School for Autism. Molly Allen Bowlby, Speech-Language PathologistLeague School for Autism.
- Job Coaching 101. Andrew Arboe, Autistic Self-Advocate and Speaker.
- The Brat in Your Classroom (and the Power of Narrative). Michael John Carley, Author, Consultant & Advocate.
- Why Emotional Regulation Might Mean Everything. Terri Duncan, Executive Director, Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton
