2016-17 Educational Programs
"Needham's Special Education Services and Programs"
Please join us for an overview of what Needham has to offer students with all types of needs at all of our schools, from preschool through age 22. This is an opportunity to meet all of the Special Education Directors, and to learn about what will be new this year.
Monday, September 26, 2016
"Understanding Learning & Behavior: An Introduction to Sensory Processing"
Sensory processing is how our nervous system takes in information from the environment and our own bodies through our senses. Please join us for a discussion of how sensory processing impacts children’s overall development, including attention, regulation, motor skills, social skills, and academic skills, and how to support effective and efficient sensory processing at home and at school.
Jaymie Merry is a pediatric occupational therapist at OTA The Koomar Center, an occupational therapy clinic specializing in sensory integration and presented for The Spiral Foundation, a non-profit organization providing education and research on sensory integration.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
"Ask the Experts: IEP Meeting Do's and Don'ts"
Join us as we visit both sides of the table at an IEP meeting. Advocate and former administrator Tina Roy Lynde and attorney Eileen Hagerty will share strategies and insights from their many years working with families of special education students to help you communicate more effectively and productively with your child’s team.
Eileen Hagerty is an attorney at Kotin, Crabtree & Strong who specializes in special education law, and has been representing students and their parents for nearly 20 years.
Tina Roy Lynde has been a special education advocate for the past 13 years. Previously, she worked for the Brookline Public Schools for 24 years as a special education teacher and Out of District Administrator.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
"Who am I, Where am I going & How will I achieve it?"
Self-awareness is at the core of self-advocacy and self-determination. Students with learning differences can gain power by understanding themselves through the lens of neurodiversity. Being knowledgable about their own personality, social-emotional intelligence, and learning style helps students to both understand their differences and determine their goals.
Dorothy Lucci, M.Ed., CAGS, is the Program Director of MGH Aspire. She is a national consultant specializing in program design and inclusion of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and has over 30 years’ experience in the field of autism. She also has an extensive background in neuropsychology and holds teaching certificates in school psychology, early childhood, elementary and special education.
Thursday, February 16, 2016
"Strategies for Kids with Anxiety with Jessica Minahan"
Anxiety can contribute to poor performance, diminished learning, and social/behavior problems in school. This presentation will help parents and educators understand the role anxiety plays in student behavior, and will introduce easy-to-implement preventive tools, strategies, and interventions for reducing anxiety, increasing self-regulation, executive functioning, and self-monitoring in students.
Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA, is a board certified behavior analyst, special educator and a consultant to schools nationwide — including Needham Public Schools. She has over seventeen years of experience supporting students who exhibit challenging behavior in urban public school systems. Jessica is a blogger on The Huffington Post, and co-author of The Behavior Code.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
"A Guide to Special Education"
This presentation will teach families the basics of special education, with information that will help you:
• Understand your child’s eligibility for special education
• Know your rights under state and federal law
• Plan and monitor your child’s progress
• Be an effective partner with your child’s school
Michelle Moor is an attorney whose practice is devoted entirely to helping children with special needs access appropriate educational services. Prior to starting her own practice, she worked in the disability and special education law group at Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017