Summer Tech Camps – 2023

Breakthroughs in Executive Functioning Using Advanced Strategies that Stick

2 day- Team Tech Camp

Facilitated by Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP
Training Location: Infinitec
7550 W. 183rd Street Tinley Park, IL 60477
June 13 and 14, 2023—8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Please see ‘WHO SHOULD ATTEND’ section below. Each team member MUST APPLY individually by May 15, 2023, but list each team member where noted. This will allow for each participant to receive their registration information and certificates.

Teams will be notified by May 19, 2023, of acceptance status.

REGISTER AT: https://tinyurl.com/n43238sk

DESCRIPTION
This advanced training will provide an overview of the latest research developments in the field of executive functioning, and will guide educators through a series of practical, hands-on strategies to translate these developments into meaningful interventions with students and clients. This class assumes proficiency in the use of executive functioning interventions at the basic level. Clinicians will participate in exercises, demonstrations, and simulations of therapeutic strategies targeted at EF challenges such as situational awareness, visualizing and planning goals (including complex academic assignments), and visualizing and managing time (including for projects with extended time horizons). Our primary focus will be on best practices for refining the therapeutic scaffolding of mental imagery and self-directed talk to guide clients toward greater independence.

OUTCOMES
The learner will be able to:

  • State the functional working definition of what is meant by the term “executive function skills” as it pertains to therapeutic interventions
  • Describe the typical developmental course of the executive functioning skills
  • Define how situational awareness, self-talk, forethought, gesture/movement, and episodic memory are the foundational skills for successful task execution
  • Develop an intervention program to foster a student’s ability to form more independent executive function skills by describing therapeutic activities to improve the following: situational awareness, self-talk and forethought; self-regulation and following routines and how to transition within and between tasks; task planning, task initiation and completion; active self-management of the factors related to the passage of time; student management of materials

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP has over 25 years of experience in the treatment of executive dysfunction. Sarah is an internationally recognized expert on executive function and
presents seminars on the programs and strategies she has developed with her Co-Director Kristen Jacobsen. Their 360 Thinking Executive Function Program received the Innovative
Promising Practices Award from the National Organization CHADD. She has presented to over 1700 public and private schools and organizations worldwide.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Team Applications ONLY
Tech Camp is an opportunity to work as a collaborative, multi-disciplinary school team to develop strategies and resources for supporting students. Each team MUST be comprised of 2-4 members of different disciplines (special educator, speech-language pathologist, paraprofessional, occupational therapist, general educator, etc.) that work together in a classroom. Team members must be willing train other team members/colleagues and implement a tool/strategy learned during tech camp with a student in Fall 2023. This year, teams that participate will receive a stipend that will be divided into 2 payments. The first payment of $100 is for attending the 2-Part training, and the second payment of $150 will be paid the following school year (January 2024) for participants collecting student data and training additional staff/families in their home district as described in the Agreement Letter shared with accepted teams. REGISTER AT: https://tinyurl.com/n43238sk

Financial Disclosure: Sarah Ward is receiving compensation for this training. She is the owner and manager of Cognitive Connections, LLP for which she provides professional development. She holds intellectual property rights to content and has a patent on equipment produced through Cognitive Connections, LLP. Non-Financial Disclosure: Sarah Ward is a member of ASHA.
Registration fee: No Cost
This program qualifies for ISBE PD clock hours and CE for SLPs, OTs, PTs, SWs, Nurses through IDFPR and ASHA CEUs.
Registration Questions? Email Samantha Conklin at sconklin@ucpnet.org