Regional Groups
The Pittsburgh Regional Group provides resources for people with dyslexia, their families, teachers, and other professionals in western Pennsylvania.
We work to expand awareness of dyslexia in schools and in the community, and we are advocates and supporters of stronger connections and collaborations among individuals and groups supporting people with dyslexia.
We hold several events and programs each year, including a simulation of the experience of dyslexia and seminars for families and teachers.
On Saturday, October 10, 2009 we have our First Annual Conference "Dyslexia Today: A Conference for Teachers and Parents" featuring Keynote Speaker Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D., Director, Center for Reading and Language Research, Professor of Child Development, John Dibiaggio Professor of Citizenship and Public Service, Tufts University.
Our co-sponsor is the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Non-Public Schools Program.
Professor Wolf is the author of "Proust and the Squid: the Story and Science of the Reading Brain" and the editor of "Dyslexia, Fluency of the Brain". She has written/designed three empirically proven instructional programs on thinking skills for middle school students, on reading and writing for elementary school students, and on linguistic awareness or emergent readers. Dr. Wolf has published hundreds of articles on reading and learning disabilities.
Her keynote topic is "How an Understanding of the Reading Brain Changes our Understanding of Dyslexia and Intervention." This presentation will introduce a basic overview of how the brain learned to read 5000 years ago and how every young child learns to read today. These principles will be used as the basis for a new conceptualization of dyslexia and for new modes of intervention and reading.
An additional 14 sessions will be offered on a variety of topics.
They include:
Professor Wolf will present a break-out session: "Interventions for Fluency and Comprehension."
Beverly Anderson, Director, The Masonic Learning Centers for Children "Introduction to Orton-Gillingham: A Multisensory Approach";
Sharon Arffa, Ph.D., MPPM, Chief of Neuropsychology, The Watson Institute "Neuropsychological Testing and Dyslexia";
Maria A. Barron, M.A., Research Associate, University of Pittsburgh "Every Kid a Brainiac and Every Kid a Reader!";
Lynn M. Chiafullo, M.A., CCC/SLP/IL, Assistive Technology Consultant, Program for Students with Exceptionalities, Pittsburgh Public Schools "Tools of the Reading Trade: The Use of Assistive Technology in Supporting Reading (and Writing) Skills";
Sheila Conway, Ph.D., Clinical Faculty, University of Pittsburgh "Classroom Accommodations for Students with Learning Disabilities";
Wendy Farone, Ph.D., Educational Consultant, PaTTAN Pittsburgh, "The Brain: The Four Processing Systems that Support Word Recognition";
Diane Hartman, Director of Outreach, The Total Learning Centers "Team Building and Effective Advocacy Strategies";
Michelle Joyce, M.Ed., Secondary Special Education Reading Specialist/Coach, Pittsburgh Public Schools "Ten Tips for Helping Older Struggling Students";
Christine Craig Seppi, M.A., Tutor, The Masonic Learning Centers for Children, et al "The Challenges of Dyslexia in Higher Education and How to Succeed in College: A Panel Discussion";
Kathleen J. Smith and John W.R. Smith, Ph.D., Consultants, Partners in Education "Cutting Edge Technology for Reading Development: RtI Solutions";
and Carol Utay, Ed.D., Executive Director, The Total Learning Centers "7 Ways to Improve Your Child's (or Student's) Memory, Attention, and other Vital Areas of Executive Function."
William Van Cleave, MA from VC Educational Consulting will present two sessions; "Writing Matters: Developing Writing Skills in Struggling Students" and "Word Smarts: Morphology Development and Advanaced Decoding."
The location is the Allegheny Intermediate Unit Building, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120. Registration will start at 8 a.m. The keynote is at 9 a.m. and sessions will end at 3 p.m.
Registration fees:
by 9/25/09: IDA member $79; non-member $99
after 9/25/09: IDA member $99; non-member $119
Student rate (must provide identification) $59
Walk-ins (if available) $149
For additional information about registration, volunteer and exhibit opportunities please contact our group at pgh@pbida.org or (412)761-0898.
We warmly welcome any interested persons in the region to join us and to become involved in our work.
For more information on the Pittsburgh Regional Group, our outreach simulation program,or for information on dyslexia and Pittsburgh-area resources, please call (412) 761-0898 or email pgh@pbida.org
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