Susan M. Abrams, M.A.CCC-SLP is a  Speech - Language Pathologist with over thirty years experience evaluating and treating children with speech and language disorders in Montgomery County, Maryland. She is certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the State of Maryland. She holds a Masters degree in Speech Pathology from Hofstra University and a Masters degree in Counseling from George Washington University. She maintains certification as a Neurodevelopmental (NDT) therapist servicing children with physical disabilities. She was an instructor at Johns Hopkins University, ,Graduate Education program. She has presented at local and national conferences, most recently at the 2009 Social Thinking Providers Conference,in San Jose, California..Ms Abrams is Director of Speech Pathology at EIT,in  Rockville,Md and founder of Parent University,  www.parentuniv.org

Monica Adler Werner is the Director of the Model Asperger Program (MAP) at the Ivymount School.  In that capacity she has spearheaded the development of a social learning curriculum that emphasizes problem solving, self advocacy and self regulation.  She is also a collaborator with Children's National Medical Center's Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders in developing a curriculum to enhance cognitive flexibility and problem solving in students with Asperger Syndrome.  This curriculum has been piloted at MAP and an IRB peer reviewed process is assessing efficacy of the intervention.  In addition,  Monica is a co-founder of Take2 Summer Camp, a program designed to develop social thinking, problem solving and skills.  She also serves as an ad hoc public reviewer of NIMH autism grants.

Taruna Ahluvalia, Ph.D. is a pediatric neuropsychologist who is in private practice in Columbia, Maryland.  Dr. Ahluvalia has expertise in evaluation of children and adolescents with a broad range of learning, developmental, neurological, and/or psychiatric disorders.  In addition, she has worked with children on the autism spectrum for over 10 years, she has served as a pediatric neuropsychologist on specialized autism teams at Children's National Medical Center (CNMC), and she has presented research on neuropsychological profiles in high-functioning ASD at national conferences.  Dr. Ahluvalia has also presented talks on high-functioning autism-spectrum disorders to state psychological and educational organizations and parent groups.  Dr. Ahluvalia also holds an academic appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine, and she participates in training of psychology interns at Children's National Medical Center (CNMC).  Prior to opening her private practice in Columbia, MD, Dr. Ahluvalia has served as a pediatric neuropsychologist at CNMC, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, and in a group private practice.

Mary K. Alvord, Ph.D. is the first recipient of the American Psychological Association's Presidential Innovative Practice Citation (2009). As Director of Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC, she leads a group private practice with offices in Rockville and Silver Spring, MD which specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for anxiety and other mood disorders in children and adults, social competence, ADHD and family work. Dr. Alvord has more than 30 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents and their families. She has extensive experience training psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Dr. Alvord has presented on child and adolescent disorders and treatment for both national and international professional audiences and has co-authored articles on Enhancing Resilience in Children. In addition, she has contributed to the APA Resilience in Children and Teens publications (http://www.apahelpcenter.org) and has a forthcoming book on this topic.

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 Lois Baldwin recently retired as supervisor and Principal of Special Education for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Southern Westchester in White Plains, New York. She was responsible for creating the first program for twice-exceptional students more than 20 years ago. She is one of the original co-founders of the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students (AEGUS) and continues to act as president for that organization. As a national consultant for twice exceptional, Lois has worked the Colorado Department of Education over the last three years to help develop a level two twice-exceptional training that is aligned with the state RtI initiative.

Brenda Bannan is an Associate Professor in the Instructional Technology program at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Her research interests primarily involve the definition and delineation of methods related to the integration of design and research processes in educational technology design and development across multiple educational content domains including literacy, science and special education. She is also the mother of a twice exceptional child

Dr. Susan Baum is co-director of the International Center for Talent Development and Director of Professional Development at Bridges Academy, a school for twice exceptional students. Professor Emeritus from The College of New Rochelle, Dr. Baum was a professor at the College of New Rochelle from 1986-2006 where she taught graduate courses in elementary education and the education of gifted and talented students. She received a BS degree in elementary and special education from Syracuse University and a M. A. Degree in learning disabilities from Montclair State College. She earned her doctorate at the University of Connecticut in educational psychology with a concentration in the education of gifted and talented. Dr. Baum has had over 30 years experience in the public schools as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, teacher of the gifted, learning disabilities specialist and an educational consultant. Dr. Baum's professional activities include consulting both nationally and internationally, writing and researching in many areas of education including, differentiated curriculum and instruction, emotional needs of children, gifted education, gifted learning disabled students, primary-aged gifted youngsters, gifted underachieving students, and economically disadvantaged students. Recently her focus has been using talent development with all students. She has had many publications in these areas including the following books: Creativity 1,2,3; Chi square, pie charts and me; and To be gifted and learning disabled: Strategies for helping gifted students with LD, ADHD and more.. She is co-editor and author of several chapters in Nurturing the gifts and talents of primary grade students and is co-author of a book entitled Toolkit for Teens: A guide for helping adolescents manage stress. Dr. Baum is also one of three authors of the popular book, Multiple Intelligences in the Elementary Classroom: A toolkit for teachers in collaboration with Howard Gardner published by Teacher's College Press.

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 Kristen Berman, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Education in the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle in New York. She specializes in differentiated curriculum and instruction, enhanced teaching methods in diverse classroom settings, gifted education, and arts integration in content areas. She has been a speaker, consultant, and professional developer for teachers, administrators, and parents both throughout the United States, and in Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, and Africa addressing effective instructional strategies and a growing interest in the twice exceptional worldwide. Kristen taught in elementary and middle school classrooms over a twenty-year period in eight states, and later served as Director of Enrichment and Talent Development in New York City Public Schools overseeing programs in forty-eight K-8 schools for the development of high achieving and artistically talented students. Kristen has authored publications on aspects of the arts and creativity, and a book on interest development centers. She has worked on two grant projects in New York focusing on strength-based teaching and schoolwide enrichment to recognize and serve the strengths and talents of every child.  Her research focuses on talent development, the creative process, and using arts to develop a sense of social justice in the lives of children.

Adam Berman is 23 years old and was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. As a result of intense early intervention, Adam was completely mainstreamed in first grade. He went on to graduate with honors from the University of Maryland, a program he completed in 3 years. He is currently a para educator working with special needs students at a middle school in MCPS. He is working on a Master's degree in Acquired Brain Injury at George Washington University.  Since high school, Adam has spoken to numerous groups of students, parents, teachers and school administrators about living with autism.  He is particularly interested in self advocacy and has spoken to the MCPS school board as well as the state legislators in Annapolis. His eventual career goal is to obtain a doctoral degree, teach college, and do research on brain injury.  He is currently writing a book about his experiences as a person with autism.

Diane Berman is an Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has a doctoral degree in Psychology. Currently the Director of Counseling Services at an MCPS high school, she has worked in education for over 25 years. She has been a school counselor for 18 years, and her experience includes elementary, middle school and high school counseling. Prior to that Diane taught middle and high school English. She has a part time private practice.   A mother of 4 children, she has years of experience conducting parenting classes and support groups. Another area of interest is social skills training for students with Asperger's syndrome and high functioning autism.

Noel Bicknell is the coordinator of the academic club program at the Lab School of Washington.  A graduate of the Evergreen State College and then the M.A. Special Education-Learning Disabilities program at American University, he has 20 years experience teaching content in experiential and art-based learning environments. Also a teacher trainer for the Lab School of Washington replication projects, he works with public and independent schools to utilize the academic club methodology in diverse educational environments. He guest lectures at American University and the Corcoran School of Art.  He also leads workshops for teachers who want to integrate art into their content teaching. In his own teaching at the Lab School of Washington, his two themed academic club classrooms immerse children in the Italian Renaissance and the American Industrial Revolution.  Working with intelligent students with specific learning disabilities, his goal is to help children development sophisticated content, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills though authentic process, project-based learning.  A past music teacher, he is also the leader of the Palisades Community Jazz Band 

Julie Bindeman, Psy-D is a psychologist who obtained her doctorate locally at the George Washington University.  She is licensed in the State of Maryland and enjoys working primarily with adults, young adults, and adolescents.  Dr. Bindeman has worked in various school settings (including high school and colleges) as well as a variety of outpatient mental health facilities.  She is trained in yoga therapy and believes that this is an additional technique that can be used to help integrate one's mind and body.   Therapy is tailored towards each client and their specific needs, as no two people (or areas of concern) are identical.

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Janelle Blanchard is head of School at the Oasis School in Reston, VA.

Rose Blucher, M.Ed., is a Specialist for Gifted/ LD Students and Director of Blucher Educational Services for Boundless Potential, a private educational consulting service.For fifteen years, Rose developed and coordinated countywide services for twice exceptional students in Prince George's County Public Schools, in Maryland. In her role as the first instructional specialist for GT/LD Students, she supported students, parents and educators with identification procedures, program implementation and professional development trainings. For nearly 20 years, she has trained thousands of teachers interested in learning how to teach twice exceptional learners.

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Katharina Boser Ph.D.  has a doctorate in developmental psychology and cognitive science from Cornell University. She has a research background studying language processing in early development, language impairments in both adults (stroke patients with aphasia) and children (autism and ADHD). She was on the faculty at the Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology/ Neuropsychology, until 2005 where she studied cognitive skills in subjects with autism, published on the use of computerized language systems for this population. She currently serves as the committee Chair for the Innovative Technology Committee for Autism Speaks and serves as a scientific advisor for robotics technology for children with autism with Anthrotronix, in Silver Spring, MD. She is also the president of Individual Differences in Learning (IDL). Dr. Boser has written and produced professional development materials and set of DVDs for IDL entitled, "Walking the Path with the twice-exceptional Learning: Understanding the paradox of exceptional strengths and weaknesses" made possible in part by a Horizon Foundation grant, in collaboration with the Howard County Public School System. Please see her website for resources and talk handouts.

Margie Boudreau is currently a researcher with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as an adjunct professor of Special Education. She has worked with students with reading problems for more than 30 years. In addition, Margie has served on the Board of AEGUS for over 10 years.  

Veronica Bouffard Bannon, LCPC-NCC, DMT-BC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor and board certified dance/movement therapist and has been providing clinical services to children and their families for nearly 20 years. After a year as a dance therapist at Gundry Glass Children's Hospital, Ms. Bannon spent 10 years as a Dance Therapy Supervisor at RICA Baltimore. She has been in private practice at the Expressive Therapy Center http://www.expressivetherapycenter.com/) for the past eight years. Ms. Bannon specializes in providing expressive social skills groups to ED and GTLD children and adolescents. Her unique approach combines both verbal and non-verbal interventions incorporating play therapy, movement therapy, art experientials, music, and expressive board games.

Ms. Bannon has been actively involved in the MD/DC/VA American Dance Therapy Association, she has presented at the Safe Schools Safe Students conference in Washington, DC, at the National ADTA Conference in Brooklyn, NY for the local MD/DC/VA chapter of the ADTA, and for both Montgomery County School Counselors and Frederick County After School Programs.

Recently Ms. Bannon expanded her private practice to offer individual, group and family services in Frederick, MD at Linganore Counseling and Wellness Center (www.linganorcandw.com).

Ruth Brodsky received a B.S., M.Ed., Ed.S., and Ed.D. in special education at University of Maryland and George Washington University. Her specialty areas included learning disabilities, transition to post-secondary options, and educational leadership. Ruth has taught at local universities, working with undergraduate and graduate students who were studying to become teachers.

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Nanci Brown is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist with degrees from New York University. She is trained in yoga therapy and is skilled in both traditional as well as emerging psychotherapeutic techniques. Nanci maintains an extensive private practice working with adolescents, adults and couples on a variety of issues and has a wealth of private training with years of professional experience. She is able to tailor individual approaches to meet specific client needs. She has worked as a therapist and consultant for schools, firms and numerous prestigious centers in the DC metro and New York areas.

Her years of work in a private school setting treating adolescents with special emotional needs has provided her with a unique perspective on approaching teens. Additionally, Nanci is also interested in issues around post-partum and motherhood. Nanci prides herself on her approachability, her level of commitment and caring, and the individual attention that she is able to provide to her clients.

Susan Buswell received her degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992 where she graduated with Psi Chi honors.  Susan received her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1996.  Since that time, she has been working with children in differing capacities.  She worked as a Child Abuse Investigator and Family Preservation Social Worker for 6 years.  She has served as a therapist with children, adolescents and families for the Domestic Violence Center, Family and Children's Services and private practice.  In addition, she has worked at Norbel for the past two years as the school Social Worker.  She has been a licensed certified clinical social worker (LCSW-C) for 10 years.  She is also a Certified School Social Worker.  

Betty Caldwell has a Masters Degree in Education, and specializes in brain-based learning styles. As the Founder and Director of Stressless Tests®, she has developed a proven method that has helped learners of all ages. With over five years of application for over a thousand students, she has authored What's My Style? Test and Study Secrets for Procrastinating Teens An Owners Manual for the Brain. She serves on the HCPSS Student Advisory Committee.

She has provided pioneering classes and workshops based on the Stressless Tests® Method for groups ranging from school-based classes for middle and high school students, their parents and teachers, to workplace classes for adult learners taking professional certification exams. She is a popular educator and speaker, weaving in humor and audience participation. Previous professional experience includes serving as an International Health Educator as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa, serving on the White House Task Force on Women, and holding the position of Vice President of a national group dedicated to ending childhood hunger. Betty lives in Howard County Maryland.

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Frank Cappello holds a Masters degree in painting and printmaking from The State University of NewYork at Oswego. He studied art history at the University of Pisa as part of his undergraduate studio art program, also at Oswego. Cappello has been teaching visual arts at The Lab School of Washington for 20 years. He has taught all grade levels at the school but has spent most of his time there teaching painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking in the junior and senior high schools. Ten years ago he designed and created the school's state of the art digital photography program and is the sole curriculum coordinator and instructor of photography at Lab. He is a working visual artist and shows regularly at local galleries and institutions. Please see his website for examples of his work, links and full artist's biography. http://cappart.tripod.com/

Anne Clark James

Barbara Connolly is currently a Guidance Counselor at The Hillside School, an accredited elementary, K-6 coed day school for children with learning disabilities.  For eighteen years Ms. Connolly served as an elementary guidance counselor in public and independent schools in Eastern Pennsylvania.  She began her career as a secondary English and Social Studies teacher in New Jersey.  Ms. Connolly earned an M.A. in Education and Counseling from Villanova University.  Working directly with learning disabled students, Ms. Connolly addresses both learning and social/emotional needs.  She has planned and facilitated parent workshops on a variety of issues including the social challenges of children with learning disabilities, strategies for addressing ADHD in the home setting, and educational transitions. 

She has also presented in-service workshops related to topics including bullying and working with issues of childhood grief and loss.  In coordination with teachers, Ms. Connolly helps to guide students through the process of understanding their individual learning profiles and developing self-advocacy skills as they prepare to exit The Hillside School.

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Nathan Cooper is a founding ensemble member of Single Carrot Theatre. Single Carrot Theatre; http://www.singlecarrot.com/ Adminstratively he serves as the Director of Finance. Nathan is primarily an actor in the Single Carrot ensemble, he has performed in Crave, Killer Joe, The Wild Duck, Slampooned, Illuminoctem, and Playing Dead; and will play in Tragedy: a Tragedy later this season. Nathan presented, The Poe Project, his directorial debut at Single Carrot in October. Outside of Single Carrot, he works for Laureate Inc. in the Corporate Accounting Department as an Accounts Payable Clerk. Before moving to Baltimore, Nathan worked with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival for 3 years, both as a company actor and an assistant box office manager. He holds a BFA in Performance Theatre from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

 Dr. Kara Covington is a native of Washington, D.C.  She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Virginia in psychology.  Immediately thereafter, she earned a masters degree at American University in special education focusing on emotionally disturbed students.  Dr. Covington earned her doctorate in school psychology from Howard University in 2000.  She completed her practicum placement in the Special Education Division within D.C. Public School and her predoctoral internship in the Pupil Personnel Division within D.C. Public School.  In the latter capacity, she conducted grief groups in local schools in association with the William Wendt Center.  Prior to her completion of her doctoral degree, Dr. Covington spent ten years as a special education teacher working with emotionally disturbed and learning disabled students.  She also worked as an administator at a local children's shelter.  Dr.  Covington's classroom experience adds a unique dimension to her work as a therapist at the Kingsbury Center.  She knows first-hand the challenges that teachers face in the classroom in educating children who do not fit the "traditional learner" profile.  Dr. Covington's strong commitment to the community is also continued in her work conducting psychoeducational evaluations for the Children's National Medical Center Pediatric Mobile Clinic.

Vincent P. Culotta, Ph.D., ABN earned his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Memphis in 1987 and completed his internship at the West Virginia University Medical School. He is a Licensed Psychologist with subspecialty training in clinical neuropsychology. Dr. Culotta has held clinical and administrative positions in medical, rehabilitation, and private facilities treating children, adolescents, and adults with neurobehavioral disorders. He served as Director of Neuropsychology in the Neurosurgery division at the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center. Dr. Culotta's research and clinical interests include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, and Neurotoxin Exposure. Dr. Culotta is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology and currently serves as president  NeuroBehavioral Associates; http://www.nbatests.com/

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Amanda Davis, Spanish teacher, has over 10 years teaching experience as a Spanish, French and English teacher. She previously worked in the Montgomery County Public Schools. Ms. Davis holds a B.S. in education (English and Spanish) from the University of Kansas and a M.A. in Spanish from Middlebury College, Madrid campus. She received her French certification at Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Ms. Davis was a recipient of a foreign language fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities. http://siennaschool.org

Michelle Davis, M.A, is an experienced special educator, leader and teacher trainer with over a decade of experience in public school systems and expertise in learning, attention, and behavior disorders. She is a skilled advocate who seeks to secure services and school placements that meet individual needs and prepare children for success in life. At James Madison and Johns Hopkins Universities, she was awarded with honors and earned recognition for excellence in study. Ms. Davis has been recognized as an outstanding special educator and behavioral specialist with practical experience in program design and instruction of students who have been identified with ADHD, learning disabilities, Asperger Syndrome, autism, emotional disabilities, neurological impairments and gifted/talented abilities. Ms. Davis and her colleague Rich Weinfeld are authors of a new self-help book on parent advocacy. ABCs for Life Success; http://www.abc4lifesuccess.com/

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Sharon DellaRose has twenty-eight years of experience in working with children and adolescents diagnosed with learning disabilities and ADHD.  In 1996, she became the Academic Director of Norbel School and currently holds the position of Head of School.  Ms. DellaRose received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education (K-8) from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and a Master's degree in reading education from Towson University.  Ms. DellaRose is a member of several educational organizations and has been a guest lecturer at the AIMS Conferences, the Catholic School's Convention, the Early Childhood Conference, the CHADD Conference, the Annapolis Asperger's Parent Support Group, local CHADD meetings, and various local schools to assist educators in understanding learning disabled populations.  Ms. DellaRose has also co-authored a book titled, A Home-School Partnership

Dr. Laurie Dietzel is a licensed psychologist in D.C. and Maryland who completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Neuropsychology at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She has worked at day and residential schools for children with learning and more severe developmental disabilities and served as Director of Diagnostic Services at Kingsbury, a private nonprofit educational organization, in Washington, D.C. Dr. Dietzel is currently in private practice in Silver Spring, Maryland at Dietzel Butler & Associates (www.dietzelbutler.com), conducting evaluations with children and adults and providing local and national trainings to mental health, medical, and educational professionals. Areas of expertise include AD/HD, executive dysfunction, learning disabilities, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, giftedness, anxiety disorders, and adopted children with early institutional care. She is the co-author, with Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D., of Late, Lost and Unprepared: A Parents' Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning (Woodbine Press, 2008), www.latelostandunprepared.com.

Kelly Dill is a teacher of Integrated Teaching through the Arts in Greenville, SC.  Her child has dyslexia and a performance anxiety disorder.  This year she is teaching a class that includes her son and had been collecting data on what works and does not work.  She is a candidate for a Master's degree at Lesley University and has been trained in Orton-Gillingham.

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Ann Dolin is a former Fairfax County Public School teacher with 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience.  Ann's undergraduate degree is in Child Psychology and she received her Master's in Special Education from Boston College.  After leaving the classroom in 1998, Ann founded Educational Connections, Inc. as its only employee with the goal of providing individualized one-to-one instruction based on each student's learning style.  Today, her company employs over 130 tutors, all of whom travel to students' homes.  Educational Connections serves the metropolitan D.C. area, and has worked with over 3,000 students.  Ann currently sits on the board of the International Dyslexia Association as well as CHADD of Northern Virginia, which stands for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder.  In addition to the strategies she will share today, many more techniques can be found in her upcoming book, Homework Made Simple, due for release this February.  For more information, please visitwww.anndolin.com.

Annette Dollar M.Ed. from Temple University, is the Lower School teacher piloting the GTLD program at Kingsbury Day School, a private LD school located in Washington, D.C. She has taught in both the public and private sectors in her teaching career from 1st grade through college level instruction with emphasis in the area of Language Arts. Annette will be completing her Masters in Special Education next year with a concentration in the area of GTLD.www.kidlitltd.com. http://KIngsburydayschool.org

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Wendy J. Eisner, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Nassau Community College (NCC) where she has taught general psychology, child development, and psychology of art courses.  She received her doctorate at CUNY, her M.A. in anthropology at Columbia University, and her B.A. in philosophy at Wellesley College.  She has received many national, state, and local awards for teaching excellence, and has worked extensively on professional development projects at NCC, such as gender equity in math/science and education, multiple intelligences and differentiated instruction in college courses. She is the founding director of an award-winning, college-level program for twice-exceptional (2e) students, The Achilles Project, established in 2007.  Her publications/presentations span a wide range from visual neuroscience to twice exceptionality, and she co-founded Long Island-Twice Exceptional Children's Advocacy ( LI-TECA Twice Exceptional Children's Advocacy; http://www.li-teca.org/ ).  She received the Nassau BOCES “Educational Partner” Award (2008) for her work as an educational researcher, advocate, and collaborator.

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Dr. Linda Emerick is Associate Professor and Director of the M.Ed. ELED program at Towson University. She was a public school teacher in the Metro-Atlanta, Georgia area for 13 years, teaching 8th grade science and 3rd-8th grade gifted education. She taught and was director for 1st-8th grade Saturday-enrichment programs in Georgia and Minnesota. She was Associate Professor (graduate gifted education) and Director of Education Outreach Programs at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 12 years before moving to Maryland in 2000. She has served as an education researcher for the National Research Centers for Gifted Education (UConn) and a consultant for gifted programs in numerous school districts, addressing gifted program evaluation and curriculum initiatives, gifted education pedagogy, underachievement among the gifted, and classroom teaching and instruction reforms.

Jennifer Engel Fisher is the Assistant Director of Weinfeld Education Group, LLC, an educational consulting group in the Washinton, D.C. metropolitan area.  Jennifer earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and her Master's Degree in Special Education from The Johns Hopkins University.  Jennifer's consulting practice involves working with families of special needs children in a variety of ways, including advocacy, training and organizational coaching for those with executive functioning issues.  She currently teachers The Special Needs Advocacy Training Institute in Maryland.  Jennifer has been a special education teacher in both inclusion and self-contained classrooms that served a variety of populations, including persons with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and learning disabilities.  Jennifer was also a Learning Specialist at a private school in Washington, D.C. 

She is a contributing author to "School Success for Kids with ADHD" (Prufrock Press), and is the co-author of "Take Control of Asperger's Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens with Asperger's or Nonverbal Learning Disorders" (Prufrock Press).

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Dr. Stanley A. Fagen is a child clinical psychologist with the Jewish Social Service Agency and a consultant to Montgomery County Public Schools. He has extensive experience helping parents, professionals  and exceptional children in school, clinic and hospital settings. Prior positions include Director of Staff Development, Supervisor of Special Education Inservice Training, Supervisor of Training for Mark Twain Programs, and school psychologist for MCPS; Associate Director of Hillcrest Children's Center; and Chief Child Psychologist, Walter Reed General Hospital. As part of his service in MCPS, Dr. Fagen initiated and supervised the very successful Parent Training and Information Center, Montgomery Exceptional Leaders Program, and Inservice Training for Mainstreaming Program. Dr. Fagen earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College. He has taught graduate courses in social-emotional development and intervention for many years at local universities, and presented frequently at national and local conferences.

Dr. Fagen has numerous publications including the following books/booklets: Promoting Successful Mainstreaming: Reasonable Accommodations for LD Students; Teaching Self-Control: Preventing Emotional and Learning Problems in the Elementary School; Behavior Management, and, Individual and Group Counseling: A Competency-Based Manual for Inservice Training.  He is in the process of completing a new book entitled: Helping Your Child Make and Keep Friends: A Social Skills Guide for Parents. 

Dr. Fagen has been happily married for a long time. He has three wonderful daughters, three great sons-in-law, and ten fantastic grandchildren.

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Jenifer Fox is an international award-winning author and speaker and a recognized leader of the Strengths Movement within our educational system, for parents and organizations that serve youth. Her book, Your Child's Strengths (Viking, 2009) is published in North America and internationally in countries such as Poland, China, Korea, Japan and Bali. Ms. Fox bases her claims on her lifetime experience working with young  people and states that if we are to do one thing that will truly prepare children to face the future with confidence and success it is to develop their strengths. Her message is straightforward.  Everyone has strengths.  In order for young people to be successful in the future, they will need to know what energizes them, what keeps their interests, what their contribution is going to be and what they have to offer to relationships with others. Widely recognized as the foremost expert on strengths development in educational settings, Jenifer is the founder of the non profit organization, The Strengths Movement in Schools and a co-owner of a curriculum development company called Strong Planet. Her expertise in designing curricula  and training programs gives teachers, coaches, and counselors a step-by-step process for implementing a strengths focus both within their organizations, and with the youth they serve. In addition to speaking to parents and teachers about children, Jenifer has ten years experience as a teacher and thirteen years as a school principal.  Currently a columnist for the Huffington Post, Fox has published numerous articles on education and adolescent development. Working with a grant from the Best Buy Foundation, Jenifer is also currently implementing her strengths-based curriculum in 100 public schools in the country. Jenifer Fox holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and two Masters Degrees: an MA from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English and a M.Ed. from Harvard University. She resides in the New York metropolitan area. Contact: jeniferfox08@gmail.com  http://www.strengthsmovement.com/

Dr Les Frimerman is copresenting with Dr. Olko.

Gail Flynn has been the teacher for the Gifted/Special Education program, grades 2 through 5, at Southern Westchester BOCES for the past 21 years.  She has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards for the development of educational programs, which promote higher level thinking skills in children. In 2007, Gail was honored with the Alexinia Baldwin Educator of the Year award in recognition of her years of educating gifted children. Most recently Gail  received an award from the Irvington School District, where the Gifted Program is currently located, honoring her service to the school district in the development of school events such as Colonial Day and Western Hemisphere Day. Gail received her undergraduate degree from SUNY at Stony Brook, and went on to receive her Master's Degree in Special Education from St. John's University, and her Master's Degree in Administration from Fordham University.

Rosina M. Gallagher, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist who was born and raised in Mexico City through early adolescence. A former administrator of gifted programs in a large urban school district, she currently serves as President of SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) and President-Elect of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC), and is adjunct faculty in the graduate program in Gifted Education at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

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Chris Garcia graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. Chris' qualifications include teaching grades K-12. Over the past 3 years at Fitness for Health, Chris, a Pediatric Fitness Specialist and Team Coordinator of the Educational Divison, has collaborated with Marc Sickel, ATC, on the implementation of summer mini-camp programs for children with developmental disorders and has been instrumental in the implementation of our motor clinics, onsite & offsite educational programming and other educational services. 

Judith Glasser, Ph.D. has a particular expertise in issues related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and also treats children and teens that have learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and social skills problems. Dr. Glasser is skilled at many therapeutic techniques including cognitive behavior therapy to children and teens and enjoys working with families in therapy as well. She has been in practice as a clinical psychologist in the Washington DC metropolitan area for 25 years. A native Washingtonian, Dr. Glasser attended Oberlin College in Ohio where she obtained a BA in Psychology in 1972. After working for one year at NIMH as a research assistant, Dr. Glasser attended graduate school at the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington D.C. and received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1979. For many years, she combined private practice with raising her two children who are now adults. She had a private practice in Springfield and Burke, Virginia for over 20 years, and joined the Chesapeake ADHD Center of Maryland in 2009. Chesapeake ADHD Center of Maryland; http://www.chesapeakeadd.com/

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M. Ann Goode has a M.Ed. from Auburn University (AL) in Mental Health Counseling, a B.A. from Incarnate Word College (TX) in Psychology, and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA. This is her twenty-eighth year as a school counselor (26th in MCPS) and the fourth year for her private practice, which focuses on college and career planning for students grades 7-12. Ann has been a consultant for the College Board, Columbia University's Teachers College, National Assessment of Educational Progress, and the USA TODAY Admissions Hotline. Ann's passion for assisting students with college and career goals has extended to speaking at teen and adult community forums, presenting professional development seminars at conferences, making guest appearances on radio and television programs, contributing to professional and family newsletters and magazines, writing for DC Examiner.com as the Montgomery County College Prep author, and assisting HS participants in the SciLife Program at NIH. Ann's professional memberships include counseling, college, career, and higher education organizations.  She received the William Gibbs NAACP (Montgomery County) Educator Award in 1987.

Joan Green, SLP-CCC offers live and recorded webinars as well as an informative free e-newsletter to over 8,000 recipients which highlights technology goldmines and strategies for professionals and families to help maximize progress toward goals. In 2008, she received the “Most Outstanding Contribution to the Field” award from the Maryland Speech-Language Hearing Association. Joan received her professionals training at Northwestern University and is the mother of 4. She is the founder of Innovative Speech Therapy (http://www.innovativespeech.com), a private speech-language pathology practice in the Washington, DC area. She has spoken extensively to education and rehabilitation professionals as well as clients and caregivers at the local, state and national levels to promote the integration of computers and technology into treatment to help people of all ages who have communication, learning, literacy and cognitive challenges. She is the author of Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician"s Guide (Dr. Green's  book ) Over the past 23 years, Ms. Green has developed a number of programs to help clients, families and professionals learn to use technology to enhance outcomes. In addition to intensive in-person therapy programs using technology, she now offers online life coaching for families and distance online training using application sharing for professionals. Ms. Green received her undergraduate and graduate level education and training at Northwestern University. She grew up in Buffalo, NY and lives in Potomac, MD with her husband Mark, their four children and Honey- their yellow lab.

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Earl Harris-Nicholls is a Licensed Clinical Social worker with over 30 years of in various environments, including foster care/adoption, mental health, and forensic psychiatry. Over the course of her career, she has provided training on mental health topics, prevention of sexual misconduct, and stress management.  She is currently employed as Director of Counseling at Commonwealth Academy, Alexandria, Virginia.  Commonwealth Academy; http://www.commonwealthacademy.org/

Donna Henry is currently the Assistant Head of School at The Hillside School, an accredited elementary, K-6 independent day school for children with learning disabilities in Macungie, PA.  For twenty-three years, Mrs. Henry served as a special education teacher of children with learning disabilities in grades 1-12 in public and independent schools in Eastern Pennsylvania.  Mrs. Henry developed and presented a workshop to her colleagues on learning disabilities; initiated and maintained a co-teaching model with regular education teachers; and originated and successfully carried out a yearlong demystification project with students that resulted in a student created play and video to educate fellow students, parents, and teachers.  She has also made presentations on understanding learning disabilities to local physicians.  Her work experience as an administrator and a special education teacher provide her with an understanding of school wide and classroom approaches to meeting the needs of students with learning differences.  Mrs. Henry earned a M.Ed. in the field of Learning Disabilities from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She feels that demystification, self-advocacy, and application of learned strategies are vital to children's success in school and in life.

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Gail Herman is a teaching-artist listed on several arts council performance and residency rosters.  She taught in public schools for 10 years, served as a gifted and talented teacher/coordinator, taught gifted students, special needs and underachieving students, and gifted students with LD using the arts. For the last 15 years she has taught and continues to teach for Garrett College, McHenry, MD and Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.  She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in Talent Development at the University of Connecticut, where she taught "Movement and Dramatic Expression in Education," directed an Enrichment Saturday School Program, received a Noyes Fellowship, and worked as an Intern for the US Office of Gifted and Talented Education at the Rhode Island Department of Education.  She served on the Connecticut Task Force for Gifted and Talented Education, as past Chair for the Arts Division of the NAGC, and as a Javits Grant consultant.  Gail is a storyteller and an enrichment consultant.  Gail taught creative dance and storytelling in schools, drama at a home for abused and neglected children, and worked to help special needs students with creative movement, drama, and her “Kinesthetic Curriculum.” She wrote Storytelling: A Triad in the Arts, co-wrote Kinetic Kaleidoscope: Exploring Movement and Energy in Visual Arts, and contributed to Nurturing the Gifts and Talents of Primary Grade Students, to The Storytelling Classroom, to Joining In, and to Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope: Stories for Peace Justice and the Environment. Her articles appeared in Parenting for High Potential and Better Homes and Gardens. Gail is a Board member of AEGUS.

Tom Holman, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in children and families for over 25 years. He has worked in early intervention with infants and toddlers; in therapeutic nursery schools and outpatient clinics; and directed a residential treatment program. He is on the faculty and steering committee of the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Program of the Washington School of Psychiatry, where he teaches and does clinical supervision with post-graduate mental health professionals. He is currently in private practice in Montgomery Village. He is particularly interested in evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with developmental problems, and their parents and families. Integration of psychotherapy approaches is another special interest. 

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Dr. Ellen Iscoe is the Director of Diagnostic and Psychological Services at Kingsbury, where she worked for twelve years as a staff psychologist.  With a Masters of Health Science in Mental Health Administration from Johns Hopkins and a Doctorate in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of Maryland, Dr. Iscoe applies systems level analyses to therapeutic and evaluative clinical services, both within the Kingsbury Day School, and for clients throughout the greater Washington community. Current areas of focus are: facilitating differentiated instruction by the user-friendly Iscoe Grid; brief evaluations to target interventions for early school success; and parent guidance and consultation. http://kingsbury.org

Jacqueline S. Iseman, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in Potomac, MD. In Iseman's private practice, Hands on Health Psychological Services, LLC (www.handsonpsychology.com), she provides support and guidance to children, adolescents, and families through psychotherapy, consultations, and assessment. Her approach is practical and comprehensive, addressing each individual's issues within the context of the family, school, and community.  Iseman received her bachelor's degree from Cornell University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from George Mason University. She has worked in a variety of hospital, school, and clinic settings including Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, the Devereux Foundation's Day School in Pennsylvania, and several private practices in Maryland and Virginia. She co-authored the book School Success for Kids With ADHD and the complimentary workbook entitled 101 School Success Tools for Students With ADHD (In Press), and was invited to present the only book review at the international conference for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) in October 2009. Iseman's research on differential diagnosis of ADHD was published in the article Performance of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety/Depression on the WISC-III and Cognitive Assessment System (CAS).

Gita Jabaily is a founding member and Education Director of Single Carrot Theatre. Artistically she both acts and directs. She directed Single Carrot Theatre's first Baltimore production of True Blue as part of the Short Play Festival, and directed Killer Joe this past season. She has acted in Single Carrot Theatre's productions of Red Light Winter, The Light is Like Water & La Muneca, Sects & Violins, Richard III, Crave, The Wild Duck, Eurydice, and Illuminoctem. Past Awards include -"Outstanding Lead Actress"- Red Light Winter – Baltimore.Broadwayworld.com, “Best Theatre Company” – City Paper's “Best of Baltimore” 2009, “#9 Richard III – City Paper's Top 10 Productions of 2008” and “#2 Eurydice and #9 Wild Duck- City Paper's Top 10 Productions of 2009”.

In addition to her work with Single Carrot Theatre, she also teaches theatre and acting to students of all ages throughout Baltimore City through residencies with Everyman Theatre, Young Audiences of Maryland, and One World Cultural Arts Society.  Giti has a BFA from the University of Colorado in Theater Performance.Single Carrot Theatre; http://www.singlecarrot.com/

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Educated at London and Oxford Universities, Anne James is a master tutor who has worked at Kingsbury for the past 10 years.  Currently she teaches LA/SS at Kingsbury Middle School in Washington, DC.   

Susan J. Johnson, Ph.D. is Head of Commonwealth Academy, a college preparatory, co-ed, independent day school for students with LD and ADHD in Alexandria, Virginia. 

With over 30 years experience in special education as a teacher, education diagnostician, school psychologist and administrator, Dr. Johnson brings a thorough understanding of the social-emotional and academic needs of students with executive functioning, organizational, learning style differences and disabilities, and attention challenges.  In her  years as Head of Commonwealth Academy, Dr. Johnson has developed a school that prepares students to succeed in college by helping students develop self-esteem through mastery.  Within a supportive environment, students identify and build on strengths, learn to accept and work through areas of challenge in order to develop a specific set of strategies tailored to help them achieve in an academically challenging curriculum.  Commonwealth Academy; http://www.commonwealthacademy.org/

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Clay Kaufman assistant head of school, math and history teacher, has been an educator and administrator in the Washington DC area for over 20 years. In his long career at The Field School he served in a variety of capacities, including teacher, college counselor, director of admission, math department chair, accreditation chair and community liaison and design committee member during the school's move to a new campus in 2002. As a teacher, he has implemented hands-on, experiential learning and developed integrated curricula in the humanities and math/science, and has experience working with students with learning disabilities. Mr. Kaufman has been selected for a variety of leadership roles, including: the E.E. Ford Fellowship for private school leadership; the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in Ankara, Turkey; the National Endowment for the Humanities Independent Scholars program and Summer Seminar; and past-president of the Independent Schools Mathematics Association of Washington (ISMAW). He holds a B.A. in American studies from Yale University, and a M.A. in government from Georgetown University.http://siennaschool.org

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Carolyn Kottmeyer is the founder and director of Hoagies' Gifted Education Page, the national-award-winning "All Things Gifted" internet resource.  Hoagies' Page has grown over the past 14 years to over 1000 pages of annotated resources: articles, research, curriculum, books, toys and other products, all proven useful for gifted children, adults, parents, educators, and other professionals. Carolyn speaks at large and small conferences and gatherings across the U.S. and abroad, on topics including Parenting, Advocacy, Gifted Education, Social/Emotinal Needs of the Gifted, Internet Resources, and more. Please see her website for some of the best resources around! http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

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As a preschool teacher for 25 years, Carol Kranowitz observed many young children with SPD. Today she teaches parents, educators, and other professionals how sensory issues play out and suggests activities for addressing them at home and school. Carol's books and DVDs, published by Perigee Books and Sensory World, include The Out-of-Sync Child and The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun; Sensory Issues in Learning & Behavior video; a children's book, The Goodenoughs Get in Sync; and Preschool SENsory Scan for Educators (Preschool SENSE), a screening tool for therapists working with teachers. With co-author Joye Newman, she has written a new book, Growing an In-Sync Child (in press). She is a Board Member of SPD Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of S.I. Focus, the magazine devoted to sensory processing issues. Carol received her B.A. from Barnard College and M.A. in Education & Human Development from The George Washington University. She lives in Maryland.http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/

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Kathy Kuhl began homeschooling in 1997, after years trying to help her son succeed in school despite significant learning and attention problems. She reluctantly began homeschooling him, and continued for grades 4-12. Kuhl then interviewed 64 homeschoolers with children with diagnosed learning problems as part of her research for her book, Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner, a comprehensive handbook for helping parents help children learn. Kuhl graduated from William and Mary, where she earned teaching certificates in mathematics and English, and taught public school junior high math in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Now, she helps families considering homeschool and families already homeschooling with children with learning problems. She gives free initial telephone consultations. She speaks at national conferences (LDA, CHADD, ASA), as well as at homeschool conventions and groups around the country. She writes on homeschooling. She teaches math and helps administer a private program in Fairfax County, offering a la carte classes for homeschooled teens. The Kuhls have two grown children and live in Herndon, Virginia. Her website ishttp://www.learndifferently.com/ and she can be reached at kathy@learndifferently.com.

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Richard A. Lanham, Jr., Ph.D. , is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Montgomery County specializing in clinical neuropsychological assessment and treatment. 

Dr. Lanham earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.  During his graduate years, he worked at Psychology and Education Associates, conducting assessments and treatment with primarily children and adolescents.   Dr. Lanham completed a clinical internship and post-doctoral training in neuropsychology and geropsychology at the Miami VAMC and University of Miami School of Medicine.  Dr. Lanham served for seven years as the clinical neuropsychologist for the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine's Inpatient and Outpatient Brain Injury Programs at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center where he had clinical, supervisory, teaching, program development, and research duties.  He also served as the research neuropsychologist for the Minneapolis site of the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program and held an appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota.  Dr. Lanham has presented on a variety of neuropsychological topics.  Dr. Lanham's practice involves working with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors presenting with a wide array of neurocognitive, emotional, and relationship challenges.  Areas of specialty and interest include treatment of stress-related disorders and assessment and treatment of a variety of neuropsychological issues including ADHD, developmental disorders and learning disabilities, TBI and stroke; Neuropsychological Rehabilitation; and Geriatric Neuropsychology.  Dr. Lanham's treatment focuses on the interplay between neuropsychological difficulties and its impact on emotional functioning;  personality development; interpersonal relationships; social skills; and school/work performance.

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Rick Lavoie served as an administrator of residential programs for children with special needs for 30 years. He holds three degrees in Special Education and holds two Honorary Doctorates in Education from the University of Massachusetts (2003) and Mitchell College (CT – 2007).  He has served as a visiting lecturer at numerous universities including Syracuse, Harvard,, Manhattanville College, University of Alabama, University of Melbourne and Georgetown. 

His numerous national television appearances include The TODAY Show, CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, ABC Evening News, and Walt Disney Presents. He has served as a consultant on Learning Disabilities to several agencies and organizations including Public Broadcasting Service, New York Times, National Center for Learning Disabilities, USA Today, Girl Scouts of America, Child Magazine, INSTRUCTOR Magazine and National Public Radio. In 2009, Rick was the recipient of the Learning Disabilities Associations of America's Samuel Kirk award. He has delivered his message to over 500,000 parents and professionals throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.  He has the distinction of having delivered Keynote Addresses for all three of the major special needs advocacy organizations in the United States (Learning Disabilities Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Children with Attention Deficit Disorder). Rick's intensive experiences at residential schools provided him with a “living laboratory” in which he developed and refined his methods and philosophies related to the education of children and adolescents with special needs.

Rick is the author of the book “It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success (Touchstone/ Simon and Schuster, 2005). The book addresses the direct link between learning disabilities and social skills issues that many children face.

Rick provides specific strategies for parents, teachers and caregivers about how to assist the child in making and keeping friends. The Library Journal praised the book as “a breakthrough.” Most parents and professionals know Rick through his videos "How Difficult Can This Be? The F.A.T.  City Workshop", "Last One Picked, First One Picked On: The Social Implications of Learning Disabilities" and “When the Chips are Down: Learning Disabilities and Discipline”.  These classic, award-winning films have brought Rick's sensitive and compelling message to countless thousands throughout the world.  After viewing the videos, former First Lady Barbara Bush stated, "You really wowed us! I only wish that every parent and teacher in the United States today could also see your program.”  His recent videos “Beyond F.A.T. City: A Look Back, A Look Ahead” and “It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success” are among the most widely distributed films in the educational media. His newest book and PBS DVD on student motivation “The Motivation Breakthrough: 6 Secrets to Turning On the Tuned-Out Child” (2007)  were recently released and were featured in USA Today.http://www.ricklavoie.com/

Rick and his wife Janet have three grown children and live in the shadows of historic Fenway Park in Boston. Rick welcomes visitors to his website www.ricklavoie.com 

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Lisi Levisohn is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Developmental Neuropsychologist. She received her degrees from Harvard and Boston University, and her clinical training at Children's Hospital Boston and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She has worked in private practice for the past 10 years, specializing in learning, attention and social cognition in children and adolescents. She has special interests in Asperger Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorder as well Giftedness and Twice-Exceptional students. As a neuropsychologist, she approaches evaluations with an eye for the underlying processes affecting a child's learning and development, and provides educational recommendations which incorporate this knowledge. Following the evaluation, Dr. Levisohn also meets with students in order to help them understand their learning style, build their confidence, and develop strategies for school.

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Dr. Abigail Levrini is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder of Psych Ed Coaches, a Northern VA/DC based practice specializing in AD/HD coaching and counseling (www.psychedcoaches.com).  She received her PhD in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology from Florida State University, one of only 10 APA approved combined programs in the United States. She has published several articles on AD/HD in scientific journals and presented her research on AD/HD coaching at the 2009 International CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) Conference. Dr. Levrini is a Board Director for the Northern Virginia Chapter of CHADD, and as a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) she has lobbied on Capitol Hill for legislation to eliminate health disparities and preserve support for behavioral science.  Dr. Levrini is currently authoring an applied book on AD/HD coaching that can be used by practitioners as well as instructors in graduate level courses. Psych Ed Coaches has locations in Alexandria, Sterling, and Washington, DC and is operated by PhD and Master's level clinicians.

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Connie Lorentzen was born in Washington D.C. and received her B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland. She taught middle school in Maryland for ten years. She's served on the Executive Board of the Fairfax County Council of PTA's (FCCPTA's) (http://www.fccpta.org), for over 20 years. While the 1st VP, she took the lead on the County Council of PTAs Executive Boards' Approved Twice Exceptional Resolution, calling on the district to review and revise the Identification, Evaluation and Procedures in place to meet the needs of twice exceptional learners; which resulted in a districtwide focus on the issue and a new central office partnership, between the Office of Special Education and the Office of Advance Academic Programs, to work on this issue. Ms. Lorentzen has served on the newly formed FCPS 2e Update Committee, on behalf of the County Council, which worked to increase awareness of the twice exceptional learner and their instructional needs. She founded an internet support for parents of twice exceptional learners in Fairfax County; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fairfaxtwiceexceptional . Since 2005 she's served on the FCPS School Board Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD). As an education consultant and special education advocate she specializes in twice exceptional learners. She is also the mother of a twice exceptional child. 

Dr. Robb Mapou is a nationally-recognized expert on assessment of learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.  His 2009 book, Adult Learning Disabilities and ADHD: Research Informed Assessment, published by Oxford University Press, was the first to summarize research on learning disabilities and ADHD in adults and use it to guide neuropsychological assessment.  Dr. Mapou has written chapters on adult learning disabilities and ADHD assessment, regularly presents continuing education workshops to professionals on the topic, and recently appeared on a segment of Dr. Dean Edell's syndicated program, Medical Breakthroughs.  In February 2009, he participated in an invited debate at the annual meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society, during which he argued for comprehensive assessment of learning disabilities in adults.  He has served on the editorial boards of Neuropsychology, the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, and the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.  Dr. Mapou is board-certified in clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and is in full-time clinical practice with William Stixrud, Ph.D. and Associates, LLC, in Silver Spring, MD, where he specializes in the evaluation of adolescents and adults with learning disabilities and ADHD.

Heidi Marohn teaches middle school LA/SS in the GTLD pilot program at Kingsbury Day School, Washington, DC.  Heidi has a BA in English German, and Secondary Education from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art, Washington, DC.

Patricia Martin

Norman Maynard teaches writing and literature at The Nora School. He was principal of Thornton Friends upper school in Silver Spring for eleven years, and served as interim Head of School for the past year. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from Catholic University, and a Masters of Art in Writing from the University of San Francisco. All together, he has been working with adolescents and their families for fifteen years, and continues to search for new and innovative ways to help them become fulfilled individuals and positive members of the local and global communities. He has three children, all boys, ages 13, 11 and 8.http://www.nora-school.org/

http://www.coalitionofsmallschools.org/

Dr. Joan Mele-McCarthy, CCC-SLP is the Director of Education at The Summit School in Edgewater, MD.  The Summit School is an independent National Blue Ribbon School that serves bright children with dyslexia and other learning differences.  Prior to this position, Dr. Mele-McCarthy served as Senior Policy Advisor and Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education (ED).  Dr. Mele-McCarthy's training and professional work has been in speech-language pathology.  She has developed expertise in theoretical models and practical application of the link between oral language and reading, service delivery models in school settings, and teacher training.  Dr. Mele-McCarthy's professional experiences include private practice, comprehensive assessment, advocacy, and public schools. She has served as faculty at several universities in the Washington, D.C. – Baltimore corridor and the Metropolitan New York City area. Her work includes presentation of peer reviewed research-to-practice papers, as well as seminars and workshops locally and nationally. Her publications include articles related to policy for NCLB, IDEA, students with disabilities, and ELLs with disabilities.  She has served on the boards of three speech-language-hearing state associations and on the board of the International Dyslexia Association.  She currently serves on the Government Relations and Public Policy Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

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Mary Michelle Michlik is the Theatre Teacher for the Lab School of Washington's intermediate program.    She joined the Lab School in 1996 after receiving a BA in English and Theatre from Auburn University.   She continued her education while working and earned a MA from American University with a focus on Learning Disabilities.  She has taught theatre for many summer camps as well, most notably the Smithsonian Associate's summer program. Due to the adaptability of Theatre, she is able to accommodate the vast differences in the learning styles of intelligent students with specific learning disabilities.  The classroom is designed to emulate a working theatre troop or ensemble, with focus on the three tools of the actor- mind, body and voice.  Through these tools, she is able to include social pragmatics, language articulation, kinesthetics and spatial awareness, as well as an examination of the human condition.  Through the process of rehearsal and performance, students gain confidence that support more academic and social successes.

Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic writer and activist who learned to read when he was 12-years-old. He since earned an honors degree in English Literature at Brown University and has written and published two books. The first, “Learning Outside The Lines” (now in its 14th printing) hit bookshelves when he was 23. Coupled with his most recent book, “The Short Bus,” Jonathan has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in LD/ADHD, disabilities, and alternative education. Jonathan also founded and is President of Project Eye-To-Eye, a mentoring and advocacy non-profit organization for students with learning differences. Project Eye-To-Eye currently has 20 chapters, in 13 states working with over 3,000 students, parents and educators nationwide. Jonathan won the prestigious Truman Scholarship for graduate studies in disability studies and social change, and was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. In 2003, the LD Access Foundation recognized his work for students with disabilities with the Golden Advocacy award. Previous honorees include David Boies, Judith Rodin, former President of The University of Pennsylvania, and former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean. Jonathan is a highly sought-after speaker and has lectured in 43 states and three countries. Jonathan also has given keynote addresses at most major national education conferences and speaks frequently to students of all ages.

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As licensed psychologist and mother of two children with ADHD and language-based learning differences, Dr. Julie Morrison possesses professional knowledge, practical experience, and personal dedication to making difference in the lives of those for whom learning, attention, behavior, and/or emotional disorders pose a challenge to accessing strengths. She completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the American School of Professional Psychology. At the Kennedy Krieger Family Center/Johns Hopkins Hospital, she co-coordinated a Birth to Five Clinic, presenting at national conferences and publishing articles and book chapters on trauma. After working in various outpatient settings, she established her private practice in Columbia, MD, with a specialty in the comprehensive psychological evaluation and treatment of twice exceptional individuals. A Fellow of the Maryland Psychological Association, Dr. Morrison is a member of Professional Practice Committee. She serves on the LD/ADHD Advisory Committee for the Howard County Public Schools and is Vice President of Individual Differences in Learning, a non-profit organization, which advocates for the needs of twice exceptional students.  Prior to assisting in the planning of this conference, she served on the planning committee for “What Works and Why: Unmasking Student Strengths through Innovative Learning Experiences,” a conference emphasizing the integration of arts and technology through multi-sensory, real-world, student-centered methods to enhance success of different learners.

Dr. Morrison recently wrote an article for a peer-reviewed publication on identification, assessment, and intervention with the gifted learning disabled and presented on eliciting student strengths and using results of psychological evaluation to guide academic interventions.

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Dave Mullen has been teaching for over 30 years.  He has spent the last 19 years as Head of School at The Nora School in Silver Spring, MD, which serves a population of bright adolescents  who have become frustrated in large school settings.  He holds a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Maryland, and B.Mus. from the New England Conservatory of Music.  Now an avid photographer, his work has been published nationally and shown at several local galleries.  As the father of three in early adulthood, his own education is ongoing.http://www.nora-school.org/

Bonnie Nelson, Twice Exceptional Teacher for Arlington County Public Schools, holds a master's degree in counseling and is endorsed in gifted education and special education/LD as well.  She loves her job providing personalized resource support to bright, creative, fun, fascinating young people who are often “walking contradictions,” succeeding in AP classes (with accommodations) but struggling in regular classes.   Presentations include:  2009 World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conference: “Helping High Ability/Special Needs Students Thrive in Advanced Placement,”  National Science Teachers Conference, 4/2008:  “GT/Special Needs Students: Teaching Future Einsteins,”  and  2007 World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Conference: “Implementation of a Twice Exceptional Program.”

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Dr. Nickerson-Reti is a specialist in the social, emotional, and educational needs of 'twice-exceptional' students and adults, especially those with Aspergers Syndrome, and ADHD. She has more than 25 years of clinical and consultative experience in this field; and as a psychiatrist, focused on cognition and neuro-developmental issues, has been on faculty at the Harvard, Tufts, and Case Western Reserve University schools of medicine. In her practice at Perspectives (www.perspectives.md), Dr. Nickerson-Reti provides evaluations, consultation, and long term therapy for individuals, families, and schools. She is also the parent of a wonderfully 'twice exceptional' child. Dr. Nickerson-Reti is particularly interested in creating educational equality for gifted, and 'twice-exceptional' students at all levels. She defines education as activities which collectively stimulate, challenge, and stretch the mind, teach one how to learn, allow for acceptable failures while encouraging success, celebrate learning rather than test scores, and support healthy social and emotional growth. She does not believe that giftedness should stand in the way of getting help for special needs, nor should the effects of special needs create barriers to the expression of cognitive, artistic, or athletic gifts. Dr. Nickerson-Reti is working on several research projects that address the needs of highly gifted students with Aspergers Syndrome and ADHD in particular. She also devotes time to writing, and to lobbying activities that address these issues.

Dr. F. Richard Olenchak currently serves as Professor, Psychologist, and Co-Director of the Urban Talent Research Institute at the University of Houston. Joining the faculty at U of H in 1998, he was previously Chair of Special Education as well as Director of Teacher Education at the University of Alabama for eleven years. Originally from Virginia, he graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, later earning advanced degrees from Eastern Michigan University and Arizona State University. His Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, emphasizing Giftedness and Talent Development, was completed at the University of Connecticut. He later completed a post-doctoral internship in Psychology through the University of Alabama at a secure medical facility for adolescents.

Having taught grades 2 through 11, including teaching at a specialized school for gifted students, Dr. Olenchak has served as a K-12 Director of Gifted Education in two school districts, as well as director of two Federal grants in gifted education. In addition, he has been principal at both elementary and middle school levels, a training specialist for a corporation interested in developing executive talent, a research associate at a state department of education, and has operated a private psychological consulting practice focusing on the developmental needs of gifted and talented children. Having recently served as President of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), Rick has also has served as NAGC Research Editor, in various leadership roles in NAGC Divisions, as President of the International Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP), as President for the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students (AEGUS), and as Chair of the Research and Development Division of the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented (TAGT). In addition, Rick currently is a member emeritus of the Board of Directors of SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted), an organization that stimulates research and services likely to improve psycho-social development among gifted individuals. Having served in numerous roles for the nation's leading university accreditation program for educator preparation, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), he was appointed in late 2007 to NCATE's Executive Board. Most recently, Rick was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Voile Enterprises, a multinational management consulting firm specializing in talent development among corporate executives around the globe.

Publications which he has either authored or co-authored number approximately 100. Among them are the 2009 book Social-Emotional Curriculum with Gifted that has already received accolades from the ASCD and the Texas Association fro Gifted and Talented, and the 2005 book Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults, named as a Must Read by the American Psychological Association in 2006 and ForeWord magazine's Psychology Book of the Year in 2005. He is currently at work on a number of chapters and articles about the social and emotional aspects of giftedness and talent development, including a significant examination of the construct of hope and its implications on the holistic development of each student.

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Dr. Caroline Olko is an Associate Professor at Nassau Community College in their Psychology Department. Dr. Olko earned her Ph.d. in Biopsychology from CUNY. She teaches Introductory Psychology, Child Development, Brain and Baehavior and On-Line courses at the college. She lectures extensively on a broad range of topics from: "Humor Therapy" to "Aromatherapy" to senior citizens and school age children. In addition, she has been involved in the Achilles Project since its inception.

Stuart Omdahl was an elementary teacher for 15 years, both in the regular classroom and as a gifted education coordinator facilitating the Schoolwide Enrichment Model. After completing graduate school at the University of Connecticut in 1995 he has been a professor of gifted education at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC).  He is the Education Director for the Summer Enrichment Program and Assistant Director of the Center for the Education & Study of Gifted, Talented, Creative Learners at UNC. His professional interests include creativity in education, twice-exceptionality, underachievement of students from non-dominant cultural and language groups, and the evaluation of gifted education teachers.  He is on the board of directors for the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students (AEGUS) and the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT).  

Julie Pace, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in Maryland, received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. At UVA, she trained as a psychotherapist while specializing in the psychological assessment of children and adults. After completing her pre-doctoral internship at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in 1999, she began work in the Diagnostic and Counseling Center at Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (www.cty.jhu.edu/dcc). As the staff psychologist in the DCC, Dr. Pace conducts psycho-educational evaluations of bright students of all ages, including those who may have specific learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, and nonverbal learning disabilities. Dr. Pace also consults with families, teachers, and schools about issues related to giftedness and gifted students with learning difficulties. In her work, Dr. Pace strives to educate gifted students about their learning styles, abilities, and needs to help empower them to be good self-advocates.

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Dr. Vidisha Patel has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology and practices as a therapist in Sarasota, FL. She specializes in the problems of young children and adolescents. She is also licensed to teach stress management techniques and a certified facilitator of SENG Model Parent Groups. Dr. Patel is actively involved at the community and national level serving on several Boards for schools, a teen parent program as well SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted). Please see her website at www.peaceofheartllc.com for more information about her background and services.

Janette Patterson, LCMFT, is the Admissions Director of the Nora School, a small, private high school in downtown Silver Spring, MD. For the past 20 years Janette has worked in a variety of school settings, both as administrator, as teacher, as mentor to other teachers and as consultant to other school settings. Janette is licensed in the State of Maryland as a Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and works as a therapist at the Montgomery County Crisis Center in Rockville. Janette holds a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. She did her clinical work in marriage and family therapy. After years of working as a psychotherapist in private practice and in- and outpatient settings, Janette studied Waldorf pedagogy at the Center for Anthroposophy Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program and has been working in both fields – as educator and as therapist – ever since.  Janette has lectured along the East Coast on topics both in alternative and special education as well as a variety of psychotherapeutic concerns and has offered workshops and sessions at conferences, such as the Learning Disability Association, International Association of Infant Massage Therapists, Association for Women in Psychology, Montgomery County Commission for Women, and others.

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Daphne Pereles is the director of the Response to Intervention/Positive Behavior Support Unit for the Colorado Department of Education.  She has been a teacher in general, special, and gifted education as well as a special education coordinator and twice-exceptional specialist for a large suburban district.  Daphne has been a national consultant on twice exceptional issues as well as response to intervention.  She is also an executive board member for the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students (AEGUS).

Dr. Erin Peters is an Assistant Professor in Science Education at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.  Her research involves exploring interventions that explicitly teach science as a way of knowing, utilizing metacognitive prompts set in a self-regulatory delivery system and teacher implementation of such methods.  Her research work also examines the decisions students make when engaged in scientific inquiry and open-ended questioning, and how these decisions compare to decisions that scientists make in their work.

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Ms Phelps serves on multiple business and community-advisory boards including the Board of Directors of the Maryland Character Education and American Students' Fund. Ms. Phelps is also a member of the “Kids Helping Hopkins” Board of Directors, as well as a board member for Northwest Hospital. She has been actively involved with a variety of charity organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, Make-A-Wish Foundation Mid-Atlantic region, Pathfinders for Autism, and  John's Hopkins Shock Trauma Medical Center among others. A native of Allegany County (Western Maryland), Ms. Phelps received her Master's degree in Education Management & Supervision from Loyola College (MD) and B.A. in Education from Fairmont State College. She currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland where she enjoys spending her free time with her family.

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Janet Price is the Director of Transition Services for Weinfeld Education Group, LLC, an educational consulting group in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  She is also the parent of a teenager diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disorder.  Janet holds a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University.  After a decade of service in the U.S. State Department, Janet found a new use for her skills in diplomacy and negotiation as she began to advocate for services in the public school system for her child's little understood learning profile.  As an Educational Consultant, Janet now helps other families do the same.  Janet moderates an internet forum for people with NLD and their families at http://forums.delphiforums.com.  She writes a Special Education column at http://www.examiner.com.  Janet is the co-author of "Take Control of Asperger's Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens with Asperger's or Nonverbal Learning Disorders" (Prufrock Press).

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John Robison is the author of the best selling, "Look Me in the Eyes," which talks about his life with Asperger's Syndrome. John will tell about the gifts and the challenges of having Asperger's. He will describe his early life as he grew up in the family made famous in his brother, Augusten Burrough's, book and movie, Running with Scissors. John will discuss his time in the music industry, working on the sound for Pink Floyd and making Kiss' famous exploding guitars. John will discuss how his discovery of his own Asperger's Syndrome changed his life, and how he taught himself to use his strong logic to compensate for his weaknesses in reading the non-verbal communication of others. John's talk will include specific advice for students with Asperger's Syndrome and the adults who are trying to help them. http://www.johnrobison.com/

Ann Rowe is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked for over fifteen years at Kingsbury, a multi-service agency encompassing diagnostic testing, tutoring and a special education school for students with language-based learning disabilities.  In addition to neuropsychological testing, Dr. Rowe provides individual and group therapy to students at the Kingsbury Day School.   She was instrumental in the development of the Kingsbury GTLD program, an innovative approach to educating gifted students with complex learning challenges.   Prior to her work at Kingsburyhttp://kingsbury.org, Dr. Rowe was a staff psychologist at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development.  She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Catholic University of America.  Dr. Rowe has presented at the National Association of School Psychologists, the Learning Disabilities Association of America, and the Maryland State Gifted and Talented Education Association.

Sean Rozsics has been the music teacher at the Lab School of Washington since 1987.  Under the tutelage of Sally Smith, he has developed a unique teaching approach that has been successful in allowing learning disabled students to grow and develop as student musicians and participate in an active and vibrant high school music program.  In 2008 he received his Master of Arts Degree in Special Education: Learning Disabilities from The American University in Washington, D.C.  Rozsics, a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has been active in the Washington music scene for two decades and appears frequently in local nightclubs and restaurants. 

Candace Sahm, MA Ed/HD is a coach, educator and advocate, with 1st hand ADHD experience. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Special Vocational Education from George Washington University, and received her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Maryland. She is also Director of Positive Learning Experiences, a private coaching and tutoring company in Bethesda, Maryland. She has been practicing for over 20 years. Candace worked as a graduate intern at the American Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities with Dr. Frank Bowe - “Father of the 504 Plan” - during the plan’s development. The Coalition is known for securing the long-delayed implementation of  Section 504. She was also involved with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) where she presented at a National Conference. In addition, Candace was very involved with the development of a curriculum for special needs students addressing and teaching everyday living skills.
Ms. Sahm headlined a local DC radio show on the topic “ADHD in Children and Adults: Early Intervention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, and Where to Find Support.”  She was joined by well-known psychologists  http://www.drvanderhorst.com/-- Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Dr. Bill d'Alelio, Dr. Phil Pearl, Chief of General Neurology at Children's National Medical Center and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology GWU, and Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, Clinical Neuro-Psychologist also at Children's Hospital and in private practice. She was interviewed on Gary Sandman’s, CEO of Signature Supplements, tele-seminar series. She discussed the important of coaching, tutoring, and nutrition and ADHD.
Her advocacy work raising awareness about the link between ADHD and addiction earned her a 2008 Unsung Hero Award from the CARON Foundation, a renowned national addiction recovery organization. She is currently making a CD featuring experts in the fields of ADHD and Addiction.
see also www.candacesahm.com

Dr. Carole Samango-Sprouse is the Director of NDC for Young Children (www.ndcforyoungchildren.com). The Center specializes in neurodevelopmental assessments of children with complex disorders such as Autism, Chromosomal Variations, and Dyspraxia. Dr. Samango-Sprouse has authored more than 65 scientific, peer reviewed articles regarding the relationship between brain, behavior and neurodevelopment. She has served on numerous parent advocacy boards such Autism Treatment Network and the Autism Genetic Research Exchange (AGRE). She advocates for targeted treatment programs and syndrome-specific goals for each child based on the neurogenetic disorder, their developmental progression and their individual learning style. She has trained pediatric residents at various medical settings and lectures for more than twenty-five years. Dr. Samango-Sprouse has founded the Focus Foundation(thefocusfoundation.org) which is dedicated to increasing awareness and early treatment for children with X and Y disorders, dyspraxia and dyslexia.

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Pat Savage is a graduate of Catholic University of America.  He has practiced as a Licensed Psychologist in Montgomery County for twenty-three years.  He is a fellow of the Maryland Psychological Association (MPA), a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the  National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), and the Association of Practicing Psychologist Montgomery-Prince Georges Counties, Inc (APP).  Dr. Savage serves as chairman of the Professional Practice Committee for MPA and is a member of the Board of Directors and the Legislative Committee of MPA.  He has worked for the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, Montgomery County Public Schools/Montgomery County Health Department, operated an EAP for a major corporation in the area, and served as a peer reviewer/advisor for a local insurance company.  Special interests are:  assessment and treatment of individuals experiencing a variety of disorders affecting brain function from frank injury (TBI, stroke, etc.) to developmental disorders (i.e., AD/HD, Learning Disabilities, Asperger's , PDD, etc.).  He provides treatment for a wide range of mental health issues (depression, anxiety, post traumatic and acute stress, chronic/acute illness, substance use/abuse, marital issues, etc.) in a culturally diverse population ranging in age from 6 through adulthood. Another special interest in working with athletes to enhance their performance through the use of sound psychological principles.  He maintains a full time practice in the Silver Spring and Olney areas. Most recently he has served as guest editor of The Maryland Psychologist and has written a book review and several articles.  He provides talks on AD/HD, parenting,  and executive skills. He can be reached at: R. Patrick Savage, Jr., Ph.D.  301-587-2818,  opt 2, opt 2.http://www.silverspringpsychology.com/

Pat Schuler, a National Certified Counselor, co-founded Creative Insights, a counseling and educational consulting practice in Castleton-on-Hudson, New York.  She specializes in working with high ability children, especially those who are Twice Exceptional.  She has masters' degrees in gifted education (College of New Rochelle) and counseling psychology as well as a doctorate in Educational Psychology (Gifted and Talented Education) from The University of Connecticut.  Her experiences in education include:  regular classroom teacher, Examination Services Specialist for the New York State Department of Education, coordinator and teacher of elementary through high school school-wide enrichment programs, and research associate at The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. She is the author of the NRC/GT's monograph, Voices of Perfectionism: Perfectionistic Gifted Adolescents in a Rural Middle School; the chapter, Perfectionism in Gifted Children and Adolescents in The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children: What Do We Know? and is co-author of the chapter Gifted and Talented Students on the Autism Spectrum: Best Practices for Fostering Talent and Accommodating Concerns in the soon to be published book A Kaleidoscope of Special Populations in Gifted Education: Understanding Our Most Able Students from Diverse Backgrounds.

        Pat has presented both nationally and internationally on issues related to gifted education, especially underachieving gifted students, twice exceptional children, differentiation in the classroom, perfectionism, and the social and emotional issues of gifted students.

Dr. Daniel Shapiro was an undergraduate at Michigan State University. He received his Medical Degree in 1982 from George Washington University. He did his Pediatric Residency Training at Children's Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, D. C.  After thirteen years of practicing General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland he has exclusively practiced Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics out of his home office in Rockville, Maryland.

Marc Sickel, A.T.C. founded Fitness for Health in 1989 to fulfill his dream of helping children maximize their physical potential. Since then, his innovative and creative approach to fitness has helped kids of all ages enjoy the benefits of physical activity—and have fun at the same time. By using specialized equipment and unique methods, Marc has created an exciting, safe environment where kids can develop the motivation and confidence to learn new skills and take on new challenges. Marc has been featured on the NBC Today Show, Fox TV Morning News, and WUSA TV-9, as well as in The Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Potomac Almanac, and Tennis Magazine. Prior to starting Fitness for Health, he was the Athletic Trainer at the Landon School in Bethesda and the Fitness Director at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Marc graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer with more than 24 years of experience

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Dr. Larry Silver, a Child and Adolecent psychiatrist, is in private practice in the Washington, D.C. area.  He is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown Medical Center.  Prior to his current activities he was the Acting Director and the Deputy Director of the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health.  Prior to his position at the National Institute of Mental Health he was Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Pediatrics, and Chief of the Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine.

Dr. Stephan M. Silverman is a Licensed Psychologist in Maryland and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. He is retired from a 30-year career as a School Psychologist in the Montgomery County School System (MCPS) and has been maintaining a private practice as a licensed psychologist in Maryland since 1975. Dr. Silverman has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Emory University. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with attention deficits, learning disabilities, and low incidence developmental disorders, including autistic spectrum disorders. He specializes in working with parents of children with disabilities and children who underachieve. Dr. Silverman also evaluates and counsels young adults with disabilities in life transitions. For over 18 years, Dr. Silverman provided field-training supervisor for practicum, extern, and intern students from universities around the U.S. He has taught at the college level and has lectured to a wide group of psychologists, educators, parents, and related health providers. Dr. Silverman has provided consultative support to a wide range of educational groups and schools. He lectures frequently on Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD.

Dr. Silverman has a diverse background. He worked in a private research group investigating combat stress in American helicopter pilots during the Vietnam conflict. He also has served as a child psychologist in a developmental assessment clinic in Israel. Dr. Silverman has appeared in a popular segment on classroom management on national cable television'ss "Learning Channel" as well as on local WJLA-TV "Seven on Your Side in Education", demonstrating assistive technology techniques for the learning disabled. Dr. Silverman has helped to develop a policy for the protection of minority children in the assessment of children with mental retardation and emotional disturbances. Dr. Silverman published a popular book with co-author, Rich Weinfeld, through Prufrock Press entitled "School Success for Kids with Asperger's Syndrome" and is the lead author of "School Success for Kids with ADHD," published in March 2009. His book was featured at the CHADD International Conference in Cleveland in 2009. He was an invited guest on "Voices in the Family" with Dr. Dan Gottlieb on NPR Philadelphia's WHYY about ADHD in 2009, and his book was recently featured in Attention Magazine (December 2009). He is the co-author of a new book, "101 School Success Tools for Children with ADHD", which will be in bookstores in March 2010. Currently, Dr. Silverman is coordinator of assessments for the Weinfeld Education Group and, in that capacity coordinates assessments for the Jewish Social Service Agency of metropolitan Washington, DC.

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Meredith Skeath, M.A., M.F.A. has over forty years teaching experience, at primary, secondary, and college levels.  For the past ten years she has specialized in helping students with language-based learning disabilities and attention and executive function problems.  She helps train tutors for the William Stixrud, Ph.D. educational assessment practice and lectures often to parents and teachers.

Melissa Sornik is a cofounder, former president and current executive director of LI-TECA, Inc., Long Island Twice Exceptional Children's Advocacy, an organization supporting individuals who are gifted with learning differences. She is also the founder and director of the Talent Development Cooperative (TDC), TECA's talent development mentor program. Melissa is a school social worker at Kulanu Academy in Cedarhurst, New York, an educational/vocational program for developmentally disabled middle and high school students. Melissa has lectured on the subjects of twice exceptionality, talent development, giftedness, and learning styles at school districts, local colleges and national conferences. She has co-authored an article on the identification and education of twice exceptional students and maintains a private practice specializing in counseling and support services for children and adolescents and their families. Melissa resides in Sea Cliff, New York. Contact Information: e-mail:  teca01@optonline.net

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Dr. Stefano, founding partner of Spodak, Stefano and Associates, is a clinical psychologist who has worked with children, adolescents and families for the last 20 years. After completing his doctoral internship at the John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (JLG-RICA), he joined the JLG-RICA staff as a psychologist, remaining for the next 15 years. Dr. Stefano assumed various roles during his tenure at JLG-RICA, including providing intensive individual and family therapy to seriously emotionally disturbed students in a residential setting. Dr. Stefano also served as the staff psychologist on the JLG-RICA Evaluation Unit, administering psychological evaluations to children and adolescents referred by the court system. Spodak, Stefano & Associates; http://www.spodakstefano.com/

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William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist who has been in private practice since 1985.  He is the director of William Stixrud and Associates, a group practice specializing in the neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and adults with learning, attentional, social, and/or emotional disorders.  William Stixrud and Associates also offers a tutoring service and a lecture series to provide education to professionals and parents.  Dr. Stixrud is additionally a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the Children's National Medical Center, and he holds a faculty appointment as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.  He has previously held an appointment at the Georgetown University Medical School and has served as a consultant to the Division of Neuropsychology at the National Institutes of Health. For the past 20 years, Dr. Stixrud has been extensively involved in the training and supervision of psychologists and learning specialists.  He is also a frequent lecturer on topics related to neuropsychological assessment, learning and executive disorders, brain development, brain-based learning, motivation, and the effects of stress and sleep deprivation on the brain.  He is the author of a book, Plain Talk About Early Education and Development, and he has authored book chapters and/or articles on children with epilepsy, adolescent brain development, self-regulation, self-esteem, homework, and the effects of Transcendental Meditation on students with ADHD.  Dr. Stixrud has been quoted often in publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Barron's, and Vogue. In September 2007 Dr. Stixrud was the first recipient of the Siena School's Cypress Leadership Award for leadership and service in the field of learning disabilities. Dr. Stixrud holds a doctorate degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota.  He did his pre-doctoral internship in Pediatric and Clinical Psychology at the Children's Hospital of Boston, as a fellow of the Harvard Medical School, and he received his post-doctoral training in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Tufts New England Medical Center. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Stixrud worked as a staff neuropsychologist at the Children's National Medical Center and the Georgetown University Medical School. Dr. William R. Stixrud is also a musician and plays in the band, Larry and the Flames.

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Dr. Brenda Terry-Leonard is a licensed psychologist who earned her doctorate in counseling psychologist from Howard University in 1999; her subspecialty was family systems psychotherapy.  Dr. Terry-Leonard completed her pre-doctoral internship at Wichita State University's Counseling and Testing Center in Wichita, Kansas.  There, she provided a range of psychological services to a university community and through a county outpatient clinic.  Dr. Terry-Leonard also earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology and Master of Education in counseling psychology from Howard University.  After completing her master's, Dr. Terry-Leonard worked as a parent involvement coordinator for a family life program and then as a family therapist for a residential community.  Dr. Terry-Leonard has provided clinical services to adults, adolescents, and children in a range of settings.  Currently, she is a psychologist at the Kingsbury Center in the Department of Diagnostic & Psychological Services.  She provides psychotherapy to children and adolescents with learning disabilities and completes psychological testing as well.  Previously, she served as a therapist for the Alexandria Department of Mental, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse - providing services at a middle school and an adolescent health clinic.  In this capacity, she provided diagnostic and therapeutic intervention services to adolescents who exhibited emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties.  Dr.  Terry-Leonard has also served as a psychologist at the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants & Young Children located in Rockville.  There, she completed psychological assessments and mental health evaluations, provided play therapy and psychoeducation, and participated on attachment teams. http://kingsbury.org

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Karin Tulchinsky-Cohen is currently the Director of Training for the Weinfeld Education Group. Karin develops and implements trainings in the areas of curriculum and instruction, evaluation and leadership, and special needs advocacy. Karin has been an instructor on the university level where she has taught courses on Smart Kids with Learning Differences. Karin served as the Director of Educational Administration for Sulam, Inc., a nonprofit program for children with special needs. In this capacity, she provided administrative leadership to support and evaluate teachers, worked closely with the mainstream partner school, and managed a variety of different aspects of the K-12 program. Karin was previously employed by Montgomery County Public Schools as a Staff Development Content Specialist focusing on Gifted and Talented Education, K- 12. As a Content Specialist, Karin's support to schools took many forms: including training, supporting individual schools' efforts to meet the needs of a variety of learners and supporting teachers to nurture the gifts of underserved populations. Karin spent many years in Baltimore County Public Schools where she worked in a variety of capacities. As a Resource Teacher, she wrote curriculum and supported teachers of Gifted and Talented Education programs, in her role as a Department Chair in a large high school she worked with new teachers and taught several different classes, and she was also a classroom teacher for grades 6 -12, social studies and English. Karin has also taught children identified for Special Education services in inclusion programs. Karin has been the recipient of three fellowships to Asia including a Fulbright Hays scholarship to China in 1997. Karin's interests include creative writing and yoga. 

Patrick Vongchan works as a science teacher at the Nora School, a small, private high school in downtown Silver Spring, MD. http://www.nora-school.org/ Patrick Vongchan earned dual degrees at UMBC in Biological Sciences and Psychology.  Originally interested in a career in medicine, he found the industry to be far too impersonal.  Looking for a field, which remained in the public service arena but with the capacity for interpersonal connections, he soon fell into education.  Patrick now is in his 4th year at the Nora School where he instructs several science preps, serves as SGA faculty advisor and softball coach.   Also an instructor for the Silver Spring Upward Bound Program, Patrick has accrued over 6 years of teaching experience. Outside of school Patrick serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Silver Spring Fire Dept, is the Executive Director of Social Advocacy for the Thai Alliance in America and a previously ordained Buddhist Monk.

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Richard Weinfeld, M.Ed. has long been an advocate for quality educational programs for all students. Twenty years of his thirty-year career, with Montgomery County Public Schools, were spent in a variety of leadership roles in special education. He has expertise in working with students with a wide range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and emotional disturbance. He is the director of the Weinfeld Education Group, based in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Mr. Weinfeld served as Montgomery County's first full time coordinator of programs for students who are simultaneously gifted and learning disabled. His first book, "Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential," and his second book, "Helping Boys Succeed in School," are in wide circulation, and are on Prufrock Press' best seller's list. His third book, "School Success for Student's with Asperger's Syndrome," has been a feature book nationally by Barnes and Noble and has received many outstanding reviews.

His newest book, "Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book," was published in March of 2008. He is co-host of a weekly internet radio show, "Teach Your Children Well: Hot Topics in Education," on www.voiceamerica.com. He has written two articles that have been published in Roeper Review, two articles that have been published by Teaching Exceptional Children, an article that has been published in Parenting for High Potential and an article that has been published by Gifted Child Today.

Mr. Weinfeld has been selected to present at numerous national conferences, on topics including appropriate accommodations, boys' issues, Asperger's syndrome, and strength based instruction. He has been an instructor at Johns Hopkins University. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Association for Educators of Gifted Underachieving Student (AEGUS). In addition to his advocacy work, he does extensive parent and staff training and consults with schools about appropriate programming for all students. Mr. Weinfeld directs the Weinfeld Education Group, LLC, a group of educational consultants who provide advocacy, training, assessment and parent support. More information about his endeavors can be found on this site and at www.specialneedsadvocacyinstitute.com.

Mr. Weinfeld received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the American University (summa cum laude). He received his Masters degree from Trinity College and is certified in early childhood and elementary education, special education, administration and supervision.

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Thomas G. West is the author of the award-winning book In the Mind's Eye--Creative Visual Thinkers, Gifted Dyslexics and the Rise of Visual Technologies, recognized by the American Library Association as one of the “best of the best” for the year. According to Oliver Sacks, MD: “In the Mind's Eye . . . stands alongside Howard Gardner's Frames of Mind as a testament to the range of human talent and possibility.”  West is also the author of Thinking Like Einstein--Returning to Our Visual Roots with the Emerging Revolution in Computer Information Visualization. In the Mind's Eye was published in Japanese translation as Geniuses Who Hated School. A Chinese translation was published in 2004. After 15 printings in English and 18 years in print, West's publisher, Prometheus Books, requested a second edition of In the Mind's Eye. Mr. West has been invited to provide presentations for scientific, medical, art, design, computer and business groups in the U.S. and overseas, including groups in Switzerland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Institutional address: Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, Member of the Advisory Board, 4400 University Drive, MS 2A1, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444. Research Scholar Study Office 1W-16C, National Library of Medicine. Office tel.: 202-262-1266. Email: thomasgwest@gmail.com or thomasgwest@aol.com. Blog:http://inthemindseyedyslexicrenaissance.blogspot.com.

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Rondalyn Varney Whitney, MOT, OTR/L is a dynamic and creative speaker who has lectured as an invited speaker on topics related to learning differences, sensory processing and caregiver burden to multiple groups across the country and in Canada. She is currently the Representative Assembly Alternate for the American Occupational Therapy Association and is a former board member of the state Occupational Therapy Association in California and played an active part in the attainment of licensure and initiated the task force on Guidelines for School Based Practice.

Formerly an instructor at San Jose State University and Towson University, Ms. Whitney recently joined Kennedy Krieger Institute as Research Coordinator and coordinates a multisite, HRSA outcome study focused on establishing strong evidence related to social skills for ASD students. She is the former clinic director and founder of The Lighthouse Project, is a published poet, a writer, the mother of a wonderfully successful teenager with NLD and a precociously social Kindergartener. She lives in Towson, MD. Kennedy Krieger Institute; http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_misc.jsp?pid=2472&bl=1

Eric Wolf was first "proclaimed" to be dyslexic in fourth grade.  Now he is a college graduate and runs a professional internet business including articles, images, and podcasts/interviews with professional storytellers called the Art of Storytelling Show.  This is heard in over 14 countries with over 7,000 downloads a month.  You can read his thoughts on being dyslexic on his blog.  Eric has performed stories at the Museum of Natural History and has participated as an Mcee at the Smithsonian.You can find out more about Eric at his blog sites; http://storytellingwithchildren.ning.com/video
Another is http://dyslexicstoryteller.blogspot.com/   and one final one  is http://www.theartofstorytelling.com/

Marilyn Zecher, a nationally certified Academic Therapist and nationally recognized speaker/presenter, was trained in Orton-Gillingham Instructional Techniques and offers Workshops and Classes in a number of areas: Multisensory Math I & II, Multisensory Classroom Strategies, Handwriting, Multisensory Algebra, English & Written Language, Spanish for the LD Student, Study Skills, Multisensory Instruction Across the Curriculum. She is presently on the senior staff at The Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center, Rockville, MD

Bonnie Zucker, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist with a background and expertise in psychotherapy with children, adolescent, and adults.  She received her doctoral degree from Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, her Master's degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Baltimore, and her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from George Washington University.  Dr. Zucker specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adults utilizing a cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach.  She has significant experience working with children with learning differences, including completing pre-doctoral training at the HALP (Hyperactivity, Attention, Learning Problems) clinic at University of Chicago and her post-doctoral training administering neuropsychological assessments at Stixrud & Associates. In addition to CBT, she integrates a family systems approach and works with parents to help them learn the most appropriate responses to their child's anxiety symptoms.  She conducts psychotherapy at Alvord, Baker, & Associates in Rockville, MD and at the National Center for the Treatment of Phobias, Anxiety and Depression in Washington, DC.  In addition to being active in conducting trainings on CBT for anxiety, Dr. Zucker wrote Anxiety-Free Kids: An Interactive Guide for Parents and Children, a self-help book for children with anxiety disorders and their parents.

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