If you are a parent, carer, educator or therapist to children and young people with special educational needs, then the forthcoming Sensational Kids Special Educational Needs Conference and Expo is an event not to be missed.
Taking place at the Citywest Hotel across April 19th – 20th, the event will feature a world-class line-up of 40 exhibitors and speakers all aiming to provide the knowledge, skills and materials necessary to support children and young people with special needs to the very highest standard.
Organised to mark World Autism Awareness Month, topics covered will include autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Catered to parents, teachers, Special Needs Assistants, and Occupational and Play Therapists, the conference will feature talks and seminars as well as an exhibition of Special Educational Needs products. Support groups will also be on hand to offer advice and information throughout the duration of the event.
Highlights from the conference line-up include:
- Professor Tony Attwood, world-renowned expert in high-functioning autism/ Asperger’s syndrome, will walk attendees through strategies for dealing with teens living with the condition as well as how to handle the bullying and depression that can go hand-in-hand with it.
- Leading occupational therapist Dr Sydney Chu will be sharing practical tips to help families and children with ADHD, using a family-centred approach. He will also speak on sensory processing issues and how they impact a child’s daily life.
- Professor Amanda Kirby will explain how to deliver person-centred approaches in education, and will also speak on a ‘life-span’ approach to DCD/ dyspraxia.
- Liz Quish will be speaking on how to understand and respond to self-harm in a proactive manner.
- Alex Kelly will address how to develop social skills and self-esteem among children and young people.
- Tania Ferrandino’s workshops on handwriting and keyboard-typing ‘without tears’ will show attendees how to make learning fun and interactive.
- The impact of having a child with special needs on the family will be explored by Dr Aoife Lyons.
- Patrick Hynes will be discussing how to incorporate Fine Motor and Gross Motor activities into the classroom and home.
- Pat Devenney and James Northridge will tackle practical strategies for teaching and using technology to help children with dyslexia.
- Katie Cremin will explore the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the secondary school experience.
- The subject of helping children and young people to cope with anxiety and stress will be addressed by Gayle Kearney.
Attendees will also get to enjoy the musical stylings of the High Hopes Choir, who have touched hearts and minds with their incredible performances.
This really is a must-attend event for anyone living or working with children and young people with special educational needs. Tickets are still available, and you can log on to www.sensationalkids.ie for more information. Alternatively, you can get in touch by phone, at 045 520900.
If you wish to follow the event on Facebook, check out this link; you can do so on Twitter by using the #SenKidsSENC hashtag.
