Dear Colleagues,

Sorry for the last minute notice, I had meant to email this group a few weeks ago and just realized that I never did. I am offering free webinars next week that some of you might find helpful. Space is still available in 4 of the sessions. Many of you may be in the same situation as me. The awful economy has hurt my practice and I can no longer afford to attend conferences and conventions which require travel.  The need to help others in a more cost efficient way prompted me to produce these webinars. They are very user-friendly, affordable and an ideal way for professionals to keep up to date without spending much time or money. Next week's sessions are a great way to learn more about using technology in your practice. I am offering an entire series of 10 additional webinars, but the rest will cost $50.00 each. The introcutory session next week are free. The entire series is spread out over the year. I had hoped to offer CEUs, but the company that had said they would take care of it for me did not follow through. ASHA makes it so hard for small businesses to offer CEUs. It is a shame.

I would really appreciate it if you could help me spread the word to others who may benefit. These webinars are open to families as well as professionals.

Here is the info..

 Innovative Technology Treatment Solutions

Webinar Series

2008-2009

I am pleased to offer a FREE introductory live interactive Webinar as well as 10 additional more in-depth sessions to help families and professionals learn about cutting edge resources which can enhance success for people with communication and cognitive deficits.  Computer-based intervention is a great way for people of all ages to learn new skills. Learn in the comfort of your home or office and save time and money searching for effective software, websites and devices. All you need is a computer with high-speed Internet access. No prior computer experience is needed. Sign up now to become empowered to take the lead with your own rehabilitation, remediation and program development efforts.

During these user- friendly classes, I feature strategies and resources that my many years of experience in the field of speech-language pathology and assistive technology have shown to really work. I have selected what I perceive to be the software of greatest value and demonstrate and discuss how technology and other resources can be used to help a wide variety of individuals with unique needs and goals. When used appropriately, the software programs, online sites, devices and techniques which are shown can help improve the quality of life for children and adults who struggle with communication, cognitive, learning and literacy disabilities.

The sessions described below are ideal for education and rehabilitation professionals and graduate students as well as families who want to learn how to help loved ones who are confronted with reading, writing, speaking, listening, and cognitive challenges.

Questions and comments are encouraged during these live sessions with the use of text chat so that we can learn from each other. Participants may use either a PC or a Mac computer. No prior computer experience is needed. You will be able to view my desktop on your monitor and hear me as I discuss strategies and resources.

To learn more about me and my approach toward helping others, check out www.innovativespeech.com.

Receive a coupon for a 30% discount on the purchase of "Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician's Guide" (available at www.ittsguides.com) as you register for a session. Just type in the word "webinar" as a coupon code.

To register for a free session, go to http://www.ittsguides.com/store and click on the link for Webinars. Pre-registration is required. Additional details to participate in the conference will be sent to you after you register.

No refunds for paid sessions will be provided, but you may switch to another session up to 24 hours in advance by notifying me at Joan@.... A certificate of completion will be emailed for paid courses for each registered participant.

Please contact me if you would like to arrange special Webinars for graduate courses, conferences, your work setting or family. Sessions can be tailored to meet your needs.

For more information, email me at Joan@... or call 1-800-IST-2550.

Session #1- Free 60minute session- An introduction to the many benefits of how technology can be used to improve talking, reading, writing, listening, thinking, learning and remembering.

Monday, October 27^th- 9:00-10:00 AM   EST

Monday, October 27^th -12:30-1:30 PM    EST

Thursday, October 30^th -12:30-1:30 PM EST

Thursday, October 30^th -7:30-8:30 PM EST

This session will include an introductory discussion of: the benefits of computer use, options for computer access, software and computer selection and setup considerations and supportive research. I will demonstrate a few top picks for affordable text readers, online interactive programs, and drill and practice multi-sensory products.  While showing you a variety of products and online resources, I will speak about how they can be used to improve communication, cognition and learning.

 

Session #2-  90 minute session. $50.00   The benefit of games and my top 10 picks for free online interactive sites to improve communication, cognition and literacy

Monday November 10, 2008   12:30-2:00 EST

Thursday, November 13, 2008  9:00-10:30 EST

Traditional and computer based games and free online interactive websites are often treatment goldmines. They can be used creatively and effectively to help a wide range of children and adults with severe to mild deficits. This session will include a review of: goal areas that can be addressed with games and free online interactive activities, traditional games, resources for adapted games, new educational gaming technologies, mainstream gaming software, and my top 10 picks for free online interactive sites.

Session #3- 90 minute session. $50.00   Innovative Interventions that offer new help and hope for adults with aphasia

Monday, December 2, 2008   12:30- 2:00 EST

Wednesday, December 5, 2008  9:00-10:30 EST

It has been reported that more than 1 million people are living with aphasia in the U.S. Research has shown that computer use can help establish new connections in the brain, yet many stroke survivors and others with aphasia have never been exposed to many resources that may help them improve. The brain is capable of new learning, especially when properly stimulated intensively over a short period of time.  When used correctly, the use of technology empowers clients and their families to continue with "therapy" after discharge from a formal program. It is imperative that people with aphasia and those who are their advocates be exposed to the many resources that can enhance the rehabilitation process. In this presentation, I will introduce you to a variety of technological solutions help individuals with aphasia maximize their verbal, auditory, reading, writing and executive skills. I will also present simplified email programs, software to help keep the brain sharp, long distance communication solutions, and the use of the computer to improve community access. This session is not intended for people with aphasia, but rather for their caregivers and the professionals who are providing help. Learn about customizable multi-sensory drill and practice software, text readers to help with reading comprehension, software to help with word prediction and word retrieval, adapted email, online information and support groups and other helpful resources to improve overall quality of life.

Session #4-  90 minute session. $50.00   Top tools and strategies to improve attention, auditory comprehension, thinking, organization and  memory

Tuesday, January 6, 2009   12:30- 2:00 EST

Thursday January 8, 2009   9:00-10:30 EST

Cognitive impairments in memory, reasoning, attention and judgment as well as difficulty understand what others say are prominent roadblocks for functional independence and learning. Computers can both compensate for and provide drill multisensory drill and practice to improve attention, auditory comprehension, processing and memory. I plan to review my top 10 picks for helpful software, devices and strategies to restore and compensate for cognitive and auditory comprehension challenges.  

Session #5- 90 minute session. $50.00   Reading, writing, studying and organizing help for students

February. 2009

This session was designed with proactive parents as well as educators in mind. We will discuss how technology can be used to improve literacy and learning, several top picks for mainstream preschool and elementary school software, and specialized software for students. Software offering curriculum-based support, word processing software, muli-media and current events software, and other tools and devices offering visual and auditory based support will be presented.

Session #6- 90 minute session. $50.00   Treatment and technology to improve expressive communication- Part 1 

March, 2009

A multimedia approach using sound, text, and pictures helps with the development and recovery of verbal communication. In this session, I will explore with you the use of technology to assist with improved talking as well as strategies for helping people who struggle to make themselves understood. Verbal expression deficits can be the result of motor, structural, and pragmatic impairments from injuries or disorders such as: stroke, head injury, aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, dementia, progressive neurologic disease, developmental delay, language and learning disabilities, foreign accents, learning English as a second language, hearing loss, autism, voice disorder or intubation. I will review software program characteristics for speech goals and provide an overview of assistive strategies and technology for basic verbal expressive needs.  During this session, I plan to provide examples of software that use features such as: close-up video of mouth movement, pictures with accompanying text and sounds of common words, pictures shown in natural settings, software targeting practice on specific speech sounds, software produced to increase the length of utterances and improved syntax, products with authoring capability, software with verbal expression tasks in the presence of cognitive challenges, text readers, dialogue tasks, visual or graphic feedback of speech and voice production and voice recognition.

Session #6- 90 minute session. $50.00  Treatment and technology to improve expressive communication-  Part 2

April, 2009

There are many tools and resources that can be used to help improve verbal expression in addition to the wide variety of software presented in Part 1 of this session. I will discuss and present many types of devices and assistive communication tools and strategies that can be used to facilitate expressive communication such as: simple communication items with no voice output, voice output communication devices, communication software that can be used on an individual's computer, devices and software that can clarify a person's own speech, telephone, videophones, music and training of communication partners.

Session #7- 90 minute session. $50.00   Assisted living care facilities, Adult Day Care and Retirement Communities

May, 2009

Computers can provide a source of enjoyment as well as help people in long-term living situations improve and maintain communication and cognition. Learn to develop a plan to integrate technology into your programs to improve residential quality of life. Areas of computer related interest may include: regular and simplified e-mail programs, word processing with accessibility options, text readers for improved reading comprehension and writing, mainstream software to help keep the brain sharp, specialized software to help improve communication or cognitive weaknesses, games for cognitive stimulation and enjoyment, videophones to stay in touch with family, the use of the Internet for research and shopping, digital greeting cards and web sites and listservs pertaining to particular hobbies and interests. We will review computer setup considerations and brainstorm solutions for providing support for residents in your facility.

Session # 8- 90 minute session. $50.00   Rehabilitation facilitates, clinics and private practice settings- Learn to develop a plan to integrating technology in the treatment process

June, 2009

This session will include considerations when getting starting in this world of technology, how to invest your time and money when setting up or improving your service delivery model, suggestions for creating flexible and interesting multimedia treatment and practice programs, ideas to increase referrals and revenue, and my top 10 picks for cool tools to use in treatment with a wide range of clients. We will also discuss how to develop effective home practice programs for your client after discharge.

Session # 9- 90 minute session. $50.00  Therapy at Home

August, 2009

This session was designed with home health care providers and family members in mind. I plan to discuss: the advantages and disadvantages of  treatment at home, considerations for the home computer and learning environment, and my 10 top affordable software suggestions for use in the home.

 Session # 10- 90 minute session. $50.00   The Internet, online communication tools and Web 2.0

 September, 2009

The Internet is changing the way we interact with each other and free state-of-the-art technologies now offer rehabilitation and education professionals as well as people with communication and cognitive challenges and those who help them more effective ways to enhance their ability to function and facilitate success. Learn about adapted email, instant messaging, podcasts, RSS feeds, text messaging, videoweb, listservs. social networking sites, web browsers, online support and discussion groups and other collaborative and communication tools. I will present my top 10 picks for online technologies which can have a positive impact on the life of people with disabilities and those who help them. 

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Joan L. Green, M.A. CCC-SLP
www.innovativespeech.com
www.ittsguides.com
Author of "Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician's Guide"

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