Sensory Star™ Events
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"Celebrating the Strengths of Autism”
Seminar Schedule
| 8:30 | Set-up & registration | |
| 9:25 | Brian Eitniear | Special music |
| 9:30 | Karl Tehrani | Introduction & preview |
| Christopher Beaver | Architecture for autism | |
| Mayor Dyer of Orlando | Special Address | |
| Craig Evans | Introduction to technology | |
| Featured Speaker | ||
| 9:50 | Michael Leventhal | Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you - Introduction to video modeling |
| Keynote Speaker | ||
| 10:45 | Robin Ziino | Intro to Dr. Stephen Shore a sister's perspective |
| Dr. Stephen Shore | Observations on music, advocacy & understanding the hidden curriculum: how they helped me | |
| Karen Howard | Special music | |
| 12:00 | Lunch break | |
| Sensory Processing Experts | ||
| 1:30 | Lindsey Biel | Sensory processing issues |
| Brian K. Dery | Walking in the Dark | |
| Kimberly LaRochelle | Hemispheric integration therapy - parent's view | |
| Dr. Nelson Mañé | Hemispheric integration therapy - medical view | |
| Autism Advocates | ||
| 2:40 | Carol Tucker | Princeton Charter School |
| Judee Samuels | UCF CARD conference coordinator/Director of PALS | |
| Ann Millan | Autism advocacy | |
| Dennis Debbaudt | Safety issues | |
| Short break | ||
| Arts for Autism | ||
| 3:40 | Lisa Firestone | Special music |
| Steve Selpal | Local artist - personal journey | |
| David Pedemonte-Forte | Local artist - self advocacy | |
| Keri Bowers & Company | Celebration of the arts for autism | |
| Movie presentation | ||
| 5:00 |
Keri Bowers & Taylor Cross |
Special movie screening: Normal People Scare Me |
| 6:30 | Program Concluded |
Michael Leventhal, has been a Special Educator for 26 years, 24 at the Robin Ward School for Exceptional Children. He produced three documentaries on pilot programs for autism and was the first teacher to use video documentation for New York State Alternate Assessment. He has engaged hundreds of Spectrum students in computer activities that promote metacognition, language and communication and is currently joining educational stakeholders in an online collaboration to encourage use of video-based instruction with autism.
Mr. Leventhal shared the following presentation:
"Mr. Watson - Come here - I want to see you."
While most people intuitively understand the value of the telephone, we are only just beginning to appreciate to what extent video and computers can help in autism education. This presentation is an introduction to the topic, designed to increase appreciation for how this technology can impact communication, promote self-awareness and improve educational outcomes.
Video Modeling is an extremely valuable and under utilized tool that all parents and professionals will want to begin implementing after experiencing this presentation by Michael Leventhal.
Our special Key Note speaker will be:
Dr. Stephen Shore
Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Dr. Shore is a professor at Adelphi University teaching courses in special education and autism.
In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.
President emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.
At this Sensory Star Events seminar, Dr. Shore gave presentations that include the following topics:
- Promoting Social Inclusion of People with Autism and other disabilities in Education
- Understanding the “Hidden Curriculum” for people on the autism spectrum
- MUSIC for People on the Autism Spectrum
Experts, Friends, and Autism Advocates:
Dr. Nelson Mañé, is board certified in chiropractic orthopedics and neurology. He has subspecialty training in childhood neurobehavioral disorders, electro diagnostics, vestibular disorders (balance problems) as well as training in functional medicine. He is one of the most experienced doctors using high power laser therapy. He is a DAN (Defeat Autism Now!) doctor.
Dr. Mañé gave a brief introduction to H.I.T….Hemispheric Integration Therapy.
Hemispheric Integration Therapy is a "drug-free" brain rehabilitation based on the principle of neuroplasticity ( the brains ability to change) which addresses Autism Spectrum Disorders as a neurological condition and as a Functional Disconnect Syndrome. The concept behind this approach is to strengthen weak and under-functioning neurological pathways and/or circuits that lead to areas of the brain that are not having optimal firing or communication with each other, which in turn, causes the brain to become de-synchronized.
Kimberly LaRochelle Is a Florida native, married, and proud mom of 4 wonderful boys. She is a writer of her heart, and try to live by this quote: “When we combine Love and Skill…We create a Masterpiece.” She has chosen to take up a torch for Autism Spectrum Community, after finding tremendous success with Hemispheric Integration Therapy regarding her 3rd son, Levi. After an 8 year search, she has found accomplishment…and she found the “Person”…behind the “Face of Autism”…she found her son!
Ann Millan is the parent of a child with classic autism and author of‘Autism: Believe in the Future, from Infancy to Independence. Ann shared some of the key takeaway concepts in her book HOW education, therapies, and inclusion worked for her daughter and how they survived as a family.
Ann has been a disability advocate for almost forty years, working with parents and professionals on the federal, state, and local level. Ann knows firsthand the importance of self-confidence and determination to make the right decisions. She lives with her husband, Bob, in Florida. They have three girls; the third has autism.
Diane Isaacs Co-Founder & Producer of the Miracle Project. Diane is a Film and Television producer with over 20 years of industry experience. As President of Green Moon Productions, a film company she co-founded with Antonio Banderas, diane produced the Emmy-nominated HBO historical drama And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself, Imagining Argentina with Academy-Award winner Emma Thompson, Antonio Banderas directorial debut Crazy In Alabama, Forever Lulu with Patrick Swayze, Tart starring Mischa Barton, and The Body starring Antonio Banderas.
With Film & English degrees from
As President of Production for the Don Johnson Company, she produced the ABC series The Marshal, the CBS pilot Nash Bridges, and the acclaimed CBS tele-film In The Company Of Darkness starring Helen Hunt.
Her experience in content development, writing, production, music, film, marketing and overall producing is aligned to fulfill The Miracle Project's diverse platforms. Her experience as a mother of a son with autism directs her heart.
Keri Bowers is a filmmaker, consultant, author, and workshop leader in disabilities advocacy, with a specialty in autism. Films include "Normal People Scare Me," "The Sandwich Kid," and "ARTS". Books include "Mapping Transitions to Your Child's Future," and "Single Pregnancy, Single Parenting".
Keri offered a screening of her film “Normal People Scare Me” and was available for one on one discussion and signing of her
Sandra de Nijs is an artist and designer who shows her artwork in museums and galleries throughout the United States. She also teaches for the Community School of the Arts in Orlando, reaching out to underprivileged children in our society. Her years as a substitute teacher in inner city schools in Indiana have brought her into contact with many kinds of children. Her favorite to work with were the autistic kids, that somehow seemed to understand her creative way of thinking. Reaching out to such children with her artwork and her heart always opened minds and brought out the person within. She exhibited her beautiful art at the event.
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