December SEPAC Meeting

Elise Wulff from MGH Aspire will be joining us on December 10th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss practical strategies to support Executive Functioning in remote and hybrid learning, both household and individual, to help make the best of a challenging situation. 

The transition to remote learning gave many parents and caregivers a new data set on their child’s learning and educational skill set. Executive Functioning (EF) plays a huge role in a student’s ability and success accessing curriculum, whether in the classroom or from home. And, the challenges and complexities of learning in the COVID pandemic require a greater emphasis on supporting organization, initiation and follow-through, self-regulation, and flexibility- all core EF skills. This workshop will give an overview of the core EF concepts, and how to spot them in your child/student(s) specifically during this period of pandemic learning. We will discuss the importance of identifying your child’s EF profile to best match the specific and appropriate strategy to the source of the challenge.

Elise Wulff has more than a decade of experience working with the neurodiverse population, their families, and professionals in both the public and private sectors. With MGH Aspire since 2008, Elise oversees Child and AspireWorks programming and related services. Elise also provides personalized parent coaching, school-based consultation, and professional development. Prior to joining Aspire, Elise worked as an Inclusion Facilitator for a therapeutic intervention program for students with Asperger’s, NVLD, ADHD, and similar profiles. In collaboration with Aspire, Elise co-wrote a multi-year tiered self-awareness curriculum based on Aspire’s model ‘The Science of Me,’ as well as curricula to address enhancing Executive Functioning skills and supporting resistant writers. Elise is recognized for her work supporting school districts to enhance their inclusion practices and foster healthy social-emotional development and self-awareness. She has specific expertise in program design, social-emotional curriculum, tools to build student independence, and strategies for positive behavioral interventions. Elise provides personalized parent coaching, school-based consultation, and professional development for providers. Elise received her undergraduate degree in psychology and theater arts from Emory University and her master’s degree in special education from Lesley University.

Please e-mail sepac@doversherborn.org to request meeting login information.

Welcome Back to SEPAC

The Dover-Sherborn SEPAC meetings will be remote for the time being. Because of this, please make sure to e-mail us to opt-in to messages that will provide regular updates, including login information for our remote meetings.

Meetings will occur:

  • Friday, November 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, January 15, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 12 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m.
  • June TBD

ADHD: Don’t Skip the Facts

Hosted by Commonwealth Learning Center
Thursday, 3/21/19
7:00-9:00pm
220 Reservoir Street
Suite 6
Needham, MA

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect individuals of all ages, and today the evaluation of ADHD and executive functioning and is more sophisticated than ever before. This workshop will explain the diagnostic criteria and testing for the three different types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive, and combination-type. Assessments and behavior rating scales will also be discussed, along with an introduction to pharmacological treatment (both stimulant medications and non-stimulant) and strategies to cope with attention impairment. Admission is free, but space is limited and first come, first served. Light refreshments will be provided. Learn more and RSVP here.

Learning Solutions Summer 2019 Programs

Sponsored by Learning Solutions
49 Walpole Street, Suite 5/6
Norwood, MA

Learning Solutions offers 7 weeks of half-day social skills programming this summer for children ages 4-10 and teens ages 11-18. Activities include interest-based games and/or projects combined with support navigating the social world of expected behaviors. Their supported outings into the local community are designed to engage groups in fun, collaborative problem solving and learning. Learn more and view their summer program brochure here.

Comorbidity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Hosted by the League School of Greater Boston
Thursday, 3/14/19
4:00-6:00pm
League School of Greater Boston
Vetstein Auditorium
300 Boston-Providence Turnpike
Walpole, MA

Comorbid disorders are very common in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Unfortunately, many of these co-occurring disorders are not recognized, even though many are treatable. Some frequently co-occurring disorders include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, seizure disorders, sensory disorders, sleep disorders and GI disorders.
Treating these co-occurring disorders in the context of a treatment plan for ASD can lighten the burden for the ASD child and family and permit the child to function at a more optimal level at home, school and in the community. This program will be presented by Dr. Clare O’Callaghan, R.N., C.S., Ed.D. – a neuropsychologist and psychiatric nurse in private practice, recently retired from the South End CHC where she was the Clinical Director of the children’s mental health program and the Training Director for the mental health program. She has served on the Board of Directors at League School since 1980. Learn more and register to attend for free, here.

Sensory-Friendly Kite Day

Sponsored by Advocates
Saturday, 4/27/19
11:00am-2:00pm
Bose Corporation
The Mountain
Framingham, MA

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance month. Join Advocates for a fun, festival-like afternoon atop Bose Mountain in Framingham and bring your kite! This event is for individuals with autism and others who would benefit from a sensory-friendly environment. There will be trackless train rides, rebounders, police and fire vehicles, interactive music therapists, kite flying, food from Wegmans, ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s and more. The cost is $5 per car. Learn more here.

Parent Workshop: The Role of Technology in Living and Learning

Presented by Academy Metrowest
Wednesday, 3/13/19
7:15-8:45pm
Academy MetroWest
218 Speen Street
Natick, MA

Drs. Al Cotugno, Ph.D., and Peter Szuch, Ph.D. will be presenting “All Good or All Bad (Maybe Neither): The Role of Technology in Living and Learning.” The presenters will target issues of importance to parents related to technology’s place in children’s school and home lives. They will highlight recent research and evidence about its benefits and disadvantages that may influence and guide parenting practices in this new age and provide focused discussion points for analysis. Learn more and register here.

Webinar: Why is My Child Struggling in School? Executive Function Skills and a Roadmap to Success

Presented by Dr. Joseph Moldover and Michael Delman
Tuesday, 12/11/18
7:00-9:00pm

In this webinar, neuropsychologist Dr. Joe Moldover helps explain the process of evaluating children for learning differences and what the results tell you about how to support your child. Then, Michael Delman M. Ed., shares his expertise as an Executive Function coach, providing tips and strategies that can help students build the skills they need to be happy, confident, and successful learners. Learn more and register here.

A Full Life Ahead: Supported Decision Making

Presented by Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change in partnership with Advocates
Thursday, 12/13/18
6:30-8:30pm
Advocates Main Office
1881 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA

Supported Decision Making is an alternative to guardianship that allows an individual with a disability to work with a team and make choices about his or her life. Under this model, the individual designates a support network, sometimes called a circle of support, to help him or her with decision making. Learn more and register here.

Sensory Friendly Performance of Disney’s ‘High School Musical On Stage!’

Presented by Dover-Sherborn Middle School
Saturday, 12/8/18
1:00pm
Mudge Auditorium
9 Junction Street
Dover, MA

Individuals with sensory or special needs are warmly encouraged to attend the Saturday matinee performance of this musical. There will be a calming corner with bean bags, sensory toys, and volunteers to provide support as needed. Purchase tickets at www.ticketstage.com and be sure to select the 1:00pm performance.