On Saturday, June 30, Central Oregon parents, educators and medical professionals will come together at an all-day problem-solving and networking summit aimed at helping children with ADHD, anxiety, depression, Asperger’s and learning struggles succeed in school.
The 2012 Conference will run from 8:15am to 5pm. During that time, Ed+Med Conference host speaker Deborah Coehlo, PhD, C-PNP, PMHS and guest speakers Sanford Shapiro, M. Ed., Gabby Marshall, OD, FCOVD and Kevin Brague, Attorney at Law, will provide information, resources, support and solutions to help the Central Oregon community learn more about addressing the needs and available local resources for children who struggle with ADHD, anxiety, vision, depression, or learning in school. Resource booths will be available to parents and educators throughout the day.
The 2012 Ed+Med Conference will kick off with Coehlo taking the stage at 8:30am. Coehlo, a developmental and behavioral pediatric specialist at Bend’s Juniper Ridge Clinic, will present Health & Learning: School-age Children Succeeding in School.
At 10am, Shapiro, a nationally recognized learning specialist, educational consultant and director of Bend Learning Center, will present Creating Impact Through Insight: Integration of Learning Disabilities and Mental Health. Starting at 11:30am, conference attendees will participate in lunch roundtable discussions. Dr. Marshall, a behavioral optometrist and owner of Elemental Eyecare, is first up after lunch, with Understanding Vision and its Effect on Learning & Primitive Reflexes — the Why behind the What. Special education attorney Brague, the parent of a child with learning differences, will present Advocating and Working with Your School under the IDEA, and Coehlo will wrap up the Conference with conclusions and solutions reached during the day.
The Conference, an annual event in Central Oregon, was created with the goal of closing the gap between education and health care for children and youth. And, according to one education professional who attended the 2011 Ed+Med Conference, that goal is becoming closer to reality thanks to the efforts of those involved with the Conference.
“I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed the conference . . . and how much the parents that attended with us did too,” stated Damiana Thompson, bilingual Head Start advocate. “It was truly incredible! I left with my mind full. . . . The quality of the presenters was impressive and the information they shared was just so interesting. . . . Thank you so much for putting the effort and time and energy into creating such a valuable conference. I already can’t wait for next year!”
Registration for the 2012 Ed+Med Conference is open now. Tickets for parents, teachers, and students are $30 when they contact Ed+Med for discounts; lunch is included. Learn more at www.edmedconference.com.
