Families searching for special education options in the greater Little Rock area are welcome to attend this free presentation. From 9:00 am to 12:00 multiple organizations will present on different aspects of special education, including:

• Panel of parents with special education children. Various school districts, private special education schools, and charter schools represented.
• IEPs and Arkansas regulations of special education: Kathy Balkman, independent educational consultant, and Dr. Bruce Smith, UALR Professor
• Medicaid waiver 101 for disabled individuals--how to apply and what it offers: Ashleigh Concoran of Easter Seals Arkansas
• Academic Solutions for the Struggling Reader and Writer: Janice Edmonson, M.S., CCC-SLP, Technology and Resource Coordinator, Access Group, Inc.
• Autism and Academics: Dr. Sabine Falls, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, ACCESS Group, Inc. Students with Asperger's disorder and high-functioning autism disorder may be predisposed to certain learning difficulties. Learn what these challenges are, how to evaluate for them and why typical evaluations may detect their educational needs.
• CIRCUIT Statewide educational consulting: Dr. Jennifer Hennessey and Dr. Kamelah Banks, Arkansas Department of Education Behavioral Intervention Consultants
• Evaluations: intelligence tests, achievements tests, and other factors: Susan Jeter, Licensed Psychological Examiner of Educational Edge
• Mental health treatment in the schools: Pamela Marshall, Esq., from the Arkansas Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

Admission priority is given to the families and guardians of special needs children. The event is geared towards preschool parents seeking school choices, but depending on ticket choices we can refocus the presentations on parent concerns.

The format of the conference is of simultaneous presentations where parents can pick and choose the area of interest. The tentative schedule of event is:

8:30 - 9:00 check in and visit with tabling organizations

9:00 - 9:45 Parent Panel in all four meeting rooms of E-Wing

10:00 - 10:45 Choose from the following simultaneous presentations:

1. Medicaid Waiver
2. Mental Health in the Schools
3. Behavior Management and Autism
4. IEPs and Special Education Regulations (repeats)

11:00 - 11:45 Choose from the following simultaneous presentations:

1. Educational Evaluations
2. Reading and Writing Delays
3. CIRCUIT statewide educational consulting
4. IEPs and Special Education Regulations (repeated)

In addition, a number of groups will have tables available to answer your questions or offer additional information throughout the morning.  These groups include:

ACCESS Schools

Academy At Riverdale

Arkansas Federation of Families For Children's Mental Health

Autism Speaks

Community Connections/Pediatrics Plus

Disability Rights Center

Easter Seals Arkansas

Eye Contact Arkansas

Learning Disabilities Association of Arkansas

Pathfinder, Inc.

Riley's Warriors

Please contact Marjorie Greenberg at chenaltutor@gmail.com or 501-821-4808 for further assistance on presentations, attending, etc.

We look forward to seeing you at this inaugural event!