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SKILD organizes a Series of lectures and workshops addressed to teachers and parents of children who have special needs: 3 experts from the USA share their expertise …

From 20 May until 25 May, 2012, SKILD Center (Smart Kids with Individual Learning Difficulties Center) hosted 3 renowned experts in the field of Special Education from the United States of America: Dr. Carolyn Bishop, president of the Consortium for Global Education.

Mrs. Mary Jane Trotti is an Educational Therapist at Parkaire Consultants. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Ball State University, as well as certification in 14 areas including learning disabilities and as a reading specialist. For the past 32 years Mrs. Trotti has worked with students with neurological differences, both as a therapist and a teacher. For the past six years she has been in private practice serving children and families with ADD, OCD, Bi-Polar, Autistic spectrum disorders, and Tourette Syndrome. Her special area of expertise is in working with students experiencing social/emotional difficulties due to Bi-Polar and OCD issues. Mrs. Trotti offers a variety of services to children, adolescents and their families. The services include: individual therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, social skills instruction, academic assessment, and academic therapy, learning strategies, and parenting strategies for children with neurological differences. She has recently implemented new strategies for helping children of all ages with anxiety disorders.

Mrs. Gale Born is also an Educational Consultant at Parkaire Consultants. She holds a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities and Interrelated Special Education. For over thirty years. Mrs. Born’s experience has been diverse; twelve years teaching experience as a classroom teacher, resource room teacher, special reading/language arts teacher and lead teacher. Administrative service includes: Coordinator of Learning Disabilities Services for Atlanta Public School – Area II for three years and Principal of the Howard School, North Campus in Roswell from 1986 to 1999. Mrs. Born has worked with families to find appropriate alternative school placement for over fifteen years.

During their short visit to Lebanon, SKILD guest experts shared their expertise with teachers in the field of Special Education, as well as parents of children with special needs at SKILD, and partner schools namely, Beirut Baptist School, Makassed School, Saint – George School, Beirut Evangelical School for Boys and Girls in Rabieh.  Topics addressed during the different meetings and workshops included:

• Disorders underlying Learning Difficulties & strategies for remediation
• Assessment & Interpretation of assessment results
• Individualized Educational Program (IEP) process
• Implementation of "Collaborative teaching strategies", including design and implementation of IEP’s Behavior modification strategies (psychology, counseling and any other therapeutic measures).
• How to enhance behavioral modification strategies & Tips on Behavior modification

Feedback from participants (parents and teachers) was very encouraging as they thanked the experts for graciously sharing their expertise and practical information as to how best deal with children with learning disabilities and special needs.