Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium 2023

Marlborough, MA, in person on May 1st, Virtual Session, May 2nd, 2023. Open to caregivers and professionals such as Early Interventionists, Early Childhood Educators, Nurses, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Special Education Teachers, Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors and Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Keynote Speaker –  Dr. Jayne Singer, “Supporting the Relationships that Support Children’s Development. * Dr. Singer has been with Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) since 1988 working clinically with families of children facing a wide variety of medical, developmental, emotional, behavioral, and familial challenges. At BCH, she has helped launch such important services as an early detection of Autism program and the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program. She is the past President of the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. * Dr. Singer is the primary author of the Touchpoints in Early Care and Education Reference Guide and the Touchpoints in Reflective Practice guides for practitioners and mentors. For more information visit https://meiconsortium.org/annual-conference/ or contact MEICconference@gmail.com 2023 Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium Workshops

0:45 AM – 12:45 PM – A Session Options A1: The Importance of the Foot in Early Intervention Treatment Presented by Louis J. DeCaro, DPM A2: Toddlers: Behaviors vs. Sensory Needs Presented by Nicole Constantino, OT/L, CEIS A3: Building Relationships in EI: Professionals and Family Members from Varied Cultural and Linguistic Backgrounds Presented by Rachel Aghara, PhD., CCC-SLP and Rosana Urbaez, MEd. A4: Adult Learning in EI: Supporting Parent and EI Specialist Learning Through Critical Reflection Presented by Karen Seniuk, MSW, LICSW, CEIS; Laura Crosby, BS Ed., CEIS; and Nicole Mills, Parent A5: Intentional Play: How to Engage with Intention Presented by Lauren Krueger Weeks, Psy.D. A6: Autism in Girls: Why we are missing them and what we can do about it Presented by Jenny Landry, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CEIS, IMH-E® and Jess Austin, M.Ed., CAGS A7: Navigating the Medical System with a Medically Complex Child Presented by Lacey Smith, M.Ed., TVI, CVI A8: A Comprehensive Look at Transitions Presented by Rebecca Bregman, M.Ed., CEIS and Alex Chatfield, LICSW, CEID A9: Autism Diagnostic Criteria and Insurance Documentation Requirements Presented by Amy Weinstock, M.Arch A10: MassAIMH Endorsement: Creating Pathways for a Transdisciplinary EI Workforce through Recognition of Relationship-based Practices Presented by Aditi Subramaniam, LMHC, R-DMT, CEIS, IECMH-E® and Leah Koretz, LMHC, CEIS, IMH-E® 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch/Exhibits/Networking 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – B Session Options B1: Early Intervention – Equity & Inclusion in Practice Presented by Craig Andrade, RN, MPH, DrP. B2: Baby’s First Teacher: Using Parent Coaching to Support Infants and Toddlers with Visual Impairments Presented by Betsy Connolly, M.Ed and Amy Pybus, ME.d, TV Itinerant B3: Building Partnerships with Families to Enhance the Early Intervention Experience Presented by Erika Baril, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Lynn Rogalin, BS, CEIS B4: Helping Parents with Behavior Management Presented by Chrissy Collins, MA, CEIS B5: Engaging Dads in Early Intervention Sessions Presented by Megan Schumaker-Murphy, EdD. B6: Navigating Adaptive Equipment Presented by Jenna Raheb, PT, DPT, PCS, CPST B7: The Neurosequential Model: How one model helped a family understand their child’s Trauma Presented by Kelly Brown, M.Ed., CEIS; Stephen Bradley, LICSW, LMHC; and Justin Brown B8: Screening for Social Emotional Problems and Delays in the Acquisition of Competencies in EI Presented by Alice Carter, PhD.; Abbey Eisenhower, PhD.; Sofia Lluna, B.A.; and R. Chris Sheldrick, PhD. B9: The Music and Me Presented by Meredith Roman Pizzi, MT-BC; Kim Schlesinger, MT-BC; and Favor Chujor, MT-BC B10: Essential Elements for Successful Interactions with Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Presented by Mary Beth Kadlec, OT, ScD, OTR; Sophia Perkins, OT/s; and Rosalie Shnorhokian, OT/s 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Exhibits/Networking

Tuesday, May 2 – Virtual 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Join Conference/Networking 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM – C Session Options C1: Understanding the Modified Bariums Swallow Study and its importance for Children with Feeding and Swallowing Disorders Presented by Suzanne Ducharme MacFarlane, MS CCC-SLP and Leah Ciliberto C2: Engaging Dads in Early Intervention Sessions Presented by Megan Schumaker-Murphy, EdD. C3: Teleservices in Early Intervention: Surprising Outcomes and Evidence-based Best Practices Presented by Marian Hartblay, M.A.T., M.E.D., LSLS Cert. AVEd; Barbara Hecht, PhD.; Devin Ellsweig, CCC-SLP, SSP; and Nell Rosenberg, M.Ed., MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AV C4: Building Partnerships with Families to Enhance the Early Intervention Experience Presented by Erika Baril, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Lynn Rogalin, BS, CEIS C5: Reflecting and Reducing Implicit Bias Presented by Cori Hill, M.Ed.; Jen Newton, PhD.; and Mira Cole Williams, PhD. 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Break/Networking 10:45 AM – 12:45 PM – D Session Options D1: Toddlers: Behaviors vs. Sensory Needs Presented by Nicole Constantino, OT/L, CEIS D2: Collaborative Advocacy Presented by Tom Miller, M.S. D3: Supporting Early Childhood Development and Attachment Post-COVID Presented by Kelly Petravicz, M.Ed., CEIS, CEID and Elizabeth Purcell, M.Ed. D4: Using Universal Design Principles to Support Family Engagement Presented by Laura Crosby, BS Ed. CEIS and Liz Cox D5: Monitoring Developing Communication Skills in Monolingual and Bilingual Infants and Toddlers Presented by Rachel Aghara, PhD., CCC-SLP 12:45 PM – 2:00 PM Break/Networking 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – E Session Options E1: Meaningful Social Engagements: Social Skills and Implications for Young Individuals with CVI Presented by Burju Sari, M.Ed., TVI, CVI Project Coordinator E2: “Mothering from the Inside Out”: Implementing an Evidence-based Parenting Intervention Presented by Maria Carolina Clark, LICSW; Kimberly Goss, M.A., DS, CEIS; Amanda Lamontagne, M.Ed., CEIS, CLC; Elizabeth Peacock-Chambers, MD, MS; and Jessica Schmaelzle, M.Ed, MHC, CEIS E3: How do you say this in your language? Assessment with CLD Populations Presented by Kelly Brown, M.Ed., CEIS and Serra Acar, PhD. E4: Developments in Play in Children with Delays from 8 to 60 Months Presented by Karin Lifter, PhD. and Haley Medeiros, MS E5: Baby’s First Teacher: Using Parent Coaching to Support Infants and Toddlers with Visual Impairments Presented by Betsy Connolly, M.Ed and Amy Pybus, M.Ed., TVI Itinerant

  2022 Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium Workshops.

• Autism in Girls: Why We Are Missing Them and What We Can Do About It Presented by Dr. Jenny Landry, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CEIS, and Jess Austin, M.Ed., CAGS
•  The Importance of the Foot in Early Intervention Treatment: Presented by Louis J DeCaro, DPM
• Feeding Picky Eaters: Beyond the Chicken Nugget! Presented by Edith Benisty, OTR/L, CEIS
• Intake Processes to Address Racial Disparities in EI Referrals and Enrollment. Presented by Kathleen McAuslin, MATL, CEIS, CEIM
• Plenary: Discipline vs. Punishment Using Empowering Approaches. Presented by Jill Vetstein
• Supporting A Positive Partnership: Early Interventionists & Foster Parents in Massachusetts. Presented by Kelly F. Brown, M.Ed. CEIS, and Dr. Serra Acar, Ph.D.
• Supporting Infants and Toddlers with Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). Presented by Kathleen McAuslin, MATL, CEIS, CEIM.
• Families Living with a Potential Diagnosis of Autism. Presented by Yvonne Nieves, Ph.D. & Certified Early Intervention Specialist
• The Music in Me! Using Music Therapy Strategies and Interventions with Young Children Presented by Meredith R Pizzi, MPA, MT-BC

New Virtual Platform for 2022 – This year they are offering the conference through a more robust platform that will allow all participants additional tools to deepen the virtual experience, including:

• Live chat, moderated Q&A, and polls during workshops
• Digital booths for exhibitors and sponsors, where participants can view materials and chat with representatives via appointment or drop-ins
• A virtual community where attendees can better connect with each other through chat, one-on-one appointments with other attendees, and special breakout sessions for group networking opportunities

The 2021 Conference Agenda covered:  Keynote: Inclusion of Disability in the Media (45 Years on Sesame Street). Emily Perl Kingsley will share her personal experience raising a child with a disability at a time when there was little to no guidance for parents. She will describe how this journey impacted her career as a writer and curriculum developer on Sesame Street and how it led to a life of creative advocacy. Ms. Kingsley spearheaded the groundbreaking inclusion of children and adults with disabilities on Sesame Street and will demonstrate this through delightful video clips and stories. The goals of the conference are to: * Instill a sense of confidence, energy, and achievement for continued work on behalf of infants and toddlers with special needs, and their families. * Encourage connections among all early childhood professionals and families. * Promote interventions that support, challenge, and celebrate individual differences. * Explore current perspectives, research and trends related to best practice in the field. * Expand knowledge of issues affecting the development of infants, toddlers, and families. PLUS –  Exhibitor Expo for families and professionals to find resources, products and services for children birth to six years old and their families. For more information contact https://meiconsortium.org/annual-conference/ or MEICconference@gmail.com 2021  Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium Agenda

• Welcoming Remarks – Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium and MA Department of Public Health
• Keynote: Inclusion of Disability in the Media (45 Years on Sesame Street) – Presented by Emily Perl Kingsley
• Examining Early Childhood Anxiety During an Era of Anxiety – Presented by Ashley Abesamra
• Integrating Technology with Parent Coaching to Optimize Language Development -Presented by Barbara F. Hecht, PhD, Marian C. Hartblay, MAT, MEd, LSLS Cert AVEd, and Britani Schwaiger, M.E.D., CEIS
• Racial Equity and Early Intervention – Presented by Craig Andrade, RN, MPH, DrPH
• Monitoring Developing Communication Skills in Monolingual and Bilingual Infants and Toddlers – Presented by Rachel G. Aghara, PhD, CCC-SLP. 
• Techniques and Tips for Your Sensory Tool Kit – Presented by Lisa van Gorder, OTR/L, CEIS