A Disability Didn’t Stop Me! Hans Christian Andersen Tom CruiseSamuel R Delaney Walt Disney Bruce Jenner Thomas Edison Albert Einstein Jack Horner Magic Johnson George Patton Patricia Polacco Ludwig von Beethoven Werner von Braun George Washington Robin Williams Bruce Willis

Self determination across Grade Levels By Lynn Merlone and Dolores Moran Presentation to the New Hampshire School Counselor Association Monadnock Regional Meeting September 16, 2010

Transitionworks TEACHING Exceptional Children Plus March 2008 (V4:4) Hyperlink over title or Google “Transitionworks Merlone Moran”

Ten week curriculum incorporating Mel Levine’s neurodevelopmental constructs Self-advocacy Self-determination Goal is teaching fifth graders their learning strengths and weaknesses, and how to advocate for themselves.

Unit overview Lesson I The Brain Lesson IIAttention Lesson III Memory Lesson IVOrganization Lesson VBehavior Lesson VIDefining a Disability Lesson VIIA Disability Can’t Stop Me! Lesson VIIIGetting in to Special Education Lesson IXAsking for help Lesson XSelf Talk

Self advocacy Changing your attitude Asking for help Dealing with frustration Letting teachers know about your disability

The art of demystification Prepare ahead of time Be honest and positive. Find a WOW! Goal – emphasize strengths that will help with their learning challenges Use visuals as much as possible (charts, tables) Nonacademic strengths (e.g. the arts, class participation, organization) are important strengths! Tell them why! Include current progress reports Limit talking– don’t overwhelm

Other activities Be “Dear Abby” Write a letter Role playing Jeopardy Game Play a memory game KWL for a book study Make it interactive Have Fun

Behavior Jeopardy Self Monitoring Impulsive Behavior School Rules Home Situations Friendship Situations

Other topics that could be covered Neurodevelopmental constructs Neurodevelopmental Learning style Multiple intelligence Specific learning disabilities Attention Self -regulation Executive function Others?

What would this look like in your school? Who are your students and what are their needs? What programs are in place Who are teachers or staff you can collaborate with? - In your school? -In your district?

Websites for books Research Press Free Spirit Publishing Magination Press (Mental Health and Attention) Books by Mel Levine