Building a Dyslexia/Dysgraphia Toolkit That Works

Presented by: Diana Petschauer, M.Ed, ATP / Laurie McIntosh, MS, OTR/ L, ATP / Kati McIlroy, OT/L, ATS

About the Webinar

Dyslexia and dysgraphia were in focus even before eLearning. But, now more than ever, districts are looking for stable and effective ways to help students access and complete assignments independently—wherever they learn.

Students with dyslexia or dysgraphia, often have difficulties with:

  • Decoding and comprehension
  • Handwriting
  • Spelling & Grammar
  • Organization
  • Written expression and writing speed (thinking faster than they can write)
  • Independence (they rely on adults for reading and writing tasks)
  • Writing math symbols; aligning numbers and word problems
  • Phonics and Phonemic Awareness
  • Finishing research, reading, and writing assignments on time

You’re going to need the BEST combination of technology and measurement tools to help your students rise above these issues, recover from the COVID slide, and build confidence to work independently.

 

In this webinar, Diana Petschauer, M.Ed., ATP, Laurie McIntosh, M.S., (from AT for Education – ATforED.com), and Kati McIlroy, OT/L, ATS, will show you a powerful toolkit to support students with dyslexia and dysgraphia including:

 

  • Tools/ Tech/ demos and strategies; realistic implementation for the iPad and Chromebook/laptop to support literacy, math and multi-sensory instruction
  • Co:Writer® (Word Prediction and Voice Typing for written expression)
  • Snap&Read™ (Text-to-Speech, PDF Annotation, Text Leveling, Study Tools/Highlighter to fully access reading materials)
  • Annotation tools that make PDFs quizzes and worksheets accessible
  • The uPAR process to help staff choose appropriate reading accommodations with data
  • The DeCoste Writing Protocol—a process to evaluate writing issues

Come see what makes a real difference for students living and learning with dyslexia and dysgraphia.

Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance, Word Prediction Screening Tool, and Participant Resource Folder with extensive resources on apps, extensions, tools and technologies to add to your Dyslexia Toolkit!

About the Presenter

Diana Petschauer, M.Ed, ATP

is the Managing Director of Assistive Technology for Education & Access4Employment; and a nationally certified Assistive Technology expert for over 20 years. She worked in public Special Education for over 15 years, as well as for a University for AT & Disability Services prior to her business. She manages her team of consultants at ATforED who provide AT evaluations, training, consultation, PD workshops & webinars. Diana has experienced working with a significant number of students & adults with Dyslexia & Dysgraphia, including using Assisive Technology to access curriculum & instruction, build confidence & independence, support executive functioning, increase literacy skills, as well as use AT to support the individual & student in the workplace and community. She has also provided training to SLP’s and reading specialists to use AT as part of their OG lessons and instruction. Diana presents many workshops & webinars on AT and Literacy Intervention combined to provide the most efficient multi-sensory support for individuals with Dyslexia, including at the most recent International Dyslexia Association conference.

Laurie McIntosh, MS, OTR/ L, ATP

is a consultant at Assistive Technology for Education & Access4Employment after working as an OT (occupational therapist) in public schools and private practice for 38 years. Her primary experience has been to work with school teams to provide accessible educational materials, specially designed instruction, and technology access to students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities/ Dyslexia, and autism. She has worked with students from preschool to high school, and adults across the lifespan. Laurie is skilled at providing training to students, paraprofessionals, teachers, administrators and parents in order to create an environment in which assistive technology is part of typical daily lear.

Kati McIlroy, OT/L, ATS

Assistive Technology Specialist and an Occupational Therapist who has worked in school districts for over 15 years in Southern California and currently works with Don Johnston Incorporated as an Educational Support Specialist. She collaborates with district professionals, educators, and therapists to integrate technologies that help students access the curriculum. By conducting presentations and trainings at schools and conferences, she helps spread the word about how Universal Design for Learning opens the world to students and creates lifelong learners.