Each year, DSI coordinates a training specific to the needs of children with dual sensory impairments. Travel stipends are provided to families and service providers so that teams can learn together. The following are narratives from Kat Stremel and Lauren Lieberman’s workshops during the Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference 2001:

As always, the preconference is a great opportunity to “take time” to devote to a specific student. It brought our team together physically as well as mentally. Kat Stremel has a wonderful ability to relate her personal experiences and knowledge in a way that is “usable.”

The communication map/performance assessment is a great visual tool to see where you are with your student, where you are going, and where you aren’t going. In comparing communication maps from past and present, the team can visually see progress made. Sometimes as we work day-to-day, we forget to acknowledge where we’ve been and where we are going with a student’s program. This visual provides the information you need in a glance.

- Belinda Burns, SLP, Juneau School District

Dr. Lauren Lieberman’s presentation of, “Physical Activities for Children with Sensory Impairment” was excellent. This presentation incorporated a variety of learning tools which were widely used by those in attendance. Because of the information gathered at this event, Alpine Alternatives is working in conjunction with Dr. Lieberman to implement the first session of “Camp Abilities” beginning July of 2002. Alpine Alternatives is in the midst of preparations now and well on its way to meeting this goal.

Alpine Alternatives does not see any barriers in implementing materials learned and “Camp Abilities.” We have the site, the dates reserved and facilities. Best of all we have the time frame in which to structure a quality camp experience for Alaskan children with sensory impairments. Dr. Lieberman has offered her services to come up and provide hands on assistance for Alpine Alternatives First Annual “Camp Abilities.”

- Margaret Webber, Executive Director, Alpine Alternatives

Our educational team split into two separate sections to allow us to bring as much information back from the conference as possible.
Two of us attended the Physical Activities for Children with Sensory Impairments. Dr. Lauren Lieberman had a great deal of experience and ideas for helping kids to be included in P.E. Many suggestions for changing rules and adapting equipment were shared. Additionally, resources for gaining more information were given. We’ve already brought some of this information in and helped the P.E. Peer Engineers to problem solve inclusion strategies!

The other two team members attended the Communication Development section. It was very reinforcing for encouragement of tactile cue use and provided some specific scenarios in which our team could implement consistent tactile cues. We also learned new ways to teach routines through physical prompts.

We appreciated the opportunity to participate in this conference and the subsequent rejuvenation our team has...equipped with ideas and inspiration.

Thanks!
-Morgan Davis, PT, Juneau School District
-Tracey Keaton, SLP, Juneau School District
-Scott Mays, Special Education Teacher, Juneau School District
-Tammy Scroggins, Classroom Aide, Juneau School District

I attended Kathleen Stremel’s Communication Development workshop and have many new ideas to implement with my dual sensory impaired student.

Our team used many of Kat’s cueing ideas when developing our student’s new Communication Dictionary.

We have been re-reminded to “start-stop-wait-look” when checking for understanding.

It was good to review how to look at horizontal and vertical movement on the communication ladder and look at just what level of communication our student is at.

Most important it was a reminder to always “up the ante”, analyze the “freebies,” and build in more communication opportunities.

- Deborah Gill, Special Education Teacher, Juneau School District

to table of contents for Spring 2002 issue