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Parent Learning Support Group

This portal is for parents who wish to access timely information regarding learning support opportunities/conferences/workshops.  Please check it often as we update it regularly.  Contact Pahn Pryma if you have any questions or if you would like to add to additional links or information.

Edmonton Catholic Schools Lending Library support services

Learning Disabilities Association

LDAA Membership Form

LDA Conference new

Alberta Adaptabilities June 2010 Newsletter new

Allergy Support Group

Occupational Therapist newsletter

Asthma Allergies Recruitment Poster

Parent Information Series: 

EDUCATION WORKSHOPS

Taking Charge Fall 2010 workshops new

LDAA Fall 2010 Program Brochure new

LDAEC Fact Sheet new

Music Express

Support for Diabetes

I’m sure that you understand that a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes is devastating to the whole family: it means that a loved child or family member must undergo multiple daily blood tests and injections to survive.  There is constant worry about blood sugar levels and the threat of permanent brain damage if low blood glucose is not caught and treated promptly.  Current legislation limits certain career paths for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes as variable blood sugars can affect perception and decisions.  Even worse though, is an uncertain future filled with the greatly increased potential for kidney failure, limb amputation, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and more.  Research shows the average lifespan of an individual with Type 1 Diabetes is shortened by 10-15 years. 

Given that greater than 1 in 300 Central Alberta students have Type 1 diabetes⁽¹⁾ and 4-6 new children are diagnosed every week at the Stollery Children’s Hospital⁽²⁾, I would like to take the time to introduce some programs offered by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that may be of benefit to your students and their families. 

Kids ‘n’ Us: Families Facing Diabetes Conference:  annual conference with guest speakers presenting on issues pertinent to families of children with diabetes.  Conference includes special teens only sessions with young adults leading open conversations on subjects of interest to teenagers.  The next conference is scheduled on May 1, 2010, and details are posted on their website www.kidsnus.ca.

Teen Peer Support Group:  a new initiative where teens with diabetes and their friends and siblings meet and talk in comfortable surroundings.  Often, these meetings are structured around a fun event such as rock climbing, laser tag, bowling, etc.  

Bookshare - http://www.bookshare.org/

Accessible Books and Periodicals for Readers with Print Disabilities -

Database of books, periodicals and newspapers that are downloadable to computers and handheld devices.  This is a large U.S. based database of resources with some of the books being available for free download without a membership.  International memberships are available. 

Igniting their Writing:  The Struggle to get Ideas on Paper  http://www.allkindsofminds.org/ArticleDisplay.aspx?articleid=2

An excellent article by Dr. Mel Levine detailing specific challenges including graphomotor, memory, and attentional challenges students have when it comes to writing.

Classroom technology helps students with learning disabilities www.smartbrief.com/cec

A Canadian teacher says technology, such as laptop computers and electronic whiteboards, has led to improved achievement among struggling students and students with learning disabilities. Technology offers alternatives to traditional teaching and allows students to learn through different methods, educators said. For example, students are using one computer program that reads text aloud for them and another that teaches geography by allowing students to build their own maps on a computer program.  Nanaimo News Bulletin (Canada) (9/28)