Learning Disabilities Association presents two workshops on Saturday

Angie Demarco will be featured at two workshops on Saturday being presented by the Learning Disabilities Association of Prince Edward Island.

DeMarco develops and delivers experiential workshops for the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, Sudbury Chapter. Her diverse background includes leading recreation programs for adults with developmental challenges, as well as 13 years of working/ learning as a front line worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

DeMarco believes her most compelling speaking credentials in the field of learning disabilities were given to her by her four playful, curious and creative children, three of whom share her identification of learning disabled.

Now as independent adults, with full- time work in meaningful professions, their abilities inspire her to speak out in schools, workplaces and at multiple provincial and national conferences to insure that educators, parents and, most importantly, students know what the research supports: that persons with learning disabilities and their uniquely organized brains are to be valued and nurtured.

Her engaging workshops give all attendees the opportunity to experience this awareness in a spirited environment.

“Angie DeMarco was among the two dozen speakers we presented at our National Conference on Learning Disabilities last year,” says LDAPEI executive director Nils Ling.

“Her presentation stood out for its combination of common sense and dynamic, engaging delivery — so much so that the P. E. I. Teacher’s Federation brought her back this year to address teachers at their annual conference. Since she was here anyway, we felt it made perfect sense to schedule two workshops on the Saturday after the conference for parents.”

The morning workshop session is a general introduction to learning disabilities and their effects on both adults and kids.

Titled I Learn Differently, Please Teach Me Differently, it will help parents to understand what a learning disability is, what it is not and what it feels like.

The afternoon workshop is entitled Constructing Advocates.

A fun- filled, interactive session valuable to both students and their parents, ( of specific help to Grades 5- 8 students and parents) this self- awareness workshop focuses on each student’s strengths provides attendees with the tools that support success.

Participants will come away with a better understanding of how each student learns as well as an appreciation of the fact that everyone learns differently.

“Parents of a child who has been diagnosed with or is suspected of having a learning disability need to know what they’re up against,” says Ling.

“It can be daunting to get the information from your kids’ teacher that your child has a learning disability. We tend to think of it as a life sentence, some sort of devastating blow, but, in fact, all but the most severe learning disabilities can be managed by teaching the child the way he or she learns, as opposed to trying to squeeze them into an assemblyline model. These courses will add to your knowledge base as a parent and better prepare you to meet with teachers and school administrators to get the education your child deserves.”

The workshops will be held at the Royalty Centre, 40 Enman Cres., Charlottetown, Room 234, 911 a. m. and 1- 3 p. m. The cost is $ 20 per session ($ 15 for LDAPEI members).

Registration is limited and advance registration is recommended. Email nils@ldapei.ca or call 894- 5032 to reserve a spot.

For more information, call Ling at 894- 5032.