Unlocking Potential: Empowering Students with Severe Special Needs (Series Begins Jan. 6, 2025)

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

SpeakerS

Description

Severe disabilities is a  broad category encompassing students with significant physical, intellectual, and/or sensory impairments that limit their ability to learn and function independently. Students with severe disabilities, such as communication difficulties, physical limitations, and social-emotional needs, face unique challenges. We will discuss strategies for helping students with severe disabilities manage their emotions and behaviors. This webinar will explore ways to teach students with severe disabilities self-advocacy skills to express their needs and preferences. We will also review strategies and effective teaching practices utilizing multiple disciplines within the school setting. 

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Following the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.

About the SpeakerS

Stacey Blaisdell, M.Ed., BCBA, has more than 26 years of experience in the field of Special Education. She started her career as a paraprofessional at the Northshore Education Consortium (NSEC) and went on to teach for the Consortium, in addition to a variety of both public and private school settings. Stacey pursued her master’s degree in Intensive Special Education and also attended UMass Boston to further her education in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Stacey is a behavior specialist at the Kevin O’Grady School and supervises BCBAs, RBTs (Registered Behavioral Technician) and behavior support staff. Stacey is a Safety-care trainer and assists in training all staff at Kevin O’Grady in Safety-Care and de-escalation. Stacey has significant experience working with students with severe neurobehavioral disorders as well as their families. Her areas of expertise are in Autism, as well as students with rare chromosomal disorders and medical needs that affect their behavior. 

Erin Buckley, M.A., COMS, is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and Vision Services Supervisor at the Kevin O’Grady School and Northshore Education Consortium’s District Services. Erin has over 30 years of experience working with people who are visually impaired starting at The Carroll Center for the Blind working with newly blinded adults, moving on to the Veteran’s Administration where she was part of the inception of the Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) Program. She did private contract work in local school districts before joining the Northshore Education Consortium almost 7 years ago. 

Erin holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University and a Masters Degree in Visually Handicapped Studies from Boston College. She has presented at the Northeast Association for Education and Rehabilitation conference and the International Orientation and Mobility Online Symposium, where she is also on the planning committee.

Alison Dudley, LICSW, SAC, is a licensed independent clinical social worker who has been supporting children and families for the past 20 years and has been a school social worker at the Kevin O’Grady School for the past ten years. In 2010, Alison became an In Home Therapy Clinician, supporting children (ages 6-22) with adjustment issues, family relationships, and mental health needs.  Soon after she became certified as a Rainbowdance Advanced Practitioner and continues to incorporate her love of movement and music to engage with children of all ages and abilities. Alison supports Kevin O’Grady School’s families and caregivers throughout the lifespan and in particular with transitioning to adulthood and helps families navigate the legal system and adult services through DDS. 

Alison is a bilingual practitioner in English and Spanish and has served as co-leader of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee at NEC for the past 5 years. She holds an Undergraduate degree in Psychology and Spanish from Fairfield University. Alison earned her Masters in Social Work from Salem State University.

Sheila Guiney, M.Ed., started her career in special education 35 years ago at Boston College Campus School working with students with complex medical and physical needs. Sheila went on to teach in Malden public schools in a substantially separate classroom with students with autism. She has been at the Kevin O’Grady School for the past 20 years. Initially, she worked with students and their families in the home, tackling challenging behavior. Sheila is currently the Family Center Director, supporting families by offering workshops, facilitating the referral process for new students and participating in classroom teams to support students and staff. Sheila has a Master’s degree in Severe Special Education from Boston College.

Martha Krol, M.Ed., is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience working with students with special needs. She began her career working as a 1:1 paraprofessional working with a student with down syndrome. Martha’s experience includes working as a special education teacher in moderate special needs classrooms at the middle school and high school level, an IEP team chairperson and as an Assistant Director of Special Education in two different school districts.

Martha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from Sacred Heart University and a Master’s degree in special education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her commitment to excellence and her passion for helping students reach their full potential have made her a respected figure in the educational community. 

Audrey Normand, BSN, RN, is a devoted Program Nurse with six years of experience at the Kevin O’Grady School. She specializes in caring for children and young adults, ages preschool to 22, who have complex medical needs. In addition to her school-based role, Audrey also provides pediatric home care, supporting families in the home setting. She earned her nursing degree from the University of Rhode Island and is a proud mother of two boys. Audrey’s expertise and heartfelt approach make her an invaluable part of the Kevin O’Grady team, ensuring each student receives the care they deserve.

Rebecca Rein, BSN, RN, is a dedicated healthcare professional with 27+ years of nursing experience, currently serving as Director of Nursing at the Northshore Education Consortium. Rebecca has a bachelor of science nursing degree from Salem University. Passionate advocate for student health and well-being, Rebecca has worked at NSEC growing from classroom nurse to program nurse. Her career also includes 10 fulfilling years with Northeast Clinical Services, supporting children and adults with complex medical needs. Rebecca serves on the Northshore Community College Nursing Advisory Board. Rebecca combines compassion with leadership to make a difference every day. She is a proud mother of two amazing adults.

Sarah Rowe, M.S. CCC-SLP, is a dedicated Speech Language Pathologist with over 15 years of experience working with students with special needs. Sarah has worked extensively with students who use augmentative and alternative communication and additionally oversees a department of 11 other speech language pathologists working with students with moderate to severe disabilities. 

Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from SUNY Geneseo and a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College. Sarah’s passion is helping those without speech to find their voice and recognize that their thoughts and ideas are important.

Adrienne Salerno, MSW, LCSW, holds Master’s degree in Social Work from Salem State University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a deep commitment to supporting individuals through life’s transitions and challenges. With extensive experience in client-centered care, Adrienne focuses on fostering resilience and promoting emotional well-being. She is passionate about helping individuals and communities thrive, drawing on evidence-based practices and a strengths-based approach to empower each person to reach their goals. Her practice is driven by empathy, respect, and a strong belief in the power of human connection.

Lisa Snyder, O.T., is a pediatric occupational therapist with 25 years of experience working in both school based and pediatric outpatient settings. Lisa began her career working as a school based occupational therapist at Melmark New England providing services to students with severe special needs and with significant behavioral difficulties.  Lisa then went on to provide services in an outpatient pediatric OT and Speech Therapy clinic working collaboratively with families and other service providers. Lisa has been the Occupational Therapy Supervisor at the Kevin O’Grady School for the past seven years where provides occupational therapy services for students of various ages

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University and has completed additional training in sensory integration, dysphagia/complex feeders, handwriting, and most recently Lisa completed the Partnership for Advancement of School Services course on Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Educational Settings, focusing on best practices in school based occupational therapy.  

Tracey Rich, P.T., is a highly experienced Physical Therapist with over 30 years of expertise working with children with special needs in both medical and educational settings. She began her career at Franciscan Children’s, where she contributed to various program areas, including pediatric rehab, pulmonary rehab, outpatient services, Kennedy Day School, medical child care and early intervention.

Since joining the Northshore Education Consortium in 2002, Tracey has dedicated the majority of her career to the Kevin O’Grady School, which serves students ages 3-22 with severe disabilities. As Physical Therapy Supervisor since 2023, she leads a dedicated team focused on creating positive participation-based learning opportunities using evidence-based practice, the latest technology and adaptive equipment. Tracey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University and remains passionate about providing specialized, compassionate care to children facing significant challenges.

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.