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LDAQ  

Montreal Chapter 1 

Presents 

____________________

 

*GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION*

 

Neuroplasticity, the Brain  

& ADHD

with

Dr. Stephane Gaskin, Ph.D.  

  

Tuesday 

February 11, 2014

7:30 pm-9:15 pm

 
The Montreal Children's Hospital 

Ampitheatre D-182

2300 Tupper St.

 LDAQ Mtl.Chapter 1 
Link 
 

  

Guest Speaker  

Dr. Stephane Gaskin, Ph.D,  

is a tenured professor at Dawson College in Montreal. He is also a lecturer at Concordia University and has taught a variety of psychology courses. He designed and taught the very first brain and behaviour course offered at Dawson College.  

 

At Concordia, Dr. Gaskin has taught behavioural neuroscience, human neuropsychology and functional neuroanatomy. He obtained his masters degree from Concordia University and his Ph.D from McGill University. He was also a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California in San-Diego. His studies focused on the neurobiology of learning and memory. Many of his findings are published in international scientific journals.

  

Topic Summary

In this presentation, Dr. Gaskin will explore, with the audience, the relationships that exist between the basic principles of neuroplasticity (how the brain changes itself with experience), brain function and ADHD.  

   

In Case Of Snow Storm:

Please call 514 482-7196 for 

cancellation details. 

        

If you are not a member of LDAQ Montreal Chapter 1, you can become one that evening.

  

Yearly membership  

is $40   

 

nh family
February 2014
TacTics Heartfelt Connection
Changing The Lives Of Families Everywhere. 
Success Is The Only Option!


Hello from Linda 
 

Valentine's Day is a day of warmth during the  depth of a February winter. It's a sentimental time to recognize and send messages to those we love and care about. We are thankful for our families, take joy in our friendships and appreciate the people we work with.

For me, family is at the top of my list and the
Valentine messages sent around our family are affirmations of our magical connections. It is comforting to know that despite the stresses of life, we continue to create and preserve powerful, positive and loving ties.

Wishing you all a very happy Valentine's Day. May the love that radiates within your family circle make everyone feel supported, safe and warm. 

This Heartfelt Connection lists programs, events and articles that will empower and inspire you with tools and strategies to enrich your parenting role and family life. To read past newsletter issues of Heartfelt Connections Click Here  

When mindfulness embraces those we love, they bloom like flowers. 
Thich Nhat Hanh
            

A Gift for Valentine's Day 

Love Yourself Fully in 2014!   

 

by Vivianne Bentley, Ph.D., OPQ  

 

"Self-acceptance is the experience of seeing yourself as you really are, without any criticism or attack and without any demands that you should be something more, better or different."

Robert Holden

 

I believe one of the most important relationships we will ever have is the one we have with ourselves. If we can love and accept ourselves without judgement (most of the time), then guess what, there is a good chance we can then offer that to our children and loved ones.  

Sometimes we just need to send our inner critic on a vacation or better yet banish it to a desert island! If we see our humanity and, therefore our imperfections, as something to constantly fix or improve upon, then we probably project that idea to others around us.

 

This Valentine's Day offer you and your loved ones the gift of unconditional acceptance and love. Here are seven tips to help you cultivate a self loving attitude towards yourself.

  1. Embrace any part of yourself that feels unloved or unappreciated.
  2. Ask your body each day how it feels and what activities it would like to engage in. Appreciate the ways your body supports you in your life.
  3. Take the time to become intimate with your most innermost feelings and desires without judgement.
  4. Write a love letter to yourself. (repeat as necessary)
  5. Spend some time each week engaging in an activity that feels nourishing and pleasurable.
  6. Examine the stressors in your life and see if there are ways to engage with them with more ease and joy.
  7. Acknowledge and celebrate your many gifts and talents. There will only ever be one of you!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

 

Vivianne Bentley is an Integrative Psychologist and Transformational Coach. She has a private practice at the Harmony Health Center in Westmount. Visit her website at www.viviannebentley.com. and contact her at 514 718-4442, email at [email protected].  

            
Straight Talk About   
 
by Elizabeth Shoiry, B.Sc., 

M.Ed., Accredited Neuropsychologist (OPQ)

 

Dyslexia is a term that many people recognize as a type of a reading disability. However, too often educators, parents, students and even some professionals understand dyslexia to be the result of difficulties with letter or word reversals, such as, confusing the letter b with d, or the letter p with q. When explained that letter or word reversals are not typical hallmark characteristics of dyslexia, they are often shocked and further confused. So what is dyslexia?

 

Dyslexia is a specific reading disorder that is characterized by inaccurate word recognition, decoding and spelling. It is generally caused by neurological and hereditary factors, and is not due to poor reading instruction, low intelligence or sheer laziness. More precisely, it is a language processing deficit, and not a visual processing deficit. Dyslexia can also affect one's ability to spell, read and write and can impact on reading comprehension. Often, there are other family members who have dyslexia.

 

Earlier explanations and understanding of dyslexia has given rise to the confusion that persists today. Originally, in the 1920's, professionals understood dyslexia to be the result of deficits in the visual system thus causing reversals of letters or words. However, more recent research has confirmed that dyslexia is mainly a deficit in the processing of phonemes, the smallest meaningful sound elements of language and not due to weaknesses in the visual processing of information. Thus, children with dyslexia will typically have difficulties in naming letters and not with the copying of letters.

 

Dyslexia affects people in many ways and in different ways. Not all people who are dyslexic are unable to read. Those who are quite severe may have extensive difficulty in sounding out words, and therefore struggle with reading words, while others may read well enough but will need more time to read and to reread so as to ensure their understanding. Some of the early signs of dyslexia include difficulty recognizing letters, difficulty learning letter sound connections, difficulty pronouncing words clearly, difficulty with word blending and/or difficulty with rhyming activities. Unfortunately, these  difficulties may persist despite receiving intensive instruction and remediation. 

 

Poor self esteem and self confidence are often by products of having learning disabilities, including dyslexia. Without having the necessary supports, most individuals who suffer with dyslexia are often quite frustrated with learning and with school in general. Although these individuals may have strengths in many other areas, they are often described as reluctant readers. Since the reading process requires an extensive amount of effort, the motivation and desire to read is typically diminished or nonexistent.

 

Fortunately with today's technology advancing at such a rapid pace, there are a number of assistive technology tools that are available that will further help to support individuals who struggle with reading. These technologies include digitalized readers (e.g. Kobo, Kindle) audible books, and a number of apps and software. Some apps that could assist in developing and improving phonological skills include the following: ABC phonics, First Words Deluxe, Word Magic, Reading Magic, Starfall ABC, Earobics; Sound Literacy and Read, Write and Type (Talking Fingers). K12 Timed Reading Practice is an app that addresses reading fluency and comprehension for students from kindergarten to grade 4. Toy Story read along (app), The Three Pandas (app), Clicker Books (app), tumble books (online, app), Read Me Stories 30 Book Library (app), Audio books (app) and Audible.com (online) are suggested audible book resources available either for free or at a nominal fee.

 

If dyslexia is suspected, it is important to consult a trained professional who can evaluate and determine if in fact dyslexia is present. Having dyslexia does not mean continued school failure and low level job opportunities. Just look at the number of successful people who are known to have dyslexia. Some of these famous people include John F. Kennedy (president of the United States of America), Steven Spielberg (film director and screen producer) Cher (singer), Jay Leno (comedian, talk show host), Thomas Edison (American inventor and businessman), Ted Turner (American media mogul, founder of CNN), Albert Einstein (physicist), and Alexander Graham Bell (scientist, inventor and engineer) to name a few. The key to success is early identification, early intervention and much needed accommodations.

 

Elizabeth Shoiry, M.Ed, is a certified neuropsychologist who has expertise in the area of learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavior and autism spectrum disorders. She has a private practice in Montreal and the West Island. Contact Elizabeth at 514 736-0793 or through email at [email protected]

Linda Aber

Theraplay� Group Specialist 
 Nurtured Heart� Advanced Trainer 
Attachment Parent Coach 
Family Life Educator

Announcing our  

Linda also facilitates *programs    
for LDAQ Montreal Chapter 1       
For more information or to register  
514 487-3533 or [email protected] 
Family Programs: 
Parents, Children, Teens, Young Adults  
& Adults 
  • Parent Coaching 
  • *Nurtured Heart ApproachParent Workshops  
  • *TheraplaySocial & Thinking Skills Groups
  • *Young Adult Social Skills Goups
  • *Adult ADHD Groups
  • *Monthly Social Activities for our Social Skills Group Participants 

  

School Programs:
  • Nurtured Heart Approach�  Workshops for Educators 
  • Theraplay�  Sunshine Circles (A Classroom Social-Emotional Curriculum)     
Nurtured Heart Approach  
 Teacher Workshops
  
   
  • Our experiential workshops provide teachers & school staff with Nurtured Heart knowledge & techniques.
  • Learn a set of effective strategies designed for use with challenging, intense students, those with ADHD, LD, ODD, PDD, mood & attachment disorders.   

Benefits: 

  • Immediately utilize skills in your respective schools & classrooms.
  • Foster character building, resilience & self-esteem for all students.
  • Decrease bullying, anger & aggressive behaviour.
  • Increase teaching time, achievement & morale.
  • Enhance your teacher-student relationships.
  • Create peaceful, respectful schools & classrooms 

Workshops available: Half Day (3 hr) or Full Day (6 hr) & Classroom Observation Offered.  Link 



Theraplay� Sunshine Circle Groups  
A Successful School Intervention 
  
 

A Classroom Social-Emotional Curriculum   
for Teachers & their Students   
(Kindergarten-Grade 4) 
 
  • Experiential, interactive play groups that promote social skills development & classroom management.
  • Bullying DOES NOT EXIST in a Sunshine Circles Classroom.  
  • Designed to help children feel secure, valued & get along with others.
  • Promotes trusting relationships & a positive classroom environment.    
  • Remarkable connections are produced amongst & between children & teachers. Link

 Nurtured Heart Approach 
Parenting Workshops

Register for February Sessions 
 Six - 2hr Workshops  
  
Transform Your Parent-Youth Relationship in Ways You Never Dreamed Possible!   
      
Learn to:

  • Adopt a lens of "positivity" to SEE & VALIDATE   
  • Utilize heartfelt vocabulary that connects to your child/teen's heart.  
  • Correctly download your energy & relationship to end yelling & power struggles.
  • Transform your youth from the inside out, building self-esteem
  • & resilience.  
* This unique parenting approach will have profound & lasting effects on the nurturing relationship between you & your child/teen & young adult. Link

  

 Theraplay� Social & Thinking Skills Groups     
  for Children/Teens with ADHD, LD & Asperger

A Unique Family Skills Training Program 
 Where Children, Teens & their Parents Participate Together Learning Life Skills for Home & School Success!

Register for February & Spring Sessions  
Groups of Eight 2-hr Sessions for:
  
teen ssg
Children
(ages 5-6, 7-9, 10-11) & their Parents


Preteens & Teens
(ages 12-14, 15-16)
& their Parents 

  

 

  • Youth explore how their behaviour affects others.
  • Fosters self-regulation, emotional control & peer relationships.
  • Promotes perspective taking, flexible thinking & problem solving skills.
  • Incorporates fun, engaging Theraplay activities, visual concepts, social stories & group discussions.
  • Teaches over 45 concrete strategies for success.
  • Parents learn invaluable tools & a new skill language to utilize at home.  Link

Social Skills Groups for Young Adults

  

young adult group  

Register for Upcoming Sessions

 

Young adults with ADHD, LD and aspergers encounter unique social challenges in university settings, employment environments and with peers.

 

Our social skills group is designed to empower, educate, build skills, enhance self-esteem plus provide social and recreational opportunities to develop friendships. Link


Monthly Social Activities

for our Social Skills Group participants  

 

Opportunities to have fun, connect & meet new friends!  

  • Groups for Young Adults
  • Groups for Adolescents

Movies, Bowling and more!

 

  

          

   

  

  

  

       


Adult
adhd only blocks
Workshops 
 
If you are just discovering you have adult ADHD, chances are you've suffered over the years for this unrecognized learning difference. People may have labelled you "lazy" because of your forgetfulness or difficulty completing tasks, and you may have begun to think of yourself in negative terms as well.

* ADHD that is undiagnosed and untreated can cause difficulties in virtually every area of your life- physical / emotional health, work, financial & relationships.

* In our group you will gain knowledge to demystify ADHD

* Learn to embrace your inner strengths & your ADHD gifts

* Meet others & empower yourself with successful home & work strategies for organization, time management, relationship & social skills. Link
 
Looking forward to our next Heartfelt Connection. We are available by email & phone (514) 487-3533,  to register for groups, individual family sessions or to book an appointment. 

Warmly,

 
Linda Aber 
TacTics Resources Services




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