A parents dream is to see their student thrive. For students with ADHD or a Learning Difference, this can often seem impossible. We are here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way. We will help you reignite the confidence you once had that your student will THRIVE!
The Focus Forward Conference is for parents and teachers of students of all ages who struggle with ADHD or a Learning Difference. You will walk away from this event with new insight into your student's brain, the answers you've been searching for, and hope for their future.
Expert Speakers on ADHD & Learning differences
Exhibit Hall with Local Resources for Success
Lunch Panel with Parents & teachers Who get it
LET’S HELP YOUR student MOVE FROM THE BACK OF THE TRAIN TO THE DRIVER’S SEAT!
Struggles due to ADHD and Learning Differences don't have to define your student. This conference will help you develop a better understanding of your student's brain, so you can support and encourage them best. This event is a great tool for all kinds of parents and teachers of students with ADHD and Learning Differences:
You’re reading all the blogs, getting them on an IEP/504, and trying to remember to breathe. It will be okay. This conference will help you understand how ADHD and Learning Differences affect them personally, give you the resources you've been seeking and will reignite your confidence they can THRIVE!
REFRAMING BELIEFS ABOUT ADHD & Learning Differences
If your student is in a state of constant distress and you’re grasping at straws for how to get them to graduation, this conference is for you. The problem is bigger than them earning good grades, this conference will provide tools to set them up to be successful adults. With a better understanding of how their brain works, you can prepare for struggles that can pop up at every stage of life.
You’re riding on the “Hot Mess Express”
It truly takes a village to provide students with ADHD and Learning Differences the support they need. This conference has been carefully crafted to help both parents and teachers find the resources they need!
achieving academic success
If life feels like a never ending war with your student, you may not have the relationship established with your student to sit down and work through these struggles together. This conference will provide you the resources you need to help you understand where your student is coming from and how you can best support them.
Every day is
a battle
SESSION LINE UP
"If they would just put more effort into their work ..." I hear this from parents often. The reality is your kiddo with ADHD is trying, but they have a million obstacles coming their way and lack the skills to overcome those obstacles. When this happens time and time again, those of us with ADHD begin to appear as lazy and unmotivated because we don't know what else to do.
During this session, Tyler will help you gain insight into your kiddo with ADHD's brain so you can help them not just survive but THRIVE!
"If they would just put more effort into their work ..." I hear this from parents often. The reality is your kiddo with ADHD is trying, but they have a million obstacles coming their way and lack the skills to overcome those obstacles. When this happens time and time again, those of us with ADHD begin to appear as lazy and unmotivated because we don't know what else to do.
During this session, Tyler will help you gain insight into your kiddo with ADHD's brain so you can help them not just survive but THRIVE!
MOTIVATING THE UNMOTIVATED
MOTIVATING THE UNMOTIVATED
TYLER DORSEY, owner Focus Forward
TYLER DORSEY, owner Focus Forward
There are many milestones in a child’s educational journey -- some bigger than others. Alleviate some stress and anxiety by setting a plan and preparing for those transitions from middle school … high school … post-high school …. post-college …. and beyond.
This session will provide parents with confidence that this is within their control! Tips and tools will be shared to keep priorities on track and you will walk out of the session with an initial plan of action.
It’s never too early to begin! Set priorities and focus on your child’s GPA: Goals, Plans, Actions!
Preparing your child for the next big transition
Jeanne Fain, Founder of Real Life GPA
Whether it's a Friday spelling test or a written narrative, there are effective strategies you can teach your child to improve their spelling. It doesn't involve writing each word 10 times, sand, playdough, or arm tapping. Making simple changes to how we teach spelling can have a huge impact on your child's success. Don't miss learning about the study method that can take your child from 0 to 100% on their spelling tests!
Successful Spelling for
Children with Learning Differences
Michelle Morgan, Speech-Language Pathologist
Emotional dysregulation is a part of your child’s executive function pool of skills that flies under the radar of discussion yet affects their day-to-day lives and relationships the most! In this session, you will learn what emotional dysregulation looks like, how it affects your child in different environments, and what tools and strategies can be used to help recognize the struggle, find their calm, and grow through the struggle!
How to Emotionally Regulate Your student's ADHD Brain
Katelyn mabry, adhd life coach
Far too often parents are afraid to really advocate for their children at school. Similarly, teachers, administrators, and other school staff worry about overly worrying parents if they point of concerns. Moreover, even when a child is on a special education plan, all members of the child’s team often struggle to find effective ways to collaborate and cooperate in a way that keeps the student at the center. This presentation focuses on ways all members of a child’s team, including parents and school staff, can collaborate to help the student make progress.
Five Traits of Effective Parents and Teachers: Setting the Stage for Collaboration
ASHLEY BARLOW, STUDENT SUPPORT ADVOCATE
There are many milestones in a child’s educational journey -- some bigger than others. Alleviate some stress and anxiety by setting a plan and preparing for those transitions from middle school … high school … post-high school …. post-college …. and beyond.
This session will provide parents with confidence that this is within their control! Tips and tools will be shared to keep priorities on track and you will walk out of the session with an initial plan of action.
It’s never too early to begin! Set priorities and focus on your child’s GPA: Goals, Plans, Actions!
PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR THE NEXT BIG TRANSITION
JEANNE FAIN, FOUNDER OF REAL LIFE GPA
Whether it's a Friday spelling test or a written narrative, there are effective strategies you can teach your child to improve their spelling. It doesn't involve writing each word 10 times, sand, playdough, or arm tapping. Making simple changes to how we teach spelling can have a huge impact on your child's success. Don't miss learning about the study method that can take your child from 0 to 100% on their spelling tests!
SUCCESSFUL SPELLING FOR
CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES
MICHELLE MORGAN, SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Emotional dysregulation is a part of your child’s executive function pool of skills that flies under the radar of discussion yet affects their day-to-day lives and relationships the most! In this session, you will learn what emotional dysregulation looks like, how it affects your child in different environments, and what tools and strategies can be used to help recognize the struggle, find their calm, and grow through the struggle!
HOW TO EMOTIONALLY REGULATE YOUR Student's ADHD BRAIN
KATELYN MABRY, ADHD LIFE COACH
Far too often parents are afraid to really advocate for their children at school. Similarly, teachers, administrators, and other school staff worry about overly worrying parents if they point of concerns. Moreover, even when a child is on a special education plan, all members of the child’s team often struggle to find effective ways to collaborate and cooperate in a way that keeps the student at the center. This presentation focuses on ways all members of a child’s team, including parents and school staff, can collaborate to help the student make progress.
FIVE TRAITS OF EFFECTIVE PARENTS AND TEACHERS: SETTING THE STAGE FOR COLLABORATION
ASHLEY BARLOW, STUDENT SUPPORT ADVOCATE
What if I told you that the student who can’t stay on task and doesn’t sit still is actually working in overtime trying to manage their brain and body? Or that the child that seems to constantly be hanging upside down or rolling across the floor is doing exactly what they need to be doing to focus?
Successful learning can’t happen until the command center of our brain, aka the nervous system, is regulated and ready for learning - this can only happen through appropriate sensory experiences. In this session, you will better understand a child’s behaviors and what sensory experience their nervous system is trying to relay. Parents, caregivers, and teachers will walk away with tips and tricks that can be applied immediately.
BECOMING A SENSORY DETECTIVE TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE ATTENTION
WHITLIE ROSE-STEPHENS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
What if I told you that the student who can’t stay on task and doesn’t sit still is actually working in overtime trying to manage their brain and body? Or that the child that seems to constantly be hanging upside down or rolling across the floor is doing exactly what they need to be doing to focus?
Successful learning can’t happen until the command center of our brain, aka the nervous system, is regulated and ready for learning - this can only happen through appropriate sensory experiences. In this session, you will better understand a child’s behaviors and what sensory experience their nervous system is trying to relay. Parents, caregivers, and teachers will walk away with tips and tricks that can be applied immediately.
BECOMING A SENSORY DETECTIVE TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE ATTENTION
WHITLIE ROSE-STEPHENS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Anxiety is common in children and adolescents; however, anxiety becomes concerning when it is taking over your and your child's life, leaving you all in a state of ongoing stress. This session was designed for parents and caregivers with a focus on bringing awareness to the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children, strategies to help your child cope with anxiety and worry, when to seek support from a mental health professional, and what kind of information you should be prepared to share with that professional. You will also be provided with information about various online and book resources related to anxiety in children and teenagers.
How to Support Your Child with Anxiety
Dr. April L. Coleman, Georgia licensed psychologist
Anxiety is common in children and adolescents; however, anxiety becomes concerning when it is taking over your and your child's life, leaving you all in a state of ongoing stress. This session was designed for parents and caregivers with a focus on bringing awareness to the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children, strategies to help your child cope with anxiety and worry, when to seek support from a mental health professional, and what kind of information you should be prepared to share with that professional. You will also be provided with information about various online and book resources related to anxiety in children and teenagers.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD WITH ANXIETY
DR. APRIL L. COLEMAN, GEORGIA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
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