Self-Advocacy for Teens with Special Needs, Free Seminar

Please be sure to mark your calendars!

October 22 Self Advocacy for Teens with Special Needs Presented by: Valerie Gaus, PhD

Self-advocacy is an extremely important tool that students/adults with learning disabilities must have to ensure continued success when going off to college, entering the workforce, etc. Dr. Gaus' presentation will allow parents to help their children develop the necessary skills for communication, self-advocacy, autonomy, and the ability to access needed services and support.

Teens with learning differences grow up to be adults with learning differences. Once students know how they learn, they are then able to facilitate their own learning and advocate for themselves. Research supports the fact that less than 10% of students with special needs who go on to college, remain in college after the first year. Those who have the strongest self-advocacy skills are among that 10% who are most successful. Dr. Gaus' presentation provides tangible ways for parents to help their children become strong self advocates.

* Dr. Gaus has been a practicing cognitive-behavioral therapist serving adults and adolescents with dual diagnosis (intellectual disability with co-morbid psychiatric disorder), autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders since she received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Stony Brook University in 1992. Dr. Gaus is on the advisory board of the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association, the grant review committee of the Organization for Autism Research, and an adjunct faculty at Long Island University/C.W. Post. She was also a founding board member of the New York Metro chapter of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed. Dr. Gaus has written numerous articles and book chapters on mental health issues in developmental disabilities and has lectured extensively on these topics across the United States and abroad. Dr. Gaus has been applauded on the release of her book Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Asperger Syndrome.

These informative free seminars are intended for all those interested in hearing about topics related to developmental disabilities. Each of these presentations will feature a different expert providing valuable tips and information on a wide array of topics pertaining to the field of autism and developmental disabilities. All of these seminars will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at DDI's Hollywood Drive Campus, 99 Hollywood Drive, Smithtown, NY. Space is limited for free lectures; anyone interested should call 631-366-5875 to register.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Michael Romas at 631-366-5875 or via e-mail to mromas@ddiinfo.org Developmental Disabilities Institute 99 Hollywood Drive Smithtown, NY 11787 631-366-2900 From Eastern Long Island: LIE to Exit 55, make right on Motor Parkway. Continue about 200 ft and bare right onto Old Willets Path. Continue on Old Willets Path for approximately 2 miles, then cross over Jericho Turnpike. Old Willets Path now changes to Plymouth Blvd. Go to the first stop sign and make a left onto Parnell Drive. Make the next left onto Hollywood Drive. The campus is at the end of the block. From Western Long Island: LIE to Exit 55, make left onto Motor Parkway. Go over LIE bridge and proceed about 200 ft and bare right onto Old Willets Path. Follow directions above. *Presentation in DDI's Public Education (Lecture) Series does not in and of itself constitute or imply DDI's recommendation or endorsement. DDI's Public Education Series is intended only to provide the public with presentations related to the larger issue of Developmental Disability that are thought provoking , interesting and timely