Expo24

Details

Benefits:

What are the benefits of attending the Homeschooling Special Needs Expo?
- Gain knowledge from respected experts in the various fields represented at the Expo, and from parents who are in the trenches of special needs and help parents navigate through it
- Talk with curriculum providers, creators, and distributors about various curricula to help your child
- Know you're not alone as you chat with other parents going through the same thing
- An exhibit hall full of people from companies who cater to special needs in whatever form, eager to help you homeschool your precious preschooler or teen (or adult)
- Access to the Homeschooling Special Needs Expo Facebook Group, which is a supportive and informative community for parents homeschooling their special needs children

Why the title "Homeschooling Special Needs Expo?" The term "special needs" was chosen because the Expo caters to a wide range of disabilities, including autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning disabled, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and others. The Homeschooling Special Needs Expo is the first major two-day conference that specializes just in homeschooling differently-abled children and teens, with an exhibit hall with over 25 companies and organizations that help parents homeschool and/or parent their children, plus a Church Track that trains pastors, youth leaders, childrens' workers, etc., how to be more inclusive of children, teens, and adults with disabilities.

In addition, the Expo features a Sensory Room with sensory items that children and teens can enjoy and use to de-stress during the Expo (and parents can learn about Sensory Rooms and the benefits of sensory toys and tools). Sessions on a wide variety of topics are also available to teach parents how to homeschool their children with varying needs--and how to practice self-care as individuals and families.

Please note: child care is NOT provided at the Expo. Children are, however, welcome.

Church Track

The Church Track exists to assist churches in implementing programs to minister to special needs populations in and around their churches. Click here for more information.

Keynote: Dr. Temple Grandin

Dr. Temple Grandin

We're thrilled to announce that autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin will be delivering the Capstone Keynote, in person, on Saturday evening, June 29, 2024 at the Expo.

BIO: Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a child and went on to pursue work in psychology and animal science. She has become a leading advocate for autistic communities and has also written books and provided consultation on the humane treatment of animals. In 2010, HBO released an Emmy Award-winning film on Grandin’s life.

Keynote: Roseann Capanna-Hodge, The Global Institute of Children's Mental Health

Roseann Capanna-Hodge

Keynote: Practical Self-Regulation Strategies: Boosting Attention, Listening and Learning
In this engaging session, attendees will discover a treasure trove of actionable techniques to enhance the attention, listening skills, and overall learning experience of neurodivergent learners, those with special needs or mental health issues. Dr. Roseann will share practical strategies that can be easily integrated into homeschooling routines, empowering parents and educators to create a supportive environment where special needs students can thrive. This presentation promises to be a valuable resource for anyone seeking effective ways to boost self-regulation and academic success in neurodivergent individuals.

BIO: Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, hailed by Forbes as "A thought leader in children's mental health," has made indelible contributions to advancing mental wellness in young learners. Through her It’s Gonna be OK!™ Podcast, she delivers hope and practical strategies for those managing neurodivergence and mental health hurdles. Her science-backed, holistic methods have profoundly impacted lives, positioning her as a key figure in the evolution of children’s mental health. Her upcoming keynote at the special needs homeschooling expo is set to inspire and equip parents and educators with effective tools for supporting the growth and success of special needs students.

Keynote: Davis Carman, Apologia

Davis Carman

Keynote: Give Me One Good Reason to Homeschool
Are parents really qualified to teach their children everything? What about socialization? These are just a couple of the concerns that make homeschooling seem impossible. But you know homeschooling is continuing to grow. More and more families are considering it and taking the plunge. What are the top reasons? In this session, Davis discusses the moral, academic, and practical reasons to homeschool, and helps dispel the myths we all tend to believe. When you finish this workshop, you will know that if there was ever a time to homeschool, it is now.

BIO: Davis Carman got started on his homeschool adventure with a providential two-by-four on the side of his head. Twenty-six years and seven graduates later, he hopes to share some of the lessons he’s learned along the way to help other families enjoy the most successful, satisfying, and Christ-centered home school possible. He is the president of Apologia Educational Ministries, the #1 publisher of creation-based science, math, and Bible curriculum for homeschooling
families. He blogs at apologia.com/blog and is the
co-host of the Let’s Talk Homeschool podcast. He believes that if there was ever a time to homeschool, it is now!

Keynote: Ryan Platt, A Special Needs Plan

Ryan Platt

Keynote: Planning for Two Lifetimes. See the video summary here.

BIO: Ryan founded A Special Needs Plan in 2005 and has been a pioneer in his field. He completed his Special Care Planner Certification at the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA, and his background includes advanced training in estate and tax planning, special needs trusts, government programs, and the emotional dynamics of working with people and families with loved ones with special needs. He’s passionate about meeting with families, learning their concerns, understanding their values, and helping them reach their goals. He excels in creating plans that help secure the needs of two generations.

After graduating from Wake Forest University in 1996 with a B.A. in Economics, Ryan completed his MBA from Colorado State University in 2003, and continued his financial planning education by completing his Chartered Financial Consultant®, Chartered Special Needs Consultant™ and Certified Family Business Specialist designations. He’s grown A Special Needs Plan into an elite, nationally recognized planning firm.

Ryan enjoys serving the community as a member and former President of Board of Directors for The Arc of North Carolina, is the former President of The Arc of Mecklenburg County, and a volunteer with Special Olympics. He has had several articles on Special Needs Planning published and is a frequent speaker including engagements with The National Autism Association Convention, The Arc of North Carolina's Conference, KDVS Foundation, The Autism Society of NC, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, and more.

Ryan believes in collaboration, accountability, and planning, followed closely by taking action in order to ensure goal achievement. He lives in Kannapolis, NC with his wife Lisa and their four children: Kade, Carter, Alexis and Emily.

Keynote: Dr. Carol Brown, Equipping Minds

Carol Brown

Keynote: Naturalistic or Biblical Worldview of Human Development: Renewing the Mind
A naturalistic view of human development has been prevalent for over 300 years and has gone unchallenged. Upon speaking to educators and psychologists, Piaget’s name and theories are renowned and accepted, while John Amos Comenius, Shmuel Feuerstein, and Reuven Feuerstein are virtually unknown. However, Feuerstein, Comenius, and I challenge the naturalistic view and replace it with a biblical view of human development. Seeing everyone as created in God’s image with incredible worth and potential is crucial. We can no longer discount the connection between spiritual formation and cognitive formation and limit the expectations of learners who have learning, intellectual, behavioral, and physical challenges. You will learn how cognitive training can help children and adults flourish, reaching their full God-given potential for His purposes and glory.

BIO: Dr. Carol Brown is the founder of Equipping Minds, whose primary mission is to work with children and adults to increase their cognitive abilities and decrease learning, emotional, and social challenges. They work individually with children and adults of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential through our onsite and online programs. This includes learners with autism, dyslexia, gifted, learning and memory challenges, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, Down syndrome, processing disorders, dementia, fetal alcohol syndrome, post-concussion syndrome, specific learning disability, executive functioning, and neurodevelopmental disorders. They see working memory, processing speed, attention, comprehension, executive functioning, critical thinking, visual-spatial reasoning, social skills, self-regulation, and communication skills increase to help them overcome learning, emotional, and social challenges by equipping their minds to reach the full potential God has for them. As Dr. Reuven Feuerstein has proven, “everyone-regardless of age, etiology or disability-has immeasurable ability to enhance their learning aptitude and heighten their intelligence.” The Feuerstein Method has helped hundreds of thousands of people improve their learning, thinking, and analyzing skills. Equipping Minds is based on Feuerstein’s theories of Structural Cognitive Modifiability and Mediated Learning.

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