This event is designed to help parents become more knowledgeable and confident advocates for their children. Parents will learn different ways to obtain services and support within the public school setting.  This workshop will provide strategies for developing resiliency, self-advocacy, and social skills in children with learning disabilities.

Keynote Address

Read the room: Developing social and emotional skills for young people with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities.*

Bradley Rogers, Headmaster, The Gow School

Dyslexia mostly impacts reading and writing.   However, this language-based learning challenge can also impact one’s ability to read the room.   How do we as teachers deliver instruction beyond reading and writing? Sometimes our LD students misread social cues and often find themselves rejected by their peers.   What are we doing in the classroom and in the lunchroom/playground to teach our students the all mighty social code in order to make friends and keep friends?  We know LD can sometimes cut to the core, leaving emotional trauma and scars (which could last for decades).  How are we guiding our children to be resilient, while we ask them to persevere through school?  In this discussion, we will share stories and strategies to help our types of students achieve success socially during extra-curricular activities, the Cub Scout meeting, the birthday party, the sleepover, or at the local swimming pool.   Teaching and coaching children with LD goes way beyond the classroom and the phonics cards.     Be ready to share, laugh, and cry as we trek the journey of raising children with dyslexia and related reading challenges.

M. Bradley Rogers, Jr. is in his 16th year as the sixth Headmaster of The Gow School.  He and his family reside on the campus which is located in South Wales, NY.  The Gow School is the nation’s oldest college preparatory school for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities.    Prior to his headship at The Gow School, Mr. Rogers was the first elected headmaster of The Odyssey School in Baltimore, MD.  He served his headship at Odyssey for eight years. During 1989-1996, Mr. Rogers was Dean of Students at Lawrence School in Cleveland, OH.  Mr. Rogers holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from University of Dayton and a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University.  Mr. Rogers enjoys family time with his wife, Anne, and their four sons.  He is also an accomplished marathon runner.    Additionally, Brad is a certified Baptiste Yoga Instructor.