G. REID LYON: KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE LEAD FOUNDATIONS SPRING COMMUNITY FORUM ADDRESSED HOW TO HELP THE STRUGGLING READER

Dr. G. Reid Lyon, an internationally renowned expert on reading, addressed a large audience of parents and educators at the Foundation's April 19, 2007 Community Forum. Dr. Lyon is the Executive Vice President for Research and Evaluation at Higher Ed Holdings (HEH) and Whitney University, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Prior to moving to Dallas, Dr. Lyon served as a research psychologist and the Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the NIH. Before joining the NIH, Dr. Lyon served on the faculties of The University of Alabama-Birmingham, Northwestern University, and the University of Vermont. Dr. Lyon received his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico with a dual concentration in psychology and special education. He has taught children with learning disabilities, and served as a third grade classroom teacher. Dr. Lyon has authored, co-authored and edited more than 120 journal articles, books, and book chapters addressing learning differences and disabilities in children. Dr. Lyon was a member of the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education. He has testified numerous times before U.S. Congressional Senate and House Committees addressing issues such as the role of neuroscience in education, early childhood development, the need for scientific research in education, the training of teachers, reading development and disorders, the re-authorization of Title I and Special Education legislation. In addition, Dr. Lyon was an architect of the Reading First legislation within NCLB and served as an advisor to the administration on educational research and policies. DR. ROBERT BROOKS: RAISING RESILIENT CHILDREN REQUIRES EMPATHY, TEACHING THEM TO CARE FOR OTHERS By Amy Babcock, Cheyenne Edition   Dr. Robert Brooks, a practicing clinical psychologist for the past 41 years and nationally renowned author, presented his talk "Raising Resilient Children and Adolescents" on April 20 in the Cheyenne Mountain High School Auditorium. The presentation was a free event offered as the LEAD (Learning and Educating About Disabilities) Foundation's spring community forum. Brook's talk was lively, humorous and informative, offering real-life glimpses into his own parenting experiences, as well as families and children he has worked with throughout his career. By asking the audience to ponder a number of personal questions and offering a "few key concepts," Brooks was able to lead parents and teachers into an exercise of self-evaluation. One key idea Brooks discussed focused on was the concept of empathy. "Empathy is not the same thing as sympathy, it's not even agreeing with someone. Empathy is about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and being able to see the world through their eyes," Brooks explained. He went on to make the point that having empathy for our children is "one of the most significant things we can do" to help our children grow into healthy, happy, resilient adults. In order to examine their relationship with their children, Brooks invited the audience to go home and create a list of words they hoped their children would use to describe them as a parent. Next they were to consider why those words were important, and what they had done in the past three weeks that would cause their children to use those words. Parents were then instructed to make a list of words their children would actually use and to evaluate how similar the lists were. While acknowledging the frustrations and emotions of parenthood, Brooks went on to say, "It is easy to be empathic toward someone you agree with. The true test of empathy is to be empathic when we are angry, annoyed, or disappointed with our children."In applying empathy, Brooks encouraged parents to catch themselves when they are yelling at their children and ask themselves, "I wonder how my child would describe me now?" Brooks was not suggesting parents should be pushovers or have low expectations for their children, but to consider discipline in a new light. "Discipline," he explained, "is based on the word disciple, which means to teach. Too often we mistake discipline for punishment." Having empathy for our children, and using positive feedback and encouragement as effective forms of discipline, were presented as extremely powerful methods in the journey of raising children. Further, Brooks explained that in order for children to experience dignity and hope, they must be provided with opportunities to help others. By participating in charitable activities, children internalize the message, "because you are on this earth, this earth is a better place." Brooks has coauthored a number of books with Dr. Sam Goldstein including, "Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child;" "Nurturing Resilience in Our Children: Answers to the Most Important Parenting Questions;" and "The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life." Salle Howes, LEAD Foundation president, explained that Brooks was invited as the guest speaker for the spring community forum because, "Resilience is particularly important for students with disabilities, who have unique challenges. One of the things that can suffer most is their self-esteem. Focusing on resilience can deal with issues of confidence and can help parents assist their children." Howes added, "Brooks is an absolutely wonderful speaker and his books are excellent and of interest to any parent who wants their children to be healthy and have self-esteem." More information on Dr. Brooks, his parenting philosophies, and research he bases his findings on can be found by reading his books and by visiting his websites: www.drrobertbrooks.com or www.raisingresilientkids.com RICK LAVOIE: ON THE WATERBED By Salle Howes   An audience of parents and teachers were captivated by the wit and wisdom of Rick Lavoie at the LEAD Foundation’s spring 2005 community forum. Mr Lavoie, a noted speaker and educator on learning disabilities, entitled the evening “On The Waterbed,” to demonstrate how the entire family is impacted by a special needs child. “When five people are on a waterbed, and one person moves, everyone feels the ripple.” Mr Lavoie began his day at Cheyenne Mountain High School, sharing pizza and pop with the Advanced LEAD students. Prior to his arrival, he watched a tape of LEAD’s presentation at The Colorado Courage To Risk Conference, and came prepared to offer his opinions and advice. Although highly complimentary of the LEAD presentations and their mission, Mr. Lavoie also had some suggestions for improvement. LEAD president Hillary Howes stated, “We will definitely make many of the changes that Mr. Lavoie recommended and they will make our presentations even better.” Following a session with District 12 teachers, Mr. Lavoie spoke to a captivated audience from the entire community. Lavoie encouraged parents, “Not to become an expert on learning disabilities, but become an expert on your child. Use a combination of knowledge, technique and philosophy when parenting the special needs child.” Lavoie also cautioned parents not to confuse fairness with equality. “An eight year old will tell you that fair means everyone should get the same thing. The true definition of fairness means that everyone gets what he or she needs.” In the classroom this could translate to extended time on a test for the student with a reading or processing disability. At home it may mean that the child who struggles with homework will need more time and attention from a parent, then the child who has no difficulty getting through school assignments. Mr. Lavoie praised special education teachers who often receive the brunt of a frustrated parents anger. His advice to these teachers: “Take it seriously, but don’t take it personally.” Parents, he explained, go through many stages before they can accept that their son or daughter has a learning disability. These can include anger, denial, blame, grief and mourning. Parents do not go through these stages in any given order or for any set length of time. Additional stress is added to the family in crisis when mothers and fathers are experiencing different stages. His compassion and understanding for parents of students with LD made it difficult to believe he had not been in that position himself. He ended the evening by saying that successful teachers and parents must learn to see the world through a child’s eyes. Be sure to read Mr. Lavoie's article on his experience with LEAD. Mr. Lavoie's video's, “Last One Picked, First One Picked On", "F.A.T. City" and "Beyond F.A.T. City" and his newest book, Its So Much Work To Be Your Friend are available for checkout from The LEAD Resource Center. To learn more about Rick Lavoie and to read his articles “Tales from The Road” visit: www.ricklavoie.com.