The Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), Long Island's leading service provider for adults and children with autism and other developmental disabilities, is proud to announce its Spring 2011 Public Speaker Series. The upcoming series, which will run through March, will offer insightful and informative free seminars for those interested in hearing about topics related to developmental disabilities. Each session will feature a different expert to provide valuable tips and information regarding a wide array of topics pertaining to the field of autism and developmental disabilities.
On January 27th, Dr. Meredith B. Jaffe will offer an informative session regarding Autism and dental care. Autism can bring unique and significant challenges to the issue of finding good dental care. This workshop will discuss the many considerations that must be addressed when providing dental care and treatment on behalf of persons with Autism. Dr. Meredith B. Jaffe received her BSN from Columbia University School of Nursing and her DDS from New York University. Following a residency at St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center she was a fellow in the Dental Care for the Developmentally Disabled Program at SUNY Stony Brook's School of Dental Medicine and taught in its program for an additional six years. In addition to her private general dental practice in Huntington, Dr. Jaffe has been with DDI's Opti-Healthcare Dental Department since 2001.
On February 24th, Evan Schermer, MS, will educate attendees on how to use collaborative problem solving for individuals with Autism. Evan Schermer is a certified school psychologist and specializes in working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related neurobiological disorders. He has received advanced training in Collaborative Problem Solving by Ross Greene, and has utilized the approach for over 11 years with great success.
Attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to become the best advocate for their child while learning the laws and regulations that govern CSE meetings under both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the New York State Law and Regulations as well on March 24th. Mr. Brad Rosken will be presenting this engagement. Mr. Rosken is presently the managing partner in his own firm, the Law Offices of Brad H. Rosken, PLLC, specializing in representing students with disabilities in their struggle to obtain the proper and necessary services from their local school districts.
All seminars will be held from 7-9 P.M. in the lecture hall at DDI's Hollywood Drive campus located at 99 Hollywood Drive in Smithtown. Space is limited for the free seminars and anyone interested in further details or registering should call Michael Romas at 631-366-5875 or email at mromas@ddiinfo.org.
DDI is a not-for-profit agency headquartered in Smithtown, NY, with more than 30 locations throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Serving nearly 1,000 children and adults with a diagnosis of an autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), DDI is the largest provider of services for individuals with Autism on Long Island. It provides educational, vocational, and residential programs, as well as medical and dental services for over 1,500 children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities. DDI also operates family-centered preschool programs for both children with disabilities as well as typically developing students. DDI was founded in 1961 by a group of parents to address the special educational and therapeutic needs of their children with autism or other developmental disabilities. DDI is a member agency of the United Way of Long Island. For more information about DDI, visit www.ddiinfo.org.