FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 24, 2006
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7119

MUW to host seminar for parents, teachers of children with learning differences
 
COLUMBUS, Miss. – A free seminar for parents and teachers of children and youth with special needs will be held at Mississippi University for Women on Saturday, Jan. 28.
   
The Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning will host Rick Lavoie, an administrator of residential programs for young people with special needs. Lavoie will discuss helping the child with learning disabilities find social success.

After 30 years of working with residential schools, Lavoie offers well-developed and refined methods and philosophies on the unique educational needs for youth.

He holds three degrees in special education and shares his knowledge and wisdom through teaching as a professor, lecturing at numerous universities such as Harvard and the University of Alabama and serving as a consultant on learning disabilities to several media agencies and organizations including the New York Times and Girl Scouts of America.

Among Lavoie’s many accomplishments are several well known videos including “How Difficult Can This Be?: The F.A.T. City Workshop” and “Last One Picked, First One Picked On: The Social Implications of Learning Disabilities.”

His bio noted that after viewing the videos, former first lady Barbara Bush stated, “You really wowed us. I only wish that every parent and teacher in the United States today could also see your program.”

Lavoie's new video on behavior management titled “When the Chips are Down” is now available through LD OnLine.
   
The institute will be held in the Pope Banquet Rooms on the 2nd floor of Hogarth Dining Center from 7:45a.m. to 1p.m. Lunch will be provided.
   
This program is funded by a congressionally-directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
   
For more information, please call the Wicker Center at (662) 241-6101.