The Winston School San Antonio

8565 Ewing Halsell, San Antonio, Texas 78229
(210) 615-6544
www.winston-sa.org

Advocating for those minds that learn differently.

Contact:
Development Office—(210) 615-6544
The Winston School San Antonio

For Release:
January 2, 2006

Nationally acclaimed clinical psychologist Dr. Robert Brooks to tackle motivation & resilience in children who learn differently as kickoff to 16th Annual Winston School San Antonio Symposium.

Largest area program on Learning Disabilities to feature experts on range of topics to help children with learning disorders.

Symposium for parents, teachers, health care providers, therapists and others.
January 28, 2006, at The Winston School San Antonio.

What:	16th Annual Winston School San Antonio Symposium on Learning Differences
When:	8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., January 28, 2006
Where:	The Winston School San Antonio, 8565 Ewing Halsell, San Antonio, Texas 78229 (in the Medical Center area)
Why:	To broaden understanding and appreciation of challenges faced by children who learn differently and to educate parents, teachers, school administrators, nurses, doctors, therapists, psychologists and others interested in learning disabilities on effective strategies to teach and raise children with diagnosed learning disabilities.
Who:	Keynote Speaker Robert Brooks, Ph.D., Harvard University Medical School, nationally acclaimed clinical psychologist, "Nurturing Motivation & Resilience in Children Who Learn Differently" Afternoon Sessions Dr. Kristeen Spratley, psychiatrist, specialist in diagnosing and treating ADHD and other learning differences, "ADHD: Practical Pointers for Teachers & Parents" Dr. Thomas Matthews, psychiatrist, UTHSC, specialist in treating Bipolar disorder and other learning differences, "Strategies for Managing Bipolar Disorder" Ms. Claudia Goswitz, M.A., M.Ed., speech & language pathologist, "Strategies for Reading for Teachers, Parents and Students" Dr. Patricia Harkins, developmental pediatrician, "Aspergers Syndrome: The Un-Resilient Child" Terry Migliore Robertson, Ph.D., Trinity University, "Creating Resilience: Fostering Healthy Families"
CEUs:	The Symposium is approved for five hours of continuing education credit by The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSC-SA); the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; the Texas Speech, Hearing & Language Association; the Texas Physical Therapy Association; the Texas Occupational Therapy Association and the State Board of Education. Nurses and social workers will receive six hours of continuing education credit.
Cost:	Symposium registration fees range from $30 to $120 with discounts available for groups and early-registration by January 20, 2006. Bound copies of presenters' materials are included in the cost of registration for the first 300 preregistered attendees. Early registration is recommended. Seating is limited. Lunch will be available for $8 per person.

Background

Nearly 2.9 millon school-age children in the U.S. are presently classified as having specific learning disabilities. They represent about 5% of all school-age children in public schools, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities. These numbers do not include children in private and religious schools or children who are home-schooled.

In addition, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in children and is the fastest growing psychiatric disorder in adults, with approximately 6 million school-age children and 1.5 million adults diagnosed with ADHD.

Learning disabilities are life-long, and although they won't go away, they don't have to stop a person from achieving goals. Help is available if those struggling with learning differences are identified. Learning disabilities affect every person differently, and disorders can range from mild to severe. Individuals may have more than one learning disability. In addition, approximately one-third of persons with LD also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—which makes it difficult for them to concentrate, stay focused or to stay focused on specific tasks.

The Winston School San Antonio is an accredited, nonprofit, independent school for children in grades K through 12 with learning disabilities/differences and/or attentional difficulties. Located in the South Texas Medical Center at 8564 Ewing Halsell, San Antonio, Texas 78229, WSSA is the only school in the area providing help for students who learn differently or who have diagnosed learning disorders.

For more information about the 16th Annual Winston School Symposium or The Winston School San Antonio call (210) 615-6544 or visit http://www.winston-sa.org

The Symposium is sponsored by Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas and Shire Pharmaceuticals.