MINDROOM MASTER CLASS WITH DR SAM GOLDSTEIN

Dr Sam Goldstein took a look at what's new in the field of learning difficulties - ADHD, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Tourettes Syndrome, DCD, Dyslexia and other related difficulties.

In this ground breaking, day-long presentation, internationally recognized child psychologist and neuropsychologist, Dr Sam Goldstein, provided an overview of genetics, resilience and the latest developments in mental health.        

SOCIAL BRAIN 2: SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

2 & 3 March 2006, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

Mindroom joined forces with Professor Christopher Gillberg in organising our third major international conference.

Some forty experts from around the world  debated the social brain and disorders of social development - including autism, Asperger syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, DAMP and related conditions. They talked about the understanding of learning difficulties - and how best to live with them.

Leading specialists in neurobiology, genetics, child development, psychiatry, psychology and education  covered anything from the brain's basis for sociability and social interactions to clinical, social, psychological and experimental aspects of neuro-psychiatric conditions.

Quite simply, we brought together science and medicine, health and education, theory and practice over two very exciting days.

'Working with Christopher Gillberg was an absolute priviledge, says Sophie Dow. He brought with him huge support from medical people and scientists. This great amalgamation marries the medical side with parents and educators on an international stage.'

Queen Silvia, The Queen of Sweden, was patron for this wonderful conference .

Social Brain 2 Report and Speakers Presentations

You can download or view the Social Brain 2 Report and a selection of Speakers Powerpoint Presentations from the Social Brain 2 Event

Social Brain 2 Documents

Conference Programme

http://www.mindroom.org/meeting/socialbrain2/assets/socialbrain2programme.pdf

Leading specialists in neurobiology, education, genetics, child development, psychiatry and psychology debated the social brain and social developmental disorders. They revealed the science behind conditions such as autism, Asperger syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, DAMP - and discussed how best to live with them.

With some 1,000 participants from 23 countries, the conference was a major networking and information-sharing event for professionals at all levels, as well as for parents and delegates with learning difficulties themselves.

Mindroom founder Sophie Dow, whose daughter has severe learning difficulties, says: “Society seems to have its own form of learning difficulty: a

blind spot - an unwillingness to recognise these children and meet their needs. We need to understand this complex thing called the brain so we can accommodate different needs. Only then can children with learning difficulties live their lives to the full.”

Combining theory and practice, the conference ranged from talks on new dental treatments to personal presentations about living with learning difficulties. Delegate Melanie Harris says: “I found the whole event very powerful, very stimulating, very inspiring. What was amazing was that in among these all the doctors, professors, academics, parents, educators, and health professionals were sprinkled the very people about whom we were all gathered together.”

The conference was widely covered in the media at the time, but many who were unable to attend have requested further details. So Mindroom has produced a double-CD pack bringing together the best of the conference.

It can be used by teachers as an educational resource, or by parents and professionals. It provides a unique opportunity to hear Lorna Wing, a psychiatrist with an autistic daughter, who established the Centre for Social and Communication Disorders, a diagnostic and assessment centre in London.

Other speakers include Christopher Gillberg, Prof of Child and Adolescsent Psychiatry and co-organiser of the conference, Bill Colley, Education Consultant, Dr Loretta Giorcelli, who encourages inclusive education in Australia, Dr Sam Goldstein, from University of Utah, Nina Black, a Swede with severe ADHD, the parents of an autistic child, as well as a voxpop from conference delegates.

Some of the unique presentations made at The Social Brain 2: See the Bigger Picture are now available on DVD.

This double dvd features important and highly educational lectures from The Social Brain2 conference.The double-DVD costs just £9.99.

Available direct from Mindroom, while stocks last. Complete form on Direct Help and Support page 

Tel: 0131-653 6235 or  www.mindroom.org

SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

2nd & 3rd April 2003 EICC,Edinburgh -a conference on living with learning difficulties arranged by Mindroom.

The two day meeting in the heart of Edinburgh, took a comprehensive look at learning difficulties, but also at other important dimensions of the person as a whole, such as emotional intelligence, empathy, humour, nutrition, medication, practical solutions and more. It was a conference for parents, teachers and professionals alike.

With over 800 delegates it became the biggest ever conference in the UK on such issues. 17 world experts gave their time for free and the outcome of this unique event has proven rather phenomenal.

Newspapers, magazines, TV and radio (see Press Room) all reported on the event, a BBC programme is in the planning, experts are networking, schools are revising their approach to learning difficulties, teachers rethinking their methods and parents encouraged by the fact that they are not alone.

Excellent conference reports for you to read and print out

Wonderful Summary by Richard Lathe Published in The Autism File 2003     http://www.autismfile.com/

Conference Report by Elisabeth Weedon Published in ACNR 2003

One of the most moving moments at See the Bigger Picture was James Dow's short talk about what it was like being Annie's brother.

James was 15 years old at the time.

His talk served as an introduction to a workshop run by Loretta Giorcelli called "Living with learning difficulties in the family".

He is, as you can perhaps tell, mildly dyslexic.

Hi im James Dow

Im sophies Son also brother of Annie the main insparation of charity. I hear to introduce lorreta goegelie and also give you a brief starter to what its like to live with a child with learning difficulties. I found it quite hard to talk about living with a child with learning difficulties as to me it is normal. But when I go to friends houses I notice differences. Such as maturity, being able to hold conversations and not fusing over things. This may sound like a good thing but I feel this is all to boring. I find that being different isn't bad thing I think it's a good thing as it is more exciting as you never know what your going to get. One second you may get harsh insults yet then next second you get love and praise and this all gives a lively house hold which may stress the parents but I think this is fun. I had always thought annie was different but not in such a way as having learning difficulties. As life went on I learnt more and more about Annie and learning difficulties from my mum mainly. This helped me underdstand annie more. But still I manage to forget this during an argument. Expecialy when I get told off and receive a long lecture and annie is sympathised and is lightly advised not to do it again sometimes arguing back but then I think what it must be like to be annie I shut right up. Latley I have been felling pressure from my parents as I have exams. Sometimes it gets to me how im always doing work while any is always able to go out side and play. I have put this into an anlagie.She is gliding along in a rolls Royce while im in a plastic pedal car pedaling my legs off and getting nowhere fast while she glides by in her car. But that's when I think that im being pushed as I have been given a good chance. This is when I start to think what is going to happen to her. I always tell my parents that I will take care of her no matter what. Even though I don't like to admit it. She may get a job or earn a living she is always going to need taking care of. This may sound negative but there are plenty of upsides such as any is a very happy upbeat and social person which shows as whenever any walks into school or any where we going there is always some one shouting annies name telling her to come over. Even if there isn't anyone she knows she still finds a way of making friends whether it may be adult or child. But I also worry quite a lot as annie is a very trusting person and I think she could some day trust the wrong person.

Even though we have fights and I say I hate her sometimes I will always feel that I love her and that I couldn't ask for a better sister im glad that she is different as I think this is really cool. When my mum first told me that she wanted me to talk about living with some one who has learning difficulties I looked at it as if it was a chore but now I see it as a great experience also it makes me feel great as I im helping people to understand people with learning difficulties.

Thank you

        Tom Brown                               Janet Goldstein,

    from Yale University         Speech pathologist Salt Lake City

THE MINDROOM MASTERCLASS 2004

18th & 19th Nov 2004 at The London College of Fashion

The LCF generously loaned us their state of the art auditorium, The Rootstein Hopkins Space, for free.

200 John Princes St, London W1 (off Oxford st)

http://www.lcf.linst.ac.uk/

http://rhspace.co.uk/

MASTER CLASS REVIEW

A delegate attending Mindroom's Masterclass 2004 described it as: "the most valuable training I could have wished for in my first year of training."

Clare Palmer Fairbairn, a teacher from Lothian in Scotland, enthused: "The masterclass provided the most amazing educational journey. The issues were of great significance and the speakers offered a wealth of real experiences and ideas which gave encouragement. The content of their lectures and advice was accessible and realistic: strategies and approaches that embodied simplicity and common sense. They encouraged us to see that by implementing the basic principles of good teaching and with the will to respond to the needs of individuals we are already on the path to success."

The Mindroom Masterclass 2004 attracted delegates of 15 nationalities. Held in London's College of Fashion, the main speakers were Dr Loretta Girocelli, Professor of Special Education at the University of Sydney, and Sam Goldstein, PhD, of the Neurology, Learning and Behaviour Centre, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

Fairbairn continues: "It was an emotional two days where I felt moved by the experiences of children and adults. However, the most overwhelming element of the conference was, for me, meeting individuals from all over the world, and feeling a sense of a shared vision - the desire to make a real difference for children."