Workshops

Participants in AIMEE Solutions workshops agree, "This was a FUN workshop. I loved all the creative, practical ideas I can use with my students".

Workshop participants put it all together
Fun at the Workshops

Creative Ideas That Stretch Your Budget

Got a Dollar? Get an Idea!
It is not always necessary (or affordable) to purchase adaptive toys, tools or technology from commercial vendors' catalogs. Let the Dollar Store QUEEN show you over 100 great money-saving ideas for home and the classroom. We guarantee you will never look at ponytail holders and barrettes the same way again! Be warned: this workshop may cause you to become a Dollar Store junkie or serious collector of odd and ends. 3 hour session.

Let's Get Connected
PVC tubing is not just for plumbing anymore! Better yet, you don't need to be a plumber to easily create a variety of student-assisting devices - from a bookstand to a sand and water table. Why pay premium prices for commercial products? PVC is light-weight, durable, and inexpensive. During the workshop, you will learn how to work with PVC, and will assemble 2 items. 3 hour session.

Hands OFF! Let the Student Create
Put an end to beautiful "student" art projects created for them by well-meaning adults. Learn imaginative ways to use everyday household items - such as a dish soap-dispensing sponge - for art projects. Simple adaptations to standard art supplies can allow physically impaired students access and independence in creating their own masterpieces. Participants in this workshop make an art kit suitable for use with a range of students. 3 hour session.

Put ME to Work
Trying to teach prevocational skills in your classroom, but feeling overwhelmed by lack of time? Struggling to find appropriate (and CHEAP!) prevocational materials for your students who are cognitively challenged, language disabled or on the autism spectrum? Learn adaptations and solutions for a multitude of challenges that encourage student independence. Everyday household, classroom and Dollar Store items can be used as work kits to allow students to learn workshop behaviors and skills. Participants will make 2 simple work kits that can be used in the classroom the next day. 3 hour session.

Understanding Sensory Needs

Sensory Success
Do you know children who are easily distracted, upset by loud sounds or bright lights, push others when they are touched, have difficulty making transitions or calming down when they are excited, and generally have a hard time getting through the day? Or perhaps you know children who prefer to be by themselves, are slow to respond to what is being asked, seem confused, fearful, disorganized or inattentive. If so.this workshop is for you! Understanding how sensory integration impacts children is critical knowledge for planning activities and environments so all children can succeed in the classroom, community and home! Participants in this workshop will:

Learn about sensory differences and sensory terminology

Learn how to create a Success Kit

3 hour session.

I'm SENSational
So many students ages 14 - 21 with sensory, learning and motor differences do not understand what makes them who they are. They have limited self-awareness of their "Uniqueness" and often lack the self-confidence to advocate for themselves. By incorporating a variety of strategies such as sensory regulation, exercise, nutrition and self-advocacy, this program is presented to students in a dynamic group format that facilitates a multidisciplinary approach that can include the teacher, classroom assistant, OT, PT, SLP, psychologist and social worker. Topics addressed:

Provide staff and students the language and understanding of how their bodies feel and why...what makes you "Unique"?

Strategies to change sensory levels throughout the day in the classroom, community, workplace and home.

Explain how using these strategies can translate into young adults who are self aware and able to self-regulate.

A variety of ways (low tech to high tech) to adapt materials so that everyone has the opportunity to explore their own "Uniqueness"!

3 hour session.

Build a Bridge Between Technology and YOUR Classroom

Communicatin' in the Community
Imagine this is you...
It's 8:00 A.M. The mobility bus will be arriving in 5 minutes to transport you and your students into the community for grocery shopping and lunch at McDonalds. In 5 minutes can you round up all the essential communication devices, overlays, low tech books and forms? RELAX... This workshop will assist you in gathering all of the materials needed for trips into the community and containing them in one bag so you merely Grab It and GO on the way out of the room. This workshop will provide materials for all students allowing each to successfully communicate in the community. Presenters are an OT and an SLP who have worked with a variety of disabilities and will offer first hand experience. 3 hour session.

Language Kit Make and Take
The Technomaniacs go wild during this interactive workshop which includes an overview of a Take and Teach Language Kit and demonstration of how to use many of the activities provided on the CD. Let us do the preparation - you provide the scissors, glue sticks, and energy! Participants will leave the session with a collection of materials - including the book, songboard, and several language extension activities - that can be used in the classroom the next day. Learn tips to build lessons around a single unit by using the core materials in a variety of ways. A time for role play is included to give attendees the opportunity to practice adapting lessons for students with different needs. 4 hour session.

Life in the REAL World
Life in the real world...eating at a restaurant, going to the dentist, attending the school play. These real world situations can present significant challenges to students who are challenged by either social skills or life experiences. With a little creativity, some well-known computer programs, and the use of time-saving templates, expand core content of social situations into instructional materials that can be used with a group of students. Participants in this computer lab workshop will use Classroom Suite, PowerPoint and/or Boardmaker to create learning materials. Techniques shared will provide participants with ideas on providing real world instruction that addresses multiple learning styles and supports student independence both in the classroom and out in the community. 3 hour computer lab.

To obtain more information about our Workshop Solutions, please contact us by telephone (847-566-2292) or email us at info@aimeesolutions.com.