PANDA SERVICES
Adult Instructional Intervention
» Do you have a student who has not made a level gain, is distractible, forgetful or acts out in class? PANDA is proud to announce the new Adult Instructional Intervention Program. The purpose of this program is to assist US born and ELL students with learning challenges to:
- Determine the root of learning difficulties
- Improve student academic progress in the classroom
- Provide instructional strategies, resources and assistive technology
- Empower students to understand their learning strengths and challenges
Minnesota ABE Disabilities Website
mn.abedisabilities.org
» The Minnesota Department of Education and PANDA teamed with website developer, 3FIVE Designs, to create the Minnesota Website Portal and the ABE Disabilities Manual online. These sites provide a myriad of information on disabilities. Each disability chapter includes instructional strategies and resources pertinent for ALL students. Topics include, ADHD, Brain Injury, Chemical Health, Disability Awareness and the Law (under construction), Epilepsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Hearing Loss and Deafness, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, Vision Loss and Blindness. The website also provides invaluable information regarding Assistive Technology, Working with Volunteers, GED, TABE and CASAS Testing. It includes ABE Policy and Procedures, written by Minnesota State Department of Education ABE staff.
Disability HELPLINE
disabilityhelpline@mnpanda.org
» PANDA staff provides information, resources and teaching strategies for ABE programs statewide. This includes adaptive equipment, printed materials, videos, reference materials and resources for loan, downloading or in other ways that enable ABE providers to learn about and better serve adults with disabilities.
Professional Development
» Lori Leininger and Wendy Sweeney present professional development at local, regional and state events. The following workshops are available in 2011-12. If you would like to schedule professional development for your staff, please contact Lori Leininger.
"The Hidden Disability: Brain Injury" – Boosting Student Progress Through Positive Behavioral Intervention, presented by Lori Leininger. Addresses the re-licensure area of positive behavioral intervention. Could a brain injury be the cause of your student’s disruptive or inappropriate behavior? Learn a variety of positive behavioral intervention strategies for all students in your classroom.
"Your Perspective is Your Reality: Understanding Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Difficulties
in the ABE Classroom", presented
by Wendy Sweeney. Addresses the re-licensure area of key warning signs of early onset mental illness. During this workshop you will learn about factors that impact mental health, understand key warning signs and symptoms of common mental illnesses, and gain useful classroom strategies and mental health resources.
"What Adults With Disabilities Wish All Teachers Knew", presented by Lori Leininger and Wendy Sweeney. Addresses the re-licensure area of accommodation, modification, and adaptation of curriculum, materials and instruction. This session will give you an opportunity to listen to video-taped testimonials of ABE students with various disabilities. Participants will gain useful information about stroke, TBI, LD, ADHD, common symptoms, resources and instructional strategies to implement in the classroom.
Disability Support Services
» PANDA staff and consultants provide support, resources, assistive technology, instructional strategies and much more for ABE staff throughout Minnesota.
