2024-2025 Community Programs
Community Programs are designed for parents, professionals, and community members interested in improving the lives and services offered to students with learning differences and ADHD. The courses are designed to provide tools for teaching students with learning differences and ADHD, but are beneficial for all students.
The Rankin Institute offers its programs in-person and virtually. These presentations are open to all, but registration is required. The registration will allow you to select your preference for attending on our campus or virtually.
Reading Disorder: A Picture’s Worth a Billion Words
Monday, October 7, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., Cost $10
This presentation on Reading Disorder will give an overview of the disorder as well as demonstrate proven strategies for helping children with reading disorders. Presenter: Kristin Lane, Fellow/OGA of The Fletcher School.
Register here.
Math Disorder: Making Math Memorable
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., Cost $10
Some students find learning math concepts and skills difficult. Because math involves using multistep processes in order to solve problems, it takes more repetition and practice to fully understand the concepts involved in math. A student may be diagnosed with a specific learning disability in math (dyscalculia) or is struggling in math due to other reasons. This workshop will look at the causes of difficulties in math and strategies to develop a relational understanding of math concepts and procedures. Presenter: Joanie Gerken, ATF/OGA.
Register here.
LD Simulations: Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 6 p.m., Cost $10
Have you ever wondered what a child with a learning difference experiences in the classroom? Do you have a child with a learning difference at home, and their sibling(s) just do not understand them? This workshop is designed to put you in the shoes of an LD child. Bring your whole family (ages 12+). Our hope is that this will promote more understanding, compassion, and discussion within the family. Presented by the staff of The Fletcher School.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Written Expression Disorder (Virtual)
Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 12 p.m., Cost $10
This presentation on Written Expression Disorder will give an overview of the disorder as well as address technologies for working with children who are struggling with written expression. Presenter: Hannah Harrison, Ph.D.
Register here.
Lunch and Learn: ADHD (Virtual)
Monday, November 4, 2024, at 12 p.m., Cost $10
This presentation will discuss the effects of attention deficit disorder and provide suggestions for effectively treating ADHD and managing consequent behavior. Presenter: Lisa Pennington, Ph.D., of Carolina Minds, PLLC.
Register here.
Auditory Processing Disorder: Gimme Just a Little More Time (Virtual)
Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., Cost $10
This workshop will review neuroscience related to language and auditory structures, current assessment protocols for auditory processing, and differential diagnosis of attention, behavior, and learning disorders. Intervention strategies from both an educational and speech and language perspective will be provided. Presenters: Mary "Mo" Froneberger, MAT, and Gretchen Hunter, Ph.D., of Child and Family Development, and Staci Blackwell, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA, of Novant Health SouthPark Audiology.
Teen Mental Health: A Conversation We Need to Have (Virtual)
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., Cost $10
Recent studies have shown that teenagers are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression at an alarming rate. This online presentation will share how parents can recognize if their teen is struggling and provide practical strategies to help. We will review typical social and emotional development in teens and ways to foster emotional well-being and resilience. Lastly, we will discuss what we know about the impact of social media on mental health. Presenter: Heidi Limbrunner, Psy.D., ABPP of Ballantyne Psychology, PLLC.