Presented by Steven G. Feifer, D.Ed., ABSNP and Varleisha D. Lyons, Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L and Cara Daily, Ph.D.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – Friday, December 5, 2025 | Winnipeg, mb
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – Friday, December 5, 2025
8:30am – 4:00pm
Best Western Plus Winnipeg Airport Hotel
1715 Wellington Avenue, R3H 0G1
Winnipeg, MB
phone: 204.775.9889
fax: 204.775.4576
website: http://www.bestwestern.com/
Education and Clinical Professionals: K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors/Psychologists, Learning Assistance/ Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers. All other professionals who support students including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers, and Early Childhood Educators.
8:30am - 11:45am December 3, 2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This workshop will examine the impact of mental health conditions on students’ academic performance and social development, offering practical strategies schools can use to promote emotional wellness. Through the lens of brain-behavioural relationships, this workshop will explore how schools can create environments that support not only academic achievement but also emotional regulation, social skills, and overall mental well-being. Factors such as poverty, trauma, childhood abuse, parental neglect, and the lasting effects of the pandemic can disrupt key brain processes related to learning and emotional behavior, resulting in challenges for students both academically and socially.
The focus of this workshop is on early intervention, effective assessment, and evidence-based classroom strategies. We will equip educators, school counselors, and mental health professionals with the tools they need to support emotional wellness in students, helping them overcome emotional challenges and thrive academically. Participants will learn how to assess emotional wellness, implement social-emotional learning initiatives, and create nurturing, resilient school environments that foster positive outcomes for all students.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Steven G. Feifer, D.Ed., ABPdN is dually trained as both a nationally certified school psychologist and board certified pediatric neuropsychologist, having completed research stints at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Feifer has earned numerous distinctions throughout his career including…
12:45pm - 4:00pm December 3, 2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This 3-hour afternoon workshop will explore reading and written language disorders through a brain-based educational lens, offering participants targeted strategies for supporting students with learning challenges. The workshop will be divided into two key segments: reading disorders in the first half and written language disorders in the second, each designed to equip educators and clinicians with the practical tools necessary for effective intervention.
Understanding and Addressing Reading Disorders
The first part of the workshop will focus on differentiating dyslexia from other reading disorders, with a special emphasis on classifying developmental reading disorders into four distinct subtypes. Participants will learn how to identify each subtype and match it with evidence-based interventions to target the specific cognitive challenges associated with it. We will delve into essential cognitive constructs involved in the reading process, including:
Additionally, the Feifer Assessment of Reading (FAR) will be introduced as a diagnostic tool to assess reading abilities, helping to inform intervention planning and guide targeted support for students. Participants will gain hands-on strategies to assess reading difficulties and design appropriate interventions based on individual student needs.
Exploring Writing Disorders and Intervention Strategies
The second half of the workshop will examine writing disorders, with a focus on how “frontal lobe” processes—such as attention, working memory, and executive functioning—influence each subtype of writing difficulty. We will explore three distinct subtypes of writing disorders and discuss the neurological basis for each. Participants will also review five essential steps for effective written language instruction, providing practical strategies for supporting students with writing challenges, including dysgraphia.
The workshop will introduce the Feifer Assessment of Writing (FAW), a tool designed to diagnose writing disorders and guide intervention planning. Participants will explore how to use the FAW and other diagnostic instruments to identify students with written language difficulties, ensuring they receive the appropriate interventions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
8:30am - 4:00pm December 4, 2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Embark on an illuminating journey with sought-after occupational therapist Dr. Varleisha (Gibbs) Lyons, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, FAOTA, as she guides you through a transformative six-hour workshop experience. Dr. Lyons will delve into the foundations of selecting appropriate interventions for students exhibiting challenging behaviors, including hyperactivity, aggressiveness, self-stimulatory behaviors, and inattentiveness, among others.
In this workshop, participants will be ignited by the revelations uncovered in Dr. Lyons’ evidence-based presentation. Through a simplistic yet profound exploration, attendees will gain a deep understanding of the connection between neuroscience and classroom performance, particularly in terms of self-regulation and sensory processing.
Additionally, participants will be introduced to the Classroom Self-Regulation and Mindfulness program, a cutting-edge approach designed to empower educators and therapists in fostering self-regulation skills among students.
Throughout this immersive workshop, attendees will navigate the intricacies of neurobiology and its intersection with various sensory strategies, techniques, and equipment used when working with children facing challenges with self-regulation. Diagnoses such as sensory processing disorder, trauma, autism, and ADHD will be addressed, with treatment techniques including mindfulness, social skill programs, music and movement, and respiratory-based approaches thoroughly analyzed.
Join Dr. Varleisha (Gibbs) Lyons on this enlightening journey as we unlock the keys to promoting self-regulation and sensory processing in the classroom, leaving equipped with invaluable insights and actionable strategies for transformative change.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Varleisha D. Lyons Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L is a renowned occupational therapist, author, and speaker who is deeply passionate about promoting culturally intelligent and spiritually centered mental health care. As a woman of African American and Native American heritage, with ancestral ties…
More information: www.drvgibbs.com
8:30am - 4:00pm December 5, 2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Part 2 of this one-day workshop will focus on evidence-based interventions and practical strategies for managing challenging behaviors and enhancing social communication in children, adolescents, and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Disorder (SCD). Building on the foundational knowledge from Part 1, this session will focus on practical, hands-on tools to support behavior change, teach social communication skills, and create supportive environments in home, school, and community settings.
Dr. Cara Marker Daily will explore behavioral strategies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for promoting self-regulation and reducing anxiety. Participants will learn how to integrate social communication interventions such as PECS, turn-taking, and social skills training into their practices.
Additionally, participants will focus on modifying environmental factors (both home and classroom settings) to support the individual’s growth and behavior management. Emphasis will be placed on creating environments that promote social skills development and reduce triggers for challenging behaviors. Special attention will also be given to preparing children and young adults with ASD and SCD for independent living and adulthood, addressing topics like sex education, work readiness, and transitioning to the workforce.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Cara Marker Daily, PhD, BCBA, is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience providing assessment and treatment for children, adolescents and young adults with autism in the home, school, hospital and community settings. She…
| Registration | Super Early Bird Fee | Early Bird Fee | Regular Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE DAY ENROLLMENT | -- | ||
| Individual 1 Day Enrollment | $299.00 | $319.00 | $339.00 |
| 1 Day Group 3-7 | $249.00 | $269.00 | $289.00 |
| 1 Day Group 8-14 | $224.00 | $244.00 | $264.00 |
| 1 Day Group 15+ | $199.00 | $219.00 | $239.00 |
| 1 Day Full-Time Student | $199.00 | $219.00 | $239.00 |
| -- | |||
| TWO DAY ENROLLMENT | -- | ||
| Individual 2 Day Enrollment | $539.00 | $559.00 | $579.00 |
| 2 Day Group 3-7 | $489.00 | $509.00 | $529.00 |
| 2 Day Group 8-14 | $464.00 | $484.00 | $504.00 |
| 2 Day Group 15+ | $439.00 | $459.00 | $479.00 |
| 2 Day Full-Time Student | $439.00 | $459.00 | $479.00 |
| -- | |||
| THREE DAY ENROLLMENT | -- | ||
| Individual 3 Day Enrollment | $719.00 | $739.00 | $759.00 |
| 3 Day Group 3-7 | $669.00 | $689.00 | $709.00 |
| 3 Day Group 8-14 | $644.00 | $664.00 | $684.00 |
| 3 Day Group 15+ | $619.00 | $639.00 | $659.00 |
| 3 Day Full-Time Student | $619.00 | $639.00 | $659.00 |
All fees are per person and in Canadian Dollars ($CAD)
Fees do not include applicable taxes (5% GST).
Super early bird cutoff date: October 3, 2025
To receive the super early bird rate, registration and payment must be received by Friday, October 3, 2025.
Early bird cutoff date: November 3, 2025
To receive the early bird rate, registration and payment must be received by Monday, November 3, 2025.
Please review our Registration Terms and Conditions for information on our cancellation policy, payment policies, rebates, and more. You must agree to our Terms and Conditions to register for a workshop or conference.
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1715 Wellington Avenue, R3H 0G1
Winnipeg, MB
phone: 204.775.9889
fax: 204.775.4576
website: http://www.bestwestern.com/
Our rates:
Please contact the hotel directly for the best available rates.
Jack Hirose & Associates is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Jack Hirose & Associates maintains responsibility for the program.
† The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers (NLASW) accept CPA-approved CEUs.
* Participants will receive a certificate of completion after every workshop. Workshops are pre-approved for 5.5 or 6 credits per day unless otherwise specified.
Please check back closer to the conference date for more information.
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