All About The Neurodiverse Learning Retreat
Are you an educator or a parent of a neurodiverse child looking for new ideas to help them reach their full potential? If so, then the 2023 Neurodiverse Learning Retreat is the perfect event for you!
Here at Infinite Learning Academy, we have the privilege of working with many individuals to support their learning, including neurodiverse children. I have worked as a music teacher, band director, educator, and principal in the public school system for many years. Through these experiences, I have been able to witness firsthand how empowering and how critical it is for neurodiverse kids to be surrounded by a supportive environment and given activities and schoolwork that are tailored to their individual needs.
Unfortunately, many of our public schools aren't equipped to meet the needs of neurodiverse students as may be needed to cater to their learning needs. Even homeschooling families don't always have access to the resources needed for their child's unique learning style.
That's why we created our Neurodiverse Learning Retreat!
During this learning retreat, our mission is to provide educators and families of neurodiverse children with the opportunity to learn more about how to work with neurodiverse children in their homes and learning environments.
What Makes The Neurodiverse Learning Retreat Different?
There are a lot of learning conferences and workshops you can attend, either as a parent or an educator. But a complaint we often hear is how dry the experience can be. (I know this to be true!) I don't love sitting in a conference room day after day, so we wanted to make sure this retreat was anything but boring and passive! Instead, we've designed the Neurodiverse Learning Retreat to be a fun and engaging experience for all attendees.
Throughout the retreat, you'll get invaluable tips and strategies that will give you the tools to help your neurodiverse kids succeed. In order to provide a varied and engaging experience for all families, we are doing a combination of the following:
Repeated Sessions (to ensure each retreat participant is afforded the opportunity to attend as many sessions as possible),
Round table Discussions (that afford the opportunity to exchange knowledge and explore innovative ways to address challenges),
Family sessions that are interactive and fun for all, and,
Small sessions to allow purposeful discussions to take place with our presenters.
When Is The 2023 Neurodivergent Learning Retreat?
The entire retreat takes place from June 13th to 16th, but to help everyone get the most out of it, we have split the retreat into two experiences; one for families and one for educators.
June 13th and 14th are all about the families! And yes, you should bring your entire family along with you! This will make it much more fun and help give everyone the knowledge they need to support the family.
June 15th and 16th have been set aside for the educators! While there will be more keynotes and presentations throughout the portion of the event, there will still be plenty of interactive activities, so you won't feel like you're just sitting in a conference room all day.
Where Is The Retreat?
In my experience, the best kinds of learning retreats are the ones where you get to go to a holiday destination so you can enjoy the retreat experience, and that's precisely what this event is! On the beautiful Hutchinson Island in Florida, you and your family can enjoy some sunshine and relaxation between the sessions. We've also created a list of fun activities in this beautiful setting to make the most of your trip.
The resort itself also includes amenities you can enjoy during your free time, like:
an outdoor pool & whirlpool
an outdoor lap pool
on-site golf
on-site restaurant with delicious food
beach access
nearby boat & water sports rentals
kids activities such as beach games, arts and crafts, and more!
You can learn even more about this luxurious resort here.
What Is The Benefit For Families Attending The Learning Retreat?
Whether you have a child with ADHD, ADD, or Autism, this retreat won't disappoint! Throughout the family sessions, you will learn valuable tips and strategies to support your neurodiverse child at home better. Not only will you be able to learn from other educators and families who are dealing with the same struggles, but you'll also get support and advice from advocates and experts in neurodiversity.
Some of the inside and outside interactive workshops we will be doing during the 2-day family portion of this retreat include:
The Power of Strength-Based Approaches to Support Reading Comprehension and Neurodivergent Readers.
Inclusion and Sensory Learning for Families.
Art sensory integration session for all to participate in.
Ways to Prepare and Transition Neurodiverse Individuals for the Workforce.
Beach building and play activities.
And more!
We also want you to leave this retreat feeling supported and connected to others. That's why we provide support sessions that an expert in neurodiversity will facilitate. These include:
IEP support. (Bring your child's IEP with you!)
Beach Walk and talk with our panelists.
Round table sessions.
Practical Ways to Enlist the Help of Others When Advocating for Your Child.
And more!
There are plenty of things to do during the learning retreat! We also wanted to break up the sessions, so some will occur in the conference center, while others will take place outside and even on the beach!
What Is The Benefit For Educators Attending The Learning Retreat?
If you are an educator interested in attending the Neurodiverse Learning Retreat, look no further! We have curated a schedule designed specifically for educators to get professional development and enhance learning for neurodiverse children in a calm and relaxing environment. And we are doing it without all the boring, stuffy conference room lectures and presentations!
When I worked in the public school system, I always found significant benefits in attending retreats and conferences to learn more about the learning strategies that were available for neurodiverse kids, as well as to get tips and techniques for how I can better support them in the classroom. Especially since we are learning more and more about neurodiversity daily, this is an excellent opportunity to stay on top of the latest research and strategies.
Some of the sessions we will be doing during the 2-day educator portion of this retreat include:
Learning strategies for neurodiverse kids.
Helpful Tips for IEPs (Individual Education Plans).
Creating a sensory-friendly environment
Yoga for everyone
Autism advocate Jeff Snyder from The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism will share his story with us.
Another thing I know many educators struggle with is the feeling of being overwhelmed or burned out. That's why we also provide support sessions during this learning retreat that experts in neurodiversity will facilitate. Our aim with these sessions is to give educators the tools to stay connected and energized while being their authentic self.
Learn More About The 2023 Neurodiverse Learning Retreat
If you want to learn more about the Neurodiverse Learning Retreat for families and educators, please visit the website. There, you will find all the details about the event and learn more about the 2-day family and educator portions of this retreat. If you're ready to join us, you can secure your spot. While no registration form is needed to attend, a limited number of spots are available. So, secure yours while you can!
We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 Neurodiverse Learning Retreat!
