Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
PATINS Specialists
Amanda Crecelius, M.Ed.
Amanda has 25+ years in education, working in Indiana, Madrid, Spain, and Mexico City, Mexico. Over the course of ten years in Mexico City, she gained Spanish linguistic skills and deeper cultural awareness. She has worked with students and families who were multilingual and multicultural in K-12 international school settings, urban/rural settings, and online courses. Amanda has worked with the Indiana transition cadre and individual students with Specific Learning Disabilities. She has a M.Ed., is a Google Certified Educator, and has extensive experience in serving as an instructional leader for education programs, professional development, and training and curriculum development for other educators.
Specialty Areas:
- Multilingual Supports for Assistive Technology (AT), Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
- Transition
Contact Information:
Phone: 317-721-1152
Amanda Brown
Amanda has been working in Special Education for 13 years focusing on reading, math interventions, and emotion regulation. I shifted my focus after my son was diagnosed with dyslexia and made it my life's mission to not only understand his learning disability, but to help others who struggle with similar difficulties. I shifted careers in 2020 and began working with students with intensive needs and autism. Helping students with intense needs sparked my passion once again to learn and expand my knowledge for students. I look forward to growing, networking and sharing knowledge in my role at PATINS.
Speciality Areas:
- Autism
- Google/Chrome Accessibility
- Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Contact Information:
Email: abrown@patinsproject.org
Phone: (317) 979-6569
Twitter: @AmandaLBrown82
Resources
Training
All of the trainings below can be requested at any time by emailing the corresponding specialist. You can find additional training sessions provided by the PATINS team on our Professional Development Guide.
Climbing the Mountains: Reading, Writing, Mathematics with Amanda Crecelius
In preparation for mountain climbing, proper equipment, intense training, and a skilled guide are necessary to reach the peak. The highest mountains that students face in school are reading, writing, and mathematics. Skilled guides, or educators are only one piece needed to successfully scales these mountains. Students struggling in any or all of these areas also need training/direct instruction and proper equipment/supportive tools. Let’s hike though the challenges of struggling readers/writers, students with math-related challenges, students with Specific Learning Disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), English Language Learner (ELL), and at-risk students, etc. We will explore research-based strategies paired with supportive technologies in order to reach the summit.
ELLevating All: Overlapping Strategies for ELLs and students with SLD (including dyslexia) with Amanda Crecelius
This session will provide resources and tools for English Language Learners (ELLs) and/or students with Specific Learning Difference (SLD), including dyslexia. This is an overview of overlapping strategies for promoting literacy for ELLs and students with SLD with a focus on how Universal Design for Learning(UDL) to eliminate barriers for ELLs/students with SLD and all students. Participants will be able to categorize possible action under the VICS checklist. They will be able to apply various tools: low/high tech and strategies for a UDL plan for students with SLD and ELLs.
Empowering Students and Changing their view of SLD in the Classroom with Amanda Brown
In this training attendees will learn strategies to help their students navigate through the struggles of having a learning difference and how to change their outlook on giving up when concepts get hard. You will leave wit use-it-tomorrow strategies to empower your students to persevere and stop the pattern of giving up.
Three Part Series: Flexibility for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities with Amanda Brown
Join this three part series discussing the flexibility needed within the classroom to allow students with specific learning disabilities the opportunity to show their knowledge within the classroom. Each evening we will focus on a learning disability and discuss the variety of ways to asses their knowledge of classroom content in a variety of different ways. Attendees will leave with use-it-tomorrow strategies to implement into their classroom.
Battling Handwriting Frustrations: Digital Note Taking with Amanda Brown
In this Training we will learn ways to utilize built in features of Google/chrome and additional extensions that can be added to reduce writing frustration in the classroom. Attendees will learn how to use built ins and extensions in google to assist their students with writing content and notetaking skills. You will learn use-it-tomorrow strategies to assist every student in your room (not only students with IEP's and 504's)
Upcoming Statewide Trainings
