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Welcome to the Red Deer Chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta. We are a registered non-profit organization supporting learning disabilities in the population of Central Alberta.

Most people are not aware that learning disabilities are a life long condition that, according to research affects up to 1 in 5 Canadians.

LD crosses all ages, genders, socio-economic, cultural and linguistic groups. It is likely that during your life you will be touched, directly or indirectly, by someone with LD in your relationships with family, friends or co-workers.

Our Mission:

LD Red Deer is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the education and social development of people with learning disabilities and ADHD.

We accomplish this through our programs, services and fundraising events, and by maintaining close partnerships with those who have learning disabilities/ADHD, their families, professionals and the community.

According to Statistics Canada, 1 in 5 people have a Learning Disability. This means approximately 60,000 individuals in Central Alberta and 30,000 in the Red Deer Region need our assistance.

Events

Laugh for Learning!

Sunday, February 26, 2012, 5-9pm

Cities Gastro Pub, 3301 Gaetz Avenue, Red Deer

Created and organized as a fundraising event for Learning Disabilities Red Deer

by students of the McBride Career Group Basic Office Skills program.

Comedians from Edmonton
Wine/beer tasting
Silent Auction, and more!

Just $40 per ticket! Join us for an evening out at Cities Gastro Pub as we have fun and raise money for a great cause!

Tickets are available from McBride Career Group at 403 346-8599, or Amanda at 403-848-0865.

Thanks to the many sponsors of the event for their cool auction items and product samples!

Bottle Drive

Here at LDAA-Red Deer, we know that every dollar counts!!

Please help fund our programs and operating costs! We are seeking donations of returnable bottles and cans.

On the first Saturday of each month, please help raise funds by donating your empties, or helping to collect them. Please contact Jennifer @ 403-754-1470.

Thanking you in advance for your support!

Programs

2012 Think Social Program – Ages 10-12

This program is generously sponsored by Green Shield Canada and Telus.

4 Saturday mornings 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
January 14, 21, 28, February 4
Location: LD Red Deer Tutoring Room

The goal of Think Social 2012 Program for ages 10-12 is to foster skills required to achieve success in social situations. The realm of social competence is a difficult one, as we do not consciously ‘teach’ social skills as we would math or reading.

Students will be immersed in learning through hands-on activities, games, and role plays that will help them fit into some of the social situations they deal with and nurture their self-esteem to feel confident. Learning is so much fun that they don’t know that they are learning.

This program is specifically designed for children with learning disabilities who have externalizing and internalizing social skills difficulties.

External social skills – one or more of: dominating, hyperactive, impulsive, prone to outbursts, bossy, can make friends but has difficulty keeping them.

Internal social skills – one or more of: shy, anxious, clingy, withdrawn, difficulty making friends, difficulty starting or joining conversations.

Cost $250 + LDAA Membership. In-take required; payment in advance upon acceptance into program. Registration is limited to 10.

Contact: Carmen at 403-340-3885 or by email at programs@LDRedDeer.ca for more information.

2012 Speakers’ Series

This program is generously sponsored by Lifelong Learning Council of Red Deer.

For parents/caregivers, educators and professionals. These valuable information sessions are being provided to assist people affected by learning disabilities (differences) or ADHD. Pre-Registration is required for these programs.

Fees: $10 Members, $15 Non-members
Each session (except Feb. 22) takes place at LD Red Deer, 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Handouts available at all presentations!
Attendance Certificates available on request!

Wednesday, January 11, 6:30-8:30pm at LD Red Deer

How Difficult Can This Be? The F.A.T. City Workshop

Rick Lavoie Video Presentation

This unique program allows viewers to experience the same frustration, anxiety and tension that children with learning disabilities face in their daily lives. Wow! See this to really learn what your loved ones go through each day.

Wednesday, January 18, 6:30-8:30pm at LD Red Deer

Study Skills/Test-taking Skills

Carmen Scott, Program Director for LD Red Deer

This evening will provide an opportunity for teachers, parents, students, and other professionals to learn strategies to assist students with studying and test-taking skills.

Wednesday, February 8, 6:30-8:30pm at LD Red Deer

It’s So Much Work To Be Your Friend

Rick Lavoie Video Presentation

As any parent, teacher, coach, or caregiver of a learning disabled child knows, every learning disability has a social component.
This video provides valuable information to help the child with LDs and ADHD to find social success. These children are often socially out of step with their peers, and can be ridiculed or ostracized for their differences. A successful social life is immeasurably important to a child’s happiness, health, and development. This video provides practical, expert advice on helping children with LDs and ADHD achieve social success.

Wednesday, February 22, 6:30-8:30pm at Joseph Welsh Elementary School, 4401-37 Avenue, Red Deer

Brain Power 101: Maximizing Your Child’s Ability to Learn, Focus and Excel

Dr. Norman Hoffman of Hoffman Chiropractic & Wellness Centre

Learn how to enhance brain function and stress coping
Understand key elements of nutrition and supplementation
Home based activities to speed up brain development
Demonstrations of modern neurological testing methods

NOTE: Please pre-register before February 21, 2012 by contacting Carmen at LD Red Deer.

View this link for more information. Dr. Hoffman Flyer

Wednesday, March 14, 6:30-8:30pm, at LD Red Deer

The Motivation Breakthrough

Rick Lavoie Video Presentation

Motivation is the key to learning, but very few parents and teachers of persons with LD/ADHD have an effective arsenal of techniques at their disposal.
With empathy and understanding, backed by decades of experience in the classroom, Rick Lavoie gives parents and teachers the key to unlock any child’s enthusiasm and responsiveness. The Motivation Breakthrough will revolutionize the way parents, teachers, and professionals reach out to and motivate all children.

To register or find out more information about any of these sessions, please call Carmen @ 403-340-3885.

View this link for more information. Speaker series Jan-March 2012

2012 Think Social Program – Ages 7-9

This program is generously sponsored by Green Shield Canada, Telus, and Red Deer Public Library

4 Saturday mornings 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
March 3, 17, 24, 31
Location: Red Deer Public Library – Snell Room

The goal of Think Social 2012 Program for ages 7-9 is to foster skills required to achieve success in social situations. The realm of social competence is a difficult one, as we do not consciously ‘teach’ social skills as we would math or reading.

This program is specifically designed for children with learning disabilities who have externalizing and internalizing social skills difficulties.

External social skills – one or more of: dominating, hyperactive, impulsive, prone to outbursts, bossy, can make friends but has difficulty keeping them.

Internal social skills – one or more of: shy, anxious, clingy, withdrawn, difficulty making friends, difficulty starting or joining conversations.

Cost $250 + LDAA Membership. In-take required; payment in advance upon acceptance into program. Registration is limited to 10.

Contact: Carmen at 403-340-3885 or by email at programs@LDRedDeer.ca for more information.

View this link for more information. Think Social 2012 Poster winter ages 7-9

Workshops on Behavioural Management with Keir Kutney

This program is generously sponsored by Lifelong Learning Council of Red Deer.

Kier Kutney has more than 20 years of experience working with youth who have severe behavioural issues in the residential, treatment, educational and community settings. He has worked in assessment and treatment capacities for programs supported by Mental Health, Justice, Education and Child Welfare agencies.

The following three sessions build on each other, and take place at LD Red Deer. Pre-registration is required. Please register early to serve your seat.

Cost:

LDAA Members – $50/session or $75 for Member Couples

Non-members – $60/session

Become a member of LDAA-Red Deer! See our Services page for membership information.

Understanding Disorders

Saturday, March 3, 9am-12 noon

Behavioural Management and Strategies

Saturday, March 10, 9am-12 noon

Developing Relationships

Saturday, March 17, 9am-12 noon

View this link for more information. Keir Kutney March 2012

Services

LDAA-RD Memberships

Become a member of the Red Deer Chapter, which includes membership in both the Provincial and National Learning Disabilities Associations.

Members have benefits! You will receive:

Perspectives Magazine, published 4 times per year (mailed to you!)
National and Provincial Magazines when available
Free privileges at our specialized lending library, featuring many authoritative and hard-to-find texts
Discounts on LDAA-Red Deer programs
Access to programs throughout the province
Voting privileges at the Red Deer Chapter’s AGM.

Membership is $40/year. Thanks for joining the Red Deer Chapter!

(Membership Application _2011_)

Tutoring for Learning Disabilities

Do you, your child or someone you know struggle with reading, writing or math?

We offer programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of each person who walks through our doors!

Benefits of LDAA-Red Deer tutoring

One on one instruction
Multi-disciplinary and multi-sensory approach
Individualized programs specifically developed for your learning needs

For more information or to register: Please feel free to give Carmen a call @403-340-3885.

View this link for more information. LDAA-Tutoring Poster 2011

Learner’s Licence Prep Kits

Pass your Learner’s Licence the first time!

Alberta’s Basic Licence Driver’s Handbook condensed into study cards to help you pass the Learner’s Test and put you on the road to becoming a safe driver.

Cost: $20 cash or cheque payable to LDAA-Red Deer

Available for pick-up at LD Red Deer Office – Lower Level, 3757-43 Ave. Red Deer. Ph. 403-340-3885

View this link for more information. Learners Licence Kits Poster

Irlen Screening for Perceptual Dyslexia/Light Sensitivity

Screenings by appointment only. Irlen Syndrome affects 12-20% of the general population, 50-55% of those with a learning disability and 77% of those on the Autism Spectrum. Please visit http://www.irlen.com for more information. If you answer 3 or more questions in the long self-test with ‘yes’, then you might consider a screening to see if this is a part of your solution. Please contact us to discuss screening options.

Notices

Volunteer Tutors Needed!

Do you have three hours a week to spare? Mondays & Wednesdays OR Tuesdays & Thursdays after school for 1.5 hours each of those days? We are currently accepting volunteer applications for tutoring. You must have some post-secondary education. Programs are developed by a qualified educator to meet the specific learning needs of the person being tutored. Training is ongoing for this position.

Math and Reading/Writing are the main areas that you would be assisting with, however, it is dependent on what help is needed by those requiring our services.

Please forward a copy of your resume to LD Red Deer. A copy of a Criminal Record Check and Child Welfare Check will also be required if you are accepted as a tutor. Do you have any particular strengths in subject areas that we should know about so that we may match your expertise with client’s needs?

Contact info: execdir@LDRedDeer.ca

The LD Red Deer is Seeking Nominations for the Board

If you have an interest in serving your community and supporting persons with learning disabilities and ADHD, please contact the LD Red Deer Office at 403-340-3885. The Board consists of up to 12 dedicated individuals who would like to have input and chart a path for the future of the Association.