CUSTOM EDUCATION FOUNDATION

 

Vision Statement


Custom Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF) is a not-for profit 501(c)(3)
charitable organization formed to be a safety net for children with special
needs and their families, such as autism spectrum disorder, Asperger
syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, ADHD, OCD, and other neurobiological disorders.
CEF is dedicated to helping these children and their families obtain an
enhanced quality of life. The foundation will provide funding directly to
educational, recreational, and social support programs for these children as
well as their families. We are dedicated to supporting the community at large
in order to help educate these children. Custom Education Foundation provides
answers where others only ask the questions.

For more information, contact Charlene Schermer at (631) 813-8309

Address: 150 Broadhollow Road Suite 120, Melville, NY. 11747


Event notice:

THREE PART LECTURE SERIES

Developmental Disabilities Institute’s (DDI) Speaker Series is proud to
announce its Spring 2009 presentation schedule. The upcoming 3 part series,
which will run from March through May, is being offered in collaboration with
Custom Education Foundation, Inc. These informative free seminars are
intended for all those interested in hearing about topics related to
developmental disabilities. Each of these presentations will feature a different
expert providing valuable tips and information on a wide array of topics
pertaining to the field of autism and developmental disabilities.

All of these seminars will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the lecture hall at DDI’s
Hollywood Drive Campus, 99 Hollywood Drive, Smithtown, NY. Space is
limited for free lectures; anyone interested should call 631-366-5875 to
register.

March 19

How to become the best Advocate for your Child: Learn the law and regulations that govern
your CSE meetings under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
.

Presented by: Brad H. Rosken

Brad H. Rosken is presently the managing partner in his own firm, the Law Offices of Brad H. Rosken, PLLC.
His firm specializes in representing students with disabilities in their struggle to obtain the proper and necessary services from their local school districts as well as representing injured plaintiffs involved in personal injury actions. The main
goal of representing children with disabilities is to ensure that these children receive a Free and Appropriate
Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) possible. Mr. Rosken expanded into
this area of law shortly after learning his own son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Prior to opening his
own firm he worked for several different plaintiff side personal injury law firms in Manhattan. He has also
argued and drafted briefs before the Appellate Divisions of New York State. Before becoming a personal
injury attorney he was an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County. He graduated from Touro Law Center
in 1993. He is presently admitted to practice law in all courts in the state of New York as well as in the U.S.
District Court for both the Eastern and Southern District of New York. His lecture will focus on the rights
afforded to students and their parents under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as
the applicable New York State law and its regulations. He will provide you with the necessary information to
become an effective advocate for your child when dealing with your school district’s Committee on Special
Education (CSE). He will also teach you the right strategies to become the most effective advocate you can be
for your child.



April 16

Life after High School:
What to look for in a post secondary program for young adults on the spectrum.

Presented by: Kevin Gersh

Kevin Gersh is presently the President of Gersh Educational Services and pioneer in the special
education industry.
Mr. Gersh has dedicated his professional life to providing the highest quality of
educational opportunities to all children, especially those who need it the most. With years of
experience in education, Kevin Gersh owns and operates private schools with a diversified spectrum of
programs to fit any child's special need. Throughout his personal life, Mr. Gersh himself has been
challenged by dyslexia and ADHD. This disorder brought upon obstacles and frustrations in school
that were beyond his control and since then he has gained an understanding and compassion for
student's facing similar obstacles. Mr. Gersh's experience and professional commitment continues to
provide the opportunities, inspiration, and guidance for every child, regardless of disorders, reach their
full life potential. One of Mr. Gersh's greatest achievements has been the founding of Gersh
Experience. This very successful, and much needed program focuses its educational efforts to young
adults with neurobiological disorders such as ADD, ADHD, Asperger syndrome, Tourette's syndrome,
Autism Spectrum disorders, Anxiety/Depression, Bi-polar disorders, and Obsessive-Compulsive
disorders. Participants will gain a better understanding of what to look for in post-secondary programs
for young adults with special needs and how to prepare them now!


May 14


When Sticker Charts Don’t Work…an introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving.


Presented by: Evan Schermer


Evan Schermer is a certified school psychologist and specializes in working with individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorder and related neurobiological disorders. He has received advanced training
in Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) by Ross Greene, and has utilized the approach with great
success. CPS views non-compliant behavior as the byproduct of lagging cognitive
skills; rather than, for example, as simply attention-seeking, manipulative, or a
sign of poor motivation. Consequently these challenges are best addressed by
teaching children the skills they lack; rather than through traditional reward
and punishment programs.. Participants will develop a better understanding that non-compliant
behavior it the result of a “learning disability” and how to develop skills as a means of changing
behavior, similar to other learning disabilities. Workshop format will also include role playing
situations and interaction with audience to provide genuine hand-on training.


If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to:
Michael Romas at 631-366-5875 or via e-mail to mromas@ddiinfo.org


Developmental Disabilities Institute
99 Hollywood Drive
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-366-2900



From Eastern Long Island:

LIE to Exit 55, make right on Motor Parkway. Continue about 200 ft and bare
right onto Old Willets Path. Continue on Old Willets Path for approximately 2
miles, then cross over Jericho Turnpike. Old Willets Path now changes to
Plymouth Blvd. Go to the first stop sign and make a left onto Parnell Drive.
Make the next left onto Hollywood Drive. The campus is at the end of the block.


From Western Long Island:

LIE to Exit 55, make left onto Motor Parkway. Go over LIE bridge and proceed
about 200 ft and bare right onto Old Willets Path. Follow directions above.




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