Insight into Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how to incorporate assistive technologies (AT) into this set of principles for curriculum development is essential to ensuring that educators and administrators are able to deliver appropriate instruction to every student. By learning the best practices for individualized student instruction, educators can ensure every student has the opportunity to learn.

The newest free webinar from PresenceLearning, titled “Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology: What Do They Have in Common?,” will take place Friday, May 18^th from 1-2 PM ET/ 10-11 am PT. Perfect for special education directors, early childhood interventionists, and other administrators concerned with special needs, it will feature insight from leading authors and early childhood specialists, Kathleen Sadao, Ed.D., and Nancy Robinson, Ph.D.  Throughout this webinar, attendees will hear about the practical and affordable solutions for district-wide UDL and AT implementation. In addition, all webinar attendees with be given a 20% discount on the purchase of Sadao’s and Robinson’s new book, “Assistive Technology for Young Children, Creating Inclusive Learning Environments.”

To learn more about this book and the authors, visit the Brookes Publishing website. To register for the webinar, click  here.

Live online speech therapy service recognized in Special Education Website category

 
SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2012 – PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com), the leading provider of live online speech therapy services to K-12 students, was recently named a winner in the Multi-Level: Special Education Website category of The ComputED Gazette’s 18^th Annual Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIE Awards). The awards program targets innovative and content-rich programs and websites that provide parents and teachers with the technology to foster educational excellence.

“Helping special need students succeed through live online speech therapy is at the heart of what we do,” said Clay Whitehead, PresenceLearning co-founder. “The recognition from the BESSIE Awards acknowledges the impact and benefits of our services in doing just that – in a cost-effective and highly-engaging way.”

PresenceLearning employs the latest video-conferencing technology, a comprehensive digital library of therapeutic content and time-saving collaboration and practice management tools to deliver sessions that are individualized, curriculum-relevant and evidence-based. Over the past year, PresenceLearning’s online therapy services have been adopted by a growing number of educational organizations, including dozens of traditional school districts and many virtual academy and charter school management groups. As of spring 2012, PresenceLearning is delivering more than 5,000 successful telepractice sessions a month.

“Telepractice is an effective solution for overcoming barriers that prevent access to services, such as distance, unavailability of specialists and/or subspecialists, and impaired mobility; and for addressing budgetary constraints that are present in many school districts,” said a BESSIE judge.

To learn more about the 2012 BESSIE Awards, visit http://computedgazette.com/page3.html. To learn more about PresenceLearning, visit www.presencelearning.com.

About PresenceLearning
PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com) is the leading provider of live online speech therapy services (also known as telepractice) for K-12 students. The company offers school districts web-based access to a growing, nationwide network of nearly 200 highly qualified speech language pathologists (SLPs) via live videoconferencing using the latest in evidence-based practice. PresenceLearning delivers large cost savings while improving student outcomes. PresenceLearning is an ASHA-approved continuing education provider for SLPs and a U.S. Department of Education grant-winner, dedicated to bringing the highest clinical standards to telepractice.

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Katie Povejsil, Vice President of Marketing, PresenceLearning
415.625.0150
katie@presencelearning.com

Christine Allman, Public Relations for PresenceLearning
410.975.9638
christine@kehcomm.com

For many children, early childhood intervention (ECI) is instrumental in assuring that they receive the necessary services to prevent a widening of social, emotional, physical and learning gaps.

In Texas the threat of such widening gaps is becoming a reality for many children: due to recently narrowed eligibility requirements for ECI, children now must demonstrate a 25% developmental delay to qualify for services. According to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle, these amendments are the direct result of state budget cuts. A grandfather clause will allow children currently in ECI programs to receive services at least until their next annual review, and children with a medical diagnosis or visual/auditory impairments will not be affected by the changes.

With budget cuts affecting students and schools across the country, educators are considering new ways to help students receive the services they need to be successful. With PresenceLearning, many school districts are getting access to cost-effective speech-language pathology services via a large network of highly qualified speech language pathologists who interact with students in live, online sessions. These districts are filling service gaps, providing better coverage and saving money, all at the same time.

To find out how your district can be more flexible and efficient while delivering essential speech pathology services, visit: http://presencelearning.com/ or call 415.512.9000.

Read More: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/State-budget-cuts-may-affect-kids-with-3416740.php

A recent article on WebMD points to testosterone as the potential reason why males develop language skills later than girls. By testing the testosterone levels from the umbilical cord blood of almost 900 newborns, it was determined that newborn males were exposed to ten times the amount of testosterone than newborn girls. The study checked the developmental stages of those 900 newborns every year for their first three years of life. According to the article, the findings stated that 3-year-old boys with the highest umbilical cord blood testosterone levels were more than twice as likely to screen positive for a language delay than the boys with the lowest testosterone levels. An interesting finding in the study was that higher testosterone levels in girls linked to a lower risk of language delay.

To read more visit: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20120125/testosterone-may-delay-boys-speech-development

With PresenceLearning, schools have access to cost-effective speech-language pathology services via a large network of highly-qualified speech language pathologists who interact with students in a live, online environment.

To find out how your district can save money on high-quality speech therapy services, visit: http://presencelearning.com/ or call 415.512.9000.

Now school districts can easily recoup costs of online speech-language pathology services for Medicaid-eligible students

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2012 – PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com), the leading provider of live online speech therapy services to K-12 students, has partnered with Go Solutions Group, Inc. (http://www.go-sgi.com), a leading provider of special education data management and Medicaid reimbursement services to school districts in Ohio and eight other states, to help facilitate access to its services for districts with under-served populations. This partnership will help school districts reach more special needs students, improve outcomes and realize the cost efficiencies offered by incorporating live online speech therapy, often referred to as telepractice, into their special education programs.

“To make 21st century learning a reality for students, administrators need reliable, proven technology companies like Go Solutions and PresenceLearning working together to help schools both improve outcomes and reduce costs,” said Clay Whitehead, one of the founders of PresenceLearning. “With decades of experience and expertise, Go Solutions Group, Inc. helps districts navigate the complex and ever-changing arena of federal and state compliance in special education services and Medicaid reimbursement.”

“Midwestern states such as Ohio, and others with significant rural populations, have shown leadership by clarifying their policies in support of Medicaid reimbursement for telepractice speech therapy,” said Matt Flaminio, President of Go Solutions Group, Inc. “We are delighted to have PresenceLearning as a partner to reach special needs students using digital-age therapists and engaging, online speech-language pathology services.”

PresenceLearning delivers live, online speech therapy using a large and growing network of fully-credentialed speech language pathologists (SLPs).  SLPs work with students face-to-face in real time via live videoconferencing sessions, using established, evidence-based therapeutic practices, without the scheduling and geographic limitations of conventional therapy. SLPs work flexible hours from home without having to travel, taking advantage of PresenceLearning’s scheduling, tracking and reporting tools, as well as its unique suite of interactive activities that make the therapy experience highly-engaging for students.

About PresenceLearning
PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com) is the leading provider of live online speech therapy services (also known as telepractice) for K-12 students. The company offers school districts web-based access to a nationwide network of highly -qualified speech language pathologists (SLPs) via live videoconferencing using the latest in evidence-based practices. PresenceLearning delivers large cost savings while improving student outcomes. PresenceLearning is an ASHA-approved continuing education provider for SLPs and a U.S. Department of Education grant-winner, dedicated to bringing the highest clinical standards to telepractice.

About Go Solutions Group
Since 1994, Go Solutions Group (http://www.go-sgi.com) has worked in partnership with schools across the United States. With over 80 years of combined national experience in special education services tracking and school-based Medicaid reimbursement, both for Medicaid Administrative Claiming and Fee for Service (direct service) Claiming, client schools have the reassurance that they are working with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the industry.

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Media Contacts:

Katie Povejsil, Vice President of Marketing
PresenceLearning
1.415.625.0150
katie@presencelearning.com

Contact at Go Solutions Group
Matt Flaminio, President
1.800.260.2544
matthew.flaminio@go-sgi.com

Christine Allman, Public Relations for PresenceLearning
1.410.975.9638
christine@kehcomm.com

According to a recent article on InformationWeek Healthcare, Tom Udall (D-Utah) plans to introduce legislation that will remove the multi-state licensing requirements for physicians who provide telehealth. Currently telehealth providers are required to be licensed in all states in which they provide services, but with this legislation, that requirement will no longer need to be met. As a way to ensure telehealth physicians meet state licensing requirements, a national database will be set-up to show all credentials and other necessary information. According to the article, multi-state licensure has been an obstacle for the past 20 years, but as telemedicine has grown, it has become a bigger problem leaving many without access to services because of the difficulties of licensure in states where the provider does not live.

It is essential that schools are able to provide specialized services to students who need them. With PresenceLearning, schools have access to cost-effective speech-language pathology services via a large network of highly-qualified speech language pathologists who work with students in a live, online environment. PresenceLearning supports this legislation and asks that you do as well. To find and contact your local senator visit: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm .

The Time Has Come for Speech-Language Pathology License Portability
Melissa Jakubowitz (M.A., CCC-SLP), VP of SLP Services at PresenceLearning , calls for streamlining the process for SLPs to obtain licenses to practice in multiple states.  Such multi-state licensing is necessary for SLPs who are delivering needed services via telepractice to rural and remote areas. Current licensing processes unnecessarily increase the cost of and cause delays in delivering speech-language therapy services to needy populations.

To find out how your district can save money on high-quality speech therapy services, visit: http://presencelearning.com/ or call 415.512.9000.

Read More:
http://informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/232600444

Now school districts can easily recoup costs of online speech-language pathology services for Medicaid-eligible students

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2012 – PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com), the leading provider of live online speech therapy services to K-12 students, has partnered with Go Solutions Group, Inc. (http://www.go-sgi.com), a leading provider of special education data management and Medicaid reimbursement services to school districts in Ohio and eight other states, to help facilitate access to its services for districts with under-served populations. This partnership will help school districts reach more special needs students, improve outcomes and realize the cost efficiencies offered by incorporating live online speech therapy, often referred to as telepractice, into their special education programs.

“To make 21st century learning a reality for students, administrators need reliable, proven technology companies like Go Solutions and PresenceLearning working together to help schools both improve outcomes and reduce costs,” said Clay Whitehead, one of the founders of PresenceLearning. “With decades of experience and expertise, Go Solutions Group, Inc. helps districts navigate the complex and ever-changing arena of federal and state compliance in special education services and Medicaid reimbursement.”

“Midwestern states such as Ohio, and others with significant rural populations, have shown leadership by clarifying their policies in support of Medicaid reimbursement for telepractice speech therapy,” said Matt Flaminio, President of Go Solutions Group, Inc. “We are delighted to have PresenceLearning as a partner to reach special needs students using digital-age therapists and engaging, online speech-language pathology services.”

PresenceLearning delivers live, online speech therapy using a large and growing network of fully-credentialed speech language pathologists (SLPs). SLPs work with students face-to-face in real time via live videoconferencing sessions, using established, evidence-based therapeutic practices, without the scheduling and geographic limitations of conventional therapy. SLPs work flexible hours from home without having to travel, taking advantage of PresenceLearning’s scheduling, tracking and reporting tools, as well as its unique suite of interactive activities that make the therapy experience highly-engaging for students.

About PresenceLearning
PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com) is the leading provider of live online speech therapy services (also known as telepractice) for K-12 students. The company offers school districts web-based access to a nationwide network of highly -qualified speech language pathologists (SLPs) via live videoconferencing using the latest in evidence-based practices. PresenceLearning delivers large cost savings while improving student outcomes. PresenceLearning is an ASHA-approved continuing education provider for SLPs and a U.S. Department of Education grant-winner, dedicated to bringing the highest clinical standards to telepractice.

About Go Solutions Group
Since 1994, Go Solutions Group (http://www.go-sgi.com) has worked in partnership with schools across the United States. With over 80 years of combined national experience in special education services tracking and school-based Medicaid reimbursement, both for Medicaid Administrative Claiming and Fee for Service (direct service) Claiming, client schools have the reassurance that they are working with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the industry.
###

Media Contacts:

Katie Povejsil, Vice President of Marketing
PresenceLearning
1.415.625.0150
katie@presencelearning.com

Contact at Go Solutions Group
Matt Flaminio, President
1.800.260.2544
matthew.flaminio@go-sgi.com

Christine Allman, Public Relations for PresenceLearning
1.410.975.9638
christine@kehcomm.com

Leading live online speech therapy provider recognized for its impact in transforming special education

 
SAN FRANCISCO, January 10, 2012 – PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com), the leading provider of live online speech therapy services to K-12 students, was recently named a Cool Tool winner for special needs in the EdTech Digest Awards. The awards program debuted in 2011 and honors products and individuals for their outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere.

 
“In a crowded field of entries, it’s exciting to acknowledge those companies and products making the biggest difference,” says Victor Rivero, editor-in-chief of EdTech Digest. “Quality, access and real results are the defining characteristics of our honorees, and will be precisely what moves education forward into its next iteration.”

Over the past year, PresenceLearning’s online therapy services have been adopted by a growing number of educational organizations, including dozens of traditional school districts and many virtual academy and charter school management groups. To date, PresenceLearning has delivered more than 10,000 speech therapy sessions and is expected to exceed 20,000 sessions in the coming months. In the face of continuing budget challenges, as well as chronic shortages of speech language pathologists in many areas, school districts are realizing significant cost savings with PresenceLearning while also seeing better outcomes for their students.

“Children today are digital natives and PresenceLearning’s technology allows them to experience clinical services in a much more engaging format,” says Jack Lynch, one of the co-founders of PresenceLearning. “The result is better outcomes.”

“Through our online platform, we are able to deliver high-quality, evidence-based speech language services to students who need them,” continues Clay Whitehead, PresenceLearning co-founder. “Our districts see an immediate benefit from our services and we are happy to be acknowledged for our work in the area of special education.”

 
About EdTech Digest
EdTech Digest celebrates all the latest technologies moving education forward, delving deeper into the stories of the people behind the technology to discover what truly drives them to conceptualize, create, develop and deploy their ideas to the masses. Featuring movers and shakers in and around education who are dedicated to making a difference for our future generations, editorial focus is on the topical and current to thought-leader broadviews. The EdTech Digest Awards Program recognizes the best and brightest people and transformative technology products and services in education. To learn more, visit www.edtechdigest.com.

About PresenceLearning
PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com) is the leading provider of live online speech therapy services (also known as telepractice) for K-12 students. The company offers school districts web-based access to a growing, nationwide network of over 130 highly qualified speech language pathologists (SLPs) via live videoconferencing using the latest in evidence-based practices. PresenceLearning delivers large cost savings while improving student outcomes. PresenceLearning is an ASHA-approved continuing education provider for SLPs and a U.S. Department of Education grant-winner, dedicated to bringing the highest clinical standards to telepractice.

###

Katie Povejsil, Vice President of Marketing, PresenceLearning
415.625.0150
katie@presencelearning.com

Christine Allman, Public Relations for PresenceLearning
410.975.9638
christine@kehcomm.com

Both therapists and students stand to lose with the newest proposed budget cuts in Texas. According to a recent article on the Star-Telegram website, the proposed cuts in government healthcare reimbursement rates could hurt the sickest and poorest Texas patients, with a majority of them being children.

Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient physical therapy and speech pathology facilities will see an average reduction of 54 percent which could leave many without essential services for their child. Currently, Medicaid provides services for roughly 3.4 million people in Texas with a majority of them being low income children, blind, elderly and disabled. Dr. C. Bruce Malone, president of the Texas Medical Association, expressed concern regarding the cuts. He stated that they could result in fewer physicians willing to set up a practice in the communities that need them the most.

As budgets continue to be cut across the country, it is essential that schools be able to provide cost-effective speech-language pathology services to their students. With PresenceLearning’s large network of highly-qualified speech-language pathologists available to districts and students via a live video-conferencing environment, we provide a very cost-effective solution to districts that struggle to provide sufficient speech services for students.

To find out how your district can save money on high-quality speech therapy services, visit: http://presencelearning.com/ or call 415.512.9000.

 Article: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/11/20/3540533/texas-may-cut-medicaid-reimbursements.html#tvg#ixzz1eNNosbcB

Tom Vander Ark’s recently published book, Getting Smart: How Digital Learning is Changing the World, explores the benefits of customized learning, improved student motivation and equalization present in blended learning environments. As the current founder of GettingSmart.com, CEO of Open Education Solutions and a partner in Learn Capital, Vander Ark provides his targeted insight on how environments that blend online and onsite elements have been successful. Also included in this book is a look at the benefits of continuing a blended learning approach and how not providing for and supporting this development can create an unfortunate barrier for education.

With PresenceLearning’s large network of highly qualified speech-language pathologists available to students via live online tele-sessions, school districts now have a highly effective—and cost-effective—way to provide a blended learning approach for students with speech-language disorders.

To find out how your district can efficiently implement blended learning using high quality speech therapy services, visit: http://presencelearning.com/ or call 415.512.9000.