Speaker Abstracts

Rowena McEvoy
Dealing with the Difficult-Delightfully
Five simple steps to turn every confrontation into an opportunity to learn, grow, practice your superb communication skills and become a stronger person.  Learn how to disconnect the wiring from your 'buttons', the ones difficult people always press to your emotions and your central nervous system.  Learn the skills so nobody can ever stress you out or put you under pressure - ever again!!

Rose Pere
The Celebration of Infinite Wisdom
Dr Pere will share some of the sacred teachings in regard to her basic divine rights, her human rights, including her total well-being.  Rose will share monograph on traditional modes of learning of the Māori "Te Wheke", cover Wairua (spiritual dimension), Mauri (psychical dimension), Mana (personal dimension), Taha Tinana (physical dimension), Whanaungatanga (social dimension), Hinengaro (intellectual dimension), Taonga Tukuiho (cultural dimension) and Whatumanawa (emotional dimension).

Anne Todd
Building Systems for Positive Behavior Support in Schools while Integrating Research with Practice
The application of evidence-based practices to assist schools to increase academic performance, increase safety, decrease problem behavior, and establish positive school cultures is the focus of this keynote address. Core elements that include prevention, teaching, and data-based decision making provide the framework for building systems for positive behavior support in schools. These core elements guide planning, implementation and evaluation activities. Implementation examples and student outcomes from schools in the U.S. are highlighted as they apply to the core elements of positive behavior support.

Libby Weaver
Biochemical, Microbiological, Immunological and Nutritional Factors in Children with Autism
The role of nutritional therapies in children with ASD has been a much debated topic, with the literature currently citing 80 percent of children with the condition as being diet responsive. Further to this, there appear to be biochemical processes that are disrupted in the children as well as the presence of bacteria in the gut that are preferably more common in the ear, nose and throat region. The blood, urine and faeces of 35 children with ASD and 19 age and gender matched controls were examined in this study conducted over a seven year period. Distinct biochemical and faecal microbiological anomalies were obtained from the study and relevant clinical applications as a result of these findings developed. Both the results and the potential clinical applications of the research will be presented.

Karen Boyes
The Power of Language
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.  Watch your words, they become your actions.  Watch your actions, they become your habits.  Watch your habits, they become your character.  Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.  In this presentation we will explore the use of language and how simple shifts in thinking can make a huge difference both personally and professionally.  You will hear classroom strategies that create student engagement through learning styles and the habits of mind.

Jude Simpson
The Journey to Change
What's the difference that makes the difference and leads a person to break the cycle of violence? An incorrect belief system leads to low self esteem, self worth, self value and self respect. It is the primary cause of the continued cycle of abuse. But how do we change a belief system?

In this presentation, Jude Simpson takes us on a personal journey of her own experience of abuse and the road to rebuilding her life. She explores the circumstantial affects of violence, the personal beliefs of a victim of violence and the world view that person holds. She then addresses the key to breaking the cycle of violence and rebuilding a positive belief system.

Judge Murfitt

The Canute complex...stemming the tide of despair...with hope for the future