In this episode we welcome back Robin Speizman and Katherine Wilkie to the Gifted Ed Podcast to explore classroom strategies and structures that support executive functioning needs (Shifting/Flexibility, Social Awareness/ Perspective Taking, and Organization and Planning). We discuss how to develop tiered levels of intervention within instruction as it pertains to executive functioning.

Katie Wilkie is the owner of Imagination Therapy PLLC, a speech-language pathology and executive function coaching business serving Forest Park, Oak Park, and the surrounding areas.

She is a graduate of Rush Medical Center and her business, Imagination Therapy PLLC, was established in 2017 to service individuals from ages 7-65, with a particular interest in teens and younger adults. Utilizing both bottom-up and top-down interventions, Imagination Therapy approaches executive function needs through a brain-based approach with the understanding that an individualized and tailored plan can target personal strengths and weaknesses. You can find out more at⁠ www.imaginationtherapyllc.com⁠, or find her on Meta.

Robin Grais-Speizman received a MS.Ed in Educational Psychology from National Louis University in June of 1994. She received Bachelors Degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1989, in both Rehabilitation Psychology and in Special Education with a Type 10 Certification.

She then worked at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (currently Shirley Ryan Ability Lab) as a Pediatric Behavioral Specialist and Senior Neuropsychometrician for 11 years. She performed neuropsychological testing evaluations to both inpatients and outpatients suffering from brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. She also provided cognitive retraining and school reentry services to children and adolescents upon inpatient discharge and often continued for long term follow-up. From 1999 -present, Robin has worked as a neuropsychometrician, executive function coach, and clinical intake coordinator in the practice Roger Stefani and Associates, Chicago NeuroBehavior Specialists and now Stefani Neuropsychology Services. She continues to provide neuropsychological testing, school observations, and executive function coaching to patients with ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, learning and educational struggles and other neurodivergent diagnoses to pediatric patients ages 6-22. In January of 2019, Robin established this executive coaching and consultation practice named Refocus.

Co-Hosts: Angel Van Howe and Meghan McCarthy

Co-Producers: Adam Metcalf and Jeff Westbrook

Original Music by Adam G-F

How you can be involved:

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Episode 10: Helping Your Child Read and Write Well with Nancy Parkinson

The Gifted Ed PodcastBy The Avery Coonley SchoolJan 31, 2023