Submitted by Susan Tomases on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 12:55pm.
HS
Rick Lavoie has served as an administrator of residential programs for children with special needs since 1972. He holds three degrees in Special Education and has served as an adjunct professor or visiting lecturer at numerous universities including Syracuse, Harvard, Gallaudet, Manhattanville College, University of Alabama, and Georgetown. His numerous national television appearances include CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, ABC Evening News and Disney Channel Presents.
Rick serves as a consultant on Learning Disabilities to several agencies and organizations including Public Broadcasting Service, New York Times, National Center for Learning Disabilities, Girl Scouts of America, Child Magazine and WETA. He is a member of the Professional Advisor Board of the Learning Disabilities Association.
Rick has delivered his message to over 500,000 parents and professionals throughout North America. He has the distinction of having delivered Keynote Addresses for all three of the major special needs advocacy organizations in the United States (Learning Disabilities Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Children with Attention Deficit Disorder).
Rick has held administrative positions at residential programs for thirty years. These experiences at residential school have provided Rick with a "living laboratory" in which he developed and refined his methods and philosophies related to the education of adolescents with special needs.
Rick is probably best known for his videos "How Difficult Can This Be?: The F.A.T. City Workshop" and "Last One Picked, First One Picked On: The Social Implications of Learning Disabilities". These award-winning films have brought Rick's sensitive and compelling message to countless thousands throughout the world. After viewing the videos, former First Lady Barbara Bush stated, "You really wowed us! I only wish that every parent and teacher in the United States today could also see your program." His new video on behavior management is entitled "When the Chips are Down ..." is now available through LD OnLine.
Rick lives on Cape Cod with his wife.
If you have not read "It's so much work to be your friend" it is inspirational and educational. Who knew what are children were thinking and dealing with on the inside that they could not express. Richard will tell you. It changed my approach to living with a daughter with LD. A MUST READ!
C
Mr. Lavoie by accident I came across your information while at work. One of the employees had brought your workshops in Los Angeles in for March 24th and they had several copies in the recycle paper. As I read the information I could see my forster son leaping off the paper punishment and reward systems why these approaches do not work. I have had this young boy age 12 for a year and have not be able to motivate him to do anything. He tells me why should he do anything when his mother will not. We have classes every month at our agency that we have the foster children. It's called Five Acres in Elmonth Ca. I am going to buy your book Last one picked, First one picked on. To see if I can get any information that will have this young boy. He also has three brothers and I am sure they would be helped as well. I am going to ask my workers if they have heard of you or have any of your information to help us foster parents.
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