2019 Diamonds in the Rough Conference

Change is inevitable.  It's how we PLAN, ADJUST, and THRIVE that ultimately matters.

We are excited that this year’s event is a two day conference consisting of a
half-day CE Workshop on Friday, April 12th and full day conference on Saturday, April 13th.

This year's conference theme is Parenting Children with Special Needs: Preparing to Launch at Every Age. 

The Diamonds Conference will be held at

Johns Hopkins University
Montgomery County Campus
9601 Medical Center Dr
Rockville, Maryland 20850

FEATURED PRESENTERS

Friday CE Workshop Presenter
David O. Black, PhD is a pediatric neuropsychologist with a focus on transition to adulthood.  Dr. Black’s more recent work has focused on the transition to adulthood and unique challenges inherent in that transition, as well as in the role of stress and anxiety in autism and intervention that may reduce its impact. 

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Saturday Keynote
Debbie Reber is a New York Times bestselling author and the founder of TiLT Parenting, a website, top podcast, and social media company for parents who are raising differently wired children.  Her most recent book, Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World, came out in June 2018. 

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The 9th Annual Diamonds in the Rough Conference will place a special focus on the skills and supports students need to successfully launch at each educational stage.

For parents raising a child with special educational needs, even small changes can feel big. Growing in confidence and hope, thinking farther out, and developing plans for a child’s future becomes crucial as children age and mature.

The Diamonds Conference is a unique event at which parents, advocates, and professionals learn, connect, and share, with the goal of empowering children and ultimately launching them to becoming independent adults.

Weinfeld Education Group has invited expert speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors as part of a learning community to help families navigate effectively through these major life changes.

Conference Sponsors

Saturday Keynote Sponsor

Tote Bag Sponsor

Online Registration Has Ended
Registration is available At the Door

Registration Option	Per Ticket
Friday CE Workshop only	$120
Saturday General Conference only	$92
Fri+Sat Workshop & Conference	$180

Conference Presenters

Judy Bass, CEP - Bass Educational Services
John Bogasky - Main Street
Matthew Bogin, Esq - Law Offices of Matthew Bogin
Kim Brown - The Lab School of Washington
Whitney Ellenby - Autism Ambassadors
Jennifer Engel Fisher - Weinfeld Education Group
Winston Frazer - Danae, Inc.
Fran Gage - Montgomery County Public Schools
Sarah Harte, LICSW - The Dorm
Gretchen Holtzinger Levine - The Katherine Thomas School
Sarah Finch Jackson - Montgomery County Public Schools
Hayley Jacobson - Weinfeld Education Group
Clay Kaufman - The Siena School
Joseph Kavitski - Fusion Academy
Devin Goozh Kesterman - Bethesda Elementary School
Ali Lackey - Weinfeld Education Group
Connie Lorentzen - Fairfax County School Board
Deborah Lourie - Chelsea School
Marie Marino - McLean School
Dave Mullen - The Nora School
Karla Nabors - Montgomery College
Kathleen Nadeau, PhD - Chesapeake Center for ADHD, Learning & Behavioral Health
Lorrie Ness, PhD - Ness Psychological Services
Michael Orleans - NFP/Meltzer Group
Chase Phillips - Merrill Lynch
Janet Price - College Living Experience
Debbie Reber - TiLT Parenting
Margaret Rudt, MSEd - Montgomery County Public Schools
Rhona Schwartz - The Katherine Thomas School
Rick Silver, MD - The THRIVE Center for Emerging Young Adults
Katherine Theobald - Commonwealth Academy
Sarah Wayland, PhD - Guiding Exceptional Parents
Rich Weinfeld - Weinfeld Education Group
Val Wise, PhD - Johns Hopkins University
Joan Wittan - College Consulting Collaborative

View Schedule & Presenters

Conference Exhibitors

Center for Assessment And Treatment (CAAT)
Chelsea School
Commonwealth Academy
Eagle Hill School
Emerson Preparatory School
Fitness for Health
FlexSchool
Floreo
Fusion Academy
GTLD Network
Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group
Landmark College
Law Offices of Nicole Joseph
Lindamood-Bell
Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities
Maryland Insurance Administration
McLean School
Power UP by Learning Essentials
PrepMatters
Sheppard Pratt Health System
Summit Camp
The ARC Montgomery County
The Auburn School
The Chesapeake Center
The Children's Guild
The Dorm
The Lab School of Washington
The Nora School
The Siena School
The THRIVE Center for Emerging Young Adults
TLC's The Katherine Thomas School
Weinfeld Education Group
Wye River Upper School

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QUESTIONS & MORE INFORMATION
Please Email Us or call 301.681.6233 with any questions or if you would like additional information about the conference.

2018 Conference Recap