2019 Diamonds in the Rough Conference
Change is inevitable. It's how we PLAN, ADJUST, and THRIVE that ultimately matters.
Two day conference consisting of a half-day Friday CE Workshop and full day Saturday conference.
The 2019 conference theme was Parenting Children with Special Needs: Preparing to Launch at Every Age.
Change is inevitable. It's how we PLAN, ADJUST, and THRIVE that ultimately matters.
Two day conference consisting of a half-day Friday CE Workshop and full day Saturday conference.
The 2019 conference theme was Parenting Children with Special Needs: Preparing to Launch at Every Age.
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2019 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. 
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. |
The 9th Annual Diamonds in the Rough Conference placed 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. Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus 9601 Medical Center Dr Rockville, Maryland 20850 |
2019 Conference Sponsors
      PrepMatters - Saturday Keynote sponsor TLC's The Katherine Thomas School - tote bag sponsor |
2019 Diamonds Conference Recap & Photos
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On behalf of the entire team at Weinfeld Education Group, thank you for being a part of the 9th Annual Diamonds in the Rough Conference! It is truly the people gathered together that make this event so special every year. It really is a learning community that we build each year at the Diamonds Conference. In total, over 245 parents, professionals and advocates took part in this year’s event. It is our hope that you gained new information, made valuable connections and left inspired to go out and do your work. Thank you for all you do to support children with special learning needs. Whether it is a child in your own family, a student in your class or a client in your office - you are making a difference in the lives of young people. Closing the conference with a panel of “launched” young people really reinforced the WEG mission - to have all children realize their unique potential. I know you share in this vision as well. We kicked off with a great Friday CE workshop, “Supporting Optimal Outcomes for a Neurodiverse Community” presented by pediatric neuropsychologist and director of the Center for Assessment and Treatment, Dr. David Black. We are very proud to partner with the Maryland Psychological Association to offer continuing education credits for this training for qualifying attendees. Providing a CE workshop as a pre-conference event as part of the Diamonds in the Rough Conference has become a tradition that we wish to build upon. On Saturday, we “launched” the day with an inspiring keynote by Debbie Reber, bestselling author and founder of TiLT Parenting. Our conference content featured the talents of 44 expert speakers, covering diverse topics and a wide-range of “ages and stages” - from pre-K to young adulthood. Ending our day together with a panel of young adults really brought home our shared mission - to have all children reach their unique potential. Several of exhibitors and presenters donated items for our silent auction benefiting the Palo Grande Education Center in El Salvador, WEG’s designated charity. The conference simply would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and exhibitors. Your support helps us keep attendee fees as low as possible, which connects more parents, educators, and advocates with the information they need to help students with learning differences. A big thank you to our two-day sponsors: Commonwealth Academy, McLean School, The Dorm, Fusion Academy, The Auburn School, and FLOREO. Many thanks also to PrepMatters, our keynote sponsor, and TLC’s The Katherine Thomas School, our tote bag sponsor. As the WEG team begins to reflect on all aspects of the 2019 conference, your feedback is tremendously important. Thank you to those who completed our event surveys to let us know what we did right, and where we can improve. You are our partners in making this event happen. We assure you we will take your comments to heart as we plan for the 10th Annual Diamonds in the Rough Conference. Again, we share our deepest appreciation to attendees, presenters, organizations, schools, and companies you represent. Thank you for your role in making the 2019 Diamonds Conference a tremendous success. Hope to see you next year! - Rich Weinfeld |
What Folks Had to Say About the Conference...
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Sponsors
Exhibitors
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Presenters
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Friday, April 12 - CE Workshop
Saturday, April 13 - General Conference
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