Mindspark

10/08/2026

Join me for Structured Literacy I through UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, starting this Saturday, October 10!

Explore the science of reading and writing and learn how to translate research into effective instruction.

Registration is still open

https://www.ucsc-extension.edu/courses/educational-therapy-structured-literacy-i

10/06/2026

Math is everywhere, and no one is actually 'not a math person."

Utah’s outreach uses simple games to help families build a strong foundation in early arithmetic for their children

10/02/2026

If you have heard about the science of reading or structured literacy and wondered waht all the buzz is about...or you teach reading and writing at any grade level to students with any learning profile...Structured Literacy I and II at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension's Educational Therapy program will give you a super strong foundation, combining the neuroscience, the science of reading, and lots and lots of practical application to ground the theory. Structured Literacy I is starting October 10th! Register now and join me for a deep dive and take your understanding and practice to the next level.

https://www.ucsc-extension.edu/courses/educational-therapy-structured-literacy-i

"This is the best course I have taken in the program so far. Diana is a brilliant instructor with deep expertise in her field and a genuine passion for language and literacy that is evident in every class session. One aspect that particularly stood out to me was Diana's ability to actively involve all adult learners in class activities. In fact, this was the first course in which I saw an instructor successfully engage every student in quizzes during live sessions while making the experience both meaningful and enjoyable. This created a collaborative learning environment and reinforced key concepts in an effective way." SL I student

Skills you will gain Neurobiology of Literacy Learning: Understand how the brain processes both oral and written language. Structured Literacy Instruction: Implement evidence-based practices to teach reading and writing effectively. Speech to Print Strategies: Create spelling interventions and evalu...

09/23/2026

Excited to be putting the finishing touches on my Gamification for the Win! workshop at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension's Educational Therapy program. Uploading board game and card game templates and cool non copyrighted images to put on your board games, and directions for adapting card games like Uno and Slapjack and Go Fish, and lots of sample games, and suggestions for material to buy and games to purchase and suggested reading and watching...It is going to be one of the most fun workshops I have done! Come join me this Saturday, 9-3. Still plenty of time to register!

Course Description Welcome to our immersive Education Innovation workshop series. Join master educators to explore the most current, evidence-based best-practices to keep your knowledge and skills up to date and to strengthen your ability to support every student. Each session is led by an expert in...

09/15/2026

I am so pleased to announce that we have lined up our final two workshops for the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension's Educational Therapy Fall Workshop series--Getting Your College Students the Help They Need: Understanding College Accommodations by Kara Scanlon and Emily Figueroa M.Ed, October 31, 9:00am-12:00pm PST, and Do the Math: Integrating Executive Functions, Assessment and Games, also with Kara Scanlon December 5, 9:00am-3:00pm PST. That makes eight high-quality workshops taught by seasoned educational therapists. Sign up now and share with anyone you think might be interested!

https://www.ucsc-extension.edu/certificates/educational-therapy

09/09/2026

Were you planning on signing up for Strategies for teaching mathematics to students with learning disabilities or Management of Clinical Practices with Sharmila Roy, Ph.D. or the Psychology of Human Learning with Anna McDonald, EdD, BCET through UCSC Silicon Valley Extension's Educational Therapy program, but never got around to it? You might be worried that the classes started yesterday, September 8th, and think that you blew it and missed the deadline. Never fear! These classes are asynchronous and self-paced, so you can still register for them! Check out them and other upcoming classes and invest in your own growth and learning this semester!

Empower your students

09/02/2026

Fall courses are about to start at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension's Educational Therapy certificate program.

Asynchronous and self-paced, available September 8

*Psychology of Human Learning
*Management of Clinical Practice
*Strategies for Teaching Mathematics

Live-Online

*Educational Assessment I--September 16th
*Brain Development in Early Childhood--September 30th
*ADHD for Educators--October 6th
*Structured Literacy I--October 10th

Empower your students

08/27/2026

I am thrilled to announce one more workshop in UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy program's Fall education Innovation workshop series: Sensitive Students - Supporting Twice-Exceptional Learners

Join Dr. Sandra Clifton to explore the trait of high sensitivity and teach participants the core characteristics of the highly sensitive student. This seminar is designed to help counselors, educational therapists, teachers and caregivers to better understand the needs of students who benefit from accommodations and interventions related to environmental sensitivity. Attendees will gain insight into the assessment of sensory processing sensitivity and the latest research on how to support this learning profile, which occurs in 20-25% of every classroom. Participants will leave with several strategies to support sensitive students and their families so that they can thrive both at school and at home.

Course Description Welcome to our immersive Education Innovation workshop series. Join master educators to explore the most current, evidence-based best-practices to keep your knowledge and skills up to date and to strengthen your ability to support every student. Each session is led by an expert in...

08/25/2026

Educators and teachers--have you ever thought about becoming an Educational Therapist so you can work with kids with learning challenged 1:1 in private practice or in the schools?

Then come join me for the Educational Therapy Information Session with UCSC Silicon Valley Extension this Thursday, August 27th, at 6:30 pacific time. Learn about the program, our classes and our instructors--and test yourself on a brief quiz about Structured Literacy!

Please share with anyone you think may be interested!

Transform learning

08/20/2026

Just put the finishing touches on my webinar In a Manner of Speaking: Autism, Speaking and Writing. A full 19.5 hours before I am presenting! (EF challenges? Nahhh)

You still have time to register and join me. It will be jam-packed full of all sorts of information about autism, including cognitive profiles, language processes, and patterns of strengths and weaknesses common in autism, and maybe most importantly, research-based techniques to build on those strengths and address those challenges.

Join me--10am, tomorrow (Friday, August 21st) morning! Pacific time

Exlpore continuous learning opportunities with AET's Virtual Webinars. Access insights and expertise from the comfort of your own space, as educators and therapists share valuable knowledge in the field of educational therapy. Our webinars offer a flexible learning experience, allowing you to engage...