2026 Fall Conference

**MEMBERS! Please make sure to LOG IN before you register to receive discounted pricing**

Date: Friday, October 23, 2026

Sign-In and Continental Breakfast: 7:30am - 7:50am

Conference: 7:50am - 3:30pm

To EARN 0.6 ASHA CEUs you MUST arrive on time to attend the KEYNOTE Speaker. 

PURCHASE ORDERS ACCEPTED

Member Registration Fees    (includes breakfast and lunch)                   

Members:                    Early Bird: $225.00  After October 9th: $275.00  

Professionals:              Early Bird: $275.00  After October 9th: $325.00

Student Volunteer Members FREE Event - email us at info@lisha.org to register. Breakfast Included for Student Volunteers

*Meets CTLE Requirements if documented with the ASHA CE Registry*

LOCATION:

Crest Hollow Country Club 8325 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY 11797

CONFERENCE CHAIRPERSON:

Barbara Zwerman, M.A., CCC-SLP

AGENDA:

7:30-7:50        Sign-In/Continental Breakfast (Included)

7:50-8:00        Intro to Keynote (ALL MUST ATTEND): 

8:00-8:15        Keynote (ALL MUST ATTEND): Introduction and Medical Journey               

8:15- 9:00        Recovery, Advocacy and Impact

9:00-9:15        Transition to Kathryn Arnold Presentation

9:15-10:15       Foundations of Language Development and Natural Language Acquisition

10:15-11:00     Identifying Gestalt Language Processors and Understanding the Six Stages of Gestalt Language Development

11:00-11:15     BREAK

11:15-12:00     Language Assessment and Language Sample Scoring Practice

12:00-12:30     Supporting Language Development Across Stages: Child-Led Therapy and Clinical Strategies

12:30-1:30       Lunch (included)

1:30-2:00         Clinical Application, Case Studies, and Breakout Discussion

2:00-2:30         AAC Considerations for Gestalt Language Processors: Setup, Modeling, and Implementation

2:30-3:00         School-Based Considerations and Accommodations: Collaboration, Classroom Supports, Sensory Considerations

3:00-3:15         Clinical Application

3:15-3:30         Questions and Answers

KEYNOTE:

"A Matter of Matt: A Story of Life, Perserverance and Inspiration"

Presenter: Matthew Weingartner

In April 2018, at the age of 30, Matthew survived a massive ischemic stroke that changed his life forever. Now living with aphasia, he has transformed his recovery journey into a powerful message of resilience, hope and perseverance. Matthew is dedicated to advocacy, education, and raising awareness about aphasia and stroke recovery.

OVERVIEW:

This presentation tells the powerful, deeply personal journey of Matthew Weingartner, a Long Island athlete whose life changed dramatically after two open-heart surgeries and a massive ischemic stroke at age 30. Through baseball, family, and early achievements, Matthew built an identity rooted in discipline and resilience. His medical challenges began at 18, when an enlarged aorta and valve defect led to his first open-heart surgery. A second surgery in 2017 was followed months later by a stroke caused by endocarditis, leaving him partially paralyzed and with aphasia — “a loss of language, NOT intellect,” as the presentation emphasizes. Matthew’s recovery includes speech therapy, PT/OT, plant-based nutrition, medication management, and community support. He has transformed his experience into advocacy: speaking publicly, creating “A Matter of Matt,” cohosting a cooking show, contributing to a book, and helping secure Aphasia Awareness Month proclamations across New York State. Now a Board Member of the National Aphasia Association, he uses his voice to educate, empower, and inspire others navigating stroke and aphasia. “I have lost my words, not my intellect.”

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Participants will:

1. Explain what aphasia is and how it affects everyday communication.

2. Identify basic ways to support and encourage people living with aphasia.

AGENDA:

8:00 - 8:15      Introduction and Medical Journey

8:15 - 9:00      Recovery, Advocacy and Impact

9:00 - 9:15      Transition to Kathryn Arnold Presentation

DISCLOSURES:

Financial: Matthew Weingartner will be receiving an honorarium from LISHA for his presentation.

Non-Financial: Matthew Weingartner has no non-financial relationships to report.

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“Gestalt Language Development & Natural Language Acquisition"

Presenter: Kathryn Arnold, MCD, CCC-SLP

Kathryn (“Katie”) Arnold is a speech-language pathologist with nearly two decades of experience working across private practice, outpatient clinics, elementary schools, and high schools. As a military spouse, she has practiced in communities across the country, gaining a wide range of perspectives on service delivery and the evolving role of the SLP. Katie has served as a clinician, business owner, clinical manager, and supervisor, but her greatest passion has always been mentorship and education. Her work with Meaningful Speech® has supported clinicians and families worldwide in understandinggestalt language processing and Natural Language Acquisition, including her role as moderator of the clinical support forum. She is the creator of the Gestalt Language Processing Handbook: Handouts for Coaching and Education, GLP Intake Forms, GLP Educational Video Series, and Visual Support Posters distributed through Meaningful Speech®. Katie is also the founder of Echo and Grow Press and the creator of the Echo and Grow children’s book series—stories written with gestalt language development in mind to support connection, communication, and literacy for children and the adults who support them.

OVERVIEW:

This advanced training provides an in-depth look at supporting gestalt language processors through a neurodiversity-affirming, child-led framework grounded in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA). Participants will review the foundations of language development and the characteristics of gestalt language processors, followed by a deeper exploration of the six stages of gestalt language development and how clinicians can effectively support progress across stages. Attendees will learn how to identify gestalts, analyze language samples, and apply stage-appropriate supports in a variety of settings. The training will also address practical considerations including AAC implementation for gestalt language processors, school-based accommodations, and collaborative team approaches. Through case studies and group discussion, participants will apply concepts to real-world scenarios and develop strategies they can immediately implement in therapy, classrooms, and interdisciplinary teams. This session is designed to move beyond introductory concepts and provide clinicians with practical tools, deeper clinical reasoning, and increased confidence in supporting gestalt language processors across settings.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Participants will:

1. Describe the characteristics of gestalt language processing and the six stages of gestalt language development.
2. Identify gestalts and analyze language samples using Natural Language Acquisition principles.
3. Implement stage-appropriate strategies to support language development in gestalt language processors.
4. Apply child-led, neurodiversity-affirming approaches within therapy and classroom settings.
5. Identify considerations for AAC implementation with gestalt language processors.
6. Develop practical strategies for supporting gestalt language processors in school environments, including collaboration and accommodations.

AGENDA:

9:15-10:15       Foundations of Language Development and Natural Language Acquisition

10:15-11:00     Identifying Gestalt Language Processors and Understanding the Six Stages of Gestalt Language Development

11:00-11:15     BREAK

11:15-12:00     Language Assessment and Language Sample Scoring Practice

12:00-12:30     Supporting Language Development Across Stages: Child-Led Therapy and Clinical Strategies

12:30-1:30       Lunch 

1:30-2:00         Clinical Application, Case Studies, and Breakout Discussion

2:00-2:30         AAC Considerations for Gestalt Language Processors: Setup, Modeling, and Implementation

2:30-3:00         School-Based Considerations and Accommodations: Collaboration, Classroom Supports, Sensory Considerations

3:00-3:15         Clinical Application

3:15-3:30         Questions and Answers

DISCLOSURES:

Financial: Kathryn Arnold, MCD, CCC-SLP will be receiving an honorarium from LISHA for her presentation. She is the owner of Echo and Grow. Kathryn Arnold also serves as an independent contractor with Meaningful Speech.

Non-Financial: Kathryn Arnold, MCD, CCC-SLP has no non-financial relationships to report.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Please contact LISHA at info@lisha.org to discuss any accommodations you might need in order to access the course.

SATISFACTORY COMPLETION:

Satisfactory completion will be documented by attendance at the entire course and completion of the required exit summary form which includes a question about what was learned during the course.

CONFIRMATION AND CANCELLATIONS:

Confirmations can be obtained at www.lisha.org or e-mail at info@lisha.org. All cancellations must be submitted in writing. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after October 10, 2025. Please note, registrants will receive a certificate of completion after the course has successfully been completed.