Penelope, MS, COVT

Professional Experience

• Certified Optometric Vision Therapist, Lifetime Eye Care, 1996 - Present
• Services include vision development and enhancement, learning related visual problems, and vision rehabilitation following stroke and head injury,
• Faculty, Early Childhood Education; Lane Community College , Eugene , Oregon , 2002 - 2003
• Lecture and Workshop Presenter. Topics include: child development, parenting, early childhood education, vision and learning. 1984 - Present
• Tutor: artistic, remedial and academic programs for individuals with special needs, 1991 - 1993
• Performing Artist and Storyteller, 1972 - Present
• Kindergarten Teacher, Waldorf School of the Rogue Valley , Ashland , Oregon , 1986 - 1990
• Art and Drama teacher, for children and senior citizens, Vermont , 1973 - 1978
• Art teacher, grades 1- 6 and special needs classes, Vermont , 1972 - 1973

Seminars and Trainings

• The Visual Pathway: from structure to function, Michael Earley, OD, MS, PhD, 2004
• Using Central-Peripheral Integration in Vision Therapy, David Cook, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, 2004
• Symposium on Vision Therapy for Adults, 2004
• Optometric Vision Therapy for Patients with Neurological Insult, Brenda Montecalvo, OD, FCOVD
• Adult Strabismus: The road less traveled, Gary Etting, OD, FCOVD
• Clinical Pearls in Adult Vision Therapy, Jeri Schneebeck, OD, FCOVD
• Who is a Candidate for Adult Visual Skills Therapy? Carl Gruning, OD, FCOVD
• Exposure Anxiety and Anxiety States in Those with Autism-Spectrum Disorder, Donna Williams, 2004
• A Multidimensional Approach to the Cluster Condition of Autism, Donna Williams, 2004
• Gastrointestinal Disorders, Nutritional Deficiencies, Mercury Toxicity and Autism, James Adams, PhD, 2004
• Optometric Management of the Patient with Acquired Brain Injury; Applied Concepts in Vision Therapy Course, Irwin Suchoff, OD, DOS and Allen H. Cohen, FCOVD, FAAO, 2003
• Symposium On Reading Related to Light and Color, 2003
• Visual Stress and Its Treatment with Colored Filters, Arnold Wilkins, DPhil, Cpsychol
• Does Varying Wave Length Affect Learning-Related Vision Disorders, H. Solan, OD, FAAO, FCOVD
• Tinted Lenses to Improve Reading Comfort and Performance: Necessary Intervention or are Underlying Problems Being Missed, Mitchell Scheiman, OD, FAAO, FCOVD
• The Use of Syntonics in the Treatment of Learning-Related Vision Problems, L. B. Wallace, OD, FCSO
• Strabismus and Amblyopia: Clinical Pearls, Recent Literature and It's Clinical Application, Jack E. Richman, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, 2003
• The How & Why of Providing Infant Vision Care, D. Janiuk, OD, FCOVD and L. Dyson, COVT, 2003.
• Sensory Problems in Autism, Temple Grandin , PhD, 2003
• Diagnosis and Management of Special Populations, Dominick Maino, OD, M.Ed, FAAO, 2003
• Vision Therapy for Special Populations, Dominick Maino, OD, M.Ed, FAAO, 2003
• Pathway to Literacy Through Story and Play - The Storybook Journey, Sue McCord, 2003
• The Brain: Understanding Neurology and Plasticity - Why Interventions Work. Lyelle Palmer, PhD, 2003
• How the Brain Learns and Implications for Teaching, Rita Smilkstein, Ph.D., 2003
• Neurobiology and Education, Dr. Stephen Ingersoll. Regional Clinical Seminar, OEP, 2003
• The Art of Teaching, Merrill Watrous. Lane Community College Inservice, 2002
• Discovering the Connection: The Role of Neurobiology and Nurturing in the Developing Mind, D. Siegal, MD and M.C. Heffron, PhD, 2002
• Sensory Processing in Schools: Identification and Intervention Planning, W. Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA; 2002
• Brain Development in Children with Special Health Care Needs, D.W. Willis, MD, 2002
• Infant Development - Creating the Foundation for all Life's Learning, M. Heiniger-White, MA, OTR, 2001
• Learning Pyramid -A Foundation for Parents, Educators, & Therapists to Work Together, D.Heiberger MA.2001
• Behavioral Optometry, Arnold Sherman, OD, FCOVD, 2000
• Vision Therapy: Focus, Fixation, Fusion, Form and Fun, Claude Valenti, OD, FCOVD, 2000
• Visual Attention: Its Pervasive Influence on Vision and Reading , Scott B. Steinman, OD, PhD, 2000
• Neurology of the Visual System Related to Neuronal Plasticity & Perceptual Learning, T. Albright, PhD, 2000
• Vision Training Techniques for Success, Arnold Sherman, OD, FCOVD, 2000
• Diagnosing and Treating Visual Perceptual Issues in Gifted Children, Linda K. Silverman, PhD, 2000
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Observational Assessment and Drug-Free Treatment; Judith Bluestone, 2000
• Behavioral Optometry & Educators: A Necessary Partnership for Managing Learning Related Vision Problems; Cami Dowis, COVT and Dr. H. Laukenen. NW Vision Therapist's Symposium, 1999
• Diagnosis & Management of Visual Information Processing Dysfunctions; R. Dowis, OD, FCOVD, 1999
• Vision and Reading ; Ralph Garzia, OD, 1998
• Management of the Patient with Esotropia; Grand Rounds Panel, 1998
• Role and Relationship of Impulsivity and Automaticity; Jack Richman, OD, 1998
• Accommodation, Nearwork and Myopia; Kenneth Ciuffreda, OD, Ph.D.,1998
• Reading Eye Movements; Kennethe Ciuffreda, OD, Ph.D., 1998
• Lenses, Prisms and Strabismus and Amblyopia; Richard Glonek, OD, 1998
• Key to Achievement in School and Life; Albert Sutton, OD, MS, FCOVD; OEP, RCS, 1998
• Amblyopia, Off and On; L. Sanet, COVT & R. Sanet, OD, FCOVD 1997
• A Management and Prevention Program for Serving Young Children with Challenging Behaviors; Early Intervention Council, 1997
• Optometric Management of the TBI Patient; Irwin Suchoff, OD, FCOVD; OEP, RCS, 1997
• Balametric Learning Breakthrough Program; Dr. Frank A. Belgau , 1996
• Mid Willamette Valley OEP Study Group: monthly topical therapy issues, 1996 - Present
• Brain Development and Learning; Dr. Helen Neville, 1997
• Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, Planting a Seed for Tomorrow, 1997
• Identifying and Referring Children with Special Needs, Florien Deurloo, M.Ed.
• Engaging Children's Minds: Brain Development and Learning in the Early Years; J.M. Healy, PhD, 1997

Courses, Lectures and Trainings Presented by Penelope Youngfeather

• Vision Development in Early Childhood. Lane County Early Intervention Council, Eugene , OR , 2005.
• Storytelling and the Power of Imagination: visualization and cognition. Village School Parent Meeting, Eugene , Oregon , 2005
• A Teacher's Guide to Vision and Learning, O'Hara School faculty, Eugene , Oregon , 2005
• Storytelling with Young Children: A Pathway to Learning. Lane Community College , 2005
• A Developmental Approach to Learning Related Vision Problems. Co-presenter therapists' education, College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) annual international conference, Cancun , Mexico , 2004
• Vision and Learning: A Literature Review from Learning and Education Journals. Therapists' education, COVD annual international conference, Cancun , Mexico , 2004
• Does Vision Impact Learning Abilities? Whitaker Middle School , Salem , Oregon , 2004
• Vision and Learning: Signs and Symptoms in the Classroom. Santiam Christian School , Corvallis ,2004
• Activities for Visual - Motor Development for Ages 3 months to 6 Years. Lane Community College Child Development Center staff training, 2004
• Vision Screening: The Success of Every Student is in Sight. Oregon PTA Annual Convention, 2004
• Storytelling in Early Childhood Settings: Developing the Mind's Eye. Lane Community College Early Childhood Education Program, 2004
• Creating Healthy Media Habits for Your Family: How and Why. Eugene Waldorf School Community Education, 2004
• Vision and Autism. Bridgeway House, Eugene , Oregon , 2003
• Vision Development in Early Childhood. Lane Community College , 2003
• See! I'm Ready to Learn: Visual Motor Development in Early Childhood Settings. Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children Spring Conference, 2003
• Infant / Toddler Environments. Lane Community College Early Childhood Education Program, 2003
• Child Care and Guidance. Lane Community College Early Childhood Education Program, 2002, 2003
• Vision and Learning. Corvallis Waldorf School Adult Education, 2002
• Creating Healthy Media Habits for Your Family. Sacred Heart Medical Center , 2002
• Television, Media and Childhood Development. The Village School : Adult Education Series, 2002
• Recognizing Learning-Related Vision Problems. St. Paul School Faculty, 2002
• Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum in Waldorf Kindergartens and Pre-School Programs. UO Early Childhood Special Education Master Degree Program, 2000, 2001, 2002
• Vision and Learning Related Vision Problems. Corvallis Waldorf School , 2000
• Vision and Learning - Understanding Your Child's Vision Development. Lifetime Eye Care, 2000, 2001
• Moving and Doing, Seeing and Learning. co-presenter, Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC), 2000
• Computers, Media and Childhood Development. Corvallis and Eugene Waldorf Schools ,1999, 2000
• Creative Play and Brain Development. South Eugene High School Child Psychology classes, 1997
• Creative Play, Language and Movement - The Developmental Imperatives of Early Childhood. OAEYC,1997
• Seeing with the Mind's Eye - The Role of Storytelling in Waldorf Schools. Corvallis Waldorf School , 1996
• Creative Play and Your Child's Development. Birth-to-Three parenting group, 1996
• Television and Media: The Impact on Childhood Development. Pendleton Public Library, 1996
• Creative Play, Television and Childhood Development. Lane County chapter OAEYC, 1996
• Television and Your Child's Development; Corvalis Waldorf School , 1996
• Movement, Play and Your Child's Development; Tiny Tots Parent Association, 1995
• Television, the Media and the Growing Child; Eugene Waldorf School (EWS) public presentation, 1995
• Toys and A Child's Play - Preparations for Life; EWS parent education program, 1994
• Birth to Nine - Your Child's Development; EWS parent education program, 1994
• The First Seven Years - Who is the Young Child; Waldorf School parent education, Ashland , 1990
• Creative Living with Two to Seven Year Olds; Waldorf School parent education, 1987 - 1990
• The Waldorf Kindergarten - A Developmental Approach to Early Childhood Education; Southern Oregon State College, Early Childhood Education class, 1988
• Stages of Development Reflected in Children's Drawings; Ashland High School , 1988

Professional Organizations

• Early Intervention Council of Lane County, 2002 - present, Co-Chair, 2004 - 2005
• University of Oregon Project PASS , Preparing Autism Specialists for Schools, Board of Directors, 2004 - 2005
• Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, Oregon , 1996 - 1997, 2000 - present
• College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Vision Therapist, 1998 - present
• Willamette Valley Vision Development and Rehabilitation Study Group, 1996 - present

Community Involvement

• Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, Volunteer Speaker
• Eugene Storytellers Guild, 1994 - present
• Tellers in Concert , co-producer of story festivals, 1994-1996
• Stretching the Truth, newsletter for northwest storytellers, assistant editor, 1994-1996
• Volunteer Storyteller 1990 to Present: Including: The Village Project, 1996; UO International Women's Day, 1996; Skipping Stones International Children's Magazine, 1995; Mount Pisgah Arboretum, 1995; Celeste Campbell Senior Center, 1993-95; Talking Books, 1994; Eugene Public Library, 1994.
• Volunteer Presenter for schools and community organizations , 1985 -Present
• Presenter: Inservice Programs and Training for the NYSOA Vision Screening Battery , 1997-present

Personal Background

My husband, Robert Sposato, is an educator and sports camp director. We have lived in Oregon since 1981 and in Eugene since 1990. We have three sons, Raman, Tai and Nikolai.

Pamela

Education

• Bachelor of Science studies in Elementary Education
• Christian Heritage College , El Cajon , CA .
• Associate of Arts, Child Development and Preschool Teaching
• Mira Costa College , Oceanside , CA .
• Graphic Design and Illustration
• Palomar College , San Marcos , CA .
• Certified Lactation Educator, IBCLE, Lactation Institute, Pacific Oaks College , CA .

Seminars and Training

• Optometric Evaluation and Training or Visual Information Processing Dysfunction, Applied Concepts Course College of Optometrists in Vision Development
• Vision Development: The Impact of Vision on Learning, Performance and Behavior: College of Optometrists in Vision Development
• Visual and Human Development in Infant and Child, Applied Concepts Course: College of Optometrists in Vision Development

Personal Background

Pam has lived in Eugene , OR since 2000 with her son Preston , who is currently serving in the US Navy. She enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

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