Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Conference 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

9:00am CDT

Teen + Young Adult Kickoff: Meet Up and Life Hacks.

Friday July 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT

Salon A @ 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Want to connect with peers who know exactly what it's like to navigate life after epilepsy surgery? This session is a relaxed, group-led space designed for teens and young adults to meet others who truly get it and share real-life advice on building independence.

What we'll cover:

The Social Circle: Practical, confident ways to talk about your surgery history with new friends, roommates, or dates.
School & Work Accommodations: A clear guide to navigating legal protections (like 504 plans and the ADA) so you can confidently ask for things like rest breaks or extra test time.
Tech & Independence Tech: A fast-paced share of the best apps, gear, and daily habits for solo health tracking, alongside a guide to updating your Seizure Action Plan.

The Goal: Disarm the anxiety, walk away with practical tools you can use right away, and connect with a "Weekend Buddy" so you have a familiar face for the rest of the conference!

NOTE: This is a special session for self-advocates (teens and adults who had surgery in childhood).

Moderators

Roxanne Cogil, BS, CBIS

Executive Director of Regional Teams, Central Region, Epilepsy Foundation

Roxanne Cogil is the Epilepsy Foundation’s Executive Director of Regional Teams in the Central Region based out of Iowa. She has worked with the Epilepsy Foundation for over 14 years, has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Iowa State University and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist... Read More →

Kelli Tran

Human Development and Family Sciences/Social Work Student, Texas State University

I am currently a senior at Texas State University studying Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Social Work. My goal is to become a Certified Child Life Specialist because of my passion for supporting children and families through challenging medical experiences with... Read More →

Speakers

Cindy Fitchpatrick, CCLS

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Texas State University

Cindy Fitchpatrick has been a Certified Bilingual Child Life Specialist (CCLS) for 29 years. Currently, works at Wonders and Worries, as a PRN CCLS and a RWWP Consultant, working with children and adolescents of adult patients. She has also been Adjunct Faculty at UT Austin, teaching... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
Salon A 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Self-Advocate Track

10:00am CDT

Living Your Best Life: Skills for Adulthood After Epilepsy Surgery As A Child

Friday July 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT

Salon A @ 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

For individuals who underwent surgeries like hemispherectomy in childhood, adulthood brings a new set of milestones that go far beyond medical management. The focus often shifts to "executive functions". These are the essential mental skills that allow us to organize our day, manage our emotions, and interact effectively with the world around us.
We will discuss the practical, daily realities of navigating life, work, and social relationships.
Topics of discussion will include:

Harnessing Self-Awareness: Understanding why many adults develop exceptional self-monitoring skills and how this heightened awareness helps compensate for physical or sensory challenges.
The "Initiation" Hurdle: Discussing why starting tasks can sometimes be more difficult than finishing them, and sharing strategies to bridge the gap between "knowing what to do" and "doing it."
Perspectives on Progress: Exploring how you and your support systems (family and partners) sometimes see daily challenges differently, and how to improve communication and mutual understanding.
Adaptability and Resilience: Celebrating the brain’s incredible ability to reorganize and thrive, proving that surgery does not define your potential for a successful, independent adult life.

Moderators

Nicole Murray

Director of Development, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance

Nicole Murray serves as the Director of Development for the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance (formerly The Brain Recovery Project), returning to the organization where she previously served as Development Director. In her current role, she leads strategic fundraising initiatives... Read More →

Speakers

Lynn Paul, PhD

Senior Research Scientist, California Institute of Technology

Lynn Paul's research is broadly focused on understanding the role that cortical connectivity plays in development of higher-order social cognition and the brain's capacity for reorganization during development. Utilizing eye-tracking, standardized neuropsychological instruments, and... Read More →

PESA ADULTS BestLife 2026 pdf

Handout Life Hacks July 2026 pdf

Handout Effects of Pediatric Epilepsy & Surgery pdf

Handout Understanding Me Template pdf

Friday July 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Salon A 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Self-Advocate Track

11:00am CDT

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security

Friday July 17, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT

Salon A @ 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

If you receive Social Security benefits (SSI or SSDI), you have a legal right to the services you need to work or attend school. This session provides an overview of the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program, a free legal resource that protects the rights of people with disabilities. (While our speaker is from Disability Rights Texas, this program is available in every state.)

In this session, you will learn how to:

Advocate for services: If agencies like Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) or Employment Networks (EN) are not providing the help you need or are "dragging their feet," PABSS can step in to advocate for those services.
Prevent overpayments: Understand exactly how employment affects your SSI or SSDI checks. You will learn the rules so you can avoid being shocked by a large bill or "overpayment" from Social Security.
Protect your rights at work: Know your employment rights and "reasonable accommodations" under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Remove barriers to education: Get help if you are facing barriers to college or vocational training to ensure you have the access you need for your future.

Whether you are a student, a parent, or an adult currently in the workforce, this session will show you how to protect your benefits and your legal rights.

Moderators

Roxanne Cogil, BS, CBIS

Executive Director of Regional Teams, Central Region, Epilepsy Foundation

Speakers

Randi Turner

Advocate, Disability Rights Texas

Randi Turner has spent her career acting as a bridge between complex state policies and the real-world needs of the people they serve. As the Accessibility and Disability Rights Coordinator for the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, Randi’s work is rooted... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT
Salon A 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Self-Advocate Track

2:00pm CDT

Social Success and the Regulated Brain

Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Salon A @ 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Surgery is often seen as the finish line, but for many children and teens, it’s actually the starting block for a new kind of marathon. This session bridges the gap between clinical recovery and real-world thriving, focusing on the unique ways the brain adapts socially and emotionally after epilepsy surgery. We will explore the science of "social rewiring" to understand how the brain reorganizes cues and communication post-surgery, while providing practical tools like the "Regulation Ladder" to guide children, teens, and young adults from a meltdown state back to a state of learning.

Moderators

Nicole Murray

Director of Development, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance

Speakers

Karen Keough, MD

Medical Director & Epilepsy Program Director, Child Neurology & Consultants of Austin

Dr. Karen Keough earned her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed a fellowship in child neurology at Duke University and an additional fellowship in epilepsy at Baylor University in Houston.

Dr. Keough is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pe... Read More →

Social success & the regulated brain pptx

Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Salon A 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Self-Advocate Track

3:00pm CDT

Brave on the Page™: Telling Your Story After Epilepsy Surgery

Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:45pm CDT

Salon A @ 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

You have a story that belongs only to you. This is your space to explore it, find your voice, and discover what’s waiting inside you. Brave on the Page™ is a 90-minute writing workshop for teens and adults (13+) who have had epilepsy surgery in childhood. Hosted by bestselling children’s author Marianne Richmond, with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling, this is a supportive space to get your real, uncensored thoughts onto paper. No “perfect” writing or experience required, just come as you are.

What to expect:

Real Talk: Marianne shares her journey from living with epilepsy to becoming a bestselling author.
Creative Spark: We’ll use "entry points" like photographs, text from Marianne's books, song lyrics, and other creative prompts to spark your ideas.
Quiet Space: Plenty of time to write and process your thoughts at your own pace.
Supportive Vibes: A relaxed environment led by a professional who truly "gets it."
Your Choice: Share your writing if you want to, or keep it just for you. Even if you're nervous to share, the gift of being witnessed in your story is such a gift

As Marianne says, “I created Brave on the Page because writing helped me make sense of myself and my place in the world. Come see what’s waiting for you—trust me, you’ll be awed by yourself!”

Details

Who: Teens and adults (13+) who had epilepsy surgery in childhood. 20 participants max.
Bring: Whatever you use to communicate! Notebooks, laptops, iPads, or AAC devices are all welcome.
Support: If you need a scribe or a support person to help you get your ideas down, please bring them along or let us know in advance.

NOTE: This is a special session for self-advocates (teens and adults who had surgery in childhood).

Speakers

Marianne Richmond, MA

Bestselling Children’s Author, Speaker & Brave on the Page™ Expressive Writing Facilitator, Marianne Richmond Studios

Longtime children's author, artist, and mental health professional Marianne Richmond has touched the lives of millions over the past three decades through her beloved picture books. In 1997, while recovering from brain surgery for epilepsy, she wrote and illustrated her first book... Read More →

TellingYourStory pdf

Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:45pm CDT
Salon A 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Self-Advocate Track

11:00am CDT

The Young Adult Experience: Stop Talking About Me and Listen to Me

Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT

Salon A @ 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Since 2017, Ty and Aimee Day have used person-centered planning and trauma-informed support to help him become a young adult who is not afraid to speak up for himself. Ty will share his story of feeling powerless and misunderstood, even by his own mother! Mom learned how to truly listen and discover what he was trying to tell her. Together, they taught others the importance of having the POWER to make informed choices and have positive control to help him reach his goals.

Her son, Ty, is 20 years old and "has spoken at many state and national conferences with me." He has autism.

Session times are placeholders for now. Final times will be set once we confirm clinician schedules.

Moderators

Nicole Murray

Director of Development, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance

Speakers

Aimee Day

Director of Person-Centered Planning and Family Outreach, Texas A & M University, Center on Disability and Development

Aimee Day is the Director of Person-Centered Planning and Family Outreach at the Center on Disability and Development and a Person-Centered Thinking Mentor Trainer. She strives to incorporate Person-Centered Practices in all aspects of her professional and personal life. She has spoken... Read More →

Ty Day

Advocate

Ty Day is a young man with a passion for helping others. He frequently presents at conferences, sharing his journey of becoming a strong self-advocate. Through his experiences, Ty has learned the importance of informed choice and positive control, which have been crucial in planning... Read More →

Stop Talking About Me and Listen to Me PES conference pdf

Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT
Salon A 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Self-Advocate Track

2:00pm CDT

Level Up Your Circle: Creating Social and Rec Opportunities Your Way!

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Salon A @ 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Ready to expand your social circle and find new ways to jump into fun recreational activities? Led by a Certified Recreational Therapist, this interactive workshop is all about you taking the driver's seat in your social life. Dive into hands-on group activities and creative brainstorming games to discover new hobbies, accessible local events, and online communities. Along the way, we’ll practice self-advocacy tips to help you confidently voice your needs and choices to friends, family, and program leaders.

This is a highly supportive, collaborative space. Volunteers will be available in the room to partner up and assist with communication or any individual support needed!

NOTE: This is a special session for self-advocates (teens and adults who had surgery in childhood).

Moderators

Courtney Stone

Fundraising and Grants Manager, Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance

Speakers

Katie Mikulcik, CTRS

Recreation Program Specialist, Austin Parks & Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation

Katie Mikulcik is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist who has been with Austin Parks and Recreation for 7 years. From volunteering and running programs as a Girl Scout to facilitating campus-wide events as a college student, she has experience creating recreation opportunities... Read More →

Level Up Your Circle Creating Social and Rec Opportunities Your Way! pdf

Level Up Handouts pdf

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Salon A 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX, USA

Self-Advocate Track