Upcoming Training
Dr. Mary Runo (PhD)
SNE Training and Children Assessment Specialist
Dr. Mary Runo is a distinguished scholar with extensive experience in teaching, research, and consultancy, dedicated to making a significant impact in education across all levels. With a Ph.D. in Special Education from Kenyatta University and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the University of South Africa, Dr. Runo has specialized in learning and intellectual disabilities. She holds both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Jersey City State College, New Jersey, USA.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Runo has been a visionary leader and change agent, refining and revitalizing educational strategies, introducing innovation, and fostering solution-driven collaboration. She has held numerous leadership roles, including Head of Department, Project Coordinator, and Director of a University Campus, demonstrating exceptional skills in financial and human management, communication, and analytics.
Dr. Runo’s expertise in Special Needs Education is highlighted by her development of specialized courses and her focus on assessing and designing programs for children with learning disabilities and those with intellectual disabilities. She has successfully supervised many Ph.D. and Master students and continues to mentor doctoral candidates from other countries including the Great Zimbabwe University where she successfully co-supervised and graduated a Ph.D. student in 2023.
Her scholarly contributions include over 17 peer-reviewed journal articles, a chapter of a book on inclusive education published by Oxford University Press, and authorship of a book on reading disabilities, with another on inclusive education forthcoming in 2024. She has presented scholarly papers in several education forums. She has also served as an external examiner for several universities and colleges in Kenya, South Africa, and the United States. She has been involved in the development of programmes and courses in special needs education for various levels and categories from primary schools to universities in Kenya and Tanzania.
Her involvement in national and international research projects and consultancies spans several countries, including Tanzania and Kenya. Notable projects include the ELDC-Hearing Impairment Project, Universal Design for learning (UDL) and inclusive education, the Mwangaza project for learners with visual impairment funded by USAID, and a South Africa-Kenya project on sexual violence among learners with special needs, funded by UNISA and many other projects both in Kenya and Tanzania.
Actively engaged in community participation, Dr. Runo trains parents and educators on educational and disability issues and has in past served as member on the Board of Management for various schools and institutions supporting individuals with special needs. Dr. Mary Runo’s dedication and expertise have significantly advanced the field of Special Needs Education, making her a leading advocate for inclusive educational practices.
SNE Learner Assessment
Empower Your Child’s Future Through Assessment
At ITPD, we believe in empowering every child’s journey towards a confident future. Through comprehensive assessment, we aim to identify and address developmental and learning challenges before they escalate into unmanageable obstacles. Our assessments provide invaluable insights into each child’s strengths, needs, and areas for improvement, ensuring tailored support for their individual journey.
Some developmental and learning difficulties may not be immediately apparent through standard school assessments. That’s where our trained professionals step in. Whether it’s academic skills like reading, writing, and mathematics, or non-academic areas such as cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, our assessments cover a wide spectrum to provide a holistic understanding of each child’s needs.
Early intervention is key to maximizing a child’s potential. From toddlers displaying signs of delayed language development to grade three learners struggling academically or behaviorally, timely assessment and intervention can make a world of difference. Our expert conducts thorough assessments, employing various tests to identify specific challenges and design targeted intervention strategies. These interventions may include specialized instruction, tutoring, or accommodations tailored to each child’s unique requirements.
We emphasize that the purpose of assessment is not to label children, but to facilitate the support and accommodations they need at home and in school environments. Our approach is collaborative, involving parents, teachers, and other professionals to ensure a cohesive support system for each child’s educational journey.
We cater to children from 1 to 18 years of age, designing Individualized Educational Programmes (IEPs) and Individualized Transitional Programmes (ITPs) for learners beyond 14 years. These programs focus on functional academics and vocational training, tailored to meet the diverse needs of learners who may not thrive in traditional educational settings.
Following assessment, we provide detailed reports and work closely with teachers to develop and implement IEPs/ITPs for each learner, whether in a special school or inclusive environment. Continuous monitoring of progress ensures that interventions remain effective and responsive to each child’s evolving needs.
Parental involvement is integral throughout the assessment process, with regular conferences held to ensure alignment and collaboration between all stakeholders. Together, we strive to empower every child to reach their full potential and embark on a path towards a confident and fulfilling future.