Course Tag: special needs

Even before the Pandemic, mental health disorders were the most common diseases of childhood. Due to the dramatic increase in children and teens entering hospital emergency departments, some are declaring a “pediatric mental health emergency.” Whether your child is doing fine and you want to prevent future mental health issues, or your child just doesn’t seem like their usual self, or has actually declared suicidal thoughts, you can help. Increase your awareness so that you can be positive and intentional about your relationship with your child. Participants in this class will be able to: Identify and apply relationship strategies and everyday habits that support good mental health in children and teens Recognize the impact of parents’ mental health on the family Recognize and respond to signs in children and teens that more support is needed

Autism Why does my kid act this way? 

Many parents try punishment or persuasion to help misbehaving or withdrawn children to improve their behavior. You have likely discovered that these methods are not especially effective, especially with children who display special needs. This class will provide practical tools and strategies to help you achieve the stronger connections and positive behaviors you are seeking.

Does any of this sound like your child? 

• Clinging, crying and/or tantrums when you separate 
• Excessive shyness, avoiding social situations 
• Constant worry 
• Avoiding situations or places because of fears 
• Complaints of frequent stomach aches or headaches 
• Sudden and frequent panic attacks 

Your child may be struggling with anxiety. And you may feel frustrated and helpless. You are not alone. One in three children will experience an anxiety disorder before adulthood. Unless treated, many will grow up to be anxious adults. This class will help you better understand the nature of anxiety, refrain from reinforcing your child’s distress by accommodating behaviors, and apply simple strategies to handle day to day challenges. 

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed when faced with your child’s challenging behaviors?

Do you often find yourself struggling to stay calm?

You are not alone.

Human beings are built to reflect each other’s emotions. When our children display intense feelings and behaviors, our brains naturally reflect those. We start to feel stressed, angry, fearful, or overwhelmed just like our children. You will learn practical strategies to help you be a calm center for your child’s chaotic world.

After this class, you will be able to:
Recognize how strongly the way you handle stress affects your child’s behavior
Apply specific brain calming strategies to stay calm and think clearly during challenging times
Develop a practical self-care routine that supports consistency and calm in your daily life

Uncertainty about school plans can be extra hard on children with special needs who thrive on consistency and routine. Uncertain times in the outside world makes at-home routines, communication, boundaries, and connection even more important.  

In this class you will learn what you can do to create a safe, supportive home environment to give your child the calm center they need to navigate an uncertain world. You will also learn important tips on how to communicate with your child’s school team to make sure your child is getting the support they need to learn and feel safe and happy. 

Class participants will be able to: 

• Identify practical approaches to be a calm center for your child even if they are struggling  
• Recognize what you can and cannot control in your child’s world 
• Develop the ability to match your expectations to your child’s capacities and your family’s circumstances 
• Define “achievable and sustainable” goals and work with your child to create a learning plan together 
• Identify and apply strategies to help your child stay on track and ways to celebrate progress 
• Apply strategies to partner effectively with your child’s teacher and support services staff ● Recognize the importance of building a support network 

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed or confused about your child’s struggles?  

Do you find yourself struggling to stay calm?  

Do strategies that worked with other kids seems to have no impact?  

You are not alone. 

This class will help you:  

• Recognize that your child’s challenging behaviors may be strategies to help him manage the world around him and handle his inner turmoil 
• Identify the nature of self-regulation and co-regulation and how these practices will support your child and strengthen your relationship with her 
• Apply simple strategies to handle day-to-day challenges 

Does any of this sound like your child? 

• Clinging, crying and/or tantrums when you separate 
• Excessive shyness, avoiding social situations 
• Constant worry 
• Avoiding situations or places because of fears 
• Complaints of frequent stomach aches or headaches 
• Sudden and frequent panic attacks 

Your child may be struggling with anxiety. And you may feel frustrated and helpless. You are not alone. One in three children will experience an anxiety disorder before adulthood. Unless treated, many will grow up to be anxious adults. This class will help you better understand the nature of anxiety, refrain from reinforcing your child’s distress by accommodating behaviors, and apply simple strategies to handle day to day challenges. 

Uncertainty about school plans can be extra hard on children with special needs who thrive on consistency and routine. Uncertain times in the outside world makes at-home routines, communication, boundaries, and connection even more important.  

In this class you will learn what you can do to create a safe, supportive home environment to give your child the calm center they need to navigate an uncertain world. You will also learn important tips on how to communicate with your child’s school team to make sure your child is getting the support they need to learn and feel safe and happy. 

Class participants will be able to: 

• Identify practical approaches to be a calm center for your child even if they are struggling  
• Recognize what you can and cannot control in your child’s world 
• Develop the ability to match your expectations to your child’s capacities and your family’s circumstances 
• Define “achievable and sustainable” goals and work with your child to create a learning plan together 
• Identify and apply strategies to help your child stay on track and ways to celebrate progress 
• Apply strategies to partner effectively with your child’s teacher and support services staff
• Recognize the importance of building a support network 

This series addresses ways to support your child with high or special social and/or emotional needs. Many parents of children with special needs report higher than average levels of stress and conflict.  Children with special needs may not respond to the discipline techniques that work for other children. Diagnosis like Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and anxiety require behavioral support strategies that are specific to each child’s needs. Effective discipline is built on empathy and a balance between flexibility and consistency. It’s time to stop just surviving and get the tools you need to thrive and enjoy your relationship with your child as you support their growth and development.

Classes included in this series address:

• Helping your child to make and maintain friendships
• Helping your child get the most out of therapy
• Supporting your child with anxiety or depression  
• Applying positive discipline for children with ADHD

The Inspire School Success series for parents of middle and high school youth offers inspiration and strategies you can use to help your child enter the classroom with confidence, character, and the tools they need to succeed. Help your tweens and teens regulate their emotions and communicate effectively so that they can engage and learn. Parents, students, and teachers have all endured the challenges of an unusually tough year that has led to academic and social loss for many. This series covers clear, actionable ways to inspire meaningful conversations and develop routines at home that support social-emotional health, reduce conflict and foster a sense of gratitude and safety. Gain the information and techniques you need to help your tween or teen confidently enter school as you look towards graduation, the college admissions process, other post-graduate plans and beyond. 

Participants in this class series will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of mindset to school success 
• Help tweens and teens complete homework without conflict
• Appreciate and develop gratitude practices
• Inspire important conversations to strengthen relationships and build character

Essential Library:
School Success: Inspire Motivation and Engagement
Make Homework Work
Stress, the Brain and Emotional Well-Being in your Teen
Manage Academic Loss
Less Conflict, More Solutions
Build Extraordinary Relationships with Your Teen through Daily Conversations
Support the Social Emotional Health of Gifted Teen Students

Extended Library:
Support Kids in Challenging Times: Understand and Engage in Current Events
Create Home Environments that Support Remote School Success
Approaching the College Admissions Process
Gratitude – the why and how!
Help Students Feel Safe in Challenging Times
Approaching Graduation and Beyond
Support the Social Emotional Health of Students with Special Needs