Connecting for Kids: Recent Episodes
Connecting for Kids
Has your child asked to go by new pronouns, but you're not sure what that means? Are you unsure of the difference between gender identity and gender expression? Join this interactive presentation with Kristen Pepera, MEd, LPCC-S, and Lisa Pepera, MEd, LPCC-S, of Colors+, where you’ll learn how to be an affirming caregiver if your child is exploring their gender expression or identity.
Does your child struggle to make friends or engage in social activities? Do lunch, gym and recess create more anxiety than fun in your child’s school day? If so, join Amy L. Lee, PhD, and Rebekah Bryson, LISW, of Cleveland Clinic Children’s, as they provide tips for caregivers to help ease a child’s anxiety and boost social skills. You will learn tools to support your child such as body calming, coping thoughts and facing challenges in smaller steps.
Have you wondered about the “right way” to talk about your child’s disability? Do you want to learn ways to affirm your disabled child’s identity? Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, for a conversation about things you can do and language to avoid when teaching our children about disability. Connect with other families who have a child with a disability and learn how we can come together to support our children.
You just found out a loved one is sick, what do you tell your child? What type of support can you as the parent or caregiver provide? Erin Rafter, PhD, CCLS, of The Gathering Place, will discuss developmentally-appropriate reactions children have when a family member or close friend has cancer, COVID or another illness. Come connect and discuss coping strategies including ways to support your child and talk about illness.
Do you feel like you are always in crisis mode? Are you dealing with chronic stress, hypervigilance or burnout? All of these may be signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Parents and caregivers of medically complex children are four times more likely to develop PTSD. Amy Dillon Cody, MSW, LISW, of Amy Dillon Cody LLC, will discuss the symptoms of PTSD and available therapies. Come and connect with other families of children with complex needs.
Is your child ahead of peers academically but struggling to control impulses? Are you looking to connect with families of other gifted or 2e students? Join Christine Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First LLC, as she provides 10 tips to help high achieving students learn how to regulate their behavior and manage emotions. Find out why high cognitive skills do not necessarily equate to high emotional regulation skills.
Does your child get an upset stomach the morning of a big test? Does the thought of being called on to read aloud in class terrify your child? Are math struggles causing worry? Join John Zbornik, PhD, of Kenneth A. De Luca, PhD and Associates Inc., for a group discussion about academic anxiety disorders including test, reading and math anxiety. Attendees will learn how to spot these disorders and ways to ease a child’s fears.
Does your child have a difficult time attending holiday functions? Could you use some tips to make the upcoming holiday season better for your child? The holidays are a fun and exciting time but can also become overwhelming and confusing for those who struggle with social skills.
This program, led by Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC., is designed to help navigate the many social situations, hidden rules and potential problems related to the holidays. Join us as we discuss how to make conversation with relatives and friends, tips for handling holiday parties and appropriate ways to give and receive gifts.
Is your child struggling to transition back to a more normal routine? Are you finding that your child is now fearful of others after being told to stay six feet apart for so many months? Is your child too attached to electronics and having a hard time connecting with friends? Join Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Meghan Barlow and Associates as she discusses behaviors that your child may have picked up during the COVID-19 crisis and ways to address them. The presenter will give you strategies to help your child make positive behavior changes.
How can you help your young child become a better listener and make sense of what they are hearing? Children may hear us, but are they really listening to and understanding what we are saying? Join CFK Early Intervention professionals Neysa McKenney, MA, CCC-SLP, and Paula C. Papp, MAEd, as they share ideas about how to foster effective listening behaviors and support a child’s understanding.
Do you want to learn some fun "hands-on" activities to help your child master the use of scissors and pencils? Do you want to learn how hands and eyes work together to build fine motor skills necessary for school? Join CFK Early Intervention professionals Neysa McKenney, MA, CCC-SLP, and Paula C. Papp, MAEd, as they teach you engaging experiences to help your child develop hand skills using inexpensive sensory, art, and play activities.
Do you have a beautiful family that was formed through transracial adoption? Are you looking for ways for your child to form a strong racial identity as well as a strong family bond? Join Krysia Orlowski, Volunteer Parent Coordinator, and Donikea Austin, Program Manager of Adoption Network Cleveland as they walk us through tips that families formed by transracial adoption need to thrive.
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one of the tools in our Tantrum Tamer Toolbox to help your child aged 18 months – 6 years control behavior and manage emotions. This program is designed for children with or without identified development concerns.
Join Ochanya Wells, M.Ed., as she leads you through another tool in the Tantrum Tamer Toolbox. She will explore visual schedules including the first, then chart to manage behavior as we transition into summer and need tools to structure the day.
Has this pandemic increased the anxiety level of your child? Is mask wearing, social distancing and all of the new restrictions creating stress? Or has your child always been anxious and you are eager to learn some new strategies to help? Tierney Payne, LPCC, manager of Africancentric Services at The Nord Center, will talk about practical things families can do to help a child who struggles with anxiety. Learn how creating structure, providing coping skills and developing an action plan to overcome fear can lead to a calmer and happier child. Join the community of families with an elementary-aged child who struggles with attention and anxiety.
Long summer days, no homework and a break from the routine. Even though your elementary-aged child may be looking forward to summer, the transition from the structure of school can be a rocky one. Join Rob Adams, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist at Meghan Barlow and Associates, as he provides practical strategies to make the end of the year a positive, stress-free time for your child. Join the community of families with an elementary-aged child who struggles with attention and anxiety.
Is your child struggling with pandemic-related anxiety? Is time at home during quarantine increasing your child’s impulsivity? Join Dr. Kimberly Burkhart of Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital as she teaches behavior management strategies. In addition, parents and caregivers will learn ways to teach children to monitor and modify their own behavior.
Racism has a negative effect on the well-being of non-white children and their caregivers. To help protect your child from the harmful effects of racial trauma, you must know what the roadblocks are and how to work through them. Join CFK's Family Education Research Analyst Nikki Montgomery, M.A., M.Ed, GPAC to learn five ways to effectively work towards solutions.
All parents worry about their children’s friendships. But for parents of children who lack social skills the concerns are especially pressing. Making and keeping friends requires hundreds of skills and it is easy for a child who struggles to fall behind. Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC, will teach parents and caregivers strategies to help their child develop and maintain friendships. She will discuss the complicated nature of social skills as it relates to a variety of diagnoses.
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one of the tools in our Tantrum Tamer Toolbox to help your child aged 18 months – 6 years control behavior and manage emotions. This program is designed for children with or without identified development concerns.
Join Ochanya Wells, M.Ed., as she leads you through another tool in the Tantrum Tamer Toolbox. She will explore emotional regulation tools including a calming social story as well promote strategies to help your child cope with anger.
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one of the tools in our Tantrum Tamer Toolbox to help your child aged 18 months – 6 years control behavior and manage emotions. This program is designed for children with or without identified development concerns.
Join Ochanya Wells, M.Ed., as she leads you through another tool in the Tantrum Tamer Toolbox - the Behavior Reward Chart. Ochanya will walk you through strategies to manage behavior at home as well as to help find other ways to respond to your child. She will answer your questions on a variety of topics, which can be asked during the program or submitted upon registration.
¿Te gustaría tener un kit, listo para usar, lleno de herramientas que puedes usar para ayudar con los problemas de comportamiento? Únete con Abi Mendez, M.A. CCC-SLP patóloga del habla y lenguaje bilingüe de MetroHealth, para aprender a usar horarios visuales, tablas visuales de primero…luego, letreros y otros materiales para ayudar a tu hijo(a) en edades desde los 18 meses a los 6 años, a controlar su comportamiento. Además, aprenderás como ayudar a tu hijo(a) a adquirir habilidades para regular y manejar las emociones.
Would you like to apply for funds to help with your child’s expenses but aren’t sure where to begin? How do you even determine which funding sources you are qualified to receive? Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, of Connecting for Kids as she takes participants through the Connecting for Kids "How to Find Funds for Therapy" guide which offers a step-by-step approach to the process.
Join Ochanya Wells, M.Ed., Director of Quality Assurance and Community Engagement at STEPS Educational Group, as she leads you through another tool in the Tantrum Tamer Toolbox - the ABC Checklist to manage behavior at home as well as to help find other ways to respond to your child.
Problems come in all different shapes and sizes and can range from a small “glitch” to a huge catastrophe! As social thinkers, it is not only important to rate our problems but also to match our reaction to them in a socially appropriate way. Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC., will teach you skills to assist your child in determining how big or little a problem is and then know what strategies will work to help deal with that problem. This program is for parents and caregivers of children ages 7-12.
Do you wish your children had a close bond? Is it difficult for your typically developing child to interact with your child who struggles? Join local pediatrician, Dr. Alaka Chandurkar, and licensed clinical psychologist, Heather Dukes-Murray, Ph.D., of Meghan Barlow & Associates, to learn five ways you can work with your typical child to build a relationship with a sibling who struggles.
Does your child often say things that are either inappropriate or hurtful to someone’s feelings? Deciding what is OK to say or not say in a social situation can be tricky. Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC, will teach parents and caregivers ways to help their child understand how words and actions can affect others. Learn about “brain filters” and other tips to guide your child ages 7-12 in knowing what is socially appropriate.
Are there ways to stop your child from toggling between games and classwork when they are distance learning? Should you limit screen time when it’s your child’s only way to connect with friends? Jay Berk, PhD, psychologist, author, and international speaker of Jay Berk, PhD and Associates, will discuss the most common concerns elementary-aged families have raised about electronics during this pandemic.
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one of the tools in our Tantrum Tamer Toolbox to help your child aged 18 months – 6 years control behavior and manage emotions. CFK Early Intervention professionals Paula C. Papp, M.A.Ed., and Neysa McKenney, M.A., CCC-SLP will discuss the contents of the Tantrum Tamer Toolbox and answer questions on a variety of topics.
The ongoing stress and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic can wear anyone down, but children may have an especially tough time coping emotionally. Do you see signs of stress and struggle in your child? Finding the right mental health provider for your child can be overwhelming. Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, of Connecting for Kids as she introduces CFK's framework for finding a mental health provider to work with your family.
Did you know recent statistics indicate that as many as 1 in 4 young children can be at risk for developmental, behavioral or social delays? Are you concerned that your child's development may be behind? Join Morgan O'Leary, an outreach specialist from Help Me Grow at Bright Beginnings, as she provides information about developmental milestones for those birth through 3 years. She will also give parents and caregivers ideas of how to work with a child to help reach these milestones.
Does your child struggle with anxiety? Have you found yourself accommodating anxious behavior? Maybe you are not inviting friends over if your child has social anxiety or repeatedly answering the calls of a child with separation anxiety. In some cases, this can only perpetuate the symptoms of anxiety. Join Beth Mishkind Roth, MSSA, LISW-S of Cleveland Integrative Counseling, to learn how altering your response can help de-escalate your child’s behavior and help them gain confidence in their ability to cope. Beth will introduce SPACE (Supportive Parenting Through Anxious Childhood Emotions), a program which parents and caregivers learn that by changing their own behavior, they can avoid much of the escalation that stems from trying to force their child to act differently.
What are some ways you can improve communication with your child’s school? How can you more effectively ask for support? Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, of Connecting for Kids as she teaches families how to create and use a communications binder. Karla will walk attendees through the documents a family should have readily available and discuss the importance of each. She will also demonstrate ways to use the binder throughout the year to communicate your child’s needs.
Ven y escucha a Citlali Conley, COTA/L, de Abilities First, LLC, quien nos compartirá maneras para disminuir la frecuencia y la intensidad de las crisis en niños pequeños y preescolares. Aprende ideas para saber cómo preparar a tu hijo(a) y el medio ambiente para evitar las rabietas o crisis. Conley también te enseñará cómo ayudar a tu hijo(a) para que él o ella misma pueda reconocer las señales cuando se está abrumando, e iniciar actividades de auto-calma apropiadas para su edad.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created anxiety in many of our children. Whether it's masks, social distancing or disrupted routines, the uncertainty of school this fall is only adding to this stress. What can you do? How can you help your anxious child prepare for the upcoming school year? Join Cate Brandon, PsyD, from Kenneth A. De Luca, PhD. & Associates, Inc. as she offers techniques to help families deal with anxiety, which can look very different in each child. Whether you are dealing with sleepless nights, defiance, meltdowns, attention issues or other behaviors, she will provide resources to ease the back-to-school transition.
We've had a few weeks off from virtual school and the kids have had time to be wild and untamed. Early intervention professionals Neysa McKenney, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Kathy Nash, M.Ed., will discuss the importance of routines and setting expectations to give kids something to rely on.
-- How do you set up a summer structure using a visual schedule?
-- What are simple activities you can incorporate into your child's summer play to increase communication, social, and academic skills?
This program is for families of children 18 months to 6 years (with or without a formal diagnosis).
Do you have a child who is more difficult, argumentative or disrespectful? Is it a struggle to get her to comply with the rules or to complete school work? Is his temper and moodiness affecting your entire family especially as you are home together during this COVID-19 pandemic? Join Jay Berk, PhD, psychologist, author, and international speaker of Jay Berk, PhD and Associates, for a brief presentation on the possible causes of these difficult behaviors and what to do about them. Dr Berk will help you identify what skills your child may be lacking and provide practical strategies you can use at home to combat common defiant and difficult behaviors.
With schools and therapist offices closed and behavior analysts not doing home visits during this pandemic, have you suddenly been tasked with implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at home? If so, what do you need to know? Join Ken Dix, RBT, and Elyra Gonzalez, MA, BCBA, COBA, of The Silver Lining Group as they answer your ABA questions, provide ideas and empower families during these unprecedented times. Co-sponsored by the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland.
If you are at home with a child between the ages of 18 months to 6 years you know these last few weeks haven’t been easy. Keeping your child meaningfully engaged while also getting your work done is most likely taking all of your energy. And, if you have a child who struggles in an area of development, you have extra concerns during this time. But don’t fear! CFK Early Intervention professionals and Teach Me to Play leaders Paula C. Papp, M.A.Ed., and Neysa McKenney, M.A., CCC-SLP are here to help.
Take a 20-minute break with your child from distance learning and follow along as Terri McNeely, LISW, MEd, of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, takes you through some quick exercises to decrease anxiety, increase attention and better regulate emotions. Once you learn these new techniques, you can take a mindfulness brain break any time your child needs to calm themselves and refocus. Mindfulness makes you aware of thoughts, feelings and sensations that are happening around you and can provide many benefits during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The dog is barking, siblings are playing in the next room and dad is doing a conference call down the hall. If you thought your child had a difficult time paying attention in the classroom environment, some of you may be quickly finding out that distance learning from home may be even more of a challenge. What strategies can you use to help your child focus in the home environment? What are some practical ways to limit distractions? How can you use the materials already found around your home to keep kids on task? Whether your child is a preschooler or preteen, Christine Chambers, MEd, OTR/L of Abilities First, LLC, shares 10 simple tips families can use to boost executive functioning skills and help a child accomplish schoolwork with sustained attention.
As you are implementing distance learning at home, what services are you entitled to? If your child is helped by an aide or nurse at school, can that person be transferred into the home? Should services such as counseling, occupational, physical or speech therapy be available virtually? What should you do now that your spring IEP meeting has been canceled and your summer ESY plans or scholarship eligibility is uncertain? Ivette Sarkar and Tammie Sebastian from the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) will be answering these and other questions you have about educating children with disabilities at home.
Facilitators Lisa Ruman, LISW, CHt, of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake and Sarah Rintamaki and Nicole Born-Crow of Connecting for Kids will be addressing one of our most popular topics, how to stay calm even when you are angry or frustrated by your child’s behaviors. You will learn a number of techniques to help you stay calm in the face of adversity. The article we will be discussing is "Remaining Calm in the Face of Chaos."
Would you like to apply for a grant to help fund your child’s needs but aren’t sure where to begin? How do you find which grants you may qualify for? Join representatives from Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) and Rec2connect Foundation who will discuss the types of therapies, camps or equipment that are typically covered. They will also walk attendees through the process of applying for financial support. In addition, Amy Clawson of Ohio Family 2 Family will explain how to create your child’s medical summary and write a vision statement to supplement your grant applications.
This program was co-sponsored by Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Zane's Inc., and Rec2Connect Foundation, and Ohio Family 2 Family.
Are the meltdowns, power struggles and talking back just getting worse? In this two-part series, Katie Greenleaf, MA, LPCC, of Meghan Barlow and Associates, will share techniques to turn your home from a battleground into a more peaceful place.
Do the needs of your typical children sometimes go unmet? Are you feeling guilty over the amount of time you spend focused on your child who struggles versus the amount you can carve out for a typical sibling? Lisa Ruman, LISW, CHt, of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, will outline ways to have a conversation with your typically developing child so that he or she can express frustrations and identify at least one need that currently isn’t being met. We will then share practical ways to meet sibling needs given limited time and funds.
Are your requests to get ready for school, wash up for dinner or start the bedtime routine ignored? Do you need to scream at the top of your lungs before your kids will listen? Join Rachel Torrance, M.Ed, BCBA, COBA, and Jennifer Pearson, M.Ed, BCBA, COBA, of Accessing Abilities, as they provide families with the top 10 tips and tricks of the trade used by behavior analysts and educators. From grandma’s rule to breaking into song and dance, they will share proven strategies to help increase desirable behaviors and set your child up for success. Learn skills that will make both your life and your child’s life easier. This program is designed for both typically developing children as well as children with special needs.
Does your child struggle with self-doubt? Is motivation an issue? Is schoolwork completed to the best of his or her abilities? Join Heather Dukes-Murray, Ph.D., licensed independent clinical psychologist, as she discusses how encouraging a growth mindset for your child, and developing a growth mindset in parenting, can help your child develop resilience in thinking and actions. She will provide growth mindset exercises to incorporate into daily activities that can be used to combat common struggles with homework, motivation and self-doubt. In addition, Dr. Dukes-Murray will provide you with ways to help your child identify, express, and regulate emotions as well as ideas for changing negative thinking patterns. Growth mindset exercises geared towards parenting will also be discussed.
Does your child struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? What does science tell us about how to treat OCD and other anxiety disorders, and what strategies can you use to help your child meet their goals and enjoy their childhood? Join Jonah Lakin, Psy.D., of the OCD & Anxiety Center of Cleveland, as he discusses these questions, as well as the difficulties families face when a child has OCD. Attendees will learn about evidence-based strategies they can use to support, encourage and help their children.
Gary Tonks, CEO, of The Arc of Ohio, discusses changes at the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, including:
- Home and Community-Based Services Waivers
- Fix the List and what to expect during your assessment
- Navigating the waiver funding approval process
- Additional funding sources
Co-sponsored by Lorain County Family Forum, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Family 2 Family and The Arc of Ohio.
Does your child struggle with impulsive behaviors? Does he or she act without thinking? Do impulsivity and hyperactivity negatively impact your child’s relationships and academics? Join Dr. Kimberly Burkhart of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital to learn five behavior management strategies you can use to modify your child’s behaviors at home. She will also teach you strategies that your child can use to manage his or her own behaviors. In addition, Dr. Burkhart will identify five classroom strategies that you can request to help minimize the impact of ADHD on academic performance.
Are you dealing with temper tantrums and aggressive behavior? Does your child have difficulty sleeping or complain of nightmares? Is he or she frequently worried or afraid? Join Tierney Payne, LPCC, of The Nord Center, as she models how families can use play therapy to help a child work through meltdowns, behavior problems, sleeplessness, anxiety and other issues. Not only can play therapy help improve these concerns, it can also strengthen the relationship between a parent and child. This session includes examples for both preschool and elementary-aged children.
What is the best way to equip your child to stay in control of his or her emotions and behaviors through the ups and downs of daily life? Are you interested in finding ways to coach your child rather than having to referee an outburst? Join Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Meghan Barlow and Associates, and Christine Chambers, OTR/L, MEd, of Abilities First, LLC, as they provide practical tips that families can implement immediately to help children successfully navigate through their daily activities. Learn ‘pregame’ sensory strategies and activities for waking up and getting ready, handling unexpected situations, staying calm at social gatherings, completing work, and learning to play and have fun in a variety of environments. This program is for typically developing children as well as children with developmental delays.
Are you concerned because your child is not potty trained? Are you frustrated and could use some potty training tips from professionals? Are you wondering whether your child's inability to be trained could indicate a physical or emotional issue? Join Nikki Jaras, MS, BCBA, COBA, of A+ Solutions, to discuss how and when to potty train. This podcast is geared toward families with an preschooler who has a developmental delay.
Join Courtney Evenchik, MA, NCSP of A+ Solutions for an overview of potty training basics. This presentation is intended for typically developing children aged 2 years to 3 years of age.
Did you know that the World Health Organization recently announced gaming addiction as a real diagnosis which should be recognized? Were you aware that games are specifically designed to be addictive? Join Dr. Jay Berk, of Jay Berk, PhD & Associates and author of "A Parent's Quick Guide to Electronic Addiction," for a lively and informative discussion about the new emerging crisis of electronic and gaming addiction. Dr. Berk will identify the signs of electronic addiction and how to manage behaviors associated with it, such as rage, refusal to give up electronics, loss of friends, social isolation and inappropriate activities on electronics.
Does your gifted child have trouble connecting with peers? Does your child have trouble working or playing with peers? Is he or she emotionally sensitive and more easily hurt by what peers say and do? Join Dr. Meghan Barlow of Meghan Barlow and Associates as she explores the factors that interfere with the social relationships of gifted kids. She discusses such topics as trouble connecting with peers, cognitive rigidity (a child’s difficulty in changing his or her thinking) and uneven intellectual, physical and emotional development. Dr. Barlow also provides recommendations for how parents and caregivers can best support their gifted child's social development.
Whether you’re worried about a child who won’t eat vegetables or a child diagnosed with a feeding disorder, this solutions-based discussion by Stefanie Peck, MA, CCC-SLP, and Brenda Richards, OTR/L, of The Center for LifeSkills will give you tips you can put to use during your next meal at home.
Does your child have challenges playing nicely with others? Are sharing, communicating, and expressing emotions difficult tasks? Does your child tend to play by him or herself and not interact with other children? Join Rec2Connect as they discuss common challenges with preschoolers (both typically-developing children and those with special needs). They will provide simple strategies to encourage children to develop their social skills and stop behaviors such as hitting, being a sore loser when playing games, whining and playing solo while ignoring those around him or her.
Is your child prone to aggression and frequent outbursts? Does he or she have a tendency to argue and ignore requests? Are you looking for evidence-based answers for these disruptive behaviors? This program, for families of elementary-aged children, will explore the reasons behind your child’s anger and defiance and discuss ways to create a calmer home through Dr. Ross Greene's Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Model (CPS). Join Dr. Nora McNamara and Dr. Solomon Zaraa of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center as they answer questions from the audience about diagnoses, medications and CPS.
This program is co-sponsored by National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Cleveland (NAMI GC).
Does your child’s behavior test your patience? How can you set appropriate limits based on your child’s stage of development? Are you concerned about your child’s lying or inability to maintain friendships? Is your home always a battleground between siblings? Join Rebecca Boyle, PhD, of Albert Einstein Academy, as she provides practical strategies for handling behaviors such as whining and talking back as well as ways you can set limits to decrease these behaviors. In addition, they will discuss creative ideas to promote positive friendships, honesty and sibling harmony in your child.
Does emotional intensity go hand-in-hand with giftedness? Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Meghan Barlow and Associates, will discuss why gifted children may have more extreme emotional reactions, explosions, and anxieties. Dr. Barlow will provide a perspective to help families understand how their child's intensities can be framed as strengths and she will also provide tips on how families can prevent power struggles and support their child in learning to manage their emotions.
In this talk, Aletta Sinoff shares real-life examples of strategies families can use to avoid or respond to emotional outbursts in individuals with disabilities. Throughout the talk, Sinoff identifies reasons why some children may be more likely to experience emotional outbursts, such as reduced executive function skills, language development delays and lagging skills.
Learn how medications and underlying mental health issues such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression can affect a child's ability to fall or stay asleep. John Hertzer, MD, Director, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, will discuss what parents and caregivers can do to encourage higher quality sleep. He will also talk about when a family should seek medical intervention for sleep and what type of professional to see. Lastly, Dr. Hertzer will walk participants through the benefits of undergoing a sleep study and how the results can be useful to
solving sleep problems.
This program is co-sponsored by NAMI Greater Cleveland.
Are you dealing with talking back, temper tantrums, school behavior problems, trouble following directions, stealing or lying? Kazdin’s Parent Management Training is a set of interventions developed by Dr. Alan Kazdin, Director of the Yale Parenting Center, that teach and coach families how to modify a child’s problem behavior. At this presentation featuring Cynthia Petrucci, LSW, and Lora Zoller, LPCC, of Applewood Centers Inc., you will learn Kazdin strategies that use positive reinforcement, antecedents, practice and problem solving to improve behavior and decrease a child’s opposition and aggression. Touting a 78% success rate, the goal of the Kazdin program is to improve parent-child interactions and empower families to create positive changes.
Meghan Barlow, PhD., of Meghan Barlow and Associates, will help parents understand bullying, acts that may look like bullying but are not, and common types of peer conflict. Parents will be taught strategies for how they can help support their children as well as how to empower their children to handle conflicts at school.
Why can’t your child just behave? The lens you use to view your child’s behavior has vast implications for your reaction and the way you help your child. If you’re frustrated because you’ve tried everything you can think of to prevent those dramatic meltdowns and it seems like nothing at all sets off those screaming, crying, dreadful tantrums, then this talk is for you. Join Katie Greenleaf, MA, LPCC, of Meghan Barlow and Associates, for a talk that will completely change the way you view your child’s behaviors and guide you toward a better way to help.
Whether you are questioning if your child has ADHD or if you already have a diagnosis and are in need of new strategies, Carol A. Leslie, OT/L, ACHT, CWC, of PsychBC, Inc., will discuss what you need to know when dealing with attention issues. She will answer questions such as: How do I know if my child truly has ADHD or is just an active kid? Why is it important to get a diagnosis and isn't that just labeling my child? What can I do to help my child focus more and be less impulsive besides medication? She will also share coping techniques that can be used both in the home and school environment.
Does your child love to spin around in circles and crash his body into things? Does she yell when she hears loud noises or sees bright lights? Does he become nervous in crowded environments? Join Denise Attie, COTA/L, of Mercy Rehabilitation Services, as she helps families recognize whether their child has sensory issues. She will provide examples of sensory-specific behaviors and discuss ways to detect the early signs of a sensory disorder. She will also provide information about resources and therapies that can improve outcomes for your toddler or preschooler.
What is the ABLE act and how can it benefit my family? How does it differ from a special needs trust? Who is eligible? Kathryn J. Bryan, Ph.D., of Skylight Financial Group, will help attendees understand the ABLE act, its rules, regulations and who is eligible. She will explain why a family would want to set up an ABLE account and how it can provide funds needed for qualified disability expenses such as education, housing, transportation, employment training, health and personal/financial services, without disqualifying your child from SSI, SSDI, or Medicaid. Dr. Bryan will also address how an ABLE account can fit into the overall planning for your child's future.
Does your child worry excessively about grades or social situations? In class, does your child put unreasonable expectations on himself or herself? Are you looking for strategies to help reduce your child’s anxiety? Join Liesl L. Glover, Ph.D., of Kenneth A. De Luca, Ph.D. & Associates, Inc., for this interactive presentation. She will discuss causes of anxiety and give specific ideas about how families can help their elementary-aged children. Dr. Glover will provide strategies to both reduce and handle worries in the home and school environment.
How can you tell if your child is having difficulty reading? What are some things you can do at home to teach your child how to read? What do you do if you suspect a disability? Tammie Sebastian, Information Specialist/Trainer, at the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, will teach participants the basic foundational steps needed to learn to read. Rhyme, rhythm, pictures, phonemic awareness will be discussed and applied with a hands-on approach. Story telling techniques will be demonstrated. How to recognize if a child is having difficulty reading and what some of the warning signs of a possible disability will also be discussed. Content geared toward preschool families.
Embarrassed by your kids' behavior in public? Are there times when you don't know what to do? Do you sometimes just give in to what they are whining about because it's the easiest approach? How should you appropriately discipline in public without causing a scene? Christine Jurik, MA, BCBA, COBA, of Behavior Consulting Services, LLC, will discuss ways to deal with preschooler behavior when running errands, attending parties and participating in community functions. Jurik will also teach attendees how to address whining, yelling, tantrums, unsafe behaviors and more. Learn new behavioral strategies to feel more confident taking your preschoolers with you in the community!
Are you concerned because your child has a negative body image? Do you worry about your family’s mealtime behaviors and whether they are healthy? Would you recognize the signs of an eating disorder? Kelly Bhatnagar, PhD, of The Emily Program, will discuss how to model positive body image behavior and ways you can talk to your child about weight and wellness that will positively impact self esteem. She will provide tips for keeping mealtimes healthy, social and fun to promote a peaceful relationship with food. Dr. Bhatnagar will also address what to do if you suspect your child may have an eating disorder.
Is your child’s lack of flexibility affecting the whole family? Does every transition turn into a tantrum? Do you ever wonder if you are in charge or if your child is? Sarah Saunders, MA, LPC, of Meghan Barlow and Associates, will provide practical tips to keep your sanity and improve family functioning. She will offer fun and helpful ways to make dinnertime something you look forward to again and will share step-by-step strategies to improve nighttime routines. Saunders will also discuss ways to manage your child's transitions more effectively.
Does your child worry excessively about grades, social situations or sports performances? In class, does your child have an intense fear of being called on by the teacher? Are panic attacks commonplace in your home? Dr. Molly McVoy, of University Hospitals Department of Psychiatry, will help attendees recognize the symptoms of childhood anxiety disorders. Although many children experience fears and worries, Dr. McVoy will address the difference between normal childhood behaviors versus anxiety that is interfering with your child’s daily life. She will also discuss the treatment options and resources available for various anxiety disorders.
Dr. Brian Schroer of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, Center for Pediatric Allergy, will answer parent questions on a variety of food allergy topics including causes of food allergies, how to discuss allergies with your child's teacher and when to use an epi pen vs an Antihistamine. With food allergies affecting 1 in 13 children, or two in every classroom, Dr. Schroer will also talk about advocating for your child at school.
Do you know the best ways to carry your child’s therapy over into everyday life? Do you feel that your child is getting the maximum benefit from therapy? Sara Solet, MA, CCC-SLP, of Speech Spot, will share ideas for getting the most out of any type of therapy including occupational, physical and speech-language therapy. She will introduce the idea of a parent notebook and why it is so critical to keep track of progress. Solet will also give tips for ways private and school therapists can best communicate with each other.
What red flags should you look for to indicate your child may have a delay in vision skill development? Could your child’s classroom performance be helped by improved visual skills? Vision is more than just seeing 20/20. This program will feature a panel discussion with Dr. Alex Andrich, OD, FCOVD, from The Vision Development Team, and Dr. Leah Steele, OD, from Madison Eye Care. Dr. Andrich will discuss development of vision skills from birth to grade school. He will also discuss how functional vision deficits can often be misdiagnosed as ADHD and dyslexia. Dr. Steele will discuss visual skills needed in the classroom as well as symptoms that can occur when there are problems with these visual skills. She will also discuss treatment options to help resolve these problems when they are detected.
Does your child struggle to keep emotions in check? Can he or she be flexible when changes occur? Does your child procrastinate in starting a project or have trouble keeping on task? Jennifer Negrey, MOT, OTR/L, BCP, CLT, pediatric occupational therapist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation; and Danielle R. Petrozelle, MS OTR/L, pediatric occupational therapist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation and Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism; will help families gain an understanding of typical executive function skills at the preschool through preteen levels. Families will learn strategies to help their child gain better emotional control and flexibility. They will also discuss ways to help a child with task initiation, planning, organization and time management as well as strategies to increase working memory and sustained attention to tasks.
Does your child hate the feeling of tags in clothing? Does he love to spin around in circles and crash his body into things? Does she hate loud noises, bright lights and crowded environments? Join Denise Attie, COTA/L, of Mercy Rehabilitation Services, as she helps parents and caregivers recognize whether their child has sensory issues. She will provide examples of sensory-specific behaviors and discuss ways to detect the early signs of a sensory disorder. She will also provide information about resources and therapies that can improve outcomes for your toddler, preschooler or elementary school-aged child.
Do your child’s meltdowns seem to last longer than normal? Are you concerned with how frequently they occur? Does the slightest thing send him or her into a downward spiral? Join Christine A. Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First, LLC, as she discusses ways to decrease the frequency and intensity of meltdowns in toddlers and preschoolers. Learn how to prepare your child and the environment to avoid the triggers of a meltdown. Chambers will also teach you how to help your child recognize the signs that he or she is becoming overwhelmed and initiate age-appropriate, self-calming activities.
Does your elementary school-aged child struggle to make friends on the playground? Does he or she watch groups of kids play and not know how to join in? Are you concerned because your child is not invited to birthday parties or play dates? Don’t despair as social skills can be taught! Come join this interactive discussion led by Tracy Biller, MA, CCC-SLP, and Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC, and learn techniques to teach social skills to your child. They will also address the types of professional help that is available for practicing social skills in private and group settings.
How long should the average meltdown last? Is my child's constant anxiety about school normal? If my child doesn't get invitations to birthday parties or play dates, are her social skills lacking? My son is having trouble at recess, how do I know if it is just an average playground conflict or if he is being bullied? Join Natale Badillo, MA, Ed, from Kenneth A. De Luca, Ph.D. & Associates, Inc., as she talks about what is typical behavior for an elementary school-aged child and when you should be concerned. She will address anxiety, meltdowns, impulsiveness, peer relationships and homework avoidance.
Are you concerned about your child’s behaviors? Do you have questions about what is considered normal elementary and preteen behavior and what could be an indication of a more serious problem? Join Dr. Nora McNamara, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, of University Hospitals Case Medical Center, as she provides an overview of childhood onset disruptive behavior, mood and anxiety disorders. She will discuss when and how to pursue further evaluation and possible treatments. Dr. McNamara will also introduce parents to the Collaborative Problem Solving approach, which was originated by Dr. Ross Greene in his book, The Explosive Child.
Join Joyce Kubik, ADHD coach, on this Homework Hassles and Solutions presentation as she describes why children with ADHD and anxiety struggle to focus on their homework and how parents can help them overcome the hassles.
Is homework an ongoing battle in your house? Does your child’s homework cause you stress? Do you wish your child would complete homework without you having to supervise? Join Terri McNeely, MEd, BS, State Certified Special Education Teacher, of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, as she provides tips to help parents reduce the daily stress of homework and end homework battles. McNeely will suggest ways to help your child make the best use of his or her time and learn effective organizational techniques. This talk is targeted at elementary and preteen students.
Does your child struggle to keep emotions in check? Can he or she be flexible when changes occur? Does your child procrastinate in starting a project or have trouble keeping on task? Christine A. Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First, LLC, will help parents gain an understanding of typical executive function skills at the preschool through preteen levels. Parents will learn strategies to help their child gain better emotional control and flexibility. Chambers will also discuss ways to help a child with task initiation, planning, organization and time management as well as strategies to increase working memory and sustained attention to tasks.
Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Meghan Barlow and Associates will discuss how having a diagnosis is important because it will help determine what therapies to pursue and what services your child may need in school, but a diagnosis is only one part of your child and how all behavior cannot be attributed to a diagnosis.
She will discuss how sometimes parents need to take a step back and recognize that some behaviors are just "kids being kids." This presentation will help parents understand what is developmentally appropriate at each stage as a child grows and matures. Dr. Barlow will review typical pitfalls, common challenges and ways you can capitalize on your child's strengths to create more harmony between family members and a better fit between your child and his or her environment.
Does your child gets answers marked wrong because the teacher can't read his writing?
Does your child receive low grades in handwriting when you know she is capable of performing better?
Is there arguing and/or tears over simple handwriting assignments at your home that your child feels are just too difficult to complete?
If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, listen to Chris Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First. During her podcast, she will share some fun activities to strengthen fine motor skills for writing.
First, listeners will learn the foundational skills necessary for writing which include posture, arm strength, grip, visual skills, attention and self regulation. For each skill, Chambers will provide three to five activities that a child can practice at home to build and strengthen that specific skill. Activities for toddlers, preschoolers and school aged children will be addressed.
These are some of the writing problems these exercises will help correct:
Pushes too hard (breaks crayons/pencils)
Presses too lightly/grips too lightly
Doesn't write on the line (vertical deviations)
Too much spacing or no spacing between letters/words (horizontal deviations)
Problems forming shapes and letters
Letter reversals
Fatigue
Attention/frustration
By practicing these recommended techniques, your child will develop the necessary fine motor skills to more successfully finish this school year and better be able to handle handwriting assignments in the fall.
Join Allison Frazier, MA, BCBA and Gina Edgehouse, MEd, of Julie Billiart School to discuss how to help children with attention issues and developmental delays with homework.
Join Sandra Curran, MEd, LISW, and Pam Spinner, MEd, from Support 4 Teachers & Families in this interactive presentation about preventing and managing challenging behaviors in elementary-aged children. They will share practical ideas and list resources for further help. Your child does not need a formal diagnosis to benefit from this discussion.
Join Aletta Sinoff, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA-D, Daily Behavioral Health in this interactive presentation to discuss specific ideas and share resources to increase social skills in preschoolers.
Listen to Don Caserta, LISW-S, Meghan Barlow and Associates discuss strategies and resources to help cope with screen time concerns.
Do you have a child that struggles with anxiety? Listen to Dawn Hill, PCC-S, and Terri McNeely, MEd, from Child and Family Counseling Center of Westlake to discuss causes of anxiety and ways in which parents can help their child.
Do you long to have a better connection with your grandchild/niece/nephew with an emotional delay? Do you have a friend whose child you want to be emotionally closer with but you just don't know how to find a way to bond? Does your child stare at a video screen and you despair of ever having fun together?
Join Meghan Barlow, PhD, from Meghan Barlow and Associates in this interactive presentation about how to form an emotional connection with your elementary-aged child (or a child you love) with a social delay. She will discuss causes and give specific ideas about how to connect with children with social delays.
Liesl Glover, PhD, from Kenneth A. De Luca, PhD & Associates discusses the causes and types of anxiety and also offers some practical ideas for parents.
Listen to Jaime Hughes, MA, SLP from The KIDnections Group discuss practical ideas for parents to help their awkward preteen (9 to 12 year old) make friends.
Join Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy in this interactive presentation about how to tempt your preschooler to talk! This presentation if filled with take-home ideas that will tempt your child to use his/her words.
Target Age Group: Parents of toddlers and preschoolers (2 to 5). Parents do not need a formal diagnosis of their child to attend but the session is geared toward children behind in speech.
Don Caserta presents an overview of ADHD, including a detailed look at the clinical presentation, how symptoms look different from the inattention and hyperactivity diagnoses and a high-level discussion of ADHD and the human brain. Caserta then demonstrates behavior management strategies, such as Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence (A-B-C) analysis, using praise and feedback and communication strategies to help improve home-school interactions.
Have you ever been frustrated as a parent because you’ve asked your child to do a task, and they just don’t listen? Do you feel like yelling is the only way to have your child “hear” you? Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Meghan Barlow and Associates, talks about the reasons why children don't listen and how to change these behaviors with techniques such as using attention as a motivation to do the right thing, teaching new skills, using clear rules and defined consequences, giving clear, calm instructions and ignoring behaviors.
Does your child struggle with impulsive behavior and/or aggression? Does your child act before they think? Don Caserta, LISW-S gives an overview of several behavior management strategies, including conducting antecedent-behavior-consequence (A-B-C) analysis, using effective commands, providing positive reinforcement, helping students use the "Four Whats" to look at their behaviors, and designing data recording/reinforcement methods that work for the child and the parent (including daily report cards and reward charts)
Caserta spends the rest of the discussion helping families to understand attention issues from a clinical point of view and when/why an ADHD diagnosis may be necessary.