2017-18 Educational Programs

"Needham's Special Education Services and Programs"

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Please join us for an overview of what Needham has to offer students with all types of needs at all of our schools, from preschool through age 22. This is an opportunity to meet all of the Special Education Directors, and to learn about what will be new this year.

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"Quirky, Confident, Quiet… or Cause for Concern: Understanding Social Development in Children"

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Social competency provides the foundation for personal and professional relationships throughout our lives. Children who lag behind their peers in developing social skills can struggle in and out of the classroom. Presenter Alison Ratner Mayer will provide an overview of social development in children, discuss warning signs that a child might need extra help, and share strategies for parents to support skill development.

Alison Ratner Mayer, LICSW, is a Needham-based child and adolescent therapist who specializes in running social skills group therapy for children, teens, and young adults ages 4-22.

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"The Whats, Whys, and Whens of Neuropsychological Testing"

Wednesday, January 17

Dr. David Stein will join us to discuss:

• • Why and when would I seek a  neuropsych for my child?

  • What’s the difference between a school evaluation, private neuropsych testing, and hospital-based testing?

  • What factors and practices lead to a high quality and useful evaluation?

  • What kinds of tests should be performed?

  • What is the process and what should I expect to receive from the evaluation?

  • What do the results mean and how do I interpret them?

Dr. David Stein is a pediatric psychologist specializing in neuropsychological testing, neurodevelopmental disorders, and learning differences.  He is the founder of New England Neurodevelopment, a pediatric psychology practice located in Concord, MA.  

"A Guide to Special Education"

Wednesday, February 28

Attorney Michelle Moor will teach families the basics of special education, with information that will help you:

• • Understand your child’s eligibility for special education

  • Know your rights under state and federal law

  • Plan and monitor your child’s progress

  • Be an effective partner with your child’s school

Presenter Michelle Moor is an attorney whose practice is devoted entirely to helping children with special needs access appropriate educational services. Prior to starting her own practice, she worked in the disability and special education law group at Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP.

"Stressed-Out Students: Understanding the Impact of Anxiety on Motivation and Learning"

Tuesday, March 20

Today’s children and teens are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before, which can have a detrimental impact on academic, social, and daily life. In this workshop, we will discuss:

• • The difference between stress and anxiety

  • How anxiety functions and what it might look like

  • The connection between anxiety and attention/executive function

  • Understanding and supporting skills to increase student motivation

Dr. Angela Currie is a pediatric neuropsychologist at NESCA, where she conducts neuropsychological and psychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and young adults. She works with children and teens to tease apart the various factors that may be contributing to their stress, such as underlying learning, attentional, or emotional challenges. 

"Beat Procrastination! Task Initiation Strategies to Help Create Successful Students"

Wednesday, April 25

This workshop seeks to understand the all-too-common practice of procrastination, and offers academic interventions to help mitigate this stress-inducing habit:

• • Better management of nightly homework

  • Planning and time management strategies for short- and long-term assignments

  • Strategies to get “unstuck” when having trouble initiating tasks

  • Organizational strategies to help keep track of papers/assignments/belongings

Presenter Dan Levine is the President and Founder of Engaging Minds, a learning and tutoring center that teaches students how to learn, including study skills, organization skills, and time-management skills. Dan has an MBA degree from Boston University and a bachelor's degree from Connecticut College.