2021-22 Educational Programs

PAST PROGRAMS:

Beyond Sticker Charts and Time Outs: Addressing Challenging Behaviors with Co-Regulation and Collaborative Problem Solving

Saturday, May 14

In partnership with NCE's Parent University. 

When children struggle with challenging behavior, parents may use "carrots and sticks" to motivate desired behaviors with sticker charts, rewards, time outs, and ignoring unexpected behaviors. For parents who find that these methods have limited success or don't work well for their child, other approaches, such as collaborative problem solving, co-regulation, and evaluating the environment and relationships, are welcome alternatives.

Presented by Rebecca Waber who will share resources, research, and techniques she has gleaned as an educated parent advocating for her child.

Public Safety in a Neurodiverse Community

Wednesday, April 27  

Needham Police Chief John Schlittler will describe the education and tools that direct how Needham Police interact with neurodivergent and mentally ill residents. How is an emergency call different when it involves a neurodiverse individual? What can parents do to set their kids up for positive interactions with the police? This educational program is an opportunity for Chief Schlitter to address these questions and get to know our community by learning from us about our fears and concerns.

Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up: The Role of Processing Speed in ADHD and Executive Function

Wednesday, March 16 

In partnership with NCE's Parent University. 

We live in a world where quickness is important, and many children feel left behind. Processing speed, or how quickly we're able to get things done, can be a problem for any child, but can be especially challenging for kids with learning differences, such as reading disabilities, Executive Function delays, and ADHD. Dr. Ellen Braaten, the Executive Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP), will talk about what processing speed is, why it matters in today's quick-paced world, and what we can do about it at home and school. 

Cycle for Success: Parenting and Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners

Tuesday, February 15

In partnership with NCE's Parent University. 

Twice-exceptional expert Julie Skolnick, M.A., J.D. will orient us to the experience of students identified as being gifted with a learning difference. She will offer strategies for responding to common at-home and in-classroom behaviors in 2e kids and adv`ocacy tools to help parents and educators navigate challenges that 2e kids face.

Parent Roundtable: Talking With Your Child About Their Disability

Monday, January 24

Your child's disability may be emotional, physical, intellectual, sensory, or a combination, but one thing we all have in common is the need to talk with them about their disability. While we know it is important to be age-appropriate and open to revisiting the conversation as they mature, it is also very typical for parents to avoid the conversation for fear of making their child feel like they can't succeed or to infuse too much of their own emotion into the dialogue.

Wherever you are on the comfort scale, we invite you to join our upcoming parent roundtable. Moderated by Needham parent Mira Tamir Spiegel, the panel will be made up of parents with kids of different ages, genders, and disabilities, as well as a student who will discuss their experience.

Q&A with State Representative Denise Garlick

Wednesday, December 8 

Representative Garlick will discuss her work and accomplishments relevant to the SEPAC community.  We will then have a period of Q&A during which the SEPAC community has the opportunity to ask questions related to concerns and goals for the education of children with disabilities.

Representative Denise Garlick has represented Needham, Dover, and Medfield in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2010. She is currently the Chair of The House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.  

Recording

Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP

Monday, November 1

This presentation will break down the Individual Education Plan (IEP) by section, explain its development, and describe how the document will support a student. Presented by Faith Morgan-Gaines B.S. Ed., M.P.P. for the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN).

Faith Morgan-Gaines, B.S. Ed., M.P.P. is a Special Education advocate specializing in Learning Disabilities, Social-Emotional and Behavioral Challenges, and Early Childhood Special Needs. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's in Family and Child Policy, Faith is a former Teacher and Administrator of integrated classrooms. She is a trainer for the Federation for Children with Special Needs, an Educational Surrogate Parent for students in the custody of DCF, and a member of many organizations including Special Needs Advocacy Network (SpAN) of MA. 

Slides / Handout

Needham's Special Education Services and Programs

Wednesday, October 13

Please join us for our annual 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, gain a general understanding of special education in Needham, and hear about what will be new this year.

Recording / Slides