Guiding Exceptional Parents

Spring 2020 - Raising Your Challenging Child - Parent Child Journey
2020-03-09 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Dr. Dan Shapiro’s Parent Child Journey – An Individualized Approach for Raising Your Challenging Child is a 10-session program for parents of children (ages preschool through early adolescence) with difficult behaviors. It is designed to help parents identify the sources of their children’s challenges and learn what they can do about them. During each session, we will discuss proactive strategies for raising children with difficult temperaments and developmental differences. The emphasis is on customizing the strategy to fit each child’s unique profile while taking parents’ profiles into account as well. Different children, different parents, different approaches.
REGISTER HERE!
This section will be led by Dr. Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. and starts Monday, March 9th, 2020.
TOPICS

Know Your Child/Know Yourself
Time-In and Self-Care
Engagement and Understanding
Motivation through Positive Attention
Self-Motivation & Learning from Experience
Motivation through Rewards
Problem-Solving
Ignoring and Timeout
Pausing for Empathy and Self-Reflection
Weaknesses, Strengths, and Independence

Dates

March 9, 16, 23, 30
April 20, 27 (no class 6th, 13th)
May 4, 11, 18 (no class May 25th, Memorial Day)
June 1st

Cost: $150 – $350. If you pay what you can it helps us keep our program accessible to all.
REGISTER HERE!
You can help spread the word by downloading a copy of my flyer and posting it.

Book Club - Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
2020-04-08 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Join us to discuss the book Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, Ph.D.
Wednesday April 8th, 2020 from 7:30pm to 9:00 pm
Meeting to be held virtually in my Zoom room!
Register here
Book summary:
The relentless search for high self-esteem has become a virtual religion; and a tyrannical one at that. Our competitive culture tells us we need to be special and above average to feel good about ourselves, but we can’t all be above average at the same time. There is always someone richer, more attractive, or successful than we are. And even when we do manage to feel self-esteem for one golden moment, we can’t hold on to it. Our sense of self-worth bounces around like a ping-pong ball, rising and falling in lock-step with our latest success or failure.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to self-esteem that many psychologists believe is a better and more effective path to happiness: self-compassion. The research of Dr. Kristin Neff and others strongly suggests that people who are more self-compassionate lead healthier, more productive lives than those who are self-critical. And the feelings of security and self-worth provided by self-compassion are highly stable. Self-compassion steps in precisely when we fall down, allowing us to get up and try again.
Dr. Neff helps readers understand that compassion isn’t only something that we should apply to others. Just as we’d have compassion for a good friend who was going through a hard time or felt inadequate in some way, why not for ourselves? Many people believe that they need to be self-critical to motivate themselves, but in fact they just end up feeling anxious, incompetent and depressed. Dr. Neff’s research shows that far from encouraging self-indulgence, self-compassion helps us to see ourselves clearly and make needed changes because we care about ourselves and want to reach our full potential.
This groundbreaking book shows readers how to let go of their constant, debilitating self-judgment and finally learn to be kind to themselves. Using solid empirical research, personal stories, humor, and dozens of practical exercises, Dr. Neff—the world’s leading experts on self-compassion—shows readers how to heal the wounds of the past so that they can be healthier, happier and more effective. Entertaining, highly readable and eminently accessible, this book has the power to change your life. (from Dr. Neff’s website)

Guest Expert on Adrien Harrison's ADHD Summit
2021-02-01 - 2021-02-05
This interview covers the idea that “We Are All Part of the Treatment Team: The Importance of Parents, Doctors, and Teachers Working in Harmony” and it airs for 24 hours on Thursday, Feb 4th starting at 10am EST (GMT -4).
I’m part of Adrien Harrison’s lineup of 60+ experts in the field of ADHD who share their experience and tips on how to help a child with ADHD thrive.
REGISTER HERE!

Autism Through the Lens of Relationships
2021-02-08 - 2021-02-12
Listen in to my discussion with Jackie Flynn as we talk about Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) in a talk titled, “Autism Through the Lens of Relationships”.
The Innovative Child Therapy Symposium is hosted by Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT. During this event, attendees will learn about a variety of therapeutic approaches for children and adolescents, while deepening their clinical skills and learning how to better support child and adolescent mental health.
You can watch for 36 hours starting Monday, February 8th for free!
Register for Free!

Understanding Behavior: What are Autistic Children Communicating?
2021-02-24 19:30 - 21:00 UTC
Children with autism spectrum disorder often behave in ways that confound families and limit their navigation of school, the community or daily living; sometimes these actions land them in dangerous situations. Unfortunately, autistic children — with or without communication challenges — often cannot articulate the reason for their actions.
These behaviors are frequently treated as intentional, with rewards and punishments used to motivate the child to behave differently. Very often, however, these actions are not deliberate choices, but instead are the consequence of other factors, such as tics, heightened anxiety, lack of motor control, or sensory overload. Motivational tools have no effect when the child isn’t making a deliberate choice!
How can we as parents and educators understand the behavior we see? How can we know whether the child’s actions are intentional? How can we figure out what the child may be reacting to? How should we respond to these behaviors?
Join Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., founder of Guiding Exceptional Parents and Kim Clairy, Occupational Therapist and autistic self-advocate.
This event is free but registration is required
Register Here

Less Stress Parenting Webinar
2023-01-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Sarah Wayland to be featured in the next Less Stress Parenting webinar.
In this webinar, Sarah Wayland will discuss various myths about students with learning differences and how to address those myths among friends, in educational settings, and within your households. Additionally, she will provide practical tips for parents to share with students immediately while giving you the inside scoop that will help you help your children with their learning differences.
You will learn:

How to identify the source of a child’s challenging behavior and learn what you can do about it.
Changes that parents can make to their own behavior by learning to respond in a supportive and empowering way to their anxious child.
Address myths and misconceptions of behaviors of children with learning differences.
How to help children with learning differences gain fundamental skills to maintain meaningful relationships with their parents, other adults, and their peers.

All attendees will leave with specific and actionable strategies for identifying myths about student behavior while helping your student manage their emotions and behaviors.
This webinar is free but you do need to register ahead of time.
Tue, January 17, 2023, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Click Here to Register
If you know other parents who may benefit from this webinar, please feel free to forward this message along.

Behavior is Communication!
2023-03-06 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Behavior is Communication! Demystifying Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
A functional behavioral assessment (FBA) guides you through the process of gathering information to describe what drives a child’s behavior(s). It is used to develop a behavior intervention plan (BIP) that outlines how the behavior will be addressed and how more acceptable behavior(s) will be taught.
In this presentation, you will earn when an FBA and BIP are necessary, how information is gathered and used to create an effective plan, and what should be included in an effective BIP.
James E. Duckworth Regional School In-House Staff Training
Monday, March 6th – 10:30am – Noon

Understand Emotions, Stress, and the Brain and You Will Understand Challenging Behavior
2023-03-30 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
When your child loses it, it can be hard to see their behavior for what it is.
It’s difficult to avoid interpreting their behavior as manipulative, intentional, or personal when in reality it is more likely to be a biological stress response to a situation where their needs are not being met, they feel unsafe, or they aren’t able to meet expectations.
Learn about the autonomic nervous system, the rumble-rage-recovery cycle, stress and the perception of safety, and bottom-up vs. top-down behavior.
Parent Presentation
James E. Duckworth Regional School
Join Zoom Meeting https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/84644043297
Meeting ID: 846 4404 3297
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84644043297# US (Washington DC)
+16465588656,,84644043297# US (New York)

Executive Functioning Webinar
2023-04-10 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Webinar on Executive Functioning for children who are currently in childcare, preparing to graduate childcare, or in kindergarten.
Sponsor: MDApprentices (https://mdapprentices.org/)
Where: The session will take place virtually
When: April 10th, 2023 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM, ET.
Meeting Registration Here

Sarah Wayland, Ph.D.
Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. is the founder Guiding Exceptional Parents, and co-founder of The Behavior Revolution. She provides neurodiversity-affirmative support, education, and community for parents of neurodivergent children. Her book, Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else, co-authored with Donna Henderson and Jamell White, is due for release on June 5th, 2023, and can be preordered on Amazon.

Parenting Challenging Children? First Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask
2023-04-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
The workshop is for parents who want to improve their quality of life and their relationship with their children.
You will learn new ways to think about your problems and how to implement self-care strategies proven to reduce stress, even when life is incredibly busy.
In addition to learning more about yourself, you will learn skills taught in cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy, as well as mindfulness–based stress reduction.
Parent Presentation
James E. Duckworth Regional School
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/84644043297
Meeting ID: 846 4404 3297
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84644043297# US (Washington DC)
+16465588656,,84644043297# US (New York)

It's Not Just Autism! Some Co-Occurring Conditions
2023-05-16 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
In this presentation, you will earn about some of the conditions that frequently co-occur in autistic people.
These conditions can have an enormous impact on the functioning and/or well-being of autistic people, and are sometimes more important to address.
You will learn about co-occurring emotional challenges, cognitive differences, medical/health concerns, and other areas like adaptive functioning, school attendance, and gender.
Meeting Registration Here

Sarah Wayland, Ph.D.
Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. is the founder Guiding Exceptional Parents, and co-founder of The Behavior Revolution. She provides neurodiversity-affirmative support, education, and community for parents of neurodivergent children. Her book, Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else, co-authored with Donna Henderson and Jamell White, is due for release on June 5th, 2023, and can be preordered on Amazon.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Parenting Kids with Disabilities
2023-05-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
It’s not just the ups and downs… it’s also the speed!
Learn about the emotions that parents can experience at different stages of their children’s lives — what those emotions mean and how to help someone when they are experiencing those emotions.
You will learn about the stressors that kids and families face from birth to adulthood and how to support your child, your family, and yourself on your journey.
Parent Presentation
James E. Duckworth Regional School
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/84644043297
Meeting ID: 846 4404 3297
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84644043297# US (Washington DC)
+16465588656,,84644043297# US (New York)
