Executive Functioning Strategies for Your Child

Ages and Stages: Understand the Development of Executive Functioning Skills

Thursday, March 7, 7:00 p.m., Darien Library Community Room

Please RSVP: dariensepac@gmail.com

Please join us for a parent presentation on supporting your child’s development of executive functioning skills. Kit Savage, an Executive Functioning Coach, will explain the neuroscience behind executive functioning skills and provide realistic parenting strategies, goals and resources to help your child.  Understanding age-appropriate expectations empowers parents to collaborate with their teachers to improve their child’s school performance. 

All children struggle at times in school, but your child may need support if they regularly:

–          Avoid getting started on homework

–          Resist checking their written work

–          Use cramming as their #1 (or only) study habit

–          Get lost navigating in Google Classroom and miss due dates

–          Struggle with the steps of the writing process

–          Become emotionally dysregulated when you discuss schoolwork

Kit Savage is a certified Executive Functioning Coach and Special Education Advisor to families of children with disabilities and neurodiverse learning profiles.  Her mission is to empower parents to ensure their child reaches their educational potential.  She is a certified teacher of body-based practices of yoga, meditation and breathwork, which is embedded in the EF instruction for students up through college and into the workforce.

This presentation is co-sponsored by Darien Library and Darien SEPAC

Is My Child Making Progress?

Understanding Progress Monitoring

Monday, October 5th, 11 am, Royle Common Room
Please RSVP: dariensepac@gmail.com

Dr. Susie Da Silva, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, K-12 will discuss the purpose and components of a strong Scientifically Research-Based Intervention (SRBI) model. She will outline how an effective program supports students in the most meaningful way.

Find out the answer to your questions including:
What are the assessment tools the district currently uses?
How will I be notified of my child’s progress in SRBI?
How do I know if my child is reading on grade level?

Meaningful Inclusion Benefits All Students

Darien SEPAC and Darien Library are pleased to present:

William Henderson, Ed.D.
Inclusion Expert and Author

Monday, April 27th

12:00 – 1:30 PM — Public Meeting
RSVP: https://dlchildrenslibrary.wufoo.com/forms/meaningful-inclusion-benefits-all-students/

3:30 PM– 4:45 PM — Educators Only Session
RSVP: https://dlchildrenslibrary.wufoo.com/forms/bill-henderson-educator-visit/

Darien Library Louise Parker Berry Community Room
Light refreshments will be served.

William Henderson, Ed.D., author of “The Blind Advantage: How Going Blind Made me a Stronger Principal and How Including Children with Disabilities Made the School Better for Everyone,” will present practical strategies for developing successful inclusive schools.

Dr. Henderson will discuss approaches to developing a culture of inclusion, to provide instruction with universal design and specialized supports, and to build a community that collaborates and problem solves. He will also highlight how including students with disabilities can be a catalyst for improving teaching and learning for everyone.

As a first-year teacher, Dr. Henderson learned he was gradually losing his vision and was advised he “should get out of education.” Instead he continued to persevere and went on to become principal of the Patrick O’Hearn Elementary School which is now renamed the Dr. William W. Henderson K- 12 Inclusion School.

“In an age when the word ‘hero’ is overused, Bill Henderson clearly deserves the title. Long before most educators embraced the concept of inclusion, Bill built a school that became a model of equity and excellence.”
— Thomas Hehir, professor of practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education & Author of ”Effective Inclusive Schools, Designing Successful Schoolwide Programs.”

CANCELED DUE TO BLIZZARD: ADHD & MOOD DISORDERS: New Strategies and Treatments

CANCELED: Monday, January 26, 7-8:30, Darien Library

NEW DATE TO BE DETERMINED

Darien SEPAC and Darien Library are pleased to present Alan Wachtel, MD on ADHD & Mood Disorders: New Strategies and Treatments.

Dr. Wachtel will discuss medication options, treatments and strategies to help children who struggle with mood and attention. He will cover school-based accommodations and strategies. Research has shown that parents and teachers need to foster a child’s focus to maximize their ability to learn. In addition, Dr. Wachtel will address the benefits and risks of available treatments and when to commence or postpone treatment at various stages of a child’s life.

A board certified psychiatrist, Dr. Wachtel is the author of The Attention Deficit Answer Book. He is founder and director of Familyhealth Associates, which specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of attention, behavior, mood and learning disorders. He is a distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

RSVP at https://dlchildrenslibrary.wufoo.com/forms/adhd-and-mood-disorders-new-strategies-treatmen/

Help Your Child — and Yourself — Conquer Stress & Anxiety

May 1st at 7:30PM at Middlesex Middle School
Please RSVP at dariensepac@gmail.com.

Marcia Eckerd, Ph.D. will discuss scientifically-documented strategies that heal the physical effects of anxiety and promote stress-resilience. Every child with a learning or developmental disability suffers from stress as an unavoidable response to daily academic and peer pressure. Chronic stress affects the body and mind: physical health, mood and self-esteem. Parents also experience anxiety, as they attempt to balance the demands of their own lives with understanding, supporting and advocating for their children. Dr. Eckerd, a licensed psychologist, will present proven tools to help you — and your child – effectively deal with this stress. Darien SEPAC is co-sponsoring this event with Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities® is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the parents of children with learning disabilities (LD) and attention-deficit disorder (ADHD). Please RSVP at dariensepac@gmail.com.