Thursday, March 28, 2024

6:00- 7:00pm (PST)

Webinar (free of charge)

Unrecognized language disorders, especially developmental language disorders (DLD), are a barrier that significantly hinders successful learning experiences. Students may be mislabeled behaviorally with terminology such as 鈥渄isengaged," "socially inappropriate," or "shy鈥� when, in fact, they may be struggling to manage the language demands of their environment.

Join us for this HRS Speaker Series event, as featured presenter Dr. Sonja Bradford explores the nature of developmental language disorders and their impact on academic and social success. She will also provide resources for speech-language pathologists, teachers, and families to better support these learners.

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Sonja Bradford is the Director of Speech and Language Services at Hamlin Robinson School. As an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist, she has led education and training to address speech, language, and communication disorders for over ten years. In addition to her work at HRS, Sonja has maintained a successful private practice supporting students in the Seattle metro area for over 20 years. She is an author, speaker, mentor, and community leader. As Vice Chair of the WA State Board of Hearing and Speech, Sonja works with Washington state and national leaders in speech, language, and hearing to ensure that every student in the state has access to communication, diagnosis, and treatment, and helps train the next generation of speech-language pathologists through mentoring partnerships.

Please share information about this free HRS Speaker Series event

锘縲ith others who might benefit.

Wednesday, March 27

1 p.m. PT

Our kids are constantly changing. Advice for parents is, too. So, we鈥檙e phoning friends and calling in an expert. with Dr. Laura Kastner, an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, researcher and veteran parent. We鈥檝e selected a diverse group of parents to ask some of our most burning parenting questions, and then we'll open up Q&A to our live audience.

Ask us anything. No, really. Bullying, behavioral problems, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA issues, racism, school policies, social exclusion and cell phone/media usage 鈥� any topic is fair game.

About the speaker

Dr. Kastner is a clinical professor in both the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and the department of psychology at the University of Washington. She is also an author and maintains a clinical practice in which she sees children, couples and families.

The experience will be at the Shops at the Bravern until May 12, making it a great activity for students during the spring semester.

Bring your family to explore, climb, and play your way through a hands-on magical adventure inspired by Harry's journey in the Wizarding World by selecting our Friends and Family Ticket Bundle! Learn more and get tickets here:  

Why are we providing this support to the local community?
Research shows us that autism prevalence is 1 in 36 and rising each year. In addition, we also know that early diagnosis and intervention is critical to later outcomes. 

We also hear often from families that when trying to pursue an autism evaluation, they get met with the answer of "wait a few years and see" from their child's pediatrician. This lack of action ultimately leaves parents and their child behind in getting started with the support they need.

What does this screening entail?
This screening will be a standardized parent questionnaire that most pediatricians use to see if a child should pursue a full autism evaluation. We answer any questions or concerns parents have about their child's development or behaviors. This 30 min meeting with an ACES' clinician can save parents years of waiting to learn more about their child. The child does not need to be present for this meeting.

Upon completion of the screening, we provide families with guidance to next steps and how to advocate for their child.

See flier for details. Spots are very limited so please share with families as soon as possible!

Clubs Resources (for educators, staff, and volunteers)

• Our Clubs Program for 3-12th graders of all genders provides educators with flexible coding curriculum featuring CSTA standards-aligned activities, training, and swag!

• 15 minute overview pre-recorded 

Summer Programs (for 9-12th grade students)

• Our free virtual Summer Programs for 9-12th grade girls and non-binary students offers a 2-week immersive or 6-week independent study for all skill levels with connections to our top company partners.

Check out their website here:

Eastside CHADD is the local satellite of the national CHADD organization. We all strive for self-regulation. We teach our children independence as early as they can manage. We hold our emotions in check on a bad day at work, and we encourage our teens to make good choices. Yet, as social beings, our brains and nervous systems are wired for connection and co-regulation 鈥� even as adults.

Presenter and ADHD Coach, Julie Principe, will define co-regulation and briefly review how recent brain science and nervous system research illuminates our need for connection.

Through the stories of three people with ADHD: a Kindergarten student, a middle school student and a young adult, Julie will share science-based co-regulation strategies for overcoming barriers to flexibility, task initiation, organization, and emotional regulation. She breaks down the process of co-regulation into three parts: setting the stage, support 鈥渋n the moment鈥�, and reflection.

She will talk about the path from co-regulation to self-regulation, and how as parents and educators, we can walk with our children and students until they can walk on their own.

 Julie Principe鈥檚 bio:

Julie Principe is an ADHD Coach, International Speaker and Educational Consultant in British Columbia, Canada. As a coach, she helps adult and teen 鈥淎DHDers鈥� understand their own version of ADHD in a self-compassionate way, so that they have more agency and can live more powerfully in a world designed for neurotypical people. As a speaker, she is passionate about increasing understanding, awareness, and sharing new research on ADHD to facilitate true inclusion for neurodiverse people. As an educational consultant, she draws from her 36 years鈥� experience as an Inclusion Teacher and Teacher Mentor, to provide workshops on creating inclusive classroom communities as well as specifically on strategies to support the challenges faced by those with ADHD at school.

Please send your questions prior to the meeting to info@eastside-chadd.org.

Eastside CHADD members have priority enrollment. To join Eastside CHADD for priority enrollment for this and future presentations, go to our  page. Your membership helps to support Eastside CHADD to bring you important knowledge about best practices in the field of ADHD.

Priority registrations now open for members. 

To register, please email  info@eastside-chadd.org and include the following information:

掳 1.  Put the word 鈥淐o-Regulation" in the subject line.

掳 2. Your first and last name

掳 3. Your Eastside CHADD membership number

掳 4. Email address to receive the ZOOM link (If it's different than the one you used to send the email)

掳 5. Telephone number so we can contact you in the event of changes to the scheduled event

We encourage you to invite your pediatricians, educational staff, and therapists to attend this important meeting.

If you need to cancel your reservation, please notify us immediately (at info@Eastside-CHADD.org) so that your space can be given to another person.

Please note that this presentation will not be recorded,  so please join us 10 minutes before 7 p.m. to learn how to support your children, your clients and your students.

The Zoom invitation will be sent before Thursday, Feb. 29th.

If you have still not received your invitation by 8:00am on Thursday, February 29th, please immediately email info@Eastside-CHADD.org and we will send you a new link.

Join this dynamic duo of psychologists for an up-close virtual presentation and Q&A as they discuss their top strategies to empower your parenting.

will focus on what we can do to help our children develop skills for navigating life and experiencing intense emotions. Learn practical social emotional strategies and skills to help ourselves and our children.

UW Professor and School Psychologist Dr. Jim Mazza and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lizz Dexter-Mazza are a powerhouse in the world of parenting and social emotional learning. Their work focuses on empowering young people, schools, and families to build skills proactively, before there is a crisis.

星空无限传媒 is dedicated to fostering a supportive and informed community, and sharing parent resources through our blog is a way to empower parents with valuable insights and tools for navigating the challenges of youth well-being. By providing accessible and relevant information, we aim to strengthen family bonds, promote open communication, and contribute to the overall well-being of both parents and their children.

In the journey towards mental health awareness and support, education plays a pivotal role. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is at the forefront of this mission, offering valuable resources and programs. One such initiative is "NAMI Basics," a program designed to empower families and individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges of mental health.

Understanding NAMI Basics:

NAMI Basics is an education program developed by NAMI to provide essential information and support to families, caregivers, and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. The program aims to help participants better understand mental illnesses, support their loved ones effectively, and navigate the mental health care system.

Key Components:

1. Education and Knowledge: NAMI Basics equips participants with a comprehensive understanding of mental health conditions, including common myths and misconceptions. By fostering knowledge, the program empowers families to break down stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.

2. Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial when supporting someone with a mental health condition. NAMI Basics teaches participants valuable communication and problem-solving skills, enabling them to engage in constructive and supportive dialogues with their loved ones.

3. Navigating the Mental Health System: The mental health care system can be complex and challenging to navigate. NAMI Basics provides insights into the various components of the system, helping families access the resources and support networks available to them.

4. Self-Care and Advocacy: Supporting a loved one with a mental health condition can be emotionally demanding. NAMI Basics emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers and encourages participants to advocate for the needs and rights of their loved ones within the mental health community.

How to Access NAMI Basics:

NAMI Basics is available both in-person and online, making it accessible to a wide audience. The program is typically facilitated by trained individuals who have personal experience with mental health challenges within their families. Participants can find local classes or explore online options through the NAMI website.

Conclusion:

NAMI Basics stands as a testament to NAMI's commitment to providing accessible and empowering mental health education. By equipping families and caregivers with knowledge, communication skills, and advocacy tools, NAMI contributes significantly to fostering a supportive environment for individuals living with mental health conditions. Through initiatives like NAMI Basics, the organization continues to make strides in breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and building a community that values mental health and well-being.

As a teacher of English Language Arts at 星空无限传媒, I started the school year with a 鈥渃ommunity question鈥� area near my desk. The tabletop poses questions and invites student and staff responses. The first question, back in September, had to do with storytelling. 

Stories have been told for a variety of purposes over time. I found this summary in my own research, and I share it every year with my students. 

Across cultures, across generations, humans always need

• to explore mysteries of the natural world

• to articulate fears and dreams

• to impose order in the random, sometimes chaotic, nature of life

• to entertain ourselves and others

I presented that bulleted list and the questions: What do you think? Why do we tell stories?

The community responded with moving comments. Honestly, deeper than I expected. Here they are.

Why do we tell stories?

• to explain why things happen in life

• to laugh

• to teach or to explain

• to share common experiences

• to express something different

• to be a better human

• to share ourselves

• to express the creativity we have bottled up inside

• to exist and live

• to cover up the lies we tell ourselves鈥�?

• to keep them going

• to teach lessons and cultural values

• to keep hope and creativity alive

• because the universe is made out of them, not atoms

• because stories are/can be interesting and can have moral values

• because we can

I am inspired by the students and staff at 星空无限传媒. Each one of them--of us--has stories to own. We help each other by reading, by writing, and by listening. Adding art to our own language.

Happy New Year. Celebrate your stories. 

Tuesday, Jan. 23

1 p.m. PT

It鈥檚 more than just child鈥檚 play. Play offers kids and adults alike a chance to make meaning and connect with their identities, communities and ancestors. It鈥檚 a powerful tool for learning, cultivating joy and healing.

Join ParentMap and University of Washington iLabs researchers Mike Browne and Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D. on Jan. 23, 2024 to .

About the speakers

Mike Browne is the Senior Director of Community Engagement for Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington. He addresses the social and political crisis in education and care that results in physical and psychological harm to our youngest citizens.

Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D. is the Director of Outreach and Education at the University of Washington鈥檚 Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS). She holds a Ph.D. in neurobiology and specializes in sharing the science of learning and development in actionable formats.

Wednesday, Jan. 10

1 p.m. PT

Free webinar

Our children are suffering. One in five children and teens suffer from a mental health disorder. Nearly 50% have struggled with mental health issues at some point during adolescence and those numbers are on the rise. And yet, there鈥檚 no handbook on how to handle kids in crisis. 

Join ParentMap on Jan. 10 for this with mental health expert Stacey Freedenthal. In this Q&A session, she鈥檒l guide parents through the sensitive and challenging topic of supporting their child's mental health and preventing suicide. 

鈥淢y name is Kathryn Hansen and I am the clinical supervisor at Ohana Behavioral Health in Renton. I learned about your school at the ADHD summit back in November and I wanted to reach out to let you know that we have several clinicians who specialize in working with youth who are neurofree/neurodivergent. Specifically, I wanted to mention that our intern, Wendy Hansen, is offering pro bono services. If you have clients who might benefit from services in a private practice setting and who need lower cost options, please feel free to reach out to me to learn more about our practice!鈥�

You can contact them directly below:

p: 425-686-9509   f: 425-686-9607