Training Programs for Parents of Special Needs Kids

s Special Services Department introduced a series of parent training opportunities to be held this year for families of children with disabilities.

Training opportunities will be held once a month through March on topics such the use of technology, healthy eating, how to plan financially for children with special needs, and how to balance expectations for academic progress.

Each session will held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at , 227 Meetinghouse Road, and will be presented by certified school psychologist Dr. Adam Berman. The dates and topics are as follows:

* Nov. 14: Healthy Eating, Healthy Behaviors
* Dec. 19: Mindfulness in Parenting - Being Present to the Needs of Your Child
* Jan. 17: Evaluation of Academic Progress - Balancing Expectations with the Interests of Your Child
* Feb. 13: Laying the Foundation for Academic Achievement through Communication with Your Child
* March 19: Financial Planning for a Child With Special Needs (Additional presenters for this session will include Patrick Bergmaier from the MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning and Trish Goldern from the Office of Developmental Disabilities, Montgomery County)

The training programs represent one of several ways in which the district is expanding and enhancing the resources it offers to families of children with special needs. A meeting and survey conducted last year invited parents to share their thoughts on the types of programs and training that might benefit them most. The programs listed above came out of that feedback, and the district has re-launched the survey via and email blast to keep feedback opportunities open and available.

Additional enhancements may include developing an electronic training library and an interactive bulletin board to target specific topics, grade levels and community events.