MDA Parent Conference Workshop Write-Ups

Trauma
Community perspective and how kids handle and deal with trauma.  Parents and Schools need to be aware how this affects our children. Touching base on how to address trauma with your child.  Some children are witnesses or affected in some way by trauma.  How to have conversations about Trauma with your child.  Provide resources for parents to walk away with and how to have those difficult conversations.

Cyberbullying (WARNING:The dangers of living in the age of technology) - Educate and learn more about cyberbullying, sexting, bullying, facebook and the new MA law.  Parents will hear about the usage of this technology and the ramifications.  Parents will also hear more about how this is accessed through their child' cell phone.  Teach parents their rights about the applications on their cell phones (What to do to keep your child safe).  The dangers of technology. Learn more about technology and how to keep your child safe.  Parents will also hear more about their lack privacy online.

Bullying - A Focus On The Target: Helping the Child Who Is Bullied - This session helps parents identify warning signs that may indicate a child is a target of bullying.  The workshop also suggests specific strategies parents can do to help prevent their children from becoming a target or assist their children if they are already targets, including key social and emotional skills to build and practice with their children.

Bullying - Bullies And Bystanders: Preventing and Diffusing Bullying Behavior - This workshop examines the bullying behavior and discusses why children bully and provides specific strategies for parents to employ in preventing and/or treating bullying behavior in their child.  In addition, this session identifies developmentally appropriate strategies parents and teachers can teach bystanders to help them diffuse bullying situations.

Special Education (We are here to support you) - What is special education? Parents will learn and walk away with an understanding of a better understanding of ADHD.  Is it an illness or a disorder?  Parents will get information about resources and what they can do at home to support your child. 
-ADHD
-What is an IEP
-Develop a better understanding of Special Education and services that are available to support your child's educational needs-Learn about what special education was designed for.
-How to communicate with your school team

Discipline (What do you do when you don't know what to do anymore.........)
From toddler to adolescent. How to set limits and boundaries for your child.  Parents will walk away with resources for what to do when you have had enough. 

Know who is teaching your child? Understanding the school culture. Parents should

Communication
-How to navigate the school system and be a stakeholder in your child's academic progress-
-What to say to a teacher when you don't understand?
-How to feel empowered and advocate for your child

21st Century Education-Is it still the key to success?
-How education has changed?
-The value of education and your success
-Education is not your fall back.

School Culture
- Know who is teaching your child"- understand the school culture.