Connecting for Kids

Why can’t your child just behave? The lens you use to view your child’s behavior has vast implications for your reaction and the way you help your child. If you’re frustrated because you’ve tried everything you can think of to prevent those dramatic meltdowns and it seems like nothing at all sets off those screaming, crying, dreadful tantrums, then this talk is for you. Join Katie Greenleaf, MA, L...

Does your child love to spin around in circles and crash his body into things? Does she yell when she hears loud noises or sees bright lights? Does he become nervous in crowded environments? Join Denise Attie, COTA/L, of Mercy Rehabilitation Services, as she helps families recognize whether their child has sensory issues. She will provide examples of sensory-specific behaviors and discuss ways to...

What is the ABLE act and how can it benefit my family? How does it differ from a special needs trust? Who is eligible? Kathryn J. Bryan, Ph. D., of Skylight Financial Group, will help attendees understand the ABLE act, its rules, regulations and who is eligible. She will explain why a family would want to set up an ABLE account and how it can provide funds needed for qualified disability expenses...

Does your child worry excessively about grades or social situations? In class, does your child put unreasonable expectations on himself or herself? Are you looking for strategies to help reduce your child’s anxiety? Join Liesl L. Glover, Ph. D., of Kenneth A. De Luca, Ph. D. & Associates, Inc., for this interactive presentation. She will discuss causes of anxiety and give specific ideas about...

How can you tell if your child is having difficulty reading? What are some things you can do at home to teach your child how to read? What do you do if you suspect a disability? Tammie Sebastian, Information Specialist/Trainer, at the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, will teach participants the basic foundational steps needed to learn to read. Rhyme, rhythm, pictures...

Are you concerned because your child has a negative body image? Do you worry about your family’s mealtime behaviors and whether they are healthy? Would you recognize the signs of an eating disorder? Kelly Bhatnagar, PhD, of The Emily Program, will discuss how to model positive body image behavior and ways you can talk to your child about weight and wellness that will positively impact self esteem....

Does your child worry excessively about grades, social situations or sports performances? In class, does your child have an intense fear of being called on by the teacher? Are panic attacks commonplace in your home? Dr. Molly McVoy, of University Hospitals Department of Psychiatry, will help attendees recognize the symptoms of childhood anxiety disorders. Although many children experience fears an...

Dr. Brian Schroer of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, Center for Pediatric Allergy, will answer parent questions on a variety of food allergy topics including causes of food allergies, how to discuss allergies with your child's teacher and when to use an epi pen vs an Antihistamine. With food allergies affecting 1 in 13 children, or two in every classroom, Dr. Schroer will also talk about adv...

What red flags should you look for to indicate your child may have a delay in vision skill development? Could your child’s classroom performance be helped by improved visual skills? Vision is more than just seeing 20/20. This program will feature a panel discussion with Dr. Alex Andrich, OD, FCOVD, from The Vision Development Team, and Dr. Leah Steele, OD, from Madison Eye Care. Dr. Andrich will d...

Does your child hate the feeling of tags in clothing? Does he love to spin around in circles and crash his body into things? Does she hate loud noises, bright lights and crowded environments? Join Denise Attie, COTA/L, of Mercy Rehabilitation Services, as she helps parents and caregivers recognize whether their child has sensory issues. She will provide examples of sensory-specific behaviors and d...

Do your child’s meltdowns seem to last longer than normal? Are you concerned with how frequently they occur? Does the slightest thing send him or her into a downward spiral? Join Christine A. Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First, LLC, as she discusses ways to decrease the frequency and intensity of meltdowns in toddlers and preschoolers. Learn how to prepare your child and the environment to a...

Does your elementary school-aged child struggle to make friends on the playground? Does he or she watch groups of kids play and not know how to join in? Are you concerned because your child is not invited to birthday parties or play dates? Don’t despair as social skills can be taught! Come join this interactive discussion led by Tracy Biller, MA, CCC-SLP, and Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore...

Are you concerned about your child’s behaviors? Do you have questions about what is considered normal elementary and preteen behavior and what could be an indication of a more serious problem? Join Dr. Nora McNamara, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, of University Hospitals Case Medical Center, as she provides an overview of childhood onset disruptive behavior, mood and anxiety disorders. She w...

Is homework an ongoing battle in your house? Does your child’s homework cause you stress? Do you wish your child would complete homework without you having to supervise? Join Terri McNeely, MEd, BS, State Certified Special Education Teacher, of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, as she provides tips to help parents reduce the daily stress of homework and end homework battles. Mc...

Does your child struggle to keep emotions in check? Can he or she be flexible when changes occur? Does your child procrastinate in starting a project or have trouble keeping on task? Christine A. Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First, LLC, will help parents gain an understanding of typical executive function skills at the preschool through preteen levels. Parents will learn strategies to help t...

Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Meghan Barlow and Associates will discuss how having a diagnosis is important because it will help determine what therapies to pursue and what services your child may need in school, but a diagnosis is only one part of your child and how all behavior cannot be attributed to a diagnosis. She will discuss how sometimes parents need to take a step back and recognize that some b...

Does your child gets answers marked wrong because the teacher can't read his writing? Does your child receive low grades in handwriting when you know she is capable of performing better? Is there arguing and/or tears over simple handwriting assignments at your home that your child feels are just too difficult to complete? If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, listen to Chris Chamber...

Liesl Glover, PhD, from Kenneth A. De Luca, PhD & Associates discusses the causes and types of anxiety and also offers some practical ideas for parents.

Join Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy in this interactive presentation about how to tempt your preschooler to talk! This presentation if filled with take-home ideas that will tempt your child to use his/her words. Target Age Group: Parents of toddlers and preschoolers (2 to 5). Parents do not need a formal diagnosis of their child to attend but the session is geared toward chi...