School for many kids is underway! What does school mean for your child? If you want to better understand your child's learning and development, give us a call.
Changing Schools, Changing Lives: New Blog Post by Dr. Lisa White
by Dr. Lisa White, School Services Consultant & Licensed Psychologist
Within the gifted and 2e community, lots of kids find that the schools they are in just don’t fit right. Sometimes they need more support, more challenge, a different peer group, more engaging activities, smaller classes, or teachers who have more time for them. The schools they are in may be great schools for more typical children, but they don’t work as well for kids who are neurodivergent or don’t fit the usual mold.
Parent Footprint with Dr. Dan: New Podcasts on Finding Acceptance, Friendship, Environment, and Covid Disruption
Dr. Dan spoke with four new guests this past month, including social media star Eeka McLeod, author Christina Geist, environmentalist Diana Kapp, and journalist Anya Kamenetz.
Adoption, Foster Parenting, Special Needs, Autism, and LGBTQIA with Eeka McLeod
Dr. Dan interviews single parent, social media phenomena, TikTok star, and advocate Eeka McLeod about parenting, fostering, family, disability and so much more.
Eeka McLeod’s journey to building her family began with becoming a licensed foster parent while in graduate school. She started welcoming children into her home, eventually adopting three with disabilities: Eli, Evan, and Ella.
The self-described “family of misfits'' has made a name for themselves on social media during the pandemic with content that showcases the triumphs and challenges of their daily life. Their devoted fan base includes 2.7 million followers on TikTok, as well as over 230 million views on YouTube. Eeka is passionate about using the family’s platform to advocate for acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community and for people with disabilities.
Finding A New Buddy: Teaching Kids about Friendship with Christina Geist
Dr. Dan and entrepreneur, mom, NYT bestselling author Christina Geist discuss friendship, parenting, her new children’s book Buddy's New Buddy, and being married to her childhood sweetheart SUNDAY TODAY show Host Willie Geist for 19 years.
On this inspiring episode, Dr. Dan and Christina also focus on empathy, overwhelm, family support, and her popular series of picture books addressing different stages of childhood—bedtime, anxiety, change, making friends, and more.
Through the character Buddy, Christina Geist teaches us all lessons about making new friends with compassion and care - regardless of age.
Girls Who Run (And Green) The World with Diana Kapp
Dr. Dan and journalist/mom/author Diana Kapp have an impactful, inspiring, and timely conversation about the environment, activism, books, and much more.
Dr. Dan interviews Diana Kapp about her newest book Girls Who Green the World (a playbook for the contemporary environmental movement), eco-anxiety, and how she was motivated and inspired to write by her own kids.
Dr. Dan and Anya discuss the collapse of the childcare system, mothers driven from the workforce, children going hungry in record numbers, and other pandemic effects.
Dr. Dan and Anya touch on many topics including the consequences of a year without in-person schooling, special needs, low-income families, parent challenges, and more.
"Social media is a monster. It can be such a beautiful thing that spreads acceptance, awareness, education. It can do all of these things. It has this incredible power to create so much goodness, but I think it's human nature to create a lot of negativity."
― Eeka McLeod on Parent Footprint with Dr. Dan
Sign Up Now for Worry Group for 4th-6th Graders in Walnut Creek
Does your child worry too much? Does anxiety get in the way of school or socializing? Enrollment is closing soon for Worry Warriors, a weekly therapy group for 4th-6th graders, starting October 12 in Walnut Creek.
Led by Amy Feldman, LEP, this interactive group is designed to help your child to identify, understand, and reduce feelings of anxiety. Through playful structured activities, group discussion and low-key home assignments, participants will work to develop their own Worry Warrior toolkit and connect with peers working on the same skills.
We want to make sure that every participant is a fit, so signups must close in September.
Interested? Complete this form and we will reach out. Or call us at (925) 939-7500.
Beyond Mindfulness Gifted Support Talk from Coach & Consultant Dr. Paula Wilkes
Summit Center's coach and consultant Dr. Paula Wilkes spoke recently at Institute for Educational Advancement about mindfulness for families and educators of gifted or twice-exceptional children. The full presentation "Beyond Mindfulness: Nourishing Body, Mind, and Spiritual Wellness" Is now available on Youtube for free viewing. From the description: "Many gifted children spend their waking hours in hyper-stimulation from the demands of school, extra-curricular activities, and social media. In this presentation, Dr. Wilkes shares ways to nourish the parasympathetic nervous system in order to promote the wellness of body, mind, and spirit."
Dr. Wilkes is available individually for virtual coaching and consultation services for gifted or 2e children, their parents, or adult individuals. She can work with you or your child on school-related issues, social-emotional issues such as emotional regulation, or for spiritual and sensory sensitivities. To learn more, fill out this interest form, or call (925) 939-7500 or (310) 478-6505.
Dr. Dan Peters was quoted in Now How Did That Potato Get In The Baby’s Crib, about learning to slow down and find humor in all of the situations we might find ourselves in as new parents.
Dr. Dan Peters was quoted in The Truth About Gentle Parenting about how to give children lots of compassionate cushion as parents lead through empathy.
Dr. Dan Peters appeared on the Zen Parenting Radio podcast recently. He spoke with hosts Todd and Cathy about the difference between anxiety, fear, and worry, how to identify “paper” tigers, and how to talk to our kids about real world threats and safety.
