We hope the new year is off to a great start for you and your family. If you want to better understand your child's learning and development this year, give us a call.
Blog: The Value of Short-Term Therapy for Children & Teens
This time of year can be stressful for families as schools reopen after the holiday break and the new semester begins. Parents looking for support for their children may want to consider short-term therapy services available at a lower-cost through our doctoral trainees. All of our trainees have previous experience working with children, teens, and young adults with anxiety, depression, and learning challenges. They work under the close supervision of licensed Summit Center professionals.
Read this blog post by Summit Center’s Dr. Gabriela Bronson-Castain to learn more about some of the important factors to consider when exploring therapy with a trainee for your child.
Parent Footprint with Dr. Dan: Podcasts on Sibling Loss and How To Speak to Children About Race
Dr. Dan spoke with three new guests this past month, including essayist Jill Bialosky, DEI expert Deanna Singh, and author Laura Zigman.
Well-Child Syndrome with Laura Zigman, author of Small World
Dr. Dan welcomes back parent and author Laura Zigman to discuss parental grief, Well-Child Syndrome, sibling loss, and her new novel Small World. Laura grew up in the shadow of her parents’ grief after her oldest sister died. In Small World, Laura fictionalizes and writes poignantly about her own childhood as a typical sibling of a disabled sister who died.
Dr. Dan and Laura honestly discuss the many ways typical siblings experience disability, sibling loss, and parental grief. The concept of Well-Child Syndrome and supporting “well” or typical siblings is still not widely discussed. This episode reveals the desperate need for mental health support for siblings and entire families – not just parents - when dealing with disability, illness, death, loss, and grief.
Dr. Dan interviews Deanna Singh, host of the Uplifting Impact podcast, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Expert, and champion for marginalized communities. Dr. Dan and Deanna discuss how and why we should approach the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion in a positive light with our kids.
In 1990, Jill’s 21-year-old sister committed suicide after fighting with her boyfriend. In this interview, Jill discusses her stunning book which recreates her sister’s inner life in order to make sense of it. As a result of writing History of a Suicide, Jill weaves a larger tapestry of what suicide looks like in other families and what it has meant culturally.
Throughout this episode Dr. Dan and Jill discuss her sister Kim’s suicide as well as grief, loss, fear, shame, and guilt. Ten years since the publication of History of a Suicide, Jill explains how bewilderment and her unanswered questions inspired her book. Dr. Dan and Jill are hopeful their conversation resonates as a survivor’s guide and grief companion.
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 from any phone.
"One of the most important things we can do [as parents] is just creating the space... Don't talk. Be quiet. Let your child actually lead you. Just say, what are your thoughts about this? So you can understand where they are starting from and what they are trying to process through."
-- Deanna Singh on conversations about race on Parent Footprint with Dr. Dan
Executive Functioning Support Course for Parents Starts March 1 in Walnut Creek
Do you feel overwhelmed by your family's ever-growing list of after school activities? Are you up late at night helping your child finish a project that's due tomorrow? While many of us with children struggle with planning, organization, and time management, developing a family system can be the key to overcoming these challenges.
Summit Center is pleased to offer Executive Functioning Support: Raising an Organized Kid with instructor Deanna Kim, M.Ed. This 5-week course will offer parents the unique opportunity to work with Deanna to develop their own family system, and learn more about executive functioning and how it impacts our day-to-day lives.
The course will meet in-person in Walnut Creek on Wednesdays, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, March 1 through March 29.
Davidson Young Scholars Info Session Coming Up Feb. 13
Finding out your child is profoundly gifted (PG) or twice-exceptional (2e) can be confusing and overwhelming. It may not be clear where to go to find resources to support your child. The Davidson Institute’s Young Scholars Program is here to support you and your family on this journey.
If you have questions about what the Young Scholars Program is or how we can support your student, please consider attending an Application Q&A. These sessions are open to parents, educators, and other professionals interested in supporting PG and 2e children. Our next virtual Q&A session is February 13, 2023 at 10 am Pacific. Visit the link below to register.
Most people view dyslexia as a challenge with reading and writing, not realizing dyslexic brains have many gifts and strengths. Branding agency co-founder and creative director Gil Gershoni shares how dyslexia offers a heightened advantage, what he calls his “hyper-ability.”
CAG's annual conference for school staff will provide sessions from experts on how to apply equitable practices to your school district or school site for diverse advanced and gifted student populations.
