With school at home, parents have a window into our children’s learning and behavior that we have not had before. As parents we may have observed some behaviors that make us pause or cause concern. As we know, each of our brains is wired a little differently, and we are all different from one another. Even so, how do we know what is cause for concern and what is not? 

 

As a parent or an educator, how can we embrace our students’ differences – including strengths and challenges and provide them the support they need to thrive and be successful – even in our current circumstances? In this conversation with Children's Health Council (CHC) experts, Chris Harris MEd, Chief Education Officer at CHC and Kendra Fraka, MSW, Social Emotional Learning Specialist at Sand Hill School, we’ll talk about best practices for our students who think and learn differently – focusing on mental health and wellness (especially right now), promoting executive function skills during remote learning and social emotional learning strategies. Moderated by Deborah Reber, author of Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World.

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About Our Panel Speakers

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Chris Harris, MEd, Chief Schools Officer at CHC, has developed and refined specialized interdisciplinary programming for children with learning, social-emotional and attention challenges at CHC for 15 years. He is also an adjunct lecturer in the Graduate School Special Education Department at San José State University. In the past, Harris has also served as Executive Director at The Janus School, Pennsylvania, The Chartwell School, Monterey, California, and CHC.

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Kendra Fraka, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at CHC and Social Emotional Lead at Sand Hill School at CHC, has nearly 20 years’ experience working with children and their families in outpatient, residential, school and home settings developing strategies with parents and teachers and using social cognitive and behavioral interventions with children who have difficulties with peers, impulse regulation or anxiety. She currently works with staff, students and families at Sand Hill School around social emotional learning.

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Deborah Reber (moderator) is a parenting activist, New York Times bestselling author, and the founder of TiLT Parenting, a top podcast, community, and educational resource for parents raising differently wired children. Her newest book is Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World.

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