This webinar for parents and educators shares information about how Universal Design for Learning can benefit all k-12 students.

Speaker Bios:

Cynthia Parks Ph.D. Student, U.C. Davis, School of Education / Inclusion and Equitable Learning Research

"As a neurodivergent person, or a person with learning differences, I think the most powerful way to combat negative stigma is to be both educated and open minded... I am passionate in my belief that educating parents and teachers about their childrens' and students' neurodevelopmental needs can result in the implementation of parenting and learning strategies that will help children and families to live more harmonious, productive and loving lives."

Shahin Pamatmat

Ph.D. Student, U.C. Davis, School of Education

"My research is motivated by a deep commitment to cultivating inclusive educational environments that not only foster a meaningful sense of belonging but also prioritize the situated knowledge and lived experiences of neurodivergent learners. This motivation is framed by my own embodied experiences with autism, combined-type ADHD, and chronic inflammatory autoimmune conditions. "

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 5.8 million children have been diagnosed with anxiety. Even though these national estimates predate the Covid pandemic, there are troubling signs that mental health distress among children intensified in the last few years. The earlier a child’s symptoms are identified, and interventions are put into place, the more positive the outcome for mental health and wellbeing. Join us for a discussion on what steps parents and educators can take to support children with anxiety.

Speaker Bio

Jamie Roberts is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and the founder of Equilibrium Counseling Services, a teen and young adult mental health center in Southern California. ECS, is a place where all identities and brains are celebrated, with the goal of building confidence in identity, and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Jamie is the Neurodivergent Therapist across social media and is an active speaker on Neurodivergent and Teen topics. Jamie is also AuDHD (Autistic & ADHD) herself, and actively shares her experiences with her later in life diagnosis. She is the author of the book Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety, a practical guide to manage stress, ease worry and find calm.

Link to Jamie’s Book, “Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety”: https://equilibriumcs.com/buy-the-book

How Do We Support Our Children Living and Learning with Dyslexia?

Nearly 1 in 5 students live and learn with some form of dyslexia. For some it’s formally assessed, but others live with it every day without specific support. How can we support students with dyslexia or dyslexic traits inside and outside of school. Join our expert panel, including a therapist, an activist, and a psychologist, to discuss what we need to know as parents and community members.

Kareem Weaver

Co-Founder & E.D., FULCRUM

Kareem Weaver is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Fulcrum. His nonprofit partners with stakeholders to elevate literacy practices and materials that improve student outcomes. He is the 2nd Vice President and Chair of the Oakland NAACP's Education Committee. His advocacy is featured in the film The Right to Read. He is an award-winning teacher and administrator. He has a master’s in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina.

Lisa Parnello, M.A.Ed.

Founder & CEO Parnello Education Services

Lisa is a dyslexia therapist. She helps students and their families overcome the challenges of dyslexia through 1on1 student instruction and online courses for parents. Lisa is also the host of the free Dyslexia Devoted podcast where she provides weekly episodes to spread the awareness and understanding of dyslexia. Additionally, Lisa is a Wilson Credential Trainer who helps educators learn how to better support students with dyslexia.

Moderated by:

Esti Iturralde, PhD

Clinical psychologist, Researcher, and PUSD Parent Volunteer

In 2022, Esti organized the Piedmont Reading Coalition, a group of community stakeholders advocating for science-based instruction to help all students become powerful readers and writers. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research. Her work examines how psychological and mental health factors affect individuals' long-term physical health.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What are the symptoms? How does it impact us? What interventions exist?

Join us for a discussion with Integrative Medicine Pediatrician Sanford Newmark and a Clinical Psychologist Kim Thompson who will discuss how ADD and ADHD shows up and how we can be supportive caregivers for our children.

This workshop is for parents and educators who are curious about this issue or may be managing this condition with their children or themselves.

Co-sponsored by Havens ADHD Parent Circle

Kim Thompson, PhD

Dr. Thompson is a clinical psychologist and the founder of East Bay ADHD Psychology & Assessment in Berkeley. Kim specializes in neuropsychological assessment for diagnoses like ADHD, Autism, Learning Disorders, Gifted/Talented/Twice Exceptional (2e). She understands the difficult of getting timely assessments and the frustration from working with school systems. She provides advocacy to get relevant accommodations implemented as well as education and coaching focusing on accountability and Executive Functioning.

Sanford C. Newmark, MD

Dr. Newmark is an Integrative Medicine Pediatrician who cares for children with autism, ADHD and other developmental or chronic childhood conditions. His practice combines conventional and medical treatments with nutrition therapies, behavior management and other complementary modalities. After practicing pediatrics for 12 years, Dr. Newmark completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona’s Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Newmark is the author of ADHD Without Drugs: A Guide to the Natural Care of Children with ADHD. He is the Medical Director of the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine and head of its Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics Program.