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What Parents and Educators Need to Know About Smart Kids (Online Workshop)
 
Many people are surprised to learn that their bright child's unique "quirks" are actually well-studied social & emotional behavior patterns in high IQ kids. Whether it's refusing to wear shirts with buttons or tags, overreacting to the slightest criticism, gravitating towards adults and older children, forgetting to turn in their homework, trouble with handwriting, anxiety about trying something new, or preferring a book to a party, these and many other perplexing behaviors are common in the HiCap population. 

Learn the latest neuroscience and research about what's normal, what to expect as they grow, and why genuine challenge is vitally important for kids' social and emotional development, as well as developing their academic talents, from the preschool and elementary years through high school and beyond.


Come hear the talk that has been presented to dozens of parent and educator communities across WA state. It is a whirlwind of gifted 101, covering:
·         Definitions, bell curve, asynchrony
·         Twice exceptional, including spotlights on stealth dyslexia, vision processing, and CAPD
·         Executive function and latest neuroscience about high IQ brain
·         Emotional characteristics (sensitivity, intensity, perfectionism, neuroscience basis, etc.)
·         Social development asynchrony
·         School fit, grit & growth mindset
The workshop format provides time to dig into deeper content as well as engage in discussion. The goal of this workshop is to give you research-based perspectives and new tools for your toolbox, whether you are a parent or an educator.
Washington State Educator Clock Hours available.

Sunday, June 7, 2020
3:00-5:30 p.m.

Cost: $25 (Clock Hours available for an additional $20)

Register Now!

About the Presenter
Austina De Bonte is a consultant at Smart is not Easy, LLC (www.smartisnoteasy.com). Since 2012, Austina has also served as the President of the Northwest Gifted Child Association (www.nwgca.org), the Washington State support and advocacy non-profit for families with gifted children. A dynamic and engaging presenter, Austina speaks regularly at conferences, as well as conducts parent education talks and professional development workshops for educators about the unique social and emotional development of highly capable (HiCap) or "gifted" children. She also works with school district teams to develop and fine-tune their HiCap program models, especially concerning equitable identification strategies. Austina's signature style combines her experience as a parent and parent coach along with synthesized research, current district practices across Washington State and cutting-edge neuroscience. She has a master’s degree from MIT and did her graduate thesis in the MIT Media Lab's Epistemology and Learning Group, where Lego Mindstorms was invented. Austina is a certified SENG Model Parent Group facilitator.


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Online Parent Discussion Group

Thursdays, June 18 to July 30 (7-session series)
5:00 to 6:30 p.m. PST
Online via Zoom  

Join this weekly opportunity to share ideas, strategies, and support in a relaxed setting, guided by trained facilitators. Through the valuable insights of the other parents and reading the book A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children, you will learn more about giftedness, discuss the challenges of parenting, and share strategies for supporting our gifted children while enhancing family relationships. These parent groups are not therapy sessions; however, participants often find the sessions to be therapeutic, empowering and comforting.
Topics include:  
·        Characteristics of gifted children
·         Communication
·         Motivation, underachievement & executive function
·         Establishing discipline/teaching self-management
·         Stress, perfectionism, idealism & depression
·         Acquaintances, friends, peers; only children & siblings
·         Values, traditions & complexities of parenting  

The video conferencing tool, Zoom, will be used to facilitate dialogue, and to connect with each other live each week. Login details are provided at the time of registration.

Facilitators

This 7-session online series is co-facilitated by Denise Anderson and Karen Thornton. Denise is a certified SMPG facilitator, has an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is the Vice President of Northwest Gifted Child Association (NWGCA). Karen is also a certified SMPG facilitator and on the board of NWGCA. Denise and Karen both parent gifted children.
Cost The cost for the parent group is $95 and covers the cost of the facilitated, 7-session online series, materials, and registration for one or two parents/caregivers.

Book to be purchased separately.
Needs-based scholarships available.

​Register here




Know about an upcoming event that focuses on the gifted and 2e community? We're happy to list community events on this page and on our Facebook. Note that we usually do not list general parenting events unless they have themes that are particularly relevant to the gifted community. Email us at info@nwgca.org


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SENGinars

SENG webinars (SENGinars) provide convenient access to many of the top experts in the gifted field discussing issues related to the social and emotional needs of the gifted. The 90-minute webinars are designed expressly for parents, educators and mental health professionals who work with gifted children. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each live webinar. For more information, go to the SENG website.

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Northwest Gifted Child Association, PO Box 2752, Woodinville, WA 98072-2752
We are a 501(c)3 Non-Profit - Tax ID: 91-0781776
info@nwgca.org