TELL’s Exceptional Parenting Program (EPP) launched its series of 2013–2014 academic year workshops with great success.
On October 15, Rachel G. Klein, who has a Ph.D from New York University School of Medicine, presented “When Should Parents Seek Professional Consultation for Their Child”. Dr. Klein discussed the various difficulties that children typically might experience, with an emphasis on school-age children, and at what point ordinary nuisance behaviour would become a concern.
Vickie Skorji, Executive Officer and Director of TELL Lifeline, and Mica Henderson, new Assistant Director of Lifeline, presented the TELL Bully Project on November 18. They discussed some of the myths and statistics regarding bullying in Japan as well as overseas, introduced the “Social Emotional Learning Model,” and lead a discussion by showing short clips from “Bully” directed by Lee Hirsch, and “Cyberbully” starring Emily Osment and Kay Panabake. This workshop’s goal was to begin a discussion about how schools, teachers, parents, and the community could start to make changes to prevent bullying in their schools, classrooms, homes, and communities.
Yuria Kawachi, MA, Bible Study Fellowship area adviser and Wheelchairs of Hope board member, presented the third workshop, “Helping Young Adults with Exceptional Needs in the Japanese System,” on December 3. She spoke about what was both publicly and privately available in Tokyo for preschoolers to adults in general. In that context, she shared her own experience with raising her daughter, who is mentally challenged and currently living independently.
Due to popular demand, last year’s workshop “Grow and Learn Together: Helping the Child with ADHD,” will again be presented by Eriko Kobayashi, Ph.D, Psychologist at TELL, on February 7 from 10am–midday. Participants will learn how Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined, indicators of ADHD, treatment options, cognitive/behavioural skills that children can learn, and how the environment can provide support for children.
For more information on the Exceptional Parenting Program (EPP) or if you would like to attend future workshops, please contact the EPP coordinator at [email protected]. — CHIE SAWA
