Connecting for Kids

Join Anne Fleming Anderson, MA, CCC-SLP, Senior Speech Pathologist and Raisa Santana MA, CCC-SLP, Bilingual (Spanish/English) Clinical Speech Pathologist, both with the Cleveland Clinic, for a parent-friendly talk on how to support your child's unique communication needs.

Parents will learn ways to support speech goals through connection, shared interests, and real-life moments. We’ll talk about different communication styles, including gestalt language processing, and how to move away from “one-size-fits-all” ideas about speech. Families will leave with practical, affirming, and empowering tools to support communication.

What are Medicaid waivers, and could your child qualify? What services do they cover, and what can you do if your application is denied?

Join us for a fun and informative evening designed to help families better understand Medicaid waivers for children with disabilities. Ginger Wilson and Julie Keys, attorneys with Disability Rights Ohio, will break down the basics of waivers, eligibility, what they cover and how to navigate the appeals process if needed.

Join Abby Schultz, MS, EIS, of Purposeful Growth & Wellness for a helpful talk about understanding your child as a whole person. Parents will learn how neurodivergence affects daily life, including learning, big feelings and self-control.

Schultz also discusses how different therapies, such as Polyvagal Theory and DIR/Floortime, can work together in ways that fit your child, not just a diagnosis.

Has your child been struggling with increased social anxiety and screen addiction since the COVID pandemic? Do they struggle to make friends due to distance-learning during their early years? Then you might be raising a COVID kid!

Join Rob Adams, PsyD, of Barlow & Adams Behavioral Health, for a conversation on the lasting effects of COVID-19 on kids’ anxiety, social development and emotional well-being.

Learn tools to support your anxious or disconnected child and connect with other families raising the COVID kid generation.

Struggling with sleep in your household? Looking for practical tips to help your child — and your entire family — get a better night’s rest? Join Bridget Bowling, certified Family Sleep Institute Pediatric Sleep Consultant from Little Snoozers, who will discuss bedtimes, nap times, sleep transitions, as well as what sleep should look like from birth to school age. A Behavior Specialist from Silver Lining ABA will also be there to help answer questions and offer tools to support children with autism. Learn about the importance of a calming routine, a peaceful bedroom environment and other tools for helping your child achieve healthy sleep.

This program will also discuss the unique sleep challenges faced by children with disabilities, with discussion groups for families navigating these experiences. You'll leave with practical strategies to make restful nights a reality for your household.