Parents of children with any type of special needs are invited to a free four-lecture series called “The Power of Potential.” The lectures will take place monthly, and the first one is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Salmon Creek.
The goal of the series is to help parents feel more confident and better equipped “to be the kind of parent your child deserves,” according to a statement from the organizer.
All four lectures are at Adventure Dental, 900 N.E. 139th St. There are four dates and topics:
• Wednesday: “Unleashing your Child’s Hidden Potential” is a lecture by Charles and Conceição Solis of the Oregon-based REACH Family Institute, who will speak about brain research and clinical experiences that point to hope and possibility for all children, despite obstacles.
• 7 p.m. March 27: “Challenging Behaviors at Home,” features Heather Schwartz and Alicia Like of Autism Behavioral Consulting in Vancouver, who will present a systematic approach to replacing negative behaviors, including understanding and changing parental behaviors, too.
• 6 p.m. April 17: “At E.A.S.E. Parenting,” is a lecture by Eric Hamblen of Beaverton-based PACE Place, who will introduce a creative parenting style that gets at the emotional forces underlying challenging behaviors. Event organizers say this lecture is especially appropriate for parents and helpers of people with developmental delays that affect social learning.
• 6:30 p.m. May 29: In the “The Misunderstood Child” lecture, Sharron Donnelly of Advanced Pediatric Therapies, with offices in Portland and Vancouver, will discuss sensory processing challenges and how to address them.
Those interested can register online at www.telenect.com/u/l86vxqs7fl. Online broadcasts of the talks will be available after the lectures.
