Who is This Course & Community for?

This course is designed to support parents of neurodivergent children - your kids of all ages - and your entire family. You will learn how to better understand, advocate for and connect with your neurodivergent child.

You'll be supported with both online and live online parent coaching sessions, led and facilitated by Dr. Mike and Julie Postma, along with other parents. You will have the opportunity to be in ongoing community with other neurodiverse parents in a safe and comfortable environment via our private community portal.

You'll also have the opportunity to develop a Specific Family Action Plan to move your family from a place of struggle and crisis to a plan of action that will give your family hope and healing.

Together, as a family,  you'll move to a place of thriving!

What You'll Learn!

Gifted and 2e children often struggle with issues related to social and emotional growth and regulation. As a result, large numbers of these children battle anxiety, stress, emotional regulation, social anxiety, and even have difficulty with executive functioning.

This is due to asynchronous development related to intense sensory integration (epigenetics) that can easily overwhelm an already vulnerable limbic system.

This workshop will outline the latest neuro research on the gifted/2e/neurodivergent brain, and how it affects metacognition (or self understanding).

Each session is designed to inform and provide practical strategies to help your gifted/2e child and family move from a place of simply surviving to thriving in every communal environment, including schools.

You will learn that developing social and emotional foundations are critical to the success of every gifted/2e/neurodivergent child or individual in any life setting–whether that be in school, at home or within the greater community. You will also learn why that is and what it takes to get there.

Session 1 

Understanding Gifted/2e/Neurodiversity - What Does It Mean?

• Defining Giftedness - It comes in all shapes and sizes!
• Define the Different Levels of Giftedness
• Examine the Many (and often competing) Definitions of Giftedness and Misunderstandings Around the Term
• Explain and Discuss Controversial Issues Around the Bell Curve and Its Implications
• Introduce the Family Action Plan Guide and Workbook

Session 2

Hyper Brain/Hyper Body - Understanding the Gifted/2e/Neurodivergent Brain

• Explore the Latest Research from Both Typical and Atypical Brain Development

• Understand Atypical Development and Asynchrony

• Understand What Neurodiversity Is and Its Impacts on Daily Living

• Why Neurodiversity Matters with Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Individuals

• Learn How to Use the Understanding of Neurodiversity to Inform Your Parenting and Advocacy Strategies 

Session 3

Common Issues/Challenges and the Development of Self (Metacognition)

• Understand What Metacognition Is
• How Metacognition Develops in the Gifted/Twice-Exceptional Individual
• How Issues of Limbic Delay and Epigenetics Impacts the Gifted Children's Development of Their Social/Emotional/Intellectual Selves
• Reframing 'Normality' in Gifted/2e Children
• Common Social/Emotional Issues with Asynchronous Gifted Individuals
• Understanding Perfectionism, Isolation, Executive Functioning, Fatigue and Self Esteem in Gifted/2e Children
• Strategies to Deal with Common Issues and How to Develop Our Gifted/2e Children's Superpowers

Session 4

Anxiety - Understanding Its Impact on the Gifted/2e Individual and the Family

• Understand the Link Between Anxiety and the Brain

• Define and Discuss What Anxiety is and How it Affects the Body

• Understand the Roles of Sensory Integration, the Limbic System and Executive Functioning Skills in Anxiety and Fear

• Develop a Better Awareness About the Effects of Our Anxiety on Others

• Examine the Different Types of Anxiety, Key Symptoms and Diagnostic Clarifications

• Tackling Social Anxiety and Redefine What Social Success Means for Neurodiverse Individuals and How to Live Without Judgement

Session 5

Parenting the Whole Family - Effective Communication and Advocacy Strategies

•  Learn Effective Communication Techniques for Resolving Internal Conflict and Stress as it Relates to Living in a Neurodiverse Environment

• How to Effectively Advocate for Your Children in Various Situations including Schools, Extended Family Interactions and the Greater Community

• How to Navigate the Educational Institutions and Make Optimal Choices for Your Children

• What it Means to Parent a Neurodivergent Child and Learn Effective Strategies for Discipline, Family Management, Atypical Development, Self Regulation, Diet/Food Sensitivities and More 

Session 6

Parent and Family Self Care and Support 

• Find Your Community - Your Village People!
• Learn helpful tips and strategies that work for each stage of your neurodiverse child's age and development milestones

• Join Like-Minded Parent/Support Groups

• Make Time for Yourself with Passion/Special Interest Activities (Groups)

• Make Time With Your Spouse/Significant Other/Partner/Friends

• Make Time With Your Family - Take That Vacation/Staycation!

• Find Healthy Ways to Channel Your Stress and Take Care of Your Entire Self (Emotional, Physical, Mental and Spiritual)

• Get Outside Help When You Need It!!

• Wrap up and Complete Your Family Action Plan - Let's Do This!!