Small Group Coaching & Discussion Series

With Dr. Mike and Julie Postma

"Beyond the Diagnosis: A Toolkit for Parents Supporting the Gifted/2e"

8 recordings of small group coaching and discussion sessions for parents of Gifted/2e kids, teens and young adults

Register now to access the recordings!

Register Now

Beyond the Diagnosis:

A Toolkit for Parents Supporting the Gifted/2e

8 Recordings of Small Group Coaching and Discussion Sessions

For Parents of Gifted/2e Kids, Teens & Young Adults

 

Series Description:

What happens once a child is diagnosed as gifted or multi-exceptional (2e)?

In many cases, once a neuro-psychological report is received, the parents are on their own. Very few practices go beyond the diagnosis and parents are left in the dark as how to proceed. Questions arise such as:

  • What’s next? What does this long report really mean?
  • What are the implications for school?
  • Do I homeschool, find a different school, or stay where I am?
  • How do I handle my child’s behaviors?
  • Is there more support out there?
  • What do I need to properly advocate for my child?
  • How do I approach the school with this information?
  • What questions can I ask?
  • What help is available in the public school?
  • What happens when they become a teen, a young adult, or even beyond?

These are many questions that can potentially lead to frustration, stress, and even anxiety. This six week group coaching community will address all the questions of support beyond the diagnosis and help parents to truly understand this difficult journey from diagnosis to success.

What Parents are Saying:

"Every session with Dr. Mike's expertise and clear understanding of the gifted populations (us parent's included!), was beyond what we were expecting from these Parent Coaching and Teaching sessions. Combined with Dr. Mike and Julie's personal family and professional experiences, we can't say enough how much we value and appreciate their insight, help and support! Our family thanks you!!"

- Parents of 3 gifted/2e children

"Thank you Dr. Mike and Julie! You both have been so great, and it's been such an incredibly helpful course! I'm so glad we signed up for it - I feel like we are really equipped and prepared for the road ahead of us! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

- Parents of a highly gifted/2e child

"Dr. Mike helped us navigate our 7 year old gifted/twice-exceptional child's newly diagnosis and assessment report. We would never have understood this without his help and insight. He knows our gifted kids! Thank you so much for this great course and community! We are so grateful for your support and guidance of our family!"

- Parents of a newly diagnosed gifted/ADHD child

Meet Dr. Mike Postma

Hello! I'm Dr. Mike Postma, an educator, speaker, author, consultant and coach residing in beautiful Bellingham, WA. 

Together with my wife, Julie, we have raised our own 4 gifted/2e children and know how difficult this journey can be.  That is one reason I have dedicated my life work to the holistic development of the gifted/2e community.  In my 25+ year career, I've served as a Gifted Teacher in the classroom, as an Administrator of gifted schools, as a professional developer of gifted programming and curriculum and as Executive Director of the SENG organization (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted), and now leading our company Gifted & Thriving, LLC.

I look forward to spending time together with you to learn how we can best teach and support this exceptional community so we can all move from a place of just surviving to THRIVING!  I look forward to the journey with you!

Register Here for ALL 6 WEEKS / ALL ACCESS ($159)

Weekly Topics & Registration:

 

Week 1:

I Have the Report. Now What?

  • What does the report mean and how do I interpret and read each of
    the assessments done?
  • What do I do with the discrepancies within the assessments?
  • This report does not really reflect who my child is? What can I do
    now?
  • How do I use this report to my advantage as an advocate?
    e. I see similarities to my own childhood (adulthood). What does that
    mean?
  • What if they don’t have all the characteristics of giftedness?

 


 

Week 2:

The Neuro-Anatomy of Giftedness

  • Gifted and 2e children are asynchronous and complex. What does
    that mean?
  • What are the major differences between my child and their peers
    neurologically? Physiologically?
  • Why does it matter?
  • How can I tell my family and friends who pressure me to treat them
    normally?

 


 

Week 3:

The School Question (Part One)

  • Now that I know my child is neurodiverse, what do I do about their
    education?

  • What are the benefits of homeschooling? What if homeschooling is
    not an option?

  • What are the best programs out there for my child(ren)?

  • How do I approach the school with this information?
    e. Where can I get the right help?

  


 

Week 4:

The School Question (Part Two)

  • What is a 504 Plan? What is a IEP? How can they help
  • What questions should I be asking my teacher? My principal?
  • How do I find the right support: school social worker, gifted specialist, local parent network?
  • How do I know they are learning? How do I know they are challenged? Happy?
  • What can I do if I notice a change in my child’s behavior (anxiety, possible bullying, relationship with teacher/peers)

 


 

Week 5:

Parenting the Gifted/2e Student

  • How do I manage their behaviors when they are off (tantrums, school
    behaviors, isolated, etc.)?
  • How do I know anxiety is present and what can I do about it?
  • How do I build a trusting relationship with my child?
  • How do I know where the triggers lie? What can I do about it?
  • What do I do about perfectionism, underachievement, executive
    function, intensity and other potential problems?

  


 

Week 6:

The Importance of Clear Communication

  • One of the biggest challenges for a family is developing an effective communication model both within the nuclear family as well as outside with friends, extended family, and institutions like schools. In
    this session, how to communicate properly with your gifted/2e child(ren) will be discussed. In addition, we will talk about how to communicate with extended family and community about your children and their specific needs.

  • How can my child find and maintain meaningful relationships?

  • What if they don’t like being labelled?

  • What to do when they always say ‘NO!’

 


 

Week 7:

Overcoming Anxiety

  • Anxiety has grown extensively in the gifted population over the past decade or so. The recent pandemic has only increased the numbers that I believe are closer to 2/3 of this population.

  • What is the effect of anxiety on our child(ren)?

  • How does anxiety manifests itself and what can I do to relieve it in both ourselves and our children?

  • What do I do about school anxiety? Test anxiety?

 


 

Week 8:

Inertia, Motivation, and Purpose (and final thoughts/questions)

  • How do I know my child is on the right path?

  • What can I do if they are stuck?

  • How do I help them to find motivation? Purpose?

  • Final questions/discussion

Register here to access the recordings!

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