UNDERSTANDING LEARNING PROBLEMS

Title:  How Children are affected in the School
Thursday, December 15, 2011

Presenter:  Dinorah Otero  LCSW R

      There exist diverse perspectives that provide explanations about the topic of learning disabilities. The workshop aimed at considering the child and adolescent in his/her singularity. In some occasions, a parent who perceives that a child presents difficulties to learn at school may get worried about it and request for help. The child before his/her birth occupies a place in the discourse and the fantasies of his/her parents. Which is the place of this child? We may also question how a learning problem is signified by them. Other times, it is a teacher or a guidance counselor at school who may identify that a child has a problem to learn.  Then, parents, teachers, and therapists would consider that a child presents a learning disability and attempt to solve it. What about the child? What does he/she have say about it?

     The discussion in the workshop mainly revolved around approaching a learning problem as a symptom that implies an enigma. A child/adolescent through his/her problem to learn at school is saying and showing something. It depends on each parent as well as each of us, workers of schools and clinics, what to do with it. Instead of applying interventions for making the subject and his/her symptom to shut up, we can offer a space in which his/her suffering would be listened, thus, opening the possibility of finding a different solution.

Resourceful links to follow:

Book in Spanish:
Problemas de Apredizaje Psicoanalisis 

Movie:

My Left Foot

Links offered by a participant at our workshop:

Quality Services for the Autistic Community 

New York Families for the Autistic Community 

Autism Awareness - Westchester Convention Center 

THE BULLY

Topic:  Putting an End to Kids Bullying Behavior

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Presenter:  Emily Rentas  LMHC

This workshop focused on the increasing awareness and events as a result of bullying.  This can be present from the early developmental stages of children into adulthood.  Recent news headlines and incidents have sparked a campaign across the nation shedding light onto this serious growing trend.

Discussion emphasized the understanding and definition of bullying is as well as commonly held beliefs and ideas school professionals may have when dealing with this problem.  In addition, relational aggression, which is the most difficult form of bullying to spot because of the subtle covert bullying, was touched upon in order to further educate professionals in increasing awareness of potential situations. This form threatens social status and acceptance, which is a important in a child’s emotional and social development. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. have become a technological form of relational aggression as it can damage relationships, reputations, and bring other serious consequences, even in physical tragedies.

Most importantly, the workshop and discussion focused on several empowerment tools and aids professionals can use during times of crisis as well as further education for children for a healthy development of self. Although school professionals are asked to deal with these situations, empowering children to increase their own awareness and awareness of the situation can lead to more effective problem solving skills. This also included the signs of more serious issues or complications where a school professional can consider outside referral for mental health and family treatment.

Resourceful links to follow:

Pacer Center 

Highmark Bullying Prevention Institute 

Chancellor Regulations: Student to Student Bias-Based Harassment, Intimidation, and/or Bullying 

Video-How to Unmake A Bully