Workshop Outline

By the end of this workshop, parents will be able to:

• Understand Neurodiversity: Explain how brains naturally work differently. They will learn about the strengths and needs of Autistic children, as well as those with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.

• Use the ABC Method: Learn the ABC steps—Antecedent (Trigger), Behavior, and Consequence(Result)—to figure out the hidden message behind a child's actions.

• Reduce Stress: See how knowing a child's triggers makes daily life easier. It shifts the focus away from trying to stop "bad" behavior and toward giving the child what they truly need.

• Spot Patterns at Home: Start using the ABC steps to notice their own child's unique triggers and behavior patterns.

By the end of workshop, parents will be able to:

• Understand Sensory Needs: Learn how the senses work and see how needing more stimulation (sensory-seeking) or less stimulation (sensory-avoiding) affects a child’s mood, behavior, and daily life.

• Understand Physical Readiness: Learn how body strength, coordination, and fine motor skills affect a child’s ability to focus at school and do everyday things independently, like getting dressed or using utensils.

• Create Helpful Spaces: See how a child's senses and physical skills work together, and learn easy ways to adjust their environments to help them thrive.

By the end of this workshop, parents will be able to:

• Understand Everyday Thinking Skills: Learn about skills like memory, flexibility, and self-control. See how struggles in these areas look at home, like having a hard time switching activities or forgetting instructions.

• Use Easy Strategies: Learn simple, stress-free ways to help your child, like breaking big tasks into tiny steps and using picture guides.

• Make Communication Tools: Learn how picture cards help kids communicate when speaking is hard, and make a simple, custom set for your home to lower frustration.

• Help with Children with Their Emotions: Learn ways to help your child name their emotions and discover how you can help them calm down when they are upset.

By the end of this workshop, parents will be able to:

• Guide Emotions and Social Skills: Learn why neurodivergent kids might struggle with managing big feelings, waiting, or taking turns. Practice kind, helpful ways to support them without using shame or punishment.

• Navigate Unwritten Social Rules: Learn about seeing things from another person's perspective, "reading the room," and understanding hidden social rules. Help your child build meaningful connections with others while still celebrating their unique personality.

• Understand the Power of Hands-On Play: See how playing with physical objects builds a child's understanding, hand strength, and school skills.

• Playfully Teach Reading and Math: Use everyday items (like homemade playdough or card games) to playfully practice letters, common words, and counting. 

By the end of this workshop, parents will be able to: 

• Deepen their understanding of healthy eating in supporting children's growth, development, and overall wellbeing. 

• Identify the three major food groups and explain their role in a balanced diet. 

• Use the My Healthy Plate model to create balanced meals with appropriate portion sizes using locally available foods. 

• Identify highly processed foods that are high in added sugar, sodium (salt), and unhealthy fats, and make healthier food choices for their families. 

• Demonstrate how to read basic nutrition information on food labels and make informed purchasing decisions. 

• Recognize the health benefits of choosing water over sugar-sweetened beverages and identify healthier drink options. 

• Explain the effects of excessive screen time on children's health and identify age-appropriate screen time recommendations. 

• Apply practical ways to encourage regular physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors within the family. 

• Recognize the importance of healthy sleep and establish consistent bedtime routines that promote good-quality sleep.

• Prepare simple, affordable, nutritious meals using locally available, fiber- and vitamin-rich foods, including legumes.

By the end of this session, parents and caregivers will be better able to:

• Connect & Communicate: Use simple, respectful and responsive ways to listen, talk and connect with their child, recognizing that every child communicates, learns and expresses their needs differently.

• Play, Learn, & Grow: Turn everyday moments — talking, playing, reading, singing and household routines — into opportunities for learning, communication and social-emotional development.

• Guide with Positivity: Better understand what their child’s behaviour may be communicating and use patience, encouragement and positive discipline to guide behaviour and build confidence.