For Parents

General Resources

  • The Parents Education Network has links to resources around the Bay Area including Educational Therapists, programs for struggling youth, and advocacy information.  Parent workshops and speaker series are also advertised through this site.
  • The Berkeley Parents Network is an incredible resource for getting advice and experience from other parents in real time.  Have a question? Need a referral?  Search this site or post your concerns for recommendations from parents just like you.
  • Dial 211 or go to their website.  211 is a resource line for nearly any need.  They are my #1 go-to for finding support services for my clients.  They can help with everything from toddler tantrums to taxes.  Give them a call and see for yourself!
  • Misunderstood Minds is an incredible website that has activities for YOU to experience what it is like to have a learning disability in reading, math, writing or attention.  If your child is struggling, I highly recommend this site to better understand what your child may be experiencing.

Books and Websites

For all parents:

  • The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD:  This book includes practical tips for helping children learn emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.  Much of the information is presented through a “graphic novel” style which is easy to share with your young or teen child.  I love this book because it offers easy ways to talk about the brain science behind the growing pains of childhood (and parenthood).

For parents of children with difficult behavior:

  • The Explosive Child by Ross Greene, PhD: This book presents a parenting and teaching strategy based on the concept that “kids do well if they can”, and that when children are not doing well, we can help them learn the skills they need.  It is a model based on mutual problem solving so that both adult and child concerns are addressed and met.  This book is not only for parents of “explosive” children, but for any child who struggles with strong emotions, including anger, anxiety, sadness or even hyperactivity.  Also check out: www.livesinthebalance.org.

For parents with children struggling with Executive Functioning skills or ADHD:

  • Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson, EdD and Richard Guare, PhD: This book focuses on Executive Functioning Skills (there is a version for teens as well).  It has some helpful quizzes that parents and children can take together.  Practical tips for helping your child build important organizational, memory, self-regulation and flexibility skills.

For parents of children with Learning Disabilities:

  • LDonline.org offers articles and resources for parents with children with learning disabilities and ADHD.  Take a look at their LD Basics and ADHD Basics articles for an easy-to-understand foundation of common school challenges.
  • Understood.org is a great resource for students of all different types of needs.  The site contains information that will be helpful for all stages of schooling, from preschool through college or alternative post-secondary education.

Programs and Workshops

For parents of children with ADHD:

  • Chadd.org offers online workshops and webinars for parents, by parents.

For parents of children with challenging behavior:

  • The Parent Project provides classes in multiple locations and online.
  • Loving Solutions is a parenting class out of John Muir in Walnut Creek focused on children ages 3-12.

Something you’d like to see here?  Just ask!