Parenting Group For Children With Special Needs

On Tuesdays, beginning September 19, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Newtown Youth Services will offer a new twice-a-month support and parenting group addressing the special issues that face parents and families with a child with special needs. Whether the special need is a physical or emotional challenge, a chronic illness, or a learning disability, this group is designed to help parents recognize and use the strengths that they have, while adding new skills and eliminating strategies that don’t work.

 The focus of the program will be to bring parents together who are dealing with similar issues and concerns, such as how a child’s special needs affect the dynamics of family life, how family members can deal with stress and time management so that everyone’s needs are addressed, and how parents can access all of the support services that are available related to their child’s specific needs.

The group will be facilitated by Tracy Roberts, a master’s level counselor and teacher, and master’s intern Addie Sandler, who also co-facilitates the NYS New Mothers support groups. A materials fee of $25 per person or $35 per couple will cover Positive Parenting materials and supplementary materials on Special Needs. To register, or for more information, place call Youth Services at 270-4335.