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Dear Help Group Friends & Families,
We’d like to extend a warm welcome as we gear up for another exciting school year at The Help Group! Our teachers and staff have been preparing all summer to provide an exceptional learning experience, while also focusing on enriching our campus facilities and expanding our program offerings.
August marks the beginning of back-to-school festivities. From blogs and webinars that position both parents and students for a successful year, to inspiring stories and wonderful creative events, all the activities listed below are designed to ease the transition and set the tone for a year of growth and discovery.
As we look forward to a fantastic fall, we encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns at admissions@thehelpgroup.org.
We are excited to partnering with you to create a vibrant and enriching environment that fosters curiosity, development, and lasting memories.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication.
Sincerely,
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Susan Berman, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Help Group |
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Easing the Transition for Returning to School
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By Dr. Laurie Stephens, Senior Director of Autism and Clinical Services
As we blast off to a new school year, it can be a challenging time for neurodiverse students. The shift from the relaxed pace of summer to the structured environment of school can be overwhelming. As parents, educators, and community members, there are several thoughtful and practical steps we can take to ease this transition and support our neurodiverse students.
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Save The Date: The Help Group’s Summit
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Friday, November 15, 2024
Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA
Join The Help Group for an informative and inspirational conference this fall exploring the latest research and best practices related to early intervention, neurodivergent young adults, education, and mental health.
World-renowned Dr. Daniel Siegel – New York Times bestselling author, Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute, and Co-Founder of the pioneering Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA will serve as our keynote speaker. Dr. Siegel will be joined by other distinguished experts, including:
- Meryl Alper, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Communication Sciences, Northeastern University
- Eileen Crehan, PhD, Assistant Professor, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development, Tufts
- Vindia Fernandez, PhD, Director of Pediatric Neuropsychology at the UCLA Hispanic Neuropsychiatric Center of Excellence , UCLA
- Lawrence Fung, MD PhD, Director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, Stanford University
- Elisha Goldstein, PhD, Author, Clinical Psychologist and Founder, The Mindful Living Collective
- Connie Kasari, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Human Development and Psychology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
- Joseph Madaus, PhD, Director of the Collaborative on Postsecondary Education and Disability, UCONN
- David Rudd, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of Missouri
- Nicole Sparapani, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Education and the MIND Institute, UC Davis
- Laurie Stephens PhD, Senior Director of Autism & Clinical Services, The Help Group
- Karen Wilson PhD, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Founder, Child NEXUS
We will be announcing additional speakers in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned for further updates!
Whether you’re a parent, educator, clinician, researcher, or university student, the Summit is an opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in their respective fields. Continuing Education credits will be available for professionals!
Save the date and sign up below to be notified when registration opens.
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Breaking Barriers – Brenner’s Story
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| New episode of our Breaking Barriers series is now live on YouTube!
Breaking Barriers shines a spotlight on students who have overcome obstacles and found success. Introducing Brenner, a student who attended The Help Group’s Schools since 2006 and graduated in June of 2024. Throughout his time at The Help Group, Brenner found his voice and his confidence soared. We are so proud of Brenner and all of his accomplishments, and we can’t wait to see what he does next! Click below to watch this heartwarming video. |
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Helping Students Stay Consistent with Attendance
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| Regular attendance fosters a sense of commitment, consistency and accountability, which can significantly enhance personal and professional development. By being present, students contribute to the collective progress and benefit from collaborative opportunities, that build trust and reliability, among their teachers, peers and overall school community. |
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club la RV Arcade Night
Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6pm – 8pm
Cost: $35
Join new friends and good friends for an evening of fun, friendship, and video games. Don’t miss out – register today! For neurodivergent young adults ages 18-29. This is a popular event, so make sure to RSVP today.
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club la RV Arcade – Kids (5-12)
Saturday, Sept. 14 | 11am – 12:30pm
Cost: $35
They park, you play! Pick from a vast selection of video games to play with new friends! Snacks will be served. This is a popular event, so make sure to RSVP today.
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club la RV Arcade – Teens (13-17)
Saturday, Sept. 14 | 1pm – 2:30pm
Cost: $35
Dive into the fun! Choose from a wide range of video games to enjoy with new friends, and grab some snacks while you’re at it. This event is a hit, so be sure to RSVP now to secure your spot!
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Back-to-School Game Night
Friday, Sept. 13 | 6pm – 7:30pm
Join Kaleidoscope for a FREE fun-filled evening of games to kick off the new school year at our Back-to-School Game Night! Whether you’re a pro at board games or just looking to unwind after a long day at school, this event is perfect for you! Pizza and snacks will be provided. RSVP today.
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Parents Like Me – Parent Support Group
Wednesday, Sept. 4 and 25 | 6-7pm
Parents Like Me Parent Support Groups are returning for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent kids and teens 17 years of age or younger. These are free online sessions that provide a safe space for parents and caregivers to share, connect, and provide support for one another.
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ALA Parent-to-Parent Support Group
Thursday, Sept. 5 and 26 | 6-7pm
These free online sessions are returning, allowing parents of young adults 18+ to connect, share stories & learn from one another. Parents select topics and group leaders facilitate discussions and offer guidance. Meetings take place the first and third Thursday of each month.
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Your support makes our programs possible, empowering children, families, and the community to thrive together.
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ABOUT THE HELP GROUP
The Help Group believes that dignity, hope, opportunity, and love are the birthrights of all. We strive to transform lives by recognizing, cultivating, and celebrating the individual gifts of those with special needs related to autism, learning differences, ADHD, developmental delays, and emotional challenges. Our dedication to this mission shines through our family of innovative educational, therapeutic, residential, and vocational programs, as well as our advancement of cutting-edge research, professional training, outreach, and public policy advocacy.
www.thehelpgroup.org
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