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Parent Education Series

A teacher is sitting at a desk in a classroom, assisting a student with their schoolwork.

As your local experts in learning differences and dyslexia, Trident Academy created the Parent Education Series to empower families with practical strategies, expert insights, and supportive resources to navigate the joys and challenges of raising children with learning differences. Whether you’re looking for developmental guidance or wellness tips, explore our library of sessions below to help your family thrive.

ADHD and Emotional Regulation: Simple Strategies for Home

Guest Speaker: Kelli Kerkhoff, LPC-A from Engage Counseling

About this Session:
To conclude our Parent Education Series for the school year, we welcomed Kelli Kerkhoff, LPC-A to the Trident Academy campus for a transformative look at ADHD. Rather than viewing ADHD as a deficit of ability, Kelli reframed it as a neurodevelopmental difference in how the brain organizes and responds to the world. This session focused on moving past "willpower" to provide parents with a concrete toolkit for managing the unique intersection of focus, motivation, and emotional regulation.

Key Takeaways from the Session:

  • The "Weather Language" Framework: A non-judgmental, visual way for children to name their feelings. 
  • The 5 Keystones of Success: An exploration of the foundational pillars that support the ADHD brain: Sleep, Diet, Exercise, Support Teams, and The Calendar.
  • Dopamine & Movement: Why high-intensity exercise (like the "Scientific 7-Minute Workout") is a biological necessity for neurodivergent learners to boost focus-regulating chemicals like dopamine.
  • Reducing "Slippery" Activities: Practical tips on identifying "sticky" activities (hyperfocus) versus "slippery" ones (distractibility).
  • The RAIN Technique: A mindfulness strategy to help families Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Nurture big emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them

Slides and Additional Resources: 

Zoom Recording from April 21, 2026:

Nutrition and the Brain

About this Session:
Did you know that targeted food choices can transform learning and behavior? In this engaging presentation, we welcomed Alice LoGuidice from Journey Pediatrics to Trident Academy to explore the powerful connection between pediatric functional medicine and neurodiversity.

Key Takeaways from the Session:

  • Brain-Boosting Nutrients: How specific vitamins and minerals support optimal brain development and cognitive function.
  • Support for Neurodivergence: Practical dietary strategies specifically tailored for children with ADHD, autism, and learning differences.
  • Building Resilience: How functional medicine approaches help create more regulated, resilient brains for students who learn differently.

Slides and Additional Resources: 

Zoom Recording from March 31, 2026:

Executive Functioning Made Simple

About this Session:
In this highly practical session, we welcomed Allie Hopkins to Trident Academy to discuss the "engine room" of learning: Executive Functioning. Allie shared her expertise in supporting neurodivergent learners by breaking down how planning, organization, and focus impact a child's success both in the classroom and at home.

Key Takeaways from the Session:

  • Demystifying Executive Function: A clear look at the cognitive skills responsible for task initiation and emotional regulation.

  • Practical Home Routines: Specific, actionable strategies designed to reduce "homework hurdles" and improve daily organization.

  • Expert Q&A: Allie addressed questions from our community, providing tailored advice for common family challenges.

Slides: 

Zoom Recording from November 13, 2025:

Psycho-Educational Evaluation 101

About this Session:
To kick off our series, we were honored to host Dr. Jessica Anderson for a deep dive into a topic of vital importance to our community: the psycho-educational evaluation. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Anderson shared her expertise as an evaluator and mental health provider to help families navigate the complexities of student assessments.

Key Takeaways from the Session:

  • The "Why" Behind Evaluations: Understanding the indicators that suggest a child would benefit from a formal evaluation.

  • The Student Experience: A step-by-step overview of what to expect during the evaluation process to help ease student (and parent) anxiety.

  • Decoding the Report: Practical advice on how to read the final results and identify the most important information for your child's success.

  • Building Confidence: How evaluations serve as a roadmap for helping students become flexible thinkers and strong problem-solvers.

Slides and Additional Resources: 

Zoom Recording from September 9, 2025: