Thrive Parents Peer Support for Parents with Neurodivergent children

Are you a parent or caregiver of a neurodivergent child and feeling uncertain about the journey ahead? Looking for support and connections within your community? Join us at a monthly Thrive Parents meet-up!

This month's peer support meet-up includes guest Occupational Therapist (OT) Deb Lightman from Kids First Pediatric Therapy who will discuss ways of supporting the transion back to routine from Spring Break. Bring your questions! This is a no-cost, relaxed, inclusive way to meet others, learn about resources, and start building community together.

Our bi-monthly peer support evenings provide focused time to connect with other parents and caregivers who truly understand your family’s journey. Over light snacks and in a relaxed, confidential space, you’ll have the chance to share experiences, swap ideas, and feel supported. Snacks, fidget and calming toys will be available to help make the space more comfortable.

A dedicated time just for parents and caregivers – a quiet, kid-free space to share and connect. Please ensure you find childcare before attending this event.

Facilitator

Joa Bettochi-Henrey, facilitator of the Thrive Parents group, combines lived experience with professional expertise to guide and support families. She is also a trained facilitator of the Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program and Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting.

Guest OT Deb Lightman

Deb’s practice centres family involvement in each child’s therapeutic journey, with education as the foundation for improving function and building self-advocacy skills.

In June 2015, Deb founded Kids First Pediatric Therapy to create a space where families feel heard and supported, and where care is grounded in meaningful outcomes. Her work continues to focus on evidence-based practice, education, and direct client care.

Her current areas of interest include primitive reflex integration and delayed milestones, the effects of trauma on brain and social-emotional development, sensory processing and nervous system regulation, the role of relationships in emotional and physical growth, and understanding behaviour as both function and communication.

Deb works with children and youth ages 0–18 across a wide range of needs and diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, learning disabilities, anxiety, ADHD, Global Developmental Delay, aggressive behaviours, and infants with delayed milestones.

More about the Thrive Parents Group

Parenting a child on the spectrum comes with unique joys and challenges, and connecting with others who truly understand can make all the difference. Thrive Parents is a monthly peer support group where you can share experiences and resources, and build meaningful connections in a safe and understanding space, regardless of whether or not you have recieved an formal diagnosis for your child.

Our group meets monthly throughout the year over light snacks and refreshments. Stimming toys and fidgets are provided for your comfort. Please see other upcoming Thrive meetings here.

PLEASE NOTE: This support group session is FREE, however, it not free for us to host. We kindly ask those who register for the Thrive Parents support group to consider this cost to our small non-profit, and commit to attending as though they have paid for it. Please contact us if you are no longer able to attend by sending an email to [email protected] or by cancelling your Eventbrite ticket.

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Host or Publisher New Westminster Family Place