PPAL Meeting May 14th Featuring Jessica Minahan, M.Ed., BCBA on Anxiety

Sponsored by the Parent/Professional Advocacy League

April 18, 2013

The Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) is a statewide family organization dedicated to improving the mental health and well being of children, youth and families through education, advocacy and partnership.

Join PPAL for their May 14th Statewide Meeting featuring guest speaker Jessica Minahan, M.Ed., BCBA, co-author of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students.

The Behavior Code is built on the idea that behavior is communication, and that kids' actions represent their efforts to solve problems. It specifies that behavior can serve one or more of four functions: gaining attention, escaping something undesirable, gaining something desirable, and obtaining sensory satisfaction.

Parents and teachers need to look at kids' behaviors and figure out what they communicate in order to respond effectively.

The focus of Minahan's talk will be on anxiety, which co-exists with many children's mental health disorders. Ms. Minihan will teach us hands on strategies and techniques that we can use at home and advocate for in our child's educational setting.

When:    10:00am - Noon, Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Where:  Tatnuck Bookseller
                   18 Lyman Street (Route 9 and Lyman Street)
                   Westborough, MA
                   508-366-4959
                   Click here for directions

RSVP:    Please call Diana Tucker at 508-767-9725 or
                   email dtucker@ppal.net

PPAL will be giving away a $15 gift card to Tatnuck Booksellers. RSVP by May 9th to be included in the drawing.

Attendance is limited to family members, family partners, family support specialists, parent coordinators and others in family support roles.

From Jessica Minahan...

"My goal is to help clinicians, teachers and parents identify and understand the variables that cause students to act inappropriately.

Since 2000, I've worked continuously with students who exhibited an infinite variety of behavioral challenges in both urban and suburban public schools. I show how commonplace school factors, as well as the student's underdeveloped skills, contribute to his or her challenging behavior.

I provide professionals with time-tested interventions that will lead students to more appropriate, constructive behavior in and out of school. I give parents tools to continue the work at home. Working together we can help every child achieve a positive and productive life."

Click HERE to visit Jessica Minahan's website.