10% discount for knowitall.ch readers!
A local speech therapist, Christine Breede-Schechter, has set up a series of discussion groups in Geneva for parents of children with developmental issues.
Held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays throughout the academic year, the S.P.E.A.K. (Strengthening Parents Efforts and Kids) Parent Discussion Groups have been designed to offer much needed support to parents who are feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of raising a child with developmental difficulties such as language delay, learning difficulty, social problems, stuttering or dyslexia.
Through a combination of lecture, reflective discussion, exercises, and readings parents will have an opportunity to:
- Increase knowledge, gain confidence
- Develop coping and problem solving skills
- Discuss effective parenting strategies
- Find practical and emotional support within the group and beyond
Not only will parents be able to express their individual concerns, they will also receive feedback and exchange ideas with other parents. As a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, with over 15 years of experience working with parents and children, Christine will also offer her expertise and guidance.
Christine told knowitall.ch, “The model I am using for these groups is based on a research-based formula that was developed by The Ackerman Institute For The Family in New York where I trained and will continue to train. The approach is based on the belief that all families have capacities and resources that we can enhance to help them face the various challenges of raising a child with special needs. So it's a strength-based approach and it is also a family-oriented systemic approach. Working within the context of the family means working through relationships (with the child and others) to affect the child ("The better the parent, the better the child."). We want to focus on the parent with the goal to develop healthier coping mechanisms. The idea is to support parents in a non-judgmental comforting environment where they can share their concerns, feel understood, make meaning as well as shift meaning and develop new skills. The group is dynamic. The facilitator encourages discussion and problem-solving. And as I see in theses groups, parents get so much from talking to other parents. But they also need some guidance to make sense of what they are going through.”
S.P.E.A.K. helps parents target recurring themes, such as:
- 24/7: increased demands, stress, and multi-tasking
- impact of child’s challenges on parent and family well being
- grief reactions and reactions of the family
- bad child, bad parent
- protecting the family
- co-parenting challenges
- sibling reactions
- living with uncertainty
- others just don’t understand: the role of empathy and connectedness
- self-awe: “no time for me”
- doing versus being a family
- role restrictions and expansion
- cooperative family-school relationships
In the first series of group discussions, these subjects will be tackled over four consecutive 90-minute sessions, limited to six to eight parents per group, and which will address:
- Week 1: Stress and coping responses / self-care
- Week 2: Family beliefs and practices
- Week 3: Family routines and coping responses
- Week 4: Family relationships and relationships with others
Asked how her groups are different to other support groups in the region, Christine told us, “I think what makes these groups special is that they are something between a seminar/ workshop and an open parent support group or coffee morning. They combine lecture, exercises and discussion. They are dynamic and facilitated by a professional who helps to structure the discussion, to move it forward and to prompt for a better understanding of various themes.”
And who will benefit from these courses? Christine told us “I am targeting all parents who are in need of support. Based on my experience of working with parents in various settings, I support first of all the parents of children who have particular difficulties. I see families of children with a broad range of difficulties and very often children who are on the spectrum (an area of expertise for me).”
She continued, “The number one risk factor for parents (and not only parents of children with special needs) appears to be cumulative stress. Some of the recurring themes are the same for all parents, so I am planning to offer groups for parents of typically developing children as well (i.e., the parents of teens with a particular focus on youth resilience)."
One parent contacted knowitall.ch about her experience of visiting Christine each week for her sons' speech therapy. She told us, "In a word, Christine Breede-Schechter is amazing - as a person and as a speech therapist. Both of my sons saw her weekly for several years each and going to her office was something we all looked forward to. Christine has a way of making everyone feel completely comfortable and at home. She's always happy, friendly, compassionate, kind, supportive and patient. Christine has a huge selection of toys and books that she uses in her sessions which always makes them fun and engaging for the kids. She keeps herself informed of all of the latest research and practices in her field. Christine makes a point of really listening to the parents and to the children she treats. It's obvious that in her practice, she considers the whole child. I will always be grateful to Christine for the work she did with my boys and for the support she offered me as a concerned parent. We all benefited from those weekly sessions and now my boys no longer have speech issues."
The next S.P.E.A.K Parent Discussion Group will be held at the Centre Trampoline on the Quai Ernest-Ansermet and will begin on 1 March and run every Tuesday from 10h30 to 12h or 18h30 to 20h, until 22 March 2016. The course normally costs Fr. 160.- but Christine is offering knowitall.ch readers a special 10% discount on this group. Just mention this article when you make your booking to reserve your place.
Christine has also set up a three-session Personal Best Parent Discussion Group, specifically designed to address the challenges of raising a teenager! There is also a 10% discount on this course, normally priced at Fr. 120.-, for knowitall.ch readers.
Christine Breede-Schechter
Trampoline
Quai Ernest-Ansermet 4
1205 Geneva
078 618 8791
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
www.cbsspeak.com
S.P.E.A.K. parent discussion group!
Dates: Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2016
Time: Mornings, 10:30am -12:00pm, or evenings, 6:30pm-8pm
Cost: 160.- CHF per course (40.-CHF per session/ early registration discount)
Location: Centre Trampoline, Plainpalais (Geneva)
Click here to download the flyer
Personal Best parent discussion group!
Dates: Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 2016
Time: Lunch time, 12:30-2:00pm
Cost: 120.- CHF per course (40.- CHF per session/ early registration discount)
Location: Centre Trampoline, Plainpalais (Geneva)
