About the Talk:

Children who are highly sensitive by nature are wired to register their feelings and experiences in the world more deeply than other kids—both emotionally and from a sensory perspective. This means they get triggered into stress-mode more quickly than other children. They get overwhelmed and feel out of control of their big emotions and big reactions to sensory experiences which translates into more frequent and intense meltdowns and more difficulty coping with life’s inevitable challenges. This workshop will provide insight into the meaning of the behavior of highly sensitive kids and what parents can do to celebrate and support them. The talk will address:

• Key attributes of highly sensitive children
• Case studies of typical challenges that arise with highly sensitive kids
• Strategies for helping children cope with their big emotions, adapt to new situations, manage frustration, and the need to be perfect.   

About the Presenter:

Claire Lerner, MSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and child development specialist. She served as the Director of Parenting Resources at ZERO TO THREE for more than eighteen years. Claire has been a practicing clinician for over thirty years, partnering with parents to decode their children’s behavior and solve their most vexing childrearing challenges. She also provides training to local preschools and pediatric residents. Claire is the author of hundreds of parenting resources, including books, blogs, podcasts, and videos. She is an advisor to Little Otter Health, a pediatric mental health company. She writes a column for PBS Kids, and her work has been published by several parenting publications. She has also served as a content expert for numerous national daily newspapers.