OMS School Counseling Newsletter

Consisting of two parts, the first told by Andrew, a child with Inattentive-type ADHD, and the second by his mother and education, Kristin Wilcox, Ph.D., this book provides unique insights into ADHD behaviors and suggests highly pragmatic and successfully implemented coping mechanisms for children with ADHD and their parents (with implications for educators and others who work with children with ADHD).

Andrew thoughtfully and in detail describes the “thinking” behind his behavior — his reactions to everyday and school-related situations and his interpretation of the words of the significant adults in his life. Kristin adds some facts from the literature on ADHD at the end of each of Andrew’s chapters.

Kristin, in her chapters, discusses the significance of various aspects of ADHD and the theory and practices of the education and medical professions related to them, distinguishing Inattentive-type ADHD from other forms. Two helpful appendices include a means for parents to “diagnose” ADHD and a list of resources for parents with children with ADHD.

As parents and caregivers you have a front row seat to the ups and downs experienced by your kids and teens. All children have moments of stress, sadness, anger, anxiety (and more) on their journey from childhood, through adolescence and into adulthood. When are emotions and behaviors developmentally appropriate for your child? And at what point are they an indication that perhaps your child is experiencing a mental health issue?

Join Cartwheel and Marcus Cherry, Ph.D. to learn when you might consider seeking mental health support for your child, plus tips for how to go about finding a mental health professional.

Can't make it? Register and we will be sure to email you a recording of the session.

Free Webinar for Parents, Caregivers, and School Staff

When and how to seek mental health support for your kid or teen

Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. ET

REGISTRATION LINK HERE

Parenting in the Context of Anxiety: What Parents Need to Know to Support their Children and Themselves
Meredith Elkins, Ph.D.

Learning objectives:
Presenter will provide brief education on childhood anxiety disorders, the association between parent and child anxiety, the role of parental accomodation in maintaining anxiety and practical strategies parents can use to help support their child

January 17, 2024

9:00-10:00 AM

Join by this zoom link

The week of January 22nd-25th we will be participating in The Great Kindness Challenge. This challenge started 13 years ago with just three schools and now 40,000 schools across the world participate. This year’s theme is Create Kindness! This week is devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible! Students will receive a Great Kindness Checklist to challenge themselves. Students will also be able to engage in an activity with the counseling department in the lobby that week to pledge to do kind acts.

The Dan Kelly Foundation

Financial assistance for youth sports. (DK4) is committed to helping kids thrive by providing athletic opportunities for children of all ages, skill levels, and diverse backgrounds. We believe that sports can harness the power in kids by building character and confidence, teaching perseverance and teamwork, which ultimately fosters the development of skills needed for responsible citizenship

Sanborn Foundation

Financial assistance for Arlington residents living with cancer

Circle Camp is a summer camp program for female identifying kids 9-14yo who have experienced the death of a parent

Parent Support through PPAL (Parent/Professional Advocacy League) They offer workshops on a range of topics from navigating your child's IEP, to active parenting. The also have a series in Spanish.

Winter Brochures

Arlington Center for the Arts

Arlington Recreation Department

Arlington Boys and Girls Club

Fidelity House Fall Program

Massachusetts Launched a new Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) to serve as an entry point for timely, high-quality and evidence-based treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including routine appointments, urgent visits, and 24/7 community-based crisis intervention as an alternative to hospital emergency departments. CBHCs receive enhanced state funding through alternative payment models to support flexible, person-centered treatment.

Community Supports (Food, Mental Health, Housing, etc.)

Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Events

McLean Child OP Services has immediate openings for teens. Here is their December Newsletter. Their Group and Bridge services are insurance based, while their Anxiety Mastery Program and DBT Program are hybrid insurance and fee for service

Cartwheel Care

Services are available to all Arlington Public Schools students and families.

Services are virtual and include short-term individual and group therapy, parent/caregiver

consultation. Following an initial session, additional services may include medication evaluation

and prescription, and longer-term outpatient referral support.

Referrals to Cartwheel Care go through your student’s school counselor

Parent Support Groups are offered through Child Therapy Boston.

Their therapists understand the unique position that parents are in. Parenting kids with anxiety, dysregulation, ADHD, Mood Disorders, and challenges with school or peer relationships can be hard. Traditional advice, books, and parenting “methods” don’t always apply to the unique situations you might find yourselves in.

Minuteman High School is accepting application for current 8th grade students. The link to apply is here. Interviews should be scheduled by February 15th.

If your child is applying to a private high school please see the guidelines listed on our website.