Parent Weekly Update 12/9/16

Upcoming Groups For The Week Ahead

We have completed groups for the month for our 8-11 and 11-13 groups (they met only one time). We will be meeting Tuesday as usual for our 6-8 group and on Thursday as usual for our Teen group.

After this upcoming week, there are no more groups or parent meetings until January.

Parent Webinar Wednesday and Parent Meetings This Week

Upcoming Webinar on 12/14

The next Webinar is on 12/14 at 7:30pm. Please see last week's update for the link to sign up and related details.

If you have not registered, click here to do so now. You will receive a notice that your registration is "pending." Once I approve it, you will receive a confirmation (need to do this since I am posting the link on a public blog rather email).

If you have been missing the webinars and haven't watched the recordings, please start viewing so you don't get too far behind. These are the techniques we are using in group. We know from past data and experience, the more involved a family is in learning the techniques we demonstrate and discuss, the greater their child's behavior change.

You access the recordings via the parent portal. You will need to use your email address and your chosen password.

Parent Drop In Meetings This Sunday and Wednesday

I sent out a RSVP survey two weeks ago and again last week.  Presently, 17 families out of 60 have responded. We are expecting about 10 parents for Sunday, Dec 11 and just a few families for Wed, Dec 14. If you have signed up for Fri, Dec 16, see the important message below.

To RSVP for Sunday or Wednesday, please click here.

Parent Meeting for Friday, Dec 16, Canceled

I have been requested to attend an IEP on 12/16 in the morning. Since I never know how long such meetings last, I cannot reschedule the parent meeting for later in the day. You are welcome to attend either of the meetings scheduled for Wednesday early evening and Sunday morning. If neither of those work, I may be able to hold a meeting on Thurs, 12/15. Send me an email, and if I get at least 3 families who are interested, I will hold a meeting. Please state whether you can make 12:30pm-2:30pm or if you would need a morning time (currently I only have the 12:30pm time available, but will see if it's possible to accommodate an earlier time).

Are you Receiving this Email Automatically?

I have been requesting that families sign up for automatic delivery of this weekly update. If you haven't done so, scroll to the bottom of this page and follow the directions to add your email address.

LUNCH Points™: Do you know how it works?

As more families are using the LUNCH Points™program, we are seeing a few things happen that I'd like to address.

1. Please remember, you cannot change the password. If you don't have it, send me an email with the subject line "Password Request." I receive quite a bit of email each day, so that just makes it easier and means I will respond more quickly.
2. A fair number of families are not actually providing their children with a LUNCH Points™ Certificate, rather saying it was "forgotten," or it is being completed just a couple of minutes before that child's group begins. In one of our recent groups, a total of 9 LUNCH Points ™ Certificates were awarded. However, 6 parents forgot to give their children the certificate.
• The purpose of giving the Certificate to your child is to help them practice using their working memory skills, for you to provide them with a compliment using the Certificate as a guide/template, and to increase their level of motivation.
• This requires that the Certificate be given at least several hours prior to group. It's really better to give it at least a few days before their group meets. Doing so gives your child a chance to remember what behavior that caused you to give them the certificate. 
3. In order to help your child have the type of experience our research indicates is more helpful to them, we are planning to stop accepting certificates that are given less than 4 hours prior to group. Since you have two weeks each time to give your child 1 certificate, please try to find a time that isn't right before the group meeting. It will most likely be a more valuable and meaningful experience for your child.

Please contact me if you need information, review or have questions.

And Finally, Did You See the Bonus Webinar (Recorded)?

A couple of weeks ago (actually, in the 11/25 and again in the 12/2 weekly updates), I announced that I had put up a webinar entitled, "Responsible Technology Use." I originally recorded it in August 2015. While I am planning to include elements of this webinar in an upcoming presentation, I thought it would be useful for you to have this information now, especially with the holidays approaching. But, very few of you have viewed it. To find it, go to the Parent Portal under www.lunchgroups.com or just click here.  You'll need your email and password to get in.  Also, I added "chapters" to make it easier to find your way around the video. Hope you find it useful. I will be announcing some new information to help you manage the Internet in your home during a future webinar.

Signing Off

I think that brings us up to date for now. The office will be closed from Dec 19 through New Year's Day. However, we'll be checking in, just not as frequently. I hope you have a wonderful holiday break and find time to relax and enjoy. If there is anything you need regarding the program, please reach out and I'll be happy to assist.