Connecting for Kids

By Connecting for Kids

What's Connecting for Kids about?

Connecting for Kids provides resources, support and community to families in Northeast Ohio who have concerns about their child. We serve all families, including those children with and without diagnoses.

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Connecting for Kids episodes:

05.06.2024
Episode 116: Less Screaming and More Talking: Discipline in 2024 - for Black American Caregivers
Are you a Black American caregiver who needs help learning new and supportive ways to provide discipline for your child? Join Anna Jones, LISW-S, of Cleveland State University and Up the Steps, and learn: Generational differences that make discipline difficultHistory of...
03.07.2024
Episode 115: Social Skills for the Neurodivergent Child
How can you build social skills that honor the unique neurodiversity of your child? What are some of the common mistakes parents make when trying to teach social skills to an elementary-aged (6- 12) child with ADHD, anxiety or autism?...
02.09.2024
Episode 114: Conquer the Chaos: Empowering Families with Executive Function Coaching
Do you find yourself in a never-ending struggle with your child over homework, chores and daily routines? Maybe you feel like you've tried everything and you could really use more support. Join Katie Greenleaf, MA, LPCC, of Anchored Unbound Counseling, Coaching...
02.02.2024
Episode 113: Behavior Chat: Special Sensory Edition
Does your child struggle with behavior when they become overwhelmed or overstimulated? Join Christine Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First, LLC, for a special edition of Behavior Chat, where you will learn what a sensory bucket is and some tools...
12.22.2023
Episode 112: Engaging Children Who Need Support in Literacy Activities
In this podcast, designed for librarians and library staff, Kathy Nash, MEd., of Connecting for Kids, explains how to use movement, touch and sound to engage children who may otherwise have trouble participating in literacy activities. Throughout the podcast, Nash...
12.13.2023
Episode 111: Co-Regulation is Your Superpower
Do you find it hard to stay calm when your child is having a meltdown? Do you wonder how big emotions in the home affect you and your child? Do you wish you had a superpower that could keep everyone...
11.17.2023
Episode 110: IEPs, 504s and ETRs
What is the difference between an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 plan? How do you request an evaluation if you suspect your child could use some additional support? What is an Evaluation Team Report (ETR)? Navigating the world of...
11.14.2023
Episode 109: Potty Training with Complex Needs
Are you concerned because your child is not potty trained? Are you frustrated and could use some training tips from a professional? Join Nikki Rotshtein, OTR/L, of Galvin Therapy Services, who will discuss the challenges of potty training. This program...
11.06.2023
Episode 108: Medication Management
How do I know if my child needs medication? What side effects can we expect? Will their personality change? If your child has an autism spectrum disorder or a mental health condition such as ADHD, anxiety or depression, you may...
05.09.2023
Episode 107: Overscheduled & Stressed
Do you spend a good part of your day in the car driving between activities? How can you tell if your child is overscheduled? Join Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Barlow & Adams Behavioral Health, as she discusses how to know...
05.03.2023
Episode 106: Sleep Solutions
Is sleep an issue in your home? Do you want some tips so everyone can get a better night’s rest? Join Bridget Bowling and Lauren Fegely, certified Family Sleep Institute Pediatric Sleep Consultants from Little Snoozers. The two discuss bedtimes,...
03.17.2023
Episode 105: Mental Health 101
Is your child showing signs of anxiety, depression or another mental health concern? Do you need help finding a local mental health care provider? Join Karla Fitch, SWT, as she introduces CFK's tools for finding a mental health provider. Topics...
02.24.2023
Episode 104: Building Self-Confidence with ADHD
Does your child have a negative self-image? Do you want to find ways to build self-confidence? Low self-esteem is common in children who are diagnosed with ADHD. Many times, these children are punished, teased and corrected on a daily basis....
11.10.2022
Episode 103: The Gender Spectrum
Has your child asked to go by new pronouns, but you're not sure what that means? Are you unsure of the difference between gender identity and gender expression? Join this interactive presentation with Kristen Pepera, MEd, LPCC-S, and Lisa Pepera,...
09.26.2022
Episode 102: Easing Anxiety in Social Situations
Does your child struggle to make friends or engage in social activities? Do lunch, gym and recess create more anxiety than fun in your child’s school day? If so, join Amy L. Lee, PhD, and Rebekah Bryson, LISW, of Cleveland...
04.20.2022
Episode 101: Disability Series: What You Say and Do Matter
Have you wondered about the “right way” to talk about your child’s disability? Do you want to learn ways to affirm your disabled child’s identity? Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, for a conversation about things you can do and language to...
04.18.2022
Episode 100: Coping with Cancer, COVID and Other Illnesses
You just found out a loved one is sick, what do you tell your child? What type of support can you as the parent or caregiver provide? Erin Rafter, PhD, CCLS, of The Gathering Place, will discuss developmentally-appropriate reactions children...
03.26.2022
Episode 99: Complex Trauma and PTSD for Families of Children with Complex Needs
Do you feel like you are always in crisis mode? Are you dealing with chronic stress, hypervigilance or burnout? All of these may be signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Parents and caregivers of medically complex children are four times...
03.09.2022
Episode 98: 10 Tips to Help Your High Achiever Manage Emotions
Is your child ahead of peers academically but struggling to control impulses? Are you looking to connect with families of other gifted or 2e students? Join Christine Chambers, MEd, OTR/L, of Abilities First LLC, as she provides 10 tips to...
02.04.2022
Episode 97: Anxiety and Attention Series: Academic Anxiety
Does your child get an upset stomach the morning of a big test? Does the thought of being called on to read aloud in class terrify your child? Are math struggles causing worry? Join John Zbornik, PhD, of Kenneth A....
11.22.2021
Episode 96: Social Series: Wrapping up Social Skills for the Holidays
Does your child have a difficult time attending holiday functions? Could you use some tips to make the upcoming holiday season better for your child? The holidays are a fun and exciting time but can also become overwhelming and confusing...
11.19.2021
Episode 95: Addressing COVID Behaviors
Is your child struggling to transition back to a more normal routine? Are you finding that your child is now fearful of others after being told to stay six feet apart for so many months? Is your child too attached...
11.15.2021
Episode 94: Help! My Young Child Doesn't Listen
How can you help your young child become a better listener and make sense of what they are hearing? Children may hear us, but are they really listening to and understanding what we are saying? Join CFK Early Intervention professionals...
10.18.2021
Episode 93: “Handy” Activities for Young Children
Do you want to learn some fun "hands-on" activities to help your child master the use of scissors and pencils? Do you want to learn how hands and eyes work together to build fine motor skills necessary for school? Join...
06.11.2021
Episode 92: Five Things Transracial Families Need to Know to Thrive
Do you have a beautiful family that was formed through transracial adoption? Are you looking for ways for your child to form a strong racial identity as well as a strong family bond? Join Krysia Orlowski, Volunteer Parent Coordinator, and...
05.17.2021
Episode 91: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 5: Visual Schedules
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one...
05.12.2021
Episode 90: Anxiety and Attention Series: Helping the Child who Struggles with Anxiety
Has this pandemic increased the anxiety level of your child? Is mask wearing, social distancing and all of the new restrictions creating stress? Or has your child always been anxious and you are eager to learn some new strategies to...
05.12.2021
Episode 89: Anxiety and Attention Series: Helping the Child who Struggles with Transition
Long summer days, no homework and a break from the routine. Even though your elementary-aged child may be looking forward to summer, the transition from the structure of school can be a rocky one. Join Rob Adams, PsyD, a licensed...
05.04.2021
Episode 88: Anxiety and Attention Series: Helping the Child Who Struggles with Impulsivity
Is your child struggling with pandemic-related anxiety? Is time at home during quarantine increasing your child’s impulsivity? Join Dr. Kimberly Burkhart of Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital as she teaches behavior management strategies. In addition, parents and caregivers will learn...
04.30.2021
Episode 87: 5 Ways Black Mothers Can Deal with Racism in Healthcare and Education Systems
Racism has a negative effect on the well-being of non-white children and their caregivers. To help protect your child from the harmful effects of racial trauma, you must know what the roadblocks are and how to work through them. Join...
04.30.2021
Episode 86: Social Series: Friendship 411
All parents worry about their children’s friendships. But for parents of children who lack social skills the concerns are especially pressing. Making and keeping friends requires hundreds of skills and it is easy for a child who struggles to fall...
04.30.2021
Episode 85: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 4: Emotional Regulation Tools
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one...
04.05.2021
Episode 84: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 3: Behavior Reward Chart
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one...
03.15.2021
Episode 83: Serie de Comportamiento: “Kit de Primeros Auxilios” para el Comportamiento
¿Te gustaría tener un kit, listo para usar, lleno de herramientas que puedes usar para ayudar con los problemas de comportamiento? Únete con Abi Mendez, M.A. CCC-SLP patóloga del habla y lenguaje bilingüe de MetroHealth, para aprender a usar horarios...
02.18.2021
Episode 82: How to Apply for Grants and Other Funds
Would you like to apply for funds to help with your child’s expenses but aren’t sure where to begin? How do you even determine which funding sources you are qualified to receive? Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, of Connecting for Kids...
02.17.2021
Episode 81: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 2: ABC Checklist
Join Ochanya Wells, M.Ed., Director of Quality Assurance and Community Engagement at STEPS Educational Group, as she leads you through another tool in the Tantrum Tamer Toolbox - the ABC Checklist to manage behavior at home as well as to...
02.06.2021
Episode 79: Social Series: Assessing and Reacting to Problems
Problems come in all different shapes and sizes and can range from a small “glitch” to a huge catastrophe! As social thinkers, it is not only important to rate our problems but also to match our reaction to them in...
02.05.2021
Episode 78: Five Things Families Can Do to Foster Relationships Between Children who Struggle and Typically Developing Siblings
Do you wish your children had a close bond? Is it difficult for your typically developing child to interact with your child who struggles? Join local pediatrician, Dr. Alaka Chandurkar, and licensed clinical psychologist, Heather Dukes-Murray, Ph.D., of Meghan Barlow...
02.05.2021
Episode 77: Social Series: Using Your Social Filter
Does your child often say things that are either inappropriate or hurtful to someone’s feelings? Deciding what is OK to say or not say in a social situation can be tricky. Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC,...
01.30.2021
Episode 76: Anxiety and Attention Series: Electronic Addiction and Distance Learning
Are there ways to stop your child from toggling between games and classwork when they are distance learning? Should you limit screen time when it’s your child’s only way to connect with friends? Jay Berk, PhD, psychologist, author, and international...
01.20.2021
Episode 75: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 1: Tantrum Tamer Toolbox Overview
Do you wish you had a kit filled with “tools” you could use to stop meltdowns before they start? Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Join us each month to learn how to use one...
01.17.2021
Episode 74: Ask Us! How to Find a Mental Health Provider
The ongoing stress and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic can wear anyone down, but children may have an especially tough time coping emotionally. Do you see signs of stress and struggle in your child? Finding the right mental health...
11.20.2020
Episode 73: Developmental Milestones - How To Know If Your Child Is Behind and What To Do About It
Did you know recent statistics indicate that as many as 1 in 4 young children can be at risk for developmental, behavioral or social delays? Are you concerned that your child's development may be behind? Join Morgan O'Leary, an outreach...
10.28.2020
Stop Accommodating and Start Addressing Your Child’s Anxiety
Does your child struggle with anxiety? Have you found yourself accommodating anxious behavior? Maybe you are not inviting friends over if your child has social anxiety or repeatedly answering the calls of a child with separation anxiety. In some cases,...
10.12.2020
How to Communicate Effectively with the School
What are some ways you can improve communication with your child’s school? How can you more effectively ask for support? Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, of Connecting for Kids as she teaches families how to create and use a communications binder....
09.28.2020
Manejo de Crisis en los Niños
Ven y escucha a Citlali Conley, COTA/L, de Abilities First, LLC, quien nos compartirá maneras para disminuir la frecuencia y la intensidad de las crisis en niños pequeños y preescolares. Aprende ideas para saber cómo preparar a tu hijo(a) y...
08.13.2020
Helping Your Anxious Child Prepare for School
The COVID-19 pandemic has created anxiety in many of our children. Whether it's masks, social distancing or disrupted routines, the uncertainty of school this fall is only adding to this stress. What can you do? How can you help your...
06.18.2020
Staying Sane with the Little Ones at Home - Summer Check In
We've had a few weeks off from virtual school and the kids have had time to be wild and untamed. Early intervention professionals Neysa McKenney, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Kathy Nash, M.Ed., will discuss the importance of routines and setting expectations...
05.06.2020
Defiant and Difficult Behavior at Home
Do you have a child who is more difficult, argumentative or disrespectful? Is it a struggle to get her to comply with the rules or to complete school work? Is his temper and moodiness affecting your entire family especially as...
05.01.2020
Implementing ABA at Home
With schools and therapist offices closed and behavior analysts not doing home visits during this pandemic, have you suddenly been tasked with implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at home? If so, what do you need to know? Join Ken Dix,...

What's Connecting for Kids about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Connecting for Kids episodes:

Episode 116: Less Screaming and More Talking: Discipline in 2024 - for Black American Caregivers

Episode 115: Social Skills for the Neurodivergent Child

Episode 114: Conquer the Chaos: Empowering Families with Executive Function Coaching

Episode 113: Behavior Chat: Special Sensory Edition

Episode 112: Engaging Children Who Need Support in Literacy Activities

Episode 111: Co-Regulation is Your Superpower

Episode 110: IEPs, 504s and ETRs

Episode 109: Potty Training with Complex Needs

Episode 108: Medication Management

Episode 107: Overscheduled & Stressed

Episode 106: Sleep Solutions

Episode 105: Mental Health 101

Episode 104: Building Self-Confidence with ADHD

Episode 103: The Gender Spectrum

Episode 102: Easing Anxiety in Social Situations

Episode 101: Disability Series: What You Say and Do Matter

Episode 100: Coping with Cancer, COVID and Other Illnesses

Episode 99: Complex Trauma and PTSD for Families of Children with Complex Needs

Episode 98: 10 Tips to Help Your High Achiever Manage Emotions

Episode 97: Anxiety and Attention Series: Academic Anxiety

Episode 96: Social Series: Wrapping up Social Skills for the Holidays

Episode 95: Addressing COVID Behaviors

Episode 94: Help! My Young Child Doesn't Listen

Episode 93: “Handy” Activities for Young Children

Episode 92: Five Things Transracial Families Need to Know to Thrive

Episode 91: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 5: Visual Schedules

Episode 90: Anxiety and Attention Series: Helping the Child who Struggles with Anxiety

Episode 89: Anxiety and Attention Series: Helping the Child who Struggles with Transition

Episode 88: Anxiety and Attention Series: Helping the Child Who Struggles with Impulsivity

Episode 87: 5 Ways Black Mothers Can Deal with Racism in Healthcare and Education Systems

Episode 86: Social Series: Friendship 411

Episode 85: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 4: Emotional Regulation Tools

Episode 84: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 3: Behavior Reward Chart

Episode 83: Serie de Comportamiento: “Kit de Primeros Auxilios” para el Comportamiento

Episode 82: How to Apply for Grants and Other Funds

Episode 81: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 2: ABC Checklist

Episode 79: Social Series: Assessing and Reacting to Problems

Episode 78: Five Things Families Can Do to Foster Relationships Between Children who Struggle and Typically Developing Siblings

Episode 77: Social Series: Using Your Social Filter

Episode 76: Anxiety and Attention Series: Electronic Addiction and Distance Learning

Episode 75: Stop the Meltdown Before it Starts! Part 1: Tantrum Tamer Toolbox Overview

Episode 74: Ask Us! How to Find a Mental Health Provider

Episode 73: Developmental Milestones - How To Know If Your Child Is Behind and What To Do About It

Stop Accommodating and Start Addressing Your Child’s Anxiety

How to Communicate Effectively with the School

Manejo de Crisis en los Niños

Helping Your Anxious Child Prepare for School

Staying Sane with the Little Ones at Home - Summer Check In

Defiant and Difficult Behavior at Home

Implementing ABA at Home

Other shows like Connecting for Kids: