Exceptional Parenting

A  6-Week Coaching Program & Community for Parents

Group of adults smiling and waving over Zoom

Does any of this sound familiar to you? 

  • Your child is having a hard time…

    • Learning to read or reading fluently

    • Making friends

    • Memorizing their math facts

    • Getting “in the game” at recess

    • Figuring out what to write, then writing it

    • Turning in homework on time

    • Remembering how to spell words

    • Staying organized 

…but you’re not sure whether it’s a phase or if you should be concerned.

  • You’ve heard terms like “dyslexia,” “ADHD,” “executive function,” “gifted,” or “twice exceptional/2e” tossed around, and are worried that your child will be labeled. 

  • You need to communicate about your child’s needs with their teachers, but don’t know the best way to do so. 

  • You know your family needs more help, but you’re not sure who to turn to first. 

Welcome to Exceptional Parenting, a six-week coaching program and community for parents (and guardians!) of all kinds of learners.

“She is kind, compassionate, smart, and understands that people are all individuals with their own needs/strengths/weaknesses. She works with that information to support kids, and their parents, in getting the most out of their education.”
— Kristin W., Parent
“She created a learning environment that was positive, fun, and memorable.”
— Tod H., Parent

Hi, I’m Melissa, an educational therapist and parenting coach based in San Francisco. I went into private practice after 20 years of teaching, dual master’s degrees in Child Development and Education, and certification as an Educational Therapist (ET/P). Whether performing psychoeducational evaluations, coaching parents through a tricky situation at home, helping families navigate the world of learning differences, or running super-fun improv-based social skills groups, I am here for one reason: to support exceptional learners and their families.

In Exceptional Parenting, you’ll move through six modules: one per week for six weeks. We’ll meet for one hour a week and I’ll present on that week’s topic, then have some time for discussion and questions (that’s the best part!). You are welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with your cohort; this is a place for everyone to come and learn together. 

We’ll cover topics like:

Module 1: Child Development in the Preschool and School-Aged Years

Module 2: Learning Styles, Learning Differences, and Neurodivergence 101 

Module 3: Learning Journeys - How Your Learning and Your Child Are Connected

Module 4: Effective Parent-Teacher Communication 

Module 5: Who Is On Your Team? - How to Find the Right Specialists, Therapists, Doctors, Tutors, 

Module 6: Crystal Ball: What the Future Can Hold

At the end of 6 weeks, you will:

  • Be informed about the basics of child development and learning styles

  • Be empowered to communicate effectively with your child’s teachers and school

  • Be armed with resources for further supporting your child 

  • Be ready to be a meaningful voice in your child’s education 

You will also:

  • Find a warm, non-judgmental community of parents and guardians with a huge range of experiences

  • Reflect on your own learning journey

  • Gain new appreciation for your child’s strengths and capabilities

  • A: Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 pm starting Jul 13, 2022, with recorded replay on demand

    Cost: $1200, with several payment options available

  • Yes! I may post additional videos as well, but our calls will be live (over Zoom).

  • No problem! All calls are recorded and shared (privately) with your cohort. You’ll be able to access them for future reference, too.

  • A: All ages can benefit, though we’ll be spending the largest amount of time on the early childhood and elementary years. When there is a large age range, we try to create two cohorts to address needs more individually.

  • A: If you’re mainly looking for resources around autism, although we will touch on that and other types of neurodivergence, there are other online programs and communities that are going to better fit your needs. Some of my favorites are:

    • Stanford University’s Autism Center

    • Parent Child Journey by Dr. Dan Shapiro; also available in Spanish

    • The Parenting Collaborative by the Behavior Revolution

  • A: Each week for six weeks, we’ll have a one-hour Zoom call with a dedicated topic (see the Modules section for more details). This call will include a short presentation as well as discussion and Q&A time, and you’ll get the most out of the course if you’re available for as many of these as possible. (And if you have to miss one, no worries - we’ll be recording and sharing each one with you too).

    Beyond that, you determine how much time you can spend! I have additional resources for each module, in the form of articles, podcasts, videos, books, and websites; engage with as many or as few as you’d like. They’ll be available to you once the course is over, too, so you can always circle back and check them out.

  • A: Your presence is still valuable, and you may end up having advice that benefits other parents! In between each meeting, you’ll have access to me by email and chat to ask questions or give feedback. That way, if you don’t feel comfortable talking in front of the group, you can still participate in a way that works for you.

More questions? Get in touch with me at melissa@cognitionsf.com

Ready to apply for the next cohort?