Welcome

TWO SPECIAL WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS

After being overwhelmed by interest in these workshops last year Mark intends to present them again for parents (and teachers) in March, 2012 at Sophia. If you have friends, relatives or acquaintances who may be interested, please pass this website on to them - we are now taking registrations and anticipate that places will fill fast.

Mark Le Messurier is well known as a teacher, counsellor and conference presenter. He is the author of - Teaching Tough Kids, Parenting Tough Kids, Cognitive Behavioural Training: a How-to Guide for Successful Behaviour, Reflections on Dyslexia, STOP and THINK Friendship DVD Package and What's the buzz? A social skills enrichment program for primary students. He is also the architect of the Mentoring Program currently supporting students who need extra care in South Australian Catholic schools. Mark works in schools and in private practice at Fullarton House supporting students he affectionately calls, "THE TOUGH KIDS".

SESSION 1: Parenting, schooling and ADHD

Time: Monday 26^thMarch, 9.30am to noon
Place: At Sophia - 225 Cross Road, Cumberland Park. Sophia is nestled in a tranquil setting, so come along, learn and refresh!
Cost: $60 per person for this session. Light morning tea included. Or, $95 for sessions 1 and 2 with lunch included.

This session is tailored to provide parents with the newest information available to teachers about ADHD. The focus is to understand what causes and drives ADHD, and how best to deal with the tricky behaviours that go with it. So, whether your child has ADHD, has traits, or displays challenging behaviours, come along to a practical morning to learn how to best manage disorganisation, poor concentration, mood swings, and reactive and impulsive behaviours.

There will be opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, talk and meet people to be inspired by.

Session highlights -

• Current FACTS about ADHD, and inattentive ADHD. And, very different realities for girls!
• The 30% ADHD rule of thumb - you have to know this in order to successfully work with ADHD
• Learn what one school did to implement an effective ADHD intervention strategy. Much can be done!
• How much does diet help, and which special programs and experts fix the symptoms?
• Discover simple ideas to manage differently to improve your child's organisation, concentration and behaviour

SESSION 2: Parenting, schooling and Asperger Syndrome

Time: Monday 26^thMarch, 12.30pm to 3pm
Place: At Sophia - 225 Cross Road, Cumberland Park. Sophia is nestled in a tranquil setting, so come along, learn and refresh!
Cost: $60 per person for this session. Light morning tea included. Or, $95 for sessions 1 and 2 with lunch included.

The afternoon session is designed to place a spotlight on Asperger syndrome and to provide parents with the same up-to-date information available to educators in schools. The focus is to understand what causes these 'core processing differences', and how best to manage the associatedemotions, anxieties, inflexibilities andsocial issues. Whether your child has Asperger syndrome, or hassome traits, let's get practical and explore an assortment of real ideas - for school and home - to build socially and emotionally nourishing opportunities for our kids.

There will be opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, talk and meet people to be inspired by.

Session highlights -

• Current FACTS about Asperger syndrome; what it is, how it is diagnosed and what's involved?
• The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders has reached one in 160 Australian children and is rising. Why?
• What sort of support and/or funding can I expect from school? Is my current school the best placement?
• Learn how to 'rock the boat' to build out your child's flexibilities
• A unique opportunity to understand more, feel empowered and manage more effectively

REGISTER EARLY - only 30 places for each workshop

You may register for one workshop - $60 - afternoon or morning tea included
You may register for both workshops - $95 - a full day (sessions 1 and 2) also includes a light lunch
Mark's books, 'Teaching Tough Kids' ($75) and 'Parenting Tough Kids' ($40) will be available to purchase with discount

To register, phone Sharon on 8332 0698 or email Mark - mark@marklemessurier.com.au

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This website

This website is inspired by the wisdom of educators and parents I have worked alongside over the years.

It celebrates the real heroes in education; the teachers who dig deep everyday to inspire and regenerate the spirit within kids so they can stay connected to school, to learning and to their dreams. Those who enjoy being with students, who value forging relationships with them and see potential in young people. Who know how precious it is to nurture their developing spirit. You have awakened me to how fortunate I am to be part of an exceptional profession who strive to make a difference for kids. Your enthusiasm is responsible for mine.

You have also lead me to see that sometimes the best we can do is to provide a soft place for our "tough kids"™ to fall. These are the kids whose lives are compromised by the unpredictability of their temperament or by the capricious nature of their home lives. As a result, they find life much tougher than most and make life tougher for those who care for them and educate them. They do in fact comprise a worrying and growing population of students. At times school is the only place they receive security, consistent care and hear the kinds of messages kids need to receive. Here, something much bigger is at stake; as we get our thinking and practice right with the "tough kids"™ we will reach many more kids, and schools will become better places for everyone.

My work has also immersed me in the lives of countless families whose children learn and behave differently. You have shared with me many ideas to cleverly manage the challenging behaviours of children and adolescents, despite it being 'tough going'. Your persistence and resourceful initiatives are also responsible for the information and sparkling ideas contained within the website.

I, along with many others, see that young people who make it from difficult situations have often had just one significant adult outside of the family take a steady, empathic interest in them. From the moment they connected with their mentor, changes in their thinking, optimism and cooperation unfolded. There is now a growing awareness that mentoring is a stabilising and revitalising treatment for individuals battling a variety of issues.