GHF Live Events

It All Happens in the GHF Forum!

GHF wants to ensure that we reach and serve as many gifted and 2e families as possible, which is why we have a free level of membership, the GHF Community Membership, that grants, among other benefits, access to all of our live programming. 


Recent Past Events. Miss it? Upgrade to Friends!

11/02/24 GHF Conversations: Gifted Intensity - Positive Disintegration & PDA with Chris Wells, PhD; Marna Wohlfeld, MA & Marni Kammersell, MA

For those who are new to our quarterly mini-conference platform, GHF Conversations is a half-day of topic-driven programming featuring two expert presenters, each of whom are followed by facilitated conversation sessions with and for our thoughtful and engaging community of educators and parents. We warmly invite you to log in and participate as much or as little as you’re comfortable, but rest assured that you’re among people who understand and care.

Session One: 8-9:30am PT / 11-12:30pm ET

Chris Wells, PhD presents: Embracing Growth: The Power of Positive Disintegration

In this engaging session, we will explore the theory of positive disintegration and its modern relevance and application in the gifted. Designed for homeschool families, this talk will delve into how the emotional and intellectual challenges often faced by gifted individuals can serve as catalysts for personal growth and deeper self-understanding. We’ll discuss the different types of development Dabrowski put forth, the role of emotional intensity, and strategies for supporting children through their unique journeys. Join us to discover how embracing disintegration can lead to extraordinary transformation and empower parents and young people to thrive in their personal growth and educational pursuits.

Chris Wells, PhD, is a dedicated advocate for neurodivergent individuals, drawing on personal experience and a deep understanding of Dąbrowski's theory of positive disintegration. As a writer, guide, and committed Dąbrowski scholar, Chris explores how this transformative theory can contribute to personal growth and a deeper understanding of giftedness and neurodivergence. They serve as the founding president of the Dąbrowski Center and co-host the Positive Disintegration Podcast, where they aim to make this complex theory more accessible and relevant to everyday life. Chris writes for the Positive Disintegration newsletter on Substack, sharing insights that blend professional expertise with lived experience.

 

https://dabrowskicenter.org/

https://www.positivedisintegration.org/listen/pod

https://www.positivedisintegration.org/

 

Session Two: 9:45-11:15am PT / 12:45-2:15pm ET

Marni Kammersell, MA and Marna Wohlfeld, MA present: PDA - Pathological Demand Avoidance? Persistent Drive for Autonomy!

Come learn how to successfully support gifted learners with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), characterized by an anxiety-driven need for control, and resistance to everyday demands. 2e doctoral candidates Marni and Marna draw upon the academic literature and insights from educators and adults with PDA, alongside their own experiences as parents of gifted PDA youth, to discuss the top 10 best practices for cooperating with gifted PDAers, including: using a low-demand approach, declarative versus imperative language, employing novelty, co-regulation of the nervous system on the part of an emotionally attuned adult, and a lot of choice and flexibility. Once there is an understanding of how to meet PDA learners where they are and recognize that refusal is generally a “can’t, not won’t” for this population, support strategies can be implemented.

Marni Kammersell, M.A., (she/her) is a neurodivergent parent to three neurodivergent, twice-exceptional children. She is passionate about supporting parents and families in understanding and embracing neurodivergence. Marni has over 15 years of experience in alternative education and is currently a doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. She specializes in helping families create neuro-affirming, liberatory educational cultures. You can find her at:  www.wanderingbrightly.com

Marna Wohlfeld, M.A., is a dedicated mom of four and a doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in Education. Passionate about supporting twice-exceptional (2e) kids and their families, Marna focuses on leveraging their strengths and interests to create environments where they can truly thrive. Marna serves as GHF’s Board Vice President, Director of Press, and is the Editor of the monthly GHF Journey. She is a trained SENG group facilitator with a Level 1 training certificate from PDA North America. Contact Marna at marna.wohlfeld@ghflearners.org

06/07-5 /24 4th Annual Gifted Home Ed Conference w Dan Peters, Paula Prober, Austina De Bonte, Sharon Duncan, Barry Gelston, Maria Kennedy, Heidi Lack, Sam Young, & more

Welcome to the 4th annual Gifted Home Education Conference, “Come As You Are: Reframe. Recenter. Reflect.” Pared down, informal and substantive, with plenty of discussion, this year’s three days of “filling our cup” earns instant RE-watch status.

05/09/24 • GHF Parent Group & GHF Virtual Co-Op Back-to-Back Q&A with Directors Dr. Lin Lim & Lisa Jobe

In Session One, GHF Families Director Dr. Lin Lim fields questions about the 2e parenting study that will serve as a pilot for GHF’s potential parenting development program. Led by Lim and Gayle Bentley, Ed.D. of The Bentley Center, participating parents are guided through nine weekly sessions that are designed to empower through a strengths-based lens. Then, in Session Two, GHF Co-Op Director Lisa Job shares first-year successes (32 families, unique courses, social hangouts, docent-led virtual field trips to the Smithsonian!) answers questions, and invites you to join for Fall 2024.

02/24/24 • GHF Conversations: Calm, Regulation & Self Care with Paula Prober, and Dr. Heidi Lack & Dr. Gail Post

In Session One, Your Rainforest Mind author and writer Paula Prober points you toward greater self-understanding and acceptance of your complexities so that you recognize the necessity and benefits of self-care and begin to find your particular path to inner and outer resources. In Session Two, Dr. Gail Post and Dr. Heidi Lack guided gifted parents through the “twists and turns en route to ‘the center,’ where we can, if we recognize it, rest and renew.” Due to the vulnerable, intimate nature of this session, it was not recorded.

9/23/23 GHF Conversations: Enrichment Opportunities for Gifted & 2e with Carol Malueg, MA, GCT 2e, and Suki Wessling

In Session One, GHF Board Director Carol Malueg shares her wealth of knowledge about finding great-fit enrichment and social opportunities for gifted and 2e kids who aren’t getting these needs adequately met in school. Then, in Session Two, gifted-kid pied piper and enrichment expert, Suki Wessling, discusses how transformative quality online enrichment pathways can be for homeschooled gifted and 2e kids.

06/03 - 05/23 3rd Annual Gifted Home Ed Conference w Paul Beljan, Austina De Bonte, Julie Skolnick, Jaime Smith, Matt Zakreski & many more

Welcome to the 3rd annual Gifted Home Education Conference, “Come As You Are: Authenticity & Acceptance” - three edifying days brimming with compassionate gifted community leaders sharing their time and expertise to empower you with what you need to make intentional educational choices for your family. Wear your PJs, take us along to that soccer game, and ditch the background filters, because this year’s theme is Come As You Are: Authenticity and Acceptance!