News & Events
Speaker Series
FlexSchool’s counseling team is thrilled to present this series of LIVE virtual events
for our 2e community of parents and professionals.
Upcoming Events
December 2024
“Crazy Smart” or Just “Crazy?” Is there an Intersection Between Neurodivergence and Serious Mental Illness?
Are all gifted and neurodivergent people one bad day away from a supervillain origin story? Does a glimmer of genius exist in even the most insane? What does insane even mean? When viewed through the lens of modern neuropsychology and broader societal trends, a clear framework emerges that explains why genius and madness have so often been linked together throughout history. While most of the connections are false, there is enough interplay between the realities of being neurodivergent and the expectations of being “crazy” that one can see why the rumor persists after all these years.
Previous Events
November 2024
"Raising Neurodivergent AND Neurotypical Kids"
Learn practical strategies and tools to foster understanding, communication, and emotional balance within your family in this presentation by the Practice of Melissa Sornik, led by FlexSchool counselor Ashley Bove, LMSW.
Ashley Bove is a licensed social worker serving children and adolescents with diverse mental health and educational needs. Ashley is a school counselor at FlexSchool, a school for gifted and twice-exceptional students. Her experience ranges from psychiatric to educational settings. Ashley earned her Master’s in Social Work from New York University.
June 2024
"Nothing About Us Without Us: Three Attorneys With Disabilities Share Their Stories"
Hear the powerful stories of three practicing special education attorneys who have disabilities of their own – autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia. The presenters will share what it was like growing up and going through the education system with disabilities, and how those experiences inform their work today.
May 2024
"The Future of Navigating Digital Spaces"
The Pixel Health team will discuss the importance of understanding the impact of social media and screen time on adolescent physical and mental health, as well as recognizing signs of issues that may necessitate further intervention. They will also introduce new research from experts in the field, and there will be an open forum for live parent Q&A.
April 2024
"Transition Planning For When Your Child Turns 18"
Join Patricia A. Craig, Esq. for a discussion of what happens after your child turns 18. Topics will include Guardianship in New York, Special Needs Trusts, and Estate Planning.
March 2024
March 13, 12:00 p.m. ET
"Ask Dr. Fraser: Kids and Screen Time Live Q&A"
"Ask Dr. Fraser: Kids and Screen Time Live Q&A"
Wondering how much screen time is too much? Ask clinical psychologist Michael Fraser, Ph.D. In this follow-up to his highly popular presentation, Helping Youth Unplug, Dr. Fraser will answer parents' questions about kids and technology in a live virtual Q&A session.
February 2024
"Helping Youth Unplug: Internet, Technology and Screen Addiction”
In this event, licensed clinical psychologist Michael Fraser, Ph.D. will discuss what parents and kids need to know to promote safe, responsible, respectful use of technology.
January 2024
January 10, 2024
"Strategically Supporting Executive Functioning at Home"
We will explore what executive functioning is and why these skills are important to build and practice to enhance planning, organizing, prioritizing, self-regulation, and much more! We will also discuss what EF looks like in the home and how we can strategically support our children in building these skills to become more independent.
"Strategically Supporting Executive Functioning at Home"
We will explore what executive functioning is and why these skills are important to build and practice to enhance planning, organizing, prioritizing, self-regulation, and much more! We will also discuss what EF looks like in the home and how we can strategically support our children in building these skills to become more independent.
November 2023
November 14: Melissa Sornik, LCSW
“Setting Limits and Boundaries with your 2e Child"
A licensed clinician, Melissa has been working with gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) children and their families since 2003, and earned her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University with a specialization in children and families. Melissa is the co-founder of Twice Exceptional Children's Advocacy, Inc., and served as president of the organization from 2002 through 2023. Her private practice specializes in support and services for all kinds of gifted children, including 2e children who are gifted with social, emotional, or academic challenges. Melissa is the executive director of the practice, oversees all programs and services including training and supervision, and works directly with gifted children, adolescents, and adults in a therapeutic capacity.
December 2023
“Working with 2e/LGBTQ+ Youth”
Julia Rutkovsky is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent and twice-exceptional children, adolescents, and their families. She also works closely with the LGBTQ+ population, and is interested in the confluence of those communities. Julia holds a Masters of Social Work from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work, and she holds a number of advanced training certificates, including child & family therapy, CBT, anxiety, meeting the needs of 2e kids, mindfulness, and dialectical behavioral therapy, among others.
October 2023
October 3: Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD: “Trying to Fill the Black Hole: How to Parent a Gifted Child”
Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken over 300 times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids. Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), and Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective.
