“Someone is waiting for you to be their ‘Hope Dealer,’ an audacious and fearless champion for children.” - Hasan Davis, Written Off. Are you a hope dealer? Do you hand out life chances for the kids you encounter, the kids in your classroom, or your own kids at home? You may be wondering what a hope dealer is or what it even means to be a hope dealer. If you want to learn more about ways you can make aRead more

As the mom of a daughter with pretty significant disabilities, the holidays have always been challenging. We’d go to see Santa and take the annual picture. Positioning her on his lap took some time, wiping any drool away and maybe even getting her to smile meant we had to find the really patient Santa and go when there wasn’t a whole line of other kids waiting. I knew exactly which mall had that good Santa. She wasn’t verbal, so atRead more

In an ideal world, teens would seek their parents’ advice and comfort during troubling times. But, we know that’s not always the case. Parents are often the last people teenagers want to talk to when they’re stressed. And, even if they appear to be adjusting well, teenagers are likely being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This may be the first substantial crisis of their lifetime, and it is altering typical adolescent experiences such as playing sports or attending group activities.Read more

While the days are long and hot, the beginning of the school year is just around the corner! As exciting as the beginning of the year is, it can also be stressful for both parents and children. Whether you need planning or advocacy advice for transitions, tips and tricks for behavior, or information about IEPs, PEAK is here to help! From planning for smooth transitions between grades or schools to navigating the IEP, PEAK is offering a handful of FREERead more

An Interview by Alison Baird This time of year brings many calls to our parent advisor line at PEAK. The vast majority of issues are on one topic: behavior. Today we bring you an interview with Parent Advisor Shirley Swope on what happens after the excitement of the new school year dies with suggestions on how you can best support your child or student. What is the honeymoon period in schools? “In education, the honeymoon period begins when school startsRead more