From Worrier to Warrior: How to Help Your Gifted/2e Child Conquer Fear

Presenter: Dan Peters, PhD

Worry, fear, and anxiety are common, yet often quiet “monsters” which have significant negative effects on a child’s academic achievement, social and emotional functioning, and self-esteem. Due to their various sensitivities and advanced thinking, gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) children are often vulnerable to, and impacted by, anxiety.

Participants will learn:

• The components of the brain and body responsible for the fear and relaxation response
• the characteristics of gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) youth that make them more susceptible to anxiety 
• to identify symptoms and behaviors associated with different types of anxiety
• the role of thinking in determining emotions and behavior
• cognitive (thinking) and behavioral (doing) strategies for managing and overcoming anxiety 
• to develop creative anxiety reduction and management plans for children and students.

We will turn Worriers into Warriors!