Family Retreat Session Descriptions & Speakers

Neurodivergence is extremely common in the gifted student community. Yet the label can feel alienating, frightening, othering. What is 'neurodivergence', anyway? What kinds of community does the neurodivergent world offer families of gifted children? What tools exist to help families navigate the world with their gifted neurodivergent child? What tools do we need to create? Dr. Fink will demystify neurodivergence, using the most up-to-date neuroscientific and social science research. She will offer her own journey as the gifted parent of a gifted neurodivergent child, and provide resources and opportunities for connection.

Dr. Jennifer Natalya Fink: Dr. Jennifer Natalya Fink is a professor of English and co-founder of the Program in Disability Studies at Georgetown University. Dr. Fink is the author of seven award-winning books, including All Our Families: Disability Lineage and the Future of Kinship. She has written about disability lineage and neurodiversity for the New York Times, the Atlantic, Teen Vogue, and many others. An equally committed teacher and researcher, Dr. Fink received the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence and the President's Award for Distinguished Scholar-Teachers. A lifelong learner, she recently completed a certificate from the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis. Dr. Fink is a 2024 recipient of the Fulbright Peer Specialist award, and is currently at work on Neuropsyches: Neurodiversity, Narrativity, and the New Psychoanalysis. First and foremost, Dr. Fink is a mother: the transformative experience of parenting her gifted autistic daughter is the center of her work. Photo by Damith da Silva

Centered on the research explored in her book Fed Up, Gemma Hartley shares how to recognize the mental load and emotional labor that comes with raising an exceptional child. From tireless advocacy work to managing high emotions, there are added challenges that often fall to the default parent in families with highly gifted students. This session will teach participants how to make the invisible visible, as well as co-create plans for managing emotional labor and the mental load.

Gemma Hartley: Gemma Hartley is a freelance journalist, writing coach, and author of Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward and the forthcoming No One Loves An Angry Woman. She has spoken on the topic of emotional labor and the mental load around the world, from corporate conferences to festivals at the Sydney Opera House. She is passionate about creating a more equitable world in which invisible labor is valued and supported by both personal partners and public policy alike. 

Gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) learners often experience the world with heightened intensity and awareness, making them particularly susceptible to today's increasing pressures and rapid changes. Their unique cognitive profiles and emotional sensitivities can amplify both challenges and opportunities in managing mental health. During this session, we'll explore practical strategies tailored to these learners' distinct needs, focusing on how to leverage their strengths while supporting their vulnerabilities. Learn how to recognize early warning signs, foster resilience, and help gifted/2e students process complex emotions while maintaining their characteristic curiosity and drive.

Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC: Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast. She is the author of several books for parents and educators related to the development of children and teens who are neurodivergent and cognitively gifted, including "Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids" and "A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children: A Resource for Caregivers and Advocates." She started her career in education and now works as a mental health counselor in private practice outside of St. Louis, Missouri.

Check back later to see our exciting topics and speaker details soon!

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In the popular imagination, 'gifted' means you're a supergenius who is exceptional at everything. In reality, gifted children often have 'co-morbid' diagnoses, and may have deficits and challenges along with their gifts. In this interactive workshop, we will explore both the blessings and challenges of this doubleness, both for the child and his/her/their family, and in navigating their communities, schools, and social circles. How do we reimagine and redefine giftedness to include the full complexity and humanity of our doubly exceptional children? Dr. Fink will offer her own journey as the twice exceptional parent of a twice exceptional child, and provide resources and opportunities for connection.

Dr. Jennifer Natalya Fink: Dr. Jennifer Natalya Fink is a professor of English and co-founder of the Program in Disability Studies at Georgetown University. Dr. Fink is the author of seven award-winning books, including All Our Families: Disability Lineage and the Future of Kinship. She has written about disability lineage and neurodiversity for the New York Times, the Atlantic, Teen Vogue, and many others. An equally committed teacher and researcher, Dr. Fink received the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence and the President's Award for Distinguished Scholar-Teachers. A lifelong learner, she recently completed a certificate from the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis. Dr. Fink is a 2024 recipient of the Fulbright Peer Specialist award, and is currently at work on Neuropsyches: Neurodiversity, Narrativity, and the New Psychoanalysis. First and foremost, Dr. Fink is a mother: the transformative experience of parenting her gifted autistic daughter is the center of her work. Photo by Damith da Silva

Building on the topics explored in Managing Emotional Labor and the Mental Load, Gemma Hartley will spearhead a discussion on the importance of self-care for parents of highly gifted students. Beyond its importance for mental health and avoiding burnout, participants will learn how to build a foundation of support that creates room for self-care. This session will teach participants strategies for engaging with real self-care and lightening the mental load.

Gemma Hartley: Gemma Hartley is a freelance journalist, writing coach, and author of Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward and the forthcoming No One Loves An Angry Woman. She has spoken on the topic of emotional labor and the mental load around the world, from corporate conferences to festivals at the Sydney Opera House. She is passionate about creating a more equitable world in which invisible labor is valued and supported by both personal partners and public policy alike. 

How do you discuss challenging topics with a child who thinks deeply, feels intensely, and asks complex questions? This session provides parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children with practical strategies for navigating sensitive conversations about mental health, loss, and other difficult subjects. Learn how to balance honesty with age-appropriate explanations, validate intense emotions while building coping skills, and create safe spaces for processing complex feelings. Discover techniques for transforming challenging discussions into opportunities for emotional growth, deeper parent-child connections, and increased resilience.

Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC: Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast. She is the author of several books for parents and educators related to the development of children and teens who are neurodivergent and cognitively gifted, including "Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids" and "A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children: A Resource for Caregivers and Advocates." She started her career in education and now works as a mental health counselor in private practice outside of St. Louis, Missouri.

Check back later to see our exciting topics and speaker details soon!