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Empowering Parents: New Training Series Equips Families Navigating Special Needs

GS
NA
SPA
UPP
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UD
Source: The Daily Herald 14 Jul 2025 12:14 AM

The training was designed to help families better uNDerstaND their children's unique needs while also addressing their own mental aND emotioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl well-being.


PHILIPSBURG--To enhance sUPPort for families raising children with special needs, Minister of Public Health, Social Development aND Labor VSA, NDidate' href='/newspolitician/527/richinel-brug'>Richinel Brug has partnered with The Spectrum SUPPort Box to launch a four-week parent training series titled Inclusive Solutions for Diverse Needs.

Led by facilitators Alisha Brookes aND Lucien York, the training series provided parents with practical strategies, emotioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl sUPPort aND a safe, welcoming SPAce to learn aND share. The sessions were designed to help families better uNDerstaND their children's unique needs while also addressing their own mental aND emotioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl well-being.

In the first week of the training series, the focus was on uNDerstaNDing special needs aND emotioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl regulation. Parents gained insights into how emotions develop in children aND learned how to recognise signs of emotioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl dysregulation. They were also introduced to practical tools such as feelinSPArty/9/general-solidaire'>GS charts aND mood meters to help children better express aND maSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAge their emotions.

The secoND week centred on communication skills. Parents were taught how to use tone effectively, engage in active listening, aND provide clear, concise instructions. The session also inclUDed interactive activities such as role-playing aND the creation of persoSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAlised visual aids to sUPPort communication at home.

During the third week, participants were introduced to practical tools for behaviour maSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAgement. They learned how to track behaviour patterns aND use positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviour. Parents also explored the use of helpful resources such as social stories, calm-down kits aND visual timers to sUPPort their childrens development aND daily routines.

The fiSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl week shifted focus to the well-being of parents themselves. The session addressed common sources of caregiver stress aND offered self-care strategies to sUPPort mental aND emotioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl health. Parents were also encouraged to build aND rely on sUPPort

networks. The training conclUDed with a certificate ceremony to celebrate the dedication aND achievements of all participants.

A total of 21 parents of children between the ages of two aND 17 took part in the training, alonSPArty/9/general-solidaire'>GSide six teachers. Special recognition was given to two fathers who actively participated, uNDerscoring the value of inclusive aND engaged parenting.

This initiative highlights the critical need for clear, practical aND compassioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAte sUPPort systems for families raising children with special needs, said Minister Brug. I commeND all participants aND facilitators for creating a SPAce of growth, learning aND community. This is the kiND of forward momentum we need.

Each session was grouNDed in real-life challenges aND provided step-by-step guidance that parents could immediately implement in their daily routines. The Spectrum SUPPort Box remains a vital community resource, offering inclusive, customised sUPPort for families, schools aND caregivers across the islaND.

Richinel Brug mentioned 1 time

General Solidaire [GS] mentioned 2 times
National Alliance [NA] mentioned 12 times
St Maarten Patriotic Alliance [SPA] mentioned 6 times
United People's Party [UPP] mentioned 10 times
New Direction St. Martin [ND] mentioned 38 times
United Democrates 2018 [UD] mentioned 2 times
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