Creating Cohesive Community: A Positive Way Forward for Families of Children with Special Needs

Join Women Empowering Women Institute and New Canaan Library for an interactive panel discussion. Community service providers including medical and educational professionals will engage parents and caregivers of children with special needs with guidance and support on the importance of self care and alternative experiences.

Small Breakout Groups

One-on-One Conversations

Q&A Session

REGISTER HERE

Please contact Ann Fisher, Women Empowering Women Institute, Program Coordinator, with any questions: [email protected]

We are pleased to have renowned panelists from a variety of fields sharing their expertise and advice: 

Anne Munkenbeck, Special Education Advocate provides support for families and their children in navigating the special education process from birth to adulthood. For 15 years, Anne’s private practice has focused on securing appropriate education services for a student’s individual needs and empowering families to effectively advocate for their child. 

Erin Curran, LCSW earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from NYU, and received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through the Seleni Institute in New York City. While at Perennial Wellness, Erin has served as a Mental Health Specialist for Expectful in their Mother’s Circle program.

Kelly Coughlin, New Canaan Police Officer is a patrol officer who serves in a variety of roles including dispatcher, field training officer and school liaison officer for West School, New Canaan Country School and First Presbyterian Nursery School.

Sabita Kanhai, Founder, Holistic Center, Fairfield CT has been trained in both eastern and western medicines, using integrative approaches to provide the individual with choices for achieving and maintaining personal optimum health.

David Radin, MD is a doctor of Internal Medicine at Stamford Health. He has been practicing in Stamford since 1993. As the parent of a Special Needs child he is uniquely qualified to evaluate the ever evolving area of therapeutic interventions helping to define, individualize goals and expectations for these individuals. 

Lenore Dweck, ABD, MA, L-BCBA is a Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked extensively with children, adolescents and young adults with special needs. She has experience working with and training parents, educators, their children and students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Social-Emotional Disorders, and other developmental disabilities.

Ann C. Fisher, M.Ed has been in the education field for over 20 years. She spent 16 years in New Canaan, CT Public Schools as a Special Education teacher for grades K-7, and is currently Head Teacher Pre-K Classroom at First Presbyterian Nursery School, New Canaan. She brings this wealth of experience in her role as Program Coordinator for Women Empowering Women (WEW) Institute.