Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities to host program

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc., announces a free program featuring Dr. Marcia Eckerd, who will discuss strategies for working with children with nonverbal learning disabilities. Eckerd is an expert in diagnosing and working with these children, their families and schools. The talk will be on Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Fairfield Public Library in Fairfield.

Parents are sometimes presented with an NLD diagnosis without having an understanding of how these issues affect their child's everyday behavior and more subtle issues that can come up in school. Typically, children with NLD are bright and verbal, so their difficulties with social skills, academics (such as math and writing) and organization are unexpected. Eckerd will talk about the challenges in parenting a child with NLD, and provide helpful strategies for handling these challenges. Among her articles on this subject are several on the Smart Kids with LD website at www.SmartKidswithLD.org, including "Evaluating Your Child for Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at http://www.smartkidswithld.org/ld-basics/evaluation-diagnosis/evaluating-your-child-for-nonverbal-learning-disabilities.

Eckerd is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice for 30 years, providing therapy, comprehensive testing and parent/school consultations. She specializes in working with children, teens and adults with LD, anxiety, depression and ADHD as well as NLD and autistic spectrum disorders. She has dedicated herself to advocating for children with autism spectrum disorders and NLD.

In addition to her private practice, Eckerd is on the professional medical staff at Norwalk Hospital Pediatric Development and Therapy Center. She serves on the Professional Advisory Boards of Smart Kids with LD and the CT Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, and is a resource professional on NLDline.com and Aspergers.com. Her blog, "People Skills" is on psychologytoday.com.

To reserve a place at this free program on Tuesday, January 24, at the Fairfield Library, please email Programs@SmartKidswithLD.org or call 203-226-6703.

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering parents of children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders through providing information, guidance and support via its free e-newsletter, comprehensive website at www.SmartKidswithLD.org and educational programs while also educating the public about these children's significant gifts and talents. Henry Winkler, Golden Globe award-winning actor, director and producer as well as the author of the Hank Zipzer book series, serves as the organization's honorary chairman.