Parents of students with special needs are invited to attend a workshop to hear how to better interact with their children who have physical or mental disabilities.

The Special Education Department of Newton County Schools will host, “Come Together Workshop” from 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday at Palmer Stone Elementary School.  The event is open to the public, but families of special needs students in the Newton County School System are encouraged to attend.

Ryan Mitchell, an occupational therapist, will be the guest speaker. He will present, “Understanding the Differences between Behavior Concerns and Sensory Processing Difficulties.” 

Following Mitchell’s presentation, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on activity aimed at developing interaction between families and students, Johnson said.

Diane Johnson, Special Education Parent Mentor and an organizer for the event, said “Our purpose in hosting this event is to offer educational information to the families of special needs students in our system and to support these families as they face the unique challenges of raising a special needs child... In addition, these events allow our families to interact with the teachers and administrators in our system who work one-on-one with their children every day.”

Anyone interested in attending the event should register by contacting Diane Johnson by email at johnson.adradiane@newton.k12.ga.us  or by telephone at 770-788-5384.