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Talisman Sponsors Webinars to Help Parents Keep Special-Needs Kids Safe Online

MySpace, Facebook, and other social networking sites have been making regular appearances in the headlines lately - but for parents who are concerned about the safety and security of their teens' online activities, few recent reports are likely to have provided much comfort.

From cyber-bullying to the dissemination of sexually explicit messages to seemingly nonstop discussions of drug use, the world of online social networking sites as portrayed in the media can appear to be a virtual den of iniquity. Yet millions of people - from middle-schoolers to government officials and business leaders - use these sites on a daily basis for a variety of positive (or at least innocuous) reasons.

For parents - especially those whose children are already struggling with challenges such as Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), or high-functioning autism - the challenge is figuring out which threats are real, and determining how they can ensure that their children's online experiences are both safe and beneficial.

Thanks to Talisman Programs, one of the nation's most respected providers of educational opportunities for special-needs children, help is at hand.

An Interactive Learning Opportunity

At Talisman, we are launching a series of interactive online seminars (or "webinars") to help parents develop a greater understanding of the risks and benefits that special-needs children may experience in online social networking sites.

Parents who participate in one of our webinars will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, ask questions, and discuss topics such as the following:

Our webinar series was planned and developed with the cooperation of Dr. Robin Kowalski (a professor of psychology at Clemson University and one of the nation's leading experts in online social media and cyber-bullying) and the sessions will be hosted by our summer program coordinator, Aaron McGinley. In addition to a significant understanding of online social networking sites, Mr. McGinley has more than 10 years' experience with special-needs children.

"These are going be live, interactive discussions, where you can get hands-on instruction in exactly how the technology works," Mr. McGinley said. "You'll see me log onto a sample Facebook profile, I'll give you advice on what to do and what to watch out for, and you'll be able to ask questions and get immediate feedback."

Maximizing Benefits, Minimizing Risks

For many young people with ADHD, Asperger's, and related conditions, social networking sites can present both a world of possibilities and a range of potential problems.

For example, teens and adolescents who have difficulty understanding social rules and patterns, who aren't always capable of comprehending the ramifications of their actions, or who make poor decisions about who to befriend or trust in the "real world" will have similar struggles in an online environment. On the other hand, online interactions are free of body language, facial expressions, and other stimuli that can make it more difficult for special needs children to engage in meaningful and productive communication.

"A lot of parents have been calling us with two questions about their kids and the Internet," Mr. McGinley said. "They want to know how they can keep their kids safe online, and they also want to learn how to make online social networking a positive experience for their children. These webinars will help answer both of those questions."

Register Today

In order to ensure that all participating parents receive the attention and answers that they deserve, we are limiting enrollment to 25 people per webinar. Response to our first session (which is set for Feb. 25) was so enthusiastic that we have scheduled a second online meeting the following day. Additional opportunities will occur about every other week.

To enroll in the Feb. 26 webinar (which will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time), or to learn more about upcoming online learning opportunities, call (888) 458-8226 or e-mail amcginley@talismancamps.com.

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