The nonprofit Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner (REEL) will host its Strengths Fair from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday (March 8) at the Los Altos Community Center. It is a free event for families to explore resources and organizations that support neurodivergent children.
According to the REEL website, the nonprofit works to ensure neurodivergent students can thrive in academic settings by promoting parent and educator awareness of strategies to address youth needs through its wide variety of resources, events, services and more.
This year, the theme for REEL’s Strengths Fair is “Where Strengths Shine and Futures Grow,” which organizers said captures the purpose of the event to demonstrate the potential of neurodivergent students and guide families in nurturing their children. On its website, REEL describes these students as those whose brains work differently from what’s considered typical, such as those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia or anxiety.
“It’s a very medical model – focusing on what’s wrong with children – and we wanted to create something that focuses on strengths,” REEL co-founder Yael Valek said.
The event will showcase hands-on exhibits, progressive school options, parent resources and talks given by innovators in neurodiversity. Through the programming, attendees will have opportunities to connect with each other and share experiences.
For keynote speaker Amanda Morin, a nationally recognized leader in the neurodiversity movement, the fair is special because it fosters understanding among people.
“Having to explain your story over and over again is exhausting, but when you find a place where everyone just gets it, that’s the best feeling,” Morin said.
Morin said that her work is driven by her personal experiences as a parent of neurodivergent children. She hopes to share her takeaways and inspire families to adapt a strengths-based approach to their neurodivergent children through her upcoming talk.
Families are encouraged to bring their children to the event, where there will be interactive activities and opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
“Kids should be part of the conversation,” Morin said. “We should not be talking about kids without them.”
Beyond families and youth, Valek said the event is open to community members from all backgrounds, regardless of their understanding of neurodivergence.
It is important for community members to engage with topics in neurodiversity, Valek added, especially given that the Bay Area is known for achievement and innovation.
“It’s a little bit ironic to me that most of the most amazing innovators that we have in this area are twice exceptional, neurodivergent themselves,” Valek said. “Yet, a lot of kids who think differently in K-12 schools feel stifled.”
Registration is encouraged but not required to attend the fair at the Los Altos Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave.
To register and for more information, visit reel2e.org.
