Middle school brings plenty of changes, and parents and caregivers are learning right alongside their children. Friendships shift, independence becomes increasingly important, and strategies that worked in elementary school may suddenly seem less effective.
For families raising neurodivergent or twice-exceptional (2e) children, these years can bring additional questions. How do we support growing independence while providing the structure our children still need? How do we respond when emotions run high? And how can we stay connected as our children begin figuring out who they are?
At Trillium Academy, we believe families benefit from opportunities to learn, ask questions, and connect with others navigating similar experiences.
Our 2026–27 Family Education Series brings together practical parenting strategies, conversations with authors, and opportunities for shared learning. All events are free and open to parents and caregivers throughout the greater Seattle community. You do not need to have a student enrolled at Trillium to participate.
Explore the Family Education Series
View or download our 2026–27 Family Education Series flyer to see the full schedule of free events for parents and caregivers.
Your Parent Compass: Supporting Complex Student Profiles
Eight sessions | Tuesdays, 4:00–5:30 p.m. | Hybrid: Zoom and Trillium Academy
Parenting a middle schooler can require a constant balancing act. We want our children to become more independent, yet they may still need substantial support with emotional regulation, communication, executive functioning, and everyday challenges.
Your Parent Compass is an eight-session series drawing on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to help parents and caregivers navigate these moments with greater confidence.
The series explores how to strengthen and repair relationships, stay calm during heated interactions, decide when smaller behaviors can be let go, and respond to children with compassion while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Each session focuses on a different topic, with opportunities for reflection and practical application.
2026–27 session dates:
- October 20, 2026
- November 3 and 17, 2026
- December 8 and 15, 2026
- January 5 and 19, 2027
- February 2, 2027
All sessions meet from 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Because the sessions build on one another, families are encouraged to participate in the full series.
Finding the Magic in Middle School: Author Q&A with Chris Balme
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 p.m. | Zoom
We're welcoming Chris Balme, author of Finding the Magic in Middle School, for a conversation about the developmental changes, challenges, and opportunities that make these years so important.
Middle school is often described in terms of its difficulties. There are certainly challenges, but these years also bring new interests, deepening friendships, growing independence, and opportunities for young people to discover who they are.
Chris will discuss how parents and caregivers can support their children's confidence, independence, and developing sense of self.
The conversation will include time for questions, and families are welcome to bring their own experiences.
You do not need to read the book beforehand to participate.
Brain-Body Parenting: Understanding Behavior Through the Nervous System
Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 p.m. | Zoom
Why do children sometimes react in ways that seem out of proportion to what's happening? What can their behavior tell us about stress, sensory needs, and their capacity to manage a difficult moment?
In December, Trillium staffulty will facilitate a discussion of Dr. Mona Delahooke's book, Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids.
Delahooke's approach encourages parents to consider the role of the nervous system in children's behavior. Understanding what may be happening beneath the surface can help caregivers respond more effectively, particularly when a child is overwhelmed or struggling to regulate.
For families of neurodivergent and twice-exceptional children, this perspective can offer a useful way to think about sensory experiences, emotional responses, and the importance of connection.
We'll discuss ideas from the book, share perspectives, and consider how these approaches might apply to everyday parenting situations.
No advance reading is required. All parents and caregivers are welcome to join the conversation.
Why Family Education Matters at Trillium
At Trillium, we work with students whose intellectual strengths, learning differences, and developmental needs don't always follow predictable paths.
A student may be capable of sophisticated academic reasoning while still needing support with emotional regulation, organization, or friendships. Their needs can shift considerably throughout adolescence.
Families know their children in ways educators cannot, and educators see students navigating situations that may look different from what happens at home. Bringing those perspectives together helps us support students more effectively.
Our Family Education Series is one way we extend that partnership into the broader community. We want families to have access to useful information, thoughtful conversations, and opportunities to connect with others who understand the experience of raising complex, capable kids.
Join the Conversation
Whether you're interested in strengthening family relationships, understanding your child's changing needs, or hearing new perspectives on adolescence, we invite you to participate.
All events are free and open to the community.
Register for Trillium's Family Education Series
Zoom links and participation details will be emailed to registered attendees before each event. We encourage you to bring your questions, experiences, and curiosity.