Audience
Parents & Guardians
About this Workshop
This session will equip families with knowledge, tools, and advocacy strategies for navigating school systems for students with Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders. Participants will learn how to prepare for school meetings, communicate effectively with educators and support staff, advocate for appropriate supports and accommodations, and navigate challenging conversations or situations when plans do not move forward as expected. Designed to empower families, this session will help caregivers build confidence, strengthen advocacy skills, and more effectively partner with schools to support their child’s educational success.
Key Takeaways
- Build skills for preparing, participating in, and advocating during school meetings.
- Learn effective communication and advocacy strategies for collaborating with school teams and following up after meetings.
- Explore advocacy tools, problem-solving approaches, and next steps when accommodations, supports, or school discussions become challenging.
About the Education & Mental Health in Focus Series
Education & Mental Health in Focus is a multi-part learning showcase designed to support families, caregivers, students, and community members navigating the educational and emotional experiences connected to Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders. This series brings together clinicians, advocates, educators, college students, and professionals to explore topics related to school accommodations, mental health support, transition planning, postsecondary education, and family wellbeing.
Through practical discussions and lived experiences, participants will gain tools, resources, and strategies to better support children, teens, and young adults across different stages of their educational journey. Sessions will focus on advocacy, emotional wellbeing, navigating systems of support, and building confidence for both caregivers and students.
Dr. Mark Patishnock
Dr. Mark Patishnock is Vice President of School Programs Implementation at JED. In his role, he implements and ensures consistency and excellence in all of JED’s programs in higher education, high school, and pre-K–12 school districts. Dr. Patishnock has spent his career focused on improving mental health outcomes for youth and young adults.
Dr. Patishnock trained at the counseling centers at Penn State and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; worked as a staff psychologist and suicide prevention coordinator at Virginia Tech; and oversaw counseling and psychiatric services as the inaugural director at both Augusta University and Michigan State University, where he helped integrate and innovate programs and services following institutional and departmental mergers. He also implemented the JED Campus program at both of these institutions. During his career, he has served as an adjunct faculty member, consultant, executive coach, executive recruiter, strategic planner, and has held various voluntary service and community counseling roles.
Dr. Patishnock received his master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University and a PhD in counseling psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a licensed psychologist and resides in Michigan with his family.
