Community Programs
Community Programs
Community Programs are designed for parents, professionals, and community members interested in improving the lives and services offered to students with learning differences and ADHD. The courses are designed to provide tools for teaching students with learning differences and ADHD, but are beneficial for all students.
The Rankin Institute offers its programs in-person and virtually. These presentations are open to all, but registration is required. The registration will allow you to select your preference for attending on our campus or virtually.
2025-2026 Programs
Lunch & Learn: Reading Disorder Strategies (Virtual)
Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 12 noon, Cost $10
Presented by Kristin Lane, Fellow/AOGPE, of The Fletcher School, this online workshop will demonstrate proven strategies for helping children with reading disorders.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Math Disorder Strategies (Virtual)
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 12 noon, Cost $10
Presented by Joanie Gerken, ATF/OGA, of The Fletcher School, this online workshop will look at strategies to develop a relational understanding of math concepts and procedures.
Register here.
LD Simulations: Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 6 p.m., Cost $10
Have you ever wondered what a child with a learning difference experiences in the classroom? Do you have a child with a learning difference at home, and their sibling(s) just do not understand them? This workshop is designed to put you in the shoes of an LD child. Bring your whole family (ages 12+). Our hope is that this will promote more understanding, compassion, and discussion within the family. Presented by the staff of The Fletcher School.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Parenting the ADHD Child as a Parent with ADHD (Virtual)
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 12 noon, Cost $10
In this online presentation, we will focus on helping parents understand how their ADHD may impact their child and find resources to make the parenting process more manageable. Our goal is to address ADHD in the child and in the parent, trigger points, and effective coping skills to support the child. Presenter: Alyse Bone, MS, LCMHC, RPT of Dandelion Family Counseling, PLLC.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Flexible Kids - Helping Children Practice Flexible Thinking (Virtual)
Monday, November 3, 2025, at 12 noon, Cost $10
Do you have kids who argue, badger, and complain when they don’t get their way? Weekly? Daily? Minute by minute? Take heart, you are not alone. Join us for this fun, interactive workshop where you will learn not just why your kids get mad, but how you can teach them to be flexible instead. Flexible thinking is a skill that kids of every age need to learn to handle home, school, and peer situations in a respectful and friendly way. Presented by Todd Cartmell, Psy.D. of Southeast Psychological Services.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Healthy Boundaries and Relationships for Teens (Virtual)
Monday, November 10, 2025, at 12 noon, Cost $10
Presented by Lauren Vandemore, MS, LCMHC of Southeast Psychological Services, this workshop will talk about equipping teens with the tools to create healthy boundaries and form positive relationships. We’ll cover various types of boundaries—emotional, physical, social, and digital—and offer actionable strategies for helping teens recognize and define their personal limits. Additionally, the session will emphasize the importance of assertive communication, showing how teens can confidently and respectfully express their needs and feelings without causing or escalating conflict.
Register here.
Lunch and Learn: ADHD Strategies (Virtual)
Monday, December 8, 2025, at 12 noon, Cost $10
This virtual presentation will discuss the effects of attention deficit disorder and provide suggestions for effectively treating ADHD and managing consequent behavior. Presenter: Lisa Pennington, Ph.D., of Carolina Minds, PLLC.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Auditory Processing Disorder (Virtual)
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 12 noon, Cost $10
This virtual workshop will review neuroscience related to language and auditory structures, current assessment protocols for auditory processing, and differential diagnosis of attention, behavior, and learning disorders. Intervention strategies from both an educational and speech and language perspective will be provided. Presenters: Mary "Mo" Froneberger, MAT, and Gretchen Hunter, Ph.D., of Child and Family Development, and Staci Blackwell, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA, of Novant Health SouthPark Audiology.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Social Skills Development of Children with ADHD (Virtual)
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 12 noon, Cost $10
This online presentation will focus on developing social executive functioning skills for children with ADHD by adapting Dr. Ross Greene's lagging skills to a social-emotional model. Presenter: Michelle Tolison, LCMHC, RPTS of Dandelion Family Counseling, PLLC.
Register here.
Teen Mental Health: A Conversation We Need to Have (Virtual)
Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6 p.m., Cost $10
Recent studies have shown that teenagers are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression at an alarming rate. This online presentation will share how parents can recognize if their teen is struggling and provide practical strategies to help. We will review typical social and emotional development in teens and ways to foster emotional well-being and resilience. Lastly, we will discuss what we know about the impact of social media on mental health. Presenter: Heidi Limbrunner, PsyD, ABPP of Ballantyne Psychology, PLLC.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Navigating Social Media - Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health (Virtual)
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 12 noon, Cost $10
This session will explore how social media influences mental health, self-esteem, and attention, as well as the unique challenges it presents for children with executive functioning differences. Parents will gain practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, fostering open communication, and guiding their children toward balanced and mindful social media use. Presented by David Mosely, Psy.D. of Southeast Psychological Services.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Helping Students Improve Attention and Executive Functioning (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 12 noon, Cost $10
Students of all ages can benefit from understanding the roles that attention and executive functioning play in learning. Join this virtual presentation to learn about these functions, understand how they directly relate to learning, and hear how you can help your student (or yourself) become more successful in school. Presented by Barrie Morganstein, Ph.D., of Southeast Psychological Services.
Register here.
Lunch & Learn: Written Expression Strategies (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 12 noon, Cost $10
This virtual workshop will offer strategies for working with children who struggle with written expression. Presented by Lizzie Hall of the Fletcher School.
Register Here
Lunch & Learn: Practical Strategies for Childhood Anxiety & Depression (Virtual)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 12 noon, Cost $10
This presentation will address the ramifications of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents and will provide easy-to-use suggestions and treatment options. Presenter: Heather Dyer, Ph.D.
Register here.