GHF Live Events
It All Happens in the GHF Forum!
GHF wants to ensure that we reach and serve as many gifted and 2e families as possible, which is why we have a free level of membership, the GHF Community Membership, that grants, among other benefits, access to all of our live programming.
GHF Conversations is topic-driven live programming featuring an expert who presents and then stays for facilitated conversation with and for our thoughtful and engaging community of educators and parents. We warmly invite you to log in and participate as much or as little as you’re comfortable, but rest assured that you’re among people who understand and care. These events are offered most third Thursdays, and, due to their intimate nature, are heavily edited for our video resource library.
Coming Up
4/9/26, 4-5:30pm, PDT • GHF Conversations - Misophonia: Listening to and Seeing Gifted Strengths & Asynchronies, with Heidi Lack, Ph.D., ATR-BC
Misophonia, by definition, involves intense sensory, emotional, cognitive and behavioral processing differences that result in emotional distress, a sense of violation, and marked negative impact on social and psychological functioning. Traditionally, first lines of inquiry and discussions have focused on the triggers/activators- sounds, movements made by others, such as chewing, breathing, and throat clearing-- resulting in emotional and, at times, behavioral dysregulation.
What would happen if we pivot our perspective to understanding misophonia through the lens of the gifted individual, in all their complexity? Can we unmask the inherent evolutionarily adaptive advantages, and gifted neurocomplexities, including the expression of asynchronies, ethics and values?
Following a brief overview of misophonia and related conditions (misokinesia, hyperacusis, OCPD, synesthesias, ethics etc…), and cursory attention to suspected mechanisms of action, Dr. Lack will identify some strengths and challenges associated with misophonia. She will propose expanding the conversation beyond the imperatives of empathy, accommodations, and safety, to facing personal challenges: shifting emotions from rage and disgust, to self-compassion and hope; shifting identity from being in pain and suffering to one of resilience and taking action; shifting strategies from escape and avoidance to practicing openness and empowerment. Let’s converse about how to collaboratively befriend the intolerable.
Questions to consider:
What gifted strengths/2e challenges have you come to associate with misophonia?
What resources or interventions have you found helpful to supporting or getting support for misophonia?
How can we pivot from fighting misophonia to befriending it?
How have your values played a role in fueling or your coping with misophonia?
For those who are new to GHF Conversations, we feature topic-driven programming featuring an expert presenter, followed by facilitated conversation session with and for our thoughtful and engaging community of educators and parents. We warmly invite you to log in and participate as much or as little as you’re comfortable, but rest assured that you’re among people who understand and care.
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Heidi Lack, Ph.D., ATR-BC, is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified registered art therapist, with advanced certification in Behavioral Medicine through Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. She is in clinical and consultation private practice out of Lexington, MA and on-line through Exceptionally Wired© which she supports, treats, and advocates for individuals and families who cope with sensory, attention, and creativity-related neurocomplexities, giftedness and 2e (twice and multi-exceptionalities), with a specialization in Misophonia, about which she is currently writing a book outlining her treatment paradigm. Dr. Lack advocates for the social and emotional needs of the gifted in her role on the board of directors of MAGE (Massachusetts Association of Gifted Education). She is a SENG certified community group facilitator (SCG), co-created The Gifted Parenting Journey© on-line workshops with Dr. Gail Post, and supports professionals in the field by facilitating the GHF (Gifted Homeschool Education) weekly professional discussion group. She is a sought-after national and international speaker and provider of workshops and information for organizations, professionals and the general public, such as Gifted Institute of Denmark, Minnesota, Department of Education and Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented (MCGT), Lahey Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Gifted and Thriving, and AARP.
Learn more:
Recent Past Events. Miss it? Upgrade to Friends!
In Session one, GHF President and Square Pegs founder, Kasi Peters, M. Ed., discusses ideas and practical approaches for positive niche construction as the cornerstone in creating a homeschooling vibe that works for your individual family. Then, in Session Two, author, writer, and Athena’s Advanced Academy instructor, Suki Wessling, talks about parenting from the baby years onward and how you can create a nurturing environment for your natural writer.
2/7/26 • GHF Conversations: Kindling Sparks of Curiosity, with Kasi Peters, M.Ed & Suki Wessling
09/20/25 • GHF Conversations: Tapping Into Strength & Calm, with Maria Kennedy, M.Ed and Lori Comallie-Caplan, LMSW
In Session One, author and gifted education director, Maria Kennedy, M. Ed, introduces a strengths-based approach to homeschooling gifted learners—an empowering way of teaching that builds confidence, motivation, and joy in learning. Then, in Session Two, gifted diagnostician and education expert, Lori Comallie-Caplan, LMSW, unpacks different manifestations of anxiety for children at different developmental stages, and red flags that indicate more serious concerns about an anxiety disorder, strategies to improve coping with uncertainty, as well as self-care tips for the parents.
03/28/25 • GHF Virtual Co-Op: Tell Me More! with GHF Board Director, Lisa Jobe & Co-Op Parent Lead, Sydney Miller Milbert
It’s the perfect time to consider the GHF Virtual Co-Op - a “community first” model - in your homeschooling plans for fall.
What does “community first” mean? It’s how we describe the dynamic of families and facilitators coming together as a group that takes the time to get to know and trust each other, which forms the basis for then creating and providing classes and connection that serves everyone’s needs - a true community.
Watch the recording of this event in the GHF Forum to learn what makes the GHF Virtual Co-Op such a joy for its families, and how you can be a part of it. To read more information now, please go to the Virtual Co-Op page.
03/15/25 • GHF Conversations: Gifted Kids - Inner Lives and Experiences, with Dr. Adriane Ransom & Linda Silverman, PhD
In Session One, Bloom Pediatrics founder/director, Dr. Adriane Ransom, OTR/L, SWC, shares proven methods and perspectives for supporting early childhood experiences of giftedness and twice exceptionality, including sensory processing differences, eating challenges, social skills, and self-regulation. Then, in Session Two, ISAD and Gifted Development Center (GDC) founder, Linda Silverman, PhD, guides us on an odyssey of young, gifted inner lives: “Intricate thought processes and complex emotions are held in delicate balance in the gifted individual. Idealism, self-doubt, perceptiveness, excruciating sensitivity, moral imperatives, desperate needs for understanding, acceptance, love—all impinge simultaneously. Gifted children develop more asynchronously than others, and often feel unable to relate to age-mates. When they are forced into a mold that doesn’t fit, they begin to experience their differences as deficits. All who interact with them must understand their unique characteristics. Then they can learn to appreciate themselves and develop their own unique paths. We will explore the emotional needs and social realities of gifted children and discuss ways to nurture their full development.”
12/11/24 • GHF Conversations: Gifted & Distractible: Strategies for 2e Learners - an Exclusive Sesh with Julie Skolnick, MA, JD
We are over the moon to offer this special opportunity for you to spend time with one of the foremost voices in the twice exceptional field, the inimitable Julie Skolnick! Folks, this was a GET - to say that Julie is “in demand” is the epitome of understatements. The format for this is a little different - an aggregate Q&A, interview-style, rather than a presentation, focusing on nurturing gifted and 2e kids, as expounded upon in Julie’s instant must-have book, Gifted and Distractible: Understanding, Supporting, and Advocating for Your Twice Exceptional Child, followed by our usual open conversation with attendees.
11/02/24 • GHF Conversations: Gifted Intensity - Positive Disintegration & PDA with Chris Wells, PhD; Marna Wohlfeld, MA & Marni Kammersell, MA
In Session One, Dabrowski Center President and Positive Disintegration Podcast host, Chris Wells, PhD explores how the emotional and intellectual challenges often faced by gifted individuals can serve as catalysts for personal growth and deeper self-understanding, and can lead to extraordinary transformation and empower parents and young people to thrive in their personal growth and educational pursuits. Then, in Session Two, 2e doctoral candidates, Wandering Brightly’s Marni Kammersell, MA and GHF VP, Marna Wohlfeld, MA, draw upon the academic literature and insights from educators and adults with PDA, alongside their own experiences as parents of gifted PDA youth, to discuss best practices for nurturing and cooperating with gifted PDAers.
06/07-5 /24 • 4th Annual Gifted Home Ed Conference w Dan Peters, Paula Prober, Austina De Bonte, Sharon Duncan, Barry Gelston, Maria Kennedy, Heidi Lack, Sam Young, & more
Welcome to the 4th annual Gifted Home Education Conference, “Come As You Are: Reframe. Recenter. Reflect.” Pared down, informal and substantive, with plenty of discussion, this year’s three days of “filling our cup” earns instant RE-watch status.
05/09/24 • GHF Parent Group & GHF Virtual Co-Op Back-to-Back Q&A with Directors Dr. Lin Lim & Lisa Jobe
In Session One, GHF Families Director Dr. Lin Lim fields questions about the 2e parenting study that will serve as a pilot for GHF’s potential parenting development program. Led by Lim and Gayle Bentley, Ed.D. of The Bentley Center, participating parents are guided through nine weekly sessions that are designed to empower through a strengths-based lens. Then, in Session Two, GHF Co-Op Director Lisa Job shares first-year successes (32 families, unique courses, social hangouts, docent-led virtual field trips to the Smithsonian!) answers questions, and invites you to join for Fall 2024.
02/24/24 • GHF Conversations: Calm, Regulation & Self Care with Paula Prober, and Dr. Heidi Lack & Dr. Gail Post
In Session One, Your Rainforest Mind author and writer Paula Prober points you toward greater self-understanding and acceptance of your complexities so that you recognize the necessity and benefits of self-care and begin to find your particular path to inner and outer resources. In Session Two, Dr. Gail Post and Dr. Heidi Lack guided gifted parents through the “twists and turns en route to ‘the center,’ where we can, if we recognize it, rest and renew.” Due to the vulnerable, intimate nature of this session, it was not recorded.
9/23/23 • GHF Conversations: Enrichment Opportunities for Gifted & 2e with Carol Malueg, MA, GCT 2e, and Suki Wessling
In Session One, GHF Board Director Carol Malueg shares her wealth of knowledge about finding great-fit enrichment and social opportunities for gifted and 2e kids who aren’t getting these needs adequately met in school. Then, in Session Two, gifted-kid pied piper and enrichment expert, Suki Wessling, discusses how transformative quality online enrichment pathways can be for homeschooled gifted and 2e kids.
06/03 - 05/23 • 3rd Annual Gifted Home Ed Conference w Paul Beljan, Austina De Bonte, Julie Skolnick, Jaime Smith, Matt Zakreski & many more
Welcome to the 3rd annual Gifted Home Education Conference, “Come As You Are: Authenticity & Acceptance” - three edifying days brimming with compassionate gifted community leaders sharing their time and expertise to empower you with what you need to make intentional educational choices for your family. Wear your PJs, take us along to that soccer game, and ditch the background filters, because this year’s theme is Come As You Are: Authenticity and Acceptance!