Raising Children with Disabilities: Tools, Tips, and Support

Join us for a Virtual Workshop on Raising a Child with a Disability

Are you the parent or caregiver of a child with a disability? Join Gateways on Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30 pm for a free virtual workshop, led by Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, designed to support you. This lively and constructive session will explore the realities—both the gifts and the challenges—of raising a child with a disability. Dr. Hershberg, a clinical psychologist, author, and parenting coach, will delve into why difficult behaviors often emerge—and how stressful family cycles can unintentionally reinforce them. You’ll explore practical, realistic tools to manage challenging behaviors and reduce stress at home, learning how to:

• Use insight into both your child’s disability and your own triggers to stay calm during difficult moments
• Use the “Love and Limits” framework for breaking negative cycles and building more connected family relationships
• Increase structure and routines to help your children feel secure
• Deal with everyday struggles like transitions and “high-demand” times of day
• Make sure you’re getting the support you need

Workshop Presenter: Dr. Rebecca Hershberg

Dr. Hershberg is a clinical psychologist, parenting coach, author, and public speaker who has been helping parents with their kids (and vice versa) for more than two decades. She obtained her B.A. from Yale University (summa cum laude), and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Prior to founding her current practice, Dr. Hershberg served as the Director of Training and Quality for Healthy Steps at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, a preventive mental health program. While at Montefiore, she held an assistant professorship in the Department of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she taught both pediatric residents and medical students.

Dr. Hershberg is the author of The Tantrum Survival Guide: Tune In to Your Toddler’s Mind (and Your Own) to Calm the Craziness and Make Family Fun Again. She co-hosts a special weekly segment on Securely Attached, a podcast focused on psychologically informed, research-based information about parenting and child development.

Dr. Hershberg currently lives in Westchester, New York, where she is a trustee on her local Board of Education, with her husband and two sons, both of whom keep her busier–though also smiling!–more than any of the above.

About this Series: Empowering Caregivers

Raising a child with a disability can be incredibly rewarding—but it also comes with unique challenges. Many mothers experience significant emotional, physical, and financial stress, along with higher rates of isolation, dealing with navigating complex systems.

But you don’t have to do this alone. This year, Gateways is launching a FREE parenting support series specifically for mothers and caregivers of children with disabilities. Join a warm community of moms who truly understand what it’s like to raise a child with a disability. You’ll connect, gain practical tools, build skills, and feel truly supported. Whether you’re looking for concrete guidance, emotional support, or simply a place to feel affirmed, we’re here for you. Read more about the Empowering Caregivers series here.

We’re able to offer this series free of charge thanks to the generosity of The Miriam Fund of Boston’s Combined Jewish Philanthropies. The Miriam Fund is a volunteer-led philanthropic community committed to creating an equitable world that expands opportunities for women and girls. While this series is primarily geared towards mothers, any caregiver of a child with a disability is welcome to attend.