Small Steps seminars for Primary Schools

Small Steps is a program that aims to raise awareness and improve the recognition of anxiety disorders in children. We do this by offering anxiety awareness seminars for primary school staff (teachers, principals, administrative staff) and parents.

A separate presentation is run each for parents or for teachers.

Topics covered during the seminar:

• signs and symptoms of anxiety
• the different types of anxiety disorders and how they present
• evidence based treatments for anxiety disorders
• referral and treatment options

A Small Steps seminar will usually run for about an hour and can be held at your local school. Seminars can be conducted before, during or after school hours. Seminars for teachers are usually held during staff meetings or on professional development days.

For bookings on behalf of a school (for parents or teachers), contact Julie, the Small Steps Coordinator, at Julie.Leitch@wayahead.org.au or (02) 9339 6003.

We were fortunate enough to have Julie present the Small Steps Anxiety Workshop at our school late last year.  Julie is an empathetic and approachable presenter who had her own life experiences to draw on.  Her calm matter of fact approach created an environment which made the parents present comfortable enough to ask questions.  The greatest message was that early intervention and treatment gave hope  for those students suffering from anxiety.  I'm planning to have Julie present to our staff as I now realise that awareness and early recognition of anxiety are the key to positive outcomes.  Thanks so much for your time and energy, Julie!"

Katie Thornton Family Educator, St Agnes' Catholic Primary School Matraville NSW 2036