WADADS Retreats Are a Valuable Tool for Every Dad

WADADS retreats are focused on providing caregivers with important skills and resources over a couple of days.

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The content of the training weekend is organized such that caregivers returning home can immediately apply the lessons learned over the weekend. This process assists with the child’s education and behavioral management, at school and at home.

Resources and personal contacts made on the weekend are designed to augment the child’s support system, and intended to be available on short notice as needed.

Spring Retreat 2008

Training weekends begin on Friday evening with check-in, a meal, and introductions. It is usually the time that attendees begin to realize common threads between their lives, and the lives of other caregivers.

Saturdays include a number of practical trainings addressing preparation of IEPs, behavior management, understanding the roles of public and private agencies, and developing partnerships with other caregivers. Cornerstone 2007 successfully included the first non-English language interpreter on a weekend.

Summer Retreat 2008

Informal time to relax, review materials, and connect with other dads is provided during WADADS retreats. The personal connection is one of the most valuable outcomes of the weekend. It is often the first time that a connection is made with someone else struggling through common issues.

The weekends wrap up with a discussion of valuable lessons learned, and future possibilities for making the support network more effective.

Benefits of WADADS retreats are expressed to be:
1) Positive bonding;
2) decreased anxiety;
3) information and resources;
4) being in the presence of people who truly understand;
5) freedom to speak without spousal interruption;
6) learning what works for other dads and,
7) concentrating on dad-relevant issues.

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