Question: We are concerned about our high school student, who seems to be content with satisfactory performance. We know he is extremely intelligent but sometimes makes bad choices and has a lack of motivation. How can we help?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Today, columnist Brent Cooper shares his own story, and invites other parents to participate in a new support group.

On Dec. 15, 2007 my wife, Shannon, and I had our first child, Charlie Jackson. He was six weeks premature. On top of Charlie’s dramatic entrance into this world, we learned that he had Spina Bifida; a birth defect that was undetected until that day.

Question: My daughter is in the ninth grade and has always struggled with writing. She avoids assignments that involve writing and is usually the last student to finish writing assignments. She was recently tested and found to have dysgraphia (writing difficulties). Are you familiar with the Alpha Smart, and does it really help kids with writing problems?

While busily passing out flyers for our Parent Support Group (parents of children with special needs) earlier this week, I came across the office of the Family Health & Support Network, a Foster Family Agency in Palm Desert.

What I thought was going to be a prime spot for our flyers turned out to be much, much more. I met with the founder, Sandra Austin, and was so impressed with her passion and genuine concern for children and their welfare. I want to share some of what I learned and ask you to support them and their cause.