Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities

In this episode, Abbey and Laurie chat with Candace from Lively Minds Institute, who has extensive experience in education and a passion for helping students who struggle with executive function skills. Candace shares how her journey began 25 years ago, working initially on academic content like math and reading, but quickly realizing many students needed help with skills like organization and tas...

In this episode, Abbey and Laurie welcome Polly Benson from LegiLiner. Polly, an occupational therapist, explains her journey of creating LegiLiner. She started by hand-drawing lines for students with handwriting difficulties and decided to create a rolling stamp for easier line-making. After struggling to find an existing solution, she invented her own stamp, receiving enthusiastic feedback from...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey welcome Dr. Sandra Elliott from Touch Math to discuss her work with dyscalculia and the Touch Math program. Dr. Elliott explains her background as a special education teacher and elaborates on Touch Math's origins in 1975, when a teacher in the Colorado Springs Public School District developed it to help students with autism understand math by using concrete objec...

In the final episode of their parenting series, Laurie and Abbey chat with Sarah, who discusses her daughter Alyssa's struggles with math, which began in elementary school and persisted despite her excelling in other subjects. Sarah recounts how Alyssa was initially denied appropriate support and faced dismissive attitudes from teachers, which hindered her progress. These early challenges undersco...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Laurie has a conversation with a guest named Heather Brown, whose daughter Cambri faced learning difficulties from a young age. Heather recounts Cambri's journey, starting with observations in pre-K where her unconventional pencil movemen...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Laurie has a conversation with a guest named Rachel Rakunas, who shares her experience raising a child with learning differences. Rachel discusses her son's struggles, beginning with difficulty learning letter sounds in preschool, which l...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Laurie has a conversation with a guest named Kelsey Talley. She shares her journey with her daughter Reagan, who recently received a diagnosis of ADHD. Drawing from her experience with her dyslexic son, Kelsey recognized similar patterns...

In a bonus episode, Laurie and Abbey discuss summer camps, chatting with both Karl Oppenheimer from Camp Dunnabeck and Ilana Stoch from Camp Kodiak. They hear how both camps are excellent summer options for students with learning disabilities. Resources: Camp Dunnabeck: https://www.kildonan.org/camp-dunnabeck/ Camp Kodiak: https://www.campkodiak.com Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Website: https:...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey they take a break from their parenting series to discuss summer programs, featuring a special guest, Melody O'Neil, from Landmark School in Massachusetts. The school offers comprehensive summer programs for students entering grades 2 through 12, focusing on literacy, math, study skills, and executive function. Resources: Landmark School Website: https://www.landma...

In this episode, Laurie hosts solo during the CEC (Council for Exceptional Children) Convention in San Antonio, engaging with guests like Jeanetta Bryant from Abilities Workshop, Michelle from Ta-Da! Languages, and Ilana from Camp Kodiak. Resources: Abilities Workshop: https://www.abilitiesworkshop.com Ta-Da! Languages: https://www.tadalanguages.com Camp Kodiak: https://www.campkodiak.com Let's Ta...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Abbey has a conversation with a guest named Katie, who has three children with learning differences. Katie shares her experiences with her eldest son, who was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD at the age of seven. Resources: Let's Talk Lea...

In this lively discussion from the Learning Disability Association (LDA) Conference in Orlando, Laurie and Abbey interview three guests: Polly from Legi-Liner, Jennifer from Syllables Learning Center, and Tim and Lindsay from OrCam. They share great insights into innovative tools and approaches for individuals with learning disabilities. Resources: Polly Benson https://www.legiliner.com https://ww...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Laurie has a conversation with a guest named Jennifer, a mother of four children with learning disabilities, who shares her family's journey through diagnoses and coping strategies. Resources: Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Website: htt...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Abbey has a conversation with a guest named Michelle, who shares her experiences as a parent navigating learning challenges with her daughter. Michelle discusses the struggles she observed in her daughter, such as messiness, forgetfulness...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Abbey has a conversation with a guest named Sarah Noble, who talks about her experience with her daughter Alexandra, who has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Sarah shares how the family had a history of dyslexia, making them aware o...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Abbey has a conversation with a guest named Tricia Allen. Tricia shares her experience with her middle child, Sydney, who displayed intense emotions from a young age. Sydney's struggles became apparent during her transition to school, esp...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Abbey has a conversation with a guest named Jennifer Fulbright. Jennifer discusses her son's struggles before any diagnosis, both academically and behaviorally, especially with phonics, phonemic awareness, and writing. Resources: Let's Ta...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey continue their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." In this next episode, Abbey has a conversation with a guest named Katherine Zimmermann. The podcast focuses her son's specific journey involving dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD, delving into the challenges their family faced with learning disabilities. Resource...

In this episode, Laurie and Abbey introduce their new series called "Turning Struggles and Triumphs: Parenting through Learning Challenges." Over the next 12 episodes, they plan to share stories from parents who have experienced the challenges of having a child with learning disabilities. Starting off the series, Maria and Jaime discuss their experiences with their daughter, who faced challenges w...

In this Episode, Laurie and Abbey introduce a special episode recorded during their annual director's retreat in Austin, TX. The hosts and four directors from each of the different locations of Diagnostic Learning Services engage in a roundtable discussion about testing, learning, and their experiences as a diagnostician. Resources: Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Website: https://ltldpodcast.com...

In this Episode, Laurie and Abbey chat with Cathi Graveline about various assistive technologies for students with learning disabilities. They cover resources for students in elementary school through college and into adulthood. Resources: Contact Cathi Graveline - atcoach.cathi@gmail.com ModMath - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/modmath/id821892964 C-Pen Reader 2 - https://cpen.com/products/c-pen-r...

In this Episode, Laurie and Abbey conclude their interview Dr. Justin Chelette, an optometrist from Texas Vision Therapy, delving into the topic of visual processing and functional vision. Resources: Texas Vision Therapy Website: https://www.texasvisiontherapy.com College of Optometrists in Vision Development Website: https://www.covd.org Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Website: https://ltldpodca...

In this Episode, Laurie and Abbey interview Dr. Justin Chelette, an optometrist from Texas Vision Therapy, to delve into the topic of visual processing and functional vision. Resources: Texas Vision Therapy Website: https://www.texasvisiontherapy.com College of Optometrists in Vision Development Website: https://www.covd.org Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Website: https://ltldpodcast.com Contact...

In this Episode, host Abbey introduces her guest, Evan Weinberger, who is the president and CEO of "Staying Ahead of the Game." Evan discusses his personal experience with ADHD and how it led him to become involved in the field of academic coaching and support. Resources: Staying Ahead of the Game Website: https://saotg.com Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Website: https://ltldpodcast.com Contact...

In this Episode, Laurie and Abbey speak with Jennifer King of Dysgraphia Life about understanding testing processes and methods for children with dysgraphia. The discussion revolves around identifying dysgraphia, and the particular challenges it presents. Resources: Let's Talk Learning Disabilities Website: https://ltldpodcast.com Contact info for the podcast: letstalklearningdisabilities@gmail.co...