Decoding Learning Differences with Kimberlynn Lavelle

Video version available at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/podcast/NHansford How much do you know about “The Science of Reading”? Do you feel clueless?  Do you feel like you are an expert?  Somewhere in-between? This week’s episode is for you if you land ANYWHERE in that range!  I completely geek out over Science of Reading stuff and this conversation was a super fun one for me!  I got to...

Video Version available at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/podcast/MotivationKillers/   This powerful replay episode goes into three “Motivation Killers”: Punishments, Rewards, and Praise.  (Although praise is actually a type of reward).   Punishment Now that corporal punishment (physical abuse/hitting) is very rare and illegal in most states, punishment is usually about taking something...

What is your birth story? Did you experience a traumatic birth?  Do you suspect it may have impacted your child? I don’t want this to scare you, worry you, or bring any kind of burden! I’ve just seen an anecdotal connection between birth difficulties and an increased likelihood of learning disabilities.  I’ve seen some research to support this, but more certainly needs to be done. As I talked with...

Some people just have SO much to offer the world! Today’s podcast wisdom comes from a sweet friend who wrote a truly inspiring book: Swim the Lake Before You Row the Boat- that gives so much wisdom about how to raise children in a purposeful, meaningful way.  AND- Deb is a lawyer and has experience with special education and shared a lot of wonderful wisdom around the IEP process. Video version is...

This week I was excited to chat with Dr. Julian Reed, founder of Walkabouts.  He talks about a program that he developed to bring movement into the classroom as well as a lot of other ways that movement can be incorporated into the classroom, and I mentioned some examples I had seen in a school I used to work in. Learn more about the program at: https://www.walkabouts.com/

If I'm understanding Neurofeedback correctly- without adding another mentally exhausting task to their day, you can retrain the brain to change the brain waves to make learning easier for them.   Click here to watch this fascinating and hope-filled conversation! If you have tried or wind up trying neurofeedback, I would LOVE to hear about your experience! Find out more about Dianne Kosto's work he...

“When I grow up, I want to be Jen Doidge.”- something I’ve said multiple times in my life.   Today’s podcast episode is super special to me.  I have a good friend who exudes positivity and adventure and friendliness.     She’s someone I want everyone to know.  She’s not an education expert.  She’s not a parenting expert.     She’s simply an amazing human that I want to share with even more of the...

Listen to this previously-released episode and check out more episodes that you may have missed here: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/  

Dr. Marnie Ginsberg is the founder of Reading Simplified. Hear her story and get inspired to help your own learner master reading! Video version at: https://decodinglearningdifferences.com/podcast/readingsimplified/   Check out:  https://readingsimplified.com/ Some links discussed in this episode: Readingsimplified.com/switch-it ReadingSimplified.com/reading-tests ReadingSimplified.com/one-and-don...

Take the Cognitive Questionnaire here: https://questionnaire.arrowsmithprogram.com/     Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is the founder of the Arrowsmith Program, an assessment process and suite of cognitive exercises designed to stimulate and strengthen areas of cognitive functioning that underlie a range of learning difficulties.   Her work is recognized as one of the first examples of the practical app...

We are joined this week by Dayna Abraham, educator, author, mother, and so much more!  Dayna's newest book, Calm the Chaos (about to be released very soon) is "a revolutionary guide for parents of kids that struggle with big emotions, power struggles, or challenging behaviors".  Having had the opportunity to read a sneak preview of this book, I can tell you that it is for every parent I've ever me...

Last week we dove into the latest research on the best educational methodologies for children with dyslexia (including some methodologies that the latest research supports but have been around for over a hundred years!). This week we’re diving into a topic that is a bit more complicated, because there is WAY less research.  This week we’re talking about the best methods for educating a child with...

In this week’s episode , I am giving some clear guidelines on the best methodologies for educating children with dyslexia, based on the most current research. Click here to watch, listen, and learn !  While you’re here, be sure to subscribe, rate, and write a review to help others discover all that you have found so helpful!

After that long IEP Tips series, I’m excited to offer you an interview today!  Today’s episode is an interview with Andrea Pollack of Autism Parent Solutions. Whether or not you have a child with autism, be sure to listen because you WILL gain insight! One of the biggest things that is explored in this episode is Unshakeable Parenting Confidence! Learn a bit about Unshakeable Parenting Confidence...

This week’s final episode stems from the position many families find themselves in of being offered a Section 504 plan when what they really wanted for their child was an IEP.  We go into the differences and similarities of these two educational supports to hopefully allow families to make the decision that is best for their child! Watch the video or download the audio for this week’s episode wher...

Last week we went through all the steps of GETTING an IEP for your kiddo, but another common question is around how to keep the school from taking that IEP away.   Every three years, the school district must determine if your child is still “eligible” for an IEP and while this brings updated information, it can also mean that the school may recommend “exiting” your child from special education/ an...

Many families assume that a school will recognize if their child is struggling and will assess them and put them on an IEP if that is needed, all without the parents saying anything.  And, honestly, that’s how it’s supposed to work.  For many children, that is exactly how it does work.   However, for many other kids, their needs get brushed aside and they are never assessed, and never put onto an...

Sometimes, we need a second opinion.     If you’re feeling that the school’s report didn’t find give you the answers you needed regarding why your child is struggling, you might need a second opinion. And the beauty of the system is that you can request an IEE that is free of charge to you. I don’t encourage the use of this option for most people, as it is a big expense to school districts and we’...

Are Accommodations the most important part of an IEP? Last week we dove into the importance of well-written IEP goals and this week we’re going to another section of the IEP. The Accommodations section of an IEP is, for many kids, the single most important section of their IEP! For kids who are able to understand and participate in grade level content, accommodations may be the thing keeping them...

When we’re looking at IEP goals, we don’t want just an emotional impression of what we think the IEP is supposed to guide.  We need it to be crystal clear so that there is no confusion as to whether or not a child met that IEP goal.   Those goals need to leave no room for interpretation.  If 2 different teachers both read that goal, will they use entirely different methods of measurement?  If so,...

When it comes to IEPs, knowing how to read them helps us know where to look to find the important stuff within them.     An IEP document 30 years ago was 2 pages long.  Now IEPs are often more than 30 pages long.  They can be so large and overwhelming that many parents need help looking them over, understanding them, and knowing if the IEP is providing what their child needs.   While I actually lo...

Communication is really important to ANY relationship.  Most conflict seems to stem from miscommunication, misunderstanding, or lack of communication.   And when there is conflict around your child’s IEP, your child is not benefiting.  Communicate regularly with the entire IEP team!   Listen for more details on how and when and where and why and what to communicate with who!   You can watch the vi...

knowing what to bring to a particular event/trip is critically important to the trip’s success (and some things are out of our control).   When it comes to attending an IEP meeting, don’t show up empty-handed and clueless!  There are specific items you can and should bring with you for an optimally successful IEP meeting.   Click here to watch or listen to this week’s podcast episode and get all t...

Ultimately, the answer to this question is personal and depends greatly on your particular situation.   Listen or Watch the video to find out what you should consider when trying to decide if it's time to hire an advocate or a lawyer, and what to look for if you do decide to hire one.   Learn more at www. DecodingLearningDifferences.com!

This week’s episode is the first interview of the season!  And to kick us off, we’re bringing back Dr. Victoria Waller!   Last week we discussed how to set your child up for optimal learning and one of the key pieces to that is to make learning pleasant or even fun, and this week Dr. Vicki will give us plenty of ideas to get us started engaging our kids’ love of learning and creative spirit. Click...