Learning Differently

What if the shift your child needs starts with you? In this episode of Learning Differently, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Daniel Patterson sit down with Dr. Shefali to explore the core principles of conscious parenting and what it means for families raising children who learn or experience the world differently. Together, they unpack the tension many parents feel between accepting their child as t...

When a child does not feel understood at school, the impact goes far beyond academics. In this episode, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Joie Laykoff are joined by Jodie Patterson to examine what emotional safety really looks like for students. They discuss how traditional school environments can fall short, especially for students navigating identity, and what it means for a child to feel connected a...

Learning differences don’t have to define a student’s limits—this episode reveals how an ability-forward approach to learning differences can unlock confidence, growth, and real success. If you’ve ever wondered how to better support a child who learns differently, this conversation delivers practical strategies and a powerful mindset shift. Discover how reframing learning differences can transform...

What if school wasn’t something students had to survive, but something designed for who they are? In this episode of Learning Differently, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang sit down with Joie Laykoff to explore the future of education through the lens of personalization. They unpack what’s working, what’s changing, and what still needs to shift to truly serve students with learning, social, a...

From switching schools to moving up a grade, transitions can be especially challenging for students with learning, emotional, or social differences. Change brings uncertainty and for some kids, that can trigger anxiety, shutdowns, or regression. In this episode of Learning Differently, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang talk with Shayna Abraham about why transitions are so hard for neurodivers...

Gifted kids aren’t supposed to struggle, right? That’s one of the biggest myths about twice-exceptional, or 2e, students. These learners may have exceptional talents and also face learning, emotional, or attentional challenges that make school especially hard. In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang sit down with Dr. Dan Peters to explore the misunders...

Autistic students often struggle not because they can’t learn, but because schools weren’t built with them in mind. From overwhelming environments to misunderstood behaviors, traditional classrooms can create unnecessary barriers to connection and progress. In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang sit down with Dr. Damon Korb to explore how autism shows...

When students stop showing up, emotionally or physically, it’s rarely about laziness. School avoidance is often tied to anxiety, depression, or past experiences that make school feel overwhelming or unsafe. In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang speak with Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson about why some students shut down and how we can help them re-engage. You...

Trauma rewires the brain. For many students, the effects show up not just emotionally, but academically and behaviorally, too. They aren’t just distracted. They’re trying to survive. In this episode, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang talk with Shayna Abraham about how trauma shows up in school, how it’s often misread, and how educators and parents can create environments where healing and lea...

Sensory processing differences can make everyday school experiences overwhelming. Bright lights, loud bells, scratchy clothes: what’s background for most can feel unbearable for some. In this episode of Learning Differently, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang talk with Joie Laykoff about how sensory issues show up in the classroom, how to spot them, and what adjustments can make school feel sa...

School shouldn’t feel like a threat—but for many students, it does. Whether it’s the fear of tests, overwhelming environments, or the pressure to fit in, anxiety can hijack a student’s ability to learn. In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang talk with Dr. Marta Shinn about what school anxiety really looks like, how it disrupts learning, and what can a...

Some students aren’t lazy or forgetful. They’re struggling with executive function. From organization and time management to emotional regulation and mental flexibility, executive functioning skills are the foundation of learning success—but they’re rarely taught. In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang talk with Dr. Damon Korb about what executive dys...

Dyslexia isn’t about intelligence—it’s a difference in how the brain processes language. And when schools don’t catch it early, students often internalize shame, anxiety, and frustration. In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang sit down with Dr. Dan Peters to explore the science of dyslexia, how to spot it, and what actually works to support struggling...

Some students don’t just struggle with academics. They struggle to connect. Whether it’s due to anxiety, autism, ADHD, or past experiences, social difficulties can leave students feeling isolated and misunderstood. In this episode of Learning Differently, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang talk with Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson about what social challenges look like in school and how educators and p...

What does ADHD really look like in the classroom, and how can you actually help a student who’s struggling with focus, organization, or motivation? In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang sit down with Dr. Marta Shinn to explore how ADHD impacts executive function, why traditional strategies often fall short, and what kinds of support truly make a diff...

When we understand how students learn, we help unlock who they can become. On Learning Differently, Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Michael Wang talk with parents, educators, and experts to explore how students with learning, social, and emotional differences actually learn, why traditional school can be so challenging for them, and what really helps them thrive. We dive into ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia,...