Diverse Thinking Different Learning

For many parents, it is a struggle to strike that perfect balance between supporting their child in their area of struggle while also developing areas of talent. This is especially true for 2e, or twice exceptional, kids. It is possible to boost an area of strength and talent while also working on skills that are more challenging and today's guest has developed an exciting program that can help st...

We often talk about ways to help students with dyslexia while in the classroom. But what happens when they are ready to enter the workplace and they still feel like their learning challenges will hinder them? There is a place for everyone and, in reality, those with dyslexia are a true asset to many companies, specifically those in the tech industry. Today's guest is Jeannette Roberes and she wear...

Today's guest is a force. She is a change maker and a passionate advocate who works with the schools in her community to develop programs that facilitate neurodiversity. Hailing from Jamaica, Toni-Ann Millen joins the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast to discuss building trust, normalizing making mistakes, facilitating inclusion and belonging, and creating a safe space. These are the fir...

How do differentiated curriculum integrated with SEL support students with learning differences and mental health challenges? It's safe to say that this type of instruction is fantastic for any student as it targets individual needs and strengths and today's guest has all the answers. Joining today is Erika Sneath, a former classroom teacher turned Curriculum Specialist at the unique Pacific Prepa...

We've discussed assessments before in previous episodes, but today's episode is unique. Parents and educators may be unfamiliar with dynamic assessments and how they can not only benefit the educator in driving instruction, but also help the student learn more about the ways they learn and achieve success. Dr. Daniel Franklin is no stranger to the ChildNEXUS community as a ChildNEXUS provider and...

In this informative episode, we take a look at college for students with disabilities. Oftentimes, we focus our energy on children with learning differences when they are young, but what happens when students reach young adulthood and express a desire to attend college? Are they ready? What does ready mean?  Dr. Eric Endlich is today's guest and he offers key strategies and mindsets that can help...

Does your teen have the necessary skills needed to achieve autonomy? If not, how can we build these skills through empowering rather than enabling? As parents, we often think we are doing the right thing by jumping in and helping with tasks and responsibilities, especially if they seem challenging or uncomfortable. But we may be doing more harm than good. On the Diverse Thinking Different Learning...

Welcome back for another exciting conversation, this time with an educator who has been working with children for over 40 years. Dr. Victoria Waller, author of Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences , joins the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast to help us identify the strengths of each child to unlock their full potential. Her focus for the last 40 y...

What would happen if we switch from seeing problematic behaviors as a child being defiant and willfully uncooperative to seeing those behaviors as strategies to cope with anxiety and emotional dysregulation? Dr. Barry Prizant is here to show us what happens when we make that shift. In his recently updated and expanded book Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, Dr. Prizant presents seem...

In this brand new episode, guest Michelle Garcia Winner joins me as we discuss social thinking skills. If you have ever heard of the Zones of Regulation, Think Social, or Thinking About You Thinking About Me, you've got Michelle Garcia Winner to thank. Her work is recognized globally and she joins the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast today in her mission to share the importance of socia...

With April being Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, we want to do our part to increase acceptance and understanding as well as help parents and educators connect with the resources they need. So, today we are re-airing an episode with Holly Blanc Moses all about youth with both Autism and ADHD. We've had several episodes on them separately and while Autism and ADHD do have a lot of overlapping...

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and here at ChildNEXUS, we want to do our part to increase acceptance and understanding as well as help parents and educators connect with the resources they need. So, today we are re-airing an episode with Dr. Lisa Hancock to help us better understand what Autism Spectrum Disorder is. 1 in 54 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Sp...

Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast is a small part of ChildNEXUS. Today's episode is a bit different as we are going to dive into all the resources that ChildNEXUS has to offer in addition to guest interviews with the podcast. I want to connect you with the right resources for your child and as ChildNEXUS continues to expand, we can reach more families and educators. So what is ChildNEXUS...

In this highly anticipated interview, Dr. Traci Baxley and I discuss a critical topic in today's world: raising justice-minded children. Dr. Baxley's book Social Justice Parenting: How to Raise Compassionate, Anti-Racist, Justice-minded Kids in an Unjust World is incredibly powerful and I recommend that everyone read it. I am thrilled to have Dr. Baxley join the Diverse Thinking Different Learning...

Part of the mission for this podcast is to provide help and hope to parents, caregivers, and educators to children who learn and think differently. Oftentimes the parents' feelings may be overlooked when it comes to raising an atypical child and today's episode is all about validating your emotions during various phases of helping your child.    Dr. Rita Eichenstein joins me today to talk about he...

Returning to the podcast today is Carol Karp, and this episode is all about the impact a personal narrative has on language development. Many of us love stories and storytelling, but we don't often think of storytelling as a way to develop language skills. The personal narrative helps kids who struggle with language based learning challenges, and Carol is here to explain how. Carol brings her own...

As human beings, we are constantly filled with different emotions. As adults, we have learned our own ways of managing these emotions, but for children who learn and think differently managing big emotions is a challenge that's hard to understand. Regulation of big feelings is a skill that takes a long time for many children to develop and that's why co-regulation is important for parents and care...

Joining the conversation today is Dr. Thomas Brown, Director of the Brown Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders. Dr. Brown is also the author of several articles and books, but today we talk about his most recent book ADHD and Asperger Syndrome in Smart Kids and Adults .  Listen to Dr. Brown as he describes common difficulties individuals with ADHD and Asperger Syndrome have and how it impact...

Many parents say that their kids struggle with study skills. But what are study skills? Are students taught study skills or are they developed naturally? Today's guest helps demystify study skills and guides us as parents, caregivers, and educators in supporting our children, adolescents, and even young adults in developing the skills necessary to learn. Jenny Aguilar is an educational therapist w...

You are in for a treat with this episode, because on Diverse Thinking Different Learning, it is Game Time! Did you know that the board games that might be collecting dust on your shelves could be used to help children? They help all children, but can be very powerful tools for those who learn and think differently. Not only are games fun to play, but they can be used to improve language skills, ex...

The middle part of the school year between January and March is an important chunk of time that is focused on mastering academics of the school year. Learning expectations increase during this time and after the last couple of years of school year disruptions, the pacing of curriculum is increasing. Unfortunately, this is also the time for the mid-school year slump. The mid-year slump impacts both...

We know that anxiety is common and many of us have experienced some level of anxiety. But there are many myths and misunderstandings about anxiety that could be preventing a child from getting the care and treatment they need. One of the myths you might have heard is that "kids will grow out of it." While stress and fear are normal components of childhood development, 80% of children who are exper...

Parenting can be hard. And, parenting a child who thinks or learns differently has its own unique challenges. But there's so much joy in parenting. Many parents express wanting to experience that joy more frequently and that's where a parent coach comes in. Today's podcast guest is a parent coach with a lot of tips and strategies that can give parents the confidence to experience the joy of parent...

Impulsivity and distractibility seen in some kids who learn and think differently puts them at greater risk for injuries and accidents, including head injuries. Now that sports games and practices are back in action following pandemic cancellations, it is important to talk about these risks and what to do to support kids who experience concussions. Today's guest, Dr. Talin Babikian, explains concu...

TV shows, cartoons, YouTube videos, and even game apps can be used to facilitate communication. There is so much amazing technology available and at our fingertips that can change the lives of children and teens who struggle communicating, and the best part about using these technological tools is that they are also very engaging. Today's guest is Rachel Madel and her passion for technology shines...