Family Therapist Connections - The Podcast

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Allison Westrup Pianka, Co-Founder and CEO of My Path, mother to a beautiful daughter diagnosed with ASD and ADHD, speaks openly about her grief and loss for the future she had planned for herself and her family. Allison's honesty and how she has moved forward on a new path is a conversation of loss and then hope parents of children with a disability can understand and relate to.  It is the l...

Marcy Nirschel, DIR Floortime Therapist, returns at the start of Season Two to discuss her new practice, My Path, co founded with Allison Westrup-Pianka. Marty Nirschel, Communication Partner Speller Therapist and DIR Floortime Assistant, joins the conversation as we discuss how My Path was created and why . Individual conversations with each of these amazing therapist and practitioners will follo...

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Tamelly Jimenez, MA, CCC-SLP, speaks in detail of the indicators or symptoms of Autism parents may notice in their young child. Ms. Jimenez, who has offices in Bronxville, Larchmont, and Hartsdale, offers evaluations services, speech therapy, and social groups. It is also worth noting Ms. Jimenez can conduct the ADOS for parents to take to their Development Pediatrician. Miss Tammy mentioned the 1...

Ms. Debbi, Darchi, Certified Financial Planner, discusses why it is important for families with Special Needs children to start financial 📆  planning for the long term future and now .  Ms. Darchi discussed how she and the team at Enable help and support parents in all aspects of their planning, what accounts should or should not have your child's name on them, and the government programs yo...

Sharon Mischio, PCI Certified Parent Coach and former Educator, talks about giving your child age appropriate autonomy, listening to your Mom or Dad Gut, sitting in the uncomfortableness of saying 'no' to your child, and what to do if you or your child becomes dysregulated. Listeners will quickly identify Sharon is loving and supportive, has a sense of humor, and deeply understands your...

The best time to collect data on your child's academic strengths and weaknesses is  now ! If you haven't been collecting scores and work samples on your child's progress throughout the year, right now may be he last opportunity you have to so. Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate, encourages parents to have their own collection of data in the event they need to seek out support for...

Lydia Librizzi, BCBA and owner of Transitions ABA, discusses the Science of Consistency , specifically Behavior Contrast and Schedules of Reinforcement .  This episode isn't just for our families with a loved one diagnosed with Autism! This episode helps everyone understand the importance of consistency and the long term effects it has on all children (and ourselves) when parents and educator...

Ms. Fallon Jordan, Certified Brain Health Coach and Irlen Syndrome Screener speaks to us about Irlen Syndrome and how she supports students and parents. Irlen Syndrome has symptoms that can be confused with  📕 dyslexia syndromes. Mr. Jordan shared this link 💻 for listeners to watch to develop a true understanding of what Irlen Syndrome is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FARizLljRkc Contact Ms....

Emilia Del Pino, SLP and Board Certified Orofacial Myology, discusses how OMD Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder impacts small children and adolescents.  Contact Emilia Del Pino for more information and to assist you Emilia del Pino, M.S., CCC-SLP/COM® (Licensed SLP in NY & NJ) 📩 email: edelpinoslp@yahoo 🖥️  website: www.cnyspeechpathology.com Licensed SLP in NY & NJ 📖 Read an article writ...

Emily Varon, BCBA, talks today about  🛌 bedwetting. . . what's normal, why it's normal, and when to seek out medical help.  Emily's kind, understanding of the the needs of parents and children shines through! Contact Emily at  🖥️ https://www.readysetsleep.com Get her free Sleep Resource Kit ❤️🖥️ https://www.readysetsleep.com/opt-in Read 📕 Emily's article on Bedwetting: https:...

Marcus Boyd, nine time award winner 🏆, designer, DJ, and Internal Autism Activist shares how we, as a community, country, and world can assist families and individuals stand in the Greatness helping each individual achieve all that they can. Mr. Boyd addresses uncomfortable topics such as giving people with disabilities a 🥣 "free bowl of excuses" and our fear of addressing them so we w...

Why is Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate, talking about 🏕️ Summer Camp ☀️ during the cold, cold days of February?! Because the academic and social benefits to your child are so great parents don't want camp registration to pass by them! Summer camp 🏕️ allows your child to grow and expand his/her schema and knowledge that allows reading  📖 comprehension and writing ✍️ to strengthen. Summe...

Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate, shares the importance of parents reflecting on their observations and data they have collected on their child to prepare an effective and impactful Parent Input Statement at their child's IEP/CSE/PPT Meeting. Anne discusses the three  📋 categories: to include in your Parent Input Statement  #1) What's going well for my child, #2) What my child is s...

It's February! 📆 Have you submitted your request in writing 💻 to the CSE to have your child evaluated for Special Education Services? Today's episode is a re-run from December 30, 2024 when Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate, explained why January was the time to submit such request. The timeline is crazy from request to evaluate, to Initial Meeting, to IEP implementation  is crazy...

DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, please seek advice from a qualified healthcare provider. If there is an immediate risk of harm to oneself or others, please contact emerg...

Christine Dodaj, Founder of 📲 Parent IEP Manager , explains the features of the app that is revolutionizing and simplify the collection of data, documents, and other information parents need to become empowered Team Members and contributors at their child's CSE/PPT Meeting. Ms. Dodaj also talks about the Directory to find a therapist or provider that is found on the app. Download the app fro...

Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate, shares why it is imperative parents request their child is evaluated for Special Education services before the month of January concludes. Anne explains by starting the process early in the year, you allow ample time for the evaluation, meetings, and implementation of the IEP. This proactive approach ensures that your child has the support they need in place...

Shadei Williams, shares her transcendence from struggling student to successful, thriving adulthood. Listen to this amazing woman who has authored two books, supports people in her community, and has a mindset that is unconquerable. With the love and support of her mother, Stephanie, Ms. Williams shares how she is conquering the world today. My gift to you . . . The Warrior Queen 👸 Check out Ms....

Jon Cassidy candidly speaks about his journey with addiction that started when he was an adolescent, eventually working his way to a happy, sober life. His candid yet compassionate conversation is one parents need to listen to. How parents can support their child/adolescent with the disease of addiction, what parents need to do for themselves in order to help their teen is something that needs to...

The Holidays can be too over stimulating for some of our neurodiverse kids and even our neurotypical kids. The expectations, the visual changes, the sensory input, the change to routines and everything about it is just too much for them to handle or respond well to. Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate, discusses the compassion and understanding, as well as strategies to use to get through this H...

Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate and hostess, continues her discussion on Data Collection. (Nov 11, 2024 episode) 📈 REPORT CARDS ! Parents who are concerned about their child's academic achievement need to maintain their own records and data collection on their child's education. Anne walks parents 🧑👩 on what to look for on their child's report card and when to reach out to...

Stephanie Almonte, Speech Therapist, discusses how Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SCD) is characterized by challenges in social communication across a variety of settings in the past Covid world. The increase of patients experiencing social dysfunction that may manifest as an inablility to return to the office, anxiety around social settings, anxieties, around non-verbal communication an...

Parent's struggling to understand their child's behavior and poor responses to situations want to pour themselves a cup of tea 🫖 and listen to today's  🎧 episode.  The calming, compassionate discussion held with Eileen Devine provides parents a scientific based understanding of how the 🧠  brain,  nervous system, and your child's cognitive skill sets dictate their responses...