Helping Kids Be Kids

Having lost her only nephew when he was only six months old, Lisa has a tender heart toward medically fragile children. Twenty-five years ago, she honored her nephew by raising funds to help other kids. Following the initial success, Lisa learned to leverage corporate sponsorships and school choice tax credits to motivate her friends and coworkers to give thousands of dollars. Here she shares her...

Dr. John Henshaw has mobilized hundreds of college students to help kids be kids. Under his leadership, mechanical engineering students have been designing custom equipment for the Little Light House for more than a decade. MADE at TU (Make A Difference Engineering), an inclusive Tulsa University club unifies students to help kids with special needs. Join this great conversation between Dr. Hensha...

Jason Burks is the owner of Retrospec Films and Climb Tulsa and is a champion for kids with special needs. Since 2015 he has made films highlighting the work of Little Light House to show the value of children with special needs. Listen and learn why Jason is so generous with his time, talent, and treasure, and why he sees such value in helping kids be kids. He also fills us in on current projects...

Kaylie Boomer, mother of student who attends Little Light House, passes on her favorite resources for blind or visually impaired kids. Wilder, her child, has bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, but these tips will help you no matter your child's diagnosis. Here are links to recommended resources: CDC Early Intervention Program Referrals by State ; O klahoma ABLE Tech ; American Printing House for th...

After having five previous typical pregnancies, Rachel Castillo had no concerns about the sixth. So when she went alone to her first doctor's appointment, she was devastated to learn that her daughter had Spina Bifida. Rachel shares how her journey from denial and depression to hope and delight in her precious child.

Collaboration is the key to helping a child reach their goals, but it takes extra time to initiate and is not a billable service. It often falls on parents to communicate with everyone, which can be burdensome and complicated. The pandemic has improved collaboration with cloud-based platforms for sharing videos and information between agencies/providers. In this episode, Lynda and Stef role-model...

In part 4 of our Feeding Solutions series, Mandy will help you recognize red flags of feeding and let you know when to seek professional help. She adjusts your eyes to see your child's progress, unlocking feelings of accomplishment in yourself and your child. For Mandy, helping kids be kids means, "When they begin to understand themselves and know why things work and don't work for their body, the...

In this episode, Mandy Foster and Lauren Gebhard help you face the emotions connected to feeding problems. They debunk mealtime myths and help you overcome false guilt. SOS therapy talks about what parents “bring to the table.” Studies show that 98% of feeding problems are due to a mix of diagnosable organic issues. Learn to change your beliefs about food and your child’s feeding to free you to en...

Today, we start part 2 of our 4 part series about problem feeding. Lauren Gebhard and Mandy Foster join us to talk about food. There can be a lot of confusion surrounding food, and there are many reasons while a child might not be eating a particular food. We hope this episode will get you tips and tricks on approaching food more comfortably for you and your child. Thank you to Retrospec Film...

Today, we are joined by Lauren Gebhard and Mandy Foster, speech therapists, to start a new four-part series about feeding problems. In this episode, we are discussing tips and tricks to get your child on an eating schedule. We discuss what SOS is, sequential oral sensory approach to feeding, and the difference between picky eating or problem feeding. Thank you to  Retrospec Films  for re...

Physical Therapy helps with significant muscle movements such as head control, sitting, walking, and balance for children with developmental delays. The first three years of life set the foundation for the rest of your child's life. Whether your child has a diagnosis or not, if your gut tells you something is not right, it never hurts to request a PT consultation. Find a therapist who is not only...

Our guest, Mindy Wiggins, shares the adoption journey that led her to Hudson, a precious boy with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. In this episode, she shares how God equipped her for fostering and adopting medically fragile children. "Your obedience is the answer to someone else's prayer. It is not always about you." God is the same, but what that looks like in each season does not look the same. Life is...

Today our guest, Dr. Sorrels, talks about the importance of bonding with your child. Attachment is a strong and enduring emotional bond between and child and a caregiver who assumes responsibly for the child's well-being. Attachment is a very sensory process. The first language babies understand is touch. When that first language is taken away, the attachment process can be disrupted. The relation...

Assistive Technology (AT) helps someone complete a task they would have trouble doing on their own. Learn how to assess needs with the SETT Framework by Joy Zabala. SETT is a four-part model that promotes collaborative decision-making by looking at the Student, Environment, Task, and Tools. Solutions range from no-tech to high-tech. Assistive Technology helps kids participate in life to the best o...

Mason was developing neurotypically when he all of a sudden developed Meningitis, suffered seizures and had a stroke. He lost his hearing and received a unilateral cochlear implant. Melinda, Mason's mother, learned to embrace the path her life has taken and encourages other parents, "Just because you expected your life to be one way, just because it's different, doesn't mean it can't be just as gr...

Learn to identify and accommodate your sensory differences as well as your child's. In this episode, Jodi Howe, Occupational Therapist, discusses the senses, including proprioception and vestibular. We talk about sensory processing, thresholds, and Winnie Dunn's Sensory Profile. Sensory seekers benefit from fidget toys, a rubber band, or a piece of Velcro under their desks. Sensory avoiders are he...

Audre and Kristen share how and why they became teachers at the Little Light House. They discuss how they processed the transition from classroom teaching to virtual learning, both emotionally and logistically. Audre coaches on logistics of using Zoom and Kristen talks about how virtual learning at the Little Light House was just as important for parents as it was for students. One benefit from vi...

Katie shares her journey to help her son, Buzzy, live a full life after suffering shaken baby syndrome. Michelle Morris, Buzzy's special education teacher, joins the conversation to share how early intervention is helping him thrive. Learn how classroom set up helps him navigate with a Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) diagnosis and more. Katie talks about how she learned to take a step back and le...

Mark introduces four core areas to consider when it comes to financial planning: family support system, legal, financial, and government benefits. Children may be disqualified from services and benefits because of lack of planning ahead, so what are you waiting for! You should start with an assessment of all assets and liabilities, then make two plans; a plan for the parents' estate, and then plan...

Lauren Gebhard, SLP and Ronda Marfuchuk, SLP share professional advice to face problem feeding. Lauren adds a personal glimpse into her journey of helping her son navigate his own feeding problems. Thanks to Retrospec Films for recording and editing the audio of this podcast.

Back in the studio with Laura Robinson, Katie Hough, and Donny Walsh, discover advice on advocating for kids with special needs. Advocacy is a key role for parents. Learn how to handle questions from people in the community and set your kids up for success. Thanks to Retrospec Films for recording and editing the audio of this podcast.

Three parents, Laura Robinson, Katy Hough, and Donny Walsh share hope-filled advice on parenting kids with special needs. This fun conversation introduces their kids, covers the joys and challenges they face and shares what they would tell themselves when they realized their child would have special needs. Thanks to Retrospec Films for recording and editing the audio of this podcast.

Welcome to our podcast! Executive Director Anne McCoy shares how the Little Light House has helped kids with special needs and their parents for nearly five decades and how we can help you on your parenting journey.  Thanks to Retrospec Films for recording and editing the audio of this podcast.