In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

Discover a new show on the Understood Podcast Network: Everyone Gets a Juice Box , hosted by Jessica Shaw!  This series explores the real challenges parents face raising neurodivergent kids — with honest conversations that balance frustration, humor, and small victories.  In this episode, hear one mom open up about the intense feelings of anger and frustration that can come with parenting, and the...

In this final episode of In It , we talk with Jessica Shaw, who’s launching a new podcast called TBD  — it’s about the beautiful roller coaster that is parenting neurodivergent kids.  As a mom to two teenage daughters, Jessica reflects on what she wishes she’d known earlier, what she’s learned along the way, and why finding a community of parents who truly get it can be life-changing.  To our audi...

When a teacher says your child is “too smart” for special education services, it doesn’t feel like a compliment — it’s more like a roadblock! Parent advocate Danielle Ward joins us to unpack what this response often means and how it might signal twice exceptionality, where giftedness masks real struggles.  She shares practical strategies for moving forward when the system says “no,” even when your...

Mornings can be chaos, especially when neurodivergence is part of the mix — for your kids or for you. This week, we’re joined by Jon Zeitlin from HabitCoach, who’s been in the thick of it. Jon and his son both have ADHD, so they’ve had to build routines that work for brains like theirs. Spoiler: It starts the night before. HabitCoach helps neurodivergent kids build lasting habits through personali...

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to hear your child say “I’m stupid.” Whether it comes after a tough day at school, a frustrating homework session, or a comment that hit the wrong nerve, that feeling can really stick. Dr. Kristin Carothers joins us to unpack where this kind of negative self-talk comes from. What’s happening beneath the surface? And how can adults respond in ways that build confiden...

What happens when we stop talking about kids with learning differences — and start listening to them? Kids are the experts in their own experience. When we truly listen, we all learn. Today we’re joined by 15-year-old Caris, a smart and determined teen with dyslexia, and her dad, Kevin. In this honest conversation, they talk about the everyday challenges and small wins of growing up with a learnin...

There’s a lot of talk these days — on social media and in parenting circles — about kids and therapy. But with all the noise, it can be hard to know what’s true and what actually applies to your child. Psychologist (and friend of the pod) Dr. Andy Kahn joins us today to clear up any confusion. He unpacks common questions and offers honest, stigma-free insights into how therapy for kids really work...

It’s hard to believe, but back-to-school is almost upon us! We’re bringing back a favorite episode to help kick off the school year. Hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek chat with DeJunne’ Clark Jackson — education consultant, parent advocate, and mom of two. She shares smart, doable strategies for setting goals and easing back-to-school stress.  For more on this topic: Download: Back-to-schoo...

Summer’s in full swing and routines are out the window, which can be both fun — and frustrating! That’s why we’re replaying this episode with psychologist Dr. Andy Kahn, who shares practical, low-stress tips for surviving and thriving this summer. From managing screen time to making travel more manageable with kids who learn and think differently, this episode is full of smart, doable advice to he...

We’re taking a quick summer break for the holiday weekend here at Team In It . Instead of a new episode this week, we’re sharing a great episode from our sister show, Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn . In this episode, Dr. Andy teams up with pediatrician Dr. Liz Harstad to discuss whether melatonin is safe for kids.   Check out Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn and related resources from...

It’s no secret that physical activity can make a big difference for kids with ADHD. The hard part is figuring out how to give kids the time and space to move when they need to. In this episode of In It , hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy is a licensed psychologist and the associate director of behavior change and expertise here at Understood.org. He’s also the ho...

What happens when a child with learning and thinking differences gets labeled as the “bad kid”? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Aleesha, a parent of five children, four of whom have an ADHD diagnosis. Aleesha has seen the effects of a child being perceived — and named — as the “bad kid.” She shares what it’s been like to navigate school systems and the pa...

In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Amy Lang. Amy is a sex educator who works with kids with learning and thinking differences. She is also the founder of birdsandbeesandkids.com . She helps the hosts tackle a tricky but essential topic: talking to kids with ADHD about sex. Here are just a few of the topics Amy talks about: Ways to talk about — and not talk about — bo...

This week on In It , we’re sharing an episode from another Understood podcast. It’s called Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson, and we’re big fans. When she first became a parent, Rae experienced a bout of severe postpartum depression. But at the time, there wasn’t much information about ADHD and women, let alone ADHD and postpartum mental health. Rae had heard that there was a link between ADHD and post...

In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Christina Cipriano, PhD, MEd. Dr. Chris is a psychologist, and an associate professor at the Yale University Child Study Center. She is also the author of Be Unapologetically Impatient , which comes out this summer. Dr. Chris has four children, including a daughter who has ADHD and sensory challenges and a son with a rare,...

In this episode of In It , hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome author and therapist KC Davis. KC is a therapist who hosts the podcast Struggle Care . Her new book Who Deserves Your Love will be out in May 2025. She is also the best-selling author of How to Keep House While Drowning .   KC talks about being a “messy” person and reasons why we could all benefit from caring a little less...

In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome professional parent advocate Danielle Ward. Danielle started out advocating for her own kids, several years ago.  Now, through her company Encompass Parent Solutions, she offers families of kids with learning and thinking differences non-legal help with advocacy, support, and education counsel.  Danielle chats with Gretchen...

In this episode of In It , hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome parenting coach Mary Van Geffen. Mary offers online classes including a special one for moms of what she calls “spicy ones.” She also shares fun, funny, and relatable posts every day on Instagram. Mary talks with Gretchen and Rachel about parenting spicy kids and how to know if you, too, are spicy. What does it mean to be...

For kids who struggle with ADHD, building skills like executive function and self-advocacy can be difficult.  In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy is a licensed psychologist and the associate director of behavior change and expertise here at Understood. He’s also the host of the podcast Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy discusses...

What makes learning to read difficult? And how does having dyslexia make it even more challenging? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome literacy expert Louise Baigelman. A former teacher, Louise is the co-founder and CEO of the literacy organization Storyshares. She explains why reading can be so challenging for kids who struggle with dyslexia, and shares tips...

Parenting can often feel socially isolating. On this episode of In It, we hear from a few parents who have felt socially isolated while raising kids with learning and thinking differences.  They share some of the challenges they have run into and talk about some strategies they’ve found for building relationships with other adults.  Related resources 8 things I wish people knew about parenting a c...

What is dyscalculia? How can parents spot it? And is it anything like dyslexia? Find out about all of this and more from Brendan Hodnett. Brendan is a middle school special education and math teacher. He is also an adjunct professor at Hunter College in New York City, where he offers courses on inclusive ways to teach math. Tune in to learn more about early signs of dyscalculia, how it affects kid...

From school to friends to home, being a teenager is tough. Also tough? Raising one!  On this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Karen Wilson. Karen is a clinical neuropsychologist, director of West LA Neuropsychology, and host of the Diverse Thinking, Diverse Learning podcast. Tune in to get Karen’s expert advice about supporting your child through the teen years. R...

Money. Budgeting. Savings. They’re all stressful. And when you factor in the added expenses that can come with raising a child with learning and thinking differences, it can feel like too much. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome personal finance expert Kim Palmer. Kim is a mom to three kids and she writes for NerdWallet . She’s also the author of three books...

We’ve all been there: Our child is refusing to do something that, to us, seems super reasonable. Do we offer them a reward to get them to cooperate? Where is the line between bribery and rewarding a child? Will we ruin them? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn back to the show. Dr. Andy is a licensed psychologist and Understood’s associate direc...