In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

When you’re a couple raising a child, your relationship can fall to the bottom of the priority list. That can be especially true when your child learns or thinks differently. You might feel the pressures of time, money, and decision-making. And you may find yourselves arguing over small things like who bought the bread.   So how can a couple nurture their relationship? To find out, hosts Gretchen...

 Why is math so hard for so many kids? And what can we do about it?   In this episode, hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra take a deep dive into math with special education and math teacher Brendan Hodnett. Tune in to learn about dyscalculia, a learning disability in math. Find out how other learning and thinking differences can impact math, too.   Hear Brendan describe math anxiety, and what...

Homework. It’s a source of battles in many families. But does it have to be? How can we approach homework so that it doesn’t cause so much stress for our kids — and ourselves?   In this episode, hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra talk all things homework with special education teacher Shira Moskovitz. Hear Shira bust common homework myths, like why the best time to do homework isn’t always r...

Impulsivity can be a big challenge for kids with ADHD. But it’s also something that many kids struggle with. What drives impulsive behavior? And how can we help kids manage it?   In this episode of In It , hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek take a deep dive into impulsivity with psychologist and Understood expert Dr. Andy Kahn. Hear Andy explain what impulsivity is, its connection to ADHD, a...

Self-advocacy is the ability to communicate your needs. It’s important for thriving in school, at work, and in life. But it’s not something that comes naturally for kids — and even most adults. So how do we help kids build their self-advocacy muscles?   In this episode, hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra talk about self-advocacy with Melody Maitland, a director of student services and former...

When kids have trouble learning to read, families may wonder about dyslexia. But what exactly is dyslexia? And what are the signs to look out for?   In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk about dyslexia with Dr. Gabrielle Rappolt-Schlichtmann. Gabbie is an education scientist who works to make education more inclusive to kids and adults who learn and think differently. She’...

Many families worry about their kids’ social lives. But when your child has a learning difference, you might worry even more. What happens when you realize that what looks like loneliness to you is actually not loneliness for your child?   In this episode, hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Ellen, a mom of three kids ages 11 to 16. Ellen shares the story of her son, a high-schooler...

Bullying is a tough topic for anyone to talk about. But for kids who learn and think differently, it can be even tougher. They’re more likely to be bullied than their peers. And it’s common for kids who are bullied to react by bullying others. So what can families do about bullying?  In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek get advice from Ellen Braaten, child psychologist and Und...

If you have a ton of questions for your child’s teacher — but only 15 minutes to discuss them in a parent-teacher conference — you’re not alone. How can you make the most of this meeting?   In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek get advice on how to prepare for parent-teacher conferences from DeJunne’ Clark Jackson. DeJunne’ is a parent advocate, an education consultant, and pre...

Join us for Season 4 of In It , a podcast about the ins and outs — and ups and downs — of supporting kids who learn and think differently.   This season, host Gretchen Vierstra will be joined by a new co-host, Rachel Bozek, a writer and editor raising two kids with ADHD. Gretchen and Rachel will bring you stories, tips, and expert advice from people who are “in it.” They’ll talk about everyday cha...

Season 4 of In It is almost here! But first, we have some bittersweet news. In this celebratory bonus episode, Amanda shares that she’s hanging up her mic as the co-host of In It . Hear Amanda talk about the origins of the show. Then listen to one of Amanda’s favorites from Season 2, “This Is How We Make It Through,” an episode about how families find joy — even on the most challenging days.   We...

If your kid is a picky eater, you’re not alone. What’s behind picky eating? And should we even be calling it that?   In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra dig into picky eating with  Keri Wilmot, a pediatric occupational therapist. Keri shares constructive ways to talk about picky eating — and how to find out what’s behind it. Listen in to get tips for introducing new foods to...

Messy backpacks. Forgotten lunches. Missing assignments. How can we help our kids get organized this school year? What strategies can we use to support kids with ADHD and other learning differences?  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get back-to-school tips from Brendan Mahan, an executive function coach and host of the ADHD Essentials podcast. Brendan explains what executi...

How do schools evaluate kids for special education? Season 1 of our new Understood Explains podcast answers these questions and more. In this bonus episode of In It , Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Dr. Andy Kahn, a psychologist who spent nearly 20 years evaluating kids for schools. Andy shares why he’s excited to host Season 1 of Understood Explains , which breaks down the special ed...

Bonus episode! Hear one mom’s story of parenting a child with ADHD and written expression disorder in this episode from Understood’s ADHA Aha! podcast. Host Laura Key talks with Michelle Kuipers, the mother of Marc-André Leclerc. Marc-André was a skilled rock climber and alpinist who died at age 25 in the mountains of Alaska. He’s the subject of a Netflix documentary, The Alpinist . Michelle share...

Help us make our podcasts better. Take our listener survey . How do we react to the judgment of others when we’re raising kids who learn differently? And how do we handle our own judgment?  In this bonus episode, Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra share favorite moments from families who are “in it.” Get advice on — and even comebacks for — questions like “Is ADHD even real?” Hear why one mom stop...

Summer is a great time for kids to fall in love with reading. How can we make summer reading fun for all kids — even those who don’t think of themselves as readers?  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk about summer reading with Jeremee DeMoir, a bookshop owner and former teacher. Hear how Jeremee helps kids find reading materials that are engaging and accessible. Learn n...

What unique challenges do single parents face when raising kids with learning differences?  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with a single parent who’s “in it.” Rachel is raising her 10-year-old daughter, who has ADHD and other learning challenges. Listen to Rachel talk about the journey she’s been on with her daughter. Hear how she’s trying to manage everything as a...

There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about learning differences. Is ADHD just about hyperactivity? Is dyslexia a vision problem? And do kids outgrow learning differences?   In this episode, host Gretchen Vierstra shares common myths about learning and thinking differences for co-host Amanda Morin to bust. Listen to Amanda debunk these myths with the facts. Learn why these myths persist and...

Summer camp is a tradition for many kids. But does summer camp work for kids who learn differently? How do you find the right camp? Can the camp support your child’s needs? Will your child make friends?  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get answers from the ultimate expert: a camp director. Audrey Monke has been running a summer camp for 37 years. She’s also the author of...

Many kids with ADHD have trouble with sleep. When kids can’t fall asleep or stay asleep, many families struggle with everybody getting a good night’s sleep.   In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with guests who are “in it” when it comes to sleep challenges. First, hear from Belinda, whose son has ADHD, autism, and trouble sleeping. Find out how she deals with sleep chall...

What’s one way to empower kids who learn differently? Connect them with near-peer mentors who learn differently, too.  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Marcus Soutra, president of Eye to Eye, a founding partner of Understood. Eye to Eye brings together middle school students who learn differently with high school and college students who also learn differently. H...

Many schools across the country are lifting their mask mandates. Whether families are excited or uncertain about the new rules, change is hard for everyone — not just for kids who learn differently.  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk candidly about masks, kids, and schools. Hear how they’re talking with their families about the new mask rules. Listen as they ask themse...

Kids of color who learn differently face unique challenges. One of those challenges is something called the “opportunity gap.” What is this gap? Why does it exist? And what can we do about it?  In this episode, Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Julian Saavedra, host of The Opportunity Gap , a new podcast in the Understood Podcast Network. Julian is a longtime educator who’s now an assis...

What’s it like to be a contestant on a reality TV show when you’ve got ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia? Just ask Lizzie Acker from The Great British Baking Show . In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk about baking and “brain fuzz” with Lizzie, the Bake Off contestant from Liverpool, England. Lizzie celebrated her learning differences on the show with an “extraordinary” cake...