Just Needs: parenting children with disabilities

Setting New Year's resolutions that you don't follow through with can leave you feeling defeated. Instead, focus on how amazing you are this year and share that with those around you! Where to find Exceptional Lives Facebook Instagram TikTok LinkedIn

Let’s talk about overstimulation, especially during the holidays. Here’s the interesting part though, this is about overstimulation for us parents. Here are 4 tips that have helped me a lot. Resources mentioned in this episode Overstimulated by Life? 20 Ways to Give Your ADHD Senses a Break Study shows overstimulation caused by smartphones, while they promise the opposite Digital Overload: What Is...

You know that ‘bored’ feeling? No? Oh right, you’re a parent. These days, our devices are a source of constant entertainment, information, and connection -  but they can also increase our stress and take us away from our kids (even when we’re with them). Here’s the antidote.  Resources mentioned in this episode If you give a mom a minute… Exploring Nature to find our Calm How to Keep it Together:...

Extra stressed during the holidays? We are too. Here are some of our favorite parenting mantras to get us through. Resources mentioned in this episode What is self-regulation and how can it help me be a better parent? How can co-regulation help my child’s behavior? Strategies for parenting children with disabilities Where to find Exceptional Lives Facebook Instagram TikTok LinkedIn

Holiday gatherings can be stressful. If you’re welcoming a family with kids with disabilities, here are six things you can do to make sure they feel welcome. Resources mentioned in this episode What is a developmental disability? What is sensory processing? And can it help explain my child’s behavior? What are accommodations? Six Things Not to Say to Children with Disabilities (and Some Things To...

Nothing’s sure but… well, you know the end of that sentence. If your family includes a child or adult with a disability, here are 5 important things to know before you file your 2024 taxes. Resources mentioned in this episode 5 Things to Know Before Filing Taxes for People with Disabilities ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts Special Needs Alliance: Attorneys for Special Needs Plann...

This week, Christina chats with Dr. Nilong Vyas of Sleepless in NOLA, on the importance of sleep in early childhood. They’ll answer questions like, “Why is sleep important?” and “My child is a terrible sleeper. Is it me or something else?” Listen along for helpful information and tips and tricks around sleep.   Resources mentioned in this episode What is a sleep consultant and how do they help fam...

Nothing’s sure but… well, you know the end of that sentence. If your family includes a child or adult with a disability, here are 5 important things to know before you file your taxes in 2022. Resources mentioned in this episode 5 Things to Know Before Filing Taxes for People with Disabilities ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts Special Needs Alliance: Attorneys for Special Needs Pl...

Flying with kids with disabilities can be stressful and overwhelming. This week’s podcast episode has 5 tips to make the trip easier for you and your child. Resources mentioned in this episode Better parenting using self-regulation What is self-regulation and how can it help me be a better parent? ¿Qué es la autorregulación y cómo puede ayudarme a ser un mejor padre? Co-regulation: Your secret too...

In this bonus episode, Christina discusses doing a pediatric sleep study with her son and his sensory needs.   Resources mentioned in this episode The importance of sleep in early childhood with Dr. Nilong Vyas Sleepless in NOLA Our Lady of the Lake Sleep Medicine Where to find Exceptional Lives Facebook Instagram TikTok LinkedIn

This week, Christina chats with Dr. Nilong Vyas of Sleepless in NOLA, on the importance of sleep in early childhood. They’ll answer questions like, “Why is sleep important?” and “My child is a terrible sleeper. Is it me or something else?” Listen along for helpful information and tips and tricks around sleep.   Resources mentioned in this episode What is a sleep consultant and how do they help fam...

What do you do if you just found out your child has medically complex needs? Do you know how to be a great health care advocate for your complex kid? Christina gets helpful information and insight from Julia Roberts, parent and long-time advocate, in this week's episode.  Resources mentioned in this episode Julia Roberts Children with Medical Complexity Health Insurance for a Child With Disab...

Speech Apraxia vs Autism: Are they related? If a child is speech delayed what can you do? Christina gets helpful information and insight from Kacy Woodson, a speech-language pathologist, in this week's episode.  Resources mentioned in this episode Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do? Childhood Apraxia of Speech Is my child different? Six steps to assessing your child’s d...

Mr. Raymond A. Jetson says, “... If our children are going to feel present and valued and able to be the best version of themselves in the world, we have to be intentional about impacting the world in a way that creates space for that to happen.” In this week’s episode, Christina gets practical advice on how to build community for children with disabilities. Resources mentioned in this episode Mee...

In this week’s episode, Christina gets back-to-school tips from Julie McIsaac, Learning and Mental Health Consultant. Get some real-life tips to support your child and their teacher as we head back to school. Resources mentioned in this episode Meet Julie McIsaac, Ph. D. Introduce your child with F-Words; it’s not what you think (podcast) How Can I Prepare for My Child’s Transition into School-bas...

In this week’s episode, Christina talks with Dayna Abraham, bestselling author of Calm the Chaos: A Fail-Proof Roadmap for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids. They discuss supporting neurodivergent kids at home in a realistic and shame-free way. Here’s some more about Dayna. As a National Board Certified educator, parent of three neurodivergent children, and an ADHD adult herself, Dayna brin...

We’re back in school. Is your child with disabilities working with a new teacher? In this week’s podcast learn how to introduce your child to their teacher using helpful F-words! Resources mentioned in this episode The ‘F-words’ in childhood disability: I swear this is how we should think! Meet my Child document Full letter by Julie McIsaac, PhD. to her son’s teacher Where to find Exceptional Live...

Resources for children with disabilities: what are they, how do I find them? If you’ve found yourself overwhelmed with where to start in getting support for your child with disabilities or developmental delay this podcast episode is for you. Listen along as I break down the systems of services in this week’s episode.   Resources mentioned in this episode My child was just diagnosed with a disabili...

Flying with kids with disabilities can be stressful and overwhelming. This week’s podcast episode has 5 tips to make the trip easier for you and your child. Resources mentioned in this episode Better parenting using self-regulation What is self-regulation and how can it help me be a better parent? ¿Qué es la autorregulación y cómo puede ayudarme a ser un mejor padre? Co-regulation: Your secret too...

Pool safety is important for everyone, more so for children with disabilities. Parents need hints for summer, some that are not always obvious. This week’s podcast contains 9 quick tips for water safety and UV awareness. Resources mentioned in this episode How to climb out of the pool Swimsuit colors for water safety Sunscreen for people of color Sunscreen application tips Assign an adult to be Wa...

Self-care for caregivers: You’re tired and you know you need it. But how? And why would you want one more thing to add to your to-do list? This week on the podcast, I want to share with you how some things you’re already doing every day can be self-care. Resources mentioned in this episode Parents, let’s talk mental health (podcast) Fellow Parents, Let’s Talk About Mental Health Better parenting u...

There is often confusion and fear and difficulty when talking about mental illness, especially when children are involved. There doesn’t need to be though. This week’s podcast focuses on how you can support parents of children with mental illness. Listen along as we share 3 ways to be a great friend. Resources mentioned in this episode 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline The Trevor Project: Help for...

In honor of Occuptional Therapy Month, we are re-releasing on episode on occupational therapy. If your young child has a disability or delay, you may have been referred to Occupational Therapy. But what does occupational therapy mean for a child? In this episode, we’ll talk about all of the ways OT can make a difference for your child. Kim Haynes and Anne Hindrichs of the McMains Child Development...

“There’s no magic amount of knowledge.” This week I have a conversation with Nell Curran and she has some great insights into raising a neurodivergent child. Listen along as two neurodivergent moms talk about raising neurodivergent children. Resources mentioned in this episode 5 things to do if your autistic child needs an ambulance (podcast) Body doubling and other parenting tips for neurodiverge...

Do you ever ask yourself, “as a neurodivergent parent, how can I teach my neurodivergent child skills that they’ll need?” This week on the podcast, I want to share some skills that I have discovered work for me and my family. Resources mentioned in this episode Neurodivergent: What Is It, Symptoms, And Types Stimming: Why It Happens And How To Manage It The Link Between ADHD and Object Permanence...