Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind

In this episode I explore fitness and nutrition in disabled children and adults and the high incidence of obesity.  What can be done to turn the tide on this epidemic?

In this episode I’m speaking with Christine Astarita is the owner and founder of Breakthrough Intensive PT, an organization focused on helping kids and adults with disabilities, as well as their families, to improve the quality of their lives.  Christine is also the founder of The Run To Breakthrough Inc., a 501(c)3 dedicated to inclusive racing, community events, and providing necessary reso...

In this episode I speak with Dr. Flo Rosof. Dr. Rosof has a PhD in Counseling Psychology specializing in philosophical psychology and identifies as a Spiritual Educator. She completed her doctorate delving into authentic relating and how it connects to relationship fulfillment and ran the first Parents Anonymous Group on Long Island, NY.  The Life Development Center uses a philosophical...

April Rehrig is the founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting, LLC. Rise provides parent advocacy and IEP coaching, 504 Guides, and Do It Yourself IEP Kits. Follow April on Instagram at riseedadvocacy for weekly IEP tips and stories from the heart. https://www.riseeducationaladvocacy.com/about?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqdqvBhCPARIsANrmZhNUuP9l2HjF65tj6ZZ8_ObecwiMTnZT5nlVGixw3_56kFBR...

In this episode I’m speaking about managing physical outbursts or meltdowns in your neurodivergent child.

In this episode I’m speaking about the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP.  And, the steps in the process of requesting an evaluation.

In this episode I’m speaking with Dr. Pamela Ellis. The Education DoctorⓇ:—  Pamela Ellis, MBA, PhD, partners with busy parents to help their teen find a college that feels like home without overpaying. Dr. Pamela speaks with me about how she serves teens with disabilities and their parents to find the right college for them. She founded Compass College Advisory in 2010 and has served ov...

Jyoti Jo Manuel is recognised by many as one of the world's leading authorities   on therapeutic yoga for children. In 2002 Jyoti founded Special Yoga, a global organization established to provide and develop sustainable and accessible yoga programmes for children with special and additional needs. As founder, lead and spiritual head of Special Yoga she has trained senior practitioners t...

In this episode I’ll be speaking with Tom Stevens, CEO and Co-founder of Tombot, Inc. Tom and his team of passionate and talented professionals are dedicated to creating robotic emotional support animals for seniors with dementia and others with serious mental health adversities. Their goal is to provide a realistic and affordable pet for those who cannot safely or practically care for live animal...

In this episode I’ll be presenting some resource links and information to support you in parenting your child with exceptional needs.

In this episode I’ll be presenting some evidence based strategies for you to use in your home to help turn your child’s negative behaviors into positive ones. 

Periodically I plan to present my impressions, observations and insights into movies that address disabilities, with takes on anything from exploring their themes, sharing my perspective on how a disability is being presented, lessons I’ve taken, commentary on the times they were made, investigating their potential value in helping you on your journey and more.   I feel that cinema has the po...

In this episode I’m proud to bring you my interview with two authors, the mother and son team behind the children’s book,   Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure ,  Lynn and Jonathan Greenberg. Lynn Greenberg is the happiest wife, mom, and grandma. A very retired attorney who loves to cook, exercise, and read, she has seen how positivity with feelings and differences can allo...

In this episode I’m delighted to be speaking with Jani Tillery about racial inequities in Special Education. Jani holds a B.A. in Spanish from North Carolina Central University, and a J.D. from Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and Maryland Bar.  Ms. Tillery has spent the majority of her legal career practicing in special education...

In this episode I’m excited to be speaking with Wendy Taylor, Executive Director of Learning Essentials, a company dedicated to providing tutoring, academic coaching, educational therapy and support services to help students, families and educators in the greater DC-metro area—and beyond!  Wendy Taylor, M.Ed, ET/P, is a highly qualified and dedicated professional in Special Education. She hol...

In this episode I’ll be speaking about the token economy reward system.  I’ll examine and share the ins and outs of it and offer some examples that you can follow to help you succeed in extinguishing a negative behavior and developing a positive replacement.

In this episode I’ll be speaking about perseverations.  What are they? Why do they occur? And how you can manage them through acceptance and some helpful strategies.

In this episode I’m speaking about lessons I learned during my time caring for and experiencing my mother’s journey through dementia and Alzheimers.

In this episode I’ll be speaking with two presenters for the upcoming Weinfeld Education Group’s Diamonds in the Rough virtual conference and speaker series, Joan Green and Keynote speaker Adam Pletter,  . Diamonds in the Rough is being held this year on Oct 20th and 21st, is WEG’s annual conference in the Metro Washington D.C. and Baltimore area for families of students with special learning...

In this episode I’d like to briefly speak to parents about never giving up on your child.  Don’t be quick to believe that the limitations and behaviors you witness at a young age are permanent or are resistant to the potential for improvement on a functional, more independent and more manageable level enabling them to become a productive (to varying degrees) member of your family and society....

Diana Pastora Carson has been an elementary educator for over 30 years, a college educator, consultant and coach on diversity as it relates to disability, and is the author of several articles and books including Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity Work in K-12 Schools & Communities, and the children’s book, Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights.   She served two term...

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This episode addresses the phenomenon of using robotic animals as “comfort or companion pets” for dementia patients as well as individuals on the neurodiverse spectrum.

This episode is a midsummer report sparked by my experiences back working in homes with reminders of some tips/strategies and news for you to help you help your children and families.

This episode addresses that often forgotten segment of the exceptional needs community, the siblings of disabled individuals.  I address the challenges and present some options to help you help your child manage the ups and downs of being the brother or sister of a sibling with a disability .