The Special Parent Podcast

Send us Fan Mail A baby can look “fine” until a tiny skill disappears, and then you’re suddenly living on a clock you never knew existed. We sit down with Melanie to tell the story of her son Kyle and his spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), from the first subtle signs (stopping weight bearing, skipping a typical crawl, slumping in a chair) to the moment one word changes the medical response: “used to.”...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to having meaningful and effective conversations about sexuality with neurodivergent children in this enlightening episode. Join me as I sit down with Amy Lang, a celebrated sexuality educator with a focus on neurodiversity. Amy shares her inspiring journey from general sex education to a specialized focus, which was driven by her personal experiences and the gl...

Send us Fan Mail Uncover the keys to helping your child conquer back-to-school anxiety with the Special Parent Podcast. Join us for an enriching conversation with Shauna Fox as we explore strategies to support children, especially those with special needs, in navigating the emotional landscape of returning to the classroom. Discover how to validate your child's feelings, while teaching them t...

Send us Fan Mail Can anxiety really be a stepping stone to growth? Join me, Dr. Deanna Iverson, on the Special Parent Podcast to unravel this intriguing concept, inspired by insights from Lisa DeMoor. This episode offers a heartfelt promise to equip you with the tools to empower your children in navigating their anxieties. By focusing on normalizing anxiety as an essential part of development, we...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the incredible potential of neurofeedback therapy with our special guest, Sheri Reichman, a seasoned neurotherapist. Together, we navigate the promising world of neurofeedback, offering hope to families seeking alternative therapies for children with special needs. This episode promises to unveil how training brainwaves can lead to remarkable transformations in behavior,...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could unlock a new world of possibilities for your child with special needs? This week on the Special Parent Podcast, we have exciting insights to share as Sheri Reichman, a board-certified neurotherapist from East Valley Naturopathic Doctors, joins us. We explore the incredible potential of neurofeedback and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for children with autism an...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine standing in a bustling grocery store with a child mid-tantrum, feeling the eyes of strangers on you and wondering how to regain control with love and understanding. Join me, Dr. Deanna Iverson, on the Special Parent Podcast as we unravel these intense moments and explore strategies to discipline children with special needs in ways that affirm their unique potential. This e...

Send us Fan Mail Can discipline really be a tool for growth and empowerment in children with special needs? On this follow-up to episode 22 of the Special Parent Podcast, we're tackling this profound question head-on. We'll explore the internal struggles parents often face when setting boundaries, and how these decisions can influence our children's potential to learn and thrive. Jo...

Send us Fan Mail Can disciplining your special needs child strengthen or strain your marriage? Join Brian and me, as we share practical insights and heartwarming stories on the Special Parent Podcast. Hear how we navigate the often challenging waters of setting consistent expectations for our children, both with and without disabilities. We promise you'll come away with new strategies for tra...

Send us Fan Mail What if the feelings of isolation and loneliness you’ve been grappling with could be the very catalyst for a transformative journey? This week on the Special Parent Podcast, we sit down with Annie Carter, a resilient life coach and single mom, who opens up about her heartfelt experiences of raising a child with autism. From recognizing the early signs in her son, to facing initial...

Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine a world where your child views anxiety not as a debilitating foe, but as a manageable part of life? That's exactly what I aim to achieve in this episode of the Special Parent Podcast. Drawing from personal experiences and expert insights, we're going to demystify anxiety, normalizing it while empowering you and your children to face it head-on. In this ep...

Send us Fan Mail Can music and games really help both parents and children transition smoothly back to school? That’s exactly what we discuss with our wonderful guest, Shawna Fox, in this episode of the Special Parent Podcast. We explore practical techniques to shift from an emotional state to a logical thinking brain, making the start of the school year a little less stressful. From dancing in th...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling with back-to-school anxiety? Imagine if a simple scent could help ease your child's transition. In part two of our series on back-to-school stressors, Shawna and I share inventive ways to empower your children and reduce the stress that comes with the new school year. From establishing pre-school routines to using familiar scents like vanilla candles at bedtime, we...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to ease the back-to-school transition for your special needs child? Join us for part 1 of 3 of an enlightening conversation with Dr. Deanna Iverson and special guest, Shawna Fox, as they share their personal journeys and hard-earned wisdom. As both educators and parents of special needs children, Dr. D and Shawna dive into the common stressors parents face at the...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt the weight of judgmental stares when your child's behavior is misunderstood? In today's heartfelt episode, we explore the raw and real challenges faced by parents of special needs children, seen through the lens of a profoundly moving blog by Kristen Crow. We delve into the emotional rollercoaster that parents endure, highlighting the dedication and re...

Send us Fan Mail How do you teach your community to see children beyond their disabilities while acknowledging the role those disabilities play in their lives? This episode promises to empower parents and communities with actionable strategies to foster friendships and build a supportive environment for children with special needs. We explore the nuances of language and perspective shifts that are...

Send us Fan Mail How can you empower friendships for children with special needs and make their social interactions more enriching? On this episode of the Special Parent Podcast, Dr. Deanna Iverson guides you through the intricate journey of building meaningful relationships for special needs children. You'll learn how explaining meltdowns and unexpected behaviors in relatable terms can foste...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to choose the best educational setting for your special needs child and navigate the often daunting world of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans? Join Dr. Deanna Iverson as she empowers you with critical insights and practical advice to make informed decisions for your child's education journey. Discover the nuances of private, charter, and publi...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine feeling less isolated and more supported in your journey as a parent of a special needs child. That's exactly what you'll gain by listening to our latest episode of the Special Parent Podcast! Through heartfelt personal stories and practical advice, we unpack the complexities of building a balanced support system. Discover how to manage the logistical challenges...

Send us Fan Mail Join me, Dr. Deanna Iverson, on the Special Parent Podcast as we unlock the secrets to effectively balancing therapy and personal time for parents of special needs children. Imagine transforming your home into a fun-centered therapy haven and watching your child make leaps in progress while still maintaining your sanity. In this episode, I share my personal journey of managing a m...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to find the right doctor for your special needs child? Journey with me, Dr. Deanna Iverson, as I recount the trials and triumphs of assembling a dedicated medical team for my son. You’ll hear about the turning point when we realized our first pediatrician wasn’t suitable and the extensive search that led us to a doctor who has been invaluable...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the stormy waters of parenting can be daunting, especially when your child with special needs is seen as the bully. The heartache and confusion of such a revelation hit me hard, just as it may have for many of you. Our latest episode is a candid exploration of the less-discussed side of bullying, where we unpack the reasons behind such behavior and offer compassionate s...

Send us Fan Mail When I first witnessed the signs of bullying in my own son, the emotional toll was undeniable. It's a conversation no parent wants to have, yet it's one we can't afford to avoid. Join us on the Special Parent Podcast, where we tackle the daunting yet crucial subject of bullying among children with special needs. As we move through the layers of this issue, I'll...

Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the video podcast! 👇👇 https://www.youtube.com/@specialparentpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 How would you like to transform your daily stress management into a routine that builds emotional resilience? Join me, Dr. Deanna Iverson, and my incredible guest Monica Pineda, founder of Avance Hub, as we explore mental health "workouts" specifically designed for paren...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the uncharted waters of raising a special needs child alongside their neurotypical siblings can be a balancing act of love, care, and understanding. As a parent, it's sometimes easy to focus on the child who demands more immediate attention due to their needs, unintentionally casting a shadow on the quiet resilience of their siblings. I'm Dr. Deanna Iverson, a...