Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind

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 to support the effective and impactful delivery of Special Yoga into local councils, academies and individual special schools and specialist provisions to provide training in therapeutic yoga for children with special needs. She is a published author with The Spiritual Teachings of Yoga, and She is a contributor to the report on INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRICS atthe Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona,Spain).  She also contributed a chapter in the yoga research book by Dr ShirleyTelles. https:// www.igi-global.com/book/handbook-resear

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 animals, improving the quality of life and well-being of users and their caregivers.Tom is passionate about leveraging technology and science to solve meaningful problems and make a positive difference in the world.Enjoy this wonderful interview with Tom!

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 potential to be a great mirror for the past and present.  It is here that subjects can be explored and exposed and where we can examine, agree, disagree and challenge our perceptions.  It is in film where the opportunity is presented for shedding light into areas that are less known, taboo, misunderstood or ignored.  It is here where we can explore the vast world of disabilities and use this platform to shape or reshape our thinking on how we view others with disabilities and how those with disabilities experience life and show us their superpowers.  Leading off this series of discussions I will be presenting a film entitled, Dominick and Eugene. 

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 allow children to grow into happy, productive adults. Born with dyslexia, Jonathan Greenberg could not read and write like many other children his age. So, instead of giving in to frustration, Jonathan used his struggle as a catalyst for creativity, expressing his ideas through art. Having overcome his learning difficulty, Jonathan has fallen in love with reading. Robby the Dyslexic Taxi And The Airport Adventure exemplify Jonathan’s passion for writing and illustration. Together with Lynn, they are already thinking of other stories featuring neurodiverse characters that complement this book.

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 law. Prior to joining the law firm of Michael J. Eig and Associates, she worked as a Supervising Attorney for D.C.’s Children’s Law Center representing low-income families in the areas of special education, housing and healthcare. Ms. Tillery has also trained and mentored pro bono attorneys in special education cases. She has previously served as the President of Special Needs Excellence for Underserved Students Advisory Board (SEEUS) and the co-chairperson for the Special Education Attorneys Roundtable (SEAR) in Washington, D.C.Jani was a presenter at the WEG Diamonds in the Rough Conference this past Oct. where she examined systemic inequalities in special education and discussed strategies to address these disparities, ensuring that all students with special needs have equal access to quality education and support. and if you're interested you can still access the presentations at www.wegadvocacy.com/diamonds-pricing.

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 holds certifications as an Educational Therapist, Orton-Gillingham practitioner, Educational Diagnostician, and IEP Coach, showcasing her commitment to improving the learning experiences of students with diverse needs. Wendy is also the host of the Special Ed Strategist® Podcast, where she empowers parents and professionals to navigate the complex world of special education. With extensive experience working with students of various ages and abilities, Wendy has served as a faculty member at Saint Petersburg College, supervised pre-service teachers, and worked as a teacher within the Montgomery County Public School system. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Social Science and Secondary Education from Frostburg State University and a Master of Education in Special Education from George Mason University. She is a trusted advocate and a valuable resource for anyone seeking excellence in special education.  And trust me, she knows her stuff!Wendy was a presenter at the WEG Diamonds in the Rough Conference this past Oct. and if you're interested you can still access the presentations at www.wegadvocacy.com/diamonds-pricing.  I’ll add the link to my resource page. 

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 needs in pre-K–12 and the educators and professionals who work with them.This event assembles national and regional experts to present valuable research, information, and strategies to help children with a variety of learning challenges to reach their potential.The 2023 theme is Illuminating a Brighter Future for All Students.For more information and to register for this important event, go to, https://www.wegdiamonds.com/Joan Green has provided forward-thinking speech therapy services for the past 30+ years. She received her undergraduate and graduate education at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. After spending time working for others in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home care, she formed InnovativeSpeech Therapy in the Washington, DC, area in 1992. She has an eye out for affordable, cutting-edge technologies to help others thrive in life and offer families and colleagues uniquely effective online techadvising and coaching services to streamline the selection and implementation of devices, apps, features, and strategies to promote learning and well-being.Dr. Adam Pletter is an internationally recognized Child/Adolescent Psychologist and Digital ParentingExpert.He received his doctoral degree from George Washington University in 2001 and specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults in his Bethesda, Maryland, office.As a licensed clinical psychologist working with families at the outset of the early 2000s digital culture shift, Dr. Pletter developed a parenting approach, combining behavior modification theory with parental control systems to better support mental health and child development.

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 terms on the Board of Directors of Disability Rights California and currently serves as a board member of Disability Voices United. Diana credits her passion for this work to her brother, Joaquin, who endured years of segregated schooling and subsequent institutionalization. And she takes the most pride in knowing that after many years of fighting for his release, Joaquin now lives a life of self-determination, inclusion and quality, in the community, as her next-door neighbor.  You can check out her website at:https://www.dianapastoracarson.com. 

"Address your child's unique dyslexic challenges confidently. Secure a complimentary 90-minute strategy session with us, where we'll adapt our proven webinar techniques to their distinct learning needs. It's time to fully understand, adapt, and together conquer dyslexia. Enhance their potential and build a brighter future. Schedule your focused individual consultation today: https://calendly.com/russellll198/individual-consultation."Russell Van Brocklen, the visionary behind Dyslexia Classes, embarked on his pioneering research journey with the backing of the New York State Senate. Initiated in 2001, this groundbreaking project was conceived following in-depth deliberations with both the New York State Education Department and The Research Foundation of The State University of New York. The study culminated in a distinguished presentation at the International Dyslexia Association's New York City Branch in 2006.Through Van Brocklen's innovative techniques, the project achieved a significant milestone: it substantially elevated the writing aptitude of ambitious and intellectually gifted dyslexic high school students. Their skills, previously at a middle school level, soared to match the writing prowess of an average graduate student, as validated by the Graduate Record Exam’s Analytical Writing Assessment. Testament to the program's success, its graduates smoothly transitioned to college and achieved their degrees without the need for any special accommodations.Van Brocklen consistently shared his insights at the "Everyone Reading Conference", presenting annually from 2014 to 2023. Additionally, he has been a prominent speaker at events hosted by the LDA of New Jersey, with five appearances to his credit. Between 2020 and 2022, he undertook the significant role of a reading program reviewer at the International Dyslexia Association Annual Conference.Further solidifying his reputation as an industry leader, Van Brocklen trained over 80 educational diagnosticians at The New Jersey Association of Learning Consultants Fall Symposium 2022, addressing the theme, "Reading and Writing: The Casualties of the Pandemic".

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 . 

Today’s episode addresses an uncomfortable reality that has been going on for a long time and one that I was only recently made aware of.  It is the practice of school’s weaponizing child protective services and other forms of retaliation against parents for advocating for their special education child.  This was a stunning revelation for me and so disturbing that I feel it is important to put wind behind it as families are being greatly affected and even torn apart.

Today’s episode is about the significance of routines and PRESENTS 5 STEPS TO CREATING AN EFFECTIVE ROUTINE FOR YOUR NEURODIVERSE CHILD and how to handle change.   Routines and schedules can be keys to your child feeling comfortable in their day by knowing what to expect and what is expected of them.  Following a consistent routine can be a game changer in home and at school. And helping your child to develop coping skills can enable them to manage unexpected change.

In this episode I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Olivier Bernier, Director of a new documentary entitled; FORGET ME NOT.  In the  film as 3-year-old Emilio prepares to start school, his family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities – to secure the right to an inclusive education.

This episode is a little different as I am opening the conversation on matters that are having an impact on our children and the nation as a whole; this episode is an examination of our moral compass in America.  How are the choices being made by our leaders and the citizenry impacting our children? Do we have the rights that we thought we had and are we foolish in our thinking that democracy can’t be lost?

In today’s episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Gretchen Levine, Transition Specialist with the Weinfeld Education Group (You can find my interview with Rich Weinfeld, Director of the Weinfeld Group in episode 40).  Ms. Levine assists students to plan and obtain services for transition from high school to post secondary life, both as a transition teacher with Katherine Thomas School and through her work with Eric A. Levine and Associates.

Today’s episode is about the benefits of an interactive mural in a sensory space.  This is a short podcast but one I feel might be a game changer when considered as a motivating tool for managing anxiety, stress, meltdowns while encouraging growth in communication. 

Illuminos is an academic coaching and tutoring company Evan co-founded with his cousin Wendy in 2016 after a decade of success growing the sister company he founded in Texas in 2006 called Staying Ahead of the Game LLC.  The focus of his award-winning and research-driven program is helping kids build the executive functioning skills they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond. The core components include helping students with organization, time management, and influencing the perceptions of others.  As a national speaker, Evan particularly enjoys presenting to parents, counselors, and educators all over the country about the power of executive functioning skills and the most useful ways to assist students of all ages in getting the most out of school and achieving their goals.

In this episode I have the distinct honor of interviewing the two impressive women behind Raising Orchid Kids.  Jen Dryer, MA is a parent coach and education consultant who supports families and teachers of neurodivergent children. Jen has more than 20 years of experience working with children, families and teachers, in her work in both NYC and DC as a public school teacher, staff developer, and parent coach. She has two neurodivergent children and Gabriele Nicolet, MA, CCC-SLP (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology) is a speech therapist and parent coach with more than 20 years of experience working with families of young children. She founded and currently runs SpeechKids, a private, holistic speech therapy and parent mentoring practice.  Together they provide Parent Coaching and Consultation for Parents of Highly Sensitive Children.  We’ll learn about their work, the classes and webinars they offer and their special approach to working with parents just like you.

Today’s episode is about the IEP.  Part personal perspective and experience and part sharing resources to help you navigate the process.

Today I’m going to present a tip for dealing with how to manage self criticism and self judgment that can snowball into periods in which you may feel hopeless, lost or ineffective.  The idea of which is based on living in reality vs what we imagine or convince ourselves to be true.

Today I’m talking about the how children learn the skills of turn taking and sharing.  These can be two very challenging areas for toddlers and preschoolers to grasp and accept.  I’ll discuss some strategies that can help you over the hump in shaping a stellar social skills super star!

Today I’d like to speak to the language challenge inherent to parenting; negative vs positive word choices and there impact on your child and then explore the ability of parents of disabled kids to say “no,”  not only to their children but to demands or asks that overextend and tax them in life in and apart from their family.  Can a parent be comfortable saying no when their gut tells them it is the right, preferred or healthier choice?

Today I’d like to speak to an experience I had recently that has proven to me the value of music as a healer and as a life force for people suffering brain disorders that can impact communication, behavior and social engagement.  Music Therapist Kayla Connick believes, "Music has always been and will always be with us; always waiting and inviting us to engage with it, to heal us, to help us make sense of and find meaning in this life." Check out my interview with this talented woman in episode 11 from 2022.

In this episode, I’ll be speaking about ways to approach dealing with real or perceived developmental delays in your toddlers and early learners.  This is a stressful time for parents and I feel it’s good to take a step back, remind ourselves to breathe and take on the “what ifs. “  Not easy.

Today I’m speaking with Molly Prep, author of, “Cancer Angst, “ which follows Molly’s coming of age after a childhood shaped by sickness and  spans the period from her second-grade diagnosis to her senior year of high school.  Molly Prep is a reader, writer, fitness instructor, and life enthusiast. Her Instagram is @mollyprepwrites.

Today I’m speaking about discrimination both historic and present day.  Is there a realistic alternative to prejudice and unjust treatment of groups of people based on ethnicity, religion or a personal belief system, sex or disability?  When we are considering differences that do not seek to harm others, is it possible to allow everyone to simply be who they are? 

I’ll be speaking with Rich Weinfeld, director of the Weinfeld Education Group, LLC, a group of over 15 special educational consultants, located in Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia, and now providing virtual services throughout the United States. Rich founded WEG in 2006 after completing a 30 year career in Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools.For more on Rich go to specialedrising.com's resource page.

Today I’ll be speaking about dealing with trauma as a caregiver, sharing some stories from my teaching days and touching upon trauma informed care.  Parents, guardians, teachers and other healthcare professionals have to deal with children who have experienced traumatic events in their lives.  How can you best approach guiding them through the fallout? 

Today I’ll be speaking about social stories.  What are they? How do we use them? And, can they be effective?

Today I’ll be ringing in the new year with a show dedicated to 3 new year's resolutions that I think will help to make the coming year more fulfilling and productive for your child and your family.

Today is a short episode where I want to speak from the heart about selflessness and its lessons for us as individuals, as partners, as parents and as caregivers.  It’s a message I want to leave you with as we approach the new year.  

Today I’ll be speaking about smoothies as a healthy option to add into your child/teen’s day when you’re having trouble getting them to eat nutritious food.  And then I’m going to make a smoothie for you so you can see how fun and easy it is to turn the struggles of eating healthy into a party for the palette!

Today I’ll be speaking with Meredith Gramlich.  Meredith is a Senior Faculty Specialist at the Center for Transition and Career Innovation at University of Maryland, College Park. With over 25 years of experience improving post-school outcomes and community engagement for individuals with disabilities, she currently serves as the Coordinator for the University of Maryland’s flagship inclusive higher education program for students with intellectual disabilities, TerpsEXCEED, which stands for: Experiencing College for Education and Employment Discovery Ms. Gramlich has extensive experience promoting business-education partnerships, work-based learning opportunities, customized employment solutions, and model transition services. She has over 25 years of experience with systems change demonstration projects focused on improving post-school outcomes and community engagement for individuals with disabilities through use of evidence-based practices, with an emphasis on competitive integrated employment, career pathways, work-based learning, financial empowerment, and performance management. She has provided lead technical assistance and training for model demonstration projects including Way2Work Maryland, Maryland PROMISE, Maryland Customized Employment Partnership, the Maryland Transition Initiative, and Bridges... from School to Work. She taught in Montgomery County Maryland Public Schools’ Alternative Programs, where she established the Career Program. Ms. Gramlich began her career promoting creative strategies for independence with her sister.

Today I’ll be talking about behavior contracts;  a brief explanation of what they are, what goes into making one and some evidence to support their effectiveness.

Today is my Thanksgiving episode so I’ll be speaking to things I’m thankful for and things I hope we can all recognize and appreciate when it comes to our children, students and siblings at this reflective time of year.  And as an added surprise I take us inside my kitchen where you’ll hear me instruct you on a simple oatmeal cookie recipe I think you and your kids will enjoy making together and serving for the holiday.

Sheila is a certified health and wellness coach for overwhelmed parents who feel confused about their child's needs and frustrated by their child's behavior. She offers personalized 1:1 sessions to help parents evaluate the current circumstances in their home life and determine how they'd like them to be improved. She then works with them to create the solutions that use the strengths and intuition they already have to build a better understanding of themselves and their child to create a roadmap for a more peaceful experience in parenting.

Today I’ll be speaking on the subject of neurotypical and non-disabled children volunteering to help neurodiverse children and the benefits to both people involved in their journey together.

Today I’ll be speaking with Nakayla Von Raeder of The Slumber Academy. Nakayla is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant & Neurodivergent Sleep Specialist and the founder of The Slumber Academy which specializes in drawing out root issues that may be interfering with your child's sleep and well-being. 

*Fair Warning: This episode addresses something that happened in Mississippi earlier this month that left me heartbroken.  The account of the incident can be upsetting but If I can talk about it and use it as a motivator to inform every parent or guardian of a young child of their rights and the laws for vetting as well as some realities of the state of child care hiring post pandemic it might be of value.  This is an episode for all parents. 

Today I want to speak to the dads.  I’ll be exploring what I see in terms of a father’s involvement in an exceptional needs child’s life;  offering some research findings, some personal observations and some encouragement.   Is it a myth that mothers are the one’s bearing the heavier responsibility of raising their disabled child? And if it is, then why is this the perception?

Today’s podcast is an interview with an exceptional woman who saw a niche not being addressed for children with disabilities and is conquering it one city and one community at a time.Suzie Clinchy is the Founder and Executive Director of Fast Feet NYC. Suzie launched Fast Feet NYC in 2018, taking a leap of faith to follow her passion for working with adaptive athletes, equality in athletics, physical wellness, and inclusion in sports.

Today’s podcast is a brief one and builds off of last week’s “strong” theme.   I’ll be focusing on the idea of appreciating and maximizing our natural physical and mental capabilities when we meet with challenges that take extra effort.  And this goes for everyone, non-disabled and disabled.