<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a> Join Sonia Chand as she speaks with Vicki Christensen, founder of Blue Glasses Advocacy, about navigating the world of special education, IEPs, and parenting children with neurodiverse needs. Learn how to find support, understand your legal rights, work with schools on accommodations, and hear Vicki's personal journey raising two children with unique needs. Discover actionable advocacy tips, the importance of building your village, and insights from Vicki’s upcoming memoir, "Uniquely Fully Enough." Perfect for parents, educators, and professionals looking for guidance and hope on the neurodivergent journey. Who Is This For? This episode of "On the Spectrum with Sonya" is for:Parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children or those with special needsIndividuals navigating IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) or 504 PlansEducators, therapists, and advocacy professionalsAnyone interested in inclusive education, neurodiversity, and special education law Key Moments & TimestampsIntroduction of Vicki Christensen and her background 00:00:00How Vicki Christensen's son Luke was diagnosed and connected with Unique magazine 00:01:30Impact of Luke’s chromosomal abnormality and development 00:04:16Vicki Christensen's experience navigating IEPs for Everett (ADHD, auditory processing) 00:07:31Signs Everett needed more support at school 00:09:16Executive functioning/organization skills taught by the IEP team 00:11:10Auditory processing disorder and accommodations 00:14:35Importance of self-advocacy and communication in school 00:13:02Vicki Christensen starting Blue Glasses Advocacy 00:17:57The IEP process: challenges, parent advocacy, and common missteps 00:18:05Key pitfalls: communication breakdowns, parent overwhelm, legal aspects 00:27:28Vicki Christensen's book and biggest advice for parents: Find your village 00:35:25How to start building your support network 00:39:01Where to find Vicki Christensen and her book 00:41:45 FAQQ: What is an IEP and why is it important? A: An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legally binding plan for students with special needs, outlining specific goals and accommodations for their education 00:23:38.Q: How can parents prepare for IEP meetings? A: Learn your rights, review documents in advance, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or bring an advocate 00:23:10.Q: What accommodations helped Everett with ADHD and auditory processing? A: Copies of notes, seating close to the teacher, scheduled breaks, and executive function coaching were crucial supports 00:15:36.Q: How can families find their support network ('village')? A: Start by connecting with PTA, school groups, local SELPAs, therapy providers, and other parents at school or local programs 00:39:01.Q: Why did Vi

Blueprints for Empowerment: Navigating IEPs and Parenting on the Spectrum with Vicki Christensen

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>A custody fight can turn into a second full-time job when autism or other special needs are part of your child’s world, and the stakes feel unbearable. We sit down with Christopher Anderson, a family law attorney licensed in multiple states and a parent of an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, to talk about what actually helps families reach better outcomes without handing their lives over to the court system. We dig into the “best interest of the child” standard and why it’s both universal and deeply personal. When parents disagree, courts ask for evidence, experts, and evaluations, but Christopher argues the real goal is bigger than winning a hearing. We talk about how to educate the court responsibly while still doing the harder work of finding common ground, so your child can hear the words that matter most: your parents decided together. Then we shift to everyday advocacy where many families get stuck: IEP meetings, IDEA rights, and the constant friction with systems designed to run smoothly. Christopher shares a clear lens for special education advocacy: stop letting labels like ASD or ADHD replace knowing the individual child, question medication-first thinking, and keep pushing until recommendations from pediatricians and therapists are taken seriously. We also tackle the dreaded “we don’t have the budget” line and explore realistic ways to escalate, organize with disability advocacy groups, and make the resource pie bigger for your child and others in the district. Subscribe for more practical conversations on autism, special education, and family law, then share this episode with someone who needs it and leave a quick review so more parents can find it. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

You Can Keep The Court From Parenting with Christopher Anderson

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Aerial yoga can look like acrobatics, but what happens inside the hammock is often the opposite of performance: it’s regulation, relief, and finally feeling safe in your body. I sit down with Melbourne-based teacher Joe Stewart to talk about how aerial yoga supports trauma-informed practice and neurodiversity through simple, powerful sensory tools like cocooning, deep pressure, gentle rocking, and optional inversions. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in a crowded studio, bored by repetitive flows, or unsure where you fit in “typical” wellness spaces, this conversation offers a grounded alternative.  We get practical about what a class can look like when it’s built around choice. Joe explains how she uses small group sizes, check-ins, and multiple versions of the same pose to meet different needs in the same room, including examples like a three-level aerial down dog that can stay fully grounded or become a supported inversion. We also break down vestibular stimulation, how spinning or motion can help some people with ADHD or autism feel calm and present, and why the same sensation can be too much for others. The through-line is consent: nothing is framed as a progression, and rest is always allowed.  The episode goes deeper into what happens when yoga language misses the moment. Joe shares a story about taking a “bliss” themed class during a cancer crisis and how that changed the way she teaches, plus the flip side: generosity and community care that made yoga feel like a lifeline. We also talk about access, mental health as health, and cultural appropriation, including why acknowledging yoga’s South Asian roots matters and how aerial yoga still connects to yoga history and ethics. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs a softer on-ramp to movement, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.To learn more about Jo, please reach out via her website <a href="https://gardenofyoga.com.au/">https://gardenofyoga.com.au/</a>Her book "8 Limbs of Aerial Yoga" is available also via her website, or you could order here:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Limbs-Aerial-Yoga-Neurodiversity/dp/1805011898">https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Limbs-Aerial-Yoga-Neurodiversity/dp/1805011898</a> <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

Aerial Yoga Can Help You Feel Safe In Your Body Again with Jo Stewart

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Dementia is often treated like a door slamming shut. What we hear from Marilyn is the opposite: a series of doors opening once we stop chasing who someone used to be and start meeting who they are right now. We talk about caring for parents with dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s, and how one family’s long-held rule to “walk away” collided with the real work of love, grief, and showing up. We dig into what changes when you embrace the idea of “living with dementia” instead of “suffering from it,” and why person-first language is more than politeness. Marilyn shares how her mom’s move into assisted living created unexpected community, why touch and friendship still matter in memory care, and how repeated questions can hold real meaning if we learn to listen. Along the way, we explore caregiver health, burnout, and why so many family caregivers operate without a net. The most surprising thread is art. A painting class reveals a spark that fear had been hiding in plain sight, and Marilyn explains how creativity can disarm stigma: Alzheimer’s is scary and art isn’t. We also talk about her book, Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey, built from daily moments and illustrated by her mom’s remarkable paintings, plus the bigger system problem of cost and access in quality dementia care. If you’re supporting aging parents, navigating Alzheimer’s caregiving, or trying to communicate better with someone living with memory loss, this conversation offers practical insight and real hope. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these stories.Marilyn Raichle's book can be found via Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I have provided both links below. I also included the website where you can access more information about Marilyn:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Walk-Away-Partners-Journey/dp/B0DCBMQNDB">https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Walk-Away-Partners-Journey/dp/B0DCBMQNDB</a><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-walk-away-marilyn-raichle/1144871940?ean=9781969682223">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-walk-away-marilyn-raichle/1144871940?ean=9781969682223</a><a href="https://dontwalkaway.net/about/">https://dontwalkaway.net/about/</a> <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

What If Dementia Does Not Erase Personhood? With Marilyn Raichle

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>One bad IEP meeting can change your body, your sleep, and your faith in the “village” everyone promises you. I’m joined by Paula J Yost, who has a perspective you rarely hear in one voice: she’s both a practicing attorney and a licensed psychotherapist. Paula shares how living through clinical depression shaped her, why getting real mental health support in law school changed her future, and how those therapy tools now show up in the way she helps people in legal settings filled with anxiety, grief, and high stakes decisions.  We get painfully specific about special education advocacy and what it feels like to sit in an IEP or 504 meeting and realize you’re being dismissed. Paula tells the story of fighting for her son, who was born with a cleft lip and palate and needed speech therapy early, and why families should not have to “work around the system” just to get basic services. She explains why “we can’t afford it” is not a valid answer when a child is entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and she offers practical steps to prepare: define the goal, walk in with a plan, and keep bringing the conversation back to the supports your child needs.  We also talk policy and reality, including fears about Department of Education cuts, debates around school choice and opportunity scholarships, and why early intervention and early childhood education funding can prevent bigger problems later. Throughout it all, Paula comes back to the same message: you deserve support too, and the right village is built on people who will stand with you, celebrate the wins, and help you stay steady.  Paula can be found on Instagram and FaceBook as Paula J Yost Author. Paula is the author of the book "Tumbleweeds. How to be an Advocate For Your "Children and Yourself in a Failing System." Paula referenced organizations in the podcast episode with links (including the one to her book) provided all below:<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tumbleweeds-paula-j-yost/1149570835">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tumbleweeds-paula-j-yost/1149570835</a><a href="https://mhanational.org/">https://mhanational.org/</a><a href="https://www.theamazinggraceproject.com/">https://www.theamazinggraceproject.com/</a>If you find this helpful, subscribe, share with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

The IEP Meeting That Made Me Throw Up with Paula J. Yost

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>A car crash can be over in seconds, but a concussion can rewrite your life for years. We sit down with Kelly Tuttle, a former cardiology nurse practitioner who later moved into neurology, to tell the truth about traumatic brain injury recovery, especially the kind that doesn’t show up on a “normal” CT or MRI. Kelly shares the moment she realized something was truly wrong, the fear of not knowing if she’d ever feel like herself again, and the slow, stubborn work of rebuilding a life around a healing brain. We get specific about the tools that made a measurable difference: seeing the right kind of specialist, learning why functional MRI can reveal changes standard imaging misses, and addressing sensory issues that frontline care often overlooks. Kelly explains how a behavioral optometrist diagnosed binocular vision dysfunction, why light and screen time became draining, and how sound sensitivity and sensory overload can hijack focus, mood, and energy. If you’ve been searching for answers about post-concussion symptoms, neurofatigue, headaches, and brain fog, this conversation puts language to what you may be living. We also talk about returning to work after brain injury with real-world strategies and boundaries, including accommodations, the ADA, FMLA, and the hidden cost of “looking fine” while struggling. Kelly connects her recovery journal to the resources she now shares through her award-winning book: "After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury."  Substack, YouTube, and her podcast After the Crash. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs proof they’re not alone. What invisible symptom do you wish other people understood? To learn more about Kelly Tuttle, please go to <a href="https://kellytuttle.org/">https://kellytuttle.org</a>You can purchase Kelly Tuttle's book at this link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/After-Crash-School-Brain-Injury/dp/B0BMW7TVWT">https://www.amazon.com/After-Crash-School-Brain-Injury</a> <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

A Car Crash That Became A Roadmap For Brain Injury Recovery with Kelly Tuttle

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Some of the most dangerous myths about suicide sound polite on the surface: “They were selfish,” “They did it for attention,” “If you talk about it, you’ll make it worse.” We push back on all of that with a conversation that stays human, specific, and real. We’re joined by Kirsten O’Connor, an author from New Zealand and the mother of Kahlia, who died at 24. Kirsten helps us remember the full person behind the loss: a bright, musical, loyal young woman with a psychology background, close friendships, and a huge heart for others. We also talk about the part people miss, how someone can “present well” while living with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, and how that invisibility can become a barrier to getting help. Kirsten shares the layered realities that often sit underneath suicidality: coercive control and emotional abuse, financial abuse that traps families, the isolating impact of COVID lockdowns, and the devastating ripple effects of sexual assault trauma. We get practical about support, too: safety, medication side effects, therapy access, and why creative approaches like art therapy can help an overthinking mind find a new outlet. We also spend time on what to say when you’re scared of saying the wrong thing. Asking “Are you feeling suicidal?” does not plant an idea, it can open a door. If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find it.Kirsten is the author of the book "The Year After Kahlia." It can be ordered through this link :<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-year-after-kahlia-kirsten-oconnor/1148894926?ean=9780473764609">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-year-after-kahlia-kirsten-oconnor/1148894926?ean=9780473764609</a>Kristen also is the founder of This is Grief. More information can be found at <a href="https://thisisgrief.nz/book-2">https://thisisgrief.nz</a> <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

When Suicide Touches A Family with Kirsten O'Connor

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Ever carried so much for so long that you forgot what you want? That’s where our guest, Debbie Weiss, once lived: 40+ years caregiving for her father after a stroke, advocating for a son on the autism spectrum, and supporting a husband through mental illness and a terminal diagnosis. The cost was anger, exhaustion, and a quiet belief that life was happening to her. Then a 50th birthday trip cracked the script. If time was speeding up, she needed to claim a response—not just responsibilities. We walk through the small levers that moved mountains. Debbie began with one simple commitment—show up weekly to a meeting—ditched perfection timelines, and built from there. Over three and a half years she lost 90 pounds, but more importantly, she proved that mindset beats mechanics. She reframed self-care from indulgence to necessity, set boundaries that stuck, and used the E+R=O formula (Event + Response = Outcome) to take back agency without denying pain. We get practical about sustainable habits, saying no without guilt, and how stress, cortisol, and comparison sabotage progress if you don’t design around them. The conversation turns deeply human as Debbie shares writing her memoir while her husband was ill, and how journaling unearthed beliefs she didn’t know she carried. Listeners looking for the “how” will love her second book, The Sprinkle Effect, which pairs stories with exercises on perspective, belief, action, resilience, curiosity, and joy. We also explore an unexpected plot twist: a self-described “math girl” unlocking a creative surge—card decks, journals, and a children’s series—once she honored her voice. If you’ve been stuck in survival mode, this story offers a way forward you can actually use. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s caregiving or grieving, and leave a review with the one boundary you’ll set this week. Your response can change your outcome. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

Caregiver To Creator with Debbie Weiss

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>The biggest problem in schools isn’t disengagement—it’s relevance. We sit down with education leader and author Lisa Riegel to unpack NeuroWell, a practical framework that aligns brain science with daily classroom life so students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn. From belonging cues to behavior de-escalation, Lisa shows why culture design is the hidden lever for academic gains and healthier staff. We explore how to build a true learning community: clear norms, student roles, shared rituals, and goal setting that give every learner purpose. Lisa explains emotional and intellectual safety—why routines, predictable feedback, and strengths-based language regulate nervous systems and unlock attention. We also talk inclusion that works for neurodivergent students by matching roles to strengths and creating frequent, low-stakes social practice through short “learning sprints” and positivity prompts. Then we tackle technology and AI with nuance. Phones off can help, but the deeper fix is designing work that matters. If a chatbot can do the task, the task needs to change. Lisa shares ways to assess thinking, collaboration, and iteration by observing process, not just products, and how leaders can define graduate skills—critical thinking, empathy, communication—and backward map adult practices that reliably grow them. With teacher burnout high, we highlight how leadership culture, clear outputs, and consistent measures make change stick. If you care about safer classrooms, stronger relationships, and lessons students remember because they matter, this conversation offers field-tested moves you can use tomorrow. Check out Lisa’s book NeuroWell on Amazon and connect with her via LinkedIN  for workshops, book studies, or coaching. In addition, Lisa is also has her new book Aspirations to Operations: A leader's guide to making transformative change stick available on Amazon. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/</a>https://www.amazon.com/Aspirations-Operations-leaders-making-transformative/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/NeuroWell-Applying-science-supportive-proactive/dp/B0F1N5DJQF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2J37MLVHLN97G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h2bwJ7MeQVukaqADM_1Q9w.8ObQRbB9qUEhegPtlkdie6Qj102mBjIZrBjiAUPhy14&dib_tag=se&keywords=neurowell+lisa+riegel&qid=1771368920&sprefix=NeuroWell+Lis%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.com/NeuroWell-Applying-science-supportive-proactive</a> Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more educators find the show. What’s one ritual you’ll add to boost belonging this week? <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

Inside NeuroWell: Safer, Happier Classrooms That Work with Lisa Riegel

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>What if the story you were told about yourself was the wrong one—and the right words finally set you free? We sit down with Christopher Carrazas who was diagnosed autistic at 35, to unpack a life of masking, sensory overload, and the everyday math of trying to pass as “fine.” The moment his assessment named what he’d carried for decades, the static quieted. Relief wasn’t a cure; it was a compass. Chris talks candidly about stigma inside his marriage, how repeated contempt can program shame that ultimately led him to believe that he didn't belong on Earth anymore. Chris's marriage eventually ended. Upon healing and reflection, Chris was able to understand and reason why “selfish” isn’t a useful frame for suicide. Most importantly, Chris was able to learn to embrace having autism and was able to find the love he always deserved. Chris spoke about meeting Katie who saw Chris FOR HIMSELF! Through Katie's unconditional acceptance of Chris, was it possible for Chris to finally see himself for the amazing individual he is.  That love, and the grief that followed, sparked his memoir, Now That I’m Still Here, a raw account of survival, recovery, and reclaiming self.  We also spotlight Chris’s other lane: building better ways to measure social impact. Tired of vanity metrics like “people reached,” he created models that translate outcomes into financial terms, making social return on investment tangible for education and inclusion programs. It’s a clear example of autistic strengths—pattern recognition, systems thinking, stubborn curiosity—turning complexity into clarity. He shares practical resources, his Substack on grief and masking, and a giving campaign that ties book sales to suicide prevention, autism advocacy, and eating disorder support in honor of Katie. If you’ve ever felt reduced to a label, or if you work in education, mental health, or social impact and want better tools, this conversation is for you. Listen, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. Subscribe to stay with us as we keep lifting up voices across the neurodiversity spectrum.To learn more about Chris and his book, please see these links below:<a href="https://chriscarazas.com/books/chris-carazas-dot-com/9999999999999">https://chriscarazas.com/books/chris-carazas-dot-com/9999999999999</a><a href="https://ccarazas.substack.com/">https://ccarazas.substack.com/</a> <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

When Love Sees The Person, Not The Label with Christopher Carazas

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>A confusing label, years without sleep, and a son who couldn’t speak—then a letter board changed everything. We sit down with creative entrepreneur and advocate Neil Rogers to explore how a family built a sustainable framework—inspired by Positive ActivityTM (developed by Neil and his wife Lori set to help people professionally and personally) in order  stay clear, resilient, and inventive while raising an adult son with profound autism. From gratitude journaling and exercise to practical diet changes and sensory integration, Neil shares the specific choices that improved sleep, reduced frustration, and opened space for learning. The turning point came with Spelling to Communicate. Once Craig had a reliable motor path to point and type, his intelligence, heart, emotions, and intellectual thinking rushed forward—defining DNA on the spot, recognizing Muhammad Ali and the fact Cassius Clay was his name at birth, and sharing deep thoughts of people coming together as one instead of picking people apart. That voice unlocked autonomy. Craig has a desire to achieve higher aspirations and moves at his own pace. We talk about collaborating with schools especially when budgets fell short, and why respecting a person’s pace leads to better outcomes than pushing through. We also zoom out to challenge old stereotypes and highlight where hope is rising.  Assistive tech—from advanced robotics to brain-computer interfaces—could soon scale care and communication.  If you care for a nonspeaking person, work in education or therapy, or just believe every human deserves a voice, this story offers a practical, humane roadmap you can start using today. To learn more about Neil and Lori, please visit <a href="https://www.positiveactivity.net/">https://www.positiveactivity.net/</a>. Neil is the author of "Bar Tips" -Everything I Needed to Know in Sales I Learned Behind the Bar. Neil is coming out with another book "Navigating the Special Needs World with Positive Activity."  <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

From Diagnosis To Dialogue: Autism, Mindset, And A Family’s Playbook For Progress with Neil Rogers

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>The story begins with a hard reality many families face: a beloved child who may never speak. Jennifer McGee joins us to share Isaiah’s path through profound autism—years of isolation in a classroom with low expectations, a legal fight to enforce IDEA and FAPE, and the life-changing shift that came with the right ABA team. What unfolds is a blueprint for hope built on practical tools, persistent advocacy, and a refusal to accept “can’t learn” as a verdict. We walk through the early signs and missed milestones, the shock of seeing services cut to the bone, and the decision to pursue litigation that forced a district to rebuild its special education program around functional skills. Then the pivot: implementing PECS properly, introducing a speech-generating tablet, and adapting signs to fit Isaiah’s motor abilities. Communication reduces distress and opens the door to progress—hygiene routines, haircuts without struggle, eating out safely, and meaningful community inclusion. Along the way, we talk about small accommodations with big impact, like a chair in a fast-casual line or booths that prevent elopement. Jennifer also brings her artist’s lens to advocacy. Through Inclusive Art House and a book series beginning with Izzy Can’t Talk, she turns lived experience into accessible stories that teach nonverbal communication, social challenges, and public meltdowns with warmth and clarity. We celebrate Isaiah’s strengths—precision, humor,  killer basketball shots; how about 25 in a row killer shots? —and stay honest about regressions that sometimes come about. Resources like the Profound Autism Alliance, airline and TSA practice programs, and social networks round out a toolkit families can use today. If you care about special education, autism acceptance, and real-world strategies for nonverbal communication, this conversation offers both heart and how-to. Listen, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more families find these stories.Links for Jennifer McGee:<a href="https://inclusivearthouse.com/pages/meet-the-team">https://inclusivearthouse.com/pages/meet-the-team</a>LinkedIn: Jennifer McGee <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

Aunt, Artist, Advocate: Building Communication And Dignity For Profound Autism with Jennifer McGee

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Big feelings don’t have to mean big blowups. We sit down with author and mom Sarah Hartley to unpack the real-world signals of ADHD and sensory processing disorder, why two siblings can present in opposite ways, and how small environmental tweaks can turn daily battles—showers, transitions, loud crowds—into manageable routines. Sarah takes us inside her home during the pandemic, when early intervention paused and anxiety surged. The fix wasn’t perfection. It was creativity: a DIY sensory gym with crash pads and a climbing wall, plus structured games that paired movement with focus to help organize input, not just add more of it. Sarah also shares the heart behind Purposefully Me, her 14-book series for elementary kids. Centered on a fourth-grade classroom, the books tackle ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, bullying, school drills, and Down syndrome with warmth and clarity. The goal is simple and bold: help neurodivergent kids feel seen, give peers and teachers the right words, and move classrooms toward a strengths-based model that values hyperfocus, creativity, and curiosity. We talk candidly about masking, late diagnosis, and why representation—from classrooms to sports heroes—matters for self-belief. The practical centerpiece is Sarah’s ALIGN method: Awareness, Listen and Label, Identify triggers, Grounding, and Nurture. She walks us through a fast, in-the-wild example at a packed baseball game that turned overwhelm into buy-in in under a minute. Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, or an adult managing your own sensory needs, you’ll leave with tools you can use today and a fresh lens on neurodiversity that spotlights strengths over deficits. If this conversation helps you or someone you love, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway—what part of ALIGN will you try first? <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

From Sensory Overload To Strengths-Based Parenting with Sara Hartley

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>What if the behavior you see as “disrespect” is actually distress asking for a safer way in? We sit down with Kevin Dahill-Fuschel  of Counseling in Schools to unpack the practical heart of trauma-informed education: how to read behavior as information, build trust without lowering academic standards, and create classrooms where belonging fuels effort. Kevin takes us inside decades of school-based counseling across New York City, from the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy to the long tail of COVID. He shares how teachers can shift daily interactions—simple compliments, noticing prosocial acts, realistic goals—to break cycles of suspension and avoidance. We talk about the power of community identity, why early-year rituals matter, and how interest-based groups help differentiation feel supportive instead of stigmatizing. Bullying gets a hard reset for the smartphone era. Kevin explains why the true danger is invisibility online, and why limiting devices during school hours is boosting engagement and making harm easier to spot. You’ll hear actionable ideas: and ask better questions :What did you post? Who tagged you? How did it feel?—so problems surface early. We also argue for measuring social growth and hope alongside test scores, bringing basic mental health literacy into classrooms, and modeling adult regulation so students see what recovery looks like. We close with nuts-and-bolts choices that shape culture, from co-creating community agreements about headphones to using free, bilingual tools from Counseling in Schools’ Partners in Healing hub. If you’re an educator, parent, or counselor, you’ll leave with strategies you can try tomorrow and resources to go deeper. Kevin can be found at <a href="https://www.counselinginschools.org/team/kevin-dahill-fuchel/">https://www.counselinginschools.org/team/kevin-dahill-fuchel/</a>Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a lift, and leave a review with your top takeaway so we can keep these conversations moving. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

How Schools Build Safety, Trust, And Belonging with Kevin Dahill-Fuschel

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>What if your grandparents’ best stories didn’t fade with time—but could talk back when you needed them most? We sit down with founder Jeremy Horne to unpack how a childhood of mailing cassette tapes to his Nana Winny became the blueprint for Winny an app that nudges better questions, records family memories, and helps people build a living archive of their lives. Then we go deeper into Forever You, a conversational avatar that only says what you actually said—anchored by real video and audio proof. Jeremy shares how leaving big-brand agency life wasn’t a leap into hype, but a return to purpose: reduce friction, raise the quality of conversation, and make it easy to preserve the stories that define us. You’ll hear how context-aware prompts bridge an 8-year-old and his 80-year-old granddad, why gentle guidance can help autistic family members join in, and how journaling shapes smarter questions over time. We get honest about risk, too: encryption, privacy controls, and the reality that anything digitized carries exposure. The answer isn’t fear; it’s transparency—digital signatures that show who authored an avatar and authenticity scores that link claims back to original recordings. We also explore the tactile side of memory. QR codes on heirlooms turn a vase into a time capsule, while a “Storopedia” approach makes discovery simple at dinner or across continents. And the horizon is closer than it looks: voice-first experiences, wearables, and assistants that suggest, “Want to record this?” the moment a meaningful call starts. If you care about family history, social health, and designing technology that feels human, this conversation offers a practical, moving roadmap for capturing the people and stories you love.To learn more,  check out Jeremy Horne's website aforementioned in the episode <a href="https://foreveryou.life/">https://foreveryou.life/</a>. Go on your Apple Store to download with Winny App.  Listen now, subscribe for more thoughtful conversations on human connection and tech, and leave a review with the one story you’d want future generations to hear.  <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

Building Human Connection With AI Through Family Memories with Jeremy Horne

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Disclaimer: This is not to be taken as a therapy directive, but rather this is for learning and entertainment purposes only! Please consult with your physician and/or mental health care team to decide whether this approach is appropriate for you. Sensitive topics such as trauma and SA are discussed in this episode.What if the loudest story about bipolar disorder—the chemical imbalance—misses the point? We sit down with author and facilitator Sean Blackwell to peel back that narrative and explore bipolar through a wider lens: trauma held in the body, spiritual emergency as a potential breakthrough, and why empathetic presence can do what power struggles never will. Sean recounts his own 1996 crisis that looked like acute psychosis yet became a turning point that reshaped his life. From supporting his wife’s nieces through multiple episodes to building retreats rooted in holotropic-style breathwork, he shows how non-ordinary states can surface buried memories, emotions, and meaning.  You’ll hear specific case studies, including a client whose years-long coccyx pain disappeared after a powerful somatic release and another who reclaimed traumatic memories months after retreat, finally aligning emotional truth with experience.  If you’re curious about alternatives to one-size-fits-all approach,  this conversation offers a compassionate, grounded path: respect biology, honor the body, and allow meaning to emerge. For books, videos, training, and retreat details, visit <a href="https://www.bipolarawakenings.com/">https://www.bipolarawakenings.com/</a> If this perspective resonated, follow the show, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review to help others find it. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

Rethinking Bipolar Disorder with Sean Blackwell

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>We explore why caring for caregivers of neurodivergent people must come first and how small, consistent habits can reverse burnout. Eleonora Magri shares practical sensory strategies, community resources, and a mindset shift that prioritizes human needs over rigid protocols. • expanding caregiving beyond elder care • why caregiver wellbeing is the first treatment step • meeting parents where they are and pacing for readiness • naming early burnout signs and reframing urgency • sensory self-care that calms the nervous system • low-cost strategies that fit short windows of time • building a support village and ending isolation • practitioner humility and human-first practice • grief, guilt and giving emotions space • introducing Inclusive and the Caregiver Balance Sheet Go to <a href="http://www.inclusi.org">www.inclusi.org</a>  and download the Caregiver Balance Sheet <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

From Burnout To Balance: Supporting Caregivers Of Neurodivergent Loved Ones with Eleonora Magri

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Struggle with reading doesn’t mean a child can’t learn; it means they haven’t been taught in a way their brain can use. We sit down with Daniela Feldhausen—who left a 25-year law career to build Kids Up Reading Tutors—to unpack how precise screening and science-backed instruction turn confusion into clarity for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. No buzzwords, just a workable roadmap: phonological awareness to hear sounds, phonics patterns that match English’s quirks, and morphology to decode and spell longer words with confidence. We walk through the intake process parents can expect, from conversation to screeners that reveal whether the problem is decoding or language comprehension. Daniela explains the simple view of reading and shows why explicit, systematic teaching is the most reliable route to fluent reading and accurate spelling. You’ll hear concrete examples—AI saying A, the silent e and doubling rules, ED’s three sounds—and how these patterns become automatic through guided practice. We also tackle the real-world puzzle of IEPs: how to request evaluations in writing, set meaningful goals, and coordinate with special education teams without losing sight of foundational skills when school pacing surges ahead. What stands out is the hope. Older learners can still become fluent. Progress shows up on school benchmarks, placements change, and confidence rebounds when instruction matches the student’s needs. If you’re a parent feeling anxious or overwhelmed, this conversation delivers clarity and next steps you can take today to support your child’s reading journey. If this helped, tap follow, share with another parent who needs some hope, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. To learn more, please visit <a href="https://www.kidsupreadingtutors.com/">https://www.kidsupreadingtutors.com/</a> <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

How Systematic Reading Instruction Transforms Dyslexia And Dysgraphia with Daniela Feldhausen

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a> Trigger Warning: SuicideThe hardest part isn’t finding the perfect words—it’s showing up without judgment. We sit down with Helping Heroes founder Tony DeMaio to share a clear, compassionate playbook for preventing suicide among veterans, first responders, and anyone you love who might be slipping into isolation. From the earliest warning signs to practical safety steps, this conversation is built to help you notice sooner and act with confidence. Tony traces his journey from coaching and cycling events with hundreds of veterans to launching community workshops that put tools in people’s hands. We map the common spiral—withdrawal, depression, substances—and highlight the quieter signals too: prized possessions given away, sudden calm after despair, hygiene changes, or finances rapidly “put in order.” You’ll learn how to start hard conversations with care, why asking about suicide doesn’t plant the idea, and how to avoid fixer mode by asking better questions that invite agency. We go deep on real-world tactics: securing firearms and medications, staying present while someone calls 988, and assembling support circles that include peers, chaplains, union leads, and local resources like American Legion posts and bereavement groups. Tony shares stories that reveal how unspoken trauma fuels shame and loneliness, and why confidential spaces and community rituals—barbecues, rides, faith practices—can transform pain into connection. We also cover high-risk industries such as construction, healthcare, and law enforcement, and preview Tony’s new book, Silent Battle, a practical guide with checklists and scripts to use when minutes matter. If you’ve ever worried you’ll say the wrong thing, this is your guide to showing up the right way: present, patient, and prepared. Listen, share it with a friend, and help us build a culture where asking for help is strength. If this moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on to someone who needs it today. Also visit <a href="http://helpingheroesusa.org">helpingheroesusa.org</a> to gather more information and see how to become more involved. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

Silent Battle, Shared Hope

<a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>A store manager said, “There’s no such thing as a special needs shopping cart.” That moment lit the fuse for Drew Ann Long, who turned a napkin sketch into Caroline’s Cart—now standard in Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, and a symbol of what happens when families refuse to accept exclusion as normal. We walk through the emotional and practical beats: Caroline’s Rett syndrome diagnosis, the day-to-day realities of caregiving, and the exact problem that made shopping unsafe and exhausting once novelty carts were outgrown. From there, we trace the hard road of accessibility innovation. Multiple major manufacturers said no—twice. Drew Ann built a prototype anyway, rallied a global community through social media, and reframed the question for retailers: why offer carts for able-bodied kids but none for people with disabilities? The proof arrived in the form of customer demand that wouldn’t quit. Target committed nationwide in 2017. Walmart and Sam’s Club followed with coast-to-coast rollouts in 2024. Along the way, the original holdouts returned to manufacture the carts in North Carolina, a testament to persistence, grassroots momentum, and a market hiding in plain sight. We also spotlight Caroline’s Cause, the nonprofit funding scholarships for siblings of people with disabilities—kids who often shoulder silent compromises in therapy rooms, hospital schedules, and quiet family tradeoffs. You could find more information at <a href="https://www.drewannspeaks.com/">https://www.drewannspeaks.com/</a>When organizations book Drew Ann to speak, fees support scholarships, turning awareness into action. And there’s still work to do. Some major chains haven’t adopted the cart, leaving room for listener-led advocacy: ask your local store to order, tag retailers publicly, and help rebuild the Caroline’s Cart social pages after a recent hack. Subscribe, share this story with a friend who cares about accessibility, and leave a review with the name of a retailer you want to see add Caroline’s Cart next. Your nudge might be the one that tips the scale. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2307116/support">Support the show</a>

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