Melissa is a single mom from Philadelphia. She faced many challenges while raising her son Abdullah, who has ADHD and other learning differences. A second-generation Puerto Rican and a high school graduate, Melissa faced stigma, limited resources, and a knowledge barrier. But she dedicated herself to making sure her son could learn and self-advocate — all while juggling seven other kids.  

This week, Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace welcome Melissa, who they’ve been friends with ever since they taught her son. Listen in to hear how this mom beat the odds by being her son’s best advocate. Hear the advice she has for parents like herself. And find out what Abdullah is up to now.  

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. You can also download Wunder by Understood. This free app includes exercises that can help you track your child's behavior, look for patterns, and get personalized tips along the way.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Related resources

• 8 steps to advocating for your child at school
• How to find more support when you have kids who learn and think differently
• Perspectives: How to make sure families of color are heard by the school

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give