Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Returning to the podcast today are Vickie Brett and Amanda Selogie in a unique collaboration episode that will also air on the Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Podcast. Through my experience as a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in pediatric assessments, parents ask a lot of great questions. In this episode, together with Educational attorneys, Vickie and Amanda, we are addressing some of the most common IEP-related questions in an effort to inform and educate parents.   Show Notes: [1:26] - Does my child need a diagnosis to get accommodations at school? [4:49] - What should parents do when they approach the teacher with concerns, but the teacher discourages an assessment? [6:53] - What are SST meetings and their purpose within the school? [10:01] - Does a child need an assessment if there is a diagnosis of just ADHD? [11:23] - If I, as a parent, do not agree with the school’s assessment results and believe that something else is going on, what are my options? [13:12] - What will an IEP provide that a 504 Plan will not? [16:10] - What are the pros and cons of requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)? [18:04] - If a parent chooses to have a private assessment done and the results show the need for accommodations, modifications, or treatment, what is the next step with their school district? [20:41] - What are parents entitled to if they have a private evaluation done? [24:01] - Why are services not provided at private schools and can private school students still access public school services? [26:57] - How does Child Find work in school districts to ensure they find students in private schools that need services? [28:29] - If the school is recommending support that is not evidence-based, can I push back to ensure that my child gets an evidence-based intervention, and what should that look like? [34:01] - No matter the situation, follow your gut feeling.   About Our Guests: Vickie BrettVickie Brett was born and raised in Southern California and through the Inclusive Education Project she focuses on advocating and educating families about their legal rights. Vickie is committed to strengthening her clients who come to her disheartened and beaten down by the current education system. Because Vickie is bilingual, she represents and empowers many monolingual Spanish-speaking families. She is a dedicated pro bono attorney for the Superior Court of Los Angeles’s Juvenile and Dependency 317(e) Panel and, in the past, was a supervising attorney for the UCI Law School's Special Education Law Project.   Amanda Selogie Amanda Selogie received a bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development, specializing in Education from California State University, Northridge and a Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where she served as a Fellow in the prestigious Center for Children's Rights Fellowship Program and served in the school's pro-bono Special Education Legal Clinic. Amanda immersed herself in the world of civil rights and educational advocacy through her work in education, empowerment, and advocacy with the Inclusive Education project, supporting inclusion in early education through her appointment to the Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council and their Inclusion Collaborative Committee, previous work serving as a supervising attorney for UCI Law School’s Education Rights Pro-bono project and coaching of AYSO’s VIP (Very Important Player) program coaching players living with disabilities and creating an inclusive soccer program.   Connect with Vickie and Amanda: Inclusive Education Project Website   Links and Related Resources: Episode 32: Advocating for Children with Special Needs with Heather Zakson Episode 1: Demystifying the Assessment Process What is a Comprehensive Evaluation and How Can It Help Support My Child’s Learning? How to Initiate a Special Education Assessment   Need a more individualized learning and support experience? Join one of our learning groups! Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Experts Sari Goodman and Shelley Lawrence offer top 5 crucial steps to take after your child receives a diagnosis. They emphasize the importance of understanding the diagnosis report, advocating for your child, and collaborating with schools. Parents are encouraged to focus on their child's strengths and prioritize actions that truly benefit their child's needs.

Do you have a child in your life that just doesn’t seem to care about anything? In a post-pandemic world, we’re seeing children and adults alike struggling to regain the motivation they once had. This is particularly challenging for the students who have learning differences and have been trying to catch up. Today, we welcome back Dr. Ellen Braaten, author of the bestseller Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up and an upcoming release Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less, which is the topic of today’s discussion. Oftentimes, kids are very bright but they just don’t seem to care. Dr. Braaten discusses how to meet kids where they are, set goals, and maintain motivation.   Show Notes: [2:08] - Welcome back, Dr. Braaten! A previous episode featuring Dr. Braaten is one of the podcast’s most popular conversations. [3:34] - Motivation has become a struggle for kids and adults alike since the pandemic. [4:56] - Motivation is the reason behind the things we do. It varies for everyone. [6:01] - There are three parts of motivation: initiation, persistence, and intensity. [7:17] - There is some overlap with executive functioning skills and ADHD. [8:59] - The focus on catching up at school has negatively impacted motivation. Kids need to do the things that bring them joy. [10:30] - “Understanding is the foundation of hopefulness.” [11:03] - Dr. Braaten lists some of the things to consider in your own child. [12:36] - Kids can be good at something but might not enjoy doing it. Parental and societal expectations play a huge role in motivation. [14:35] - Make sure life includes the things that they love. [16:17] - Observe behavior and character in different environments. [18:10] - Practicing is more about being deliberate rather than rote drills. [19:27] - As adults, we need to realize the things that individuals need to do to be motivated. Overscheduling impedes joy. [21:30] - Overscheduling is a huge problem. Kids need rest that isn’t just sleeping. [22:23] - Sometimes the goal needs to be to take a step back. [23:50] - Meet your child where they are. [25:33] - Involve your child in these conversations. [27:41] - Imagining the future is a powerful motivational tool. [29:19] - Connect the things that they’re doing and focusing on to their future. [32:41] - It is challenging to go from one thing to another, especially at a young age. [33:38] - What are the red flags to look for and what should you do about them? [35:40] - Depression can attribute to lack of motivation. [36:33] - You can pre-order Dr. Braaten’s new book, Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less.   About Our Guest: Dr. Ellen Braaten is the founder and executive director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Kessler Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment, and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She is widely recognized as an expert in the field of pediatric neuropsychological assessment, particularly in the areas of learning disabilities and attentional disorders. She has published numerous papers, chapters, and reviews on topics related to ADHD, learning disorders, child psychopathology, processing speed, and intelligence, and written and edited numerous books for parents and professionals, including the bestseller Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up and her newest book, Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less. Dr. Braaten has a strong interest in educating the public on topics related to child mental health. She maintains an active speaking schedule and contributes regularly to local and national news outlets such as NBC and the New York Times. She received her PhD in Psychology at Colorado State University and completed her psychology internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.   Connect with Dr. Ellen Braaten: Website   Links and Related Resources: Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less by Dr. Ellen Braaten Episode 53: Understanding Depression in Children and Teens with Dr. Dorie Weiss Episode 67: Your Child’s Anxiety - When to Worry with Dr. John Piacentini Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents Episode 61: Slow Processing Speed with Dr. Ellen Braaten Find a Provider/School Need Some Guidance? Book a Consultation   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Did you know that between 25 and 33 percent of children with ADHD have a coexisting anxiety disorder? In fact, childhood anxiety is the second most common condition co-occurring with ADHD. So how can we help children who struggle with both? We’ve had several conversations about ADHD and anxiety separately, but now let’s dive into the topic of comorbidity with today’s guest Dr. Norrine Russell. Dr. Russell comes to us with over 20 years of experience creating positive youth development and parenting education programs. She has extensive knowledge of child development, learning profiles, special needs, and positive parenting philosophies. She blends this knowledge to provide students and parents with comprehensive support and the tools they need to grow and thrive. I am thrilled to have her join this conversation today. In this episode, Dr. Russell describes what it might look like for a child or an adolescent to struggle with both ADHD and anxiety and what that means for parents and caregivers.   Show Notes: [2:26] - The “honeymoon period” after starting the new school year is over. [4:11] - Comorbidity is when you have two or more disorders. [5:16] - Since the pandemic, there are more children experiencing anxiety, children experiencing higher anxiety, and more parents with anxiety. [6:37] - Support for anxiety often includes family support. [7:44] - There has been a cultural shift in parenting that has created increased anxiety. [9:10] - Sometimes the trigger for an anxious parent is another parent’s experience. [10:43] - Anxiety hijacks the brain. [12:02] - The process of calming down and being inside the thinking part of their brain can take a long time for a student with anxiety. [13:51] - It’s common for adolescents with anxiety to stuff their anxiety down, but there will be a trigger that allows it to come back up. [15:02] - It’s important to consider the question of comorbidity. This impacts the approach to helping students with either ADHD, anxiety or both. [16:28] - Very few have just ADHD. [18:15] - Multimodal therapy is the most impactful. [19:56] - Medication isn’t a magic potion but alongside coaching can be helpful. A combined approach is what’s best. [21:30] - When medication is needed and there’s a delay in accessing it, there can be a contribution to anxiety. [23:54] - A common concern about medication is addiction. [25:18] - There is a lot of misinformation out there for parents when making decisions about treatment for their children. [26:36] - Collaboration between therapists and other adults working with students is very valuable. [28:31] - For younger children, it is harder for them to understand their feelings. Older children will be able to identify when they feel anxious. [30:01] - Sometimes teacher comments are taken as mandates to take action when in reality it is just information. [31:18] - It is not your fault. You do not need to feel ashamed. But, you are responsible for finding out what to do. [32:30] - People in a child’s support team all have a different role. [33:40] - Be clear on what support schools can provide.   About Our Guest: Dr. Norrine Russell is the founder of Russell Coaching for Students, which uses an innovative method of coaching for complex students, including those who are 2E; have ADHD, Autism, or Anxiety; and those with learning differences. This innovative method, Connected Coaching, has proven successful for hundreds of students since 2009. She is the author of the recently published guide for parents, “Asking the Right Questions Before, During, and After Your Child’s ADHD Diagnosis.”   Connect with Dr. Russell: Russell Coaching Website LinkedIn Facebook Email: drrussell@russellcoaching.com   Links and Related Resources: Episode 67: Your Child’s Anxiety - When to Worry with Dr. John Piacentini Anxiety and the Family Episode 99: Straight Talk About ADHD in Girls with Dr. Stephen Henshaw FOMO and How it Might Affect Children with Attention Issues   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you might be considering your treatment options. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that for children between the ages of 4 and 6, the first line of treatment should include parent training in behavior management and behavioral classroom interventions. Medication should be used if those interventions do not result in significant improvement or if the child continues to have serious problems. For children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18, recommended treatment is FDA approved medications along with parent training in behavior management and classroom interventions. Medication works alongside behavior management. We get questions frequently about medication and they need to be answered by a pediatric expert. That’s why I have asked Dr. Syed Naqvi to join the podcast for this conversation on medication as a treatment for ADHD. In this episode, you’ll learn how medication can benefit a child with ADHD, but also the steps to take before it is ever considered.     Show Notes: [2:46] - Over the years, Dr. Wilson has received numerous questions about medication. [3:33] - Medication consultations are necessary to determine if it’s appropriate. [4:26] - Not every case of ADHD needs medication as treatment. [5:50] - For medication to be used, ADHD must interfere with daily life. [7:01] - Be mindful that ADHD might not be the sole factor in disruptive behavior. [8:55] - Dr. Naqvi is adamant about using standard scales. [10:10] - Sometimes, Dr. Naqvi can be doing an ADHD assessment and notice other learning disabilities. [11:33] - Interventions will vary depending on the age of the child and there are a lot of factors that impact them. [13:14] - Interventions need to be revisited every 6-12 months. [15:29] - The root cause is the most important piece to find and that’s challenging in a child as they are growing and changing. [17:23] - All medications have side effects and they need to be considered. If the risks outweigh the benefits, that is not the route to take. [18:49] - The benefits of medication will be different per child. [20:50] - Setting boundaries and rules to help manage behavior is necessary in addition to medication. [23:07] - Dr. Naqvi and Dr. Wilson discuss work by Russell Barkley. [24:01] - Interventions need to take place before medication is introduced. [25:19] - Some parents are disappointed when medication isn’t immediately prescribed, but Dr. Naqvi shares that it is not a magic potion. [27:05] - Dr. Naqvi shares the differences between some common medications prescribed for ADHD. [30:16] - FDA guidelines must be considered. [31:36] - Dr. Naqvi educates parents on other types of supplements that could benefit children with ADHD before resorting to medication. [33:12] - Let children have their joy but be aware of things like treats and how they impact their behavior. [35:26] - Be aware of myths that surround ADHD and ADHD medication. [36:43] - Genetics also plays a role in side effects. [37:53] - ADHD is a genetic disorder, which may impact the parent in remembering to give the child medication appropriately. [40:39] - If you have questions for Dr. Naqvi, email is the best way to reach him.   About Our Guest: Syed Naqvi MD is Board certified and recertified, in both adult and child & Adolescent psychiatry. He provides state-of-the-art psychopharmacological treatment to children with autism, intellectual disabilities with psychiatric issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Tourette's disorder. He has been the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Naqvi is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry in UCLA. He also devotes his professional time as Director of Psychiatric services at Wayfinder family services in Los Angeles and in his private practice in Beverly Hills and Calabasas.     Connect with Dr. Naqvi: Email: naqvihealer@gmail.com   Links and Related Resources: Episode 34: Key Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD with Dr. Russell A. Barkley What Causes ADHD? The Intersection of Executive Function, ADHD, and Other Learning Differences Executive Functioning and Self Regulation in ADHD Mindfulness in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

As we record this episode in October, keep in mind that now is a good time to review your child's classroom accommodations. If they have a learning disability, learning challenges that affect them in the classroom, or mental health difficulties that also impact their ability to access the curriculum, they may benefit from classroom accommodations.  With accommodations, expectations are the same. What a child is expected to know, learn, or do does not change. Accommodations offer support to account for challenges that students face and really help level the playing field. But when it comes to ADHD specifically, what accommodations are helpful? Dr. Carrie Jackson is today’s guest and she has a wealth of knowledge about accommodations, how to properly use and track them, and which ones are helpful for children and adolescents with ADHD. In our conversation today, Dr. Jackson explains what accommodations are, how ADHD impacts a student’s ability to learn in a classroom environment, and how parents and educators can support their needs with accommodations.   Show Notes: [2:19] - There is so much to discuss when it comes to ADHD. It can be overwhelming. [3:29] - Dr. Jackson has a parent guide on her website that is extremely helpful. [5:07] - Girls with ADHD are more likely to be overlooked and misdiagnosed. [6:30] - Inattention is a very internal struggle which is hard to see, but accommodations are very helpful. [8:38] - Classroom accommodations are changes to the classroom environment in a way that will support your child with their learning style. [9:48] - There is a misconception about accommodations being unfair. [10:50] - Classroom accommodations also help with self-confidence. [11:50] - When it comes to ADHD, the accommodation of having a distraction free environment is often recommended. [13:40] - Peers can often make a difference in seating as well. [15:40] - Wobble seats and fidget toys can be helpful but for others they are more distracting. [17:12] - Daily report cards are a great motivational tool and accommodation. [18:39] - ADHD changes as the child gets older. [20:00] - An organization accommodation is particularly helpful for older students with ADHD. [21:28] - Sometimes after an assessment, the child doesn’t want the accommodation. [23:17] - Some accommodations will not be noticeable by peers. [24:37] - It’s about paying attention to what is helpful to each student in accessing the curriculum. Track these over time. [26:19] - Schools will not give these accommodations automatically. [27:12] - Start the conversation with your child’s teacher about their diagnoses.   About Our Guest: Carrie Jackson, PhD is a licensed child psychologist, speaker, and author working in San Diego, California. She has published over 20 articles and book chapters related to parenting, ADHD, and defiance. Dr. Carrie Jackson maintains a private practice and shares evidence-based mental health information on social media. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Carrie Jackson is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, where she teaches child therapy to Marriage and Family Therapy graduate students.   Connect with Carrie Jackson: Website Parenting ADHD Instagram Phone: 619-719-1940    Links and Related Resources: Episode 99: Straight Talk About ADHD in Girls with Dr. Stephen Henshaw Episode 91: Key Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD with Dr. Russell A. Barkley Book a Consultation Find a Provider/School Search for Articles/Blogs   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Today we are continuing the conversation about language skills and development, but this time we’re discussing how speech-language therapy helps students with dyslexia. In previous episodes we’ve talked about speech and language development and we’ve talked about dyslexia, but now we combine the two because they are certainly linked. My guest today is Nancy Rose Steinbock, an absolute expert in the field of language and literacy disorders. In our conversation today, Nancy talks in length about the connection between language development and literacy and the unfortunate truth that some teachers and educators are not equipped or prepared to effectively support students who are struggling. Nancy gives fantastic tips on what to look for in the early years before school begins for a child, even when pediatricians and caregivers are saying “wait and see”.  All this and more in this conversation today with Nancy Steinbock.   Show Notes: [3:01] - We often talk about language development and literacy separately, but they are closely linked. [4:36] - The key to mitigating language disorders is early identification and intervention. [5:49] - Nancy describes research that demonstrates what to look for in early stages of language development. [7:50] - While being told to “wait and see”, there are things we can look for before professional intervention. [9:02] - Non-verbal communication is a form of language. [11:30] - We need to be careful about discerning the difference between a child who has a language development disability and one who is progressing differently. [13:06] - A parent’s concern should always be considered as they know their child better than anyone. Don’t always buy into the “wait and see” approach. [14:13] - There are times that language development plateaus and makes it appear that some are catching up when there is still an issue. [17:11] - Many children miss out on early intervention due to the lack of understanding of the link between language and literacy. [19:35] - One of the mistakes we’ve made in teacher education is that we’re not training teachers in the last decade in language. [21:18] - Nancy shares the problems she ran into when working with students and teachers virtually. [24:03] - Nancy demonstrates speech to print vs. print to speech. [26:30] - Language encompasses reading, writing, and speaking and these are developing simultaneously. [28:46] - Because language has been a struggle, children who have not had support become less attuned to listening and experience learned helplessness. [31:08] - Nancy describes some of the other behaviors that develop when a student has not received the help they need. [32:51] - This is not a quick process. This could take years. [34:28] - Asking indirect questions when a student is engaged is much more effective. [36:01] - It is important for students to engage with a story. [37:40] - Connect with Nancy to learn more.   About Our Guest: As a speech language pathologist, Nancy Rose Steinbock, M.A., CCC-SLP is an expert in the field of language and literacy disorders. Over 40 years’ experience in the field and engagement with experts in the fields of language development and disorders have developed her expertise in diagnosing and treating spoken and written language skills.   She was fortunate to complete four years of doctoral study at City University of New York, CUNY, when children identified as ‘learning disabled’ were seen to be ‘language disabled.’ Connections between early childhood speech-language development and academic under-achievement were studied across disciplines in the program.   Knowing that prevention is key to mitigating language disorders, Nancy has created numerous programs and strategies to work with teachers and students who are at risk for developing these disorders. Focusing on bilingual language acquisition and interventionist methods, she founded Inglese Dinamico, an innovative bilingual education project in Venice, Italy, where she provided extensive teacher-training in speech and language development disorders for nearly 15 years. Her ’intervention methodology’ for EL teaching has been carried over into her EL teaching for adults in her practice located on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.   Connect with Nancy Steinbock: ChildNEXUS Provider Profile MV Language Website   Links and Related Resources: Episode 102: Everyday Activities That Help Build Language Skills with Stefanie Trenholme, MS, CCC-SLP Dyslexia Article 6 Quick Questions for Parents Concerned About Dyslexia Episode 21: What You Know and Don’t Know About Dyslexia with Dr. Lauren McClenney Rosenstein Get Reading Support Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

There are countless opportunities built into a child’s everyday life that could be used for support in language development. The best parts are that they won’t even know they’re working on these skills and they’re fun! Today’s guest is Stefanie Trenholme, a Speech and Language Pathologist and children’s book author. In our conversation today, Stefanie explains some common misconceptions about speech and language development and disabilities. She describes the different areas of language development and the red flags that are often overlooked or misinterpreted. Did you know your daily routines could be used to help your child’s language development? In this episode, Stefanie really digs into the topic. Be sure to listen to the end to also hear about Stefanie’s fun book that can be used to enhance any child’s language skills and boost their motivation to read.   Show Notes: [2:18] - There is a misconception about what Speech and Language Pathologists do. [4:27] - Red flags for language development can look different for different kids at different ages, but Stefanie shares some common ones. [5:52] - There are different areas of language development and for some children, they could be impacted in one area or all. [7:00] - Some red flags are overlooked by parents. [8:47] - Although there are different areas of language development, they are connected and often one area’s deficit impacts other areas. [10:18] - Unaddressed language difficulties in young children can lead to behavior concerns as they are easily frustrated. [12:12] - Kids may have a difficult time sharing about their day. [13:27] - Language variation is another area of difficulty that is often overlooked. [14:51] - By the time a student is in high school, social language becomes more complex. [17:01] - Parents may not always see language difficulties when they happen most often at school. [18:45] - Executive functioning also plays a role. [20:50] - For all children, routines are great for language development. [22:46] - Kids won’t know they are working on language skills because they are focused on their routine. [25:00] - There are so many opportunities in a week to hone in on skills in daily routines. [26:23] - Make the child an active participant in learning. [27:42] - Stefanie has written a children’s book that parents can use to help with vocabulary and routines. [29:36] - It is a picture book typically for “little” kids, but picture books can easily be adapted to work with any age. [31:31] - Lola is a real dog and with her help, Stefanie demonstrates different language skills in a fun and motivational way. [33:17] - One more thing! Cooking together is great for language skills and executive functioning.   About Our Guest: Stefanie Trenholme is the owner of Trenholme Speech Therapy, a private pediatric practice in West Los Angeles. She has been practicing both in Canada and the United States for twenty years.  She has also been a guest speaker at various private schools in both Los Angeles and New York City discussing how speech-language pathologists can help support educators in the classroom. She also goes into schools to teach students how to treat animals. In addition to being voted one of Los Angeles’s top Speech Pathologists by Expertise.com 5 years in a row, she recently was featured as one of the “Top 30 Inspiring Women To Look Out for in 2022.” Stefanie also recently published her first children’s book, “Little Lola Frenchie Loves Bathtime” which stars her therapy dog Lola. The Little Lola Frenchie™️ book series was created not only because Lola is an amazing therapy dog and loved by all who meet and work with her, but also to help children learn language - especially language through daily routines. Stefanie is currently working on her second book which should be out at the beginning of 2023.    Connect with Stefanie Trenholme: Website ChildNEXUS Provider Profile   Links and Related Resources: Little Lola Frenchie Top 5 Signs Your Need a Speech and Language Pathologist Episode 20: How Speech and Language Difficulties Affect a Child’s Life with Carol Karp Helping Your Child with Language Based Learning Disabilities with Dr. Daniel Franklin Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Today’s guest is a force in the special education space and her journey began as a parent of a special needs child. Raja Marhaba joins the conversation today to tell you about her traumatic experiences navigating the special education system and how her journey led her to create The Jonathan Foundation. The Jonathan Foundation for Children With Learning Disabilities is a non-profit organization that raises funds for parents who can’t afford assessments for their children. In many unfortunate situations, a child’s struggles go unnoticed, undiagnosed, and without support for too long and that wasted time impacts their education and their future. This conversation with Raja will put you in her shoes as a parent who has learned through the eyes of her own children. She hopes that, through the work she does with The Jonathan Foundation, fewer families will experience the challenges she faced and more families will get the support they need.   Show Notes: [1:50] - Welcome to the show, Raja! [3:15] - Raja’s experience began 26 years ago and she has a parent’s perspective. [5:27] - As a new mom, she didn’t know how to navigate the special education process. But, she knew her child better than anyone and she learned to be her child’s best advocate. [7:16] - At the time, Raja found that not every piece of information was given to her. [8:15] - Raja realized that not everything that was suggested was happening at school to help her son, Jonathan. [9:57] - Raja describes the journey of learning her son has dyslexia. [11:37] - He lost a lot of confidence, but acting classes helped to build it back up. [12:42] - Raja had a lot of questions and lost faith in the school system. [14:54] - This experience set Raja on a new path. She knew she needed to fight and advocate for her children. She sees this as a turning point in her life. [16:35] - Back then, there was no Google. Raja’s resources for information were limited, but many of the same problems exist today. [19:38] - This process and the lack of understanding leads to wasted time. [20:53] - Because a psychologist took the time to explain and answer her questions, Raja understood the data from assessments. [21:57] - The assessments could cost a family up to $15,000. [23:55] - It is important for parents to have a professional in their corner. Raja describes some situations where advocacy was crucial. [25:57] - Raja focused on assessments with The Jonathan Foundation because of her experience with the huge cost of assessments for her sons. [27:23] - This experience hurt her family and her own mental health. [28:20] - Raja describes what she learned about her children and what she learned from them. [30:11] - Understanding her children opened up the world for her. [32:05] - Having one child who took so much of her attention, Raja’s youngest son was impacted. [34:51] - The sooner the better when it comes to an assessment. [36:29] - If you feel that your child is struggling and the school has said that their  evaluation revealed no difficulties, you can request another assessment. [39:02] - The data from an assessment tells a story. [40:41] - Donations can be made to the Jonathan Foundation to help children and families without the funds to afford a quality assessment. [43:29] - Sometimes schools are missing a piece to the puzzle without an assessment. [44:27] - Raja is currently writing a book and she provides a sneak peek. [49:57] - Raja’s book will connect you with her story; she hopes that others can learn from her experience.   About Our Guest: Raja B. Marhaba is the Founder and President of The Jonathan Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities, Inc. The motivation for establishing The Jonathan Foundation was driven by her personal struggles with having two children with disabilities and the multiple battles she endured to obtain appropriate special education and related services from their school district over a period of eight years. The result: eight due process complaint filings, including a hearing; an appeal to the Federal Ninth Circuit District Court; as well as periods of extreme financial hardship from the cost of paying for private assessments, specialized interventions, and placements, retaining legal representation, and witness fees. Thus, Raja envisioned The Jonathan Foundation to be the vehicle she would use to assist families, like her own, in dealing with a "broken" special education system, "one child at a time". Since its inception in 2001, The Jonathan Foundation has provided families of children and adolescents with various types of disabilities with information, resources, referrals, and direct advocacy services by Raja in both special education and regional center matters.   Connect with Raja Marhaba: The Jonathan Foundation Website Apply for an Assessment Scholarship   Links and Related Resources: Episode 1: Demystifying the Assessment Process How to Initiate a Special Education Assessment Episode 14: Pursuing and Pushing for a Special Education Assessment with Educational Attorney Leejanice Toback What is a Comprehensive Evaluation and How Can It Help Support My Child’s Learning? Episode 3: Neuropsychological Evaluations Through a Cultural Lens with Dr. Vindia Fernandez Connect with a Neuropsychologist Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

This podcast began in November 2020 in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic with the hopes of helping parents with a child struggling at home. I wanted to bring information and expertise into their home so they can better support their children. And now, Diverse Thinking Different Learning is celebrating 100 episodes! Let’s revisit the very first episode that sets the stage for the work we do at ChildNEXUS and the mission of the podcast. Millions of kids struggle with learning, processing, and social difficulties. These challenges interfere with their ability to reach their full potential. My name is Dr. Karen Wilson and I am on a mission to make sure that when kids are struggling, we find out why and we give them the support they need to thrive. Welcome to the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast. This podcast is a resource for parents and educators working with children with learning difficulties. It is my hope that after listening to this show, you will better understand the challenges that some kids face and know how to help them overcome difficulties, become more resilient, maintain a love for learning, and experience more success. Today I’m discussing what struggles look like for kids with learning challenges, what parents and educators should do when they see kids are struggling, when to consider an evaluation for a child, and the benefits of targeted intervention.    Show Notes: [2:51] - This episode is about why the identification of learning challenges is so important. What do we do right and where do we go wrong? [3:39] - Approximately 5% of school aged children have a learning disability and 13% of all public school students receive special education services. Another 15% are struggling due to an unidentified learning or attention issue. [5:25] - Struggles can look different in different children. Dr. Wilson lists many different examples of what struggles look like in different children. [6:51] - With misunderstanding sometimes comes mislabeling. Mislabeling can lead to behavioral problems and can cause a lot more anxiety. [8:12] - We see the struggle, but what we tend to do is to rationalize the difficulty. [10:16] - With a learning disorder, a child typically experiences trouble learning skills in the regular classroom and tends to be behind their peers in one or more areas. [11:28] - If you don’t know what the underlying problem is, how can you appropriately intervene? [12:30] - Some reasons a child may be struggling with reading comprehension is poor working memory, poor phonological processing, and issues with receptive language. [16:00] - The same is true for writing. Writing is such a complex task for students to tackle. [19:23] - If you don’t know why a child is struggling, it is difficult to give them the proper support. [19:57] - Assessments serve as a guide for appropriate intervention to address the difficulties a child experiences. [22:16] - When we give children the appropriate, evidence-based intervention for their specific learning disorder, we can reorganize their brain pathways. [24:06] - Not all kids who struggle need a full, comprehensive evaluation. Some learning struggles could be tied to anxiety. [25:13] - If a child has anxiety and a learning disorder, the intervention for the learning disorder is not enough. The anxiety also needs to be addressed. [26:46] - When kids don’t get enough sleep, you get poor attention or other possible issues in school. [28:56] - When a real problem remains unidentified, children may grow to have low self esteem and are at greater risk of struggling with anxiety and depression. [30:33] - We have to move from observing the struggle to getting students the appropriate intervention and stop rationalizing the problem.   Links and Resources: ChildNEXUS Website Find a Provider Request a Consultation Search Articles Listen to more Diverse Thinking Different Learning episodes   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.