Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Lately, we’ve been focusing on preparing students who think and learn differently for a transition back to school. But today’s topic is an interesting and often overlooked aspect of mental health - nutrition. Studies show that what we eat can significantly impact our mental wellbeing. The same is true for children and teens and we can help support their mental health through their diet.   Show Notes: [1:34] - Emerging research is showing that our dietary choices play a role in our mental health. [3:07] - Avoiding processed options is best but Americans get most of their calories from processed foods. [4:10] - How does nutrition impact our brains? [5:19] - Improving nutrition can have positive effects on depression and ADHD. [8:49] - Embrace whole foods. [9:04] - Variety is key. [9:20] - Consider a culture of mindful meals. [9:50] - Minimize processed foods. [11:14] - Everyone is different. It is important to consider a personalized approach.   Connect: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Check out some amazing schools for incredible students   Links and Related Resources: Adolescents prone to poor dietary choices, leading to changes in the brain Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing? That salad isn’t just good for your nutrition - it may help stave off depression   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 get started and accustomed to a new academic year for students, we need to take a moment to talk about sleep. How much sleep do children and adolescents actually need? What are signs that they are getting quality sleep or insufficient sleep? Many adults track their own sleep, but are you monitoring your child’s? When children and adolescents don’t get enough sleep it impacts their ability to focus, remember information, and regulate their emotions - all things that are critical to their wellbeing on any given day. In today’s episode, we’re discussing this crucial piece to a child’s health. So listen to find out if your child is sleeping enough, getting quality sleep, and some tips to improve sleep if it is a struggle.   Show Notes: [3:00] - Transitioning from a summer with little sleep schedule to a new school year with a routine can be very difficult for children. [5:04] - How much sleep do kids actually need?  [8:13] - What are the signs of sleep deprivation in kids? [10:18] - Insufficient sleep can cause issues with memory, mood, and stress. [11:26] - Early sleep issues are predictive of ADHD symptoms later. [13:51] - School schedules have an impact on sleep and some school districts start later in the morning to allow for students to sleep longer durations. [15:19] - Kids with ADHD are more likely to challenge parents and have behavioral problems around bedtime. [19:11] - Lights from screens can suppress melatonin and can delay the onset of sleep. [19:56] - Having a dark and cool room is best for quality sleep. [20:50] - Always talk about sleep patterns with your child’s pediatrician. [21:35] - Making sleep a priority for yourself is modeling the importance of sleep in a healthy lifestyle for your children.   Connect: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Check out some amazing schools for incredible students   Links and Related Resources: 5 Reasons Sleep Matters Most for Children 8 Ways Teenagers Suffer When They Don’t Get Enough Sleep Episode 40: Lifestyle Activities That Can Improve ADHD Symptoms with Dr. Joel Nigg Episode 147: 5 Tips to Help Students Transition Back to School   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.

A new school year is upon us! This can be an exciting time but it can also be challenging for parents and their children especially for those who think and learn differently. This quick episode is designed to help ensure a smooth start for these students and their families. These five tips can help navigate this period successfully. It’s not an exhaustive list, just a few tips to get the ball rolling for a great new school year.   Show Notes: [1:52] - Tip #1: Establish a predictable routine. [3:02] - Plan for adequate amounts of sleep. [4:20] - Tip #2: Prepare well in advance. [6:14] - Tip #3: Foster open communication. Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher. [8:08] - Trust your gut. Don’t hesitate to take an active role. [8:35] - Tip #4: Break tasks into manageable steps. [9:52] - Tip #5: Focus on strengths and self-care. Celebrate success and encourage hobbies.   Connect: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Check out some amazing schools for incredible students   Links and Related Resources: Episode 146: How Parents and Educators Can Collaborate to Help Students Thrive with Shelley Lawrence Episode 142: How to Help Neurodivergent Kids Manage Social Media   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.

Shelley Lawrence, a seasoned school administrator, discusses the importance of collaboration between parents and educators. She emphasizes understanding why a child is struggling, leveraging strengths, and boosting confidence. The episode highlights the significance of early evaluations and interventions, personalized learning experiences, and fostering supportive collaboration for student success.

Are you concerned about whether your child has made meaningful progress over the last year in school? Today’s guest is an incredible special education attorney who is passionate about advocating for children and adults. You can hear the passion in her voice throughout this entire episode and she brings to light a lot of concerns as we begin the transition to heading back to the brick and mortar classroom environment. Our guest, Heather Zakson, is a special education attorney.  She answers a plethora of questions in this episode, shares staggering statistics, explains legislation and federal funding, and encourages all parents to strongly advocate for their children.   Show Notes: [3:01] - The transition going back to school is a front and center concern for a lot of families. [5:10] - Distance learning unlocked more tools and opportunities for many students.  [7:57] - Data is our stock and trade in special education. We need the information to compare data over time to see what’s working. [8:59] - A lot of work is done on screen and not kept in a paper format. Heather recommends always taking a screenshot of work to archive a child’s progress. [11:49] - Don’t think of assessments as something dictated only by schools. [12:46] - A psychological assessment will give us information on what intervention and support is needed. [13:44] - When seeking a private assessment, you have the control on who to conduct the testing and who to share the information with. [14:33] - If you are unable to have a private assessment done, Heather explains how it works through the school system. You can ask for a second opinion. [17:20] - Although we have seen the good things that have come from distance learning, there are many students who have suffered with great educational loss. [18:25] - Heather advises that if you think there is something wrong, follow your gut. [19:40] - All public schools have the ability to assess. [21:38] - When a child is behind, moving forward without support will just make them fall farther behind. Early intervention is crucial. [23:10] - When you are out there advocating for your child, don’t take no for an answer.  [27:53] - We know how to support children with social difficulties and with appropriate support, they can have a completely different educational experience. [30:54] - Heather explains what recoupment means and how this affects the near future of special education. [32:46] - Children with learning disabilities are legally entitled to remediation. [34:22] - When there is a reading and/or language delay, there needs to be evidence-based targeted reading instruction. [37:18] - Information doesn’t hurt anyone. It doesn’t put labels on anyone. [40:28] - Dyslexia screening should be a mandatory part of assessment early on for every student. [41:10] - What is SB 488 and how will it affect university programs for teachers? [44:50] - The Right to Read Project and Decoding Dyslexia are highly recommended to look into by both Heather and Karen. [46:27] - Every year is different when it comes to funding. Heather explains the push for federal funding for special education.  [48:19] - The real test of our educational system is how we support our students who struggle the most. [49:02] - Every child is entitled to an appropriate education and remediation of learning disabilities when appropriate.   About Our Guest: Heather Zakson represents children and adults in special education, Regional Center and discrimination cases and provides expert consultation on complex custody and guardianship matters. She is widely recognized for her creativity and tenacity on behalf of those whose rights have been violated and needs have gone unmet. She is a graduate of UCLA School of Law and Brandeis University, and has been practicing law for 18 Years.   Connect with Heather Zakson: Zakson Law Home Page Phone: (424) 369-9529 Heather Zakson on LinkedIn Heather Zakson, Attorney on Facebook   Links and Related Resources: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Check out some amazing schools for incredible students   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com

If you have a child who thinks, learns, or experiences the world differently than others, this episode is for you. Parents of differently wired kids may face a negative stigma, uncertainty, and may make decisions from a place of fear, especially in regards to education. But today’s guest shares her experience and encourages parents to change their mindset and make decisions from a place of possibility. I am thrilled to welcome Debbie Reber as today’s guest on the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast. Debbie inspired me to begin this podcast journey and as a parent of a differently wired child herself, she comes to the podcast today with personal stories, many years of experience, and open arms to welcome other parents on the same journey. Debbie is a parenting activist, author, keynote speaker, and founder of TiLT Parenting. The resources and community she offers through TiLT Parenting are helping parents around the world connect and support each other in raising differently wired children. We could talk for hours, but on today’s episode with Debbie we focus on what it means to be “differently wired,” how Debbie grew from making decisions from fear to making decisions from love and possibility, and how parents can use their voices to make positive change in the education of their children.   Show Notes: [1:35] - Debbie really leans in to embracing the fact that your child may be differently wired. [3:26] - Debbie never intended to walk this path, but as her son received diagnoses, it made things more challenging. [5:01] - Sharing the challenge in finding the right environment for her son, Debbie explains that they bounced around to different schools and then homeschooled for 6 years. [6:00] - This experience was the catalyst for her to start her own podcast and help other parents in similar situations. [7:58] - As she observed her son learning at home, Debbie made the realization of why traditional schooling had not been a success. [9:16] - There needs to be a shift in how we educate children. [11:00] - Debbie demonstrates that the traditional school model does not teach kids to be critical thinkers. [15:57] - Learning loss is of course a concern, but Dr. Wilson believes that social, emotional, and mental health support is more important. [18:49] - Debbie talks about her book Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World.  [20:04] - There is no clear path for parents, especially when raising a differently wired child.  [21:07] - Debbie provides some reflection questions to ask yourself as a parent to find out more about choosing love and possibility. [22:23] - If we, as parents, have a negative idea of what a child with a diagnosis looks like, we will not make decisions that are best for the child. [24:38] - The idea behind Debbie’s podcast and the community she has built is to help support parents. [28:21] - Dr. Wilson and Debbie talk about the IEP process and the changes that need to be made to the educational system. [30:10] - Debbie references a book that she recommends called The End of Average by Todd Rose and how there really isn’t any such thing as “average.” [31:23] - Karen highly recommends Debbie’s book and her TEDtalk.   About Our Guest: Debbie Reber is a parenting activist, New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of TiLT Parenting, a top podcast, community, and educational resource for parents raising differently wired children. Her book, Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World, came out in June 2018. After living abroad in the Netherlands for five years, Debbie, her husband, and 16-year-old son relocated to Brooklyn, NY in 2019.   Connect with Debbie Reber: TiLT Parenting Home Page TiLT Parenting Podcast   Links and Related Resources: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Check out some amazing schools for incredible students Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com

With different types of technology becoming more and more accessible, today’s guest has found the surprising and amazing benefits of virtual reality on neurodivergent individuals. As the father of a child on the autism spectrum, Vijay Ravindran discovered first hand what the technology can provide for those who think and learn differently. Vijay’s positive experience led him to create Floreo, a research-based and effective therapy that uses virtual reality (VR) to teach social, behavioral, and life skills to neurodivergent individuals. This technology is not only effective, it is also engaging and exciting. Floreo is available to anyone to use and in today’s episode you’ll learn more about the technology and what it offers learners.   Show Notes: [2:07] - Vijay’s inspiration for Floreo came from his experience as the father of a child on the autism spectrum. [3:24] - Virtual reality is special because it is fully immersive and accessible. [4:45] - The environments created are very engaging. [6:17] - Virtual reality is a technology that allows someone wearing a headset with screens built in to feel a sense of presence in a different place. [7:33] - Floreo’s VR content is designed to help develop skills. [9:04] - They recreate scenes with animations and supervision to have social interactions as an intervention. [11:21] - This platform incorporates lessons on a vast number of skills including those for adults. [13:01] - Floreo offers the program through video conferencing and telehealth therapy. [15:22] - Floreo provided so much support for children in need of services during the COVID-19 pandemic. [18:24] - Situations can be recreated for individuals with anxiety to practice before experiencing them in person. [20:15] - Floreo is focusing on partnering with health care providers and special education administrators. [24:45] - Visit Floreo’s website to see what it is all about.   About Our Guest: Inspired by his experience as an autism father and his child’s first experience with VR, Vijay Ravindran founded Floreo. Vijay started his career as an engineer and leader at Amazon in its early retail days before dedicating himself to impact-oriented leadership opportunities that have taken him from building key voter technology used by the Obama campaign in 2008 to Chief Digital Officer at The Washington Post Company. Vijay lives in Washington DC with his wife, two Star Wars obsessed kids, and hundreds of Transformers robots which he doesn’t let his kids play with. Outside of work, when he’s not rooting on his beloved Oklahoma Sooners, you can find him on the tennis courts.    Connect with Vijay: Floreo for Providers Floreo for Education Floreo for Families   Links and Related Resources: Episode 80: Turning Kids’ Passions and Enthusiasms Into Superpowers with Barry Prizant Episode 63: Supporting Youth with Autism and ADHD with Holly Blanc Moses   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.

In this short summer episode, we’re talking about social media. There was a recent health advisory issued by the US Surgeon General on social media use in adolescence and ways to mitigate risks. The findings on excessive social media use are not entirely surprising, but it is important to keep in mind the added risks for neurodivergent kids. Today, we’ll talk about what those risks are and six ways to help manage social media use by kids and teens.    Show Notes: [2:10] - Increased stress, anxiety, and depression have been associated with excessive social media use. [2:56] - Neurodivergent kids may be more vulnerable to these risks. [4:04] - Excessive screen time can lead to poor sleep and even greater difficulty with attention. [5:44] - Establish clear rules and boundaries. [6:06] - Establish open communication channels to discuss online experiences and concerns. [6:34] - Create technology-free spaces. Talk about online safety. [7:12] - Encourage balance. [7:51] - Monitor social media use. [9:06] - There are some benefits of social media, and it can be a powerful tool.   Connect: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Check out some amazing schools for incredible students   Links and Related Resources: The Surgeon General’s Advisory can be downloaded in full HERE Episode 98: Managing Technology Use at Home with Dr. Joe Dilley Episode 140: 10 Ways Parents Can Support Their Child’s Mental Health Over the Summer Clarifying Gray Areas in Family Tech Use Family Tech Use Part 2: Resolving Common Dilemmas   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.

Auditory processing and language processing are two subjects that overlap, but not everyone understands how they are related and how they impact children who struggle with both of them. Joining me today to help me discuss this is Lois Kam Heymann, a speech and language pathologist with over four decades of experience with auditory processing disorder and auditory language processing challenges. Parents often come to Lois saying that their children aren’t listening, and if you are someone who feels that their child or children don’t listen, then this episode is definitely going to be worthwhile for you as Lois explains what could be going on. She also explains the difference between auditory processing disorders and ADHD, which are often confused even by medical professionals. The only way for parents and professionals to intervene appropriately is for a thorough assessment to be done. We need to know exactly where the problem lies so that we can intervene appropriately, especially since these problems can lead to frustration and low self-esteem in the child. I love the work that Lois is doing, so I hope that you will tune in as she discusses all of these topics and more! It’s never too late to address auditory processing disorders.   Show Notes: [2:39] - Auditory skills don’t usually start in the ear but in the brain. [5:11] - Some kids with language difficulty are misdiagnosed with something like ADHD. [6:39] - The difference between an auditory processing disorder and ADHD. [9:28] - Lois lists off and explains the different parts of auditory processing. [11:39] - How auditory processing difficulty can affect behavior. [14:14] - What can parents do to help their children succeed in school? [17:19] - The only way to build pathways is with auditory input. [19:42] - It is not generally a teacher’s job to teach auditory skills. [20:39] - Adults can have auditory processing disorders, and it’s never too late. [21:27] - What can parents do during summer months? [24:56] - Modeling language and behavior is the best way a parent can teach. [25:40] - Lois shares information with us about her company ListenLoveLearn. [28:54] - Hear about Lois’ main objective.   Links and Related Resources: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Check out some amazing schools for incredible students Ep. 49: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder with Dr. Bea Braun ListenLoveLearn Website Email Lois: lois@listenlovelearn.com Lois Kam Heymann - The Sound of Hope: Recognizing, Coping with, and Testing Your Child’s Auditory Processing Disorder   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.

Explore 10 tips to support your child's mental health over the summer. From maintaining a routine to promoting independence, these strategies aim to foster well-being. Dr. Karen Wilson emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health challenges in children. Learn how to encourage physical activity, social connections, and self-care for a holistic approach to mental wellness.