In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

Michelle Carter is an athlete and businessperson. She was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a young child. With her parents’ support, she discovered her talents in track and field, going on to compete in three Olympic Games: in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Michelle won gold in 2016. Now she runs You Throw Girl, a camp that helps girls build confidence. Michelle believes that for kids who are struggling with a learning or thinking difference, sports can be a big help. “It gives them a moment to just get that energy out, let their brains be free while they’re making their bodies work,” she says. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Michelle about the challenges she faced in and out of school. They also learn about her experiences as a world-class athlete and entrepreneur. Michelle shares tips for kids to build their confidence. She also offers advice to help parents and families of kids with learning and thinking differences.   To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resources:How to get your child involved in sportsVideo: Michelle Carter wins Olympic gold with dyslexia and ADHDPodcast: Understood Explains on evaluations for special educationRead: All about careers for kids who learn and think differently   Understood.org 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

From the colors of the classroom to the noises of the playground, school can be overwhelming for kids with sensory processing challenges. One author has turned these experiences into a new picture book. The book aims to help kids who have trouble processing sensory information. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Lindsey Rowe Parker, author of Wiggles, Stomps and Squeezes: Calming My Jitters at School. It’s the second in a series of picture books about sensory differences for kids.Lindsey was a child with sensory differences. And now she’s a parent to a daughter with autism and a son who is neurodivergent. Lindsey begins by reading a section of the book. Then she talks about the importance of representation in children’s books. She also shares some of the sensory challenges she faced as a kid, and other real-life stories she included in the book.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resourcesWiggles, Stomps and Squeezes: Calming My Jitters at SchoolSensory processing challenges fact sheet Surviving the holidays with sensory processing challengesSummer survival guide: Hacks to help your family thrive   Understood.org 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

Language disorders can lead to many questions, both in the classroom and elsewhere. How will the school handle it? What can you do to help at home? And what if you’re not even sure if a language disorder is what your child is struggling with?In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Kelli Johnson, a Minneapolis-based educational speech-language pathologist who is also a writer and expert reviewer at Understood.  Kelli explains what her job is all about, and what it means to have a language disorder. She also talks about making her work with students fun while helping them navigate this learning and thinking difference.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resourcesLanguage disorder fact sheet What are language disordersHow speech-language pathologists work with kids Understood.org 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

The podcast discusses how kids feel about their learning and thinking differences after getting diagnosed, offering tips for parents to navigate conversations about diagnosis with children. It explores strategies for communicating about learning and thinking differences when a child is reluctant to discuss them. The dilemma of parents when a child with an IEP or 504 plan does not want to attend a meeting is addressed, emphasizing self-advocacy. The importance of open communication and a heartwarming story of a girl's positive reaction to an autism diagnosis are also shared.

When siblings have different needs, what’s a parent to do?  In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Dr. Ari Tuckman, a psychologist who works with families and couples. He shares tips for finding balance in parenting kids when one has a learning or thinking difference. And he talks about the importance of the idea that “fair doesn’t always mean equal.”This is part two of a two-part series. In part one, we talked to Becca, a mom of two raising one child with ADHD and one without.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resourcesA kid with ADHD. A kid without. One mom’s story (Part 1 of this two-part series) 6 tips for helping kids understand siblings who learn and think differentlyHow to deal with sibling rivalry when one child learns and thinks differentlyADHD runs in the family (Michelle’s story) Understood.org 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

Sibling dynamics are challenging for all families. But when one sibling has a learning and thinking difference and the other one doesn’t, things can be even tougher.  In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Becca. She’s a mom of two kids, one with ADHD and one without. Becca shares how she’s finding balance in parenting kids with different needs. And how her kids interact with one another.This is part one of a two-part series. In the next episode, we’ll get tips on managing sibling dynamics from psychologist Dr. Ari Tuckman.  To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resourcesHow to talk with kids about their sibling’s challenges7 ways to help kids build a strong relationshipADHD in high school: 4 signs you might see Understood.org 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

If your child is struggling at school or at home, and you think it may be related to ADHD or a learning difference, communication is key. Talking with your child’s pediatrician can be a first step to getting support. But sometimes it’s hard to know what to say to your child’s doctor.  In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome behavioral pediatrician Dr. Nerissa Bauer. Dr. Bauer offers tips and strategies for talking with your child’s pediatrician about ADHD, anxiety, and more. Tune in to get her advice on questions to ask, materials to bring, and how to make the most of your appointment.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resources5 steps to work with your pediatrician when your child is strugglingHow to organize your child’s IEP binderLearning disabilities and ADHD: Resources for patient educationTake N.O.T.E.: Are you wondering why your child is struggling?Check out Dr. Nerissa’s website, Let’s Talk Kids Health  Understood.org 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

Tantrums and meltdowns are challenges all parents face. But for families of kids who learn and think differently, they can be even more of a struggle.In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome back Dr. Andrew Kahn, the host of the first season of Understood’s What Now? A Parent’s Guide to Tantrums and Meltdowns. Tune in to get his expert advice on dealing with tantrums and meltdowns. Learn how practicing strategies ahead of time can help you manage outbursts in the moment. And find out what calming techniques can help.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resourcesWhat Now? A Parent’s Guide to Tantrums and Meltdowns5 tips for taking a mutual time-out with your childCheck out Understood’s guide to tantrums and meltdowns Understood.org 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

Most parents start their parenting journey with ideas of what it will be like, and what their kids will be like. But what happens when your expectations don’t match reality? How do things change when you find out your child has a learning or thinking difference?  In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Suzie Glassman, a writer and mom of two kids. Suzie shares how her parenting changed after her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia.  Find out how she parents to meet the needs of the kids she has, rather than the kids she thought she’d have. Learn how she celebrates her kids for who they are, and how she’s letting go of parenting shame.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org.Related resources Parenting guilt: Tips to get past itDyslexia: Ways to help your child at home Understood.org 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

Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a clinical psychologist and Understood expert, discusses the challenges of parenting teenagers with ADHD during puberty. Topics include the impact of hormonal changes on ADHD medication, dynamics of parenting a teen with ADHD, and the exciting possibilities that come with puberty for individuals with ADHD.