In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

If your kid is a picky eater, you’re not alone. What’s behind picky eating? And should we even be calling it that?  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra dig into picky eating with  Keri Wilmot, a pediatric occupational therapist. Keri shares constructive ways to talk about picky eating — and how to find out what’s behind it. Listen in to get tips for introducing new foods to kids, including a trick for encouraging more bites. Find out how to rein in expectations about what kids will eat. And learn what Keri uses as a surprising “gateway” vegetable.  To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  Related resourcesUnderstanding sensory processing challenges 7 ways to help kids who are sensitive to taste and smellHow to cope with sensitivity to touch and texturesAnd check out Keri’s book, Wired Differently: A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges 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

Messy backpacks. Forgotten lunches. Missing assignments. How can we help our kids get organized this school year? What strategies can we use to support kids with ADHD and other learning differences? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get back-to-school tips from Brendan Mahan, an executive function coach and host of the ADHD Essentials podcast. Brendan explains what executive function skills are — and how we can help kids build them. Learn why we might be asking too much of our kids sometimes, and how to reframe our thinking around these skills. Plus, get Brendan’s tips for helping kids get back into school routines. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resourcesWhat is executive function? Trouble with executive function at different ages Understanding why kids struggle with organization 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

How do schools evaluate kids for special education? Season 1 of our new Understood Explains podcast answers these questions and more.In this bonus episode of In It, Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Dr. Andy Kahn, a psychologist who spent nearly 20 years evaluating kids for schools. Andy shares why he’s excited to host Season 1 of Understood Explains, which breaks down the special education evaluation process for families. Tune it to learn more about the post, evaluations, and misconceptions families often have about special education.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resources Listen: Understood Explains podcast Learning about evaluations FAQs about school evaluations  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

Bonus episode! Hear one mom’s story of parenting a child with ADHD and written expression disorder in this episode from Understood’s ADHA Aha! podcast. Host Laura Key talks with Michelle Kuipers, the mother of Marc-André Leclerc. Marc-André was a skilled rock climber and alpinist who died at age 25 in the mountains of Alaska. He’s the subject of a Netflix documentary, The Alpinist.Michelle shares how she homeschooled Marc-André and helped him learn to channel his ADHD. Listen as Michelle describes Marc-André’s loving and generous spirit — and how she wants her son to be remembered. Get a transcript of this show and check out more “ADHD Aha” episodes at u.org/ADHDaha. Related resources8 things I wish people knew about parenting a child with ADHDUnderstanding hyperactivityVideo: Race car driver Dusty Davis talks about his ADHD  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

Help us make our podcasts better. Take our listener survey.How do we react to the judgment of others when we’re raising kids who learn differently? And how do we handle our own judgment? In this bonus episode, Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra share favorite moments from families who are “in it.” Get advice on — and even comebacks for — questions like “Is ADHD even real?” Hear why one mom stopped sharing her son’s diagnosis with family and friends. Find out how one couple learned to shut out the noise of others to focus on what was right for their kids.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resourcesHow we deal with “Is ADHD real?”ADHD in Black children: “In It” with Dr. Tumaini CokerThis is how we make it through  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

Summer is a great time for kids to fall in love with reading. How can we make summer reading fun for all kids — even those who don’t think of themselves as readers? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk about summer reading with Jeremee DeMoir, a bookshop owner and former teacher. Hear how Jeremee helps kids find reading materials that are engaging and accessible. Learn new ways to think about reading, and why you should consider things like audiobooks and manga. Plus, get Jeremee’s go-to reading recommendations for kids of all ages. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resources Jeremee’s bookstore: DeMoir Books & ThingsUse bingo to motivate your child to read over the summerCheck out Bookshare’s audiobook resource 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

What unique challenges do single parents face when raising kids with learning differences? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with a single parent who’s “in it.” Rachel is raising her 10-year-old daughter, who has ADHD and other learning challenges. Listen to Rachel talk about the journey she’s been on with her daughter. Hear how she’s trying to manage everything as a single parent. Plus, get Rachel's tips for how to use humor during challenging moments. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resourcesWhat is working memory? Our community weighs in: How your relationship with your child changed after the diagnosisPlus, hear from another single parent: Raising an intense daughter with ADHD (Andrea’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

There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about learning differences. Is ADHD just about hyperactivity? Is dyslexia a vision problem? And do kids outgrow learning differences?  In this episode, host Gretchen Vierstra shares common myths about learning and thinking differences for co-host Amanda Morin to bust. Listen to Amanda debunk these myths with the facts. Learn why these myths persist and how you can help debunk them. Plus, hear the myths that Amanda, Gretchen, and their producer believed before they learned the facts. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resources6 common myths about learning and thinking differencesWhat are learning and thinking differences?When gifted kids need accommodations, too 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

Summer camp is a tradition for many kids. But does summer camp work for kids who learn differently? How do you find the right camp? Can the camp support your child’s needs? Will your child make friends? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get answers from the ultimate expert: a camp director. Audrey Monke has been running a summer camp for 37 years. She’s also the author of Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults. Hear Audrey’s advice on summer camp — from how to choose one to what to tell camps about your child. Learn how camps help kids develop social skills, build relationships, and gain independence. Plus, Audrey shares her favorite summer camp tips to use at home. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resources What is social emotional-learning?Sleepaway camp checklist: How to get your child readyAnd check out Audrey’s book: Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults 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

Many kids with ADHD have trouble with sleep. When kids can’t fall asleep or stay asleep, many families struggle with everybody getting a good night’s sleep.  In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with guests who are “in it” when it comes to sleep challenges. First, hear from Belinda, whose son has ADHD, autism, and trouble sleeping. Find out how she deals with sleep challenges, both as a parent and as someone who struggles with sleep herself. Then, get expert advice from a clinical psychologist, Dr. Roberto Olivardia. Learn more about the connection between ADHD and sleep. And get ideas for better sleep from his toolbox of strategies.  To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resourcesHow ADHD affects sleep — and what you can do to helpDownload: Bedtime checklists for kids Follow Belinda on Instagram or Twitter to see more about her advocacy for neurodivergent people.  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