In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

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

What’s one way to empower kids who learn differently? Connect them with near-peer mentors who learn differently, too. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Marcus Soutra, president of Eye to Eye, a founding partner of Understood. Eye to Eye brings together middle school students who learn differently with high school and college students who also learn differently. Hear how mentoring can help kids gain self-awareness and build self-advocacy skills. Plus, hear from two college students, Meera Shamiyeh and Lydia Blazey, about what it’s like to be a mentor. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resourcesCheck out Eye to Eye’s website and learn about the Strike Out Stigma campaign. What is self-advocacy? 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 schools across the country are lifting their mask mandates. Whether families are excited or uncertain about the new rules, change is hard for everyone — not just for kids who learn differently. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk candidly about masks, kids, and schools. Hear how they’re talking with their families about the new mask rules. Listen as they ask themselves “How can we help our kids manage these changes?” Plus, hear a dad’s perspective from Dr. Andy Kahn, Understood’s newest in-house expert. To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resources9 ways to show empathy when your child is strugglingTrouble with flexible thinking: Why some kids only see things one way Want to know how your child is feeling about masks? This feelings wheel can help. 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

Kids of color who learn differently face unique challenges. One of those challenges is something called the “opportunity gap.” What is this gap? Why does it exist? And what can we do about it? In this episode, Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Julian Saavedra, host of The Opportunity Gap, a new podcast in the Understood Podcast Network. Julian is a longtime educator who’s now an assistant principal in Philadelphia. Listen as Julian talks about issues of privilege, race, and disability — and the opportunity gaps he’s seen firsthand. Hear him explain why we need to focus on the causes of the gap to help kids reach their full potential.To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. Related resources Listen: The Opportunity Gap podcastCheck out Julian’s article: Let’s improve how schools and families talk about raceRead a young adult's perspective: To be Black in America with a learning disability 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