Opportunity Gap: How to Support Kids of Color Who Learn Differently

Learning disabilities are real challenges caused by differences in the brain and can impact people at school, work, and in everyday life. This podcast explores the diagnosis process, the differences between an IEP and a 504 plan, and ways to tell if a child is struggling with a learning disability. It also highlights the importance of open-ended questions, evaluating children for learning disabilities, and understanding legal rights to ensure equal opportunities.

We recorded this episode in Spanish, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Los padres suelen tener muchas preguntas referentes a la educación especial. En el proceso de entender y aprender de qué se trata, se topan con términos y una jerga con los que no están familiarizados. Ante esto, cualquiera se podría sentir abrumado. Pero las dificultades pueden ser aún mayores para muchas familias hispanas.El acceso a la información es limitado o difícil de encontrar para algunas familias hispanas. También las barreras lingüísticas y las diferencias culturales juegan un papel muy importante. Estos factores pueden hacer que los padres se sientan inseguros sobre cuál es la mejor manera de ayudar a sus hijos.En este episodio respondemos preguntas sobre la educación especial. Explicamos qué son las discapacidades del aprendizaje y cómo pueden afectar la vida diaria. Examinanos en detalle los apoyos que brindan las escuelas para ayudar a los niños a progresar en el aula. Escuche a la educadora Claudia Rinaldi (PhD) explicar:Las diferencias entre el IEP y el plan 504Cómo saber si un niño tiene una diferencia de aprendizaje o problemas para aprender un nuevo idiomaLos derechos legales que tienen las familias al solicitar una evaluaciónVisite la página del episodio para obtener la transcripción y enlaces a recursos útiles. Nos encantaría saber de usted. Escríbanos a opportunitygap@understood.org.Recursos relacionadosCómo solicitar una evaluación gratuita en la escuelaPreguntas de las familias hispanas sobre la educación especialNuestra comunidad en español en Facebook--When it comes to special education, parents often have many questions. While learning the ins and outs, they come across terms and jargon that they’re not familiar with. This can leave any parent feeling overwhelmed. But for many Hispanic families, it can feel like an even bigger challenge.  For some Hispanic families, access to this information is limited. Or even hard to find. For others, language barriers and cultural differences play a huge role. These factors can make parents feel unsure about how to best support their child’s needs.In this episode, we answer questions about special education. We break down what learning disabilities are and how they can impact daily life. We take a closer look at supports schools provide to help kids make progress in the classroom. Listen as Dr. Claudia Rinaldi, an educator, explains:The difference between IEP and 504 plansWays to figure out if a child has a learning difference or trouble learning a new languageLegal rights families have when requesting an evaluationWe recorded this episode in Spanish, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.  Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.   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

English language learners bring unique perspectives to the classroom. And their diverse backgrounds and experiences often impact how they learn. So, it’s important for teachers to take the time to learn about their strengths and challenges.  Learning a new language is hard work. And multilingual students are often learning how to read, write, and do math in that new language all at the same time. In this episode, listen as Understood expert Dr. Claudia Rinaldi explains:How teachers can create inclusive learning environmentsWhy ELL are both overrepresented and underrepresented in special educationWays schools can build stronger partnerships with ELL and their familiesVisit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resourcesUnderstood’s article 4 challenges of English language learners who learn and think differently Understood’s article: Learning and thinking differences in the Hispanic community In It episode: Joy and justice with Juliana Urtubey, National Teacher of the Year 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

When kids with learning and thinking differences have positive self-esteem, they feel more confident. They try their best. They value themselves. And they’re proud of the things they can do.Kids with learning differences develop positive self-esteem by working hard toward a goal — and then seeing their hard work pay off. But failure builds confidence in kids too. In this episode of The Opportunity Gap, listen as Julian explains:How encouraging feedback builds positive self-esteemWhat kids can learn from experiencing failureWays to praise kids and teach them to be proud of their effortsVisit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resourcesUnderstood’s article on the importance of positive self-esteem for kidsHarvard Business Review’s article: The Power of Small WinsTeach Like a Champion’s article: Narrating Positive Behavior 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 you discipline kids who have trouble with the skills they need to behave? What strategies work best for kids with learning differences?  Many parents struggle with how to discipline their kids. And for families of kids with ADHD or learning differences, it can be even harder to know what to do. Get discipline tips from clinical psychologist Dr. Kristin Carothers in this episode of In It, another podcast in the Understood Podcast Network, hosted by Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra.  Listen as Dr. Carothers explains why it can be hard for kids with learning differences to follow rules. Hear answers to questions like: What do we do when kids with learning differences forget their homework? Learn how positive discipline can help.  Visit the In It episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resources 7 discipline tips when your child has ADHDThe difference between discipline and punishmentUnderstanding trouble following directions 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 learning challenges love summer vacation — and their parents do, too. It’s a nice long break from studying, homework, and the classroom. And it can leave kids feeling relaxed and better equipped to learn once fall arrives. But when kids press “pause” on learning altogether, they may lose some of what they’ve learned throughout the year and experience the “summer slide.” In this episode of The Opportunity Gap, we break down the summer slide. And we explore how parents and educators can prevent it from happening. Listen as special education teacher Kate García, MEd, explains:  Why parents should meet with their child’s teacher before summer breakHow following a summer routine can help kids stay on trackWays to help kids learn without sacrificing funVisit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resourcesSummer learning: How to help your child keep skills strongExtended school year services: What you need to knowMommy Poppins 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

It’s becoming more common for kids and their parents to open up and share their struggles with mental health. But this openness isn’t always welcomed in communities of color. In this episode of The Opportunity Gap, we talk about the importance of mental health. We explore its stigma in communities of color and share tips for how to respond to life’s twists and turns. Listen as Tim Massaquoi, a licensed professional counselor and retired NFL player, explains:Why it’s OK for kids of color and their parents to ask for helpHow he uses sports to help kids think about their own mental healthWays positive self-talk can boost kids’ self-esteemVisit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resourcesTim Massaquoi’s podcast, Mind Ya MentalsTherapy for Black GirlsTherapy for Black Men 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 decisions they make to the words they say, parents play a huge role in supporting their child’s mental health. Kids may not always be looking to their parents to be perfect or pillars of strength. But they are looking for healthy ways to cope when life treats them unfairly. So, it’s essential for parents and caregivers to make mental wellness a priority.  This episode of The Opportunity Gap explores the importance of good mental health for kids who learn and think differently and their parents. Listen as Kier Gaines, a licensed therapist and digital creator, explains: The unique challenges of parenting and how it impacts kids’ mental healthSocial media’s influence on kids’ self-esteem and social interactionsWays parents can promote good mental health to their childVisit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resourcesHow does social media affect mental health? It’s complicated.UCLA Health MARC Guided MeditationsMental Health America: Self-help toolsKier Gaines’ Instagram and YouTube channels 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

Societal trauma, like school shootings and racial injustice, have become all too commonplace in our kids’ lives. It’s tough for families to help any child process the feelings that come along with these traumatic events. And it can be extra challenging for families of kids of color with learning and thinking differences like ADHD.  In this episode of The Opportunity Gap, we explore trauma: its causes, how to identify it, and how it impacts us. Listen as Dr. Kristin Carothers, a clinical psychologist, explains:How trauma shows up in kids’ behaviorSupports for parents and educators of kids of colorTips for talking to your childVisit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resourcesHow to have hard but necessary conversations with your childLearn how scary news can impact kids who learn and think differentlyThe National Child Traumatic Stress Network 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! Learn about special education evaluations from the hosts of two podcasts from the Understood Podcast Network. Julian Saavedra is an assistant principal and the host of The Opportunity Gap. Dr. Andrew Kahn is a psychologist and the host of Understood Explains. Together, they explain how and why schools evaluate kids for special education.  The episode also includes tips from parenting expert Amanda Morin on what to say to your child about getting evaluated. Get a transcript for this show and check out more Understood Explains episodes.We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.Related resourcesWhat is an evaluation for special education?6 benefits of having your child evaluatedDifferent terms you may hear for evaluationsParent training centers: A free resource in your state 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