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

LeDerick Horne is a Black man, poet, activist, and person with dyslexia. He’s spoken at the White House. And he wrote a definitive book on hidden disabilities. But his life could have all turned out differently. As a child, LeDerick couldn’t read. He was labeled “neurologically impaired” and was put in separate special education classes. And he struggled to find his place as a Black man in America with learning differences. He says one mistake could have led him to prison or worse, like many of his classmates. In this episode of The Opportunity Gap, hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace talk with LeDerick about all the people who made a difference in his life. LeDerick shares his advice on how to help kids of color with learning differences thrive. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for a special reading by LeDerick of a poem that will inspire your family. 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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Related resourcesVideo: The challenges of being an African American who learns and thinks differentlyVideo: LeDerick Horne, poet and activist with learning disabilitiesTo 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

As in-person learning gets underway across the country, schools are seeing an increase in disengagement and even disrespect from some students. After two years of learning online and often alone, socializing and sitting still in the classroom can be challenging for kids. Add in learning and thinking differences like ADHD, and it’s a recipe for behavior issues. This week on The Opportunity Gap, hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace challenge listeners to think of “misbehavior” as a form of communication. They share their experiences as educators and parents, and they offer their advice on how to help kids with their behavior. Julian and Marissa also talk about how culture can determine which behaviors are seen as “good” or “bad.” And they discuss why so many kids of color are misunderstood by white teachers. 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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Related resourcesThe difference between discipline and punishmentHow to help young kids with behavior challengesUnderstanding behavior as communication: A teacher’s guide 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

Black parents and families of color know about “The Talk”: the conversation they must have with their kids about the dangers posed by racism and injustice in society. But how does this conversation change when learning differences and disability are part of the picture?  This week, The Opportunity Gap tackles how to talk with your child about learning and thinking differences and why this is a critical conversation to have for kids of all ages. Hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace discuss how to avoid shame around differences and disability, and what words you can use. Listen for tips and advice on how to prepare for the conversation. 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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Related resourcesHow to talk to your child about learning and thinking differencesVideo: LeDerick Horne on being Black and learning differentlyADHD parenting tips from a Black clinical psychologist 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

Atira Roberson says she’s Black, female, and has a learning disability. And if you don’t see all three, you don’t see her. The Opportunity Gap welcomes Atira to the show for a special conversation about what it means to be a Black girl with learning differences in the United States. Atira shares her journey — from a student with an IEP, unaware of her differences, to a candidate for a master’s in public administration. She talks about the strong Black mother who advocated for her, and the church community that supported her along the way. And she shares her number one priority for educational change in this country: stopping the criminalization of Black girls with ADHD and learning disabilities. 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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Related resourcesTo be Black in America with a learning disabilityVideo: An African American poet who learns differentlyTwo Black women discuss the teen with ADHD put in juvie for not doing her homework 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

Thousands of kids of color from marginalized communities are already behind when they start kindergarten. One cause: Families often don’t know about free help for babies and toddlers with developmental delays. In this episode, co-host Marissa Wallace opens up about her biracial son who had language delays as a toddler. Even though Marissa is a teacher, she didn’t know exactly what to do. Luckily, her doctor recommended free early intervention services. To make sure other families don’t miss out, Marissa and co-host Julian Saavedra raise awareness about early childhood intervention services. They also discuss the barriers to access that kids in low-income areas face. And they share tips for how families can seek out early intervention. 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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Reports mentioned in this episodeOur Youngest Learners: Increasing Equity in Early Intervention, by The Education TrustEarly Inequities: How Underfunding Early Intervention Leaves Low-Income Children of Color Behind, by Citizens’ Committee for Children of New YorkRelated resourcesWhat is early intervention?How to get an early intervention evaluationFederal government developmental milestones 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

Schools around the country are facing a huge shortage of special education teachers and other staff. How is the teacher shortage impacting kids with disabilities or learning and thinking differences? What about kids who are marginalized?Co-host Marissa Wallace starts the episode with a story about how her husband, a Black man, was offered a special education teaching job even though he’s in the field of finance. This kicks off a discussion with co-host Julian Saavedra about why there’s a teacher shortage — and its impact. Julian and Marissa share their experiences as parents and teachers, and they react to news stories from around the country. They also share tips for families on what to do when schools say they can’t deliver services because of staff shortages.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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Related resources10 smart responses when a school cuts or denies services7 tips to improve your relationship with your child’s teacherPodcast: Are IEPs different in wealthy schools? 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

Everyone agrees it’s critical to teach Black history to kids with learning differences and ADHD, as well as to students who get special education. But what’s the best way to teach it? How can families engage their kids in Black history — as well as in current events in the Black community? This episode features Kimberly Eckert, 2018 Louisiana Teacher of the Year, in a conversation about race, parenting, and Black history. Kimberly shares her personal experience growing up as a biracial Black woman in a bayou in the South, and how she talks about race with her daughter today. She describes “80/20 time,” a method to get kids engaged in learning. Co-hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace also share their picks for books and activities for kids — especially Black boys — to learn about Black history.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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Resources for teaching Black history to kids“Young, Gifted, and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes From Past and Present,” by Jamia Wilson (Julian’s pick)“I Am... (Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys),” by Aeysha Rodriguez (Marissa’s pick)“Teaching Your Child About Black History,” from PBS (Marissa’s pick)“Black American History,” a Crash Course on YouTube (Producer’s pick)Harriett's Bookshop (Julian’s pick)Uncle Bobbie's Bookshop (Julian’s pick) 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 should families of color know about ADHD? The podcast welcomes Kristin Carothers, PhD, a Black clinical psychologist who specializes in working with families of kids who have ADHD and learning differences. “Dr. Kristin” shares why ADHD — and ADHD medication — hold such a heavy place in the hearts of Black families. The discussion focuses on the cultural conversation around ADHD. Dr. Kristin also gives practical tips to families on what they can do if they think a child might have ADHD. And she offers strategies for families who don’t have resources or health insurance to get professional help. Finally, she reflects on Black Lives Matter and her personal experience of being a Black doctor.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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Websites and approaches discussed by Dr. Kristin in this episode:Child Mind InstituteAmerican Academy of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryParent Child Interaction TherapyThe Incredible YearsAlan Kazdin Parenting ApproachRelated resourcesADHD fact sheetWhat I tell Black parents who worry about labels like ADHD for their childHow to get a free or low-cost evaluation for your child 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

Schools are reeling from the impact of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. But what does it mean for special education, kids with learning and thinking differences, and marginalized communities? Hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace discuss how they’re managing the new COVID wave as both parents and teachers. They get an update on how schools around the country are responding, with some going virtual, others staying in-person, and — in a few cases — even closing because of a lack of staff. Marissa shares about how her virtual charter school is approaching the Omicron wave and special education. And Julian shares a poignant story about a student who ran away from home and for whom in-person school is a safe place.  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 opportunitygap@understood.org.  Related resourcesListen to a podcast on parent fears in the COVID epidemic.Get eight tips to help your child learn at home.Check out 20 learning activities to keep kids busy 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

Kids who have learning and thinking differences or other disabilities can also be gifted. This is known as being “twice exceptional,” or “2e.” But what does twice exceptional mean for Black and brown kids?In this episode, hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace explore how kids who struggle with learning can also have incredible talents and skills. However, for marginalized kids, these abilities are often overlooked. Gifted testing may be biased against them. The hosts also react to startling statistics about how few kids of color are in gifted programs. Listen for thoughts and advice on how families can get schools to focus on their kids’ exceptional abilities, not just their challenges.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 opportunitygap@understood.org. Related resourcesGifted children’s challenges with learning and thinking differences12 questions to ask your school about 2e studentsWhen gifted kids need accommodations, too (In It podcast episode)National Center for Education StatisticsPublic school gifted or 2e programs mentioned in this episode:Montgomery County Public Schools twice exceptional students and servicesChicago’s U-46 gifted and talented academy (in process of renaming)Aurora Public Schools definition of gifted and talentedArizona Public Media news article on Southwest Junior High 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