Dr. Jan Wasowicz, a seasoned speech-language pathologist with over 40 years of experience, dives deep into Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). He highlights the neurobiological underpinnings of DLD and stresses the importance of early identification. Listeners will learn about key signs and risk factors to look for in children, the connection between DLD and dyslexia, and the challenges in evaluating DLD effectively. Dr. Wasowicz also discusses the need for collaboration among professionals to enhance assessment processes and support affected students.

In this second part of our conversation with Dr. Jan Wasowicz, Dr. Wasowicz delves into what an ideal intervention for developmental language disorder would look like, how language screeners are no longer a common practice in schools, and how interprofessional collaboration between speech language pathologists, school psychologists, and special education teachers is essential to effectively identify and support students with language disorders. Resources: Join the SPELLTalk listservThe Language Literacy NetworkA Review of Screeners to Identify Risk of Developmental Language Disorder

Neurodiversity Alliance Ambassadors Lydia Pinto and Shoshana Holt-Auslander join us to talk about their journeys of becoming learning disability advocates, and how their current graduate school research projects are benefiting the disability community. Lydia and Shoshana also discuss defining success for themselves, the importance of sharing neurodiverse experiences to erase stigma, and more!

Jesse Sanchez, the Managing Director of Programs for the Neurodiversity Alliance, joins us to discuss the challenges that students with learning disabilities can face in the school setting, the importance of a shared, supportive community for neurodiverse students, and how to build self-knowledge, self-confidence, and self-advocacy skills for these individuals. The Neurodiversity Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to building community, developing leadership skills, facilitating peer-to-peer support, and raising awareness for the 1 in 5 who learn differently. Learn more at thendalliance.org

Harold Jordan, a nationwide education equity coordinator at the ACLU of Pennsylvania, discusses how students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by unfair discipline practices in schools. Harold discusses how bias, the misuse of police in schools, and the shortage of support staff can contribute to students having early interactions with the justice system, and how the consequences of this can follow them into their adult lives. Harold also provides insights into creating more equitable schools to disrupt this school-to-prison pipeline. 

Meghan Buchanan, an adventure athlete and dyslexia advocate nearing the completion of the Explorer's Grand Slam, shares her incredible journey. She reflects on her experience in Netflix's survival series, Outlast, and how dyslexia helped her cultivate GGRIT: Gratitude, growth, resilience, integrity, and tenacity. Meghan discusses overcoming setbacks in her climbing adventures, the transformative power of embracing challenges, and the importance of community support for neurodivergent individuals. Tune in for her inspiring insights!

Dr. Rebecca Resnik, a past special education teacher and current psychologist, discusses the importance of holistic learning disability assessments, evidence-based intervention, and communicating neuroscience to educators to incorporate into practice. Dr. Resnik also reviews LDA's SLD Evaluation Principles and Standards and breaks down why these standards are so important.   

Linda Karanzalis is a board-certified cognitive specialist, Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) and ADHD advocate, and author of Misnamed, Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood: Recognizing and Coping with NVLD from Childhood Through Adulthood. In this episode, Linda discusses her own experience with NVLD and ADHD, the mental health issues that come along with these conditions, considerations for teaching, and more. 

LDA’s Education Director Dr. Monica McHale-Small talks with Dr. Nancy Mather, a Professor Emeritus of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies, about the importance of keeping the category of specific learning disabilities in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how the SLD category could be better revised. Dr. Mather also discusses RTI as a part of the identification process for learning disabilities, how comorbidities impact an accurate learning disabilities identification, and more. Read the paper mentioned in the podcast at: https://ldaamerica.org/we-need-to-keep-but-revise-the-specific-learning-disability-construct-in-idea/ 

Pediatric occupational therapist Sydney Krueger joins us to discuss what an occupational therapist does, how an OT can help someone with learning disabilities, ADHD, or mental health issues, different strategies that she uses in her practice, and more.