Just Needs: parenting children with disabilities
Some people think of disabilities as "special needs." But as parents of children with disabilities, we know our kids just have needs... like everyone else. Settle in with our podcast for real talk about advocacy, friendships, developmental delays, evaluations, IEPs, sensory meltdowns, autism, and all the ups and downs that come with this gig. We don’t have all the answers, but we promise to try to figure it out with you. Join us.
Re-Release: 5 tips for filing taxes for people with disabilities
Nothing’s sure but… well, you know the end of that sentence. If your family includes a child or adult with a disability, here are 5 important things to know before you file your 2024 taxes.
Resources mentioned in this episode
5 Things to Know Before Filing Taxes for People with DisabilitiesABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) AccountsSpecial Needs Alliance: Attorneys for Special Needs PlanningTax Help for People with DisabilitiesLiving and Working with Disabilities (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): free tax preparation help for taxpayers who qualifyWhere to find Exceptional Lives
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Re-Release: The importance of sleep in early childhood with Dr. Nilong Vyas
This week, Christina chats with Dr. Nilong Vyas of Sleepless in NOLA, on the importance of sleep in early childhood. They’ll answer questions like, “Why is sleep important?” and “My child is a terrible sleeper. Is it me or something else?” Listen along for helpful information and tips and tricks around sleep.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Thank you Dr. Vyas for offering our...
Re-Release: 5 tips for filing taxes for people with disabilities
Nothing’s sure but… well, you know the end of that sentence. If your family includes a child or adult with a disability, here are 5 important things to know before you file your taxes in 2022.
Resources mentioned in this episode
5 Things to Know Before Filing Taxes for People with DisabilitiesABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) AccountsSpecial Needs Alliance: Attorneys for Special Needs PlanningTax Help for People with DisabilitiesLiving and Working with Disabilities (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): free tax preparation help for taxpayers who qualifyWhere to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
I...
Re-Release: Flying with kids with disabilities: 5 tips to make the trip easier
Flying with kids with disabilities can be stressful and overwhelming. This week’s podcast episode has 5 tips to make the trip easier for you and your child.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Better parenting using self-regulation
What is self-regulation and how can it help me be a better parent?
¿Qué es la autorregulación y cómo puede ayudarme a ser un mejor padre?
Co-regulation: Your secret tool for managing meltdowns
How can co-regulation help my child’s behavior? Strategies for parenting children with disabilities
¿Cómo puede ayudarle a...
Bonus: Pediatric Sleep Study: Sleepless in Baton Rogue
In this bonus episode, Christina discusses doing a pediatric sleep study with her son and his sensory needs.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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The importance of sleep in early childhood with Dr. Nilong Vyas
This week, Christina chats with Dr. Nilong Vyas of Sleepless in NOLA, on the importance of sleep in early childhood. They’ll answer questions like, “Why is sleep important?” and “My child is a terrible sleeper. Is it me or something else?” Listen along for helpful information and tips and tricks around sleep.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Thank you Dr. Vyas for offering our...
How to be a great health care advocate for your complex kid
What do you do if you just found out your child has medically complex needs? Do you know how to be a great health care advocate for your complex kid? Christina gets helpful information and insight from Julia Roberts, parent and long-time advocate, in this week's episode.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Julia RobertsChildren with Medical ComplexityHealth Insurance for a Child With Disabilities: Easily Navigate Coverage and ServicesHow to get medical insurance for a child with a disabilityHow to get the most out of health insurance for your child with disabilitiesFrequently Asked Questions about H...Speech Apraxia vs Autism: Are they related?
Speech Apraxia vs Autism: Are they related? If a child is speech delayed what can you do? Christina gets helpful information and insight from Kacy Woodson, a speech-language pathologist, in this week's episode.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do?Childhood Apraxia of SpeechIs my child different? Six steps to assessing your child’s development.Understanding child development milestonesCDC’s Developmental MilestonesIs My Child Developing OK?What are Early Intervention Services? Can they help my child?The Special Education Evaluation ProcessWhere to find Exceptional Lives
F...
Building community for children with disabilities with Raymond A. Jetson
Mr. Raymond A. Jetson says, “... If our children are going to feel present and valued and able to be the best version of themselves in the world, we have to be intentional about impacting the world in a way that creates space for that to happen.” In this week’s episode, Christina gets practical advice on how to build community for children with disabilities.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Meet Raymond A. JetsonBuilding a Village of Support with Raymond A. Jetson (webinar)Children with disabilities need a village of support. Here are 3 ways to build...Back to school anxiety tips with Julie McIsaac
In this week’s episode, Christina gets back-to-school tips from Julie McIsaac, Learning and Mental Health Consultant. Get some real-life tips to support your child and their teacher as we head back to school.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Meet Julie McIsaac, Ph.D.Introduce your child with F-Words; it’s not what you think (podcast)How Can I Prepare for My Child’s Transition into School-based Services at Age 3?Is your child having behavior problems at school? Here’s how to helpFellow Parents, Let’s Talk About Mental Health.Mental Health and Children with Disab...How to Calm the Chaos with Dayna Abraham
In this week’s episode, Christina talks with Dayna Abraham, bestselling author of Calm the Chaos: A Fail-Proof Roadmap for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids. They discuss supporting neurodivergent kids at home in a realistic and shame-free way.
Here’s some more about Dayna. As a National Board Certified educator, parent of three neurodivergent children, and an ADHD adult herself, Dayna brings a unique and out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in the modern world.
Through her compassionate framework, Calm the Chaos, she has helped millions of desperate parents around the world, find peace and...
Re-Release: Introduce your child with F-Words; it's not what you think
We’re back in school. Is your child with disabilities working with a new teacher? In this week’s podcast learn how to introduce your child to their teacher using helpful F-words!
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Resources for children with disabilities: how to find them
Resources for children with disabilities: what are they, how do I find them? If you’ve found yourself overwhelmed with where to start in getting support for your child with disabilities or developmental delay this podcast episode is for you. Listen along as I break down the systems of services in this week’s episode.
Resources mentioned in this episode
My child was just diagnosed with a disability. Now what do I do? (Podcast)
My child has a new disability diagnosis. Now what? (Blog)
My child is behind on her milestones. Is sh...
Flying with kids with disabilities: 5 tips to make the trip easier
Flying with kids with disabilities can be stressful and overwhelming. This week’s podcast episode has 5 tips to make the trip easier for you and your child.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Better parenting using self-regulation
What is self-regulation and how can it help me be a better parent?
¿Qué es la autorregulación y cómo puede ayudarme a ser un mejor padre?
Co-regulation: Your secret tool for managing meltdowns
How can co-regulation help my child’s behavior? Strategies for parenting children with disabilities
¿Cómo puede ayudarle a mi hijo la...
Re-Release: Fun in the sun, tips for kids’ water safety
Pool safety is important for everyone, more so for children with disabilities. Parents need hints for summer, some that are not always obvious. This week’s podcast contains 9 quick tips for water safety and UV awareness.
Resources mentioned in this episode
How to climb out of the pool
Swimsuit colors for water safety
Sunscreen for people of color
Sunscreen application tips
Assign an adult to be Water Watcher
Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
Self-care for caregivers: practical tips that aren't (just) about bubble baths
Self-care for caregivers: You’re tired and you know you need it. But how? And why would you want one more thing to add to your to-do list? This week on the podcast, I want to share with you how some things you’re already doing every day can be self-care.
Resources mentioned in this episode
3 ways to support parents of a child with mental illness
There is often confusion and fear and difficulty when talking about mental illness, especially when children are involved. There doesn’t need to be though. This week’s podcast focuses on how you can support parents of children with mental illness. Listen along as we share 3 ways to be a great friend.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Re-Release: Does my child need occupational therapy?
In honor of Occuptional Therapy Month, we are re-releasing on episode on occupational therapy.
If your young child has a disability or delay, you may have been referred to Occupational Therapy. But what does occupational therapy mean for a child? In this episode, we’ll talk about all of the ways OT can make a difference for your child. Kim Haynes and Anne Hindrichs of the McMains Child Developmental Center explains how OT can help a child with their most important work - play.
“There’s no magic amount of knowledge”: A conversation with a neurodivergent mom raising an Autistic child
“There’s no magic amount of knowledge.” This week I have a conversation with Nell Curran and she has some great insights into raising a neurodivergent child. Listen along as two neurodivergent moms talk about raising neurodivergent children.
Resources mentioned in this episode
5 things to do if your autistic child needs an ambulance (podcast)Body doubling and other parenting tips for neurodivergent adults (podcast)Neurotribes: The Legacy Of Autism And The Future Of Neurodiversity By Steve SilbermanWhere to find Exceptional Lives
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Body doubling and other parenting tips for neurodivergent adults
Do you ever ask yourself, “as a neurodivergent parent, how can I teach my neurodivergent child skills that they’ll need?” This week on the podcast, I want to share some skills that I have discovered work for me and my family.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Neurodivergent: What Is It, Symptoms, And TypesStimming: Why It Happens And How To Manage ItThe Link Between ADHD and Object PermanenceBody Doubling for ADHD: What It Is and How It Works?Body Doubling: Not Just for ADHDBody DoublingAdult Study Hall (online group for body doubling)WorkBuddies on TikTok...“Don’t give up hope.” A parent’s story of raising a child with disabilities
“It’s tough and there’s some really, really hard days. Just don’t give up hope.” This week we talk to one parent about raising her child with disabilities. Listen along to hear some of the lessons she learned along the way.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
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What is the IDEA act?... and other Special Education mysteries decoded
Do you know your rights under IDEA? It’s the law that requires schools to provide special education services to students with disabilities. Listen to this week’s podcast episode to learn more.
Resources mentioned in this episode
What kinds of programs can support my child as they become an adult?
When your student with a disability is ready to transition to adult life, it may feel like they are striking out on their own. But there are programs and resources that will continue to support them in this next phase of their lives. Learn more.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Program for Success Employment at Baton Rouge Community CollegeA list of Comprehensive Transition and Post-Secondary (CTP) Programs by stateSpecial Ed Terms 2 Know: Transition Plan (2-minute video)What is included in a Transition Plan?Special Ed Terms 2 Know: Vocational Programs (2-minute video)Find programs in..."Calmness feels nice;" An interview about how tapping helped one mama's anxious child.
Processing emotions takes time, patience, focus, practice, and follow-through. It’s easy for anxious kids to get overloaded. In this podcast interview, Exceptional Lives Team Member Carey Luckey talks about how tapping helps her son.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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New Year, Same Me
Setting New Year's resolutions that you don't follow through with can leave you feeling defeated. Instead, focus on how amazing you are this year and share that with those around you!
We’ll be taking a short break from the podcast to celebrate the holidays with our families but we’ll be back in your feed the first week of January.
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Feeling holiday parent stress? We are too. Here’s our favorite trick for that.
You know that ‘bored’ feeling? No? Oh right, you’re a parent. These days, our devices are a source of constant entertainment, information, and connection - but they can also increase our stress and take us away from our kids (even when we’re with them). Here’s the antidote.
Resources mentioned in this episode
If you give a mom a minute…Exploring Nature to find our CalmHow to Keep it Together: A GuideWhere to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
How to handle overstimulation during the holidays
Let’s talk about overstimulation, especially during the holidays. Here’s the interesting part though, this is about overstimulation for us parents. Here are 4 tips that have helped me a lot.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Overstimulated by Life? 20 Ways to Give Your ADHD Senses a BreakStudy shows overstimulation caused by smartphones, while they promise the oppositeDigital Overload: What Is It, and How Is It Affecting Our Mental and Physical Health?Sleep and healthJust Needs: Better parenting through self-regulation Just Needs: Co-regulation: your secret tool for managing meltdownsWhere to find Exceptional Lives
F...
Welcoming families of kids with disabilities at the holidays
Holiday gatherings can be stressful. If you’re welcoming a family with kids with disabilities, here are six things you can do to make sure they feel welcome.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
Parenting mantras for the holidays
Extra stressed during the holidays? We are too. Here are some of our favorite parenting mantras to get us through.
Resources mentioned in this episode
What is self-regulation and how can it help me be a better parent?How can co-regulation help my child’s behavior? Strategies for parenting children with disabilitiesWhere to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
5 things to do if your autistic child needs an ambulance
If you are parenting an autistic child, you know that accidents and ambulances can be particularly overwhelming. Here’s what one mom did to make things easier on her child during an emergency.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Instagram
TikTok
Linked
Building a village of support: 3 ways to help children with disabilities live their best lives
Building a village of support for our children with disabilities can help them live their best lives. Listen to our podcast for 3 steps to make that happen.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Webinar: Building a Village of Support
Introduce your child with F-Words; it's not what you think
Metromorphosis
My child has a new disability diagnosis. Now what?
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Better parenting using self-regulation
If you’re parenting a child with a disability, you’ve probably seen the term self-regulation. In this week’s podcast, learn what self-regulation is and how improving your ability to self-regulate can help you be a better parent.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Center for Parent Information and Resources
Louisiana Resource Directory
Directorio de recursos en Luisiana
Massachusetts Resource Directory
Directorio de recursos en Massachusetts
Shanker Self-Reg®
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Helping your child to problem solve on their own
You can help your child with problem-solving by introducing new ideas to develop their thinking. This week’s podcast discusses Scaffolding, which is a way to build problem-solving skills from the ground up.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Life after the IEP: Helping my child with a disability transition to adulthood
It’s hard to envision how your child with a disability will transition to adulthood. Let’s set them up with the support they need for adult life in today’s podcast!
Resources mentioned in this episode and suggested reading from our LA guides
VIDEO Families & Stories - Supporting your child’s transition to adulthood, with Tanja & Andy VIDEO Families & Stories— How routines help as your child becomes an adult, with Tanja & AndyMake Sure The IEP Is WorkingThink About Your Child's Future GoalsPreparing For EmploymentPreparing For CollegeSignificant Intellectual DisabilityTransition PlansWhat Is PreETS And Vocational Rehabilitat...What is Response to Intervention (RTI) and how can it help kids struggling in school?
Response to intervention (RTI) is a system schools use to help students who are struggling. If your child has a disability, RTI could be the way to help. Find out what you should know about RTI in today’s podcast.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Components of literacy
Reading Interventions videos
Hard Words: Why aren't kids being taught to read?
Special Education Evaluation
Reasons why kids have trouble
What the science says: effective reading interventions for kids with learning disabilities
Kinds of services your child may get
Know yo...
How do I know if my child is just a late bloomer?
What does it mean if your child is a late bloomer? Listen to our podcast as we share the stages of child development and the questions you can ask yourself about developmental delays.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
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If you give a parent paperwork
An often time-consuming aspect of back-to-school for children with disabilities is paperwork! Listen in while Christina shares one parent’s thoughts on those endless forms in this week’s podcast.
Resources mentioned in this episode
IEP annual meetingsWhat is Response to Intervention (RTI)? How can it help if my child struggles in school?If you give a mom a minuteFeeling parent stress? Us too. Here’s our favorite trick to reduce stress and enjoy our kids more.Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
Introduce your child with F-Words; it's not what you think
We’re back in school. Is your child with disabilities working with a new teacher? In this week’s podcast learn how to introduce your child to their teacher using helpful F-words!
Resources mentioned in this episode
Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
My child struggles with reading. How do I know if it’s dyslexia?
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, but it often goes undiagnosed. In this podcast, we talk about what to watch for, what to do if you’re concerned, and how to support your child.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Does my child have dyslexia?
International Dyslexia organization
If your child is struggling in school: think, observe and ask questions
About the student evaluation
Identify your concerns and talk to your child’s teacher
Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
Fun in the sun, tips for kids’ water safety
Pool safety is important for everyone, more so for children with disabilities. Parents need hints for summer, some that are not always obvious. This week’s podcast contains 9 quick tips for water safety and UV awareness.
Resources mentioned in this episode
How to climb out of the pool
Swimsuit colors for water safety
Sunscreen for people of color
Sunscreen application tips
Assign an adult to be Water Watcher
Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
