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Today on the show I am talking to DJ, she is an Early Childhood Specialist who works closely with neurodiverse students. Never underestimate the power of an educator who can build a bond with your child. DJ came to this work through her love of children and helping them grow to be successful. On today's episode, we talk about: - What an Early Childhood Educator/Specialist is - How to create a relationship with that educator - What ECEs do to support students from an early age - Some of the success stories she has seen of children - Advice for families on how to support their child in the classroom Make sure to check out DJ and the work she does at Little Hearts Academy. Here DJ works with families to support positive transitions to school.  DJ also has a podcast, called Imperfect Heroes, where she talks about her experience and gives tips and tricks.  Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you.

Being a neurodiverse person can bring on so many different struggles.  Now add being neurodiverse with becoming an entrepreneur, running and growing a business can feel like an uphill climb. Today on the show I am chatting with Kara Laws. She is an entrepreneur who was diagnosed with ADHD later in her career. Her diagnosis has not stopped her from growing a successful business. Now she's taken what she's learned personally about being a person with ADHD and supports others in their careers.  On the show, she shares her experiences as an entrepreneur and a mother with the ups and downs of learning about how our brain works.  Books that Kara suggests: The Compound Effect (this is the one I couldn't remember)  Five Secret Fears of Failing in Business  Clockwork Want to learn about Kara and her work? Check out her web page Launched Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you.

* Please note - There are some technical difficulties with the sound on this episode. It does not impact the ability the hear the full episode. Never underestimate the power of your gut feel. When you have a child who is struggling at school and you feel it as a parent you act. Sometimes the system can say "it's OK they'll catch up", or "don't worry yet, it's early".  Today's podcast is all about this very story. Today I speak with Philipa, she is a mom of two boys living in the UK. She felt early on that one of her children was really struggling but kept being told everything was fine. The Pandemic in 2020 gave her, even more, clarity on the situation when she began to see what a day of schooling was for her children. This episode explores: - How to ask questions - What signs to look for - How to support your child through hard times - Supporting your child in understanding their learning Philipa has taken her own personal life experience and what she has learned from supporting her children and becoming a life coach. She can be found at www.safeandsupported.co.uk. If you are in the UK and looking for information on Dyslexia, check out British Dyslexia Association. Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

Being mindful is not always easy. When we are neurodiverse or have children in our lives who are neurodiverse finding ways to slow down and be present can be difficult. Today on the show I have a conversation with Dr. Rabia Subhani about her journey through mindfulness with a neurodiverse child. The conversation explores how we as parents and educators can support young learners in being more intentional and mindful. In the episode: - What is mindfulness? - How can parents support a more mindful environment - When is a good time to start teaching mindfulness to children - How educators and schools can help support - How mindfulness can support the neurodiverse community Make sure you check out her web page Dr. Rabia Subhani to learn more about her the work she does in supporting mindfulness and neurodiversity. Check out her social media on Instagram @mindful.living.llc Make sure to check out www.drrabia.com/podcast and get your free Mindful workbook.  Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

When you think about physiotherapy what comes to mind? After injury recovery perhaps. Supporting you after surgery to regain strength perhaps.  Did you know that physiotherapy can support our students and children who are neurodiverse? Did you know there is a group of therapists who specialize in children?  On today's show, a conversation with Jennifer Halfin. She is the clinic owner of Toronto Kids Physiotherapy and together we talk about how this type of therapy often gets overlooked and how it can support our neurodiverse children. Highlights: - What physiotherapy (PT) is and how it's different from occupational therapy - When to consider connecting with a PT - Examples of how PT supports different children - Why seeing an expert in children is important - Connection between education/school and supporting the body Links: Toronto Kids Physio - 2 locations in the GTA Leaside and Midtown canchild.ca - McMaster Hospital's webpage provides information about child development Instagram - @torontokisphysio Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

As students move through elementary to high school we begin to start looking to the future. Though it always feels too soon it's never too early to start exploring the options for post-secondary school. For students who are neurodivergent knowing which paths to take early is so important. As schools adjust to few supports in guiding students as they move through their educational career we as parents have to take that task on. That's where people just like Jane Kristoffy come into play. She is a former educator and owner of Right Track Educational Services.  Highlights from our conversation: - Transitions to high school - Working with the schools for students with Individual Education Plans - For Ontario Students Myblueprint - Course Codes - When to start considering your path beyond high school - Support in choosing Secondary School Links: - The Self Drive Child by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson - Grit by Angela Duckworth - Transition Resource Guide - LINK - Canadian Gap Year Association - LINK - Right Track Educational Services - LINK - @jane_right_track Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

When we as parents start thinking about which school our child will go to we always think it's easy, they go to the local school. But if you have a child who is neurodiverse or requires more support than can be found in the public education system picking a private school might be something you explore. But where do you start? Where do you look? What is the difference between a private school and an independent school? Today's episode is a conversation with Paige Walker of Renew Education. Together we explore the options. Highlights: - Difference between private and independent school - How to apply - When to apply - Pros and Cons of private VS public system - Where to find more information about school options Links: Paige Walker - Renew Education  Find Paige on Instagram @reneweducation Our Kids - Ourkids.net Apple Financial Services - LINK Canadian Accredited Independent Schools - LINK For transcripts of this episode and more check out the Access2Education podcast web page. Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

When you have a household with people who are neurodiverse staying organized can be tough. Constantly losing items, misplacing and generally causing stress to the household. Today on the show a conversation with Dennise Conforti. She is a certified professional organizer and works with the neurodiverse community. Our conversation centers around the ups and downs of family life with those with ADHD and self-regulation challenges. We talk about some easy things to do around the house to keep things organized, but also about how a personal organizer can help you to create a calm and happy space. In our conversation she mentions the following resources: www.caddac.ca www.additudemag.com Leslie Josel- www.orderoutofchaos.com Also, make sure you check her out at Organized MD For transcripts of this episode and more check out the Access2Education podcast web page. Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

When families go through changes finding ways to support those with learning challenges can prove to be even more difficult. When parents go through a divorce it can be hard for your neurodiverse children to understand. Today on the show Danielle chats with me about her experience. We talk about how different family members can see things differently. The pressure to keep things as 'normal' as possible while still working through absent parents. Then when you begin to blend another family into the one you already have it can be hard. Danielle opens up about her experience and how she navigated a hard road. Want to learn more about Danielle and her work? Check her out on Instagram @octanedesigns or on her website at lexoctane.com. Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now! For a transcript of this episode please go to the Access2education Podcast Page.

Our neurodiverse children sure do go through some big emotions. My own children go through some major ups and downs and there's not always a good reason for the change.  In this episode, I chat with Rachel Bailey. She is a Clinical Psychologist but before working with families she was an ADHD coach and psychotherapist for children, adolescents and adults. Now her work allows her to work with families in supporting their children's emotions. Through her programs, she supports families at all stages. Make sure to check out her web page - RACHEL BAILEY Please check out her offer to listeners - Diffuse Drama Quickly - It is FREE To find the transcript for this episode please check out my web page at Access2education Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

Everyone needs to eat which means we all need to learn how to cook. For some it's easy, you read a receipt, you follow the directions and you have your meal. However, for some in the neurodiverse community, it's not as easy as that. There may be physical or mental barriers which make it hard. Simple things such as cutting, reading or understanding the dangers of the kitchen. On the podcast today I speak with Lisa Dickie of Dickie's Cooking School. Lisa is a former school Home Economics teacher, she took her love of cooking and teaching to create her unique program. In our conversation today we about her program, how it came to be and why it's so important to support the neurodiverse community. Follow Lisa: dickiescookingschool.com Follow along on Facebook and Instagram @Dickiescooking Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!

Not only are Homeroom Teachers key to student success but so too are occasional teachers. Over the course of time in any school, students will encounter occasional teachers be it for a day or for a longer term.  The question is as a parent how do you build a relationship with that teacher? As that occasional teacher, how can you support neurodiverse learners?  Today on the podcast I speak to Amanda Yuill. She is a long-time occasional teacher with experience supporting students of many abilities. We talk about how parents can build a relationship with both parents and students. The other thing we discuss is how the occasional teacher can build relationships with families, students and the school staff. Book Recommendations: Substitute Teaching By Amanda Yuill Reaching and Teaching Them All By Amanda Yuill You're Going to Love This Kid - Paula Kluth Just Give Them the Whale - Paula Kluth Born on a Blue Day - Daniel Temmet Web Pages to Visit: wrongplanet.net Elementary Teaching Federation of Ontario Learn more about Amanda by going to: amandayuill.com Are you looking for help and support for your child with learning needs? Check out Access2Education for our services to see how we help families navigate through this challenging time. From in-depth work on your child's Individual Education Plan to guide you through the process, Access2Education is here to support you. Check out our SERVICES page to book a call now!