Advertise on podcast: Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities

Topics discussed: Episode 156 kicks off the Beyond the Crime series with a look at the numbers: roughly 38% of people in U.S. prisons report at least one disability (versus about 15% of the general population), and conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and language disorders are all over-represented in custody. Laurie and co-host Ashton stress that disability does not cause crime, and that the estimates vary widely depending on how each study defined and measured the condition.The bigger point is that these disabilities are often invisible or unidentified, so someone can seem to understand a police question, a Miranda warning, or a document they're asked to sign when they don't. Episode 2 will move from the statistics to what happens when the system misses a disability, including wrongful convictions, false confessions, and victimization. Resources & Links Show Notes and Sources: Download show notes Learn more about Diagnostic Learning: https://www.diagnostic-learning.com/ Questions, feedback, or episode ideas? [email protected] Follow Diagnostic Learning: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diagnostic.learning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaglearning/ Let's Talk Learning Disabilities is presented by Diagnostic Learning, a nationwide provider of psychoeducational evaluations for ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities and learning differences.

Topics discussed: Laurie announces a new spinoff series called "Beyond the Crime: Disability and Justice" — exploring how disabilities like ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities, and language disorders intersect with the criminal justice system at every stage, from interrogations and confessions to competency hearings and wrongful convictions.The series isn't about excusing criminal behavior, but about asking whether the justice system is equipped to recognize disability when it matters — looking at real cases through the lens Laurie applies every day in her diagnostic work, with the first full episode launching the following week. Resources & Links Learn more about Diagnostic Learning: https://www.diagnostic-learning.com/ Questions, feedback, or episode ideas? [email protected] Follow Diagnostic Learning: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diagnostic.learning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaglearning/ Let's Talk Learning Disabilities is presented by Diagnostic Learning, a nationwide provider of psychoeducational evaluations for ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities and learning differences.

Topics Discussed Amy Kopelman introduces Pathlitics, a platform that rates 700+ colleges on their level of learning disability and ADHD support, combining structured database research with honest firsthand reviews from current college students who learn differently.College disability services websites are vague and often overpromise, so families should start researching early, involve their student in the process, and let the level of available support guide — not follow — the college selection decision. Resources & Links Connect with Amy Kopelman: https://www.pathlitics.com/ Learn more about Diagnostic Learning: https://www.diagnostic-learning.com/ Questions, feedback, or episode ideas? [email protected] Follow Diagnostic Learning: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diagnostic.learning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaglearning/ Let's Talk Learning Disabilities is presented by Diagnostic Learning, a nationwide provider of psychoeducational evaluations for ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities and learning differences.

In Episode 153 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie concludes her interview with Amber (BaconBearzz), a YouTube content creator known for covering true crime stories centered on scams and manipulation, by diving into the intersection of neurodivergence and the criminal justice system. They close with practical advice for parents newly navigating an autism or ADHD diagnosis: ask every question you can, lean on online communities, go into IEP meetings informed and prepared, and leave any support group that makes you feel like your struggles don't count. Resources: That's My Opinion! YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@baconbearzz Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 152 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie interviews Amber (BaconBearzz), a YouTube content creator known for covering true crime stories centered on scams and manipulation, who opens up about her own late ADHD diagnosis -- which came only after a 2023 breakdown triggered by a cascade of family crises, including her daughter's sudden vision loss and her autistic son being found a half mile from his school. Amber shares how her undiagnosed ADHD had manifested throughout her life as anxiety, OCD-like hyper-vigilance, and an inability to finish tasks, and how her journey navigating her son Max's autism diagnosis - including IEP meetings, speech therapy, and the guilt of initially wondering if she caused his autism - actually became a mirror that helped her recognize the same patterns in herself. Resources: That's My Opinion! YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@baconbearzz Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 151 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie and Cara tackle one of the most common questions they receive from parents - whether there are truly different "types" of dyslexia - and work through terms like stealth dyslexia, double deficit dyslexia, phonological dyslexia, and visual/surface dyslexia to separate legitimate research-based concepts from labels that have been popularized online and in parent groups in ways that blur the line between a description and a diagnosis. Resources: Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 150 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie shifts the focus away from typical back-to-school prep and onto a group of students that she thinks about most: the bright, well-behaved kids making good grades who are quietly struggling behind the scenes. Grades only tell you what a student produced, not what it cost them... and smart kids are especially skilled at compensating for learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD, or slow processing speed through strong memory, supportive parents, and sheer effort, until eventually the workload outpaces their ability to cope. Rather than watching report cards, Laurie urges parents to pay attention during the first six weeks to warning signs like excessive homework time, exhaustion, avoidance of reading, rising anxiety, and a child who is quietly losing confidence, because sometimes the most serious struggles are the ones no one else can see. Resources: Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 149 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie speaks with Charlotte, a University of Tennessee sophomore who works for We Know Campus - a service that connects high school students with vetted, high-achieving current college students via 30-minute Zoom calls to give honest, unscripted insight into campus life, academics, social culture, disability services, and more. The service is exclusively available through partner private schools and independent educational consultants (not directly to the public), and is designed to complement - not replace - the broader college planning process. Resources: We Know Campus Website: https://weknowcampus.com Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 148 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie speaks with Francesca Corbis and Melanie Roy from K Altman Law, a nationally recognized special education and disability rights law firm, who walk through the most common pitfalls families encounter in the IEP and 504 process - including the critical distinction between medical and educational diagnoses, the subjectivity of "educational need," the danger of template-driven dropdown goals without clear baselines, and the painful strategic reality that outside tutoring can actually undermine a child's eligibility case. Resources: K Altman Law Website: https://www.kaltmanlaw.com Advocacy Circle: https://www.kaltmanlaw.com/special-education-services/the-advocacy-circle Francesca's Contact Information: [email protected] Melanie's Contact Information: [email protected] Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 147 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie interviews Caryl Frankenberger of Frankenberger Associates, a virtual organization of 22 coaches offering two core programs - individualized executive function coaching and a unique one-on-one social learning program - serving students from elementary school through adulthood across the US and internationally. Caryl walks through how both programs are deeply personalized, and explains that their social learning program targets kids who struggle to make and keep friends by teaching skills like perspective-taking, conversation management, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking through role play, real-world assignments, and mid-week check-ins. Resources: Frankenberger Associates Website: https://frankenbergerassociates.com Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 146 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie interviews Lesli and Erin — two certified dyslexia therapists transitioning from public school work into their new private practice, Dyslexify — covering what dyslexia therapy actually is, why the school system keeps failing to catch and address it early, and what effective, structured literacy instruction looks like. Resources: Dyslexify Website: https://www.dyslexify.com Dyslexify Parent Information Flyer: https://bit.ly/3RwEBlr Dyslexify Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/4tEQxPm Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 145 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie, Sydney, and Cara have a "Hot Topics" discussion where they each bring a current study or topic covering the systemic gaps in how learning disabilities get identified, a commonly overlooked processing disorder that flies under the radar in schools, and exciting new neuroscience research reframing how we understand and diagnose ADHD. Across all three topics, a common thread emerges: the field is advancing rapidly, but awareness, resources, and diagnostic tools haven't caught up -- leaving many students, particularly girls and those in under-resourced environments, without the support they need. Resources: Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 144 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie introduces Cara Fennell, a new member of the Diagnostic Learning Services team who recently transitioned from nearly a decade as a special education teacher and educational diagnostician in Texas public schools to the private sector. Cara shares her background in early childhood special education and walks through what the school-based evaluation process looks like -- from obtaining parent consent to using a pattern of strengths and weaknesses to determine eligibility -- while reflecting on the differences between public school testing and private practice, particularly the freedom to spend more time with families and assess areas like ADHD more thoroughly. Resources: Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 143 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie speaks again with Christine Levy of the Levy Educational Advocacy Group for an "IEP 101" deep dive, covering what an IEP is, how it's structured, and the most common pitfalls families encounter. Christine walks through the core components of an IEP — parent input statements, present levels of performance, measurable goals, progress monitoring, extended school year services, and transition planning — while highlighting how increasingly template-driven, dropdown-based IEP software has made these documents less individualized and less specific about how skills will actually be taught. Resources: Levy Educational Advocacy: https://www.levyadvocacy.com Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning

In Episode 142 of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie speaks with John Gassner, an ADHD-certified life coach with the practice Order Out of Chaos, who runs their ADHD Athlete Coaching Academy. The conversation centers on how ADHD intersects with competitive sports for student athletes — the struggles, the benefits, and coaching strategies that help kids thrive in both arenas. Resources: Order Out Of Chaos Website: https://www.orderoochaos.com Contact Order Out Of Chaos: [email protected] Contact info for the podcast: [email protected] E-Diagnostic Learning Website: https://ediagnosticlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eDiaglearning/ Twitter: @diaglearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diagnostic-learning-services/ Instagram: @diaglearning