Just Needs: parenting children with disabilities – Details, episodes & analysis

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!

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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 Calm
• How to Keep it Together: A Guide

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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

• What is a sleep consultant and how do they help families?
• Sleep Disorders in Children
• Autism Awareness & Sleep
• Melatonin for Kids: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
• Sleepless in NOLA
• Dr. Vyas’ Bedtime Checklist

Thank you Dr. Vyas for offering our families a discount on your services! For a 10% discount use code: INEEDSLEEP10

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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 Roberts
• Children with Medical Complexity
• Health Insurance for a Child With Disabilities: Easily Navigate Coverage and Services
• How to get medical insurance for a child with a disability
• How to get the most out of health insurance for your child with disabilities
• Frequently Asked Questions about Health Insurance
• What happens when a child with a disability turns 18?
• If you are undocumented (don’t have papers), you can get care at a Federally Qualified Health Center.

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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 Speech
• Is my child different? Six steps to assessing your child’s development.
• Understanding child development milestones
• CDC’s Developmental Milestones
• Is My Child Developing OK?
• What are Early Intervention Services? Can they help my child?
• The Special Education Evaluation Process

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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. Jetson
• Building a Village of Support with Raymond A. Jetson (webinar)
• Children with disabilities need a village of support. Here are 3 ways to build that village for yours. (blog)
• Building a village of support: 3 ways to help children with disabilities live their best lives (podcast)
• Learn more about Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
• Introduce your child with F-Words; it’s not what you think (podcast)
• Back to school for kids with disabilities: Dear Teacher, meet my son. (blog)
• How do I partner with the school to support my child? School communication tips for parents and caregivers

Where to find Raymond A. Jetson:
Raymond A. Jetson on Facebook
Raymond A. Jetson on Twitter
Raymond A. Jetson on Threads
Raymond A. Jetson on Instagram
Raymond A. Jetson on LinkedIn

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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 help
• Fellow Parents, Let’s Talk About Mental Health.
• Mental Health and Children with Disabilities: a Webinar
• Why is my child struggling in school?
• Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• IEP (plan educativo individualizado)
• Better parenting using self-regulation
• How to Create an Effective IEP & Build a Strong Team
• Back to school for kids with disabilities: Dear Teacher, meet my son. (blog)
• How do I partner with the school to support my child? School communication tips for parents and caregivers
• Julie McIsaac, PhD on Facebook

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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 meet their children where they're at when conventional parenting tools have failed them.

Where to find Dayna Abraham
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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

• The ‘F-words’ in childhood disability: I swear this is how we should think!
• Meet my Child document
• Full letter by Julie McIsaac, PhD. to her son’s teacher

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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 she a late bloomer or is it a developmental delay?
What is Medicaid and how do I apply for a family member
Medicaid
What is a Federally Qualified Health Center
Federally Qualified Health Center locator tool
Different health insurance plans and how to apply
New to special education? Here’s what you need to know
IDEA - Special Education Terms & Acronyms: a glossary
IEP - Special Education Terms & Acronyms: a glossary
Accommodations - Special Education Terms & Acronyms: a glossary
Early Intervention
How do I help my child transition into school services when they turn 3?
EarlySteps in Louisiana
Find your state’s Early Intervention program
Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) - Louisiana
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - Massachusetts
Parent Information and Training Center (PTIC)
The application process for getting SSI
Supplemental Security Income

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