The Individual Matters Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Get your kids ready for the school year with confidence! In this episode of our parent education podcast, we sit down with expert parent coach Rachel Poirier to share expert back-to-school tips that help ease anxiety, build routines, and support executive functioning skills. Whether you're a parent, teacher, mental health counselor, or work with children in any capacity, this video is packed with actionable strategies to make the back-to-school transition smooth and stress-free.

Discover how to create a school planning routine, develop healthy morning and evening habits, and support your child’s emotional and mental well-being. Learn how executive function skills like time management, organization, and flexible thinking play a key role in school success—and how you can strengthen them at home.

Perfect for parents of elementary, middle, and high school students, this back-to-school guide will help you feel prepared and empowered.

Watch this Episode on YouTube

Rachel Poirier, M.Ed., Board Certified Behavior Analyst, is a parent coach and school consultant with expertise in Executive Functioning. Her passion for working with families was born out of her two-decades long career in education, teaching and training teachers both in the US and internationally, and her own unexpected parenting path. She works with “neurodiverse” kids: giftedness and 2e, ADHD, learning disorders, ASD, anxiety.

Connect with Rachel Poirier: https://www.peartreebx.com/

Download Rachel's FREE workbooks:

👉"Finding Your Family's True North Through Shared Values" https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1200906/147258094252983731/share

👉"Inviting Curiosity" https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1200906/147570292174096088/share

❤️ Subscribe for more tips and strategies to support your child or student! Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

🎤 Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/individualmatters/

✅ Website: https://individualmatters.org

🆇: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

🎬 YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

🎬 Rumble https://rumble.com/user/IndividualMatters

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

🚨 Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

#neurodevelopment #self-improvement #learning

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with a remarkable teen who shares her journey of embracing Superpower Thinking—a mindset shaped by the unique gifts of ADHD and dyslexia. Through her personal story, she offers powerful insight into how learning differences can become strengths when properly understood and supported.

Venice Mitchell is Miss Mesa County Teen 2025. Now competing for the title of Miss Colorado Teen, she advocates for students with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD, encouraging them to embrace these unique styles of thinking as superpowers.

This episode is perfect for students, parents, teachers, tutors, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and mental health counselors seeking to better understand the neurodivergent mind. If you're looking to learn more about how ADHD, dyslexia strengths, and neurodiversity in education can be reframed as assets, you’re in the right place.

You’ll hear about:

• Creative problem-solving from a dyslexic perspective
• How ADHD can unlock innovation and drive
• Empowering kids through mindset shifts
• Practical advice for supporting neurodivergent learners

Whether you're a parent navigating ADHD and dyslexia with your child, or an educator looking to foster supportive learning environments, this conversation will shift your perspective. Discover how we can transform challenges into capabilities by redefining what it means to think differently.

Connect with Venice on Instagram

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more parent education and expert insights on learning differences and neurodivergent success!

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

🎤 Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/individualmatters/

✅ Website: https://individualmatters.org

🆇: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

🎬 YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

🚨 Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

Leanna Dudley is a developmental optometrist, follow of Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association, and founder of Denver Vision Therapy. She joins the podcast to talk about the following:

• What are the symptoms of vision problems in children?

• How do vision and motor develop together?

• What are the basic vision skills, and how are they measured?

• How can you tell if a kid needs vision therapy, or needs something else?

• What is vision therapy?

This is part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Dudley.

To listen to Part 2, which focuses on how vision problems overlap with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, click here: https://rss.com/podcasts/individualmatters/1863956/

Resources Recommended by Dr. Dudley:

• Vision Symptom Checklist – Complete this free vision symptom checklist (for children or adults) to determine whether a vision problem might be impacting you or your child. https://www.denvervt.com/vision-symptom-checklist/

• OVDRA (Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association) https://www.covd.org/

• Optometrists Network – A library for eyecare, vision therapy, children's vision, dry eye, contact lenses, eye conditions, neuro-optometry and more. Includes an eye doctor directory to find providers near you. https://www.optometrists.org/

Connect with Dr. Dudley and Denver Vision Therapy:

Website: https://www.denvervt.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@denvervisiontherapy5087

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denvervisiontherapy/

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

What is co-regulation? Why is co-regulation essential when parenting neurodivergent children? How can parents learn to co-regulate?

Lianna Purjes, MSEd, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed therapist and neurodivergence coach at Coaching With Lianna. She works with adults and parents to help them manage emotions in healthy ways, get organized, and communicate their needs effectively. She holds master’s degrees in special education and clinical social work, and has almost 20 years of experience. Lianna has worked with countless clients who were on the verge of giving up because they never got the tools they actually needed to succeed.

Coaching with Lianna https://coachingwithlianna.com/home

Neurodivergent Emotion Mastery Blueprint (self-paced course) https://coachingwithlianna.com/emotion-mastery-blueprint

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow Y

ouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

An information-packed episode with Gabriel Nicolet – Toddler Whisperer, Parent Coach, and Speech Therapist. This is a must-watch for parents and anyone who works with kids!

Gabriele is a co-founder of Raising Orchid Kids – an online, global parent education and coaching practice. She hosts The Complicated Kids Podcast, focused on such topics as child development, parenting tips, raising quirky learners, and much more. For 15 years, she owned Speech Kids, a private speech therapy practice in the DC metro area.

Learn more and connect with Gabriele:

Website https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/

Orchid Kids https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/

The Complicated Kids Podcast https://www.complicatedkids.com/

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

Author and speaker Abigail Griebelbauer shares her journey with dyslexia, how it led to writing children’s books (including “D is for Darcy Not Dyslexia”), and her passion for spreading awareness and understanding through the talks she gives. She holds a degree in Special Education/Elementary Education and has traveled extensively.

Connect with Abigail:

Website https://abigailgriebelbauer.com/#/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/abigail.griebelbauer

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsjbbn1zj8Uvtr48Vq3RcDA

Check out Abigail’s Books https://www.amazon.com/stores/Abigail-Griebelbauer/author/B08MB5LDVK

“D is for Darcy Not Dyslexia”

“A is for Anthony Not ADHD”

“Winter Break at the Beach”

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

Beacon College is the first accredited college in the nation exclusively for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and other learning differences. Its mission is to empower students to reach their full potential by providing personalized academic support, career counseling, and social skills development. Academic programs include business, humanities, social sciences, and studio arts. Students benefit from small class sizes and individualized attention, access to learning specialists, and academic coaching, tutoring, and counseling. Beacon College is committed to experiential learning, including internships, volunteer work, and study abroad programs – opportunities that help students gain practical skills and prepare for successful careers. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XoBakwbjSa8

Melissa Packwood, M.S., Ed., is a learning specialist and adjunct instructor with Beacon College.

Learn more about Beacon College:

Beacon College https://www.beaconcollege.edu/

Plan a Visit https://www.beaconcollege.edu/admissions-aid/plan-a-visit/

College Readiness Programs https://www.beaconcollege.edu/college-readiness-programs/

College Edge https://www.beaconcollege.edu/college-readiness-programs/college-edge/

Summer for Success https://www.beaconcollege.edu/college-readiness-programs/summer-for-success/

A World of Difference (TV program) https://awodtv.org/

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

Language-based learning disabilities (LBLDs) describe the constellation of learning challenges that impact students with ADHD, executive function problems, specific learning disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), and visual and auditory processing problems.

In his book, "Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities," Daniel Franklin, Ph.D., explains how and why these issues overlap, and mostly importantly, what parents and teachers can do to support these students.

In this episode, Dr. Franklin shares insights about:

• Learning to read/write, vs. reading/writing to learn
• Collaboration vs. Enabling
• Dynamic assessment
• The important of relationships
• The homework battle
• Why "Children are consistently inconsistent"
• And more!

Dr. Franklin holds a Master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Reading, Language, and Learning Disabilities, a PhD from UCLA in Education, and he is a Board Certified Educational Therapist. He has over 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, administrator, and consultant. He is founder and president of Los Angeles-based Franklin Educational Service, LLC, which provides a wide range of individualized school support services for students of all ages and needs.

Order your copy of "Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities here.

You can learn more about and reach Dr. Franklin here: danielfranklinphd.com

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

An information-packed episode about how and why vision issues impact child development, learning, and life success. This is a must-watch for parents, optometrists, pediatricians, and teachers!

Dr. Richard Graebe, OD, FCOVD, is a Behavioral and Neuro Rehabilitation Optometrist and learning expert at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, Kentucky. He is one of a select group of international optometrists who have completed board certification in Vision Therapy, Pediatric Developmental Vision Care and Vision Rehabilitation with the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD). His team offers vision therapy and neuro-rehabilitation services to patients of all ages, including struggling readers, athletes, and individuals with brain injury.

Connect with Dr. Graebe and the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute:

Website: https://neurovisualperformanceinstitute.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neurovisualperformanceinstitute/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurovisualperformance_/

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/

Josh Guddat returns to the podcast to discuss ADHD from a teacher’s perspective. This time, he shares ideas for how parents can support ADHD learners at home, including how to use routine, timers, incentives, chunking, and self-talk.

To listen to Josh’s tips for ADHD in the classroom, check out Episode 23.

Josh is a middle school teacher with twenty years’ experience in the classroom. He and his wife own and operate Essentials in Learning, LLC, a tutoring and ADHD coaching business in Grand Junction, Colorado. Learn more about their services here: https://www.essentialsinlearning.com/

Individual Matters is a boutique psychology practice that specializes in comprehensive learning and neurodevelopmental evaluations.

Website: https://individualmatters.org

X: https://x.com/DiscoverActGrow

YouTube: https://youtube.com/individualmatters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoveractgrow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individual_matters/

Newsletter: https://individualmatters.org/newsletter-sign-up/