What is the “opportunity gap”? A discussion about race, income, and disability

Ep. 5: Dyscalculia, More Than “Bad at Math”: When does being “bad at math” mean something more? For Lily, a Missouri teen with dyscalculia, math struggles go a lot further than math class. On this episode, we go inside Lily’s world and experience the unexpected challenges that pop up... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

24 min listen

When Your Kid Is Hard to Like: Parents rarely admit it, but sometimes our kids are hard to like. As much as we love our children, they don’t always act in ways that match our expectations. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Bob Cunningham talk about how having trouble... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

18 min listen

What is neurodiversity?: "The term “neurodiversity” seems to be everywhere right now. But what exactly does it mean? Hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Emily Kircher-Morris to find out. Emily is a neurodivergent parent to twice-exceptional kids. And she’s the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast. Listen in to hear Emily’s unique perspective on neurodiversity. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2021 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved." by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

21 min listen

This Is How We Make It Through: In an article for the New York Times, Andrew Solomon wrote, “The fact that you wouldn’t have chosen something doesn’t mean you can’t find joyful meaning in it.” In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Bob Cunningham hear from... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

22 min listen

Tantrum...or Meltdown: Tantrums and meltdowns can look very similar, especially when a child is in the middle of having one. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Bob Cunningham break down the differences and hear directly from kids who share what meltdowns feel like to... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

21 min listen

Let’s Hear From the Dads: What’s it like to be a dad who’s “In It”? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Bob Cunningham take a moment to hear from and celebrate dads of kids who learn and think differently. Find out how some dads are treated differently than moms... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

17 min listen

Ep. 1: Why We Cry In IEP Meetings: On this first episode of In It, hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright dig into why emotions tend to run high IEP meetings. They talk with comedian Dena Blizzard about her (very) public reaction to a disappointing IEP meeting. They hear from other... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

20 min listen

Ep. 3: The Legit Fear Behind “Please Don’t Call On Me to Read”: It’s scary—in the moment and even recalling it years later. Reading out loud in front of a group when you have dyslexia can be legitimately awful. Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright dig into this fear with a mom whose son stumbled over... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

26 min listen

ADHD in Black Children: “In It” With Dr. Tumaini Coker: What are the unique challenges Black families face when it comes to having kids with ADHD? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Bob Cunningham speak with Dr. Tumaini Coker, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington and... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

27 min listen

What if the teacher has learning differences, too? by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

20 min listen

Ep. 2: How We Deal With “Is ADHD Real?”: It’s a dreaded (and hurtful) question that families get asked too often: “Is ADHD even real?” Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright hear from parents of kids with ADHD who’ve muddled through explaining their child’s attention,... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

19 min listen

Why Let Your Child Fail?: Is it ever OK to let your child fail? It can be difficult to see your child try something and fail. But sometimes FAIL stands for “First Attempt At Learning.” In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Bob Cunningham speak with a mom, Meg, about how... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

17 min listen

ADHD in Girls: Overlooked?: ADHD is just as common in girls as it is in boys. So why are girls diagnosed less often? And why do signs of ADHD in girls tend to get overlooked? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Bob Cunningham hear from parents who initially missed signs of... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

18 min listen

Coming soon: “In It” Season 3 by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

2 min listen

Why summer camp has lasting benefits for neurodivergent kids: Summer camp is a tradition for many kids. But does summer camp work for kids who learn differently? How do you find the right camp? Can the camp support your child’s needs? Will your child make friends? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get answers from the ultimate expert: a camp director. Audrey Monke has been running a summer camp for 37 years. She’s also the author of “Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets for Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults.” Hear Audrey’s advice on summer camp — from how to choose one to what to tell camps about your child. Learn how camps help kids develop social skills, build relationships, and gain independence. Plus, Audrey shares her favorite summer camp tips to use at home. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about “In It” and all our by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

28 min listen

Ep. 4: To Disclose…or Not?: Who do you tell? When? Telling people your child has ADHD, dyslexia or other learning issues is a big, complicated decision. Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright talk with families whose experiences range from triumphant to... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

26 min listen

Sneak peek: ADHD Aha! by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

13 min listen

ABCs of IEPs: What’s an IEP? And why are there so many confusing acronyms in special education? In this episode, host Gretchen Vierstra gets answers to common questions about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from co-host Amanda Morin and their colleague Andrew Lee, a special education legal expert. Andrew and Amanda explain the basics of IEPs — starting with “How do kids even get one?” They also break down the meanings of special education terms like PLOP and answer questions about IEPs from the Understood community. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2021 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

27 min listen

Her intense, restless son harnessed ADHD by climbing mountains (from the “ADHD Aha!” podcast): Bonus episode! Hear one mom’s story of parenting a child with ADHD and written expression disorder in this episode from Understood’s “ADHA Aha! podcast.” Host Laura Key talks with Michelle Kuipers, the mother of Marc-André Leclerc. Marc-André was a skilled rock climber and alpinist who died at age 25 in the mountains of Alaska. He’s the subject of a Netflix documentary, “The Alpinist.” Michelle shares how she homeschooled Marc-André and helped him learn to channel his ADHD. Listen as Michelle describes Marc-André’s loving and generous spirit — and how she wants her son to be remembered. Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “In It"" and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

38 min listen

Ep. 6: When Gifted Kids Need Accommodations, Too: Twice-exceptional (or “2E”) kids have learning or attention issues AND are gifted. In this last episode of Season 1, Lexi and Amanda speak with guests Penny Williams, a parenting trainer and coach, and Debbie Reber, author and creator of TiLT... by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

33 min listen

Why we’re not calling it learning loss: "Most kids are finally back in physical classrooms this year. But after over a year of remote learning, many parents of kids who learn differently are asking, “Is my kid behind?” To help answer this question, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk to special education teacher Kareem Neal. Listen in to find out what he’s seeing in his classroom — and why he’s not worried about “learning loss.” We also hear from two other teachers about what they’re saying to concerned families. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about “In It” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2021 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved." by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

14 min listen

Can we talk? Omicron, school, and our parenting fears: Living in a pandemic is hard. With the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, it feels even harder — and not just for parents of kids who learn differently. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra invite you to join them in a collective scream about Omicron, school, and parenting. Listen as they ask themselves how to start off — and make it through — yet another year in a pandemic. While they don’t have answers, they hope you find comfort in knowing you’re not in this alone. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

13 min listen

School refusal: When kids say no: Lots of kids say “I don’t feel like going to school” at some point. But for some, it's more than that — they flat-out refuse to go. And you can’t make them. School refusal is real, and it’s trying to tell you something. But how do you figure out what that is? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with a family who’s been “in it” when it comes to school refusal. Listen to Erin and Meg share the story of their son’s school refusal. Find out what they did to get through it. Plus, learn common signs of school refusal. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

26 min listen

The real-world benefits of gaming for kids: Many kids and teens love to play video games. But families often worry about the effects of gaming. Are there benefits or risks to playing video games for kids who learn differently? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get answers from digital play expert and child psychologist Dr. Randy Kulman. Listen in to hear Randy’s tips on how families can help kids maximize learning from popular video games — and transfer that learning to the real world. Plus, hear Randy’s thoughts on EndeavorRX, a prescription video game for kids with ADHD. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about “In It” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2021 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

25 min listen

Eye to Eye: The power of mentors for kids who learn differently: What’s one way to empower kids who learn differently? Connect them with near-peer mentors who learn differently, too. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Marcus Soutra, president of Eye to Eye, a founding partner of Understood. Eye to Eye brings together middle school students who learn differently with high school and college students who also learn differently. Hear how mentoring can help kids gain self-awareness and build self-advocacy skills. Plus, hear from two college students, Meera Shamiyeh and Lydia Blazey, about what it’s like to be a mentor. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

22 min listen

Executive function skills: What are they and how can we help kids build them?: Messy backpacks. Forgotten lunches. Missing assignments. How can we help our kids get organized this school year? What strategies can we use to support kids with ADHD and other learning differences? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get back-to-school tips from Brendan Mahan, an executive function coach and host of the “ADHD Essentials” podcast. Brendan explains what executive function skills are — and how we can help kids build them. Learn why we might be asking too much of our kids sometimes, and how to reframe our thinking around these skills. Plus, get Brendan’s tips for helping kids get back into school routines. Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “In It” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

22 min listen

Can we talk? The changing mask rules and our kids: Many schools across the country are lifting their mask mandates. Whether families are excited or uncertain about the new rules, change is hard for everyone — not just for kids who learn differently. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk candidly about masks, kids, and schools. Hear how they’re talking with their families about the new mask rules. Listen as they ask themselves “How can we help our kids manage these changes?” Plus, hear a dad’s perspective from Dr. Andy Kahn, Understood’s newest in-house expert. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved." by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

16 min listen

What does it mean to thrive?: What does it mean to thrive? And how can we help our kids become thrivers? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Dr. Michele Borba — a parenting expert and former special education teacher — about her book “Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine.” Listen in to hear Michele’s definition of thriving, and the seven strengths that help kids thrive. You’ll learn practical, actionable ways to help kids develop those strengths at any age. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2021 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

21 min listen

Holiday survival guide: The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year. But they can also be the most stressful for families with kids who learn differently. So how can families do more than just make it through the holidays? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra bring holiday questions from the Understood community to Dr. Ellen Braaten, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Understood expert. Listen in to hear Ellen’s practical tips for dealing with holiday challenges — as well as advice for how to bring joy to the holidays. Plus, Amanda shares her family’s simple gift-giving strategy. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about In It and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2021 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

27 min listen

The social lives of our kids: When to worry, when to let go: Many families worry about their kids’ social lives. But when your child has a learning difference, you might worry even more. What happens when you realize that what looks like loneliness to you is actually not loneliness for your child? In this episode, hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Ellen, a mom of three kids ages 11 to 16. Ellen shares the story of her son, a high-schooler who has a nonverbal learning disability (NVLD) and written expression disorder. Hear Ellen talk about why she always worried about her son’s social life. And find out how she stopped worrying and learned to let her son have the kind of social life that works best for him. Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the 70 million people in the U.S. with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “In It” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2022 Understood for All, Inc. All righ by In It: Supporting Kids Who Learn and Think Differently

22 min listen

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What is the “opportunity gap”? A discussion about race, income, and disability

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