This week on “In It,” we’re sharing an episode of another podcast we love called “Good Inside with Dr. Becky.” The show’s host, Dr. Becky Kennedy, is a clinical psychologist and mom of three. Each week, she talks to parents, experts, and trusted friends and colleagues about strategies and tips for the stickiest parenting situations. We’re sharing an episode called “The ‘more’ kids,” featuring Dr. Becky in conversation with Debbie Reber, the founder of “Tilt Parenting.” The two define what...

Gus Walz is the son of vice presidential nominee Tim Walz. You may have seen him cheering for his dad at the Democratic National Convention in August. At that time, many of us learned that he has a nonverbal learning disability or NVLD. In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy is a psychologist, and he’s the associate director of Expertise and Strategic Design here at Understood. He also hosts the Understood podcast “Parenting...

You might have heard or seen the acronym STEM in education circles. It stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. And it can be very helpful for kids with learning and thinking differences. In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Kara Ball. Kara is the author of “50 Strategies for Teaching STEAM Skills.” She has been a science and special education teacher, and a STEM education specialist for Baltimore public schools. She was also a...

Brushing their teeth. Taking a shower. Cleaning up after themselves. What’s going on when kids seem to ignore these must-do tasks? And what can parents and caregivers do to change that?   In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Brendan Mahan. Brendan is an executive function coach and the host of the podcast “ADHD Essentials.” He offers tips and strategies to help parents and caregivers understand why some kids avoid working on their personal hygiene.

Gearing up for a new school year can feel overwhelming. As the first day of school gets close, kids have so much to think about. And so do parents and caregivers.  In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Kate Garcia. Kate is a high school teacher with lots of back-to-school experience and tips. 

Join us for new episodes of “In It,” a podcast on raising kids who learn differently. Hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek continue to offer advice, camaraderie, stories of successes, and — let’s be real — failures. We’ll hear from experts, parents, and caregivers on a range of topics — from bribes vs. rewards to managing some of the unanticipated costs of raising neurodivergent kids.

Bedtime can be a struggle for parents and caregivers of kids of all ages. Maybe your child needs an extra glass of water — three times before bed. Or maybe they want you to read that story “just one more time,” for hours. No matter what roadblocks you face at bedtime, you’re not alone. Find more about Parenting Behavior at lnk.to/parentingbehavior On this bonus episode of “In It,” we’re sharing an episode of another Understood podcast called “Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn.” Listen...

Breaks from school can sometimes mean breaks from other kids. This can be hard for kids with learning and thinking differences.  What are some ways to avoid “summer slide” when it comes to social skills and time with friends? And what are some ways to see kids in the summer, when the friends we usually see are not around? In this episode of “In It,” Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Kristin Carothers, a clinical psychologist and Understood expert.  Listen for tips on...

You may have heard of “summer slide.” It refers to the learning loss that can happen during summer break from school. On this bonus episode of “In It,” we’re sharing a conversation on how to handle the summer break from another Understood podcast, “The Opportunity Gap.” Host Julian Saavedra talks with special education teacher Kate García about how following a summer routine can help kids stay on track. They also discuss ways to help kids learn without sacrificing fun. Plus why giving...

In this episode of “In It,” Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek suggest podcasts that are ideal for kids with learning and thinking differences. These shows are also great for any kid. Their suggestions include podcasts that: - Share fairy tales in fun — and funny — ways - Solve kid-friendly mysteries - Offer answers to all kinds of questions - Talk about current events

Many people who learn and think differently are also on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. This can be a lot for kids—and their families—to navigate. In this episode of “In It,” Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk to Kade Friedman. Kade is the Director of Education for PINE, the Program for Inclusion and Neurodiversity Education.   Kade identifies as non-binary and neurodivergent. They work with teachers to guide them in teaching neurodivergent, disabled, and gender-expansive students. They...

Breaks from school are prime time for screen time. But how much screen time is too much? And what can we do about it? Is screen time ever a good thing?  In this episode of “In It,” Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk to Dr. Devorah Heitner. Devorah is the author of two books: Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World and Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. She also speaks about screens at K-12 schools. Listen to learn tips for managing...

Many parents usually try to avoid sharing too much information about their kids on social media. But many parents also want to share cute pictures, funny stories, or their kids’ accomplishments. And online communities can be great places to share stories or trade parenting tips.  It can be tricky to tell where to draw the line — how much is too much? This is especially true as kids get older and start using social media and the internet for themselves.     For this episode of “In It,” ...

When families are in a dispute about their child’s special education, it can be tricky to know how to handle things. There are big emotions involved, and the law around IEPs, or Individualized Education Programs, can be confusing.  But in some cases, it might help to work with a special education attorney.  In this episode of “In It,” Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome special education attorney Robert Tudisco. Rob was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. He is an expert in special...

Do you ever wonder if having an IEP means your child will be labeled forever? Are you worried that an IEP will mean your child is separated from their peers? Well, those are actually both myths. And this week, we’re sharing a podcast episode that’s all about busting common myths relating to IEPs, or Individualized Education Programs. The episode comes from the latest season of “Understood Explains,” which is all about IEPs. It’s hosted by Juliana Urtubey, a special education expert and...

If you think your child is struggling at school, what’s the best way to make sure they’re getting the support they need? Who should you talk to first? Should you call a meeting, send an email, or do something else? In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Julian Saavedra. Julian is an assistant principal in Philadelphia and the host of another Understood podcast, “The Opportunity Gap.” Julian shares tips and strategies about what to do if your child needs...

Michelle Carter is an athlete and businessperson. She was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a young child.   With her parents’ support, she discovered her talents in track and field, going on to compete in three Olympic Games: in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Michelle won gold in 2016. Now she runs “You Throw Girl,” a camp that helps girls build confidence.   Michelle believes that for kids who are struggling with a learning or thinking difference, sports can be a big help. “It gives them a...

From the colors of the classroom to the noises of the playground, school can be overwhelming for kids with sensory processing challenges. One author has turned these experiences into a new picture book. The book aims to help kids who have trouble processing sensory information.  In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Lindsey Rowe Parker, author of “Wiggles, Stomps and Squeezes: Calming My Jitters at School.” It’s the second in a series of picture...

Language disorders can lead to many questions, both in the classroom and elsewhere. How will the school handle it? What can you do to help at home? And what if you’re not even sure if a language disorder is what your child is struggling with? In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Kelli Johnson, a Minneapolis-based educational speech-language pathologist who is also a writer and expert reviewer at Understood. Kelli explains what her job is all...

Getting diagnosed with a learning and thinking difference can be a big relief for many kids. But for some kids, the news can lead to many questions and worries. They may not want to talk about their diagnosis at all. And sometimes, the way kids respond to their diagnosis changes over time. In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Preetika Mukherjee, a pediatric neuropsychologist. Dr. Mukherjee offers suggestions for ways to talk with your child after a diagnosis....

When siblings have different needs, what’s a parent to do? In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Dr. Ari Tuckman, a psychologist who works with families and couples. He shares tips for finding balance in parenting kids when one has a learning or thinking difference. And he talks about the importance of the idea that “fair doesn’t always mean equal.” This is part two of a two-part series. In part one, we talked to Becca, a mom of two raising one...

Sibling dynamics are challenging for all families. But when one sibling has a learning and thinking difference and the other one doesn’t, things can be even tougher. In this episode of “In It,” hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Becca. She’s a mom of two kids, one with ADHD and one without. Becca shares how she’s finding balance in parenting kids with different needs. And how her kids interact with one another. This is part one of a two-part series. In the next episode,...