In this first podcast of Season 2, Dr. Donia Fahim and Professor Rhea Paul talk about Assessment. What should you expect from your child’s assessment and who will carry it out? Before, during and after: How to prepare yourself and your child, what happens during the appointment, and what can you expect following the assessment. They’ll answer a question about what is meant by verbal and non-verbal abilities in psychological assessments and discuss the language we use when talking about...

Join Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) in today’s podcast as they talk about transitioning through school and how to support your child through the significant changes this brings. They answer a question on why cognitively typical children might struggle academically at school. In ‘Things that make us go aargh’ they discuss hyper-focus on developmental differences and the importance of remembering that all children are different and develop at different...

Following on from the last podcast discussion around transitioning through school, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) discuss transitioning beyond school, what happens after your child leaves full time education and how to support your young adult’s strengths, interests and independence. They talk about disfluency and how to support your verbal child with Autism who stutters or stammers. Stereotypical expectations about children with Autism is the focus of...

Join Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) in a conversation about Girls and Autism: the parallels, similarities, and differences in how girls and boys present with Autism. The Super Special Question in this podcast prompts discussion and explanation about selective mutism. Stereotyping toys by gender, particularly for Super Special Kids, is what makes them go ‘aargh’ today and in the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, the focus is classic games - treasure...

Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) are joined today by special guest and AAC Specialist, Susan Berkowitz to discuss AAC, the different systems available and how to identify the best system for your child. Listen to Susan Berkowitz explain why misconception that using a high tech AAC system is going to ‘fix’ your child’s Autism makes her go ‘aargh’ and in the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, the trio discuss fun activities using an AAC system. Connect with...

In today’s episode, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim] discuss Apraxia, a speech difficulty which affects coordination and planning in the production of speech sounds. They answer a question about how to assess whether your child needs speech intervention. What makes them go aargh today, is the assumption that oral motor strength activities will, on their own, support a child’s speech development. T he value of water play is the subject of today’s Eating...

In today’s episode, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) discuss Bilingualism and Super Special Kids. They answer a question about the challenges of travelling with a super special child. What makes them go ‘aargh’ is when professionals tell bilingual parents that they should focus on one language with their child. During the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia discuss digital assistance and the use of AI devices and software such...

In today’s episode, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) are joined by special guest Sean Sweeney, a Certified SLP with a specialist background in Instructional Technology who, amongst other things, is the author of the SpeechTechie Blog. The Super Special topic is Apps for Super Special Kids and the question today is how do parents select developmentally appropriate apps? Using screen time unnecessarily is what makes Sean Sweeney go ‘aargh’ and, in the...

Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss the importance of living in the ‘now’ and casting our worries for the future aside. They’ll answer a question about what a speech and language therapist is and the work that they do. They’ll also tell you about the things that make them go ‘arghhh’, as well as talking about the importance of spending quality time with your special child in the super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment. For more information, visit: Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss screen time. Is it good? Is it bad? They discuss it all. They’ll also answer a question about what to do when your special child is naughty. Extreme parents are the focal point of things that make them go ‘arghhh’ this week and routines are explored in the super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment.   To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss words that therapists use and how parents can better understand them. They give advice on what parents can do when their child tantrums in public. They discuss restrictive diets and the effects of these in the things that make us go ‘arghhh’ and the beauty of public spaces in the super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment.   To learn more about educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss the development of positive relationships with professionals who work with your child. They give advice on what to do when a child carries out the same repetitive activity. Forcing a child to make eye contact is what makes them go ‘arghhh’ this week and nature is the focus of this week’s super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment. To learn more and stay connected, visit visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss speech sounds and when they develop. They give advice on what to do if your special child becomes upset around unfamiliar faces. Unhelpful advice that others give parents of special children is what makes them go ‘arghhh’ this week and the great outdoors is the focus of this week’s super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment. To learn more and stay conected, visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss food and how it relates to special children. They give advice on what to do if your special child is unresponsive when called. Special children not being included in the traditional classroom setting is what makes them go ‘arghhh’ this week and the joys of cooking are discussed in this week’s super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment. To learn more & stay connected, visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss the importance of having fun with our special child at home. They give advice on the best approach to set up play dates with other children. Giving children false choices is what makes them go ‘arghhh’ this week and everyday outings are the focus of this week’s super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment.   To learn more and stay connected, visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss inclusion. They give advice on what to do when your child engages in preservatives play. Speaking about a special child in their presence is what makes them go ‘arghhh’ this week and Libraries are the focus of this week’s super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment.   Learn More & Stay Connected To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim discuss siblings. They give advice on what to do when your child doesn’t want to greet people like relatives and friends properly. Judgement cast upon parents of special children is what makes them go ‘arghhh’ this week and musical instruments are the focus of this week’s super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment.   To learn more and stay connected, visit Doniafahim.com

In today’s episode, Professor Rhea Paul and Dr. Donia Fahim are joined by fellow Speech and Language Pathologist Christi Kaplain. They discuss adolescence with special needs. They answer a question on the difference between augmentative, alternative and facilitated communication. What makes them go ‘arghhh’ this week is inadequate AAC and video games - these are the focus of this week’s super fun ‘Eating Cake for Breakfast’ segment.   To learn more and stay connected, visit Doniafahim.com