It's Special

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Dr. Jared Balmer, PhD, Marriage and Family Therapist, and founder of Waypoint Academy, a residential treatment center specializing in severe anxiety and OCD in adolescents. Dr. Balmer takes us deep into the root causes of the anxiety epidemic affecting today's youth, from social media dependence to parental overprotection, and explains why exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold standard for treatment.We explore how modern lifestyles contribute to rising anxiety and depression rates, what parents can do to foster resilience in their children, and why real-world social interactions are the key to emotional well-being. If you're a parent, educator, or professional seeking to understand how to break the cycle of anxiety, this conversation is full of practical insights and transformative advice."The best antidote to anxiety is creating a family environment where people actually talk to each other." – Dr. Jared BalmerTune in now for a powerful discussion on mental health, treatment strategies, and how we can help the next generation thrive.

If you're a parent or caregiver of a child with disabilities, this episode could change everything. Host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with Karen Park, a financial expert and mom of a child with complex disabilities, and Ashley Velategui, a wealth strategist with personal experience supporting a disabled family member. Together, they cut through the confusion of special needs financial planning and give you the clear, practical strategies every family should know.In this eye-opening conversation, we break down:

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but for families of children with special needs, it's absolutely essential.

For children with language-based learning disabilities and ADHD, learning can feel like an uphill battle.

Navigating the insurance system shouldn't feel like an uphill battle - but for families of children with disabilities, it often is.

When your child needs special education support, the system can feel overwhelming, confusing, and isolating.

Join us as we sit down with Shirley Aninias to explore her journey through advocacy and resilience. In this episode, Shirley shares her personal experiences navigating the system, the challenges she's faced, and the insights she's gained. Whether you're an advocate, a parent, or simply interested in understanding more about disability rights, this conversation offers valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don't miss this inspiring episode filled with wisdom and hope. "I would say find the community that will support you and your family. Find a community that is not judgmental, that when they will celebrate the good and will also help you when you're in your greatest need. And that would be the best, you know, advice that I would give, you know, community." https://www.theshirleyaniniasschool.com/

Join us as Michael Ringel delves into essential financial strategies for families with special needs. In this episode, we explore practical advice on planning for two lifetimes, ensuring both immediate and long-term financial security. Whether you're new to this journey or looking for advanced tips, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities of special needs financial planning. "the first thing to do is understand that, you know, you have to plan for two lifetimes, at least, and you can have your cake and eat it too, if the planning is done properly. And so, you know, we try to share with our families, you know, those two possibilities. And then the thing that I implore people to do is just take action". http://www.mikeringel.com

This podcast discusses the unique challenges that young adults with special needs face during puberty. Puberty and Body Changes: Young adults with special needs may experience puberty earlier than their typically developing peers. This can lead to confusion and anxiety, especially when they are not prepared for the physical and emotional changes. The speaker, Jordan Wishner - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive support and education to young adults with special needs during puberty. Open communication, tailored education, and ongoing guidance can help them navigate this challenging phase and develop healthy relationships with themselves and others. ______ Jordan started his career as a New York City special education teacher, then over time moved into social work, and ultimately into the world of admissions and administration. He brings each of these skill sets to his current work at Children's Academy. childrensacademynyc.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

"If the model of one-to-one therapy is not gonna work anymore, what we do is we try to think about the continuum of care. If you think about all of the groups that got crunched during Covid -teens got the worst. What makes teenage years special - it's all about friends, it's all about figuring out where you are in the larger social context of the world, you realize that your family is one unit but there are lots of other units out there and where do you belong? So teens have this internal need, biological push to leave the nest and go find a social group plus they have their sexuality coming in".  www.drmichaelrosenthal.com Rosenthal and Associates is a pediatric neuropsychology practice with primary mission to use the evaluation process as a tool to better understand the obstacles that a child is facing in order to foster their growth and set them on a path toward success. Specialized in evaluating children with ADD/ADHD, language-based and nonverbal learning disabilities or differences, language and communication challenges, executive functioning weaknesses, autism spectrum disorder/PDD/Asperger's, sensory integration or processing issues, and anxiety and other social-emotional concerns. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

“From people not interacting and not being exposed we come to make assumptions which are often false and that contributes to the way that people with disabilities are valued." Lori is the Director of Disability and Education Policy at the nonprofit INCLUDEnyc, where she has led initiatives for more transparency, accountability, and improved outcomes for New York City students with disabilities. She is also a member of the New York State Commissioner's Advisory Panel for Special Education Services, which advises the New York State Office of Special Education to the Governor, Legislature, and Commissioner, on the unmet educational needs of students with disabilities. Lori is the former Vice-Chair of the Panel for Educational Policy of the New York City Department of Education, also known as the New York City Board of Education. Prior to these roles, Lori taught both general and special education in public and non-public schools in New York City and Newark, NJ. She lives in Brooklyn and has a 19-year-old son with developmental disabilities who attends a District 75 program on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. More information about INCLUDEnyc here >> https://includenyc.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

“I think Ireland at the moment is trying to strike that balance between respecting and honoring things like the Irish language, which is coming back with a vengeance at the moment and is becoming a very trend thing to become involved with, you know, and very kind of old Irish, but then also bring forward very new elements. I would hope that that continues and that reflects and moves forward to special education provision in Ireland.” Host and Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Órla Mannion, Senior Public Affairs Executive in the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, about what it's like for children with disabilities in Ireland and their education system. Tracey's entire career has led up to this moment. Bringing her over twenty-five years of expertise in the legal industry to the air waves, Tracey dives deeper into the world of special needs and civil rights law to give parents the relevant and supportive information they crave and need, without having to sift through a mountain of articles or paperwork. It's about cutting through the constant noise, pulling the most important tidbits out, and absorbing key advice and anecdotes that help you and your child excel on their journey. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

“Autism is a disorder of communication. So, it's difficult for individuals with autism sometimes to communicate in a way where they're understood, or they can advocate for themselves. In other ways, their communication is the most honest and genuine communication.” Host and Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Dr. Ivy Feldman, Executive Director at The Keswell School, about autism as a spectrum disorder and the misconceptions around autism. Tracey's entire career has led up to this moment. Bringing her over twenty-five years of expertise in the legal industry to the air waves, Tracey dives deeper into the world of special needs and civil rights law to give parents the relevant and supportive information they crave and need, without having to sift through a mountain of articles or paperwork. It's about cutting through the constant noise, pulling the most important tidbits out, and absorbing key advice and anecdotes that help you and your child excel on their journey. For more information about The Keswell School, visit https://www.keswellschool.org/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

"I'm a problem solver. I don't easily take no for an answer. So when I was unhappy with what was being provided to me, through my school district and through my experience with my children and I continued to seek alternatives, it was through that experience that led me to be able to help my own children and to obtain for them the free and appropriate education that they were entitled." Host and Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Jodi Liston, President and Managing Director of Harris Kramer & Liston, about how parents and families can advocate for their children to receive free and appropriate education they are entitled. Tracey's entire career has led up to this moment. Bringing her over twenty-five years of expertise in the legal industry to the air waves, Tracey dives deeper into the world of special needs and civil rights law to give parents the relevant and supportive information they crave and need, without having to sift through a mountain of articles or paperwork. It's about cutting through the constant noise, pulling the most important tidbits out, and absorbing key advice and anecdotes that help you and your child excel on their journey. For more information about Harris Kramer & Liston, visit https://www.harriskramer.com/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

“What's the common thread that brings all the families together? And it's, we're worried, we are afraid for our kids, we know that we've got smart capable kids, but they can't read.” Host and Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Bill DeHaven, Head of School at Villa Maria School in Stamford, Connecticut, about the importance of a small student to teacher ratio for students with learning challenges and language impairment. Tracey's entire career has led up to this moment. Bringing her over twenty-five years of expertise in the legal industry to the air waves, Tracey dives deeper into the world of special needs and civil rights law to give parents the relevant and supportive information they crave and need, without having to sift through a mountain of articles or paperwork. It's about cutting through the constant noise, pulling the most important tidbits out, and absorbing key advice and anecdotes that help you and your child excel on their journey. For more information about Villa Maria School, visit http://villamariaschool.org/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

“I would love to see family's reach out earlier for support, somehow have a system in place where there's not that stigma and they feel okay asking for help when things first have started to happen. You know, so that they get connected with help and they talk to other parents that are in it too.” Host and Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Leah Madamba, MS, NCC, LCMHC, and Family Services Director at Trails Carolina about how wilderness therapy programs can provide a safe space for struggling children and adolescents as an alternative to traditional treatments; and the significant impact these programs can make on families and their children suffering with mental health or behavioral challenges. Tracey's entire career has led up to this moment. Bringing her over twenty-five years of expertise in the legal industry to the air waves, Tracey dives deeper into the world of special needs and civil rights law to give parents the relevant and supportive information they crave and need, without having to sift through a mountain of articles or paperwork. It's about cutting through the constant noise, pulling the most important tidbits out, and absorbing key advice and anecdotes that help you and your child excel on their journey. For more information about Trails Carolina, visit https://trailscarolina.com/. National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs: https://natsap.org/ Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council: https://obhcouncil.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

“Sometimes the surprise, which honestly makes me feel really good when I can give them this surprise, is ‘wow I didn't really know my child was that intelligent or had those strengths because we get caught in some of the issues.' So that's the surprise I always like to be able to find is the strengths beneath the disability.” Host and Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Dr. David Salsberg, PsyD, DABPS, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Director of Pediatric Assessment, Learning & Support (PALS) about the importance of developmental, psychological, and neuropsychological evaluations on children of all ages who may have learning disabilities, attention issues, autism, or even traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Salsberg was the Associate Director of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at NYU Langone Medical Center. And he is Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Neuropsychology at Weill Cornell Medical College in the Department of Neurological Surgery. Tracey's entire career has led up to this moment. Bringing her over twenty-five years of expertise in the legal industry to the air waves, Tracey dives deeper into the world of special needs and civil rights law to give parents the relevant and supportive information they crave and need, without having to sift through a mountain of articles or paperwork. It's about cutting through the constant noise, pulling the most important tidbits out, and absorbing key advice and anecdotes that help you and your child excel on their journey. For more information about PALS, visit https://nypals.com/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Dr. Kimberly Busi about the importance of an appropriate school environment for children who are twice exceptional. For more information about Quad Preparatory School, visit https://www.quadprep.org/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Denise Marshall about the importance of community for families with children with disabilities and how the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) supports families nationwide. For more information about COPAA, visit https://www.copaa.org/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message

Special Education Law Attorney Tracey Spencer Walsh speaks with Dr. Cecelia McCarton about the treatment and care for children with Autism. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tracey-spencer-walsh/message