The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Radio

Host Dr. Richard Selznick Guest Dr. Michael Bradley Raising a teenager was never supposed to be like this. In today's world, every thirteen-year-old child lives with issues like sex, violence, drugs, alcohol, divorced parents, and easy access to guns. Yet in this new and sometimes terrifying 21st century, many parents struggle in vain to raise teens with 30-year-old rules that no longer work. Parents of adolescents who need help, but haven't got time to read a book, can get the answers they need by listening to this audio book during the daily commute. David Kropp's brilliant reading breathes new life and meaning into the stories, the wisdom, and the wit that Dr. Bradley is famous for. In Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy! psychologist Michael Bradley updates the rule book, giving you the insight, the hope, and the help you need to safely steer your teenage children through the stormy waters of adolescence. Explaining that you are the most important influence in your teenager's life, Dr. Bradley gives you the training and skills you need to transform your 21st century teen into a  strong, confident, productive adult.

At last!  The long-awaited follow-up to the million-copy bestseller, The Out-Of-Sync Child! [is here! The Out-Of-Sync Child Grows Up, the latest in the “Sync” series, offers practical advice for coping with Sensory Processing Disorder in the tween, teen, and young adult years.  As a generation of kids with SPD enters young adulthood, this guide will help them and their families navigate the world that seems too loud, bright, fast, close, or otherwise overwhelming and confusing to the senses. The Out-Of-Sync Child Grows Up delivers revealing and inspiring first-person accounts from young people living with SPD.  These accounts highlight their strategies for thriving in the face of daily challenges such as grooming, eating, sleeping, and managing school, work, and the shopping mall.  Other topics touch upon emotions, family relationships, making friends, dating, nurturing one's passion and developing “extrasensory grace,” as well as making the most of occupational therapy and other resources.   In addition, the book provides advice from researchers, parents, adults with SPD looking back, and other experts, including Lucy Jane Miller, Lindsey Biel, and Kelly Dorfman.   A unique resource for young people with sensory processing challenges as well as their parents, educators, and professionals, this insightful book gives voice to the millions of individuals with SPD, offering much-needed sensible advice and emotional support.

Host Marianne Russo Guest Amalia Starr I Have Autism…What'll I Do Without You, Mom? How to Prepare for When Your Special Needs Child Outlives You  In Starr's latest book, “I Have Autism…What'll I Do Without You, Mom?” she writes all about this subject matter and includes a separate in depth section on “How to Achieve Independence.”  The more independent our children are, the better it will be for them now and after their parents are gone. Yes, talking about one's mortality is never an easy or pleasant topic, but with our special needs children it may be the single most important thing a parent can do. Starr discovered that when parents address this issue head on they feel a tremendous relief. No reason to put this off anymore, Starr's book will take you hand in hand as she shares how she achieved this goal and how you can too. Are you concerned about your child's future?  Then you have come to the right place. Amalia Starr has been a pioneer and trailblazer on the autism and special needs path for the past forty years.  

Do you have a child with behavioral issues? How do you get the right accommodations and appropriate placement under special education law? Part 1 Committee Meetings – The Process 504  IEP IDEA Classification How is classification determined? What is the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP and why it's important to know. My child is very bright and does well academically but cannot learn due to behavioral/neurobiological issues so the school will not classify him? Part 2 The IDEA FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education LRE – Least Restrictive Environment What if my child isn't failing but is unable to learn or attend class due to behaviors? What are different classifications for children and teens with mental illness or behavioral issues? Do I have to use an attorney to get my child classified? What rights attach to someone who has been classified? What if my child has been classified and I don't think that problems are being solved? The District offered my child a seat in a program and I've heard things about it that I don't like and feel it will worsen her behaviors, do I have to accept it? How can parents enroll their child in a private school that best accommodates their child at district expense? Is an IEP a legal contract?    

Host - Marianne Russo Imagine spending the first forty years of your life in darkness, blind to the emotions and social signals of other people. Then imagine that someone suddenly switches the lights on. It has long been assumed that people living with autism are born with the diminished ability to read the emotions of others, even as they feel emotion deeply. But what if we've been wrong all this time? What if that “missing” emotional insight was there all along, locked away and inaccessible in the mind?  In 2007 John Elder Robison wrote the international bestseller Look Me in the Eye, a memoir about growing up with Asperger's syndrome. Amid the blaze of publicity that followed, he received a unique invitation: Would John like to take part in a study led by one of the world's foremost neuroscientists, who would use an experimental new brain therapy known as TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, in an effort to understand and then address the issues at the heart of autism? Switched On is the extraordinary story of what happened next.  Having spent forty years as a social outcast, misreading others' emotions or missing them completely, John is suddenly able to sense a powerful range of feelings in other people. However, this newfound insight brings unforeseen problems and serious questions. As the emotional ground shifts beneath his feet, John struggles with the very real possibility that choosing to diminish his disability might also mean sacrificing his unique gifts and even some of his closest relationships. Switched On is a real-life Flowers for Algernon, a fascinating and intimate window into what it means to be neurologically different, and what happens when the world as you know it is upended overnight.

In this episode, Joel and Rob continue their discussion on the emotions dads go through when recieving an autism diagnosis for thier child. 

Host Dr. Marla Deibler - Mind Matters   Guest:  Dr. Anne Marie Albano   The transition from adolescence to young adulthood is naturally fraught with excitement as well as anxiety. Responsibility increases for the adolescent, on matters of personal care, finances, managing their social relationships, romance, and working on their goals for entering college or the workforce.  Eventually, they must launch into adulthood being fully independent from their parents. For adolescents with anxiety and related mental health conditions, the launch is often postponed, and indefinitely, as each developmental task associated with emerging adulthood seems insurmountable to the youth, and to his or her parents. Dr. Albano will discuss the process of this transition to adulthood and what signs to look for of anxiety, and make recommendations for parents and youth in now to manage anxiety, move forward into challenging situations, and to engage resources found on campus, in the community, and within one's self to make a healthy transition into adulthood.  

Hosts Joel Manzer and Rob Gorski Two part series In part one of this two part series, Rob and Joel discuss the emotions felt when first getting an autism diagnosis

School Stuggles with host Dr. Richard Selznick Michael Hart, Ph.D. is a child psychologist with 25 years of experience in teacher training, clinical psychology and the diagnostic assessment of a full range of learning differences, including dyslexia as well as attention problems (AD/HD). He is the founder/owner of www.drmichaelhart.com and is currently providing webinars, online courses and onsite presentations/training regarding the proper educational care of our dyslexic students.   Dr. Hart has been creating and presenting curricula for professional training and development for many years.  In the recent past, he served as an instructor/facilitator for a Masters-level educational psychology course focused on cognitive learning theory and behavioral management.  In that role, he taught advanced course materials in psychology to educators and administrators and received average instructor performance ratings of 97 out of 100 for six straight quarters.   Prior to his current role, Dr. Hart served as a clinical psychologist, educational administrator and expert witness for learning disabled students in various settings including pediatric inpatient psychiatry, outpatient psychiatry, private practice and K-12 school settings. During his practice, he administered the full spectrum of psychological tests, behavioral assessment tools, affective inventories, projective tests, academic achievement tests and behavioral interviews.  His experience spans from infants to adults and he has conducted approximately 1000 evaluations.   Michael enjoys mentoring other professionals and is intensely focused on supporting teachers, specialists and parents as they become better informed and more experienced in the effective treatment of our dyslexic students.

Host Dr. Marla Deibler  Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but every family faces challenges that can be frustrating and overwhelming. For more than twenty-five years, internationally renowned clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan's 1-2-3 Magic has helped millions of parents, teachers, and caregivers raise independent, emotionally intelligent children and build happier, healthier families?all through an easy-to-understand program that you'll swear "works like magic." 1-2-3 Magic helps you discipline and set limits for your children by breaking down the complex task of parenting into straightforward steps. The 1-2-3 Magic program offers parents, pediatricians, mental health professionals, grandparents, teachers and even babysitters a simple and gentle-but-firm approach to managing the behavior of 2 to 12-year-olds, whether they are average kids or special-needs children. 1-2-3 Magic books sales have crossed the 1,500,000 mark, the number of foreign translations has passed twenty, and the 1-2-3 Magic book has consistently been the #1 child-discipline book on Amazon. Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D. has worked with children, adults and families for over 35 years. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Illinois Psychological Association. In addition to writing and producing, Dr. Phelan maintains an active schedule of international lectures, and is a frequent guest on radio and television. His articles appear in numerous regional and national publications.   

Marianne Russo Public Relations

Hosts Joel Manzer and Rob Gorski give the dads perspective on raising a child with autism.    Todays topic - Finding and building support systems for families of children with autism 

Hosts Joel Manzer and Rob Gorsky kick off - Life With Autism - The Dads Perspective! Most shows and parenting blogs are directed to the "moms" of children with autism, what about the dads?  The Coffee Klatch is bringing an incredible show to the network bringing two dads together to give the dads perspective and interact with amazing autism dads on the show and on simultaneous upcoming Tweetchats. Joel is the creator and lead editor of Autisable and a respected advocate in the autism community, Rob is a single dad of three boys on the spectrum, together Joel and Rob will bring some reality, support and much needed laughs to their fellow dads. Join Joel and Rob as they discuss the challenges of dealing with sensory issues in their children.

Host Dr. Marla Deibler - Premiere of Mind Matters Renae M. Reinardy, Psy.D. received her doctorate at Argosy University, Washington, D.C. She is the Director of the Lakeside Center for Behavioral Change. Dr. Reinardy specializes in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, hoarding disorder, and related conditions. She has been an adjunct professor at the doctoral level and has presented numerous times at national conferences and at local meetings and trainings. She is also the Program Developer of Courage Critters, on on-line and plush animal system.  Dr. Reinardy has been interviewed on Good Morning America, North Dakota Today and the Joy Behar Show. She has also had her treatment techniques featured on Dateline NBC and A&E's Hoarders.   The Courage Critters program is a tool that parents, caregivers, teachers, doctors and children can use as a guide to decrease common childhood fears and body focused repetitive behaviors. If every child knew these skills it would be of great benefit to our children's mental and physical health. The Courage Critter provides the child with comfort while the website offers a fun, and informative program. The Critter is a high quality plush toy that arrives with a password allowing the child membership into the Courage Club. This will give children access to all pages on the website. There are many stuffed animals available on the market, but none serve the same function as Courage Critters. Children often hold a beloved stuffed animal close to them in difficult situations, but only the Courage Critter has the training to stand up to fear bullies and body focused behaviors! This is a unique system for issues that impact most children and their families.   

Dr Pratik Mukhrjee and Dr. Elysa Marco on their Breakthrough study of biological basis for sensory processing disorders in kids In a groundbreaking new study from UC San Francisco, researchers have found that children affected with SPD have quantifiable differences in brain structure, for the first time showing a biological basis for the disease that sets it apart from other neurodevelopmental disorders. One of the reasons SPD has been overlooked until now is that it often occurs in children who also have ADHD or autism, and the disorders have not been listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by psychiatrists and psychologists. "Until now, SPD hasn't had a known biological underpinning," said senior author Pratik Mukherjee, MD,

Dr Temple Grandin - Author, Advocate, One of Time Magazines Most Infuential People Of The Year - Emmy Award Winning HBO Movie "Thinking In Pictures"   An impromptu phone call between Marianne and Dr Grandin lead to an incredible interview on the airwaves.    Dr Temple Grandin has had eight appearances on the show.  Tonight we discuss a topic that we just had to bring to our listeners    "The principle emotion experienced by autistic people is fear" Temple Grandin  

SHOW PREMIERE - Getting out of the house - Easier said than done!  Are you a parent of a child with autism?  Often going out to eat, to a movie, library or a place of worship can be very stressful for autism families, tonight we talk about the importance of getting out with and without the kids.  Breaking the isolation and starting early.    You all know her and love her ..... Dianne Porter's first guest on Missing Piece Autism Awareness Show is Eileen Shaklee author of Autism With A Side Of Fries  Autism is a trip this mom didn't plan on taking but she sure does love her tour guide. This week we talk with an amazing mom, Eileen Shaklee,  founder of the blog "Autism with a Side of Fries" which provides a fun place to share, support and have a laugh.  It does not matter what socioeconomic status, race, religion or creed you are, if you have a family member with autism you have been put on the path of a trip you didn't plan on a path with no predictable itinerary.  Eileen's inspirational message reminds parents to laugh as they face real life battles. Her message is empowering and reminds parents that you are not alone on this journey.

Host Richard Selznick   Guests LORNA WOOLDRIDGE has a Bachelor of Education degree from Bath College of Higher Education in England, and holds a Certificate of Professional Practice from Roehampton Institute in London: "Teaching Children with Reading and Writing Difficulties/Dyslexia." Lorna is certified by the Dyslexia Training Institute, and is experienced in implementing the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching. She has also completed the DTI Dyslexia Advocacy Certification Course and the Orton-Gillingham Online Academy Basic Language Course (Based on Orton-Gillingham Principles.)  Lorna has a unique perspective on this condition as she is dyslexic herself. PHIL WOOLDRIDGE has a Masters Degree in Engineering and brings twenty five years of experience as a consultant, team leader and homeschool science teacher.  

“Joel Manzer is an autism father from Norfolk, Virginia. His son whom he calls “Short Stack” has autism. Joel Manzer serves as the Lead Editor for Autisable, a blogging community with Xanga.com that was created in May, 2009, and is dedicated to sharing real blogs from people tackling the puzzle of autism. Joel Manzer who describes himself as “just one person among the thousands sharing their stories online” is an Autism Light for his dedication as an autism father and for his vision in leading Autisable today to be a helpful resource on the voices of the diverse autism community. “When my son was diagnosed with autism, we searched online for an open source blogging community that we would show daily life with autism. By open source, I mean one where someone didn't have to sign up to join to read information. I've been blogging on Xanga.com for many years, and one day I was in a discussion with the people at Xanga.com and through that was birthed Autisable.com. Our mission is rather basic, to promote discussion of autism. We don't take a stance on a specific viewpoint or concept about it, but want to provide an environment where people can share their ideas and journey. ” Rob Gorski is a 36 year old Autism advocate, writer, hardcore techie, Google android fanatic, creator of the My Autism Help Forums and co-founder of Guardian Locate. However, more importantly, he is a single Dad to 3 amazing boys. All 3 of his boys are on the Autism Spectrum and have other serious health issues. His Autism Dad blog is to educate people and help them better understand what life can be like for families with a special needs children. He shares this story from his perspective as a single parent, in a very honest and transparent way. 

Dr. G Paul Dempsey is a pediatrician and the medical director of Quinte Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in Belleville, Ontario. His other professional experience includes: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and licensed in the Province of Ontario and the State of Maryland, Past President of the Quinte Health Care Professional Staff Association and previously Chief of Pediatrics at Quinte Health Care Past Director, Quinte Health Care. Quinte Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine is a community pediatric practice that provides medical care to infants, children and adolescents. Lead by pediatrician Dr. Gerald Paul Dempsey, they strive to provide expertise in medicine, timely service and up-to-date resources to our patients and to referring physicians. While they aren't a primary care facility, they do offer a variety of services that you won't find anywhere else. Dr Dempsey sees patients that have been referred by physicians for medical consultation, our Special Kids, Special Care services, and Sport Medicine Clinic. As with medical consultation, his Special Kids, Special Care services for children with special needs are by hospital or physician referral only. Some of the conditions for which shared care would be an option include: cerebral palsy, congenital heart diseases, Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders, epilepsy and other problems. In Special Kids, Special Care situations, patients continue ongoing primary care with their family doctor, while he assumes responsibility for monitoring and coordinating care of medical issues which require specialized training, or additional time not available to most family physicians. Ultimately each diagnosis has a different list of needs and as such the treatment options he handles vary on a case by case basis.

“Matters of the Mind” The mind is powerful. It can help us achieve greatness or hinder us from meeting our goals. Matters of the Mind will explore topics related to the psychology of the human condition and the obstacles we face throughout development. Topics will range from lifespan development and psychologically-informed discussions of understanding the world around us to mental illness and evidence-based treatment approaches. Our host, Marla W. Deibler, Psy.D., MSCP is a clinical psychologist and nationally-recognized expert in anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive and related disorders, including OCD, trichotillomania, excoriation (skin picking) disorder, and hoarding disorder.Dr. Deibler is the Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Emotional Health of Greater Philadelphia, an outpatient facility with locations in Cherry Hill and Princeton, NJ, specialized in providing evaluation and evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral therapies for these and other difficulties. Dr. Deibler hold a doctorate in clinical psychology and a post-doctoral master of science in clinical psychopharmacology and us a licensed psychologist in the state of NJ. Dr. Deibler has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, A&E's “Hoarders”, TLC's “Hoarding: Buried Alive”, CBS News, ABC News, FOX News, It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle (CN8, Retirement TV), and CBS's “Swift Justice with Nancy Grace”. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Life Ed with Maria Shriver, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Huffington Post, and Philadelphia Inquirer, among others.

MISSING PIECE AWARENESS – Building relationships for businesses and autism families To simply be aware of autism is not enough. Autism Awareness for us is providing the knowledge of autism and how families and members of the community are impacted. This understanding is implicit in our definition of autism awareness so that all members of a community can be empowered to create effective change. Awareness cannot be a static state. It is through active awareness, empowering people provided with an understanding the means to create change that acceptance can occur. This show will focus on the out of the box thinking and actions being taken by businesses, autistic individuals and families with autism to work together to create fully inclusive and accepting community environments. Missing Piece Awareness trains, certifies, supports and promotes mainstream businesses. We train the staff to provide autism-accepting customer service in welcoming environments, while guiding the management team in implementing seemingly-simple accommodations-but are ones that parents and families living with autism embrace and truly value. We individualize each and every training, proposed accommodation and recommendation to address each company's goals, industry, demographic and needs. We are the only company in the country doing this- so it's an exciting time for us, while we educate the public about what we do and gain an army of supporters who believe in our mission. It is a true learning curve for most potential clients and business owners as we create a new standard for businesses.

Fred Tchang, ATP Director www.assistivetechnologycenter.org     In addition to being the director, Fred is also a hands-on Assistive Technology Specialist. He and his staff help consumers with all types of disabilities understand, experience, and implement assistive technology in their everyday lives. Fred and his staff work with employers and school districts to help make classrooms, curricula and work sites accessible. His formal training is in product design and rehabilitation engineering technology. With a great interest in coalitions, he has kept active with such groups as RESNA (the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America), NJ CART (New Jersey Coalition for the Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology), and NJ CIE (New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education). Currently, Fred serves on New Jersey's State Special Education Advisory Council (NJSSEAC), and RESNA's Professional Standards Board, which provides oversight of the Assistive Technology Professional, or ATP credential.

VISUAL LEAP: A Step-by-Step Guide to Visual Learning for Teachers and Students Jesse Berg delivers a go-to method for teachers, students, and parents who want to make learning easier and more joyful in a way that matches how people really learn. Strategies like Summary Man, Reverse Mind Map, and Constructed Response Magic are intuitive and practical. Berg's light hearted yet substantive BOWL and LADLE process of visually developing ideas is firmly rooted in cognitive learning theory yet it makes learning feel more like solving puzzles than toiling over topic sentences His visual step-by-step methods show learners how to think critically and organize ideas for virtually any academic task. Effective across grade levels and subject areas and for a wide variety of instructional objectives, these visual strategies improve reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary acquisition, note taking, and more. The Visual Leap method simplifies teaching of the skills needed for the Common Core State Standards and gives teachers explicit ways to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all THE PROBLEM: 75% of people learn visually, but NEVER LEARNED how to use this intellectual asset to accomplish work or to learn. Therefore, many of us DO NOT work or learn as productively as possible. THE SOLUTION: The Visual Leap will train, model and support your faculty in teaching with strategies that match how your students naturally think. We will work closely with you to design and implement a research-based solution that meets your learning goals. Results will be profound.

A wearable touch technology vest that provides deep touch pressure to wearers - T.Jacket simulates the feeling of a hug with laterally applied air pressure to calm, comfort and soothe the nerves of anyone who is stressed or anxious. Experience different pressure levels when you wear T.Jacket by directly controlling it from your app, or by choosing from the automated pressure programs one that suit your needs. Developed in collaboration with senior occupational therapists, university researchers, clinical psychologists and educators, T.Jacket can help people with sensory modulation difficulties who are sensory seeking and/or sensory over responsive   Deep touch pressure can help improve the quality of life for people who face constant stress and anxiety. It improves the wearer's attention and focus by helping to calm the wearer and regulate arousal levels.  Deep touch pressure can help children and adults with sensory modulation issues, which are commonly faced by individuals with conditions such as SPD, Autism, ADHD, Alzheimers, Dementia.  The ability to keep track is amazing!  We've got the entire system working for you. Built in sensors measure and automatically record user activity levels (seated, walking, jumping, running). T.Jacket app automatically stores and uploads this information onto our cloud system. It's now ready to be accessed and analysed whenever! 

Dr Grandin is seeing a trend in parenting young adults with autism, the parents inability to let go and allow the young adult or child to develop life skills.  She joins us today to discuss this issue and will be taking your calls.    Dr. Temple Grandin is one of the world's most accomplished and well known adults with autism. She has a PhD in animal science from the University of Illinois and is a professor at Colorado State University. She is the author of six books, including the national bestsellers Thinking in Pictures and Animals in Translation. Dr. Grandin is a past member of the board of directors of the Autism Society of America. She lectures to parents and teachers throughout the U.S. on her experiences with autism, and her work has been covered in the New York Times, People, National Public Radio, and 20/20. Most recently she was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of the year. The HBO movie based on her life, starring Claire Danes, received seven Emmy Awards.

Debra Isaacs Schafer the founder and CEO of Education Navigation, LLC, a company that provides special education coaching and advocacy services to companies as an employee benefit for working parents.  She is also a Special Education Advisor in private practice who has partnered with parents nationwide for over 15 years, focusing on assisting parents of children from K to college transition with autism spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities and mental health issues.  Debra is a speaker, writer, and parent and has been recognized by national autism and human resources organizations.  She has also trained several thousand parents on topics ranging from IEPs to parent advocacy strategies to transition planning and college preparation.

Host Dr. Richard Selznick author of School Struggles, Dyslexia Screening and The Shut Down Learner Guest: Jessica Zawrotny, OTJessica Zawrotny is the Lead Occupational Therapist at Sensational Kids in Marlton, NJ. Jessica is very passionate about new research related to the field and she constantly stays up to date with information relevant to the patient population she is working with. Jessica is very much a kid at heart, and her clinical and professional experiences as well as her knowledge of child development, applied behavior analysis, sensory integration, therapeutic listening and SOS feeding have made her the strong therapist that she is today.

A film that will make you smile, cry and most importantly, think.  Brilliant documentary about autism and the emotion of love.  Guests Matt Fuller/Director Carolina Groppa/Producer Autism in Love is a feature length documentary that explores the lives of four autistic adults as they pursue and manage romantic relationships. The manifestations of autism affect everyone a little differently. What is seldom found are stories about what happens once these kids grow up; what happens after the sleepless nights, years of therapies, special schooling and exhaustive treatments? What happens when children with autism become adults with autism and want to have lives of their own? Unfortunately, when it comes to romantic relationships, people with autism have a distinct disadvantage. Being plagued by this developmental disorder jeopardizes the core characteristics of a relationship - communication and social interaction. Ostensibly it seems that some may never truly experience romantic love, or at least love by a typical definition. However, we know this to be false. We have innumerable instances of people with autism falling in love and having meaningful romantic relationships. AUTISM IN LOVE has captured those yet unexplored experiences. We've harnessed the power of cinema to reveal the truths of this otherwise marginalized community, and we're presenting a personal and critical perspective on the most important aspect of the human condition... love.

An Internationally Recognized Expert in Dyslexia Ms. Barton is a frequent and popular speaker at conferences focusing on Dyslexia, Reading Instruction, Early Intervention and RTI, and Adult Literacy issues. Susan is also an instructor ofPhonemic Awareness andMultisensory Teaching Techniquesthrough the University of California, of Learning Disabilities at West Valley College, and of the graduate-level courses Screening for Dyslexia,Tutoring People with Dyslexia, and Understanding Dyslexia and ADHD through the University of San Diego Dyslexia is the most common reason a bright child will struggle with spelling, writing, or reading. But it affects many other areas as well. Children with dyslexia also have difficulty: Memorizing their address, the alphabet, or their multiplication tablesLearning to tie their shoesWriting some letters or numbers backwards past the end of first gradeLearning to tell time on a clock with handsTelling left from right. Confusing letter pairs such as b-d, b-p,p-q, or g-jSaying sounds in the right order in multi-syllable words such as animal, spaghetti, hamburger, consonantHandwriting: their letters don't sit on the line,  there may be odd spacing between their words,  tall letters are sometimes written as short ones, tails don't always hang below the line,  sentences often don't start with capital letters, and  punctuation is often left out.

Host Dr Richard Selznick author of School Struggles, Dyslexia Screening and The Shut Down Learner  At the Dyslexia Training Institute their mission is to provide education about dyslexia, interventions for dyslexia (Orton-Gillingham) as well as how to navigate the educational system by understanding Special Education Law. Their courses were created for parents, caregivers, teachers, educational professionals and anyone interested in the topic. They believe information about dyslexia should not be limited by geography and we have created an online space where everyone hasaccess to this information. 

The best discoveries are often found completely by accident. It seems that may be happening again for Autism. Dr Theoharis Theoharides (Dr. Theo) from Tufts University, has come across a breakthrough in Autism. Several years ago when Dr Theoharides was researching a completely different disease called Mastocytosis, he noticed an extremely high co- occurrence of Autism in these people. Through a simple survey it was found that 10% of people with Mastocytosis also had an ASD diagnosis. That raised a big red flag to Dr. Theo since having that big of an increase of having a disease within a certain population ( 1 in 10 for Mastocytosys) compared to the regular population (1 in a 100) points to a direct connection. This compelled Dr. Theo to do testing of autistic children and lead to the discovery that autistic children had activated Mast cells. Activated mast cells cause many of the same symptoms found in autistic children. Listen as we discuss how mast cells can affect behavior, language, stress and neurological symptoms. 

Dyslexia Screening: Essential Concepts for Schools & Parents - Dr. Richard Selnick Dyslexia Screening: Essential Concepts for Schools & Parents presents an overview of the ‘nuts and bolts' of what goes into a dyslexia screening program for schools. Helpful for parents too this guide presents material in clear, ‘down-to-earth' terms. "Dyslexia Screening: Essential Concepts for Schools & Parents is a perfect compendium that enables educators to take a proactive stance in the early identification and remediation of dyslexia." - Steven G. Feifer, D.Ed., ABSNP – 2009 National School Psychologist of the Year "Dyslexia Screening:  Essential Concepts for Schools & Parents really helped our district get a handle on dyslexia – what it is, how to detect it and what to do about it, especially as we needed to implement the new state law.” - Patricia Moulton, M.S.W. Special Education Coordinator, Brooklawn School District "I wanted to let you how much I enjoyed your book. I especially appreciated that you point out the qualitative observations that should take place during assessment that can be so incredibly crucial. For example, using marks to show that a student took a long time to decode a word, even if they decoded it correctly. Your book will be a great resource for teachers/districts who are so reluctant or so nervous to identify struggling students." - Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D.  Dyslexia Training Institute  

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In a scholastic milieu where the odds were stacked against him from even before his early diagnosis of dyslexia and ADHD (in 5th grade), David has faced a new Goliath so often, so calmly, and with such inevitable success, it's no wonder he has taken his place as a true leader on the front lines of the learning rights movement. David, like so many of the kids on whose behalf he serves today, struggled through much of his pre-college education, feeling marginalized by his education as a whole. Although his parents and teachers frequently reassured him that college was in the cards, he would have found that message more actionable, and useful, if it had come from a peer, a person with a learning difference (LD) who had finished college. With that in mind, David co-founded Eye to Eye in 1998 while a student at Brown University. Eye to Eye is the only national mentoring movement that is empowering young people with LD by giving them a mentor who shares that experience.

"Top 10 tips for developing a fully appropriate IEP or Section 504 plan" 504- What Parents Need to Know Dennis C. McAndrews, Esquire, has worked for over thirty  years in the public and private sectors in several roles in the fields of estate planning and disability law. He is the founder and managing partner of McAndrews Law Offices, P.C., an eighteen-attorney law firm with offices in Berwyn, Scranton, Wyomissing, Wilmington Delaware, and Washington D.C., which regularly represents individuals and their families in a variety of areas, including estate planning/administration, special education matters, special needs trusts, elder law, abuse of vulnerable persons, guardianships, right-to-treatment cases, and injury cases.  He frequently acts as a consultant to other public and private attorneys with regard to estate planning/administration, disability and special education issues.  The firm also consults with higher education agencies and corporate entities regarding policies designed to protect consumers, employees and stakeholders.

Teen Sexuality, ADD, and The Spectrum Guest: Wes Crenshaw, author I Always Want to Be Where I'm Not: Successful Living with ADD and ADHD and coauthor of the forthcoming Consent-Based Sex Education: Parenting Teens in an Internet Age. Dr. Wes Crenshaw says that a key point of adolescence is to organize one's sexuality. For kids with ADD and those on the higher functioning autism spectrum, that can present unique challenges. If parents have a tough time dealing with sexuality in a typical teen, they may find themselves totally unprepared for what ADD and Asperger's teens go through. That can include anything from impulsive sexual acting out to asexuality to fluidity in gender and sexual identity, and a lot more. Dr. Wes Crenshaw is Board Certified in Couples and Family Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.  Dr. Wes is also coauthor of the forthcoming book Consent-Based Sex Education: Parenting Teens in an Internet Age. 

Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D. is the co-founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute. She received her doctorate in literacy with a specialization in reading and dyslexia from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. She is a certified special education advocate assisting parents and children through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan process. Kelli is trained in Structured Word Inquiry, Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell, RAVE-O and Wilson Reading Programs. Kelli is the Past-President of the San Diego Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. She co-created and produced “Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia,” is a frequent speaker at conferences, and is currently writing “Dyslexia: Decoding the System.   Tracy Block-Zaretsky is the co-founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute. She is a certified Special Education Advocate assisting parents and children through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan process. She has been a trainer for the past 15 years training teachers, adult literacy staff, and professional and volunteer tutors. She is the past-President of the San Diego Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Tracy is trained in Structured Word Inquiry, the Orton-Gillingham approach, Wilson Reading System,and  Lindamood-Bell programs, Read Naturally and a variety of reading and writing assessment tests. Tracy has presented at numerous conferences on learning disabilities, phonics, reading and writing instruction, as well as provided professional development for K-12 teachers.She co-created and produced “Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia,” is a frequent speaker at conferences    

Dr. Hallowell is considered to be one of the foremost experts on the topic of ADHD. He is the co-author, with Dr. John Ratey, of Driven to Distraction and Answers to Distraction, which have sold more than a million copies. In 2005, Drs. Hallowell and Ratey released their much-awaited third book on ADHD, Delivered From Distractio. “Delivered” provides updated information on the treatment of ADHD and more on adult ADHD. He has authored 18 books and is a highly recognized speaker around the world. His books and lectures focus on various psychological, family and social topics and offer groundbreaking advice on ADHD, raising happy children, marriage, how to help your employees shine and staying connected in this “crazy busy” world. He has appeared on CNN as well as on Dr. Oz,Oprah, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes and other shows. In this series with the founding partners of Understood.org, we bring you one of the most exciting, informative and interactive resources ever put together for parents and educators of children with ADHD and learning disabilities.  

It's simple: If children don't understand what they read, they will never embrace reading. And that limits what they can learn while in school. This fact frightens parents, worries teachers, and ultimately hurts children. 7 Keys to Comprehension is the result of cutting-edge research. It gives parents and teachers—those who aren't already using this valuable program—practical, thoughtful advice about the seven simple thinking strategies that proficient readers use: • Connecting reading to their background knowledge • Creating sensory images • Asking questions • Drawing inferences • Determining what's important • Synthesizing ideas • Solving problems Easily understood, easily applied, and proven successful, this essential educational tool helps parents and teachers to turn reading into a fun and rewarding adventure. An internationally-known speaker and workshop leader, Susan Zimmermann is coauthor of the educational bestsellers Mosaic of Thought, Second Edition (2007) and 7 Keys to Comprehension (with Chryse Hutchins, 2003). 

John Rosemond is a family psychologist who has both directed mental health programs and been in full-time private practice working with families and children. Since 1990, he has devoted his time to speaking and writing. John's weekly syndicated parenting column now appears in some 250 newspapers. Along the way, he's also managed to write eleven bestselling books on parenting and the family. As if that wasn't enough, he is one of the busiest and most popular speakers in his field, giving over 200 talks a year to parent and professional groups nationwide. He and his wife of 39 years, Willie, have two grown children and six well-behaved grandchildren.

Irlen Syndrome (also referred to at times as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress) is a problem with the brain's ability to process visual information. This problem tends to run in families and is not currently identified by other standardized educational or medical tests. This largely unknown and undiagnosed disorder affects approximately 15% of the general population, 50% of individuals with reading and learning difficulties, 30% of individuals with ADHD and autism, and a significant portion of individuals with brain injury, chronic headaches, and migraines.  SIgns of Irlen Syndrome include light sensitivity (bright lights, sunlight, fluorescent lights); headaches or migraines; difficulty or discomfort when reading or doing other visually intensive activities; eye strain; or the print or environment looks different than it should.   Helen Irlen, MA, BCPC, LMFT is a pioneer and global leader in the area of visual processing problems and internationally recognized educator, researcher, and scholar. Ms. Irlen has been in the field of education for over 40 years. Her background includes School Psychologist, Licensed Child and Family Therapist, Educational Therapist, Board Certified Professional Counselor, founder and Director of the Adult Learning Disabilities Program at California State University/Long Beach. She is founder and Executive Director of the Irlen Institute, which has over 174 affiliated Irlen Centers worldwide, and over 7,000 educators have been trained to become certified Irlen screeners. Her method for treating visual processing deficits is used in 54 countries. She is the author of Reading By The Colors and The Irlen Revolution: A Guide to Changing Your Perception and Your Life; How a Simple Method Can Change the Lives of Children and Adults with LD, AD/HD, TBI, Dyslexia, Autism, Headaches, Medical Conditions, and Much More.

Processing speed isn't a one-dimensional concept. It's not just about how fast received, or how fast we write or how fast we can process what we've heard. It's really a combination of all those factors. In fact, processing speed deficits can be observed in visual processing, verbal processing and motor speed. Problems in one or more of these areas can manifest and problems with academic fluency and general difficulties….In every day life there is a cost to processing everything more slowly. My interview with Dr. Braaten will take place over two sessions. Within the first, she will discuss some of the more common variables with processing speed weaknesses and in the second, she will discuss different aspects of how parents and teachers can approach children with processing speed weaknesses. Part 2, Dr. Braaten and Dr. Selznick discuss ways to help children who show processing speed problems.  Dr. Braaten presents many down-to-earth ideas about these children.  She will also highlight her model of the “Three A's of Processing Speed.”

Processing speed isn't a one-dimensional concept. It's not just about how fast received, or how fast we write or how fast we can process what we've heard. It's really a combination of all those factors. In fact, processing speed deficits can be observed in visual processing, verbal processing and motor speed. Problems in one or more of these areas can manifest and problems with academic fluency and general difficulties….In every day life there is a cost to processing everything more slowly. My interview with Dr. Braaten will take place over two sessions. Within the first, she will discuss some of the more common variables with processing speed weaknesses and in the second, she will discuss different aspects of how parents and teachers can approach children with processing speed weaknesses. Part I Dr. Ellen Braaten author of “Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up” discusses many of the signs and symptoms of children with “processing speed” or sluggish cognitive tempo.  Dr. Braaten highlights the many factors that can affect processing speed and what to watch for at home and in the classroom  

Host - Marianne Russo Guest - Dr Mary Ackerly What does inflammation, immune stimulation and toxic mold have to do with mental illness and pain syndromes?  Some of the infections and toxins that we know are associated with depression and anxiety are molds. Neurological Lyme is also well known for creating psychiatric complications. There is good evidence that streptococcus infections not treated properly can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder, also called PANDAS. Another source of psychiatric illness are encephalopathies like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever that get into the spinal cord. Later or at the same time, people are diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses, including mania. Toxic Mold, genetics and various other immunological stimulations can cause depression, joint pain, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, mood disorders, insomnia and many other issues. 

    Dr Richard Selznick welcomes guest Ben Foss  The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child's Confidence Ben Foss is prominent inventor, entrepreneur and activist who founded Headstrong Nation a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the dyslexic community.  He is also the inventor of the Intel Reader® a device CNN called “too ground breaking to ignore.” The Intel Reader® is a mobile device that takes photos of text and reads it aloud on the spot to people who have difficulty with text, creating what Ben calls “a ramp into a book.” Identified as a dyslexic at the age of eight, Foss became successful by developing a unique approach to his disability. After years of hiding his dyslexia, he challenged himself to use it as a bridge to the rest of the world, realizing that if he thought of himself as being “from dyslexia,” he could integrate his history and harness his strengths. As a compassionate and skilled speaker, he shares this message with Fortune 500 companies, human resources and public policy organizations, and colleges and universities across the country.

Dr. Carole Samango-Sprouse has been working with young disabled children since 1982 she specializes in the neurodevelopmental assessment of children with complex medical conditions. Dr. Samango-Sprouse is trained in neuromotor and neurocognitive development, neurobehavioral skills and oral motor assessment for children with an emphasis on young children with genetic disorders. She is trained in neurodevelopmental treatment and certified in the assessment of pre-term infant behavior and the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale. She is the author of more than 60 articles on the neurocognitive capabilities of atypical children, Dr. Samango-Sprouse studies the relationship between the brain and behavior, and its impact on school performance in children with neurogenetic disorders. As the director of the Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Center for Young Children, Dr. Samango-Sprouse evaluates patients from all over the world in order to develop comprehensive and intensive intervention programs that are syndrome-specific. These programs recognize the complex interaction and intimate connection between brain, cognition, behavior, learning, and medical diagnosis. Dr. Samango-Sprouse trains and educates parents and professionals around the country and internationally to understand the complex interaction between neurodevelopmental disorders, learning and educational success. Dr. Samango-Sprouse serves one of the largest patient populations in the world of children who were prenatally diagnosed with an X & Y Chromosomal Variation. In addition, Dr. Samago-Sprouse is the founder, executive director and chief science officer of The Focus Foundation. 

  GIFTED KIDS, ADHD, AND AUTISM: WHY TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN ARE STUCK AND HOW TO HELP THEM Hosted by Diane Kennedy and Rebecca Banks, authors of Bright Not Broken and The ADHD-Autism Connection with Dr Temple Grandin. As we have discussed many times on our show taking a whole child approach is optimal in discovering how to best assist children with Twice-Exceptionality (Giftedness, Autism, Adhd...) Once we understand the many factors that underlie a child's giftedness and his unique intensities, we can more deeply appreciate and support the whole child. Our overriding goal as parents should be to cultivate the wonderful and original talents in our children. Everything else-supports, interventions,therapies,education-should be undertaken with this goal in mind.  We begin this series featuring Dr. Dan Peters and Dr.Susan Daniels founders of The Summit Center in California. Dr. Peters has devoted his career to the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families, specializing in overcoming worry and fear, learning differences such as dyslexia, and issues related to giftedness and twice-exceptionality. He is author of Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child's Fears and From Worrier to Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Fears. In addition, he is co-author of Raising Creative Kids. Dr. Susan Daniels is Educational Director of the Summit Center. She provides Differentiated Educational Plans for children and adolescents as part of the Gifted Comprehensive and Gifted Complex Assessments. Dr. Daniels is also an internationally recognized expert in the field of gifted education and creativity. She specializes in the social and emotional development of gifted children and adolescents, intensity and sensitivity of gifted individuals across the lifespan, and the development of creative potential.    

Dr. Carole Samango-Sprouse has been working with young disabled children since 1982 she specializes in the neurodevelopmental assessment of children with complex medical conditions. Dr. Samango-Sprouse is trained in neuromotor and neurocognitive development, neurobehavioral skills and oral motor assessment for children with an emphasis on young children with genetic disorders. She is trained in neurodevelopmental treatment and certified in the assessment of pre-term infant behavior and the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale. She is the author of more than 60 articles on the neurocognitive capabilities of atypical children, Dr. Samango-Sprouse studies the relationship between the brain and behavior, and its impact on school performance in children with neurogenetic disorders. As the director of the Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Center for Young Children, Dr. Samango-Sprouse evaluates patients from all over the world in order to develop comprehensive and intensive intervention programs that are syndrome-specific. These programs recognize the complex interaction and intimate connection between brain, cognition, behavior, learning, and medical diagnosis. Dr. Samango-Sprouse trains and educates parents and professionals around the country and internationally to understand the complex interaction between neurodevelopmental disorders, learning and educational success. Dr. Samango-Sprouse serves one of the largest patient populations in the world of children who were prenatally diagnosed with an X & Y Chromosomal Variation. In addition, Dr. Samago-Sprouse is the founder, executive director and chief science officer of The Focus Foundation. 

Join host of School Struggles Dr Richard Selznich with guest Fran Sherman.  Tonights episode will discuss the relationship between teen stress and anxiety and self harm.   Why do so many girls cut?  What can parents do about it?  In this  interview on School Struggles, Dr. Selznick interviews Fran Sherman, LCSW, a psychotherapist and media personality.  Fran will discuss the increasing incidence of self-injurious behavior (cutting), particularly among teen-age girls.  She will discuss warning signs and ways that you can respond as a a parent. Fran is a television personality who has appeared on the Today Show, HLN, truTV, Fox News, Fox Live, The Daily Buzz, The Morning Show, Daytime and the local NBC, ABC and Fox news affiliates in the West Palm Beach market. She provides expert commentary on news of the day, and has done segments involving love, relationships, parenting, bullying, anxiety, stress, the economy and issues related to educating our children.       

  June 18 Dr.Judith Gould dimensional tools to understand Giftedness  GIFTED KIDS, ADHD, AND AUTISM: WHY TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN ARE STUCK AND HOW TO HELP THEM Hosted by Diane Kennedy and Rebecca Banks, authors of Bright Not Broken and The ADHD-Autism Connection with Dr Temple Grandin. Diane is the mother of three twice-exceptional sons who has spent over 18 years advocating for special needs children. Rebecca, a veteran educator who has spent nearly a decade teaching in inclusive classrooms, is the mother of two twice-exceptional children. Together, Diane and Rebecca will examine the issues around twice-exceptional children—that is, gifted kids with hidden disabilities such as ADHD, Asperger's/autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and related conditions. Their unique perspective and fresh approach will help parents, educators, and healthcare professionals understand who these kids are, why they're stuck, and how to help them. In a time when the diagnostic system is in flux and education is under fire, this program will look