The Curious Incident Podcast

In this heartfelt episode, Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan speaks with Dani Amirian, a former media executive who became a dedicated advocate for her son with special needs. Dani shares her family's journey, beginning with her son James' early diagnosis of strabismus and evolving into a complex path of developmental delays, therapies, and special education planning. She opens up about navigating Early Intervention, CPSE, CSE, private services, and the emotional toll of advocacy. With honesty and determination, Dani offers valuable insights on building the right support team, staying organized, and always believing in your child's potential. Whether you're a parent, educator, or professional in the special needs space, Dani's story will leave you inspired, informed, and empowered.

In this compelling episode, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Gemma, the mother of “Penny,” a longtime client of Law Offices of Adam Dayan. Gemma shares her personal journey navigating the often-overlooked challenges girls face in receiving an autism diagnosis. With symptoms that tend to present differently—often more masked—many girls, like Penny, are diagnosed later than boys. Penny wasn't identified as being on the spectrum until ages 6 to 7, resulting in missed vital early intervention services. Adam and Gemma discuss the critical need for awareness, timely diagnosis, and tailored support for girls with autism.  

In this episode, NYC Special Education Lawyer Adam Dayan speaks with the inspiring Jessica Salonus, a mother of a child with cerebral palsy and a passionate special education lawyer for children with disabilities. Jessica opens up about her journey raising a child with special needs and her professional experience fighting for the rights of children who require special education services. The episode wraps up with a heartwarming conversation between Adam and Jessica's son, Grey. Don't miss this empowering discussion on resilience, determination, and advocacy.

In this episode, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan engages in an insightful discussion with Selene Almazan, Special Education Attorney and Legal Director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). Against the backdrop of today's political climate, they explore the current administration's push to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Adam and Selene break down the potential consequences, what it would take to make such a move a reality, and the critical role COPAA plays in addressing this issue, along with other challenges impacting the nation.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by fellow Special Education Attorney Arshi Pal as they delve into the crucial topic of early adulthood and transition planning for students with disabilities. Arshi brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, having spent 10 years working in an elementary school with children from diverse backgrounds who often lacked the support they needed to thrive both academically and emotionally. Together, Adam and Arshi emphasize the importance of parents planning early for their child's future—looking beyond school years and preparing for the transition into adulthood. Tune in as they cover key topics such as high school diplomas, graduation, college accommodations, and adult services, all with the goal of helping students with disabilities succeed in the next chapter of their lives.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by Nelson Mar, Senior Staff Attorney at Bronx Legal Services, to discuss Healing Centered Practices and the importance of emphasizing the strengths of individuals recovering from trauma. Nelson, who served as the lead attorney in a landmark lawsuit challenging the NYC public school system's practice of sending students to hospital emergency rooms for disruptive behavior, shares his current work focused on creating safer, more supportive schools through trauma-informed practices and better access to mental health services.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by Dr. Eli Kraiem, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Guidance and Psychology at Sephardic Academy of Manhattan Elementary School. Together, they explore the benefits of mindfulness, discussing how it can help both children and adults recognize their emotions, manage stress and anxiety, and improve focus and self-awareness. Listeners will have the chance to participate in three mindfulness exercises, with Dr. Kraiem guiding Adam through each technique to demonstrate how it's done.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by Gabriela Ponce, a Certified Life Coach, mother, and wife. Gaby shares her journey with Adam, starting with her difficult childhood in a dysfunctional family in Quito, Ecuador, and her battles with eating disorders that began in her teenage years. Now in recovery, Gaby provides important insights for parents on how to recognize signs that their child may be at risk for developing an eating disorder. She also discusses co-occurring issues such as self-harm and anxiety, as well as the effective treatments and therapies that have supported her transformation into the person she is today.

In this follow-up to our insightful episode with Heather Deutsch, a teacher, parenting coach, and founding member of Imagine Academy, Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan explores the complexities of raising a special needs child, particularly focusing on the emotional impact on siblings. Heather openly shares the challenges of balancing the needs of a special needs child with those of typical children, offering valuable insights into time management and the importance of self-care. She also addresses the guilt many parents feel when they miss important milestones in their typical children's lives due to the demands of caring for their special needs child.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Yoni Schwab, Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Head of School at The Shefa School, to explore the impact of smartphones and social media on today's youth. They delve into how excessive screen time is displacing crucial activities for healthy child development, affecting attention spans, self-esteem, social skills, and even sleep patterns. Yoni and Adam highlight insights from Jonathan Haidt's recent book, The Anxious Generation, which examines how "The Great Rewiring of Childhood" is contributing to a surge in mental health issues beginning in early childhood into adulthood. They further address the significant increase in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rates that began in the early 2010s, after a long period of stability or improvement.

 NYC Special Education Lawyer Adam Dayan is joined by Repertorio Español's Robert Federico, Founder and Executive Producer Emeritus; Allison Astor-Vargas, Manager of Special Projects and Education; and Daniela Thome, Actor and Director. They will discuss the origins of Repertorio Español and explore the theater's programs and accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for attendees with special needs. The conversation will also cover the theater's educational outreach, including how they perform plays and conduct programs in schools that foster student engagement in writing and acting, while providing necessary accommodations for students with special needs.

In this episode, Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney, engages in a discussion with Dana Johnson, a Civil Rights and Special Education Attorney, examining the profound impacts of COVID-19 on special education. They explore the evolving meaning of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the post-pandemic era, highlighting challenges and legal implications for students with disabilities. Together they draw on Dana's personal journey with Dyslexia and ADHD to contrast past experiences with contemporary approaches in special education underscoring the ongoing need for inclusive education reforms and advocacy to ensure equitable access and support for all students.

Adam Dayan, a Special Education Attorney based in NYC, engages in a dialogue with Dr. Jessica Meister to explore the impact of mental health on a child's educational path. They explore topics such as perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and more, uncovering how these factors can hinder a child's educational success. The conversation extends to discussing ways parents can assist their children during these challenges, including seeking support from professionals like Dr. Meister. Dr. Meister also sheds light on the various methods and strategies she employs in her practice to ensure her patients receive the essential treatments and support needed to address their issues effectively.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan teams up with Sarah Birnbaum, a Special Needs Parent, Special Education Advisor, and Parent Advocate, to explore the intricacies of transitioning from early intervention to preschool and kindergarten for children with special needs. They illuminate the significant hurdles parents may face, beginning with the acceptance that their child may not fit the mold of "typical." Sarah courageously shares snippets of her personal journey with listeners, underscoring the importance of learning how to advocate for her child within the “system” as well the benefits of seeking support and guidance from the special needs community. Together, Adam and Sarah offer invaluable insights for parents navigating similar challenges.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan engages in a conversation with Anna Christodoulou, Director of Admissions and Outreach at Quad Preparatory School, focusing on Twice Exceptional (2E) Students. Their dialogue provides valuable insights into supporting these students by highlighting the significance of nurturing their strengths while addressing areas of growth. Anna delves into strategies employed by “Quad Prep” for effectively supporting (2E) students academically, emotionally, and socially and underscores the school's commitment to fostering individualized academic plans tailored to each student's needs which are essential for their success.

NYC, Special Education Attorney, Adam Dayan sits down for an insightful conversation with Tina McCourt, Program Director for Rebecca School. Together they discuss the transformative power of the DIR Floortime model (Developmental, Individual, Relationship-Based Model) in supporting students with neurodevelopmental delays. Tina emphasizes how this approach nurtures collaboration among home, school, and community, enabling ongoing growth and development beyond traditional classroom settings. She also underscores the significance of parents actively engaging, asking questions, and prioritizing the bond with their child throughout their special education journey.

In a collaborative discussion, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan engages with Katie Lewis, a Board-Certified Music Therapist and Teacher at Gillen Brewer School, to explore the benefits of Music Therapy. The conversation delves into the daily experiences of a music therapist specializing in providing therapy services to children with special needs. Katie shares insights into various techniques and individualized approaches used in music therapy, offering examples of success stories with her students. Together, Adam and Katie aim to shed light on the valuable role of music therapy in the lives of children facing special needs challenges.

In a conversation between Adam Dayan, a Special Education Attorney in New York City, and Jodi Klaristenfeld, a preemie mom and founder of FLRRiSH, Jodi shares her family's journey after her daughter's premature birth. The discussion highlights the challenges they faced and underscores the gaps in available support services. Inspired by her personal experiences, Jodi established FLRRiSH to address these shortcomings and assist parents navigating the complexities of premature birth. Recently, Jodi's family became clients of the Law Offices of Adam Dayan to ensure ongoing support for their daughter's educational journey. 

In this episode, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by Leah Rosner, Senior Paralegal at Law Offices of Adam Dayan. Together Adam and Leah take a deep dive into what the role of a paralegal looks like at the Law Offices of Adam Dayan, including their involvement in each step of a case. Leah describes the intricate working relationship our paralegals have with our clients and provides valuable answers to some questions frequently asked by those considering pursuing special education legal services with our firm.  

Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney sits down with Abie Levy, Licensed Occupational Therapist and Senior Director of Occupational and Physical Therapy Departments at Imagine Academy. Throughout the episode, Adam and Abie will untangle common misconceptions of what Occupational Therapy is, ways it may benefit a child who is facing barriers with physical, sensory, or cognitive problems as well they will clarify some of the often-confusing jargon used in the realm of Occupational Therapy. Abie discusses with Adam the unique approach and various techniques he utilizes with some of his own clients as well he will share some very encouraging success stories with our listeners. 

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Bruce Maier, Financial Advisor and Managing Partner of Iron Birch Advisors to demystify the process of planning financially for a child with special needs. Throughout this episode, they explore ways in which parents can ensure long-term financial stability for their disabled child after they are gone by establishing a Special Needs Trust. They speak about the legal tools needed for estate planning to better protect a disabled child from being disqualified from receiving future assistance from government programs after being designated a beneficiary of assets. They also cover some common mistakes caretakers of dependents with special needs should be sure to avoid.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan discusses the process of pursuing adult services with Heather Deutsch, teacher, parenting coach, and founding member of Imagine Academy. As a mother of 24-year-old triplets and an 18-year-old son, Heather shares the turbulent journey she navigated while seeking adult services for her nonverbal, autistic son. While describing the seemingly endless roadblocks and bureaucratic obstacles she encountered, Heather speaks about the benefits of having legal representation and the need for resourceful advocacy when fighting for one's disabled adult child.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Natalia Rowe, Bilingually Certified Speech Language Pathologist, Feeding Therapist, and Founder of the First Rowe Speech and Feeding Therapy Center.  Together they discuss Speech-Language Therapy and what it can entail, signs and symptoms to look for in your child, and ways in which speech-language delays can impact a student's functioning.  While touching on many techniques used with students, they will highlight PROMPT Therapy and its benefits as well as what a parent might experience with a child in need of Speech- Language Therapy. 

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan addresses the topic of special needs children in the context of family and divorce law with Andrea Vacca, Attorney and Owner of Vacca Law Group, and Josh Kershenbaum, Disability-Informed Mediator and Consultant.  Andrea works exclusively with couples who wish to dissolve their relationships with the least possible impact on their family by working within the collaborative process and mediation. Josh brings over 20 years of experience and expertise in the areas of education and special education law to his mediation and collaborative divorce practices and devotes much of his time to helping parents of children and adults with special needs navigate divorce.  Together they discuss some of the challenges faced by families of special needs children when navigating divorce and separation — particularly in the areas of financials issues, parenting issues, and finding opportunities for collaboration — and important considerations for the agreement process.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Lauren Koffler, Head of Admissions, Client Relations, and Communications for Shrub Oak Academy, a private, coeducational, therapeutic day and boarding school for students who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, nonverbal learning disability, reactive attachment disorder, social-pragmatic communication disorder, ADHD, and visual and hearing impairments. Throughout this episode, Adam and Lauren discuss how therapeutic day and boarding schools can meet the needs of students who have high personal attention needs and are in need of highly individualized programming and require placements that can provide an outstanding education in a warm, supportive, family-centric environment. Adam and Lauren explore the concept of individualized strength-based learning and the importance of equipping students with the tools needed to develop friendships, navigate their communities, and achieve success.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Dr. David Salsberg, a licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist and the Director of Pediatric Assessment, Learning, and Support (PALS), a multidisciplinary group practice in Manhattan specializing in conducting neuropsychological and educational evaluations for children.  Together they discuss how to implement educational recommendations from a neuropsychological evaluation in a classroom setting, the collaboration required among school staff, and how to measure success.  Throughout the episode, Dr. Salsberg shares valuable insights about understanding how a child learns, implementing “out-of-the-box” strategies, and providing a road map to a child's school for implementing educational recommendations that will benefit the child.  

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Dr. Dean McKay, Board Certified Psychologist, Professor of Psychology at Fordham University, and President of the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology to discuss the subject of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They review the various forms in which OCD can present itself in children and adults. Throughout this episode, Dr. McKay debunks various myths and stereotypes surrounding OCD while highlighting signs and symptoms of the disorder and the difficult impact they may have on one's daily function.  Dr. McKay, driven by his evidence-supported treatment, shares his approach to cognitive behavior therapy and how it can help people to manage their OCD.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan continues speaking with Janice Deutsch, Lead Paralegal at the Law Offices of Adam Dayan, about the process of implementing decisions and settlements after a favorable outcome has been secured.  Together they discuss how the implementation process works once special education legal matters have been resolved favorably, what constitutes proper documentation and the importance of maintaining it, and tips for making the implementation process smoother. Their conversation is a rare opportunity for special needs parents to understand the nuances of what is required at the end of a case so that parents can make sure to keep proper records from the start of the case, which will help to expedite prompt payment from the school district. 

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan speaks with Janice Deutsch, Lead Paralegal at the Law Offices of Adam Dayan, about the process of implementing decisions and settlements after a favorable outcome has been secured.  Together they discuss how the implementation process works once special education legal matters have been resolved favorably, what constitutes proper documentation and the importance of maintaining it, and tips for making the implementation process smoother. Their conversation is a rare opportunity for special needs parents to understand the nuances of what is required at the end of a case so that parents can make sure to keep proper records from the start of the case, which will help to expedite prompt payment from the school district. 

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with a husband and wife team, David and Ayla Sitt, both licensed clinical psychologists well-versed in the subject of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  Their discussion covers various aspects of ADHD including defining ADHD, identifying signs of a problem, assessment and treatment, supports and interventions, skills development, raising a child with ADHD, the role of pharmaceuticals, and managing life with ADHD from childhood through adulthood.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Francyne Zeltser and Ariel Kornblum from the Manhattan Psychology Group, a center for comprehensive psychological, behavioral, and educational services in NYC for children, adolescents, and adults. Their discussion revolves around understanding school refusal behavior including defining school refusal, looking for early warning signs, undergoing a comprehensive assessment, creating a treatment plan, and providing effective supports and interventions.  

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Edward Sabbagh, now a 20-year-old man who, as a child, was a client of the Law Offices of Adam Dayan for 8 years until graduating from high school.  Edward, having benefited from the special education services the Law Offices of Adam Dayan secured on his behalf, has a unique perspective to share with our listeners about the difference those special education supports made in his life. 

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Ruth Arberman, Founding Principal at The Sterling School, a private school in New York City that educates children with dyslexia, reading difficulties, and language-based learning impairments.  Their discussion ranges from defining dyslexia, looking for signs of a language-based learning impairment, educating a child with dyslexia, and understanding the advantages and disadvantages of having a language-based learning disability. 

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Linda Gardner for a conversation about the admissions process for private special education schools. Linda is the Director of Admission at the Aaron School, a private school in New York City that provides a rigorous academic program and a strong social skills program for students with learning, language, and attention challenges. Linda has served in this role for the last 20 years.  Prior to that, she was a teacher, learning specialist, and director of development at a special education school in New York.   

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan speaks with Amled Pérez, Senior Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Adam Dayan, about the special education legal process.  Together they discuss what a special education lawyer does, how special education legal matters are resolved through the impartial hearing process, the importance of proper documentation, tips for achieving a successful outcome, and managing your expectations if you are a parent who is new to this legal process.  Their conversation is a rare opportunity for special needs parents to understand the nuances of the legal process in a simplified fashion. 

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Julia Paris for a wide-ranging conversation about educating children with ADHD and language-based learning disabilities. Julia has been an educator and administrator for roughly 40 years. She is currently Associate Principal at a private special education school in Brooklyn, New York that provides students who have learning differences with small academic classes and individualized therapeutic instruction to help them complete a Regents curriculum and prepare for college and/or careers.

NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with John Civita, Head of School at Winston Transitions. They discuss how to prepare for a student's transition from high school and what types of programs are available to high school students who are not yet ready to transition to college or work and need to continue building academic skills while developing life and work skills.

Jerry Pavlon-Blum, Director of External Affairs and Program Innovation at the Robert Louis Stevenson School, and NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan continue their conversation about the complexity of mental health in school and the parent journey through the special education process to secure services to meet the needs of emotionally complex children.

Jerry Pavlon-Blum, Director of External Affairs and Program Innovation at the Robert Louis Stevenson School, a school in New York City for emotionally complex students, joins Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney. This discussion ranges from talking about the complexity of mental health in school, how it fits into whole health, and what services could be offered to children and families by a school to meet the needs of emotionally complex children.

Rachel is the parent of three children with unique learning needs and is our first ever client on this podcast. The Law Offices of Adam Dayan has represented Rachel and her children for approximately the last 10 years. Rachel is very familiar with the process of dealing with her children's school district and advocating on her children's behalf. On this episode, Rachel speaks with NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan about dealing with dyslexia from childhood, overcoming her own challenges, and using her experiences to be a tireless advocate for her children to make sure they receive the supports and services they need to grow and succeed.

Elisa Chrem, Principal of Imagine Academy, a school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, joins Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney, to talk about her experiences and to give advice to parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism.  Ms. Chrem draws upon her background as a speech-language pathologist and shares relevant anecdotes about educating children with autism. 

Dr. Jennifer Oratio is a neuro-psychologist who has had her own private clinical practice since 2010 and has evaluated and helped hundreds of special needs students over the span of her career.  Here, in conversation with Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney, Dr. Oratio demystifies the neuropsychological evaluation process and discusses the role of the neuropsychological report in identifying appropriate interventions for a special needs child.  Dr. Oratio also illuminates the ways in which a neuropsychologist can be an advocate for the recommended programs or services at school district meetings and impartial hearings.  

Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney, discusses the inspiration behind, and purpose of, this podcast.  Episodes will consist of interviews with experts in the field of special education who can be resources to parents whose children are struggling educationally and are seeking guidance about what steps to take next.