Opportunity Gap: For Families Navigating Special Education

Should you hold your child back a year? What parents need to know

If your child doesn’t seem ready for kindergarten or the next grade, what should you do? What if the school is suggesting that your child stay back?  In this episode, we

The reasons kids shut down before summer break

As the school year winds down, many kids start to burn out. They might lose motivation, feel big emotions, or struggle to follow their usual routines. In this episode, yo

3 hidden IEP benefits every parent should know

Most families know that IEPs can provide accommodations and services. But other powerful supports are sometimes hidden. In this episode, we break down three often-overloo

The case for more play in school

Play isn’t just a break from learning. It can also be how learning happens. But many kids have less time for recess and unstructured play than ever before.  In this epis

ADHD and how eating affects focus for kids

If your child has ADHD, you may wonder how eating affects their focus at school. The answer isn’t about perfect meals or strict rules. In this episode, host Julian Saave

The school programs giving kids a real advantage

Schools don’t always get everything right. But many are doing amazing work every day!  In this episode, we explore how educators are helping kids thrive and succeed in t

Help kids face failure without stepping in to fix it

Kids can learn to carry the “boulders” of their feelings, build resilience, and make independent choices without parents taking over. As hard as it is to watch them strug

Do kids really need homework?

Homework can be a source of stress for kids and families, especially for those with learning and thinking differences. In this episode, assistant principal Julian Saavedr

Introducing Everyone Gets a Juice Box

Discover a new show on the Understood Podcast Network: Everyone Gets a Juice Box, hosted by Jessica Shaw!  This series explores the real challenges parents face raising

Top 5 IEP meeting tips from a parent advocate

As a parent advocate and mom, Danielle Ward has been in countless IEP meetings. She’s a wealth of knowledge on how to make the most of your time with the special educatio

The mid-year reset: How parents can help kids finish the school year strong

We’re officially halfway through the school year. That makes this the perfect moment to pause and reset. In this solo episode, Julian shares why mid-year check-ins matter

Phone-free classrooms: What happens when devices disappear

It seems like everyone has a phone in their hand these days, and kids are no exception. But increasingly, schools are starting to limit phones — or even ban them. What do

School refusal vs. sick days: What’s really going on?

In this episode, Julian breaks down “chronic absenteeism.” What is that, you ask? As parents, you’re probably familiar with kids avoiding school. But when does a feeling

How “bad behavior” may signal anxiety in kids with ADHD

Many kids with ADHD also deal with anxiety. Together, this can end up looking like defiance, avoidance, or just acting out at school.  In this episode, we’re breaking do

Is special education in crisis? Federal layoffs explained

We know the headlines around special education these days are hard to take in. Federal layoffs in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) could affect oversight

What to do when parent-teacher relationships go wrong

Sometimes parent-teacher relationships don’t go as smoothly as we hope. And when conflicts happen, it can make school harder for both students and adults. In this episod

Trouble with reading? Is it dyslexia?

Is your child having trouble with reading? Could it be dyslexia? Expert Shira Moskowitz shares what parents need to know. Dyslexia is more than just letter mix-ups. It’

How to talk to your child about microaggressions in the classroom

What do you do when your child says, “I think my teacher hates me”? In this episode, Julian breaks down what that really means.  Learn how to spot signs of microaggressi

Parent-teacher conference tips: What to say and ask

Ever leave a parent-teacher conference feeling more confused than informed? Dr. Andy Kahn joins us to help you prepare and make the most of these important conversations.

Kids struggling with math? It could be dyscalculia

Some kids work hard in math but still struggle to keep up. Even with extra practice, the numbers just don’t click. This might be a sign of dyscalculia, a learning disabil