Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent

144: Different Thinkers: Turning a Diagnosis into Empowerment


Listen Later

In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor sits down with pediatric neuropsychologists Dr. Yael Rothman and Dr. Katia Fredriksen—co-authors of the Different Thinkers children’s book series—to explore how families can help children understand diagnoses with compassion and clarity. With a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens, they offer practical ways to shift conversations from “what’s wrong” to “what’s unique,” empowering both home life and school advocacy.

Three Key Takeaways:
  • Reframe diagnosis as a narrative shift toward understanding, not limitation.
  • Use personalized storytelling and concrete examples to highlight what the child does best.
  • Equip children with words and self‑advocacy tools early and revisit them as they grow.
  • Listeners: Connect with me, Wendy Taylor
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningessentials/
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy‑taylor‑7106b6a6/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TutoringLE
    • Website & Course: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com | Cracking the Code: https://learningessentialsedu.com/course/
    • Find the full episode here:
      • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the‑special‑ed‑strategist‑podcast‑with‑wendy‑taylor‑m‑ed‑et‑p/id1639953041
      Other platforms: https://pod.link/1639953041
      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, NeurodivergentBy Special Education Strategist

      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9

      4.9

      37 ratings


      More shows like Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent

      View all
      ADHD Experts Podcast by ADDitude

      ADHD Experts Podcast

      1,327 Listeners

      Best of Both Worlds Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

      Best of Both Worlds Podcast

      775 Listeners

      Neurodiversity Podcast by Emily Kircher-Morris

      Neurodiversity Podcast

      422 Listeners

      Don't IEP Alone. by Lisa Lightner

      Don't IEP Alone.

      75 Listeners

      Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® by Supported by Great Minds

      Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ®

      433 Listeners

      Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify Education

      Science of Reading: The Podcast

      672 Listeners

      THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST by Holly Blanc Moses

      THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST

      638 Listeners

      Reach All Readers by Anna Geiger

      Reach All Readers

      216 Listeners

      The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma} by Robyn Gobbel

      The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma}

      240 Listeners

      Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers by Sara Marye, Literacy Teacher, Elementary Teacher

      Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers

      196 Listeners

      We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

      We Can Do Hard Things

      41,598 Listeners

      The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

      The Mel Robbins Podcast

      20,212 Listeners

      The Autism Little Learners Podcast by Tara Phillips

      The Autism Little Learners Podcast

      120 Listeners

      The Knowledge Matters Podcast by Knowledge Matters Campaign

      The Knowledge Matters Podcast

      177 Listeners

      The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast by Kate Brownfield

      The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast

      28 Listeners