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


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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
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