Early Intervention Matters

In this episode, Dr. Inyang Takon talks to Dr. Jess Morgan, a former NHS paediatrician who retrained as a primary school teacher and is also a mum of two girls. Jess has seen children in the clinic, in the classroom and at home, and she shares clear, practical ways to help autistic and ADHD children understand their changing bodies, feel safe and ask for help.

In this episode you will learn:

• What is happening in your child's body and brain during puberty, and why big feelings arrive before the ability to "put the brakes on"
• Why waiting to talk about puberty can leave neurodivergent children more vulnerable, and how to start early
• Simple, hands-on ways to prepare your child for periods, shaving and other changes before they happen
• Why a child can seem fine at school and fall apart at home, and when it is time to ask for support
• How friendships and unwritten social rules change in the teenage years
• How schools can teach puberty in a way that is clear, concrete and accessible
• How to teach public and private, consent and asking for help without fear or shame
• Three things parents and teachers can start doing today

About Dr. Jess Morgan:

Jess is a former clinical paediatrician with over a decade of experience working in the NHS, where she developed a deep understanding of what children and families face in healthcare systems. She witnessed children struggling, families desperate for support, and systems that couldn't quite connect the dots. In 2019, she made an unconventional decision to retrain as a primary school teacher.

That transition showed Jess the other side of the picture. She came to understand the pressures educators carry, the expectations placed on schools and the reality of parents having to bridge the gap between healthcare and education themselves. Seeing both sides shaped her belief that meaningful change happens when we bring different perspectives together, rather than working in isolation.

Resources mentioned:

• NSPCC guidance on responding to sexualised behaviour in children, using a "traffic light" approach [confirm exact name and link with Jess]
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health data on children and young people attending A&E with mental health concerns
• Brené Brown's work on listening to and believing other people's experiences
• Social stories, visual timetables and public/private sorting games for teaching puberty, privacy and consent
• Children's books and BBC dramas with neurodivergent main characters

Connect with Dr. Jess Morgan:

Website: https://drjessmorgan.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-morgan-832177241/ 

Instagram: @jessmorgan_

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Dr. Inyang Takon talks with John Greenall, Consultant Community Paediatrician, coach, father of four and author of Connected Dad. Together they look at why dads can seem distant or reluctant during an autism or ADHD assessment, what is really going on underneath, and how parents and clinicians can bring dads back into the picture.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why dads often see their child's difficulties differently, and why that view still matters
• What John means by "fatherhood is an identity before it's a performance"
• John's three-step framework for dads: calm, confidence, connection
• How to handle disagreements as parents: back each other publicly, talk it through privately
• Why looking after your relationship as a couple is good for your child
• The difference between being given advice and being coached to find your own answers
• Practical ways clinicians can include dads before, during and after an assessment

ABOUT JOHN GREENALL 

John Greenall is a Consultant Community Paediatrician, author, coach and father of four, with over 20 years' experience working with children, young people and families. His clinical experience spans neonatal, acute and community paediatrics, with particular interests in neurodevelopment, behaviour, safeguarding and family stress.

Alongside his clinical work, John writes and speaks about fatherhood, parenting and family life, particularly where neurodiversity and additional needs make family life more complex. His book, Connected Dad, helps fathers become calmer, more confident and more connected with their children.

TIMESTAMPS
00:56 Introduction
01:58 Meet John Greenall
03:20 The dad who fainted: how Connected Dad began
06:28 When dads are missing from the clinic room
09:52 Fatherhood is an identity before it's a performance
12:13 Calm, confidence, connection
14:56 When parents disagree about what they are seeing
17:27 Looking after yourselves and your relationship
19:37 Coaching versus advice: you are the expert on your child
22:38 One or two questions clinicians can ask
24:10 Why dads are reluctant to ask for help
26:23 How clinicians can include dads in the assessment
30:08 John's book, Connected Dad
32:14 What's next: While You Wait
34:41 Where to find John
35:10 A message to dads: we do see you

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Connected Dad by John Greenall

Are you a dad (or know a dad) who wants to make a difference but isn't always sure how? Rooted in real stories, clinical experience and evidence-based insight, 'Connected Dad' gives practical tools and a clear framework to help dads grow in confidence and strengthen their relationship with their child as they grow.

Get the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connected-Dad-Becoming-Father-PublishU/dp/1917829906

Also mentioned:

While You Wait, John's forthcoming co-authored book with Jessica Kingsley Publishers, for families waiting for an ADHD or autism assessment

Dr. Takon's Waiting Well series for parents - find it on www.braindiverse.org

CONNECT WITH JOHN GREENALL 
Website: https://www.connected-dad.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohngreenall/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallmedic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.greenall.357 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johngreenall9461 Connected Dad on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connected-Dad-Becoming-Father-PublishU/dp/1917829906

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Doctors told Jeaneen Tang her son might never walk or talk. He is 12 now, and he loves to sing and hold a conversation.

Jeaneen is a speech-language pathologist with 25 years of experience and the author of Play Dumb and Sabotage. In this conversation with Dr Inyang Takon, she shares the simple, everyday strategies parents can start using at home, especially while they are waiting to see a speech therapist.

You will hear what to expect from your child's speech from birth to three, the signs that mean it is time to ask for help, how snack time and bubbles can become daily speech practice and more.

Timestamps:
00:56 Welcome and introduction
02:05 Jeaneen's journey: Hawaii, Los Angeles and 25 years in speech therapy
03:25 Why late talkers often have very caring parents
04:16 Her son's fall, brain bleed and stroke
05:02 How he is doing today, and how music helps his language
06:45 Turning every interaction into speech practice
09:13 Long waiting lists and missed opportunities
10:32 "You don't know what you don't know": why parents wait
15:24 Speech milestones from birth to three, and red flags
20:39 What early intervention looks like: structured play
24:50 Don't ask a yes/no question unless you will honour the "no"
28:42 What to do while you wait: choices, snack time and bubbles
34:47 The progress children make when parents are involved
38:17 Late talker or something more?
40:14 The book: Play Dumb and Sabotage
45:27 Where to find the book and contact Jeaneen
47:39 Jeaneen's final message: don't be afraid to ask for help

Bio:
Jeaneen Tang, speech-language pathologist and mother of a special needs child. Along with her over 24 years of experience working with children and adults with neurodiversity, she also has an 13 year old son who is neurodivergent. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and stroke at 13 months old. Her personal and professional relationship with this amazing population has forever changed her. She hopes to change their world too. 

Resources
She recently published her first book called PLAY DUMB & SABOTAGE. It addresses early language development and is meant to be helpful for parents, caregivers, and educators to work with young children and hopefully decrease the number of children needing speech therapy. Through preventative training, she believes we can achieve success and raise confident communicators. 

IG personal: @jt808
IG business: @playdumbandsabotage
https://www.playdumbandsabotage.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeaneen-tang-707a6730

Her Book: Play Dumb & Sabotage: Mindfully under-anticipating the child’s needs and creating opportunities to practice language 

Check it out on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8WgnAsP

This episode is for general information and does not replace advice from your own health professional. If you are worried about your child's speech, please ask for a referral.

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, Lawrence talks with Dr. Inyang Takon about what a late autism diagnosis looked like from the inside, why cultural and faith-community stigma can delay families getting support, four years of therapy and what actually changed for him, and the practical, no-jargon advice he now gives teens and parents navigating similar struggles.

Diagnosed with autism at 15, bullied through school, and later dealing with an abusive parent, Lawrence knows what it feels like to be a teenager who's struggling and doesn't know why. Now 20, he's a public speaker who helps other teens and young adults work through mental health challenges and low self-worth — using everything he learned getting through his own.

You'll learn:

• What it's like to grow up autistic and undiagnosed, and why late diagnosis is common
• How cultural and faith-based stigma can affect whether families seek assessment and support
• The turning point that shifted Lawrence from surviving to healing
• Simple, repeatable tools Lawrence teaches teens for managing difficult emotions
• What parents can do to support a struggling teen — starting with their own wellbeing first

Timestamps

00:00 — Lawrence’s story: autism, bullying, and mental health struggles

02:12 — Receiving an autism diagnosis at 15 and missing early support

12:13 — Family trauma, therapy, and beginning the recovery process

17:05 — The turning point: taking responsibility for getting better

21:34 — Practical steps for improving mental health one day at a time

30:42 — Why autistic young people may struggle to express their feelings

41:04 — Advice for parents supporting a child through a difficult period

About the guest:

Lawrence C. Harris is a youth speaker and author who helps students handle difficult emotions, make better decisions, and prepare for life after high school. He has spoken to thousands of students through school assemblies, workshops, conferences, podcasts, and virtual events. His presentations give students specific strategies for calming themselves during stressful situations, working through conflict, challenging negative beliefs, building confidence in their ability to succeed academically, and turning long-term goals into actionable plans.

 He began sharing what he'd learned on YouTube at 16 and now speaks in schools and organizations across the country.

Resources:

The Story of Your Life (Journal):

This 111-day journal is for anyone who feels stuck, overthinks everything, struggles with confidence, or knows they want more out of life but doesn’t know where to start. 

https://www.lawrencecharris.com/shop/e5cbad63-f80b-42c1-885d-7d8d9982d8d5

Connect with Lawrence:

Website: https://www.lawrencecharris.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrencec.empowers 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lawrencecempowers

TikTok: Lawrence C Empowers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-harris-8b0177324/

Speaking/podcast enquiries: [email protected]

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

His mother watched her sister lose the ability to speak —  Forty years later, that story is a school that's changed 700 lives annually

In this episode, Dr. Inyang Takon sits down with Dr. Jeremy Tiegerman, licensed psychologist and Chief Operating Officer of Tiegerman, a life-cycle agency serving children and adults from age 3 through adulthood on Long Island, New York.

They cover how families get admitted through the IEP and CSE process, why Tiegerman staffs two certified teachers per 12-student classroom, what 20 speech-language pathologists for 130 children actually looks like in practice, how transition planning works from preschool through the adult services side, and the story of the aunt whose traumatic brain injury sparked it all.

Parents and educators navigating a neurodevelopmental diagnosis — or wondering what happens after a specialist placement ends — will find a genuinely hopeful, practical picture of what a fully joined-up system can look like.

cation Department, and also runs a private psychology practice in Syosset, NY.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction to Dr. Jeremy Tiegerman and the episode

04:39 — The family story behind the founding of Tiegerman School

06:35 — Supporting children with speech, language, autism, ADHD, and learning needs

16:33 — Why language is the foundation of learning

17:33 — Tiegerman’s intensive classroom staffing and therapy model

33:13 — Preparing families for educational and life transitions

43:53 — “Teaching the extraordinary”: Tiegerman’s mission and long-term impact

Guest bio 

Dr. Jeremy Tiegerman, Psy.D., is Chief Operating Officer of Tiegerman Schools and Tiegerman Community Services, a family of non-public, state-approved schools and community services in the New York City Metropolitan Area. 

They offer residential, vocational, and day rehabilitation programs. He has spent most of his career at Tiegerman — advancing from School Psychologist to Principal to Program Director before becoming COO in January 2023. Dr Tiegerman carries forward the organization's mission of "teaching the extraordinary" by focusing on early identification of language and autism spectrum disorders. 

He holds a bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Maryland and a master's, Certificate of Advanced Studies, and Doctorate in School Community Psychology from Hofstra University. He is a licensed School Building Leader and School Psychologist certified by the New York State Education Department, and also runs a private psychology practice in Syosset, NY.

Connect with Dr. Jeremy Tiegerman 

Website: https://tiegerman.org
Leadership team: https://tiegerman.org/executive-team/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiegermanschools/
LinkedIn (Tiegerman): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tiegerman85/
LinkedIn (Dr. Tiegerman): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-tiegerman-01473b17/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tiegerman85
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tiegerman85

Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon
(NEW!) Resource Library: https://braindiverse.org

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Summary:
Ruth Ajayi, Patient Advocate, Public Speaker, and Non-Executive Director, joins Dr. Inyang Takon to talk about how a traumatic maternity experience sixteen years ago launched a career spent bringing patient and carer voices into rooms of power. Ruth explains the difference between consultation and co-production, how she built community engagement from scratch by walking into GP surgeries and hair salons rather than waiting for people to come to her, and what she looks for as a patient and public voice partner on NHS England's Responsible Adoption of AI Committee — including whether new tools widen health inequalities or advance health equity. She closes with direct advice for parents of neurodivergent children: find your tribe, and don't be afraid to be labelled a "difficult patient."

Key Takeaways for Parents and Teachers:

• Genuine patient engagement means going out into the community — GP surgeries, schools, local businesses — not expecting people to come to you.
• "Co-production" goes further than consultation: co-planning, co-designing, co-evaluating, and co-delivering alongside the people a service is built for.
• New tools and services (including AI) need to be tested against whether they widen or narrow health inequalities, especially for people who are less digitally connected or have complex needs.
• One small, human gesture — like warming up gel before a scan — can make a lasting difference to a patient's experience.
• Parents of neurodivergent children should find community with others who understand, and shouldn't fear being seen as a "difficult" advocate for their child — persistence can be lifesaving.

Resources Mentioned:

• Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC), now Maternity Voices Partnership
• NHS England's Responsible Adoption of AI Committee

Connect with Ruth Ajayi:
Website: https://www.ruthajayi.co.uk/
Self Advocacy Guides: https://www.ruthajayi.co.uk/home
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-ajayi-storytoaction/
https://brandangelz.com/creator/LadyRuth

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Antonia Rathbun Lindsey, an internationally recognised art therapist and FASD specialist with 40 years of experience, joins Dr. Inyang Takon to reframe how we understand behaviour in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Drawing on her own experience as a late-deafened clinician who learned to adapt her own body, and her years working within an Afrocentric family reunification programme, Antonia explains why alcohol exposure in pregnancy disrupts neuronal development, why children with FASD often can't "read" their own distress (interoception), and why what looks like defiance is frequently a nervous system stuck at threshold — what she calls a "bristle attack." She shares concrete, play-based strategies for helping children regulate and shows why "workarounds, not stops" changes outcomes for families.

Key Takeaways for Parents and Teachers:

• FASD is caused by alcohol exposure in pregnancy — it's the most preventable cause of intellectual disability, and no amount of alcohol during pregnancy is considered safe.
• Children with FASD often struggle with interoception — the ability to sense and signal their own overwhelm — so meltdowns are often prolonged "episodes," not typical tantrums.
• Labels like "aggressive" or "manipulative" often describe survival responses to sensory overload, not the child's character.
• Physical, sensory-based interventions (deep pressure, movement, rhythm) can help a dysregulated child re-organise faster than verbal redirection alone.
• Supporting these families means acknowledging intergenerational trauma and cultural context — not just clinical symptoms.

Resources Mentioned:

• Parenting Your Porcupine: A Toolkit for Children with FASD, Other Drug Effects, and Neurodiversity by Antonia Rathbun Lindsey — available via Books.by (English, French; German translation in progress)
• The Lewis Protocol
• SAMHSA's FAS Centers for Excellence
• Canada's British Columbia Ministry of Education
• State of Alaska Drug & Alcohol Services

Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:
Website: www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents: www.school-doctor.com
Questions? Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Connect with Dr. Takon
Subscribe: Ask a Developmental Paediatrician
Read: Braindiverse Substack
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Summary
Dinalynn Rosenbush, a 30-year speech-language pathologist and creator of the top 1.5% podcast The Language of Play, joins Dr. Inyang Takon to reframe how parents think about speech and language delay. They cover the misconception that only a speech pathologist can move the needle (parents' time and connection matter just as much), why signing supports rather than delays speech, why "play" is not a break from language-building but the mechanism of it, and practical, low-cost strategies parents can use the moment they notice a concern — rather than waiting for an assessment.

Key Takeaways for Parents and Teachers:

• Don't wait for a diagnosis or a waiting-list appointment to start supporting a child's language — early, everyday interaction matters more than parents often realise.
• Signing does not delay speech — it gives children access to language through larger muscle groups before fine motor speech control develops, and children naturally transition to spoken words as they become easier.
• Parents have something a therapist can't replicate: frequency, time, and connection — pairing that with the right strategies can accelerate progress significantly.
• "Play" isn't just toys — sensory exploration (like mashed potatoes at dinner) is also play, and redirecting rather than shutting it down protects the learning opportunity.
• If you're on a waiting list, don't just wait — small, consistent daily strategies can start making a difference immediately.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Language of Play podcast
• Small Steps in Speech (Amanda Barati) — speech therapy scholarship program

Connect with Dinalynn Rosenbush:
Website: https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-language-of-play-kids-that-listen-speech/id1661880535
Freebie — 5 Ways to Get Kids to Listen Better: https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/5-ways-to-get-kids-to-listen-better
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinalynn-rosenbush-b5750854/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557381098806
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinalynnrosenbush/

Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents: https://www.school-doctor.com
Questions? Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paediatrician-co-founder-school-doctor-25a0b551/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Summary:
Dr. Sudipta Sen, a consultant paediatrician with over 33 years of experience across NHS and private practice, joins Dr. Inyang Takon to unpack what it really means to "see the whole child." Drawing on a career that began at one of Kolkata's busiest hospitals and was shaped by a formative encounter with Mother Teresa, Dr. Sen explains why she pushes back against rigid referral criteria, how she builds trust with a child in the first moments of an appointment, and why a diagnosis should open a roadmap for a child — not define them.

Key Takeaways for Parents and Teachers:

• A diagnosis explains a behaviour; it's the whole-child view that explains the person — don't let a label become the whole story.
• Children shouldn't have to "fit" narrow referral criteria to get support — if something isn't working for a child, it's worth pursuing even without a tidy diagnostic fit.
• Teachers and parents should assume good faith in each other: a child who "looks fine" at school may be dysregulated at home, and vice versa — neither setting invalidates the other.
• Trust-building starts small — Dr. Sen gets down to a child's eye level, shares something personal about herself, and treats the child (not just the parent) as the main person in the room.
• Burnout in this field is real; Dr. Sen's advice to fellow clinicians is to keep learning, find mentors, and hold onto interests outside of medicine.

Resources Mentioned:

• Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's organisation)
• NRS Medical College, Kolkata, India
• ADHD Embrace
• Hounslow ADHD/learning disability pilot clinic

Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:
Website: www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents: www.school-doctor.com
Questions? Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Connect with Dr. Takon
Subscribe: Ask a Developmental Paediatrician
Read: Braindiverse Substack
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

 A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: [email protected]
Guest enquiries: [email protected]

John Fela describes himself as a “Swiss Army knife of disability advocacy”—and it is an unusually accurate description. He brings nearly 20 years in education, experience as a teacher, school leader and job coach, work with faith-based and non-faith-based disability organisations, and years spent creating spaces for fathers of disabled children. Running through all of it is his lived experience of raising Christopher, his nonverbal autistic son, from diagnosis into adulthood.

That breadth matters because this episode is not simply the story of one father raising an autistic child. It is about the much bigger question that begins after diagnosis: how do you build a life? Dr Inyang Takon and John explore the long journey through therapies, education, residential care, family pressures, adult transition, employment and community. They consider what happens when services are built around individual stages, but families must somehow carry the whole journey—and what a meaningful future looks like for a young person who will always need substantial support.

John’s contribution to the wider disability conversation is this whole-life perspective. He challenges one-size-fits-all interventions, brings fathers’ often-unspoken experiences into view and argues that adulthood must offer more than somewhere to go during the day. Disabled people need purpose, relationships and meaningful ways to contribute. His message to schools, professionals, employers, churches and communities is equally clear: inclusion may provide access, but acceptance creates belonging. The real goal is not simply to make room for disabled people, but to recognise them as valued members of the community whose lives, interests and contributions matter.

IN THIS EPISODE

• How John’s experience as an educator, parent, job coach and advocate shaped his work
• Christopher’s early development and journey to an autism diagnosis
• Why no single therapy or intervention will work for every autistic child
• The importance of the relationship between a child and the professional supporting them
• The financial and emotional risks of chasing every promised treatment
• Making the difficult decision to place a child in residential education
• Preparing a young person with substantial support needs for adulthood
• Creating meaningful employment around a person’s abilities and interests
• Why fathers’ experiences are often missing from disability conversations
• How grief, shame and the desire to “fix” things can cause some fathers to withdraw
• Creating support spaces where dads can participate without being forced to open up
• The effect of disability on marriage, relationships and the wider family
• The role of faith, counselling and community in helping families remain resilient
• Why inclusion is only a first step towards acceptance and belonging
• Building a society in which disabled people are known, valued and able to contribute

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
01:08 Meet John Fela: the “Swiss Army knife” of disability advocacy
05:21 Christopher’s early development and diagnosis
10:33 Navigating anxiety, changing needs and family support
14:15 Why there is no one-size-fits-all autism therapy
23:00 When professional knowledge meets lived parenting experience
26:42 Supporting parents and protecting family relationships
30:07 Transitioning from school into adulthood
31:06 Employment, purpose and creating the right role
40:02 The missing voices of fathers
41:17 Why some fathers retreat into work or silence
45:57 Creating support spaces that fathers will use
50:01 Sometimes a dad only needs one person who understands
53:57 Marriage, divorce, faith and family resilience
1:00:59 The story behind Faith Like My Father
1:05:59 Why inclusion is not the same as acceptance
1:11:11 Organisations and resources for disability families
1:15:14 Building a meaningful future for Christopher

ABOUT JOHN FELA

John Fela (M.Ed.) is a national disability advocate working with both faith-based and non-faith-based disability organisations. He previously worked for Joni and Friends, a global disability ministry.

Before moving into disability advocacy, John spent almost 20 years in education, serving as a classroom teacher in public and private schools, mentor teacher and school director. He holds certifications in Montessori and traditional teaching methods and has trained in several specialisms, including ESL and Special Education.

John is a public speaker, contributor to several disability advocacy platforms and author of Faith Like My Father, a memoir about his journey as a parent of disability.

He lives in Lyons, Illinois, with his wife, Faith, and is father to his son Christopher, who is autistic and nonverbal.

CONNECT WITH JOHN

Website:
https://www.johnfela.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/johnsspecialneedsblog/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/john_fela_1

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-fela-0b839920/

X:
https://x.com/jfelageller74

BOOK

Faith Like My Father:
https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/faith-like-my-father

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Joni and Friends
A global Christian disability organisation providing practical support, resources and disability-ministry training.
https://joniandfriends.org/

Special Fathers Network
A dad-to-dad mentoring network for fathers raising children with disabilities.
https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/

Key Ministry
Resources and training for churches seeking to welcome and support individuals and families affected by disability, mental health challenges and trauma.
https://keyministry.org/

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