Exceptional Parenting Podcast

Raising a teenager is never easy. But for parents caring for a child with ASD, the challenges faced during the teen and tween years can feel especially complex. "Why is my son having so many tantrums? Is his autism getting worse?" "Is my daughter spending too much time alone? How can I help her make more friends?" "My child has a crush! Is s/he socially and emotionally mature enough to begin dating?" "What is the best way to talk about sex?"

Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, joins clinical psychologist and autism expert, Dr. Andrew Schlegelmilch, for an in-depth discussion about the challenges that can arise for kids on the spectrum during the teen years. Get practical, down-to-earth advice about peer relationships, sex, keeping your child safe online, and how to identify common mental health concerns, like anxiety or depression.

About Our Guest:

Andrew Schlegelmilch, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. His area of specialty is assisting children and young adults with complex social and learning needs and their families be successful in all areas of academic, social and vocational functioning. He wrote "Parenting ASD Teens: A Guide to Making It Up as You Go" in 2014 and is currently working on his next book on the same topic for parenting young adults on the autism spectrum.

Five years of editing the Motherlode column for the New York Times taught KJ Dell’Antonia this: family should be a source of joy, not stress. But what if the rigors of parenting and the chaos of daily life are preventing you from experiencing the happiness you deserve? In this episode, tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks to KJ (author of the newly released book How to Be a Happier Parent) about the simple shifts parents can make in order to reduce stress and find more pleasure and contentment in family life. Listen now to discover:

- The four things happy parents do really well
- How to address common struggles, like getting kids to complete chores or homework
- Why kids’ sports or extracurricular activities should be kept in check
- Why it’s okay to put yourself first

About Our Guest:

KJ Dell’Antonia is the author of How to Be a Happier Parent and the former editor of the New York Times’ Motherlode blog. She continues to write on the personal and policy aspects of parenthood for the Times and other publications and is the co-host of the #AmWriting podcast. KJ lives in New Hampshire with her husband, four children, and assorted horses, chickens, dogs and cats.

Popular interest in mindfulness (and its close cousin, meditation) has skyrocketed in recent years - and for good reason. Research suggests practicing mindfulness can help us improve mental health and cognitive performance, strengthen our relationships, and even reduce chronic pain. And here’s even more good news: children who practice mindfulness can reap just as many benefits as adults, and the results can last a lifetime! Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks with licensed clinical social worker and mindfulness trainer, Gena Rotas, about the incredibly simple techniques families can use to help kids improve behavior, increase focus, and reduce frustration or worry in order to foster more contented and joyful living.

About Our Guest:

Gena Rotas, LICSW, MSW, M.Ed. is a professional speaker and trainer, with a private psychotherapy and coaching practice where she supports women, children, and families. In addition to conducting both teacher and corporate training throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut, she taught for many years as an adjunct instructor of graduate level programs and was a psychotherapist with prisoners, victims of trauma and abuse, and those in recovery from addictions. Gena holds a BA from Western Connecticut University, an MA from Fairfield University, and an MSW from the University of Connecticut.

Growing up can be a challenge for kids who struggle to “fit in.” But could your child’s biggest obstacles also become the source of his or her greatest strengths? According to inspirational speaker (and guest), Winston Clements, the answer is a resounding “yes” – especially if the right family supports are in place. Tune in as Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, chats with Winston about his remarkable journey towards self-acceptance and the family that helped him reframe his “limitations” as opportunities. Listen to learn how to:

- Foster your child’s resilience
- Help your child make friends when other kids view him or her as “different”
- Challenge your child to exceed cultural expectations

About Our Guest:

Winston Ben Clements is an award winning Inspirational Speaker with a mission to create a world where nobody feels limited in what they can achieve. His 2018 TEDx talk titled “Your Limitations Are An Illusion” has been a big hit rapidly rising to over 50k views thus far!

Born with a condition known as Brittle Bones disease, Winston suffered from frequent and painful bone fractures that disrupted much of his childhood. Despite his small stature and his use of a wheelchair, Winston’s story of resilience continues to inspire audiences to break through their barriers to live a richer and more rewarding life! Learn more at winstonclements.com.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Exceptional Parenting Podcast, brought to you by Torchlight. Tune in for helpful tips, practical advice, and strategies designed to help you solve today's toughest parenting challenges. Listen to find out what's ahead in the coming months.

Recent studies show that 1 in every 5 kids now suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder. And unfortunately, some of our most important institutions, like our nation’s schools, are unprepared to help them. Tune in as Torchlight’s Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, chats with Special Education Attorney, Courtney Spencer, about possible reasons why mental health conditions - such as anxiety or depression - are on the rise. Additionally, you'll also learn what parents can do when the school hasn’t been able to meet a child’s needs, as well as simple ways parents can rebuild lost self-esteem for themselves and their kids.

About Our Guest:

Attorney Courtney Spencer has represented children with a wide array of disabilities and has worked diligently to get her clients the services that they are entitled to under the law. She has successfully tried due process cases and handled federal appeals, working with families from towns throughout Connecticut. In addition to serving as a legal resource in her field, Courtney has given multiple presentations on special education law to a variety of parent groups and attorneys. She earned her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and also studied at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where she focused her studies on human rights law.

In this episode of Torchlight's Exceptional Parenting Podcast, Torchlight’s VP of Product, Attorney Carolyn Romano chats with Special Needs Attorney, Harry Margolis, about how financial and estate planning strategies can protect and meet the needs of your child well into adulthood. In addition to learning about what you can do today to begin preparing for your child’s future, you'll also find out how a Special Needs Attorney can help your family maintain a child’s eligibility for public benefits, as well as explore the options available within the evolving regulatory environment.

About Our Guest:

Harry S. Margolis has been representing seniors, individuals with special needs and their
families since he started ElderLawServices, the predecessor of Margolis & Bloom, in June 1987.
His firm has helped thousands of clients pay for long-term care, grapple with the incapacity of a
family member, and plan for safe and productive futures for their children and grandchildren.
Harry is a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the American College of
Trust & Estate Counsel. He has been named a “Super Lawyer” since 2005 and has been
recognized as one of the top 100 attorneys in New England.

Attorney Margolis provides information for consumers about complex legal issues on two
websites he founded: www.elderlawanswers.com and www.specialneedsanswers.com.

In 2014, 10-year-old Melissa Shang gained national attention after launching a petition for an American Girl doll with a disability. After an unexpected, but massive, outpouring of support (the petition was featured everywhere from Cosmopolitan to Oprah Magazine to USA Today), Melissa began her journey as a fierce advocate for the inclusion of children with disabilities in children’s toys, literature, and entertainment. So how do things stack up today? Tune in as Melissa, now in the ninth grade, shares her views on how individuals with disabilities are portrayed in the media and perceived in our communities – and helps us understand what we can do to make things even better.

About Our Guest:

Melissa Shang is an author, public speaker, and disability advocate. Born with a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, she has raised massive public awareness around inclusion and representation of individuals with disabilities in children’s toys, books, and entertainment. She lives with her family in Massachusetts, where she is currently a freshman in high school.

http://www.melissashang.com

Nearly 27 million Americans are currently struggling with addiction. Many of them, sadly, are still under the age of 18. In this episode, Exceptional Parenting Podcast host, Stefanie Boucher, speaks with substance abuse expert, Carolyn Bradfield, to discuss the steps parents can take if they believe their child has a Substance Abuse Disorder. Tune in to learn how to recognize when addiction may be present, the types of treatment that are available to young people, and how to find the help your child needs at a price you can afford. In addition to learning about how to care for your child, you’ll also learn why caring for yourself during this time of crisis is an essential part of your child’s long-term recovery.

About Our Guest:

Carolyn Bradfield is a serial entrepreneur and technology executive with a 30-year track in starting, growing and exiting companies in conferencing & collaboration and SaaS technology. She co-founded Phoenix Outdoor, a licensed wilderness therapy program in North Carolina, focused on substance abuse, addiction, and intense family treatment. In December 2017, she lost her 29-year-old daughter, Laura, to an overdose after a 15-year battle with addiction. As a result, Carolyn is now committed to helping families identify children at risk for addiction and creating strategies to prevent the disease. This new initiative is The Laura Project offering a content-rich educational online portal for teachers and parents to help them better understand the disease, its prevention, and treatment in children and teenagers.

Did you know that the average American child sees 200,000 acts of violence on television, in movies, or in video games by the age of 18? Or, that 16,000 of those acts consist of simulated murders? Modern society is rife with negative images that are extremely difficult for children to understand. And yet, the type of play fostered by these images tends to make adults feel uneasy — particularly at a time when we are seeing unprecedented levels of violence in our nation’s schools. In this episode, author, speaker, and long-time educator, Jane Katch, will discuss the ways that young children make sense of the violence they see, how we can help them deal with it constructively, and how to recognize when “typical” violent play becomes something more concerning.

About Our Guest:

Jane Katch is a teacher whose classroom has been featured in several articles, radio, and television shows, including the PBS special Raising Cain. As the author of two highly acclaimed books, she has explored children's violent fantasies and aggressive behavior, and translated her insights into successful strategies for parents, teachers, and school administrators. In an age where children face danger not only from adults but from each other, she helps create safe, loving environments that allow them to face and overcome both their anger and their fears in constructive and healing ways. Learn more about Jane, as well as how to hire her for workshops, lectures, or consultations, at janekatch.com.