Flamingo Feathers

Oftentimes suspected learning disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD and problems with reading can actually have an underlying undiagnosed vision component. My guest for this episode is Sarah Collins, an occupational therapist by training. She is also a homeschool mom and uses her knowledge of the OT world and the homeschool world to help homeschooling families implement occupational therapy skills in their home.

Sarah shares her own experiences with her son's vision issues that affected his reading skills. And she also shares what to look for and how to get help if you do suspect a vision issue.

To find out more about Sarah's homeschool OT consulting business, and to get links to websites mentioned in this episode, be sure to check out this week's show notes at http://www.flamingo-feathers.com/15

Join the free Flamingo Feathers Community on Facebook to get encouragement and support from likeminded Christian homeschool moms here.

Teaching math to our special needs homeschoolers. Does that cause frustration and headache for you? It seems like math is a very polarizing topic. It's either something that homeschooling moms love, or it's something we avoid.

In this episode, you'll learn about math curriculums that have helped my kids with dyslexia and Down syndrome.  I know there are so many different options for math curriculums, but I can only recommend what I have personally used. And these curriculums made my list because I have seen significant improvement in my kids' math skills using these.

This is one of those episodes where you will also want to be sure to check out the show notes on the website. There I have an exclusive list of special needs math resources that were not mentioned in the podcast episode.

Find the show notes on the Flamingo Feathers website here.
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Are you overthinking special needs homeschooling? In this episode, my new friend Kim shares what she wishes she had known when her kids were school aged--the things that were truly important, and the things that actually ended up not mattering too much in the grand scheme of things. Now that Kim is parenting adults with special needs, she and I take a look back on their school years to glean some wisdom.

Kim shares solid wisdom that she's learned from her years of parenting kids with physical disabilities, mental illness and cognitive impairment. You'll find some great advice for parenting, homeschooling, and advocating for both children and adults with disabilities.

Be sure to check out today's show notes to find links to resources she shared, as well as a list of powerful quotes from the episode.

The show notes for this episode can be found here.
Looking for a community of likeminded moms who are also homeschooling their kids with learning disabilities or special needs? Join us here!

Follow along with my daily homeschooling life on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth

It's a bonus episode! I just wanted to share what life has been like this week as we are getting back into the groove of homeschooling after a long break from a regular schedule.
This year we have switched things up a bit, so there is a bit of a learning curve for all of us in our family. So I hope it will be an encouragement to hear about our struggles and successes this week!

In this episode, I share my love for Charlotte Mason, why we brought my son with sensory processing disorder and high functioning autism home from public school this year, and how our day one back to homeschooling really went.

This episode is short and off-the-cuff, so there are no formal show notes on the Flamingo Feathers website today.  But here's a link to the book I mentioned in the episode: A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola. You can grab it here.

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New to homeschooling this year? This open letter is for you!

New homeschooling moms (whether you have kids with special needs or not) are on my heart right now. I remember what it was like starting out and having no idea what to do. That's why I recorded this episode kind of spur-of-the-moment while I was sitting in the car waiting for my son while he was at dance class. (Sorry for the A/C sounds in the background...it was like 105 degrees outside!)

In this open letter, I share the wisdom I have gained over the last 12 years of homeschooling my kids. Things I wish I had known starting out. And now you get a chance to know it as you start out!

The show notes with links to items mentioned in this episode can be found on the Flamingo Feathers website.

Join the Flamingo Feathers FB community here. 

Homeschool moms are busy. That's a fact. And throw in having to care for kids with special needs? Sometimes that leaves almost no time to take care of our bodies as moms.

My guest for this episode is my friend Carol Ann. She shares how she went lost 30 pounds, and went from being told she was headed toward life in a wheelchair to now being a fitness instructor at a gym.

You're going to hear some good tips on how to fit diet and exercise into your busy life. Plus you're going to hear a convicting (okay, well it was for me at least!) message about how to be a good steward of your body now so you can take care of your kids in the future. You'll definitely want to take a listen!

The show notes, including Carol Ann's recommendations and her before and after photos are all available on the Flamingo Feathers website here.

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Stacie Warner Is my guest on this episode, and she shares about her experience raising and homeschooling her son with dyspraxia (such as dyslexia).

Stacie shares the symptoms of dyspraxia, how It affects school and academics, the therapies needed, and the prognosis for dyspraxia and other embodied learning needs.

The full details as well as resources can be found on the Flamingo Feathers website.
Join the Facebook community just for Flamingo Feathers listeners! Click here to join.
Follow us on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth

Podcast show notes can be found on the Flamingo Feathers website.

Join the Flamingo Feathers Facebook Community as a founding member! Find encouragement and resources from other moms In a small, personal group.

Do you have a topic that you would like to share on the Flamingo Feathers podcast? Fill out this form and tell us a little about you!

In this episode, you're going to hear from a Mom Like You. Stacie Warner shares her story of how her son had mysterious symptoms that did not seem quite right, how they got testing and a diagnosis, and then became a homeschooling family In order to help their son.  We hope you find a lot of encouragement from her story!

Connect with Flamingo Feathers on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth

One of the questions I have been asked most about curriculum Is "What curriculum Is best for teaching my child with special needs how to read?"

Perhaps your child has learning disabilities that make reading more difficult. Or maybe your child has cognitive delays that have made you wonder If your child will ever learn to read.

Sometimes the key to unlocking your child's reading potential Is simply finding a curriculum that works well with their mind and learning style.

In this episode, I share my top 5 favorite Learn-to-Read Curriculums that I have personally used (and loved!) with my children. Plus I'll throw In one honorable mention.

Show notes Include links to all the literature mentioned as well as photos (for all you visual learners!)

This episode's show notes can be found on the Flamingo Feathers website.
Join the Flamingo Feathers FB community for encouragement and support from like-minded moms! 

Side Notes are Flamingo Feathers podcast episodes that aren't directly about homeschooling, but are still very much relevant to homeschooling families.

Emergencies such as car accidents and house fires are not something we would like to think about when It comes to our kids. But first responders such as firefighters are highly trained on what to do when kids are Involved.

On this episode, Ben Bradford, a professional firefighter shares what to do during an emergency, and how to prepare ahead of time as much as possible for difficult situations. This Is an especially relevant episode If you have a child with autism, sensory Issues, anxiety, Down syndrome, or other cognitive or physical limitations that would prevent them from knowing what to do In case of an emergency. 

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Firefighter training
• What parents should do during an emergency situation
• Ways to prepare ahead of time
• How to create a fire safety plan, especially when you have kids with anxiety, cognitive disabilities or medical equipment
• How to help kids with sensory and anxiety disorders learn that firefighters are friends
• How to communicate medical needs to a first responder through signs and bracelets
• Resources
• How to partner with your local firefighters and advocate for people with disabilities In your community

The full show notes as well as link to the resources mentioned In the podcast can be found on the Flamingo Feathers website.

This episode Is sponsored by Rock Solid Knife And Tool, a company run by a firefighter. For a discount code on custom leather products, see this episode's show notes.

Flamingo Feathers can be found on Instagram @flamingofeathers_beth
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