In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

How can we make learning joyful? How can we build schools that include and celebrate all kids, families, and communities? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra learn from Juliana Urtubey, the 2021 National Teacher of the Year. Juliana, a bilingual special educator in Las Vegas, aims to make learning “joyful and just” for all students, including kids who learn differently. Listen to Juliana’s tips for how schools can create a sense of belonging for everyone. Hear what Juliana has learned from listening to her students and their families. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

Related resources

• Understood Teacher Fellow Juliana Urtubey
• Why and how to partner with your child’s teacher
• For ELL families: Why and how to partner with teachers
• 6 strategies for partnering with families of English language learners

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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Lots of kids say “I don’t feel like going to school” at some point. But for some, it's more than that — they flat-out refuse to go. And you can’t make them. School refusal is real, and it’s trying to tell you something. But how do you figure out what that is? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with a family who’s been “in it” when it comes to school refusal. Listen to Erin and Meg share the story of their son’s school refusal. Find out what they did to get through it. Plus, learn common signs of school refusal. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

Related resources

School refusal: What it means when kids won’t do schoolwork

School refusal: How to help kids cope

Back-to-school anxiety in kids: What to watch out for

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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Living in a pandemic is hard. With the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, it feels even harder — and not just for parents of kids who learn differently. In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra invite you to join them in a collective scream about Omicron, school, and parenting. Listen as they ask themselves how to start off — and make it through — yet another year in a pandemic. While they don’t have answers, they hope you find comfort in knowing you’re not in this alone. 

Related resources

• Tips to build kids’ empathy
• How the stressful news affects how kids learn and think
• Why we’re not calling it learning loss

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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What does it mean to thrive? And how can we help our kids become thrivers? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Dr. Michele Borba — a parenting expert and former special education teacher — about her book Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine. Listen in to hear Michele’s definition of thriving, and the seven strengths that help kids thrive. You’ll learn practical, actionable ways to help kids develop those strengths at any age. 

Related resources

• 8 ways to teach empathy to your child
• Self-care for kids: 6 ways to self-regulate
• How to help your child build self-control
• 6 ways to improve your child’s self-esteem with extracurricular activities
• And check out Michele’s book: Thrivers: Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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Many kids and teens love to play video games. But families often worry about the effects of gaming. Are there benefits or risks to playing video games for kids who learn differently? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra get answers from digital play expert and child psychologist Dr. Randy Kulman. Listen in to hear Randy’s tips on how families can help kids maximize learning from popular video games — and transfer that learning to the real world. Plus, hear Randy’s thoughts on EndeavorRX, a prescription video game for kids with ADHD. 

• 6 surprising benefits of video games for kids  
• How to choose video games and apps for your child
• Learning Works for Kids 
• And check out Randy’s book: The Gaming Overload Workbook: A Teen's Guide to Balancing Screen Time, Video Games, and Real Life

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year. But they can also be the most stressful for families with kids who learn differently. So how can families do more than just make it through the holidays? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra bring holiday questions from the Understood community to Dr. Ellen Braaten, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Understood expert. Listen in to hear Ellen’s practical tips for dealing with holiday challenges — as well as advice for how to bring joy to the holidays. Plus, Amanda shares her family’s simple gift-giving strategy. 

• How to make the holidays more fun for your child
• Want Need Wear Read: The holiday gift strategy that works for my kids
• Download: Holiday behavior worksheet for your child
• Holiday tips when your child has food sensitivities

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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Being an anxious kid has its challenges. But what happens when that anxious kid grows up to be a parent? In this episode, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra have a candid conversation with Morra Aarons-Mele, author and host of The Anxious Achiever podcast. Morra describes herself as an “extremely anxious introvert.” And she often wonders how that anxiety affects her parenting. Listen in to hear Morra describe her own strengths and challenges — as an anxious kid, as a neurodivergent adult, and as a mom.  

• Anxiety in people who learn and think differently
• The difference between typical anxiety and an anxiety problem
• And check out Morra’s book: Hiding in the Bathroom: How to Get Out There When You’d Rather Stay Home        

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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What’s an IEP? And why are there so many confusing acronyms in special education? In this episode, host Gretchen Vierstra gets answers to common questions about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from co-host Amanda Morin and their colleague Andrew Lee, a special education legal expert. Andrew and Amanda explain the basics of IEPs — starting with “How do kids even get one?” They also break down the meanings of special education terms like PLOP and answer questions about IEPs from the Understood community. 

• Understanding IEPs
• IEP and special education terms
• Download: Anatomy of an IEP
• What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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Most kids are finally back in physical classrooms this year. But after over a year of remote learning, many parents of kids who learn differently are asking, “Is my kid behind?” To help answer this question, hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk to special education teacher Kareem Neal. Listen in to find out what he’s seeing in his classroom — and why he’s not worried about “learning loss.” We also hear from two other teachers about what they’re saying to concerned families. 

• Why and how to partner with your child’s teacher
• Conversation starters to use with your child’s teachers
• How often should I contact my child’s teacher?

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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The term “neurodiversity” seems to be everywhere right now. But what exactly does it mean? Hosts Amanda Morin and Gretchen Vierstra talk with Emily Kircher-Morris to find out. Emily is a neurodivergent parent to twice-exceptional kids. And she’s the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast. Listen in to hear Emily’s unique perspective on neurodiversity. 

• What is neurodiversity?
• All about twice-exceptional students
• The Neurodiversity Podcast
• Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today’s Classrooms
• Raising Twice-Exceptional Children

Understood is a nonprofit where millions of people who are navigating neurodivergence find clear guidance, practical tools, and people who get it. To help us continue this work, donate at u.org/give

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