In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

Twice-exceptional (or “2E”) kids have learning and thinking differences AND are gifted. In this last episode of Season 1, Lexi and Amanda speak with guests Penny Williams, a parenting trainer and coach, and Debbie Reber, author and creator of TiLT Parenting, about the unique challenges of meeting the needs of 2E children. For these moms, their kids’ giftedness doesn’t make things easier — it adds a layer of complexity.  

• Gifted children’s challenges with learning and thinking differences
• 12 questions to ask the school about 2E students
• A unique IEP solution for our twice-exceptional son
• Debbie Reber’s TiLT Parenting Podcast
• Penny Williams’ Parenting ADHD Podcast

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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When does being “bad at math” mean something more? For Lily, a Missouri teen with dyscalculia, math struggles go a lot further than math class. On this episode, we go inside Lily’s world and experience the unexpected challenges that pop up because of her math learning disability. Amanda and Lexi talk with expert Daniel Ansari about why dyscalculia is underdiagnosed. And they hear from parents who called in to share what math challenges are like in their family.  

• Understanding dyscalculia
• 10 surprising ways dyscalculia impacts kids
• Math anxiety vs. dyscalculia: Comparing the signs
• Video: Why is dyslexia diagnosed more often than dyscalculia?
• What “I’m not a math person” means to me

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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Who do you tell? When? Telling people your child has ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning challenges is a big, complicated decision. Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright talk with families whose experiences range from triumphant to cautionary. Gimlet Media’s Wilson Standish shares why he’s still cautious about disclosing. And expert Manju Banerjee explains how to pass the disclosure torch to your young adult child. 

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

• Tips for talking with family members about your child’s challenges
• Pros and cons of disclosing learning and thinking differences at college
   

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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It’s scary — in the moment and even recalling it years later. Reading out loud in front of a group when you have dyslexia can be legitimately awful. Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright dig into this fear with a mom whose son stumbled over reading his own name in front of his class. They hear from other parents, too, and hockey champion Brent Sopel. Expert Bob Cunningham also weighs in with insight on whether kids really do need to read out loud, and how to make the experience better for kids who struggle with reading.  

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

• Video: Stanley Cup champ Brent Sopel on hiding reading struggles “behind his stick”
• Video: Gavin Newsom opens up about his dyslexia
• One of my scariest moments as a child with dyslexia? Reading aloud during Passover

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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It’s a dreaded (and hurtful) question that families get asked too often: “Is ADHD even real?” Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright hear from parents of kids with ADHD who’ve muddled through explaining their child’s attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity issues to family and friends. And they hear from expert Stephanie Sarkis, PhD, about the brain science behind ADHD. 

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

• “Is ADHD real?” How I respond when people doubt ADHD
• Common myths about ADHD
• Stephanie Sarkis, PhD: My wild family history of ADHD

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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On this first episode of In It, hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright dig into why emotions tend to run high in IEP meetings. They talk with comedian Dena Blizzard about her (very) public reaction to a disappointing IEP meeting. They hear from other parents who have gotten emotional when discussing the needs of their kids struggling in school. And they also connect with expert Mark Griffin, PhD, about what’s at stake during these meetings. 

• Our community weighs in: Crying at IEP meetings
• Mom’s emotional video about IEP frustration goes viral
• 5 questions with Dena Blizzard, comedian and parent of a child with learning and thinking differences

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.