So many students struggle with figuring out what they want to do with their lives and what career paths they want to take. There are so many choices out there and career paths are rarely linear these days. In this episode, we’re joined by owner of Ask Believe Receive and communications expert, Melanie Whitney, who shares her insight on what parents can do to support their children as they explore their passions and eventually choose their careers.

While an IEP goes a long way in helping students living with disabilities in academic settings, there are many additional needs that appear at home. What types of needs are they and what kind of services exist to support those needs? That’s exactly what we cover in this episode with our guest, Colleen Cherry.

Colleen is a certified child life specialist. Colleen runs her private practice, PlayWell Child Life Services. She works with typical and atypical kids, helping them with basic academics, get through medical situations, and deal with stressful situations

For full show transcript, visit our site here.

What We Cover in this Episode:

How Colleen’s services not only help the children at home, but they help the parents and fellow siblings as well

Why it’s important and valuable to have a child life services specialist

What type of tutoring services are available for students with special needs

What is adaptive tutoring?

How does Colleen build rapport with the children in order to get them to open up

Resources

Help Me Grow – Connection Café

Contact Information

http://www.playwellchildlife.com/ (Website)

Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening!

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If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I23ctmblttqsbc4kagaccwm453a ( Google Play.) It helps other listeners find this show.

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http://www.iepcalifornia.org (IEP website)

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

There can often be a gap between the services a child with special needs receives in-home and the services they receive at school. While an IEP goes a long way at school, there are many more needs that appear at home. Our guest today, Colleen Cherry and her private practice, PlayWell Child Life Services, bridge that gap and provide that help at home. Learn more about it in this episode.

Although schools have made much progress with regards to understanding and accommodating children with special needs, what happens when that child wants to participate in activities outside of school? In this episode, we discuss resources, programs, and activities that exist outside of school that can help.

For full show transcript, visit our site here.

Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How do we build an inclusive society for kids living with disabilities outside of school as well?

How can you find the right non-profit organization or resources that are right for your child?

What educational resources are available to help members of society increase their tolerance and understanding of children living with special needs?

What can you do as a parent to teach your child to be more tolerant towards other students?

How are these programs able to carry children into adulthood?

Which companies help adults with special needs prepare for the workforce or help them find jobs?

Aside from sports, where can you take your child if they are interested in the arts, music, or technology?

How can therapy dogs help special needs kids and what type of training is available for parents regarding dog assistance?

What are the various circumstances special needs children experience on a daily basis and how can society help them?

Resources Mentioned:

AYSO VIP Program

“Autism Speaks” commercial

https://bestdayfoundation.org/ (Best Day Foundation)

http://www.ussailing.org/education/adaptive-sailing/ (Adaptive Sailing)

http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/ (The Department of Rehabilitation)

http://www.goodwill.org/ (Goodwill)

https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/whd/flsa/14c/ (The Fair Labor Standards Act Section 14(c))

http://www.themiracleproject.org/ (The Miracle Project)

http://www2.semel.ucla.edu/nadc (The National Arts and Disability Center) at UCLA.

https://www.google.org/impactchallenge/disabilities/ (Google Impact Challenge)

Staples Center sensory kits

http://airhollywood.com/events/open-sky-for-autism/ (Flight simulation )

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I23ctmblttqsbc4kagaccwm453a ( Google Play.) It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

https://www.facebook.com/IEPcalifornia/ (Facebook)

https://www.instagram.com/iepcalifornia/ (Instagram)

https://twitter.com/iepcalifornia (Twitter)

http://www.iepcalifornia.org (IEP website)

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

What type of extracurricular activities and programs exist for children living with disabilities? We break down the various programs that are available for students who want to participate in programs outside of regular school hours. We discuss activities ranging from sports to music and art and cover how these programs can become more inclusive for students with special needs.

US HR 620 is being considered for a vote in the Senate this week. We wanted to address this timely matter because we have an important request. HR 620 weakens certain key provisions of the American with Disabilities Act, making it more difficult for people living with disabilities to access buildings. It’s important to understand what this Bill does and what you can do to help defeat it. We even demonstrate a live Senator call-in.

Full show transcript found here.

What We Cover in This Episode:

US HR 620 passed in the House of Representatives and now it's making its way over to the Senate

How HR 620 amends the American with Disabilities Act (for the worse)

How this Bill weakens key provisions of the ADA

What additional burdens this Bill imposes on people living with disabilities

What can you do to help? We demonstrate how you can call your Senator and leave a message

Why this House Bill was introduced in the first place?

Resources Mentioned:

ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017– HR 620

https://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm (Call) your Senator - (202) 224 3121

ACLU Petition

COPAA Script for when you call

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I23ctmblttqsbc4kagaccwm453a ( Google Play.) It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

https://www.facebook.com/IEPcalifornia/ (Facebook)

https://www.instagram.com/iepcalifornia/ (Instagram)

https://twitter.com/iepcalifornia (Twitter)

http://www.iepcalifornia.org (IEP website)

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

The House of Representatives just voted on and passed House Bill 620 and now the Bill is on its way to the Senate for a vote. We urge you to call your Senators and encourage them to vote NO on HR 620. In this episode, we talk about how this Bill negatively amends the American with Disabilities Act and what you need to know to help defeat it.

In celebration of the 2018 Winter Olympics, we’re diving into a discussion of the Special Olympics and Paralympics and how these competitions are furthering inclusion in athletics. We’re joined by our legal intern, Phillip Basch, to share our thoughts and excitement for the Winter Olympics.

For full show transcript, visit our site here.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

What the three main differences are between the Special Olympics and the Paralympics

Who can compete in each of the competitions

What purposes do the Olympics serve?

How the Special Olympics are structured

What sports are part of the Special Olympics

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I23ctmblttqsbc4kagaccwm453a ( Google Play.) It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

https://www.facebook.com/IEPcalifornia/ (Facebook)

https://www.instagram.com/iepcalifornia/ (Instagram)

https://twitter.com/iepcalifornia (Twitter)

http://www.iepcalifornia.org (IEP website)

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.

The Winter Olympics are upon us! In this episode, we’re celebrating our love for the Olympics by shedding some much deserved light on the Special Olympics and Paralympics as well. We discuss the main differences between the two, how the Olympic organization is structured, and what our experiences were like when we volunteered with the World Games in Los Angeles.

As a parent, you (sometimes along with your child) must decide whether a diploma or a certificate of completion is what's best for your child. In this episode, we’re discussing the difference between the two, the requirements of each, and help shed light on how parents can make that decision.

For full transcript for this episode, visit our site here.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

What does "graduating" mean for a student living with a disability?

What are the diploma requirements in California specifically?

Why a certificate of completion allows for more flexibility

Can you still apply to college with a certificate of completion?

What about financial aid: does a student need to have a diploma or a certificate?

Graduating from high school doesn’t automatically mean the student is exiting from the IEP

What impact the Senate Bill had on the elimination of the CA High School Exit Exam

What are the pros of receiving a certificate of completion?

Can a student switch from a certificate track to a diploma track?

What questions should parents ask themselves to make the determination as to what track the student should be on?

What can be included in a student’s IEP regarding the two tracks?

Resources

https://idea.ed.gov/ (IDEA )

Senate Bill 172

http://education.uclaextension.edu/pathway/ (UCLA Pathway) program

Costa Mesa – College Living Experience

Email us: [email protected]

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I23ctmblttqsbc4kagaccwm453a ( Google Play.) It helps other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:

https://www.facebook.com/IEPcalifornia/ (Facebook)

https://www.instagram.com/iepcalifornia/ (Instagram)

https://twitter.com/iepcalifornia (Twitter)

http://www.iepcalifornia.org (IEP website)

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matters, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.