For many families, the biggest unanswered question in special education is what happens after high school, and how to prepare young people for real independence in a world that isn’t always designed for them.

In this episode, host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with John Civita, longtime educator and leader of the Transitions Program at Winston Preparatory School, to explore what meaningful postsecondary preparation truly looks like for neurodivergent students.

John shares his unconventional path into education and how Winston Prep’s one-to-one model evolved into a robust transition program focused not just on academics, but on life skills, self-advocacy, and confidence. Together, they unpack what families often miss when planning for adulthood, and why independence is built through intentional practice, not pressure.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

🟡 What “transition” really means beyond graduation, and why it should start earlier than most families expect
🟡How Winston Prep’s individualized approach helps students build independence without sacrificing support
🟡Why executive functioning, communication, and self-advocacy are as critical as academic skills
🟡The role of real-world experiences in preparing students for college, work, and adult life
🟡How educators and families can collaborate to reduce anxiety and increase readiness
🟡Why there is no single path to success, and how honoring each student’s trajectory changes outcomes

“At the heart of transition work is helping students understand themselves, what they need, how they learn, and how to ask for support in a world that won’t automatically offer it.” – John Civita

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and advocates thinking about the long game of special education. Whether your child is approaching high school, already in a transition program, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and a powerful reminder that independence is not a destination, it’s a process.

Press play to learn how thoughtful transition planning can turn uncertainty into possibility, and help young people step into adulthood with dignity, agency, and confidence.

John Civita, M.Ed. is a seasoned educator and program leader with over 20 years of experience supporting neurodiverse adolescents and young adults. As Director of Transitions Programming at Winston Transitions, John designs and oversees individualized programming for students ages 17–21+ focused on building confidence, life skills, and readiness for adult life.

In his work, John specializes in language and non-verbal processing, executive functioning, social-emotional development, and real-world skill building. Under his leadership, Winston Transitions, across New York City and San Francisco campuses, has become widely respected for bridging the gap between high school and adulthood through a highly personalized, strengths-based approach.

John brings a grounded, compassionate perspective on what true independence looks like, and how families and educators can support young people in developing the confidence, self-awareness, and practical skills needed to navigate adult life with dignity and purpose.

Behind every delayed tuition payment is a family left in limbo. This episode pulls back the curtain on what’s really going on.

Host Tracey Spencer Walsh is joined by Matthew Delforte, a veteran education attorney, for an eye-opening conversation about the deep systemic failures surrounding tuition reimbursement, impartial hearing orders, and how the Department of Education’s delays are devastating families and schools.

Together, they break down the urgent issues and the bold solutions proposed to fix them.

Here is what you’ll take away from this important conversation:

🟡 What’s really happening behind the scenes when the DOE delays paying court-ordered tuition reimbursements
🟡 Why some families are waiting 1–2 years for money they’re legally owed, and the emotional and financial toll that takes
🟡 How nonpublic schools are being pushed to the brink of closure due to millions in unpaid tuition
🟡 What the Special Master’s report revealed about the DOE’s broken systems
🟡 Why NYC families are being forced to file federal lawsuits to enforce basic education rights
🟡 The legislation being proposed to withhold DOE funding until they comply with the law

“This is scarring families, and it shouldn’t be this hard to get what your child is legally entitled to.” – Matthew Delforte

This episode is a powerful look at the intersection of education, justice, and civil rights in NYC.  Whether you're a parent, advocate, or educator, this conversation will give you critical insight into how we got here and what needs to change.

🎧 Hit play now and join the fight for transparency, accountability, and a fair shot for every child.

Matthew J. Delforte, J.D.
Matthew J. Delforte is a partner at Shebitz Berman & Delforte, P.C., where he leads the firm’s education law practice. He represents public and private schools, colleges, and universities across New York, including charter schools,private schools, and schools for children with disabilities. A passionate advocate for children with special needs, Mr. Delforte has worked on the creation of specialized schools, and represented Early Intervention, SEIT, and related service providers in matters of compliance, contracts and more.

An experienced legal educator, Mr. Delforte has also servedas a Special Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School and as an adjunct professor at the College of St. Rose and Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education, teaching Education Law for many years.

He earned his J.D. from the City University of New YorkSchool of Law and his undergraduate degree from St. Bonaventure University. Admitted to practice in New York State, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the federal courts in New York, Mr. Delforte combines extensive legal expertise with acommitment to advancing education and fighting for students’ rights, particularly for children with disabilities and special needs.

Matthew’s passion and deep understanding of both the legalframework and the realities families face make him a trusted advocate. He challenges broken systems, raises public awareness, and fights to ensure that every child receives the education they need and deserve.

For so many students today, the biggest barrier to learning isn’t ability. It’s anxiety, burnout, and feeling unseen.

In this episode, host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with Dr. Lauren Bleggi, Head of School at SAGE Alliance New York City, to explore how therapeutic education can redefine what success looks like for students struggling with mental health challenges.

Dr. Bleggi shares her personal journey from classroom teacher to school counselor to head of a groundbreaking therapeutic school opening in Manhattan, where academics and emotional well-being are treated as inseparable. Together, they discuss how SAGE Alliance helps students rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning, and prepare for life after high school, with compassion, structure, and purpose.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

🟡 What makes a therapeutic school different and why many academically capable students need this kind of environment

🟡 How SAGE Alliance blends rigorous academics with individualized therapy and social-emotional skill building

🟡 Why success isn’t “graduation”. It’s helping students rediscover joy, connection, and self-belief

🟡 The mental health trends Dr. Bleggi sees post-pandemic and how schools can respond

🟡 How positive affirmations and flexible classroom strategies can transform self-talk and test anxiety

🟡 The importance of family partnership and why parent self-regulation is key to student success

“If you have 20% and you give me 20%, you actually gave me 100% that day. What can you give me today? I will meet you there.” - Dr. Lauren Bleggi

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and advocates seeking solutions for students who are bright, capable, and struggling to thrive in traditional settings. Learn how the SAGE Alliance model is helping students and their families build the confidence and coping skills not just to attend school, but to love learning again.

Press play to hear how empathy, innovation, and therapeutic support can create schools where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success.

Dr. Lauren Bleggi, Ed.D.

Head of School, SAGE Alliance New York City

Dr. Lauren Bleggi is a licensed educator and school leader dedicated to creating environments where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. She began her career in education with a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and soon discovered her passion for supporting students’ mental health and personal growth. This led her to earn an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah, specializing in College and Career Readiness.

After years as a high school counselor, helping students navigate academics, social-emotional development, and postsecondary planning, Dr. Bleggi pursued her Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. Her doctoral work focused on parental self-regulation, reinforcing her commitment to supporting both students and families through the educational process.

An experienced leader in curriculum development, social-emotional learning (SEL), and data-driven school improvement, Dr. Bleggi brings a collaborative and compassionate approach to every level of education. Today, as Head of School at SAGE Alliance New York City, she continues her mission to bridge academic rigor and therapeutic support, helping students rediscover confidence, purpose, and the joy of learning.

For many families, confusion and frustration in the special education process come from the same place, a system that lacks transparency, support, and trust.

In this episode, host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with Dr. Alexis Sporkin, Licensed Psychologist, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, and Clinical Director at BridgeKids, who helps families and educators navigate the complex world of autism evaluations, IEPs, and advocacy.

Together, they unpack what a quality autism assessment really looks like, how parents can prepare for IEP meetings with confidence, and what it means to build a system centered on collaboration, dignity, and informed choice, not red tape.

Here is what you'll take away from this episode:

🟡 What to look for in a comprehensive autism evaluation and why not all assessments are created equal
🟡 How to advocate effectively in IEP meetings using the right language (hint: “appropriate,” not “best”)
🟡 Why parents shouldn’t have to fight year after year for services their children are entitled to
🟡 The NYC resources every family should know, from INCLUDEnyc to Advocates for Children
🟡 How understanding your rights can transform frustration into empowerment
🟡 Why “families don’t know what they don’t know” and how professionals can change that

“Families don’t know what they don’t know. That’s not fair when they’re doing their best. Our role is to give them the information and confidence they deserve to make the right decisions for their child.” - Dr. Alexis Sporkin

This episode is a must-listen for any parent, advocate, or educator navigating the special education system. Whether you’re preparing for an IEP meeting, seeking clarity after a diagnosis, or just want to feel less alone in the process, Dr. Sporkin offers the insight and reassurance every family deserves.

Press play now to learn how knowledge, empathy, and advocacy can turn a complex system into a pathway for growth.

Dr. Alexis Sporkin is a Licensed Psychologist, NYS Certified School Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Licensed Behavior Analyst.

She earned her Doctoral degree and BCBA through St. John’s University, where she led the development of an innovative program integrating Applied Behavior Analysis and School Psychology, two interrelated fields that continue to shape her clinical expertise and approach today.

With over a decade of experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dr. Sporkin also brings deep expertise in supporting those with anxiety, ADHD, learning delays, and other developmental disabilities. She specializes in comprehensive assessments, including diagnostic evaluations and functional behavior assessments, designed to identify each individual’s strengths and needs with precision and care.

Her work spans direct therapy, school consultations, and functional behavior assessments, always guided by a deep respect for the individuality of each child.

A passionate advocate for equitable education and early intervention, Dr. Sporkin’s mission is to bridge the gap between science, systems, and families looking for answers and support.

Host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with Dr. Cecelia “Cece” McCarton, a pioneering developmental pediatrician and founder of the McCarton Foundation, for an illuminating conversation about autism, early intervention, and what it really takes to help every child reach their potential.

With over four decades of groundbreaking work in developmental pediatrics, Dr. McCarton shares how her experience in the South Bronx inspired a lifelong mission to build programs that combine clinical care, education, and compassion for children with autism and developmental delays.

Here is what you'll take away from this important conversation:

🟡 How Dr. McCarton’s personal and professional journey led to founding the first integrated autism centers in New York City
🟡 Why early intervention, starting as young as 18 months, can dramatically change outcomes
🟡 What parents need to know about sensory regulation and why “play” is often powerful therapy
🟡 The lasting effects of COVID-19 on children with autism and the surprising silver linings that emerged
🟡 How collaborative, interdisciplinary care can transform lives and why funding and policy still fall short

“Autistic children are incredibly gifted. We spend so much time trying to ‘fix’ them, when we should be celebrating their strengths and helping them shine.” — Dr. Cecelia McCarton

This episode is a heartfelt masterclass on hope, science, and advocacy. Whether you’re a parent, educator, therapist, or policymaker, Dr. McCarton’s story will leave you inspired to see autism, and potential itself, through a new lens.

Dr. Cecelia McCarton is a pioneering developmental pediatrician whose career began over forty years ago in the South Bronx, where she served as Clinical Director of a high-risk infant project. Witnessing firsthand the profound challenges and resilience of families caring for vulnerable children, she dedicated her life to creating meaningful solutions for those too often overlooked by the system.

Driven by compassion and determination, Dr. McCarton founded The McCarton Center for Developmental Pediatrics, the first program of its kind to offer integrated evaluations and therapies for children with developmental disorders under one roof. As autism diagnoses rose, her comprehensive model became internationally recognized for its success, leading to the creation of the McCarton School, The Children’s Academy, and now, the McCarton Foundation’s Early Intervention Center in the Bronx.

Through decades of tireless work, Dr. McCarton has redefined what’s possible in care and education for children with autism and developmental differences, guided by one unwavering belief: every child has potential and deserves the opportunity to reach it.

Host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with Anil Babbar, attorney, technologist, and founder of Guardian Watch AI, for a gripping and deeply personal conversation about transforming tragedy into innovation. After his son, a young man with autism, suffered horrific abuse in a residential program, Anil turned his grief into action, building an AI-powered platform designed to safeguard vulnerable populations through real-time anomaly detection and video monitoring.

With decades of experience in finance, law, and artificial intelligence, Anil shares how Guardian Watch AI aims to close the accountability gaps in residential care facilities, nursing homes, and beyond.

Together, he and Tracey confront the systemic failures that allow abuse to persist and explore the promise, and ethical complexities, of technology as a guardian for those who cannot protect themselves.

What you will take away from this difficult but vital conversation:

🟡 How a personal tragedy led to the creation of Guardian Watch AI
🟡 Why abuse in residential and care facilities is far more widespread than reported
🟡 How computer vision and AI can detect anomalies, preserve evidence, and alert caregivers in near real-time
🟡 The urgent need for legislation mandating cameras and oversight in facilities housing vulnerable people
🟡 The balance between privacy, accountability, and safety in caregiving environments
🟡 How listeners can get involved by contributing video data, advocating for legislation, and raising their voices for systemic reform

“We as a society will be judged by future generations for how we treat our most vulnerable. Right now, we’re getting a failing grade.” -Anil Babbar

This episode is both a call to action and a glimpse into how technology can reshape protection and accountability for people who cannot advocate for themselves. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, policymaker, or advocate, Anil’s story and vision will leave you informed, outraged, and inspired to act.

Press play now to hear how one father’s fight could change the future of care and safety for thousands.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Host Tracey Spencer Walsh sits down with Dr. Lydia Soifer, a renowned language pathologist, teacher trainer, and founder of the Soifer Center, for a thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of language, learning, and teaching.

With decades of experience in interdisciplinary clinical and educational settings, Dr. Soifer breaks down the science of language development and the practical strategies teachers and families need to support children with diverse learning needs.

🟡 Why language, and not just speech, is the foundation of learning and literacy

🟡 The difference between modifying curriculum and truly teaching a child in the way they learn

🟡 How to recognize when behavior is masking a deeper language processing challenge

🟡 What teachers can do every day to reach students with language-based learning differences

🟡 Why students need to know how they learn, not just what they’re learning

🟡 What it would take to build real interdisciplinary collaboration in public schools

“Language is the vehicle that drives the curriculum. If teachers don’t understand how children use and process language, they can’t teach effectively.”  - Dr. Lydia Soifer

This episode is a masterclass in how language impacts every aspect of a child’s academic and emotional development. Whether you’re a parent of a struggling reader, a new teacher trying to reach every student, or an advocate pushing for more support in schools, Dr. Soifer’s insights will leave you better informed and inspired to act.

🎧 Press play now and rethink what it really means to teach, to learn, and to connect.

Dr. Lydia Soifer is a language pathologist, educator, and founder of The Soifer Center, a multidisciplinary practice dedicated to supporting children with learning and language differences. With over 45 years of experience in clinical, academic, and consultative roles, she is widely respected for her expertise in language development, literacy, and educational advocacy.

Dr. Soifer has served as an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has trained generations of educators and clinicians in understanding the role of language in learning. Her work spans public and private school systems, and she is known for bridging the gap between research-based theory and everyday classroom practice. She continues to challenge outdated educational models, championing interdisciplinary teamwork, and reminding educators that effective teaching starts with understanding how children think, communicate, and make meaning of the world around them.

For students with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, finding the right school environment can make all the difference.

What does can the right environment look like:

🟡 Classrooms that respect individuality.

🟡 Sensory integration that empowers self-regulation.

🟡 Programs designed to build real communication and connection.

In this episode, Tina McCourt,  joins host Tracey Spencer Walsh to discuss how the Rebecca School’s unique approach, grounded in the DIR / Floortime model, is transforming lives.

From founding one of the first DIR-based schools in NYC to expanding services into Westchester, Tina has spent over 30 years advocating for dignity, understanding, and real choice in special education.

With passion and clarity, Tina and Tracey unpack the barriers families face, especially within the NYC DOE system, and what it truly means to center student needs and parent voices in educational planning.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🟡 The core principles of DIR / Floortime and why they matter for students with autism & communication delays

🟡 Why student sensory needs must be addressed proactively to foster learning

🟡 How the Rebecca School empowers students through strong student-teacher ratios, individualized plans, and family collaboration

🟡 The urgent need for parent choice and why the IEP process often fails to reflect a child’s real needs

🟡 How respectful communication and continuous “circles of interaction” unlock growth and friendships

🟡 What it takes to transition students to less restrictive environments and prepare them for success

"Brains develop over time. The window doesn’t close. Our goal is to help every child move forward developmentally by meeting them where they are, respecting who they are, and empowering them to thrive." – Tina McCourt

This conversation is essential listening for any parent, educator, or advocate navigating the special education system. If you’ve ever felt like the system doesn’t truly “see” your child, this episode offers hope and a vision for what’s possible.

When your child needs special education support, the journey can feel frustrating, disorienting, and lonely. With long waitlists and limited access to the right resources, a system meant to serve too often overwhelms rather than empowers families looking for help.

In this episode, NYC First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro and Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti join host Tracey Spencer Walsh for a powerful conversation on inclusion, equity, and what real progress in special education looks like for NYC families. With personal stories and professional insight, these leaders share real solutions and a bold vision guiding the city’s push toward inclusive, accessible education for all students.

What You’ll Take Away from This Episode:
🟡 How personal experiences shaped lifelong commitments to public service and advocacy for both the First Deputy Mayor and Deputy Chancellor
🟡 Why smaller class sizes and early childhood investment are key to better outcomes
🟡 The role of DIAL (Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning) and how it’s reshaping education in NYC
🟡 Why every teacher must be equipped to teach students with disabilities
🟡 How specialized autism programs like NEST are delivering 97% graduation rates
🟡 What inclusion really means and why it goes beyond just a seat at the table
🟡 How NYC is shifting from balanced literacy to phonics-based instruction to meet the needs of students with dyslexia
🟡 Why hope, advocacy, and parent choice must be at the center of special education reform

"We know what works. Now we must build the infrastructure and give every child, no matter their need or neighborhood, the opportunity to thrive." – Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti

This episode is filled with practical vision, policy insight, and heartfelt reflection. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, it’s a must-listen that will leave you better informed and truly inspired. Press play and step into the future of inclusive education.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Dr. Jared Balmer, PhD, Marriage and Family Therapist, and founder of Waypoint Academy, a residential treatment center specializing in severe anxiety and OCD in adolescents. Dr. Balmer takes us deep into the root causes of the anxiety epidemic affecting today’s youth, from social media dependence to parental overprotection, and explains why exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold standard for treatment.

We explore how modern lifestyles contribute to rising anxiety and depression rates, what parents can do to foster resilience in their children, and why real-world social interactions are the key to emotional well-being. If you're a parent, educator, or professional seeking to understand how to break the cycle of anxiety, this conversation is full of practical insights and transformative advice.

"The best antidote to anxiety is creating a family environment where people actually talk to each other." – Dr. Jared Balmer

Tune in now for a powerful discussion on mental health, treatment strategies, and how we can help the next generation thrive.