Nothing’s sure but… well, you know the end of that sentence. If your family includes a child or adult with a disability, here are 5 important things to know before you file your 2024 taxes.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• 5 Things to Know Before Filing Taxes for People with Disabilities
• ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts
• Special Needs Alliance: Attorneys for Special Needs Planning
• Tax Help for People with Disabilities
• Living and Working with Disabilities (IRS) 
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): free tax preparation help for taxpayers who qualify

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This week, Christina chats with Dr. Nilong Vyas of Sleepless in NOLA, on the importance of sleep in early childhood. They’ll answer questions like, “Why is sleep important?” and “My child is a terrible sleeper. Is it me or something else?” Listen along for helpful information and tips and tricks around sleep.
 
Resources mentioned in this episode

• What is a sleep consultant and how do they help families?
• Sleep Disorders in Children
• Autism Awareness & Sleep
• Melatonin for Kids: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
• Sleepless in NOLA
• Dr. Vyas’ Bedtime Checklist

Thank you Dr. Vyas for offering our families a discount on your services! For a 10% discount use code: INEEDSLEEP10

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Nothing’s sure but… well, you know the end of that sentence. If your family includes a child or adult with a disability, here are 5 important things to know before you file your taxes in 2022.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• 5 Things to Know Before Filing Taxes for People with Disabilities
• ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts
• Special Needs Alliance: Attorneys for Special Needs Planning
• Tax Help for People with Disabilities
• Living and Working with Disabilities (IRS) 
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): free tax preparation help for taxpayers who qualify

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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LinkedIn

Flying with kids with disabilities can be stressful and overwhelming. This week’s podcast episode has 5 tips to make the trip easier for you and your child.

Resources mentioned in this episode

Better parenting using self-regulation
What is self-regulation and how can it help me be a better parent?
¿Qué es la autorregulación y cómo puede ayudarme a ser un mejor padre?
Co-regulation: Your secret tool for managing meltdowns
How can co-regulation help my child’s behavior? Strategies for parenting children with disabilities
¿Cómo puede ayudarle a mi hijo la corregulación? Estrategias para ser padre de niños con discapacidades
US Department of Transportation; Wheelchairs and Other Assistive Devices
Disabilities and Medical Conditions
What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower?
Wings for Autism / Wings for All
TSA Notification Card
What To Do When an Airline Damages Your Wheelchair

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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In this bonus episode, Christina discusses doing a pediatric sleep study with her son and his sensory needs.
 
Resources mentioned in this episode

• The importance of sleep in early childhood with Dr. Nilong Vyas
• Sleepless in NOLA
• Our Lady of the Lake Sleep Medicine

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn

This week, Christina chats with Dr. Nilong Vyas of Sleepless in NOLA, on the importance of sleep in early childhood. They’ll answer questions like, “Why is sleep important?” and “My child is a terrible sleeper. Is it me or something else?” Listen along for helpful information and tips and tricks around sleep.
 
Resources mentioned in this episode

• What is a sleep consultant and how do they help families?
• Sleep Disorders in Children
• Autism Awareness & Sleep
• Melatonin for Kids: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
• Sleepless in NOLA
• Dr. Vyas’ Bedtime Checklist

Thank you Dr. Vyas for offering our families a discount on your services! For a 10% discount use code: INEEDSLEEP10

Where to find Exceptional Lives
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn

What do you do if you just found out your child has medically complex needs? Do you know how to be a great health care advocate for your complex kid? Christina gets helpful information and insight from Julia Roberts, parent and long-time advocate, in this week's episode. 

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Julia Roberts
• Children with Medical Complexity
• Health Insurance for a Child With Disabilities: Easily Navigate Coverage and Services
• How to get medical insurance for a child with a disability
• How to get the most out of health insurance for your child with disabilities
• Frequently Asked Questions about Health Insurance
• What happens when a child with a disability turns 18?
• If you are undocumented (don’t have papers), you can get care at a Federally Qualified Health Center.

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Speech Apraxia vs Autism: Are they related? If a child is speech delayed what can you do? Christina gets helpful information and insight from Kacy Woodson, a speech-language pathologist, in this week's episode. 

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do?
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Is my child different? Six steps to assessing your child’s development.
• Understanding child development milestones
• CDC’s Developmental Milestones
• Is My Child Developing OK?
• What are Early Intervention Services? Can they help my child?
• The Special Education Evaluation Process

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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Mr. Raymond A. Jetson says, “... If our children are going to feel present and valued and able to be the best version of themselves in the world, we have to be intentional about impacting the world in a way that creates space for that to happen.” In this week’s episode, Christina gets practical advice on how to build community for children with disabilities.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Meet Raymond A. Jetson
• Building a Village of Support with Raymond A. Jetson (webinar)
• Children with disabilities need a village of support. Here are 3 ways to build that village for yours. (blog)
• Building a village of support: 3 ways to help children with disabilities live their best lives (podcast)
• Learn more about Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
• Introduce your child with F-Words; it’s not what you think (podcast)
• Back to school for kids with disabilities: Dear Teacher, meet my son. (blog)
• How do I partner with the school to support my child? School communication tips for parents and caregivers

Where to find Raymond A. Jetson:
Raymond A. Jetson on Facebook
Raymond A. Jetson on Twitter
Raymond A. Jetson on Threads
Raymond A. Jetson on Instagram
Raymond A. Jetson on LinkedIn

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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In this week’s episode, Christina gets back-to-school tips from Julie McIsaac, Learning and Mental Health Consultant. Get some real-life tips to support your child and their teacher as we head back to school.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Meet Julie McIsaac, Ph.D.
• Introduce your child with F-Words; it’s not what you think (podcast)
• How Can I Prepare for My Child’s Transition into School-based Services at Age 3?
• Is your child having behavior problems at school? Here’s how to help
• Fellow Parents, Let’s Talk About Mental Health.
• Mental Health and Children with Disabilities: a Webinar
• Why is my child struggling in school?
• Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• IEP (plan educativo individualizado)
• Better parenting using self-regulation
• How to Create an Effective IEP & Build a Strong Team
• Back to school for kids with disabilities: Dear Teacher, meet my son. (blog)
• How do I partner with the school to support my child? School communication tips for parents and caregivers
• Julie McIsaac, PhD on Facebook

Where to find Exceptional Lives
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LinkedIn