Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners

In this episode, Tiffany, AAC user and Autistic Parent of neurodivergent kids talks to us about the myth of supremacy of speech. Have you been waiting to use AAC, so your child's speech doesn't get pushed to the side? Have you been waiting with bated breath for every word your child is saying? Have you been worried that AAC is a crutch that you don't want to use? Tiffany, in her crystal clear way, tells us that there is nothing wrong with a crutch! This is one of the most clear interviews you are ever going to hear about the use of AAC. Don't miss this one.  Listen on...

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

In part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Jill Crista, she talks about how neuroinflammation is triggered in PANS and PANDAS and autoimmune encephalitis by seemingly trivial phenomena.

If you have a child triggered into behavioral "regression" by a seemingly trivial situation, this podcast can help you understand why.  Dr. Crista emphasizes that Gut Health is the place to start. If you are struggling to understand where to start when healing your child's gut, be sure to download my free ebook here:

www.functionalnutritionforkids.com/guthealth

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

Dr. Jill Crista walks us through the maze of neuroinflammation in part 1 of my conversation with her.  We discuss neuroinflammation in Autism, the difference between OCD related PANS and PANDAS , how to know when autoimmunity has kicked in, the importance of diet and most importantly how mold is persistent and can be a trigger in the driest of climates. For a free guidebook on how to optimize gut health to build immunity, go to www.functionalnutritionforkids.com/guthealth.

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

I wish today that today’s guest Ethan Nagy was my very first guest not just because of the gems of insight he gifts to us in this podcast but because his perspective is unique and mindset shifting.

Ethan Nagy is a non speaking autistic who uses a letter-board to communicate. He learned to spell using a method called S2C (please see I-ASC.org for more info). Ethan is a disabilities advocate and author who contributed an essay to the book “Underestimated: An Autism Miracle.” He is completing his high school diploma and plans to attend college. Ethan is currently writing a book. He resides in Oregon with his family. In this podcast Ethan talks about his relationship with food, interspersed with wisdom about how therapists and medical practitioners can work with and respect people with disability.  If you have never heard a podcast from this perspective before, Join me as I soak in the freshness and wisdom. For more discussion and support, visit www.facebook.com/functionalnutritionforkids

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

The diet to support hyperactivity or disregulation can include many things. BUT

The number 1 thing to do if your child is hyperactive is Balance Blood Sugar. Did you know that the symptoms of hyperactivity are close to identical to symptoms of high and low blood sugar in many kids?

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

Octavia Walker leads us through the murky world of self- and society- imposed expectations on moms of children with disabilities.

Expect to hear terms like self-care smashed to smithereens (I hope you are as tired of being asked to self-care as I am)...  Expect to be held accountable and have hard insights ....  Happy listening!

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

This short podcast is for parents who want actionable strategies to conquer picky eating disorder. 

Picky eating or self-restricted eating can be a vicious cycle of nutrient deficiency, inflammation, gut issues and more restricted eating. 

Follow this 5 step technique to break this cycle and shift from inflammation to diverstiy.  You can find more actionable strategies in my free ebook that you can download at: www.functionalnutritionforkids.com/eatwell

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

Are you interested in a Resilience Mindset for your child? Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge takes us through the many misunderstandings behind mental health in kids. 

4:00 The Journey to get your kids’ help is unnecessarily complex.

6:15 Resilience in Kids. 

8:20 Resiliency Mindset. 

9:35 There is no magic pill, medication included. How to do the work.

10:00 Why is there a lack of resiliency: is it overparenting?

11:15 Grading is not an indicator of success. 

15:00 Even "Functional" Kids can have a lot of turmoil.

19:00 Different parenting for different kids

20:40 Where do parents start? If you want to start to unmuddy the waters a little bit in the complex world that your child inhabits, check out my free ebook Autism Supports that Actually Work. Click HERE, to explore these 6 strategies that do really work, and aren't talked about that much. 

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

Does your child have constant infections, eczema, rashes, allergies, brain fog, anxiety or behavioral challenges? Did you know any of these could be caused by Food Sensitivities?

In this podcast we explore the reasons your child might want to consider going Dairy Free and the one primary thing to remember while doing so...

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.

Tamar is one of the most experienced and respected OTs I know and one of the few people I know that truly thinks outside the box. 

In this episode Tamar talks about the value of 

-looking at motor first

-what parents of young children should keep in mind

-the value of curiosity and wonder as opposed to a "fix-it" mindset, and

-what a new OT can keep in mind. You will find this podcast to be invaluable in choosing an OT to work with your child.

Disclaimer: The information in this Podcast is for educational purposes only. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D. is an educator, not a doctor, specifically not your child’s doctor. Please consult your physician before implementing any supplement or diet recommendations.