In celebration of Black History Month, Julian highlights four members of the Understood team:  

• Berman Fenelus, Senior Content Producer
• Livingston Steele, Social Media Manager
• Misha Williams, Grants and Relationships Manager
• Deb Wilson, Chief People & Culture Officer

Each of them is making an impact in the lives of people with learning and thinking differences, from silencing shame and stigma to promoting inclusion. Learn the reasons why they choose to do this work.  

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

• Black History Month: Celebrating Lois, Solange, and Octavia
• Wisdom for families from LeDerick Horne, poet with dyslexia
• To be Black in America with a learning disability

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

For kids with learning and thinking differences, preparing for life after high school is often met with many emotions and questions.  “What’s next for me?” “Will I have the same accommodations?” “Will I be successful in my studies?”  

In this episode, Julian talks with Sudi Shayesteh. Sudi is the director of the Office of AccessABILITY at Hunter College. Learn about the challenges students face when transitioning out of high school. And get tips on how to team up with the school to better prepare students for this transition.

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

• After high school: Different ways to thrive 
• 7 things to know about college disability services 
• Life after high school: Tips to get your child ready

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

Some kids love talking about school. But some don’t— especially when something is upsetting them, like bullying or struggling with a specific subject. If your child is a bit quiet about how things are going in school, there are ways to encourage them to open up more.  

In this episode, learn some key things to keep in mind. Listen as host Julian Saavedra explains:  

• Ways to ask kids open-ended questions
• How to be vulnerable with kids
• And why knowing when to stop asking questions can make all the difference

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

• How to get your child to talk about school
• Get tips on how to respond when your child is frustrated about school

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

The school-to-prison pipeline has been hidden in the shadows of our educational systems for way too long. It’s a series of policies that have targeted kids of color, pulling them out of schools and into the legal system. And now, more than ever, it requires our fight to end.

Listen as Malhar Shah, an education attorney at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund explains:  

• The school-to-prison pipeline
• How it impacts school discipline and special education laws
• And the role teachers and parents can play in dismantling it

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

• Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
• Find the Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) in your state or territory
• Find the Protection and Advocacy agency (P&A) in your state or territory
• Helping Traumatized Children Learn

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

Tantrums and meltdowns are challenges all parents face. But for families of kids who learn and think differently, they can be even more of a struggle.

Listen as Dr. Andrew Kahn gives expert advice on how to deal with tantrums and meltdowns with our friends at the In It podcast. Learn how practicing strategies ahead of time can help you manage outbursts in the moment.  And find out what calming techniques can help.  

Visit the In It episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

• What Now? A Parent’s Guide to Tantrums and Meltdowns
• 5 tips for taking a mutual time-out with your child
• Check out Understood’s guide to tantrums and meltdowns

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year. But they can also be the most stressful for families with kids who learn differently. That’s because, for some, the holidays mean telling relatives about their child’s learning differences for the very first time.  

Sometimes, this talk goes smoothly — other times, there are a few bumps in the road. In this episode, listen as Julian explains:  

• Steps parents should take to prepare for the talk
• Why parents should avoid using technical terms when telling relatives
• And the importance of setting boundaries

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

Related resources

• 8 tips for telling family members about your child’s challenges
• Download: Tips on how to tell family members
• In It: Holiday survival guide 

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

Wondering how to make the most of parent-teacher conferences? Planning ahead can help you walk into the next meeting with confidence.

In this episode from our friends at In It, get advice on how to prepare for parent-teacher conferences from DeJunne’ Clark Jackson. Hear how DeJunne’ prepares herself — and her kids — for parent-teacher conferences. Plus, get tips on how to help your child talk with you about school.

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].

• 3 ways I engage my child in parent-teacher conferences
• 9 tips to make the most of your parent-teacher conference
• 7 questions to ask your child about how school is going

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

Some teachers, despite their best efforts, bring their own biases into the classroom. And their beliefs impact how they interact with students and their families in a major way.  

Racial bias in education is a common experience — and it shouldn’t be. In this episode, we address a pressing issue with guest Afrika Afeni Mills, MEd. Listen as Afrika explains:

• How racial bias can influence relationships between parents and the school
• The importance of teachers and schools promoting equity in education
• Steps students and parents can take to address racial bias effectively

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

• Afrika’s TED-Ed Talk: 4 ways to have healthy conversations about race
• Understood’s article: How to make sure families of color are heard by the school
• Afrika’s book: Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

The signs of dyslexia are often overlooked. And there’s so much parents of kids of color can do to advocate for the right support for this learning difference. Our guest is Dyslexia Mom Boss host Lauren McClenney-Rosenstein, EdD. Listen as Dr. Lauren explains:

• Her own personal experience with learning and thinking differences
• What parents need to know about Orton-Gillingham
• Ways parents and schools can work together to help kids of color thrive

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

• Dr. Lauren’s podcast, Dyslexia Mom Boss
• Dyslexia basics
• What is Orton–Gillingham?

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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

Bonus episode! Introducing Understood’s newest podcast: What Now? A Parent’s Guide. Tune in for a peek at Season 1, which is all about tantrums and meltdowns. We’re sharing Episode 6, “Identifying your child’s behavior triggers.”  Listen to host Dr. Andrew Kahn as he explains how to find your child’s behavior triggers to prevent tantrums and meltdowns.  

Get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes from What Now? A Parent’s Guide at u.org/podcasts.  

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at [email protected].  

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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