What should families of color know about ADHD? The podcast welcomes Kristin Carothers, PhD, a Black clinical psychologist who specializes in working with families of kids who have ADHD and learning differences. 

“Dr. Kristin” shares why ADHD — and ADHD medication — hold such a heavy place in the hearts of Black families. The discussion focuses on the cultural conversation around ADHD. Dr. Kristin also gives practical tips to families on what they can do if they think a child might have ADHD. And she offers strategies for families who don’t have resources or health insurance to get professional help. Finally, she reflects on Black Lives Matter and her personal experience of being a Black doctor.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Websites and approaches discussed by Dr. Kristin in this episode:

• Child Mind Institute
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Parent Child Interaction Therapy
• The Incredible Years
• Alan Kazdin Parenting Approach

• ADHD fact sheet
• What I tell Black parents who worry about labels like ADHD for their child
• How to get a free or low-cost evaluation for your child

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

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Schools are reeling from the impact of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. But what does it mean for special education, kids with learning and thinking differences, and marginalized communities? 

Hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace discuss how they’re managing the new COVID wave as both parents and teachers. They get an update on how schools around the country are responding, with some going virtual, others staying in-person, and — in a few cases — even closing because of a lack of staff. Marissa shares about how her virtual charter school is approaching the Omicron wave and special education. And Julian shares a poignant story about a student who ran away from home and for whom in-person school is a safe place.  

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.  

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected].  

• Listen to a podcast on parent fears in the COVID epidemic.
• Get eight tips to help your child learn at home.
• Check out 20 learning activities to keep kids busy at home.

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

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Kids who have learning and thinking differences or other disabilities can also be gifted. This is known as being “twice exceptional,” or “2e.” But what does twice exceptional mean for Black and brown kids?

In this episode, hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace explore how kids who struggle with learning can also have incredible talents and skills. However, for marginalized kids, these abilities are often overlooked. Gifted testing may be biased against them. The hosts also react to startling statistics about how few kids of color are in gifted programs. Listen for thoughts and advice on how families can get schools to focus on their kids’ exceptional abilities, not just their challenges.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Gifted children’s challenges with learning and thinking differences
• 12 questions to ask your school about 2e students
• When gifted kids need accommodations, too (In It podcast episode)
• National Center for Education Statistics

Public school gifted or 2e programs mentioned in this episode:

• Montgomery County Public Schools twice exceptional students and services
• Chicago’s U-46 gifted and talented academy (in process of renaming)
• Aurora Public Schools definition of gifted and talented
• Arizona Public Media news article on Southwest Junior High

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

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Advocating for your kids in an IEP meeting can be scary for any family. Now imagine that the family is undocumented and worried about immigration enforcement as they try to get help for their kids with learning and thinking differences.

In this episode, hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace talk to Kareem Neal, a Black special education teacher in Arizona. Kareem shares his experiences with kids with IEPs from undocumented families. He explains how parents can find champions within the school system to help them advocate for their kids. Finally, he and Julian talk about what it means to be a Black educator.

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Learn about the rights of undocumented families to special education.
• Check out eight steps to advocating for your child at school.
• Not sure why your child is struggling? Check out Take N.O.T.E.

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.

Choosing a school is a huge decision for families with kids who learn and think differently. One concern is whether special education is better in high-income schools. Another is how IEPs serve kids in racially diverse or low-income schools.  

Hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace take on tough questions from Understood users about how IEPs differ between schools based on income. They discuss how race, diversity, and wealth play a role in the special education services that kids get. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Learn about school options like neighborhood and charter schools. 
• Avoid 5 common mistakes that families make when choosing a school.

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.

What prevents young people of color from recognizing their learning differences and ADHD? According to user researcher Yasmeen Adams, there’s a perception by some that ADHD is a “white boy problem.” 

Hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace welcome Yasmeen to the show to discuss the results of interviews with dozens of young people of color with ADHD. The hosts ask pointed questions about how experiences differ between Black youth and other people of color. And Yasmeen shares why, as a Black person with ADHD, this research is personally meaningful. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• See the trailer for “Vivo,” the Netflix film the hosts talk about in the episode.
• Watch a video with poet LeDerick Horne on being Black with a learning disability.
• Worried about labeling your child with ADHD? Read this teacher’s message to Black parents.
• Read why young Black writer Ryan Douglass couldn’t ask for help as a young child.

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.

Simone Biles is the most decorated female gymnast in history. She’s also a Black woman and an advocate for people with ADHD. So why don’t more students of color know her story? 

Hosts Julian Saavedra and Marissa Wallace explore what being a role model means and why some stories rise up more than others. They also talk about how shame and stigma prevent more people of color from talking about their challenges. Finally, the hosts share thoughts on how parents and schools can help kids with learning and thinking differences find role models to look up to. 

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood. 

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]. 

Related resources

• Read what Simone Biles tweeted about ADHD.
• Check out Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew From Concrete.”
• Watch videos about athletes who learn and think differently, like Olympian Michelle Carter and NFL player Lawrence Guy.
• Get tips on finding mentors for kids with learning and thinking differences.

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.

Listen to The Opportunity Gap, a new podcast for families about kids of color with learning and thinking differences, like dyslexia, ADHD, and more. Host Julian Saavedra is a Black parent and assistant principal in an urban public school, and host Marissa Wallace is a special education teacher with a multiracial child. Listen as Julian and Marissa explore issues of privilege, race, and identity — and talk about ways parents can advocate for their kids.

Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn and think differently can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2021 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

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.