Parent Voices: A BrinkShift Initiative Podcast

Season 1, Episode 3 | Parent Voices Podcast

What happens when your child's behavior suddenly changes, and you can't quite understand why?

In this episode of Parent Voices, host Tara C. Wallace welcomes Sowania Germain, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, and mother of three, including two children with ADHD and PANDAS.

Sowania shares her personal journey of navigating these diagnoses, recognizing unexpected changes in her children's behavior, and learning how illnesses and infections can be associated with PANDAS flare-ups.

Together, we explore the challenges of recognizing symptoms, navigating healthcare and educational systems, and advocating for children whose needs may not always be understood.

What makes this conversation especially meaningful is Sowania's perspective as both a mental health professional and a mother who has experienced these challenges firsthand.

Whether you're a parent navigating a similar journey, an educator, or someone who wants to better understand PANDAS and ADHD, this episode highlights the importance of awareness, asking questions, and ensuring that parents' concerns are heard.

Real Parents. Real Stories. A Stronger Tomorrow.

Sowania provides compassionate, trauma-informed mental health counseling for mothers, couples, and families navigating postpartum challenges, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions.

Interested in learning more about her services or scheduling a free consultation? Visit her website:

https://www.sowaniagermainlmhc.com/

Follow Sowania on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F5ACXptF6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Listen to more episodes:

https://parentvoicespodcast.riverside.com/

Join the Shift!

Follow BrinkShift Initiative on Facebook to stay connected with our work supporting families through parent advocacy, early literacy, and financial empowerment.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1A19MT5oKG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Parent Voices is presented by BrinkShift Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Interested in Sharing Your Story or Sponsoring Parent Voices?

We welcome parents who want to share their experiences and businesses or organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities.

Email us at [email protected].

#ParentVoicesPodcast #PANDASAwareness #ParentAdvocacy #BrinkShiftInitiative

Correct Sowania’s Name ThroughoutMake the Description Sound More Like Me

What happens when advocating for your child begins to consume every part of your life?

In this episode of Parent Voices, Lisa shares her journey of raising a gifted child with autism, navigating school systems, searching for answers, and fighting to make sure her son was understood and supported.

But this conversation goes beyond advocacy.

Lisa opens up about the emotional toll of special-needs parenting, the moments when she felt overwhelmed and depleted, and the realization that while she was fighting for her child, she had also lost parts of herself along the way.

Her journey eventually led her toward healing, self-advocacy, and a deeper understanding of what parents need when they have spent years putting everyone else first.

This is a powerful conversation about parenting, advocacy, identity, healing, and the reminder that supporting your child should not mean disappearing in the process.

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What happens when a child is both gifted and identified with an emotional and behavioral disability?

In the premiere episode of Parent Voices, Kristen Kewley shares her journey advocating for her twice-exceptional son and learning how to ensure that both his exceptional abilities and his support needs are fully recognized. Her story is an honest and powerful reminder that schools may not automatically offer everything a child needs. Sometimes, parents must research, ask questions, speak up, and be specific about the support their child deserves.

Join the Shift. Follow BrinkShift Initiative on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591719736653