Rare Meet For Moms

In this episode of 'Rare Meat for Moms,' host Meghan Weaver tackles the complex issue of managing tantrums in pre-adolescent children, particularly those with rare diagnoses. She draws on personal experiences and advice from an ABA therapist to share effective strategies, such as using a designated safe area and the 'blow your candle out' technique for calming. Meghan underscores the importance of consistency among caregivers and highlights the psychological challenges parents face. Megan invites listeners to join the community by sharing their parenting stories, combining practical advice with a sense of collective support.

00:00 Introduction to Rare Meat for Moms

00:13 Understanding and Addressing Tantrums

00:37 Personal Experiences and Seeking Help

01:16 Target Audience and Expectations

04:06 Preparing for Challenges and Consistency

05:29 Step-by-Step Tantrum Management

07:47 Staying Strong and Consistent

08:59 Handling Tantrums on the Go

09:58 Consistency Among Caregivers

10:54 Using ABA Therapy to Manage Tantrums

11:47 Dealing with Mealtime Tantrums

12:41 Final Thoughts on Tantrum Management

14:44 Three Good Things

17:40 Conclusion and Encouragement

In this episode of Rare Meat for Moms, host Meghan Weaver discusses the importance of intentional breaks and quality time between spouses, especially for parents with children who have rare diagnoses. Meghan shares her personal journey of planning getaways with her husband, Chris, despite facing challenges like finding reliable sitters and dealing with unforeseen disruptions. She emphasizes the need for more than a 24-hour retreat to properly unwind and reconnect. Meghan provides practical advice on securing trustworthy caregivers and suggests strategies for planning short and extended trips to rejuvenate relationships. Throughout the episode, she shares uplifting stories from her own experiences, encouraging other parents to continue planning and seeking opportunities for marital connection.

00:00 Introduction to Rare Meat for Moms

00:28 The Importance of Time with Your Partner

01:48 Finding Trustworthy Caregivers

04:21 Overcoming Challenges in Planning Getaways

06:28 Three Ways to Find Time Away Together

10:40 The Value of Longer Getaways

15:00 Our Recent Trip Highlights

21:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

24:05 Three Good Things

Episode 005: Demystifying the Invisalign Process: Tammy Ruh on the Process & Benefits for Children with Special Needs | Rare Meet for Moms Podcast

In this episode, Meghan speaks with Tammy Ruh, a dental hygienist and special needs mom, about the challenges and strategies involved in managing her son's dental care, given his diagnosis of GAND (gatad2b associated neurodevelopmental disorder). The conversation covers various aspects from consultation to completion of treatment, including dental cleanings, the use of specialized toothbrushes, and the transition to Invisalign for orthodontic needs such as palette expansion and straightening. They discuss the importance of routine, the role of supportive school staff, and leveraging grants and pro bono services to make treatment accessible. The interview also highlights the success of early intervention and the benefits of having a committed orthodontist.

Tammy Ruh bio: Tammy's son, Hudson, was diagnosed with GAND in 2016 when he was 2.5 years old. She served as secretary of the non-profit Helping Hands for GAND for 1 year and is currently on her 3rd year as Vice President. She feels that being involved in continuing to build the GAND community has been a rewarding experience and a position she feels honored to be in. Tammy is a practicing dental hygienist of 14 years and as well as a travel agent that specializes in helping special needs families.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:06 Challenges with Dental Hygiene

01:19 Overcoming Dental Cleaning Obstacles

02:47 Sedation and Dental Procedures

04:22 Starting the Invisalign Journey

07:03 Invisalign Treatment Process

11:09 Success and Routine with Invisalign

18:37 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

22:45 Three Good Things

Resources:

Orthodontic Grant  https://www.uhccf.org/apply-for-a-grant/

Additional info @ www.MeghanWeaver.com

Instagram @ Rare.Meet.For.Moms

Transforming Mealtime: Gamify Your Kids' Eating Habits!

In this episode of 'Rare Meat for Moms,' host Meghan Weaver shares innovative strategies to gamify mealtime and tackle picky eating habits in children, including those with rare diagnoses and sensory issues. Meghan talks about her personal experiences with her three children, particularly her middle child who has oral motor planning challenges. She offers practical tips on how to make trying new foods fun and engaging for the whole family, from using simple tools like a piece of paper to create a 'food list' to encouraging friendly competition among siblings. Meghan's approach has been successful in making mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable, and she emphasizes the benefits of this method for fostering a positive eating environment.

00:00 Introduction to Rare Meat for Moms

00:14 Gamifying Mealtime for Picky Eaters

02:25 Setting Up the Game: Putting It on the List

04:03 Encouraging New Food Experiences

04:51 Adapting the Game for Special Needs

05:34 Incentives and Rewards

07:21 Creative Food Ideas and Tips

16:30 Grocery Shopping Adventures

19:22 Final Tips and 3 Good Things

Products:

Autobrush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZWNVLWQ?tag=meghanweave05-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

www.MeghanWeaver.com

Instagram: Rare.Meet.For.Moms

In Part 2, we dive into the practical application of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices in the classroom. Meghan Weaver and Mindy Youngs, both mothers navigating the challenges of AAC for their children, share their extensive experiences. They discuss the importance of adequately trained staff, the role of paraeducators, and the necessity of real-time data to measure device usage. Mindy elaborates on the specific challenges her daughter Olivia faces using the LAMP Words for Life system in a school environment, and how they ensure it aligns with educational goals. This episode is a vital resource for parents and educators striving to effectively integrate AAC devices into educational settings.

Mindy Youngs bio: At the age of 18 months, Mindy's daughter was diagnosed with a nonsense variant in the GATAD2B gene. Mindy helped launch the non-profit Helping Hands for GAND in September 2015 and served on the Board of Directors as Secretary for 4 years. Mindy continues to stay involved in the GAND community and is committed to helping create a sense of community for those affected by this ultra rare disorder. Mindy also brings over 20 years of experience in marketing and is currently Senior Director, Marketing for Procore Technologies.

Resources shared in this Episode are linked below and at www.meghanweaver.com

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Part 1

01:02 Challenges of Using AAC in Schools

02:10 Training and Support for School Staff

02:55 Importance of Language Development Stages

04:40 Ensuring Proper Use of AAC Devices

07:02 Classroom Settings and Inclusion

12:37 Legal and Advocacy Tips for Parents

20:55 Three Good Things

Resources:

Browns Language Stages here:

https://www.speech-language-therapy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:brown&catid=2:uncategorised&Itemid=117

Realize Language: Online Service to collect data when the device is used

www.realizelanguage.com/info

Mindy Youngs bio: At the age of 18 months, Mindy's daughter was diagnosed with a nonsense variant in the GATAD2B gene. Mindy helped launch the non-profit Helping Hands for GAND in September 2015 and served on the Board of Directors as Secretary for 4 years. Mindy continues to stay involved in the GAND community and is committed to helping create a sense of community for those affected by this ultra rare disorder. Mindy also brings over 20 years of experience in marketing and is currently Senior Director, Marketing for Procore Technologies.

In this episode, Meghan welcomes Mindy Youngs, a fellow GAND (GATAD2B-associated neurodevelopmental disorder) mom, to discuss their experiences with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). They share the journey of obtaining a diagnosis for their children, discovering support groups, and exploring various communication devices like Proloquo2Go and LAMP Words for Life. They delve into the importance of AAC assessments, modeling, and consistent usage to promote language development. They also highlight challenges such as insurance battles, the need for dedicated devices, and ensuring backup options. The episode ends with both moms sharing their appreciation for the support community and the positive aspects of their children's progress.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:09 Early Diagnosis and Initial Reactions

00:46 Discovering the Community

01:23 First Conference and AAC Devices

02:00 Prompt Speech Therapy and Device Comparisons

02:58 Communication Strategies and Challenges

13:35 Modeling and Empathy

18:30 Resources and Insurance Tips

28:36 Final Thoughts and Three Good Things

Resources mentioned:  

A Voice Discovered: RESOURCE HANDOUT  

https://nebula.wsimg.com/983f725dbfb784ac804de8add380ebbf?AccessKeyId=5D57B555CFC509675808&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

A Voice Discovered: NATIONAL RESOURCES

http://www.avoicediscovered.com/funding-resources-1.html

 Lilly's Voice: NEW GRANTOR

https://www.lillysvoice.org/

AAC apps go on sale in October and April of every year but each app is on sale at a different time that month and for a different amount of time.  A good person to follow who does an app round up each time is Lauren Enders who is an AAC SLP and quite knowledgeable.  

https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSEndersMaCccSlp

https://www.instagram.com/engagingaacslp/

This is an introduction to what I hope will be a put it all out there, let’s figure it out together, laugh or vent about the current state of affairs. This is also a glimpse into what my life looks like raising a child with GAND. This will be conversations with other special needs moms and dads, sharing what’s working and what’s not. This is the resource I want to see in the world so I am creating it. It’s another tool for your ever growing “not so typical” tool box. Let's get to the meat of it!