In this episode, Sarah Ingladoo shares her inspiring journey of caring for her sister with complex medical needs, her efforts to establish a respite care home, and the challenges faced in securing funding and support. Discover how her unique perspective as a nurse and sibling drives her mission to improve respite services for families like hers.

keywordsRespite Care, Medical Complex Needs, Family Caregiver, Nonprofit, Healthcare Advocacy, Texas, Funding Challenges, Caregiver Support, Medical Supplies, Community Impact

key topics

• The importance of specialized respite care for medically complex individuals
• Challenges in funding and building a respite care facility
• The role of community support and donations
• Sarah's personal journey as a caregiver and nurse
• The systemic issues in healthcare funding and policy

guest nameSarah Ingladoo

key frameworks

• Caregiver Support Model
• Healthcare Funding System

action items

• Visit the Raise Respite Care website to learn more and donate
• Share the episode to raise awareness about respite care needs
• Advocate for policy changes to improve healthcare funding

titles

• Building a Respite Care Home for Medically Complex Individuals
• Sarah Ingladoo's Mission to Transform Respite Services

Sound Bites

• "Trust and peace of mind are essential for respite."
• "A great respite balances safety with human connection."
• "The system is skewed against medically complex individuals."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Personal Updates

02:44The Journey of Caregiving

05:25Building a Respite Care Facility

08:26Community Support and Outreach

11:09Challenges in Fundraising

13:54Understanding Respite Care

16:43Future Goals and Aspirations

19:47Personal Reflections and Self-Care

29:34Self-Care for Caregivers

31:11Understanding Respite Care

33:03Defining a Great Respite Experience

36:20The Growing Demand for Respite Care

36:51Barriers to Accessing Respite Care

45:22The Need for Systemic Change

49:42Advocacy and Future Aspirations

• Raise Respite Care Website
• Sarah Ingladoo on Instagram
• GoFundMe for Respite Home: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

specialedrising.com

summaryIn this episode, James J Logan shares his remarkable journey through cancer, the mental and physical challenges he faced, and how his passion for Ironman triathlons fueled his fight for life. Discover how mindset, faith, and community support can turn adversity into a source of strength and purpose.

keywordscancer survival, Ironman triathlon, mental resilience, health journey, motivation, faith, overcoming adversity, life lessons, community support

key topics

• James's cancer diagnosis and treatment journey
• The role of mental resilience and faith in overcoming adversity
• How training for Ironman helped in his recovery and mental health
• The importance of community, charity, and giving back
• Lessons learned about life, death, and living intentionally

guest nameJames J Logan

titles

• From Near Death to Kona: James J Logan’s Inspiring Journey
• The Power of Mindset: Overcoming Cancer and Completing an Ironman

Sound Bites

• "Cancer reinvigorated my youthful desire"
• "Cancer doesn't have me, I have cancer"
• "Happiness is in the pursuit"

Chapters

00:00Introduction and James's initial health status

01:57Realization of aging and staying active

02:54Cancer diagnosis and the shock of it

04:13The mental and physical impact of chemo

08:08Maintaining fitness during cancer treatment

14:28The mindset shift: viewing obstacles as opportunities

20:51Writing the book and giving back to the community

26:04Living with an ostomy and challenges of training

39:11Humility, faith, and the importance of relationships

48:31Happiness in the pursuit and living intentionally

54:15Future plans, Kona, and ongoing purpose

• Ironman Foundation
• Georgia Cancer Center
• Book: Just Keep Tri-ing

• https://ironmanfoundation.donordrive.com/participants/4148
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.logan.462536
• Book: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=just+keep+tri-ing&crid=MV8SS7X7XXEB&sprefix=%2Caps%2C316&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_2_0_recent

specialedrising.com

Ray's Respite Care: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

When parenting feels stuck—when the same conflicts, behaviors, and frustrations keep repeating—it can feel like nothing is working. But what if that moment isn’t failure… but an inflection point?

In this episode, we break down the powerful mindset shift that can transform not only your child’s behavior, but your entire relationship dynamic. This conversation is especially important for parents of neurodivergent children, where behavior is often misunderstood and traditional approaches fall short.

Instead of focusing on control and correction, we explore what happens when you shift toward understanding, connection, and patience—and why that’s where real, lasting growth begins.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why repeated conflict is often a signal—not a dead end
• The role parents play in escalating or de-escalating situations
• How expectations can prevent you from truly seeing your child
• Why behavior should be viewed as communication, not defiance
• The impact of overwhelm, regulation delays, and need for control
• How pressure and constant correction can actually slow growth
• Practical ways to respond without escalating (and why it works)
• How to handle attention-seeking or reaction-driven behaviors
• Why small wins matter more than big outcomes
• The added layer of parenting neurodivergent children—and how to adjust your lens

Key Takeaways:

• Your child is not here to meet your expectations—you are here to support their growth
• Resistance is often a sign of overwhelm, not defiance
• Connection is more effective than control
• Growth is slow, inconsistent, and built through small moments
• When you change your response, you change the entire dynamic

Practical Strategies Shared:

• Catch and reinforce small moments of success
• Lower your tone and regulate your response during conflict
• Give space for mistakes without added pressure or judgment
• Redirect inappropriate language into safe expression (even humor)
• Use simple, supportive language like “We’ll get it tomorrow”
• Focus on consistency and trust instead of immediate compliance

Neurodivergent Insight:

For neurodivergent children, behavior often reflects differences in processing, regulation, and sensory experience. What looks like defiance may actually be overwhelm, anxiety, or difficulty with flexibility and control. Shifting from “Why are they doing this?” to “What might this feel like for them?” is a critical step in building connection and supporting meaningful growth.

Final Thought:

Your child isn’t giving you a hard time—they’re having a hard time. When you meet that with patience, curiosity, and connection instead of pressure, you create the conditions for real, sustainable change.

Listen Now:

specialedrising.com

Go Fund Me (Ray's Respite Care): https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

Subscribe & Share:

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent who needs to hear it—and remember, no parent goes through this alone.

In this episode, we explore the critical issues facing disability support systems, including recent policy changes under the Trump administration, the impact of privatization and austerity on services for autistic and disabled individuals, and the broader implications of ableism and eugenics in current political discourse. Guest journalist, and parent, David Perry shares his personal journey, insights into systemic failures, and calls for advocacy and awareness.

keywordsdisability support, autism, SSI, Medicaid, policy, ableism, eugenics, advocacy, systemic reform

key topics

• Impact of policy changes on disability support
• Systemic ableism and eugenics in politics
• Personal experiences with disability systems
• Advocacy and community support for families

guest nameDavid M. Perry

titles

• The Future of Disability Support: Policy, Politics, and Personal Stories
• How Current Policies Threaten Disabled and Autistic Adults

Sound Bites

• "Private equity isn't doing this out of kindness"
• "Eugenics is alive in modern policy and ideology"
• "We must advocate and fight for systemic change"

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Technical Difficulties

01:55The Impact of Private Equity on Autism Treatment

04:29David's Background and Personal Journey

09:44Navigating the Education System for Special Needs

12:23The Trump Administration's SSI Changes

16:35The Confusion of Disability Benefits and Systemic Challenges

23:30Navigating Complex Systems: The Burden on Parents

30:31The Erosion of Disability Rights: A Historical Perspective

43:57Understanding the Political Landscape: Ableism and Eugenics

• Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• End the Word Campaign
• Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC)
• Project 2025

• Website: https://www.davidmperry.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Signal via Davidmperry.48.
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-m-perry-b38aa363/

Connect with Mark via: https://specialedrising.com/

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

In this episode, Mark explores a powerful but often overlooked strategy in parenting and education: humor. Drawing from personal experience in the classroom, he shares how humor helped him connect with a highly anxious, routine-driven student—and why that moment still stands out today.

But this isn’t about being funny for the sake of it.

This episode reframes humor as something much deeper: a co-regulation tool that helps children feel safe, lower stress, and regain access to the skills we expect from them.

• Why many “defiant” behaviors are actually signs of nervous system overload
• How stress shifts kids from thinking mode into survival mode (fight, flight, freeze, shutdown)
• Why logic, consequences, and demands often fail during dysregulation
• The key mindset shift:
• 👉 From “How do I stop this behavior?”
• 👉 To “What does this child need to feel safe enough to do better?”

Mark breaks down why humor works—not as behavior control, but as a way to:

• Lower threat
• Create emotional safety
• Support co-regulation
• Strengthen connection

And most importantly:

This episode dives into how humor works differently across children:

• Autism → Humor works best when it’s predictable, structured, and familiar
• ADHD → Humor increases engagement, motivation, and emotional buy-in
• PDA → Reduces perceived threat of demands
• Trauma / Emotional Disabilities → Helps lower a heightened baseline of stress

Effective humor:

• Recurring jokes and routines
• Character voices
• Playful exaggeration
• Inside jokes
• Visual or object-based humor

Less effective (or harmful):

• Sarcasm
• Teasing
• “Just kidding” humor
• Humor during meltdown

One of the biggest takeaways:

• Humor works early (during resistance or rising stress)
• Humor often fails during full meltdown

In those moments, the goal shifts from:

❌ behavior management

to

✅ safety and regulation

Mark introduces a simple but powerful lens:

👉 “Is this a can’t… or a won’t?”

• Can’t → Regulate first
• Won’t → Teach and hold expectations

• Turn routines into playful “bits” (“Emergency sock protocol!”)
• Use character voices (robot, announcer)
• Offer playful choices (“walk or hop?”)
• Use exaggeration to break tension
• Create inside jokes
• Match and guide your child’s energy
• Use humor during transitions (“Mission mode: 2 minutes!”)

Does this lower expectations?

No—it actually raises them.

Because you’re not just asking kids to behave…

you’re helping them build the ability to do it.

When you shift from controlling behavior to understanding what’s underneath it, everything changes.

You move from:

• power struggles
• to
• connection and guidance

And over time, you’ll see:

• less escalation
• more cooperation
• and a child who feels safer, more understood, and more capable

• Playful Parenting – Lawrence J. Cohen
• The Explosive Child – Ross W. Greene
• Research on humor and autism – Mirella Manfredi

https://specialedrising.com/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

This episode features an employment lawyer discussing disability rights, workplace discrimination, reasonable accommodations, and legal protections for parents and individuals with disabilities. Gain insights into navigating legal challenges and advocating for rights in the workplace.

keywords: disability rights, workplace discrimination, reasonable accommodations, FMLA, ADA, employment law, disability advocacy, legal protections, parent rights, disability discrimination cases

key topics

• Disability discrimination in the workplace
• Legal protections under ADA and FMLA
• Reasonable accommodations and employer obligations
• Parent involvement in adult disability cases
• Retaliation and harassment protections

takeaways

• Disability rights laws like ADA and FMLA provide strong protections but are often not fully enforced.
• Employers are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations unless it causes undue hardship.
• Parents of adult children with disabilities have rights to advocate and seek workplace protections.
• Retaliation is the most common complaint in disability discrimination cases.
• Using AI and proper documentation can strengthen legal cases.

guest nameDerek Smith

titles

• Understanding Disability Rights in the Workplace: Legal Insights
• How to Fight Discrimination and Secure Accommodations at Work

Sound Bites

• "Disability discrimination is still rampant."
• "Harassment can include hostile work environments."
• "You have rights, and you should act on them."

Chapters

00:00Supporting Parents in Their Journey

00:00Navigating Family and Medical Leave Act

19:02The Role of AI in Legal Research

21:17Challenges for Caregivers in the Workplace

25:23Advocacy for Parents of Disabled Adults

29:03Difficult Cases in Disability Discrimination

33:21Affordability of Legal Services

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• EEOC - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

• Guest links
• Derek Smith Website: https://discriminationandsexualharassmentlawyers.com/new-york-city/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-smith-b1192a111/
• Email: [email protected]

https://specialedrising.com/

Ray's Respite Care Donation: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

In this engaging interview, Lisa Richer shares her inspiring journey as a neurodiversity consultant, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, self-acceptance, and proactive communication in supporting children with neurodivergent needs. Discover practical strategies for parents and educators to build effective partnerships and advocate for their children's success.

keywordsneurodiversity, parent advocacy, education system, collaboration, self-acceptance, IEP, school communication, neurodivergent children, special education, emotional intelligence

key topics

• Building effective parent-school relationships
• The importance of self-acceptance and neurodiversity
• Strategies for advocating within the education system
• The role of emotional intelligence and empathy in collaboration
• Navigating challenges and building resilience in supporting neurodiverse children

guest nameLisa Richer

titles

• Building Bridges: How Parents and Educators Can Collaborate for Neurodivergent Kids
• The Power of Self-Acceptance in Supporting Neurodiverse Children

Sound Bites

• "My journey started with my first son."
• "Don't get angry, get curious."
• "Diagnoses inform, they don't define."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Technical Setup

00:00The Journey Begins: Lisa's Background

00:00Understanding Neurodiversity and Parenting

01:07Navigating the Education System

04:06Building Relationships with Educators

06:48The Importance of Early Intervention

09:41Empowering Parents Through Knowledge

12:24The Role of Advocacy in Education

15:02Collaboration with Schools

18:03Trusting Your Instincts as a Parent

20:57Trusting Your Parental Instincts

22:49Navigating School Systems and Communication

25:25Building Relationships with Educators

29:18Empowering Parents to Advocate

32:23The Balance of Professional Relationships

38:19Acceptance and Understanding of Neurodiversity

44:17Challenges in the Education System

50:25The Importance of Parental Participation in Meetings

• Instagram - Journey to Bloom
• Website: https://journey2bloom.com/
• Instagram: Lisa Richer
• Email: [email protected]
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaricher/

specialedrising.com

https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

In this episode of Special Ed Rising: PURGE 47 Edition, Mark Ingrassia breaks down proposed federal changes to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that could significantly impact disabled adults—especially those living with their families.

These aren’t minor adjustments. The administration is considering rule changes that could reduce or eliminate benefits for up to 400,000 individuals, shifting the financial burden directly onto families already navigating complex systems.

Drawing on nearly four decades in special education and real-world family experiences, Mark unpacks what’s changing, what it means, and why it matters.

• How proposed SSI changes target disabled adults living at home
• Why family-provided housing may now be treated as income
• How SNAP (food assistance) changes could make accessing SSI more difficult
• The concept of “administrative burden”—and how complexity limits access to benefits
• What the system looked like before—and how these changes shift us backward
• The real-life consequences for families, including financial instability and difficult choices
• Why these policies could threaten independent living and increase reliance on institutional care

This isn’t just about policy—it’s about predictability, stability, and whether families can plan for the future. As systems become more complex, access shrinks—even when eligibility doesn’t change.

Or as Mark puts it:

“A benefit you can’t access is not a benefit.”

Mark references reporting from ProPublica and an article by David M. Perry highlighting how even experts struggle to understand what these changes mean for their own families—underscoring the growing uncertainty.

• Stay informed—even when it’s overwhelming
• Connect with advocacy groups and other families
• Ask long-term questions about your child’s future
• Share this episode with someone who needs clarity

Because the more we understand and speak up, the stronger our advocacy becomes.

Families are not trying to take advantage of the system—they are trying to build stable, meaningful lives for their children.

And this isn’t just policy. This is your child’s future.

specialedrising.com

This interview explores the challenges and strategies in special education, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual needs, emotional regulation, and advocacy for teachers and parents. Bev Johns shares her extensive experience working with children with behavioral and emotional challenges, offering practical insights for educators and caregivers.

keywordsspecial education, emotional regulation, advocacy, behavior management, teaching strategies, parent support, teacher burnout, trauma-informed education

key topics

• Behavior as Communication
• Emotional Regulation Techniques
• Advocacy for Teachers and Parents

guest nameBev Johns

titles

• The Power of Individualized Education: Strategies for Success
• Emotional Regulation and Behavior Management in Schools

Sound Bites

• "Behavior is a form of communication."
• "Recognize and reinforce good behavior."
• "Children need to learn self-regulation early."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background of Mark

00:43Bev Johns and the Learning Disabilities Association

03:26Challenges in Education and Advocacy for Parents

06:04Bev's Journey in Education and Early Experiences

08:47The Importance of Listening and Support in Education

11:38Teacher Demoralization and Systemic Issues

14:36Behavior as Communication and Emotional Regulation

17:17The Role of Arts in Education and Expression

20:00Conclusion and Final Thoughts

28:47Meeting Children's Needs

32:09Understanding Behavioral Challenges

36:41Effective Behavior Management Strategies

40:23Mindfulness and Self-Regulation

43:50Dealing with Meltdowns

46:25Transitioning and Preparing for Change

50:43Building Consistency in Education

53:56Empowering Children to Communicate Needs

• Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois
• Mindfulness in Schools Project
• De-escalation Strategies for Teachers (Book)

• Website: https://bevjohns.org/
• LinkedIn: Beverly Johns
• Facebook: Beverly Johns

https://specialedrising.com/

Ray''s Respite Care GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission

This week’s episode takes a deeper look at what advocacy really means when families are navigating both disability and systemic bias. While a scheduled guest appearance was postponed, the conversation opened the door to something that demands attention now—how race, language, and systemic inequities shape special education experiences for families.

Through real-world examples and research-backed insights, this episode breaks down how bias shows up in evaluation, diagnosis, and support—and why advocacy for many families becomes a constant fight for both services and basic understanding.

• What advocacy actually looks like inside IEP meetings
• How bias influences evaluation, diagnosis, and placement decisions
• Disparities affecting Black students in special education
• Barriers faced by Latino families with limited English proficiency
• The gap between awareness and meaningful systemic change
• Why parents are often forced into reactive advocacy
• What Black families are doing right—and what systems are missing
• Action steps for building equitable, culturally responsive systems

• Advocacy is not just paperwork—it’s standing your ground in systems that may already be misreading your child.
• Bias in interpretation—not just policy—drives inequitable outcomes.
• Awareness alone is not enough; systems must be redesigned with families, not for them.
• Parents are often expected to operate at a high level without being given the training or support to do so.
• True equity requires shifting responsibility from families to systems.

• Drexel University Autism InstituteKey insight: Structural racism impacts evaluation, diagnosis, and support for Black children
• MDPIGibson, L., Keyes, S., & Cartledge, G. (2026)
• Black Students in Special Education: A Historical and Current Account Toward Change
• Findings:
• Disproportionate identification in subjective disability categories
• Higher likelihood of restrictive placements
• Unequal access to quality instruction and resources
• Continued disparities despite Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• SPARK for Autism ResearchFinding: ~28% of Black parents report race impacted their child’s diagnostic experience
• Organization for Autism ResearchInsight: Strength-based, identity-affirming approaches improve outcomes for Black autistic youth
• Additional supporting literature referenced in discussion:
• Black parental involvement in special education is critical but under-supported
• Systemic barriers limit parent advocacy effectiveness
• Disparities in access to experienced teachers, rigorous curriculum, and inclusive settings

If this episode resonated with you:

• Share it with another parent or educator
• Start a conversation in your school or community
• Ask: Are we partnering with families—or expecting them to figure it out alone?

• Follow: @specialedrising
• Website: specialedrising.com
• Email: [email protected]

💙 Support Ray’s Respite Care

A space designed to provide relief and joy for families navigating special needs.

(Link available in episode description)

Take one small step this week.

You’re doing better than you think.

And remember—no parent gets left behind.

Specialedrising.com

https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-missio=