Today, Katie Thune, founder of Mad Hatter Wellness, discusses sexual health and wellbeing for individuals with disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of teaching sexual health from a young age and the need for ongoing conversations throughout a person's life.

Katie provides tips for teaching body autonomy and consent to nonverbal or non-speaking children. She also discusses the importance of allowing children to set boundaries in relationships and categorizing relationships to help navigate social interactions.

Katie highlights the need to respect individual preferences and comfort levels within different relationships. The conversation covers various stages of a child's life and how to navigate important topics such as consent, boundaries, relationships, and sexual wellness. It emphasizes the importance of starting these conversations early and teaching children to respect others' boundaries.

The speakers discuss strategies for nonverbal children, the significance of privacy and personal space, and the challenges of parenting during the middle school years. They also touch on the importance of teaching about healthy relationships, consent, and safety in the workplace.

The conversation concludes with advice on supporting children's independence and addressing sensitive topics like self-touch and self-pleasure.

Keywords

sexual health, wellbeing, disabilities, teaching, body autonomy, consent, relationships, boundaries, consent, boundaries, relationships, sexual wellness, privacy, personal space, middle school years, healthy relationships, safety in the workplace, independence, self-touch, self-pleasure

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Mad Hatter Wellness and Sexual Health

03:14The Importance of Support Systems

05:52Teaching Body Autonomy and Consent from a Young Age

12:33Tips for Parents of Nonverbal or Non-Speaking Children

19:34Being Patient and Gentle with Yourself

24:46Navigating Friendships and Relationships

27:36Understanding Different Levels of Touch and Intimacy

29:32Starting Early: Teaching Consent and Boundaries

39:19Navigating the Middle School Years

41:09Healthy Relationships and Dealing with Rejection

47:17Boundaries in the Workplace

54:47Addressing Self-Touch and Self-Pleasure

56:11Building Trust and Independence

About our guest

Katie Thune was once a sepcial needs educator and now runs Mad Hatter Wellness. There, the focus is on cultivating safety and wellness, especially related to comprehensive sex education specifically for all people with disabilities. Healthy relationships, boundaries, consent and safety are the topics they focus on the most.

Connect with Katie and her team and learn more here:

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this conversation, Aishwarya Magesh and Dr. Lulu discuss the challenges faced by parents who have children with special needs and lack a diagnosis or sufficient support. They highlight the importance of understanding the child's condition and finding the right educational system for them.

They also discuss the lack of communication and education provided by some doctors, the need for a holistic approach to care, and the cultural stigma and shame associated with having a child with special needs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empowering parents with knowledge and support.

The conversation explores some of the programming and societal expectations that special needs parents face. It highlights the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and finding support.

The importance of self-love and acceptance is emphasized, as well as the need for society to recognize and value the unique abilities of differently abled individuals. The guests provide advice to special needs parents, encouraging them to persevere, discover their child's strengths, and seek support.

Keywords

special needs, diagnosis, support, education, challenges, communication, cultural stigma, shame, empowerment, programming, societal expectations, challenges, healthcare system, support, self-love, acceptance, unique abilities, differently abled, advice

About our guests

Dr. Lulu is a paediatrician and life coach who focuses on parent coaching, inclusive of parenting of LGBTI children. She is a proud Nigerian, currently living in GA, USA, and her diverse life experiences inform her coaching work.

Find more of Dr. Lulu's story and connect with her here: https://dr-lulu.com/about/

Aishwarya Magesh became the parent of a pre-term son sixteen years ago, but doctors did not inform her that her son would be disabled. Her mothering journey was one of seeking to understand her son, seek support for his needs, adapt her own approaches to caring for and take on educating him herself. Now she helps educate and support other parents facing their own challenging journeys of seeking diagnoses and creating better educational and home lives for their children.

Learn more about Aushwarya and connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishwarya-magesh-69873482/

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this conversation, Shanda Deo-Bickaroo and Dr. Debra Bartholomew, two parents of children with autism, discuss their experiences as special needs parents and advocates.

They share their challenges in finding appropriate education and support for their children, as well as the stigma and judgment they face from society. Despite the difficulties, they demonstrate resilience and determination in advocating for their children's needs.

The conversation highlights the importance of community support and understanding in the lives of special needs parents and their children. The conversation explores the challenges and experiences of being a special needs parent and the importance of building a supportive community.

The speakers discuss the difficulties of navigating societal attitudes and the need for empathy and understanding. They share personal stories of interactions with the community, both positive and negative, and highlight the power of advocacy and education.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of love, strength, and self-acceptance in the special needs parenting journey.

Keywords

special needs parents, autism, education, support, challenges, advocacy, resilience, community, special needs parenting, challenges, community, empathy, understanding, advocacy, education, love, strength, self-acceptance

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Importance of Community

02:29Challenges in Education and Individuality of Autism

06:43Differences in Support Systems Across Countries

11:33Finding a Place for Children with Autism in Education

16:31Navigating the Challenges of Special Needs Parenting

22:09Importance of Non-Academic Aspects of Education

29:43The Impact of Labels and Building Resilience

38:12Dealing with Seizures and the Emotional Toll

41:37Sleeping Challenges and Sensory Sensitivity

43:42Interactions with Society and Lack of Support

44:29Public Reactions and Stigma

45:20Advocacy and Bullying

49:24Educating and Sensitizing the Community

55:17Building a Supportive Community and Embracing Differences

01:13:30The Power of Love and Community

About our guests

Dr. Debra Bartholomew is trained in Ophthalmology but says she has always been an educator. Thus when her first child was diagnosed with autism, it became the norm for Debra to seek to educate everyone with whom they built relationships. Why? Because she wanted her child to be treated as human, she says. Debra works alongside her two sons, one of whom has an autism diagnosis, to educate and support persons with autism and their families.

Shanda Deo's first son was diagnosed as autistic, and after extreme challenges to find primary school education access for him, she began working in a pre-school and took her son with her to give him the tailored support he needed. With her son now an adult while still dependent on her and her family, Shanda now runs her own micro-centre to help special needs children develop social, academic and other skills.

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

Today, Alyssa from Alyssa's Yellow House talks about organization tips for special needs children. Alyssa, who is autistic and has ADHD herself, shares her insights on organizing in a way that works for individuals with special needs. She emphasizes understanding each child's unique needs and preferences when it comes to organization.

Alyssa also discusses building habits and routines, starting small, and giving children choices in organizing their space. She encourages parents to focus on their child's well-being above external judgments. The episode highlights the importance of creating an environment that supports the child's independence and self-expression.

Discussions touched on the importance of creating designated spaces for children to keep their belongings and the benefits of working with their natural tendencies rather than against them. They emphasized the role of routines and behavior-moedling to teach children how to maintain an organized space. Also discussed were the use of color, the role of music, and the importance of allowing children to have a say in the organization of shared spaces.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00Intro & Background

03:14Creating Individualized Organization Systems

09:16Starting Small, Celebrating Small Wins

17:48Parent Roles in Supporting Children's Organization

23:18Designing a Safe, Functional Space for Children

26:48Developing Routines

39:39Creating Designated Spaces, Involving Children

42:31Using Color & Music to Calm

47:20Choosing Furniture & Containers

49:09Setting Goals, Establishing Routines

About our guest

Alyssa, from Alyssa’s Yellow House, is a neurodivergent home organization strategist giving people with ADHD and autism personalized systems to turn their home into a space they love. Her strategy is based on taking an out-of-the-box approach to organization which doesn’t rely on habits, “focusing more,” or trying harder, but instead uses an intuitive approach to create systems that feel easy to maintain while being functional.

Find Alyssa here:

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

Today, Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon speaks with two special needs parents, Samuel Hutchins and Kariana, about their experiences raising children with disabilities. They discuss the concept of disability pride and the importance of embracing and celebrating their children's unique abilities. They also highlight the need for understanding and acceptance from society, as well as the challenges they face in accessing resources and support.

The conversation emphasizes the power of love, kindness, and advocacy in creating a more inclusive world for individuals with disabilities. They touch on topics such as dealing with judgment and stares from others, the importance of humor in coping with difficult situations, the need for support and understanding from friends and family, and the journey of self-identity as a special needs parent.

The guests also share information about their projects and initiatives, including the Hope 4 Xavier Foundation and an online store with designs created by a special needs child.

Keywords: special needs parents, disability pride, embracing abilities, understanding, acceptance, challenges, resources, support, love, kindness, advocacy, inclusive world, special needs parent, challenges, judgment, stares, humor, support, identity, Hope for Xavier Foundation, online store

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

03:39Exploring Disability Pride

09:31Challenging Stereotypes and Advocating for Children

16:03Kindness and Empathy in Interactions

23:03The Transformative Power of Love and Joy

29:03Raising Awareness and Promoting Inclusion

34:59Dealing with Judgment and Stares

39:40Finding Humor and Coping Mechanisms

45:09The Importance of Support

48:31Journey of Self-Identity

57:43Projects and Initiatives

01:06:08Joining a Community

Samuel Hutchins is a special needs father and life coach who runs the Hope 4 Xavier Foundation. Find him at https://www.facebook.com/samuel.hutchins.75

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠⁠

Summary

In this episode, Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon interviews Angela O'Brien, a professional organizer, about back-to-school organization for parents of special needs children. They discuss the stress and anxiety that can come with the new school year and offer tips for managing it.

Angela emphasizes the importance of approaching the new school year with a sense of wonder and excitement, rather than stress. She also suggests practicing the new routine before school starts and incorporating the child's interests and fascinations into the routine.

Angela also provides advice on decluttering and organizing the home, including creating designated spaces for items and focusing on small areas at a time. She encourages parents to let go of perfection and focus on what works best for their family.

You're invited to join the Lighting the Path community for free today! Come chat some more with Angela and other special needs parents about back to school organising!

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Welcome

03:19Approaching the New School Year with Wonder

05:05Practicing Routines and Incorporating Rewards

06:29Organizing for Different Types of Children

07:27Understanding and Meeting Individual Needs

09:11The Importance of Having a Place for Items

10:37Managing Overwhelm and Simplifying the Back-to-School Process

12:26Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing What Works

15:05Dealing with Judgment and Setting Your Own Standards

18:25Creating a Home that Reflects Your Values and Supports Your Family

20:17Decluttering and Removing Unnecessary Items

22:19Starting Small and Practicing Organization

23:46Organizing Spaces to Support Daily Routines

25:40Shifting Rules and Creating Functional Spaces

27:55Creating Entryway Systems and Command Centers

29:49Prioritizing Spaces for Organization

32:35Designating Spaces for Items and Simplifying the Kitchen

34:56Reimagining Spaces and Letting Go of Traditional Rules

39:38Golden Pieces of Advice

43:33Free Resources and Podcast Recommendations

Angela O’Brien is a mom of 2, professional organizer, Enneagram coach, and host of the podcast Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms. After spending 18 years raising her kids and advocating for her daughter who has Down Syndrome, Angela took her love of home organizing and turned it into a business where she coaches fellow special needs moms through their clutter so that they can reclaim the space, freedom, and energy to do what they love.

About the podcast host

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon interviews Tonya Wollum, a special needs parent and IEP Coach with extensive experience. They discuss the challenges and preparations involved when children with special needs transition to university. They also touch on topics such as guardianship, trust funds, and the importance of self-advocacy.

In this conversation, Marcia and Tonya discuss the challenges and strategies for parents of special needs children as they transition to college. They emphasize the importance of open communication, self-advocacy, and building a support network. They also discuss the role of parents in helping their children navigate accommodations, interact with professors, and find their place in the college community. The conversation highlights the need for parents to let go and allow their children to learn and grow independently, while still providing emotional support and guidance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tonya Wollum

01:31 Discussing the Challenges of Transitioning to University

02:28 Early Transitioning and the Role of Faith

03:28 Encouraging Independence and Self-Exploration

05:32 Understanding the Unique Needs of Each Child

06:58 Different Schooling Experiences for Siblings with Disabilities

08:23 Dealing with ADHD and Narcolepsy in College

10:21 Preparing for Guardianship and Financial Planning

14:40 When to Apply for Guardianship and the Importance of Experienced Professionals

18:26 Starting the Documentation Process Early

20:49 The Importance of Tailoring Trusts and Estate Planning

26:36 Navigating Guardianship and Executors

28:26 Transitioning to College and Seeking Accommodations

31:46 The Role of Self-Advocacy in College Success

34:15 Preparing for Self-Advocacy from a Young Age

34:44 Navigating the College Transition

38:02 Challenges with Accommodations

48:27 Building a Support Network

56:02 Finding a Peer Group

01:00:20 Letting Go and Allowing Independence

About Tonya Wollum

Tonya Wollum is a disability advocate, a Master IEP Coach®, and the host of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast for special needs parents. A parent of children with disabilities, she is dedicated to empowering parents to advocate for their children. She draws from her own experiences to provide strategies to support families living life with a disability.

About Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parent and coach to parents, a podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to make special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join the FREE Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠⁠

This episode continues our dive into perspectives about disability pride.

Join us as we discuss what the varied experiences of our guests - from their observations of children's experiences, challenges, and motivators - led them to realise about living with disabilities, and promoting advocacy, personal pride, and professional pride in young persons with disabilities. Also, don't miss out on hearing their views about misconceptions about disability and how they'd reorient thinking in society.

Today's podcast speakers and host:

Our guests offer the following support from their own areas of expertise:

Avion Thompson, a social worker, certified mediator, life skills trainer, and special needs mom - offers a free first life skills session to teens from age 14 -18, to help with conflict resolution or emotional pressures. Book a session with her here: https://calendly.com/thegreatnessinitiative/30min

Mark Kemp, a certified hypnotherapist and licensed optician with a disability who runs his own business - offers a free consultation as well as advocacy support and a range of hypnotherapy services to help clients address issues including pain management and making mental/emotional shifts. Book with him here: https://tranquilityhealthwellness.llc/ and also learn other ways to connect with him.

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon, a special needs parent and coach to parents, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer - runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she never wants special needs parents to feel abandoned and unsupported.

Get her Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠ 

Find Marcia on Facebook at ⁠https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/⁠ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join Marcia's free Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG⁠

Join us to explore what disability pride means to parents who not only have children with disabilities, but have disabilities themselves.

Three guests speak with me on the panel for this episode, sharing their thoughts and experiences about disability identity, navigating neurodivergence, breaking generational cycles, creating safe spaces for their children and themselves as parents, advocacy, and self-expression.

Dive deeper into the issues discussed in this episode and future episode in our explorations inside my free Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents and allies. Sign up to join here, or via the link at the end of this shownote.

About our guests and their work:

Meagan Tehseldar, advocate and educator helping parents navigate the special education system for children in school. Find her on instagram at @loveoverlabelsadvocacy and explore her website loveoverlabels.net to learn about her and check out her many resources.

Dr. Simone Kolysh, life coach at Definant Life Coaching helping late-in-life realised neurodivergent and burnt out parents: Find them on TikTok and Instagram at the handle @defiantlifecoaching. Be sure to mention The Special Needs Parent Podcast to get 10% off any consulting package with Dr. Simone, who offers amazing flexibility on modes of communication to meet clients' diverse needs and preferences.

Latrea Ross, disability empowerment coach for parents and young children. Find Latrea on tiktok and Instagram at the handle @coachltrea79, and on Facebook at more_than_my_disability, and on her website at www.coachlatrea.net for a range of support options.

Find Marcia on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MarciaNB8/ and on Instagram @specialneedsparentjourney

Join Marcia's free Lighting the Path Community for Special Needs Parents at https://www.facebook.com/share/jG6JEHafR3TWTyqG