For many children with Dyslexia and other “hidden” disabilities, the hardest parts happen beneath the surface. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explores the emotional toll of masking, anxiety, and exhaustion that students often carry silently every school day.

Dominique shares:

• why academic measures can miss the real struggle

• how masking erases internal distress

• how to track behavior and communicate student impact

• advocacy language that helps schools understand emotional burden

• ways to support your child at home with validation and regulation

💡 Quick Takeaway: A calm exterior doesn’t always mean there’s no struggle — focus on the impact on your child’s well-being, not just academic outcomes.

Visit us at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com for tools and supports or to book a consultation.

#WholeChildAdvocate #Dyslexia #AnxietyInSchools #Masking #ParentAdvocacy #StudentImpact #Neurodiversity #SpecialEducationSupport #TheWoodlandsTX

For many children receiving 504 or Special Education services, the hardest parts happen beneath the surface. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explores the emotional toll of masking, anxiety, and exhaustion that students with dyslexia and other hidden disabilities, often carry silently every school day.

Dominique shares:

• why academic measures can miss the real struggle

• how masking erases internal distress

• how to track behavior and communicate student impact

• advocacy language that helps schools understand emotional burden

• ways to support your child at home with validation and regulation

💡 Quick Takeaway: A calm exterior doesn’t always mean there’s no struggle — focus on the Student Impact, not just Academic Impact.

Visit us at:www.wholechildadvocacy.com for tools and support or to book a consultation.

#WholeChildAdvocate #Dyslexia #AnxietyInSchools #Masking #ParentAdvocacy #StudentImpact #Neurodiversity #SpecialEducationSupport #TheWoodlandsTX

Parent-teacher conferences are more than report card conversations — they’re powerful advocacy moments. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shows parents how to use mid-year conferences and IEP progress meetings to review goals, adjust supports, and strengthen collaboration with educators.

You’ll learn:

• How to prepare for conferences with clarity and confidence

• What data-driven questions lead to productive conversations

• How to revisit accommodations that aren’t working

• Why follow-up documentation matters

• How to keep meetings centered on the whole child

💡 Quick Takeaway: Prepared parents shape productive meetings.

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📲 Find me on social media at Whole Child Advocacy

www.wholechildadvocacy.com

Anxiety can quietly interfere with learning, behavior, and confidence — especially in the classroom. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explains how anxiety shows up at school and shares practical strategies parents and educators can use to support students with compassion and clarity.

You’ll learn:

• Early signs that anxiety is impacting learning

• The difference between anxiety-driven avoidance and noncompliance

• Classroom strategies that reduce stress and support engagement

• How parents can partner with teachers without feeling like they’re overstepping

• Why emotional safety is foundational to learning

💡 Quick Takeaway: When we reduce stress, we increase learning capacity.

📘 Download the Managing School Anxiety Resource Guide atwww.wholechildadvocacy.com

🎧 Follow The Whole Child Advocate📲 Find me on social media at Whole Child Advocacy

The return to school after winter break can be challenging — especially for children who thrive on routine, predictability, and emotional safety. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shares practical strategies to help families rebuild routines, reduce anxiety, and support a smoother transition back to school.

You’ll learn:

• Why January transitions feel so hard for kids and parents

• Common post-holiday challenges with sleep, focus, and regulation

• How visual schedules and weekly previews reduce anxiety

• Simple morning check-ins that boost confidence

• Why collaboration with teachers matters during transitions

💡 Quick Takeaway: Consistency and predictability rebuild confidence after a long break.

Don't forget to FOLLOW us so you never miss an episode.

You can find more information as well as resources at www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #BackToSchoolRoutines #ParentAdvocacy #SpecialEducationSupport #JanuaryTransition #Neurodiversity #IEP #504Plan #TheWoodlandsTX

January isn’t just a new calendar year — it’s a reset button for your child’s educational journey. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, walks parents through a simple mid-year reflection process to help refine IEP goals, strengthen communication with teachers, and start the spring semester with clarity and purpose.

You’ll learn:

• Why mid-year progress checks matter

• How to read IEP progress notes with intention

• The 3 steps to re-engage your child’s school team after winter break

• How to identify one priority area for spring

• Why keeping a simple home goal tracker strengthens advocacy
  

Quick Takeaway: Progress is a process — reviewing your child’s growth helps the entire team refocus.

Download your Mid-Year IEP Review Checklist at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #IEPGoals #SpecialEducationSupport #ParentAdvocacy #MidYearCheckIn #Neurodiversity #504Plan #TheWoodlandsTX

Before turning the page to a new year, this special reflection episode invites you to pause, breathe, and notice the progress you and your child have made. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, guides you through gentle year-end questions, mindset shifts, and intentions that help parents advocate with clarity, confidence, and compassion in the new year.

You’ll explore:

• What went well this semester — academically, emotionally, or socially

• Moments where your child showed growth, resilience, or bravery

• What you learned about your child’s strengths and needs

• How to set intentions, not rigid resolutions, for the next semester

• A heartfelt story that captures what “whole child” growth truly looks like
  

Dominique reminds parents that advocacy is a journey, not a destination — and that every step you take, big or small, is a gift to your child.

Quick Takeaway: The greatest gift you can give your child is consistent, compassionate advocacy.

Don't forget to visit us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to access Week 4 of the Advent Giveaway, or learn more at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #ParentAdvocacy #SpecialEducation #NewYearReflection #WholeChildApproach #IEP #504Plan #Neurodiversity #EmotionalGrowth #TheWoodlandsTX

The holidays bring joy, excitement, and special traditions — but they also bring noise, crowds, disrupted routines, and emotional overload. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shares compassionate, practical strategies to help both parents and children stay regulated during the busiest season of the year.

You’ll learn:

• The early signs of sensory overload and emotional burnout

• How to create sensory-friendly and emotionally safe spaces at home

• The power of co-regulation — and how your calm becomes your child’s anchor

• Practical tools that support nervous system regulation for all ages

• Ways parents can manage their own stress so they can show up with patience and presence
  

Dominique explores the heart of holiday regulation, reminding parents that their job isn’t to prevent every meltdown, but to stay connected through them.

Quick Takeaway: You don’t have to fix every meltdown — just stay connected through it.

Download your Holiday Calm Guide, part of the Advent Giveaway Series, at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #HolidayStress #CoRegulation #ParentAdvocacy #AutismParenting #ADHDFamily #SensorySupport #EmotionalRegulation #TheWoodlandsTX

Holiday events often bring excitement — but they can also bring anxiety, especially for children who thrive on structure and predictability. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explains how social stories can help children manage stress, understand expectations, and feel confident during seasonal changes.

You’ll learn:

• What social stories are and where the idea originated

• Why they’re so effective for reducing anxiety and sensory overload

• How visuals + predictable sequences help prepare kids for new experiences

• A simple step-by-step method for writing your own social story

• A real example you can use for holiday gatherings or school events

• Quick tips for reading the story, reinforcing coping strategies, and supporting your child
  

💡 Quick Takeaway: Social stories don’t remove challenges — they build confidence through practice and predictability.

Download your free social stories from the Advent Giveaway Series at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #SocialStories #HolidayAnxiety #AutismParenting #ADHDFamily #SpecialEducationSupport #ParentAdvocacy #SensoryFriendlyHolidays #TheWoodlandsTX

The holiday season is magical — but for many children with sensory sensitivities, autism, or ADHD, it can also be overwhelming. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shares practical strategies to help families create joyful, predictable, and sensory-friendly celebrations all season long.

You’ll learn:

• Common holiday sensory triggers (lights, noise, crowds, new routines)

• How to prepare your child using visual schedules, social stories, and sensory planning

• Simple tools to use during family gatherings and travel

• The power of predictable routines and quiet spaces

• Why being proactive doesn’t make you “overprotective”—it makes you prepared

Dominique also shares calming, real-world tips to help your child feel secure, supported, and understood during this exciting time of year.

💡 Quick Takeaway: Your calm presence is the best gift your child can receive this season.

Download your free Holiday Sensory Checklist from the Advent Giveaway Series at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #SensoryFriendly #HolidaysWithKids #AutismParenting #ADHDFamily #SpecialEducationSupport #ParentAdvocacy #SensoryProcessing #HolidayStress #TheWoodlandsTX