This Way Up

Is your child acting out, or are they simply trying to communicate their feelings without the necessary skills or words to express themselves? Join us as Glenn Dyke, owner of Blind Mule Behavioral Services sheds light on how behavior is a powerful form of communication. Drawing from the understanding that behavior carries meaning, he helps to uncover the messages behind a child's actions and provides strategies for fostering positive change. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply interested in improving relationships, the principles discussed in this episode have relevance for all ages. Join us as we explore the potential of understanding and shaping behavior to promote healthier and more resilient individuals.

BIO:
Glenn is the owner and CEO of Blind Mule Behavioral Services. Glenn has over 20 years of experience working in the public school setting as an elementary and secondary teacher, behavior specialist, school administrator,  education specialist and behavior consultant.  Glenn and the community at Blind Mule Behavioral Services specialize in providing technical assistance, coaching and professional development to schools and districts throughout the Mountain West (and beyond). Glenn specializes in school-wide discipline (PBIS/MTSS), classroom management and tiered behavioral support for even the most severe problem behaviors.

Glenn Dyke earned his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah, has a Special Education Teaching Certification and an Administrative Supervisory license from Utah State University.  He received his Masters of Education at the University of Utah and is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:

Blind Mules Behavioral Services: www.blindmule.org

Will Smith Painting Fences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxjC88ls5l0

Biosphere 2: https://biosphere2.org/

Resilience in Children: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hernandoco/2023/02/08/one-caring-adult-away/

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Have you heard the advice, “Don’t meet your child’s emotions with the same intensity as theirs.”? It sounds easy, but actually doing it is another story. In this episode, mindfulness and meditation coach Christine Dowding Schmitz offers practical tools for both parents and children. She'll guide us in recognizing emotions by staying present, tuning into our body's responses, accepting these feelings, and then gently steering our minds back to a state of calm. Tune in to learn how to navigate emotional moments with mindfulness and grace. 

Christine Dowding Schmitz is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and the Founder of The Mindful Journey. For over 20 years, Christine has been serving others as a teacher, trainer, and coach for adults through various human resources roles in the corporate world.  For the last decade, Christine has practiced daily research-based mindfulness and meditation techniques that she shares with her clients of all ages to help them manage stress and emotions, improve relationships, increase focus and performance, enhance well-being, reduce pain symptoms, and find happiness and meaning in life.

Resources and References
The Mindful Journey with Christine: www.themindfuljourneywithchristine.com
Instagram Page: http://www.instagram.com/tmjwc

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

How do you find ways to breathe during periods of incredible stress? How do you choose joy during moments of grief and sadness? Join us to discover the healing perspective that has helped thousands of parents of children who struggle with their mental health. Author and speaker, Kay Warren, shares her story about her son, his mental illness, and the organization she founded, Breathe, which supports families across the world find mental health resources and support. To find more about Breathe and upcoming retreats visit: https://kaywarren.com/breathe/

Kay Warren co founded Saddleback Church w in Lake Forest, CA After the death of her son, Matthew, who lived with serious mental illness for most of his life, she founded Saddleback’s Hope for Mental Health Initiative as a way to support individuals and family members of loved ones with mental illness and suicidal ideation. In 2019, Kay started BREATHE, a ministry to support parents of children with serious mental illness. BREATHE events include weekend respite retreats, online retreats, and free Zoom calls with mental health professionals. 

Learn more at KayWarren.com and follow her on Facebook (KayWarrensPage), Twitter (@KayWarren1), and Instagram (@KayWarren75).

Resources and References:
Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts- Stacey Freedenthal, PhD  https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Someone-Suicidal-Thoughts-Harbinger/dp/1648480241
Kay Warren: https://kaywarren.com/breathe/

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

How far would you push to ensure your child with autism experiences the most enriching life as possible? Meet Christa, a tenacious mother whose determination and resilience shine through as she recounts her incredible journey alongside her son, Nicolas, who was diagnosed as a toddler with autism. Christa's story serves as an inspiring symbol of hope and a testament to the profound impact of a mother's love in shaping a joyful childhood. It's a poignant reminder that every modest triumph is worth celebrating.

Christa is the mother of two teenage boys; one in high school and one in college. Christa’s younger son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with Autism at a young age, despite hitting all of his developmental milestones up until that point. As she describes it, the change happened seemingly overnight. She has been a fierce advocate for his health and education ever since. And as a result, she has become a resource and support to so many other families. 

Resources and References:

Nicolas’s YouTube Channel: @thebaileyshow925

Recommended book on Autism: https://a.co/d/gpkOV2P

Book on NeuroFeedback: The Symphony in the Brain: https://a.co/d/eAkzxTk


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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Are you exploring alternatives to traditional medication for your child's mental health? Dr. Heather Davidson recently shed light on some progressive therapies for conditions like anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD. She explained the immediate benefits of Biofeedback, which leverages the mind-body connection to help patients regulate their physiological responses, most importantly breathing. Dr. Davidson shares the importance of breathing techniques as a tool to mitigate the body's stress reactions.

Furthermore, she introduced neurofeedback, a non-invasive therapy that uses audio-visual cues from movies to retrain the brain using positive reinforcement. Additionally, she highlighted the innovative use of Virtual Reality in providing exposure therapy for situations which are difficult to simulate in a doctors office.

With her extensive experience in pediatric care, Dr. Davidson also provided her perspective on the rising prevalence of mental health issues among children today, as well as realistic views on balancing technology use in their lives.

Dr. Heather Davidson is a licensed psychologist with expertise in child and adolescent treatment, specializing in ADHD, oppositional defiance disorder, anxiety, and OCD. She utilizes a unique approach combining traditional psychological testing measures with qEEG for neuropsychological assessment. She specializes in using neurofeedback, biofeedback and virtual reality to help her patients. Her extensive experience include working in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health facilities, volunteering in a Peruvian medical orphanage,  and serving the underprivileged and at risk youth of New York by utilizing trauma focused CBT and by supporting these  parents through the Partners in Parenting program.  She is the Director of Child and Adolescent Services and Clinical Training at Behavioral Associates where in addition to her practice she created both a postdoctoral fellowship and doctoral externship program focusing on non-invasive neuro psychological therapies.

Resources and References:

To reach Dr. Davidson: https://www.drdavidsonnyc.com/

International Society of Neurofeedback and Research: https://isnr.org/

Biofeedback Certification International Alliance: https://www.bcia.org

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

In this episode of This Way Up, we are joined by Dr. Brian Grass for a compelling discussion centered around a crucial facet of your child's journey - their educational experience. Dr. Grass delves into the fundamental right of every child to access a free and appropriate education and sheds light on what this entails. Moreover, he shares of the distinctions between a 504 plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP), providing valuable insights into what parents can anticipate when utilizing these educational resources. Dr. Grass emphasizes the significance of fostering relationships with advocates across all tiers of the school system to ensure the best possible educational support for your child. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that delves deep into the world of education and advocacy.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Andrea and Emie sit down with Amanda to discuss the heartbreaking decision she made to send her 8-year-old son to live in a residential treatment facility. Amanda shares her candid feelings and imparts valuable advice on coping with the complexities of raising a child with severe mental illness. The episode delves into the difficulties of finding suitable residential facilities for her son and explores the profound impact this journey has had on her entire family. Amanda's story provides listeners with insights into the trials and tribulations faced by families dealing with similar situations.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.

Welcome to Episode 0 of This Way Up, where hosts Andrea  and Emie Watters take you on a journey from their high school days in sunny Arizona to the inception of this podcast. In this episode, Andrea and Emie rekindle their friendship and recount the randomness that brought them back together, setting the stage for the creation of This Way Up.

They share their personal stories as parents who have navigated the challenging waters of raising children dealing with various mental health struggles. Reflecting on the past, they imagine how their lives might have been different if they had the support and understanding of someone who truly "got it."

The hosts discuss their vision for This Way Up, which aims to build a community where parents can find validation, support, and access to the latest information on mental health resources and therapies. They express their excitement about inviting listeners into this important conversation and providing a platform where people can connect, share stories, and learn.

Join Andrea and Emie as they embark on this new podcasting adventure, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of parents navigating the complex world of mental health care. Whether you're listening in the middle of the night or during a few moments of solitude, This Way Up offers a space for you to explore, learn, and connect. Welcome to the journey!

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.