Tune In: The First 3 Years

What if the most important voice in your child’s early intervention plan is yours? In today’s episode, Nicole Jensen sits down with Samie to break down what families really need to know about the Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP. From understanding what happens during an IFSP meeting to recognizing how much influence parents have in shaping goals, services, and priorities, this conversation helps make the early intervention process feel less overwhelming and more collaborative.

Samie shares how service coordinators support families, why everyday routines can become meaningful developmental goals, and how parents can speak up, ask questions, and advocate for what matters most to their child. You’ll also gain a clearer understanding of how early intervention services are chosen, how plans can change as your child grows, and why progress does not always look the way families expect. If you’re preparing for your first IFSP meeting or already navigating early intervention, this episode will help you feel more informed, confident, and prepared to take an active role in your child’s care.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

An early intervention evaluation can feel scary, but it may be the first step toward answers, support, and peace of mind. In this episode, Nicole Jensen chats with Amanda Herrmann to make the early intervention evaluation process easier to understand for parents who are worried about their child’s development. From what happens after a referral to how therapists look at speech, movement, play, social skills, and daily routines, this conversation offers a calm, clear look at what families can expect. Together, they share how to prepare for an evaluation, what happens when a child is shy or tired, and the next steps if a child does not qualify for services. Most of all, this episode reminds families that therapists are there to support, not judge, and that asking questions is a caring first step.

Amanda Herrmann, M.S., is a licensed speech-language pathologist, ACT Board Vice President, and the managing partner and co-owner of Arizona Speech Pathology. For more than 13 years, she has supported children and families through the Arizona Early Intervention Program. Amanda holds a Master Teams Coaching certification and an Infant Toddler Mental Health endorsement. She also teaches speech-language pathology graduate students and supervises speech-language pathology assistants.

Connect with Amanda:
Website: https://www.azcooperativetherapies.org/ 
Phone: 602-547-1111

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

In today’s episode of Tune In: The First Three Years, Nicole talks with Melissa about what happens after a family makes an early intervention referral. Melissa explains how the first home visit works. She shares why she starts with play, gives children time to feel safe, and listens closely to each family’s concerns. Parents often ask about speech delays, walking, and big behaviors. They may also feel scared, unsure, or overwhelmed by forms and new people coming into their home.

You’ll learn how service coordinators help connect families with the right support, such as speech, occupational, physical, or developmental services. Melissa also explains why gestures and signs matter before words begin, and why a free screening can bring peace of mind, even when a child is doing well. A small question today can bring big peace tomorrow. Trust your instincts, make the referral, and let your child be seen.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

What happens when a diagnosis changes the future you imagined for your child?

In this heartfelt episode of Tune In: The First 3 Years, Nicole Jensen sits down with Kelly, a mother navigating her daughter’s Rett syndrome diagnosis with honesty, faith, and fierce love. Kelly shares what it felt like to receive unexpected news, the grief that can surface in everyday moments, and why her daughter is so much more than a diagnosis.

Together, they discuss early intervention, parent-led goals, finding the right support team, and the power of speaking openly when you need help. Kelly also offers meaningful guidance for families newly facing a diagnosis, and for loved ones who want to show up with care. This is a tender, hopeful conversation about patience, advocacy, and seeing the whole child.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

When a baby faces a health problem, parents can feel scared, tired, and unsure of what comes next. In this heartfelt episode, Nicole Jensen talks with Peyton about her daughter’s journey with hip dysplasia, two surgeries, therapy, and early intervention. Peyton shares what it felt like to receive a diagnosis just two days after giving birth. She explains how fear can lead to many questions, and why parents should speak up, ask for help, and trust their voice. She also shares how family, friends, therapists, and online parent groups helped her family through hard days.

This story is about more than medical care. It is about hope, support, and seeing small wins grow into big ones. From using a scooter board during recovery to her daughter's first steps, Peyton reminds parents that children can be incredibly strong. If your child is facing surgery, therapy, or a delayed milestone, this episode offers comfort, practical encouragement, and a reminder that you do not have to carry it all alone.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

In this episode of Tune In: The First Three Years, Nicole talks with Stacey, a mom sharing her honest early intervention journey with two young boys. They discuss developmental delays, vision concerns, autism signs, and the worry that can come with comparing one child’s growth to another’s.

Stacey shares why home-based early intervention felt so helpful, how play supports child development, and what helps her stay present when the future feels uncertain. This warm conversation offers practical support and a hopeful reminder that every child grows in their own time.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

What happens when the diagnosis you feared becomes the support your child needed all along? In today’s episode, Nicole chats with Alyssa about her son’s autism diagnosis, the early signs she noticed, and the emotions that came with trying to understand what life would look like next. Alyssa shares honestly about delayed milestones, sensory challenges, therapy, developmental preschool, family support, and the tender grief many parents carry when their child’s path looks different than expected. 

This conversation offers comfort and hope for families walking through early intervention, autism evaluations, and the unknowns of parenting a child who grows in their own time. Above all, it is a reminder that a diagnosis does not take away a child’s joy, future, or worth.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

 A diagnosis does not dim the light. In this episode, Nicole Jensen talks with Kate about her daughter’s spina bifida diagnosis, their choice to pursue in-utero surgery, and the faith, love, and support that carried them through months of unknowns. Kate shares what happened after the 20-week scan, how she found peace in hard news, and why her daughter’s story is not sad or broken. She also opens up about medical parenting, fear, guilt, long hospital days, and learning to accept help. This episode is a gentle reminder that children are more than a diagnosis. They grow in their own time, with their own strength, while their parents grow right beside them.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

In today’s episode of Tune In: The First Three Years, Nicole talks with Destiny about her son’s powerful journey after a newborn stroke, early seizures, NICU care, and the first weeks of therapy. What began as a scary and uncertain start became a story of hope, steady support, and big milestones. Destiny shares what helped her stay patient, how early intervention shaped her son’s progress, and why simple daily steps like tummy time, feeding support, and trusted guidance can make a lasting difference.

This episode is for parents, caregivers, and families who need encouragement during a hard beginning. Listen now and hear the kind of hope that does not shout, but keeps showing up.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen

What if the story that changed everything for one family could help another family hold on?

In this opening episode of Tune In: The First Three Years, Nicole Jensen shares why the podcast is stepping into a new season centered on early intervention, infant mental health, and the real stories behind parenting through hard starts. After years of sharing her own healing journey, Nicole now turns toward the families of babies and young children under three who are walking through diagnoses, developmental delays, NICU stays, and the fear of not knowing what comes next.

This episode sets the heart behind the show and the reason these stories matter. It is about connection, comfort, and giving parents a place to feel seen when life feels uncertain. If you are in the thick of the early years, this is a reminder that support can sound like someone finally saying, “me too.” Come closer to the stories that help heavy hearts breathe again.

I trust you found this episode enlightening and stimulating. If you’re eager for more, subscribe to our podcast for regular updates. I’m always keen to hear your reflections and personal journeys. Connect with me on Instagram as @nicolereneejensen. For a deeper understanding of my work and how it can empower you, visit https://linktr.ee/nicolereneejensen