Unbabbled

When a child receives a diagnosis, it can impact the entire family and bring on a variety of emotions and responses from parents. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Beard returns to the podcast to discuss a child receiving a diagnosis from the parent and care giver perspective. She touches on a variety of emotions that parents commonly report, ways parents can work through their emotions, ideas for self-care that are actually feasible, and gives resources for families going through the evaluation process. Whether your child has been newly diagnosed or you have had a diagnosis for years, we hope the tips and validation Dr. Beard provides in this episode will resonate with you. 

Dr. Michelle Beard, Ph.D, is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She earned her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas, with a specialization in Counseling Psychology.  She completed her doctoral internship in the Houston Independent School District, where she provided counseling and conducted assessments of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, and other psychological and behavior disorders.  Dr. Beard has been in private practice in Houston, Texas since 2006 where she specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety disorders.  She divides her practice between treating people who suffer from anxiety-related issues and assessing children, adolescents, and adults for ADHD, learning disabilities, and other psychological concerns. She is passionate about assisting parents and students in better understanding the ways in which they learn and can achieve success.   

Links: 

Dr. Beard's Private Practice 

The Parish School Website 

Unbabbled on Instagram 

The Parish School on Instagram 

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In this episode, pediatric Occupational Therapist Rachel Czar answers all our questions about the basics of occupational therapy (OT) including our most commonly asked question- what is OT? Throughout the episode Rachel discusses signs a child might benefit from OT and how to obtain an evaluation. She also discusses ways specific areas of difficulty may impact a child at school and at home, as well as skills an OT may address with a child. While the profession is broad, Rachel helps break it down for parents, caregivers and other professionals. 

Rachel Czar, MS, OT, is a pediatric occupational therapist at The Carruth Center in Houston, Texas. She holds both a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center and is Sensory Integration Praxis Test (SIPT) Certified. Prior to joining The Carruth Center, Rachel worked as a lead in a DIRFloortime® preschool group in Dallas. She also has experience working with children in outpatient clinics, home health and in schools. She has experience helping children with feeding issues and has Handwriting Without Tears® training. Rachel is passionate about helping children with autism and sensory processing disorder.  She believes that a child’s occupation is to play. 

The Parish School Website 

Unbabbled on Instagram 

The Parish School on Instagram 

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In this episode we tackle a frequently asked question: “Should I tell my child about their diagnosis? And if so, how?”. When a child receives a diagnosis such as dyslexia, autism, ADHD, or a Language or Learning Disorder it can be difficult for parents to know how to discuss this with their child. According to our guest, Dr. Michelle Beard, there is no “one size fits all” answer. However, there are many factors parents and caregivers can take into consideration when thinking about how and when to discuss a diagnosis with their child. Throughout this episode Dr. Beard dives into these factors and gives tips on how to approach these tough conversations. While the episode does not provide a definitive answer, Dr. Beard does provide hope and guidance in making your own informed decision. 

Dr. Michelle Beard, Ph.D,  is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She earned her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas, with a specialization in Counseling Psychology.  She completed her doctoral internship in the Houston Independent School District, where she provided counseling and conducted assessments of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, and other psychological and behavior disorders.  Dr. Beard has been in private practice in Houston, Texas since 2006 where she specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety disorders.  She divides her practice between treating people who suffer from anxiety-related issues and assessing children, adolescents, and adults for ADHD, learning disabilities, and other psychological concerns. She is passionate about assisting parents and students in better understanding the ways in which they learn and can achieve success.   

Links: 

Dr. Beard's Private Practice 

The Parish School Website 

Unbabbled on Instagram 

The Parish School on Instagram 

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In this episode we discuss the DIR® Floortime model of therapy with Sharon Duval, CCC-SLP. DIR stands for the Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based model which highlights the power of relationships and emotional connections to fuel development. Throughout the episode Sharon discusses the underlying principles of DIR® Floortime how it may differ from traditional therapy, the population she works with, and why she is so passionate about this approach. Sharon also touches on a major misconception people have about child-led approaches like DIR® Floortime.  

Sharon Duval is a Speech-Language Pathologist in private practice in Houston, Texas at The Duval’s Center for Speech and Sensory Motor Development which provides both speech- language and occupational therapy. She has been a speech-language pathologist for over 40 years working in a variety of settings including clinics and a private specialty school. For the past 35 years, she has specialized in working with individuals with neurological differences including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. Sharon is certified in the DIR® Floortime Model after beginning her training in 2004 with Dr. Stanely Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder. Her therapy sessions include parents to help them learn the optimal caregiver patterns that support their child’s development. 

The Parish School Website 

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This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston. Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston. 

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Finding an activity outside of school that is developmentally appropriate and inclusive of neurodivergent children or children with speech and language difficulties can be a challenge for parents. While many of our kids may excel in physical activities, they may struggle to attend for long periods, follow multiple step instructions, or need repetition. Other children may have fine or gross motor difficulties which require extra instruction or accommodation. Finding a program with coaches that have the patience, passion, and knowledge to work with this population is often rare. Fortunately, Soccer Shots Houston offers programs for all students! In this episode we sit down with Wade Barrett, Executive Director of Soccer Shots Houston to discuss what makes their program special, why he is so passionate about meeting children where they are to support growth, and why teaching soccer is not their main mission! Wade also gives tips to parents on ways to advocate for your child when looking into other programs and tips for how to find a program that will work for your child and family. 

Wade Barrett is a former professional soccer player; he spent 12 years playing for various clubs all over the world including the Houston Dynamo. Wade captained the Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007 and has also represented the Men’s National team on the pitch. After his playing career, Wade spent 7 years coaching for the Dynamo, most recently as the Head Coach. Wade joined the Soccer Shots team to share his passion for personal growth and soccer with children and youth kids. 
 

Soccer Shots Houston is a sponsor of the Unbabbled podcast. We are proud of our partnership as their values, support of all children, and mission closely aligned with the The Parish School’s core values. 

Links: 

Soccer Shots Houston 

The Parish School 

Follow Unbabbled on Instagram 

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In this episode, Stephanie and Meredith sit down with the Keynote Speaker from The Parish School’s 2022 Giving Voice to Children Luncheon, Greg Santucci. Throughout the episode Greg discusses ways to see beyond a child’s behavior by supporting their underlying sensory and safety needs at home and in the classroom. Greg uses specific examples from his life and clinical experiences to illustrate the importance of being curious about a child’s sensory needs to support their learning potential. He also discusses how his focus goes beyond in the moment changes to the goal of empowering children to be resilient and successful. Greg’s biggest takeaway is that these changes start with us- the adults teaching and caring for our children! 

Greg Santucci, MS OTR, is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and the Founding Director of Power Play Pediatric Therapy in New Jersey. He has been working with children and families for over 20 years, providing OT services in schools, homes, and outpatient therapy centers. Greg is certified in Sensory Integration and has been lecturing nationally for over a decade on topics related to sensory processing, child development, and behavior. Greg has dedicated his career to promoting neurodevelopmentally-informed, relationship-based, interventions to help parents and teachers support children of all abilities and learning styles with the goal of improving a child’s participation in daily activities.  

Links: 

Greg Santucci's Website 

Find Greg Santucci on Instagram 

The Parish School Website 

Find Unbabbled on Instagram 

This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston. Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston. 

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In this episode, we use questions submitted by Unbabbled listeners in an informal Q&A with pediatric dietician Jennifer Anderson MSPH, RND. Jennifer has firsthand experience not only as a dietician, but as a mother of a picky eater. She uses her expertise and life experience to answer questions ranging from “How do I introduce more protein” and “Help my child needs to gain weight!” to “How do I speak with well-meaning adults who pressure my child to eat!” Her advice is based on research and best practices, along with an understanding of real life. 

Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RND is a registered dietitian with a Masters of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color, a resource that helps families feed their children from their first bite of solid food through picky eating and elementary-aged nutrition needs. Jennifer provides information through her Instagram account, website, online courses, and products aimed to educate and support families.   

This episode of Unbabbled is sponsored by Soccer Shots Houston and Houston’s Pediatric Dentists - Dr. Steven Hogan and Dr. Natalie Harrison.

Soccer Shots was founded in 1997 after recognizing a lack of quality soccer programs for children under 8 years old. Their program was formed under the guidance of childhood education specialists, professional soccer players and experienced and licensed soccer coaches. They use a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and the coaches place an emphasis on character development and skill building. To learn more about Soccer Shots visit their website at www.soccershots.com/houston.

Houston’s Pediatric Dentists serve infants, children, and teens of all abilities in the Houston metro area. They are devoted to comprehensive and preventive patient care whether your child loves going to the dentist or dreads that first visit. Dr. Hogan and Dr. Harrison strive to make each visit comfortable, effective, and fun. Visit their website at www.houstonspediatricdentist.com. 

Links: 

Kids Eat In Color Website
Kids Eat In Color Instagram
The Parish School Website
Soccer Shots Houston
Dr. Hogan Houston Pediatric Dentist 

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In this episode we sit down with Ali Allawala and Farzeen Ali to discuss their innovative and inspiring work to support families and individuals with Down Syndrome. Ali and Farzeen are Co-founders and current directors of The Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP). KDSP is a non-profit organization in Karachi Pakistan, launched in March 2014 by a group of concerned parents and passionate individuals who realized a need for a platform for those with Down syndrome due to limited support and resources available locally. KDSP’s mission is to advocate the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome living in Karachi and aims to provide them with the opportunity to lead independent and fulfilling lives. KDSP embarks on a journey with families and those with Down Syndrome to ensure they feel empowered, included and equal members of society.  

Ali and Farzeen discuss their personal journey with the diagnosis of their daughter, what led them to found The Karachi Down Syndrome Program, and ways KDSP is serving the community in Karachi Pakistan. Their story of navigating an unexpected diagnosis and figuring out step by step what life can look like for their daughter is one many families will be able to relate to.  
 

Links: 

The Karachi Down Syndrome Program  

The Parish School 

The Carruth Center 

This episode is generously sponsored by The Carruth Center in Houston, Texas. The Carruth Center provides children therapeutic services to advance their communication skills, independence and emotional well-being. They offer individual speech, occupational, physical, music and play therapy sessions. They also offer group classes for young children with language delays as well as groups for school-aged children who would benefit from Social Thinking methodologies. If you would like to find out more visit  www.carruthcenter.org. The Carruth Center is proud of their relationship with the Karachi Down Syndrome Program. We hope you enjoy listening to Ali and Farzeen Allawala. 

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In this episode, we speak with Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Cari Ebert about the importance of play and relational connections in supporting a child’s language development. Cari shares her own personal experiences that have shaped her perspective and therapeutic style, discusses the science-based importance of play on children’s brain development, and gives specific strategies parents, educators and caregivers can use to incorporate play into their daily activities. Cari also highlights ways to be inclusive and supportive of neurodivergent children’s play and development.  

Cari Ebert, M.S., CCC-SLP is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area where she has found her niche in working with young children ages birth-to-five and their families.  Cari firmly believes that early intervention is the key to future success, and she has dedicated her professional career to helping young children achieve their maximum potential by partnering with parents and caregivers throughout the therapy process. Cari is a therapist, a consultant and a nationally recognized speaker.  

Links: 

Cari Ebert's Website 

Follow Cari on Instagram 

The Parish School Website 

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In this episode, we chat with Mr. Chazz, a parent and teacher coach, about positive behavior approaches at home and in the classroom. He is an early childhood educator, educational specialist, and parenting coach. In the episode Mr Chazz discusses his three-step approach of see, guide, trust by walking us through each stop. He also touches on the importance of understanding our own parenting self-judgements and background to best support our children and students. This episode is bursting with insightful information and simple actions you can take now to parent more consciously. 

Mr. Chazz is an early childhood eductor who began his career teaching in a Montessori classroom and has gone on to earn his master’s in executive leadership at American University. Mr. Chazz works with schools, teachers, and families to support a learning environment that is based on respect and empathy through a conscious parenting/discipline approach.  He is also a highly respected speaker with extensive training in Conscious Discipline. 

Links: 

Mr. Chazz on Instagram 

Mr. Chazz's Podcast 

Mr. Chazz's Patreon Page
The Parish School Website 

Unbabbled Instagram 

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