Show #103 Dr. Susan Johnson- Commonwealth Academy- Advisory and Organization

One of the most amazing things I learned by visiting Commonwealth Academy is how everything in the school is student-centered. The advisory program is one piece of that puzzle, where kids are mentored and supervised on how to keep themselves organized and prepared for class, and where discipline is handled pro-actively and rarely interferes with the learning of the other students. This is possible because the faculty and staff really know the students, and can anticipate their needs, much like parents do. But like good parents, the goal is to make the kids independent over time and able to stand on their own. Another important part of this equation is developing a sense of trust with the students and with their parents, which can be a challenge after some rough previous school experiences.

Dr. Johnson’s years of experience in both public and private schools, and her candor about how important developing a sense of trust and community is to their success is palpable in every aspect of the school. I know you’ll love hearing about the innovative and often simple approaches Commonwealth takes that empowers the students to find their voice and gives them the confidence to try new things, to risk and to succeed.

In our next show, #104, we’ll conclude our interview with Dr. Susan Johnson as we discuss IEP’s, remediation and the future of education.

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Show # 67: Conversation with Rick LaVoie

In this week’s show, I sat down with Rick LaVoie, to discuss why LD kids need different approaches in education that “regular” kids, self-esteem, and motivation. Rick has over 30 years experience teaching and mentoring kids with learning disabilities, has been a guest lecturer at many universities; and has made national television appearances on the CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, ABC Evening News and Disney Channel Presents.

Rick serves as a consultant on Learning Disabilities to several agencies and organizations including Public Broadcasting Service, New York Times, National Center for Learning Disabilities, Girl Scouts of America, Child Magazine and WETA in Washington DC. He is a member of the Professional Advisor Board of the Learning Disabilities Association.

Rick has delivered his message to over 500,000 parents and professionals throughout North America. He has the distinction of having delivered Keynote Addresses for all three of the major special needs advocacy organizations in the United States (Learning Disabilities Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Children with Attention Deficit Disorder).

I saw Rick speak at the Centreville School several years ago, and his talk changed the way I parent my children. Many of the regular listeners to the podcast will often hear me quote Rick, including my favorite phrases I got from him “When Elephants Fight, It’s the Grass that gets Trampled” and “You need not attend every battle to which you are invited.”

Rick has done us all a favor by putting some of his jewels of wisdom into two great books: It’s So Much Work Being Your Friend: helping the child with learning disabilities find social success, and most recently, The Motivation Breakthrough- 6 Secrets to Turn On The Tuned-out Child. These books should be on every parent’s bookshelf, since we all have times when we need help to inspire our children to do just a little more and not give up on themselves.

Rick delivers great advice in a direct, easy to understand manner, complete with examples that we all can relate to. Rick’s advice has made me a better and more compassionate parent, and I hope you enjoy hearing him as much as I enjoyed talking to him. I strongly recommend his new book to every parent and educator- it’s simply amazing.

Some brief news- I have recently joined the Mommycast & Friends Podcast Channel. My good friends, Paige & Gretchen from Mommycast have put together a group of the best family-friendly podcasts on the web, so parents can find the best content and the best information to make our daily lives easier and a while lot more fun, too!

Other great shows on the channel include Just One More Book! by Mark Blevis and Andrea Ross, discussing some of the greatest children books out there; Boutique Cafe; Runaway Design, TechnoGeekery- a tech show for the rest of us, delievered in plain english, and of course, Mommycast and the Mommycast Music Show. I’m really excited to join such a great group of shows, and encourage you to check them out as well!

As always, I’d love to hear what you think about the show- please email me with any feedback at LDpodcast@gmail.com.

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LD Podcast#65: What are you waiting for? Tell them Now!

We’re back after our Podcamp Philly induced hiatus.

There’s lots of exciting things in store for the LD Podcast in the upcoming weeks. Today’s show features some of the latest news in the LD world, including a study that reports 8.7% of kids may have ADHD, but that many kids, especially those from lower socio-economic families may be under-diagnosed. We discuss a school for kids with LD in the Philly-area, and more evidence that shows appropriate reading instruction can actually reverse the neurological differences in the brains of kids with dyslexia, so that they read and process language closer to that of their non-dyslexic peers.

This summer, I heard a moving episode of This American Life, a great show produced by WBEZ , Chicago Public radiom and distributed by Public Radio International. The show is entitled Special Ed, and has three moving stories of people with developmental disabilities. The whole show is simply amazing, and each story spoke to me. I really wanted to share some of it with you, and wrote the producers to ask if that was at all possible.

Seth Lind, Production manager from This American Life, got back to me and TAL generously agreed to let me play up to 5 minutes of the show on air, with credit. I decided to use the introduction to the show, because it talks about how sometimes, kids seem to be the last to know that they are different, special, and not always in a good way. As Ira Glass talks to several kids, we see how hurt they are to find out they’re different.

I see parents all the time who are embarrassed by their child’s learning disabilities. They try to couch taking meds as merely taking vitamins, or otherwise disguise the disability. Merely covering up an LD doesn’t make it go away, though. It’s part of a child’s neurology, their make-up, who they are. And we have to get comfortable with it, and let them be comfortable with it, in order to figure out ways to deal with it.

Just imagine if you tried to give someone chemotherapy without ever telling them they had cancer. If you don;t acknowledge the problem, big or small, you can’t being to deal with it or solve it. And your child should not be the last one to know they have an issue.

If there’s one message I can impart it’s this: Learning disabilities are not fatal. They are as natural as having brown hair, or blue eyes. It’s a part of who a person is, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.

The song today is Lend me Your Love by Slackstring- It’s available both through iTunes and the Podsafe Music network.

Click here to download Show #65, What Are You Waiting For? Tell Them Now!

(This American Life is also available as a podcast, and it’s one of my favorites. I strongly recommend this episode as well as every show, and would encourage you also to support your local public radio station.)

Peter Wright, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and You

Show #52 Conversation with Peter Wright, Part II

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.

Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind.

In part II of our conversation, Pete and I talk about why we aren’t always using the best reading programs for kids with learning issues in public schools; why parents are so important in making sure kids get what they need, and why inclusion/segregation is more about the most appropriate learning environment for an individual rather than a system-wide one size fits all goal.

We have a song by Uncle Seth- Both Sides Now, followed at the end by a few minutes of “bonus” audio about parents and understanding the law.

I want to thank Cathlin, Tyson, and Michelle for their emails, questions and feedback, and encourage you to do the same!

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343. I’d love it if you’d consider leaving a review in iTunes for us as well.

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Show # 51: Peter Wright of Wrightslaw

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.
Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind. The books empower parents to understand what the laws governing special education say and allow, helping parents to become more effective advicates for their children in the process.

In part I of our conversation, Pete discusses the difference between an IEP and 504 accommodations, and why you might want one over the other, and while children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education, this does not mean they are entitled to the “Best” education, only an adequate one.

One specific section of the law we talk about is 20 USC Sec. 1414- Evaluations, Eligibility Determinations, Individualized Educations Programs, and Educational Placements. In this section, either a parent or a State educational agency can request an evaluation, but the “clock” only starts ticking when the parent consents to the evaluation. The State then has 60 calendar days, under the federal statute, to complete the evaluation. If parents request testing but don’t specifically consent. using this language at the same time, the State can legally drag their feet until they receive a “consent”- then they are on the 60 day clock.

This is but one of the examples of “magic language” parents need to know to protect their child’s rights, and I know you’ll find Pete’s information useful and enlightening.

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343.

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Show #34: Smart Kids witth School Problems

Rich Weinfeld is a many with many talents. Besides being the father of two boys, he is an author of two great books, Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential, and Helping Boys Succeed in School. Rich has been a special educator, he lectures at Johns Hopkins University, and has a private practice education consulting group, The Weinfeld Education Group. Rich was kind enough to talk with me a few weeks ago about how we identify kids with learning disabilities, how to talk with teachers and administrators to make sure your child is getting what they need while forging constructive relationships, and when you might want to consider an educational advocate. Most kids have gotten one set of grades by this point in the school year, and if your child is struggling, there may be cause to investigate further. This great information may help you start those tough conversations, and help you help your child at the start of a new year, if not get the ball rolling before the Holiday break!

Happy Holidays to all! Please email us at ldpodcast@gmail.com or contact us via our voicemail number, (206) 666-2343

Also check out our other blog through Grasshopper New Media Parents- GNM Parents

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Show 31: A Parent’s Guide to Developmental Delays

Laurie LeComer is a parent of three children, and a special educator. She has written a wonderful book, “A Parent’s Guide to Developmental Delays: Recognizing and Coping with Missed Milestones in Speech, Movement, Learning, and Other Areas.” It is a must read for all parents worried about their children and for teachers and day care providers, who suspect something might be wrong or different about a child, but can’t seem to pinpoint the source or the cause. It is the book I wish I had when my children were young, and I know you’ll find the early warning signs of developmental problems helpful, as well as her pointers on how to have happy and less stressful holidays!

Let us know what you think! Leave comments here, or send us email at ldpodcast@gmail.com. You can also call us at (206) 666-2343 with any comments or questions!

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Show # 29 Lessons 9 & 10 and Wrap Up

Show # 29: Lessons 9 & 10 to Maximize Your Child’s Cognitive Abilities and Wrap Up of Series

In today’s show, we talk about the last 2 lessons in our ten lesson series on Maximizing Your Child’s Cognitive Abilities. Less on 9 is about teaching your children to be able to see things from another point of view, and understanding that criticism is often something they should consider and use as a learning opportunity, not as a badge of failure or short coming. Lesson 10 is about how it’s not the money you spend on your kids that matters, but the quality of their experiences. The Ten Lessons are adapted from a chapter by Williams and Sternberg in Volume 5 of The Handbook of Parenting, a five volume set of books digesting the research on parenting and raising children. It is edited by Marc Bornstein from the National Institutes of Health, and is probably the most complete digest of research into children and parents available. (It also the most expensive, as each volume retails for over $150.00).

The take home message from the series is that parents can be very influential in helping their kids maximize their intellectual potential, but it requires that parents get involved and stay involved in their child’s intellectual development, rather than passing this off as the job solely of school.

Today’s show includes 2 songs- Libery Jones by The Shakes, and Black Coffee by Chaz, available on the Podsafe Music Network.

We’d love to hear from you- you can click the email link at the bottom of this page, or go to the blog, and leave comments! Or even better, call (206) 666-2343 and leave us a voice message!

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Show # 28 Academy in Manayunk Pt. 2 Reading and Self Esteem

Welcome to all our new iLearn Radio Listeners!

In the second part of my interview with Nancy Blair of the Academy in Manayunk, we talk about how important self esteem is to a child’’s success in school. So many very talented people have learning disabilities and have struggled in school but my learning how to maximize their strengths, they have really been able to shine. Whether it’s designers like Tommy Hilfiger, or Businessmen like Charles Schwab, or Actors like Henry Winkler (who now writes books about what it was like to grow up with learning problems) many kids are both smart and LD, and we need to be able to let their strengths shine while helping them overcome their weaknesses.

Please call our comment line at (206) 666-2343 or email us at ldpodcast@gmail.com with any and all comments!

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Show #27 The Academy in Manayunk

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Parents know one source of special education is the local public school. But if your child needs help but doesn’t qualify for services, or if you aren’t happy with the services or the progress your child is making, is there any alternative?

One of the options is to look at the growing number of private schools specializing in teaching children with language-based learning disabilities. The gold standard and original school to specialize in teaching children with learning disabilities is the Lab School of Washington, DC, started by Sally Smith. The school just recently opened a third affiliate in Philadelphia, The Academy in Manayunk. The Academy uses the Lab School Model to instruct children with language based learning disabilities on a college prep course of study, 2nd through 7 th grade. It also has a large commitment to instruct teachers, educators, parents, and the community about research-based instruction and how all groups can team together to make these children academically successful.
I know you’ll enjoy learning about the Academy from the Executive Director, Pat Roberts and Associate Director, Nancy Blair, themselves.

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