Access2Education

Being a neurodiverse person can bring on so many different struggles. 

Now add being neurodiverse with becoming an entrepreneur, running and growing a business can feel like an uphill climb. Today on the show I am chatting with Kara Laws. She is an entrepreneur who was diagnosed with ADHD later in her career. Her diagnosis has not stopped her from growing a successful business. Now she's taken what she's learned personally abo...

* Please note - There are some technical difficulties with the sound on this episode. It does not impact the ability the hear the full episode.

Never underestimate the power of your gut feel. When you have a child who is struggling at school and you feel it as a parent you act. Sometimes the system can say "it's OK they'll catch up", or "don't worry yet, it's early". 

Today's podcast is all about this very story. Today I speak...

Being mindful is not always easy. When we are neurodiverse or have children in our lives who are neurodiverse finding ways to slow down and be present can be difficult. Today on the show I have a conversation with Dr. Rabia Subhani about her journey through mindfulness with a neurodiverse child. The conversation explores how we as parents and educators can support young learners in being more intentional and mindful.

In the episode...

When you think about physiotherapy what comes to mind? After injury recovery perhaps. Supporting you after surgery to regain strength perhaps. 

Did you know that physiotherapy can support our students and children who are neurodiverse? Did you know there is a group of therapists who specialize in children? 

On today's show, a conversation with Jennifer Halfin. She is the clinic owner of Toronto Kids Physiotherapy and toge...

As students move through elementary to high school we begin to start looking to the future. Though it always feels too soon it's never too early to start exploring the options for post-secondary school.

For students who are neurodivergent knowing which paths to take early is so important. As schools adjust to few supports in guiding students as they move through their educational career we as parents have to take that task on. That...

When we as parents start thinking about which school our child will go to we always think it's easy, they go to the local school. But if you have a child who is neurodiverse or requires more support than can be found in the public education system picking a private school might be something you explore.

But where do you start? Where do you look? What is the difference between a private school and an independent school? Today's epis...

When you have a household with people who are neurodiverse staying organized can be tough. Constantly losing items, misplacing and generally causing stress to the household.

Today on the show a conversation with Dennise Conforti. She is a certified professional organizer and works with the neurodiverse community. Our conversation centers around the ups and downs of family life with those with ADHD and self-regulation challenges. We...

When families go through changes finding ways to support those with learning challenges can prove to be even more difficult. When parents go through a divorce it can be hard for your neurodiverse children to understand.

Today on the show Danielle chats with me about her experience. We talk about how different family members can see things differently. The pressure to keep things as 'normal' as possible while still working through a...

Our neurodiverse children sure do go through some big emotions. My own children go through some major ups and downs and there's not always a good reason for the change. 

In this episode, I chat with Rachel Bailey. She is a Clinical Psychologist but before working with families she was an ADHD coach and psychotherapist for children, adolescents and adults. Now her work allows her to work with families in supporting their childr...

Everyone needs to eat which means we all need to learn how to cook. For some it's easy, you read a receipt, you follow the directions and you have your meal.

However, for some in the neurodiverse community, it's not as easy as that. There may be physical or mental barriers which make it hard. Simple things such as cutting, reading or understanding the dangers of the kitchen.

On the podcast today I speak with Lisa Dickie of Dickie's...

Not only are Homeroom Teachers key to student success but so too are occasional teachers. Over the course of time in any school, students will encounter occasional teachers be it for a day or for a longer term. 

The question is as a parent how do you build a relationship with that teacher? As that occasional teacher, how can you support neurodiverse learners? 

Today on the podcast I speak to Amanda Yuill. She is a long-ti...

Being a parent to a child who is struggling in school can be hard. When you start wondering how to support your child you might come across the word "Psychoeducational Assessment". 

But what is that? How does it influence the understanding of your child? Where do you go to get this type of assessment done? What does it offer you?

As a parent and a person who has been through this testing, I can tell you it's a game-changer. Bu...

Finding access to resources around children and self-regulation can be difficult. Often there are long waiting lists to see practitioner or therapist!

Well there's a new program that's just come out to help support families while they wait. It's called Cam and Leo's Emotion School. It was created by Jenny Hazan out of need for her own children. Together with help of Dr. Avi Gordon and a consulting educator Talia Oziel they created ...

How often do your children play, and by play I don't mean on their screens. How often do your children get outside, run, climb and play without you watching? Without someone saying "be careful" without worrying about how messy they get?

Today on the show, a conversation with Jane Pilskalnietis about all things play and more importantly outdoor play.

Highlights from the show: 

- The need for outdoor natural spaces - How to crea...

Parenting is the one job or task were there really is no training. I mean you can babysit, be a camp counselor or a teacher all you want, but until those children are you flesh and blood, you don't really know what you're in for.

Today on the show with Allan Robinson. She a parent expert with a keen understanding of young children and their development. She works with families in her Uncommon Sense Parenting programs to help suppor...

There's been a few episodes with moms on the podcast in the past year. This episode features Julie Cole, she's the founder of Mable's Labels, yes you know the labels that we all need to keep track of kids (and sometimes our own) items!

Today on the show Julie joins me to talks about her neurodiverse children but also her neurotypical kids and how she advocated for them. We talk about how motherhood started and how she's managed the...

Did you know you can support your child in understanding their emotions through the books you have at home? 

I didn't until I sat down to chat with Tara about her work supporting families through the use of books. 

Highlights from the show:

- How we can use everyday books to talk about our emotions
- Making time to sit with your kids to talk about their feelings
- The importance of social emotional intelligence

Parenting is never easy. We are forever coming up again new routines and learners about our children.

Today I am speak with Alex Leech on the podcast about her journey with her children with Autism and learning challenges. Alex and I speak openly about her challenges, our desire for our child to be successful and how we as moms have banded together to support them. It's a really open and honest window into the life of a mom working...

Every child is different and with each child so too is their behaviour.

On this weeks episode, a conversation with Marlene Spencer of Cornerstone Family Services.

In our conversation we talk about behaviour as communication, as a way to test us as parents but most of all we talk about how deal with the ups and downs. Marlene works with all families at different stages through her work with families.

On the show we talk about:

- Beh...