Disabilities & Youth in Schools with Shannon Addison

If you're a parent, educator, or advocate who's ever struggled to support kids with disabilities in school, this episode is a must-listen for real talk, hard truths, and practical ways to do better.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/shannon-addison

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Shannon Addison joins me to talk about disabilities and youth in schools. Shannon is a mom, writer and creator of My Crummy World, a brand built to help kids (especially girls) navigate emotional health, friendships and confidence through story-driven tools like characters, recipes and problem-solving activities. Her work is rooted in her own journey as someone who’s watched bullying and relational aggression happen right under the noses of adults who were supposed to be paying attention.

Shannon shares how her daughter’s chronic illness became a disability that changed everything - from how she participated in school to how peers treated her. She talks candidly about how cruel kids can be, how isolating school can feel when you’re “different” and how parents often get thrown into advocacy without a map. We talk about how invisible disabilities, like dysautonomia or anxiety, get overlooked or misjudged because people can’t “see” them, and how damaging that can be to a child’s sense of safety and self-worth.

We also talk about emotional intelligence, or the lack of it, and how schools are missing the mark by cutting out critical tools like social-emotional learning. Shannon shares examples of how storytelling (especially with her characters “The Breadcrumbs”) opens the door for kids to share what they’re feeling in a safe and relatable way. Sometimes, she says, a puppet can get kids to talk in ways that a direct question from an adult just can’t.

We touched on the differences between IEPs and 504s, and how many parents aren’t told what resources they have a right to. Shannon emphasizes that being informed and showing up, even when you’re overwhelmed, is key. It’s not about being perfect or doing everything. It’s about being visible and being willing to fight when your kid needs you to.

There’s also a lot of love for teachers and school staff in this episode - the ones who go above and beyond, like the principal who told Shannon to bring her daughter in for community connection even when she wasn’t able to fully return to school. But we also talk about how educators are underpaid, overstretched and often left without the support they need to help every kid succeed.

If you’ve ever had to ask, “Why isn’t this system working for my child?” or felt like you were the only one showing up to fight for your kid, this episode will make you feel seen. Shannon’s message is clear: empathy can be taught, kids need community and parents don’t have to do it all, but we do have to show up!