Understood Explains
Navigating ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences can be confusing. Understood Explains unpacks one important topic each season. From special education for kids to ADHD diagnosis for adults, get insights from the experts at Understood.org.
Episodes
Listen to the trailer for Season 1 of Understood Explains, which covers the ins and outs of the process school districts use to evaluate kids for special education. Host Dr. Andy Kahn is a psychologist who spent nearly 20 years evaluating kids for schools. He explains each step of the process and gives tips on how to talk with your child along the way.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@understood.org.
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Is your child struggling in school? Are you wondering what supports might help? This episode explains the basics of how schools evaluate kids for special education. Host Andy Kahn is a psychologist. He talks with educator Julian Saavedra about looking for kids’ strengths as well as their weaknesses. Andy also trades tips with parenting expert Amanda Morin on what to say to your child along the way.
How do schools decide if a child needs an evaluation? And what role do families play? Host Dr. Andy Kahn explains common reasons to evaluate now — or to wait. Educator Julian Saavedra addresses special education myths that can affect what families decide to do. And parenting expert Amanda Morin offers tips on how to talk to kids about next steps.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Un...
What rights do families have in a school evaluation? This episode highlights five key ways that special education law protects your rights during the evaluation process. Host Dr. Andy Kahn talks with lawyer Andrew M.I. Lee about what to do if you think the school isn’t following the rules. And parenting expert Amanda Morin gives tips on what to avoid saying to your child about any disputes with the school.
School evaluations are free — and you can ask for one at any time and for any reason. But the details you include when you ask can make a big difference. Host Dr. Andy Kahn and education advocate Christina Gutierrez explain how to request an evaluation and how soon the school needs to respond. Parenting expert Amanda Morin also shares tips on what to say to your child about requesting an evaluation — and what not to say.
What happens during a school evaluation? And what role do families play? Host Dr. Andy Kahn and school psychologist Brittney Newcomer explain who’s on the school evaluation team, what they do, and how you can help shape the evaluation plan for your child. Parenting expert Amanda Morin also offers tips on how you can help your child get ready for the evaluation. (Hint: The answer does NOT involve any studying!)
The first time you look at your child’s evaluation report, you might be overwhelmed. What do all of those numbers mean? And are some numbers more important than others? Host Dr. Andy Kahn unpacks this topic with Harvard psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten, who co-wrote Straight Talk About Psychological Testing for Kids. Get tips on how to make sense of the results. And hear from parenting expert Amanda Morin on how to share the evaluati...
Adverse impact. Eligibility determination. IEPs. 504 plans. What are these things? And what do they have to do with how school evaluation teams decide which kids need which supports? Listen as host Dr. Andy Kahn and special education teacher Lauren Jewett explain what happens after the evaluation report is done. And get tips from parenting expert Amanda Morin on how to talk with your child about next steps.
What is a neuropsychologist? What can this specialist do that a school psychologist can’t? (The answer involves making diagnoses.) Listen as host Dr. Andy Kahn and fellow psychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten explain why some families pay for private testing when school evaluations are free. Learn ways to help cover the cost, like asking the school to pay for an independent educational evaluation. And hear from parenting expert Amanda Mor...
How often do kids need to be reevaluated for special education? What are schools looking for when they reevaluate students? Learn the basics from host Dr. Andy Kahn and special education teacher Kate Garcia. And find out key details, like why this process is extra important for high-schoolers who are thinking about going to college. Worried that the school might cut your child’s services? Get advice from parenting expert Amanda Mor...
“Mom, why are you making me do this?” Learn what to say to your child about getting evaluated. Hear perspectives from a psychologist (host Dr. Andy Kahn), an educator (Julian Saavedra), and a parenting expert (Amanda Morin). Get big-picture advice as well as specifics, like how to address your child’s worries about getting pulled out of class and other kids noticing. This episode also tackles one of the trickiest topics: how much o...
Parents, teachers, and psychologists all have something they wish they’d known sooner about the evaluation process. This bonus episode offers tips from parents who have been through the evaluation process at least once — and experts who have been through it hundreds of times.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at podcast@unders...
Listen to the trailer for Season 2 of Understood Explains, which explores the ins and outs of adult ADHD diagnosis.
Host Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a psychologist who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. Join him as he answers the most common questions about ADHD diagnosis, including what to look for in a thorough evaluation and how to treat ADHD with or without medication.
Are you wondering if your ADHD symptoms are too mild to get tested? Or if there’s enough of a benefit to getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult? Host Dr. Roberto Olivardia shares his own diagnosis story as he answers common questions about whether to get formally tested for ADHD as an adult.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introductio...
What type of doctor should you see for ADHD diagnosis — primary care provider? Psychologist? Psychiatrist? Is it worth waiting longer to see a specialist? How much does it cost? Get answers to common questions from Understood Explains host Dr. Roberto Olivardia.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction
(00:50) Can my primary care do...
How do doctors test adults for ADHD? What kind of questions do they ask? How long does it take? Understood Explains host Dr. Roberto Olivardia breaks down the process so you’ll know what to look for in a thorough evaluation. Get an overview and answers to common questions.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction
(00:51) What does an...
The wait time may be shorter, but is online ADHD diagnosis accurate? And can it help you get ADHD treatment? In this episode of Understood Explains, learn the pros and cons of ADHD online diagnosis and get answers to common questions.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction
(00:49) What are online ADHD diagnoses?
(02:53) Is online A...
How does ADHD medication work? Is it addictive? If you think you might have ADHD or were recently diagnosed, find out what you need to know about ADHD medication, like how to tell if you’re taking too much or too little.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction
(00:51) How does ADHD medication work?
(03:39) Does everyone with ADHD n...
There are many ways to treat ADHD without medication — or in addition to medication. Learn about a wide range of ADHD treatments, from therapy to free apps and tools. Host Dr. Roberto Olivardia also talks about social and workplace supports. Listen as he answers common questions, like whether diet or supplements can help with ADHD.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Und...
Relief. Anger. Grief. Getting diagnosed with ADHD can bring up a range of emotions. Host Dr. Roberto Olivardia explains what to look for and how to process big feelings so you can keep moving forward. Get answers to common questions, like how imposter syndrome is connected to ADHD.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:47) Ho...