Laurie and Crystalyn chat with Frances Okonkwo, CEO of SEEDS International ABA Services, who shares her personal and professional journey into applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Frances quickly fell in love with the field because of the meaningful impact it had on individuals and families. Her background as a child of immigrants and her experiences doing mission-style work in Nigeria helped her support underserved communities and advocate for individuals with disabilities.

Laurie interviews Christine Levy, the founder of Levy Educational Advocacy. Christine shares that her passion for advocacy grew from her diverse background in education, which included roles in elementary education, specialized instruction, and administration.

Laurie interviews Alex Merrill, founder of Alliance Tutoring, about specialized tutoring services for students with learning disabilities and executive functioning challenges.

Alex shares his journey from being a teacher for 15 years at various New England private schools to launching Alliance Tutoring in 2019. They discuss Alliance's growth, their approach to tutoring students with ADHD and other learning differences, and how they help students develop crucial executive functioning skills alongside academic support.

In this episode, Laurie interviews Jim Wismer, director at Ivy Experience and board member of the National Test Prep Association (NTPA). He shares his journey from aspiring Latin teacher to seasoned test prep expert and now director overseeing tutoring and test preparation services.

In this episode Laurie chats with Dr. Michele Evard, a seasoned homeschool consultant and co-author of a book on designing and documenting homeschool education. She explains that homeschooling allows children to learn naturally and connect new information to what they already know, breaking away from rigid, standardized timelines often found in traditional schools.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Learning Disabilities, Laurie attends the Independent Educational Consulting Association (IECA) conference in Detroit, where she interviews several incredible professionals working to support students in their academic transitions.

In this episode, Laurie reconnects with Cindy Palmer from Threshold Coaches to discuss essential parenting strategies for supporting neurodivergent students, particularly those with ADHD, as they transition from high school to college.

This episode focuses on the often-overlooked emotional impact of learning disabilities and ADHD on both children and adults. Laurie emphasizes the importance of validation, open communication, and self-advocacy for both children and adults navigating these challenges.

Laurie is joined by Dr. Casey Vaccaro to explore autism, its symptoms, and its overlap with ADHD and learning disabilities. Dr. Vaccaro highlights the importance of early intervention, offering reassurance to parents that with the right support and therapies, children with autism can thrive and succeed.

Laurie welcomes Jan Van Blarcum. Laurie and Jan have known each other for many years, their connection stemming from Jan's tutoring company and Laurie's work in testing students. Jan now runs a school in Plano called The Einstein School.

Laurie welcomes Jan Van Blarcum. Laurie and Jan have known each other for many years, their connection stemming from Jan's tutoring company and Laurie's work in testing students. Jan now runs a school in Plano called The Einstein School.

Laurie sheds light on the often-overlooked topic of SAT and ACT accommodations for students with learning disabilities. With recent changes in regulations, Laurie shares valuable tips on how to start the process early, stay on top of evolving requirements, and ensure you're fully prepared to apply for the accommodations you need.

Laurie and Abbey welcome Anna Popp. Anna shares her journey into advocacy, discusses the importance of understanding children's rights in the education system and offers guidance on how parents can ensure their children receive the support they need.

Laurie and Abbey discuss important tips for getting ready for the new school year. They cover reviewing accommodation plans, communicating with teachers, and how students can begin advocating for their own needs as they grow older and enter college.

Laurie and Abbey take a break from their parenting series to discuss summer programs with Melody O'Neil from Landmark School in Massachusetts. Melody shares details about the school’s summer programs for students in grades 2 through 12, focusing on literacy, math, study skills, and executive function.

Laurie and Abbey chat with Cathi Graveline about various assistive technologies for students with learning disabilities. They cover resources for students in elementary school through college and into adulthood.

Laurie and Abbey welcome back Suzette, a 504 coordinator, to discuss 504 accommodations for learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, and anxiety. They highlight the importance of tailoring accommodations to each student's unique needs for the best support.

Laurie and Abbey meet with Suzette, a 504 Coordinator, to dive into the ins and outs of Section 504. Suzette explains the history, purpose, and how a 504 plan can best serve individuals with learning disabilities.

Laurie and Abbey break down the differences in evaluations, who can order or conduct them, and what the approval process looks like, including the typical timeline for getting things done.

Laurie and Abbey discuss key tips for getting ready for the new school year, including reviewing accommodation plans and communicating with teachers. They also talk about how students can start advocating for their own needs as they grow older and head into college.