In this Episode, Laurie, Sydney, and Cara have a "Hot Topics" discussion where they each bring a current study or topic.

Across all three topics, a common thread emerges: the field is advancing rapidly, but awareness, resources, and diagnostic tools haven't caught up -- leaving many students, particularly girls and those in under-resourced environments, without the support they need.

Laurie introduces Cara Fennell, a new member of the Diagnostic Learning Services team who recently transitioned from nearly a decade as a special education teacher and educational diagnostician in Texas public schools to the private sector.

Cara shares her background in early childhood special education and walks through what the school-based evaluation process looks like, while reflecting on the differences between public school testing and private practice.

Laurie speaks with Christine Levy of the Levy Educational Advocacy Group for an "IEP 101" deep dive, covering what an IEP is, how it's structured, and the most common pitfalls families encounter.

Christine walks through the core components of an IEP — parent input statements, present levels of performance, measurable goals, progress monitoring, extended school year services, and transition planning.

Laurie speaks with math tutor Heide Putt, founder of Mathtastic, about the three main categories of math struggle she sees in students: knowledge gaps, dyscalculia (a true math learning disability), and math anxiety.

Heide shares how her background education shaped her approach, and how specialized dyscalculia training transformed the way she teaches.

Laurie revisits her conversation with Dr. Sandra Elliott of Touch Math, a multi-sensory math program using touch points to help struggling learners connect abstract numbers to physical objects.

She explains the science behind dyscalculia and how Touch Math's structured approach bridges concrete and abstract thinking for students who find math challenging.

Laurie continues explaining school voucher programs. While school voucher/ESA programs offer flexibility, families of students with disabilities should be cautious - IDEA's strongest protections only apply in public schools.

Once a child moves to a private school, IEPs are no longer legally enforceable and services become limited, leaving families with far fewer rights and recourse if their child's needs aren't met.

In this Episode Laurie and Sydney explore the newly launched school voucher programs, specifically Texas's Education Freedom Account (EFA), which opens for applications in February 2026.

In this episode, Laurie and Sydney discuss why many students and adults seek testing accommodations when facing high-stakes exams such as the SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, GRE, bar exam, or medical licensing tests.

Requests often come from two groups: high-school students whose families are newly aware of the accommodations process, and older college or graduate students who are suddenly told--often by tutors or counselors--that extra time could help them. For many, this realization comes too late, triggering panic as they confront a complex and bureaucratic approval system they never knew existed.

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.