Best Learningdisabilities Podcasts (2025)

1
Where do I start? Talking about sex to your kid with ADHD 32:50

1d ago32:50

32:50

In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Amy Lang. Amy is a sex educator who works with kids with learning and thinking differences. She is also the founder of birdsandbeesandkids.com. She helps the hosts tackle a tricky but essential topic: talking to kids with ADHD about sex. Here are just a few of the topics Amy talks ab…

1
Ep 126 5 Ways on How to Stand Out in College 17:25

6h ago17:25

17:25

Are you just going through the motions in college—or are you standing out? In this episode, I'm revealing 5 practical ways of how to stand out in college and set yourself apart on campus. Whether you want to build connections, boost your resume, or simply make the most of your college experience, these tips can change the game. We're covering what …

1
5 Patterns That Help Neurodivergent Young Adults Transition to Adulthood with Confidence (Instead of Anxiety) with Debbie 16:46

3d ago16:46

16:46

If your neurodivergent teen or young adult is struggling to launch or if you find yourself constantly questioning whether you’re doing too much or not enough... this episode is for you. There’s a reason things feel stuck or fragile, even when you're working so hard to support them. It’s not about your efforts. It’s about the patterns shaping your d…

1
Ep 125 Why Resilience Through Failure Is the Key to Student Success 12:59

5d ago12:59

12:59

What if I told you that failing is one of the most important skills your child can learn? I know, it sounds backwards. As a parent, especially of a child with learning disabilities,it’s painful to watch. But what if the real strength lies not in avoiding failure—but in how you handle it? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the psychology of resil…

1
Is This Helping or Hurting? 5 Ways We Accidentally Undermine Independence with Debbie 22:52

9d ago22:52

22:52

You’re doing everything you can to help your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult grow into an independent adult, but what if some of the things you’re doing to help are actually holding them back? It’s not because you don’t care. It’s because so many of us are working from outdated ideas about what builds independence, and those ideas just d…

1
Hyperfocus: Did my ADHD make me more likely to have postpartum depression? 30:37

15d ago30:37

30:37

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. This week on In It, we’re sharing an episode from another Understood podcast. It’s called Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson, and we’re big fans. When she first became a parent, Rae experienced a bout of…

1
Ep 124 What to Do After College Acceptance: 3 Essential Steps 15:27

12d ago15:27

15:27

Your student got accepted—now what? 🎓 In this episode of After the IEP, we break down the three most important steps to take after receiving college acceptance letters: Apply early for disability accommodations – why waiting can cost you time and access. Evaluate college support services – what to look for beyond academics, including writing center…

1
From Surviving to Thriving—Our Journey, Lessons, and the Heart Behind NDM 11:35

17d ago11:35

11:35

You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and doing everything you can to help your neurodivergent loved one. So why does it still feel like nothing’s working? You’re not alone. We’ve been there too—desperate for answers, bouncing from expert to expert, trying every intervention, school, and strategy we could find… and still feeling stuck in survival mode. In…

1
Emboldened Bullies Come for Medical Education 53:52

21d ago53:52

53:52

In an April 23rd executive order (EO), the president of the United States alleges that the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are requiring medical schools and residency programs to pursue unlawful discrimination through DEI policies. The EO calls for the US Department…

1
Ep 123 A College Transition Success Story 21:24

20d ago21:24

21:24

The first semester is always challenging. One challenge that often gets missed is how to deal with academic challenges when they come up, and they will. This is particularly true when a student’s tried-and-true academic skills no longer meet the demands of higher education. I’ll tell you the college transition success story of one student I worked …

1
Navigating the Parent-Mentor Balance with Jason 24:48

23d ago24:48

24:48

Ever catch yourself wondering "Am I doing too much… or not enough?" Whether you're stepping in to help your child solve a problem—or stepping back to let them figure it out—finding that balance can feel like walking a tightrope. You might be working overtime to fix, rescue, or guide every decision, only to feel exhausted… or you might pull back too…

1
Sorry not sorry: Why you shouldn’t apologize for your kid 27:58

29d ago27:58

27:58

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Christina Cipriano, PhD, MEd. Dr. Chris is a psychologist, and an associate professor at the Yale University Child Study C…

1
Ep 122 Gap Year Planning Simplified, Replay 17:14

27d ago17:14

17:14

Attending a recent high school choir event with my daughter, I noticed a shift—more students than ever are choosing to take a gap year before heading to college. While college often seems like the default next step, it’s not always the right choice for everyone immediately. The pressure to jump straight into higher education can be overwhelming, an…

1
Ep 121 Does College Choice Matter? 18:39

1M ago18:39

18:39

Does College Choice Matter for Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD? Finding the right college for students with learning disabilities and ADHD is a critical step in setting them up for success. The college experience presents new challenges, but with the right support systems, students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. Doe…

1
Clean up this mess! Or don’t? Advice from an expert 26:52

1M ago26:52

26:52

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome author and therapist KC Davis. KC is a therapist who hosts the podcast Struggle Care. Her new book Who Deserves Your Love …

1
Ep 120 What is Self-Advocacy? 20:02

1M ago20:02

20:02

What is self-advocacy? How does your student develop this skill? How can you teach it? I'll review all this and a bit more in this episode. Teaching self-advocacy is one of the most important steps in preparing students with learning disabilities or ADHD for success in college and beyond. Self-advocacy involves understanding one’s own needs, confid…

1
Physicians and Authoritarians: Are We Too Obedient? 47:20

1M ago47:20

47:20

The record of physicians standing up for their values as healers under authoritarian regimes is not good, whether it’s Nazi Germany, the former Soviet Union, or Iraq, with behaviors ranging from assisting in torture, to psychiatric hospitalization for political reasons. And sadly, it’s often without any coercion. More subtly, physicians may go alon…

1
Ep 119 Support Independence in College Students While Staying Informed 15:08

2M ago15:08

15:08

Watching your child transition to college is both exciting and nerve-wracking. As a parent, you want to support their independence while staying informed about their well-being. Striking this balance can be challenging, especially for parents of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or other unique needs. This post provides actionable strategi…

1
Need help advocating for your kid at school? We talk to a pro 27:29

2M ago27:29

27:29

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome professional parent advocate Danielle Ward. Danielle started out advocating for her own kids, several years ago. Now, thro…

1
EP 118 When College Accommodations Aren’t Enough 17:51

2M ago17:51

17:51

College accommodations provide essential support for students with disabilities, but they’re not always sufficient to meet every need. When accommodations fall short, it can lead to frustration and academic challenges. This episode outlines actionable steps students and parents can take when college accommodations aren’t enough, ensuring that stude…

1
Ep 117 How to Handle Social and Academic Pressures in College 15:52

2M ago15:52

15:52

Balancing the social and academic demands of college life can feel like a juggling act. On one hand, there’s the need to maintain relationships and enjoy the social experience of college. On the other, academic pressures like assignments, exams, and projects demand focus and discipline. Managing both simultaneously is key to a fulfilling and succes…

1
Caring for Patients or Policing Them? Prescription Drug Monitoring, Doctors and Opioids 1:08:47

2M ago1:08:47

1:08:47

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) were originally designed for law enforcement to monitor patients and physicians for criminal behavior before it became available to health care professionals. Physicians and pharmacists often find PDMPs helpful because they can verify what a patient tells them and will often decide not to prescribe or d…

1
Parenting’s a lot. Especially when you’re a lot 29:41

2M ago29:41

29:41

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome parenting coach Mary Van Geffen. Mary offers online classes including a special one for moms of what she calls “spicy ones…

1
Ep 116 How to prevent burnout in college. 11:11

2M ago11:11

11:11

Burnout is a common challenge for college students, especially those managing heavy workloads and personal responsibilities. Building healthy routines can help prevent burnout and improve overall well-being. Trust me when I say this. Burnout has a profound effect on everything. EVERYTHING. It harms everything it touches. I’ve been burned out three …

1
Embracing Neurodivergent Affirming Care: Balancing Acceptance and Practical Support with Jason 45:27

3M ago45:27

45:27

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I support my child’s authentic self while helping them navigate the real world?”—you’re not alone. You’ve heard about neurodivergent affirming care and its emphasis on acceptance, but there’s still a challenge: How do we strike the balance between honoring individuality and addressing the practical demands of life? …

1
Ep 115 Managing Stress During College Midterms 12:58

3M ago12:58

12:58

Midterms mark one of the most demanding times in a college student's life, especially for those juggling academic responsibilities with disabilities or mental health challenges. The pressure to perform well, combined with tight deadlines and heavy workloads, can lead to overwhelming stress. This episode provides proven strategies for managing stres…

1
Why You Keep Getting Stuck in the Same Parenting Struggles (And How to Break Free) with Debbie 12:29

3M ago12:29

12:29

If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this keep happening?!”—whether it’s battles over transitions, screen time, or meltdowns—you’re not alone. You try different strategies, set boundaries, offer choices… yet you keep getting stuck in the same frustrating cycles. The truth is, the situation isn’t actually the problem—it’s how we think about the situati…

1
Trouble with skill-building for ADHD? Here’s help 26:58

3M ago26:58

26:58

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. For kids who struggle with ADHD, building skills like executive function and self-advocacy can be difficult. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn…

1
Ep 114 Your College Self-Advocacy Mini Course. 16:08

3M ago16:08

16:08

College Self-advocacy is a crucial skill for students with hidden disabilities like dyslexia. It affects thier dicision of what college to attend, to apply for college disability accommodations, and a lot more. Moreover self-advocacy for students with learning differences begins with self-awareness. I've stated before, "you cannot self-advocate if …

1
Ep 113 Mental Health Resources for College Students 18:30

3M ago18:30

18:30

The college experience is a time of personal growth and independence, but it can also bring new stressors that affect mental health. For parents of students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or pre-existing mental health challenges, knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference. Accessing mental health resources for college students ca…

1
What can we learn from all those "Why I quit medicine" videos on YouTube? 49:57

3M ago49:57

49:57

There are a lot of videos on YouTube that feature typically young physicians explaining why they decided to leave the profession after years of dedication and hard work. For some it appears that they were so successful at building a social media presence and related businesses, that they quit medicine. Others seem to just want to share their experi…

1
Have a struggling reader? Try these tips 26:32

3M ago26:32

26:32

Join health and science journalist Danielle Elliot as she investigates the rise of women recently diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to Climbing the Walls now. What makes learning to read difficult? And how does having dyslexia make it even more challenging? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome literacy expert Louise …

1
Ep 112 The Role of Academic Advisors for Students with ADHD and Learning Disabilities 18:44

3M ago18:44

18:44

Transitioning to college can be a challenging experience for any student, but for those with ADHD and learning disabilities, navigating academics often requires extra support. That’s where academic advisors come in. These professionals serve as a bridge between students’ needs and the resources available, guiding them through academic requirements,…

1
Decoding the 'I Can't vs. I Won't' Paradox in Neurodivergence with Jason & Debbie 22:39

3M ago22:39

22:39

Is it that they can’t—or that they won’t? In this episode, we break down the common struggle of distinguishing between genuine inability and refusal in neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults. We explore: • Why challenges can feel insurmountable due to unique brain wiring • How to avoid power struggles and foster autonomy • The neural response…

1
Ep 111 What to Know About Disability Accommodations in College 20:08

3M ago20:08

20:08

Navigating the world of college disability accommodations can feel overwhelming for both students and their parents. Unlike high school, where accommodations are often guided by the school district under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), college students operate under different laws and frameworks, primarily the Americans with…

1
Teaching Calm: How to Help Build Emotional Regulation Skills with Debbie 10:15

4M ago10:15

10:15

If you've ever found yourself saying "Calm down!" during your child's meltdown—only to watch it make things worse—you're not alone. The truth is, neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults don't just know how to regulate their emotions... it's a skill that needs to be taught and developed. But here's the kicker: emotional regulation isn't som…

1
Feeling socially isolated as a parent? You’re not alone 14:08

4M ago14:08

14:08

Parenting can often feel socially isolating. On this episode of In It, we hear from a few parents who have felt socially isolated while raising kids with learning and thinking differences. They share some of the challenges they have run into and talk about some strategies they’ve found for building relationships with other adults. Related resources…

1
Ep 110 Supporting a Teen Newly Diagnosed with Dyslexia 21:39

4M ago21:39

21:39

Recently, I had a brief but exciting discussion with a parent on Instagram who asked for some help for her 14 year old son. He was recently diagnosed with dyslexia. Now here’s the thing, he’s in private school. Now, private schools are under no obligation to do anything, but this student’s school is willing to work with the student. In this episode…

1
Understanding Rigid Decisiveness with Jason & Debbie 20:18

4M ago20:18

20:18

“Why won’t they just change their mind?” If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by a neurodivergent loved one’s black-and-white thinking or their refusal to reconsider a decision, you’re not alone. In this episode of Autism & Neurodiversity, we explore the common pattern of what Jason calls "rigid decisiveness." We unpack how this behavior—often …

1
Ep 109 Managing College Anxiety After Winter Break 17:55

4M ago17:55

17:55

After a long winter break, many college students experience a mixture of excitement and anxiety about returning to campus. For students with disabilities, including those managing mental health conditions, this transition can feel especially challenging. The return to college often brings academic stress, social adjustments, and the pressures of ba…

1
The New Medical School Graduation Competencies and Why One of the Them Stands Out 51:20

4M ago51:20

51:20

In December 2024, the three organizations that oversee medical school (MD and DO) and residency education released a set of “Foundational Competencies for Undergraduate Medical Education,” that represent a consensus on the observable abilities medical students should exhibit as they begin practicing medicine under supervision. Not surprisingly they…

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