Best Learningdisabilities Podcasts (2025)

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When teachers say your child is “too smart” for special ed services 25:38

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9d ago25:38

25:38

When a teacher says your child is “too smart” for special education services, it doesn’t feel like a compliment — it’s more like a roadblock! Parent advocate Danielle Ward joins us to unpack what this response often means and how it might signal twice exceptionality, where giftedness masks real struggles. She shares practical strategies for moving …

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How to make mornings easier for ADHD brains 24:07

23d ago24:07

24:07

Mornings can be chaos, especially when neurodivergence is part of the mix — for your kids or for you. This week, we’re joined by Jon Zeitlin from HabitCoach, who’s been in the thick of it. Jon and his son both have ADHD, so they’ve had to build routines that work for brains like theirs. Spoiler: It starts the night before. HabitCoach helps neurodiv…

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Despite It All: stories from women who found joy in medicine despite joining a less than welcoming profession 41:42

1M ago41:42

41:42

From the 1940 to the 1970’s, medicine went from an almost exclusively male club to a profession in which women physicians were commonplace. Our physician guest is Dr. Anne Walling, who has written a book about the experiences of 37 women who attended a Midwestern medical school, Women in Medicine: Stories from the Girls in White This was a time whe…

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When kids say “I’m stupid”: How to rebuild confidence and self-esteem 23:24

1M ago23:24

23:24

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to hear your child say “I’m stupid.” Whether it comes after a tough day at school, a frustrating homework session, or a comment that hit the wrong nerve, that feeling can really stick. Dr. Kristin Carothers joins us to unpack where this kind of negative self-talk comes from. What’s happening beneath the surface? And …

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Parenting the Long Game with Jason 15:24

1M ago15:24

15:24

When your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult is struggling—meltdowns, shutdowns, missed deadlines, constant reminders—it’s tempting to look for the fastest fix. But parenting for quick results often comes at the expense of long-term growth. In this episode, Jason shares why a developmental approach—focusing on emotional growth, ownership, a…

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Unlocking Joy: Moving Beyond Relief in Neurodivergent Lives with Jason 21:05

2M ago21:05

21:05

Relief feels good. The meltdown is over. The pressure is gone. The stress has eased. For many neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults, relief can start to feel like the ultimate goal—because it’s safe, predictable, and immediate. But it's crucial to understand: relief isn’t the same as joy. And chasing it can keep them from the deeper conn…

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How a teen with dyslexia found her voice 20:09

2M ago20:09

20:09

What happens when we stop talking about kids with learning differences — and start listening to them? Kids are the experts in their own experience. When we truly listen, we all learn. Today we’re joined by 15-year-old Caris, a smart and determined teen with dyslexia, and her dad, Kevin. In this honest conversation, they talk about the everyday chal…

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The biopsychosocial model: What would it take to really replace the biomedical model? 45:35

2M ago45:35

45:35

Medical educators generally acknowledge the importance of training doctors who care for the whole patient rather than just treat the disease. Most medical school curricula attempt to teach to that philosophy, but how successful are they, really? Our guest, Robert C. Smith, is a physician and author, who trained with Dr. George Engel, founder of the…

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From Autopilot to Intentional Living: Rewiring the Neurodivergent Brain with Jason 15:43

2M ago15:43

15:43

When you’re living life on autopilot, it’s easy to end up in the same loops, reacting the same way, making the same choices, and feeling stuck in the same results. For neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults, those loops can be even harder to break. And not because they’re lazy or resistant… but because the brain literally gets “grooved” i…

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Child psychologist explains how kids' therapy works - and if your child needs it 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

There’s a lot of talk these days — on social media and in parenting circles — about kids and therapy. But with all the noise, it can be hard to know what’s true and what actually applies to your child. Psychologist (and friend of the pod) Dr. Andy Kahn joins us today to clear up any confusion. He unpacks common questions and offers honest, stigma-f…

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When Accommodations Aren’t Enough: How to Support Your Child or Young Adult Beyond the Plan with Debbie 10:31

2M ago10:31

10:31

You got the IEP. You submitted the college accommodations. You followed all the steps—and it’s still not working. If your child, teen, or young adult is struggling to use the support they’ve been given—this episode is for you. We’re breaking down why accommodations often fall short without developmental support—and what you can do instead. You’ll l…

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College Isn’t Clicking—And You Don’t Know What to Do Next with Debbie 17:01

3M ago17:01

17:01

Your neurodivergent young adult made it into college—but now everything’s falling apart. Missed deadlines. Emotional shutdowns. Panic. Silence. You’re not sure when to step in—or how to stop stepping in so much. In this episode, we explore why college struggles aren’t about motivation or laziness and what they're often really about. You’ll learn wh…

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From the archives: Back-to-school action plan 20:14

3M ago20:14

20:14

It’s hard to believe, but back-to-school is almost upon us! We’re bringing back a favorite episode to help kick off the school year. Hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek chat with DeJunne’ Clark Jackson — education consultant, parent advocate, and mom of two. She shares smart, doable strategies for setting goals and easing back-to-school stress…

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The Impact of Helicopter Parenting on Neurodivergent Growth with Jason 16:44

3M ago16:44

16:44

When your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult struggles to regulate, follow through, or move forward—what are you supposed to do? Most parents step in (because they have to). You remind. You coach. You arrange the therapy appointments. You micromanage the hard stuff. Over time, this becomes your default mode. But what happens when the suppor…

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From the archives: Summer survival guide 27:15

3M ago27:15

27:15

Summer’s in full swing and routines are out the window, which can be both fun — and frustrating! That’s why we’re replaying this episode with psychologist Dr. Andy Kahn, who shares practical, low-stress tips for surviving and thriving this summer. From managing screen time to making travel more manageable with kids who learn and think differently, …

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“Disability is part of the human experience”: So why not treat it that way? 56:58

3M ago56:58

56:58

Soon after Lisa Iezzoni MD was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during her first year at Harvard Medical School, from which she graduated in 1984, faculty and administrators discouraged her from practicing medicine. And in her final year they made it impossible for her when the dean’s office refused to write a recommendation letter (now called a M…

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They Know What to Do- Why Don’t They Do It? with Debbie 18:07

3M ago18:07

18:07

If your child “knows what to do” but doesn’t do it, this episode will help you see the deeper story behind that pattern. We’ll break down why “knowing” and “doing” are not the same, especially in a stressed, overwhelmed, or neurodivergent brain. And you’ll start to see how practicing Neuro-Developmental Mentoring can help build the real-life applic…

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The Mental Load No One Talks About: Parenting on Overdrive with Debbie 14:41

4M ago14:41

14:41

If you’re the one who remembers everything and keeps everyone on track, you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong for stepping in. But if it’s starting to take a toll, this episode will help you understand why and how things can change. We’re talking about the invisible mental load of parenting, and why sharing that load (without dropping it all at on…

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Parenting Behavior: Is melatonin safe to give to kids? 15:03

4M ago15:03

15:03

We’re taking a quick summer break for the holiday weekend here at Team In It. Instead of a new episode this week, we’re sharing a great episode from our sister show, Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn. In this episode, Dr. Andy teams up with pediatrician Dr. Liz Harstad to discuss whether melatonin is safe for kids. Check out Parenting Behavior …

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Why Nagging Isn't Building Responsibility with Debbie 10:36

4M ago10:36

10:36

If you feel stuck in the reminder loop and it’s wearing you out... you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll explore why nagging feels necessary, but often works against the outcomes you want. We’ll talk about what’s really going on when your child doesn’t follow through, and why it’s time to shift from managing behavior to mentoring development. Wh…

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From fidget to focus: Why movement matters for kids with ADHD 30:47

4M ago30:47

30:47

It’s no secret that physical activity can make a big difference for kids with ADHD. The hard part is figuring out how to give kids the time and space to move when they need to. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy is a licensed psychologist and the associate director of behavior change and e…

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The Extraordinary Dr. Richard Clarke Cabot 39:35

4M ago39:35

39:35

It is difficult to overstate the achievements of Richard Clarke Cabot (1868-1939) a relatively little-known, old-moneyed physician of the early 20th century who was far ahead of his time in how much he contributed, and how willing he was to question his own limitations. Cabot's achievements include: creation and self-funding of the first medical so…

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When your child is labeled the “bad kid” 24:00

4M ago24:00

24:00

What happens when a child with learning and thinking differences gets labeled as the “bad kid”? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Aleesha, a parent of five children, four of whom have an ADHD diagnosis. Aleesha has seen the effects of a child being perceived — and named — as the “bad kid.” She shares what it…

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Crash or Protect? The Parenting Dilemma No One Talks About 21:31

5M ago21:31

21:31

You want your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult to grow into a confident, capable adult. But what do you do when they’re heading straight toward failure? Do you step in and save them—or let them crash and hope they learn? If you’ve ever wrestled with that gut-wrenching decision, this episode will speak right to you. Because most parents ar…

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

5M 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…

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

5M 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…

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

5M 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…

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

5M ago30:37

30:37

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 severe postpartum depression. But at the time, there wasn’t much information about ADHD and women, let alone ADHD and postpartum mental health. Rae had …

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

6M 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…

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Emboldened Bullies Come for Medical Education 53:52

6M 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…

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Navigating the Parent-Mentor Balance with Jason 24:48

6M 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…

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

6M ago27:58

27:58

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 Center. She is also the author of Be Unapologetically Impatient, which comes out this summer. Dr. Chris has four children, including a daughter who has AD…

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

6M ago26:52

26:52

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 will be out in May 2025. She is also the best-selling author of How to Keep House While Drowning. KC talks about being a “messy” person and reasons why w…

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

6M 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…

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

7M ago27:29

27:29

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, through her company Encompass Parent Solutions, she offers families of kids with learning and thinking differences non-legal help with advocacy, support, and…