All Episodes

January 13, 2022 | Episode 17, Season 2

Illustration of a young woman with a blue star in each hand

with Callie Turk and Vivien Keil, PhD

Parenting is never easy, but raising a child with exceptional talents who also struggles with learning differences (such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia) is even more complex. This combination of giftedness and challenges — known as twice exceptional (2e) — creates a confusing picture for parents and educators. It can be difficult to see the signs of 2e because it looks different in every child. Their strengths can mask their challenges and their challenges can mask their strengths. Today we talk with Callie Turk, a parent of a 2e child and Dr. Vivien Keil, neuropsychologist, about the journey of understanding and parenting these unique and extraordinary kids.

January 6, 2022 | Episode 16, Season 2

Illustration of young woman wrapped in barbed wire

with Jennifer Leydecker, LMFT

It’s hard to imagine, but essential to talk about. While we shudder to think of our teens injuring themselves intentionally, cutting and other forms of self-harm are on the rise, affecting 1 in 12 youth and increasing 99% during the pandemic. In today’s episode, we welcome back Jennifer Leydecker, LMFT to the podcast, to discuss what self-harm looks like in adolescents and how to validate their hurt while encouraging healthier coping strategies. As Clinical Program Manager and Clinician at the RISE Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Jennifer is an expert at helping teens regulate big emotions in a nonjudgmental way.

December 16, 2021 | Episode 15, Season 2

Illustration of a woman looking in the mirror and seeing a male reflection

with Anne Mellenthin & Grae Mellenthin

We hear more about gender expression these days than we used to. Yet it’s rare to hear a raw, firsthand account about what it really feels like when your gender identity doesn’t match your biological gender — from shame and stigma to self-awareness and acceptance. In this episode, we hear from a trans adult and his mom as they share their inspiring journey. We talk about body dysmorphia, mental health issues, determination, self-acceptance and transitioning. Ultimately, theirs is a love story between mother and son, and son and self that applies to us all.

December 9, 2021 | Episode 14, Season 2

Illustration of frightened child surrounded by snakes

with Glen R. Elliott, PhD, MD and Natalie Pon, MD

Young children typically experience some degree of fear — of separation, the dark, strangers, loud noises and new experiences. But how do we know when it’s something more and prevent these fears from interfering with our children’s daily lives? In this podcast episode, we chat with two child and adolescent psychiatrists, Dr. Natalie Pon and Dr. Glen Elliott, to discuss the various ways anxiety presents in young children, what is typical vs. troubling and the role of play in managing fear. Parents and caregivers of children under 6 will find our conversation especially relevant.

December 2, 2021 | Episode 13, Season 2

Illustration of a woman and a young boy each holding one end of a ball of wool

with Lauren Barry Sims

In this episode, we talk candidly about what parenting a child with ADHD is really like — the challenges, joys, worries and wonder. How do you know when it’s time to get help? Is medication necessary? What kind of impact will your child’s behavior have on the rest of the family? While we may sometimes wish that our kids came with an instruction manual, remember that you are doing the best you can and so is your child. And you are not alone. Tune in today to hear from Lauren Sims, the mom of a child with ADHD, as she shares her real-life personal journey filled with encouragement, empathy and strategies to set your child up for success.

November 18, 2021 | Episode 12, Season 2

Illustration of person surrounded by arrows flying in different directions

with Glen R. Elliott, PhD, MD

Your child has just been diagnosed with ADHD…now what? Part of you might feel relieved that there’s an explanation for your child’s behavior, while another might feel overwhelmed by the prospect of parenting a child with attention challenges. ADHD is a lifelong journey filled with wonderful surprises and extraordinary obstacles. How can you best equip your child for happiness and success? In today’s podcast episode, one of CHC’s foremost and beloved ADHD experts, Dr. Glen Elliott, offers sage advice as both a parent and a professional. You’ll walk away with valuable insights, practical suggestions and evidence-based words of encouragement.

November 10, 2021 | Episode 11, Season 2

Woman of color sitting in a cross-legged position

with Jennifer Salomon, OTD, OTR/L

It seems like everyone is talking about mindfulness these days. A quick Google search results in 9 Ways to Practice Mindfulness, 16 Types of Meditation and 28 Ways to Practice Mindfulness for Beginners. There is so much out there. So what is mindfulness, really, and does it even make a difference? Do I have to empty my head of all my thoughts, and sit cross-legged on the floor in a zen-like state? Listen in to this podcast episode as we talk with Jennifer Salomon, Occupational Therapist at CHC about the physiology of mindfulness and practical ways to be more present (even for skeptics). Because “as soon as we tune in and recognize that we're not being mindful, we're already being mindful.”

November 4, 2021 | Episode 10, Season 2

Illustration of confused student looking at laptop

with Nicole Ofiesh, PhD

The transition from high school to college is a rite of passage, a benchmark between parent and child. While exciting, balancing academic demands with the sudden need to be independent can feel daunting, especially for students with learning differences. How can you as a parent best prepare them while they’re still under your wing? In this podcast episode, we sat down with Dr. Nicole Ofiesh, Director of the Schwab Learning Center at CHC, as she shared wisdom from her 30 years in the field. She covers everything from resilience and self-advocacy to electronic calendars and on-campus support systems, reminding us that, above all, “it always comes back to love and compassion.”

October 20, 2021 | Episode 9, Season 2

Illustration of a child reading surrounded by letters

with Vivien Keil, PhD and Lisa Parnello, MEd

A dyslexia diagnosis can be bittersweet: in some ways, it might help explain your child’s struggles in school and their anxieties about falling behind. But finding the right supports for your child is daunting, and you can't help but worry about the long-term impacts on their happiness, confidence and success. In today’s podcast episode, we sat down with CHC’s Lisa Parnello, MEd and Dr. Vivien Keil, both of whom have devoted their lives to evaluating, educating and advocating for children who learn differently. Listen today to learn how to partner with your child’s school to ensure appropriate accommodations, how to talk to your child about their diagnosis, and pro tips for fostering strengths and finding support.

October 13, 2021 | Episode 8, Season 2

Illustration of a man and a woman reprimanding a teenage girl

with Jody M. Miller, EdD, BCBA

Whether your child just doesn’t want to go to bed at night, or is defiant to anything and everything, Dr. Jody Miller, Head of Esther B. Clark Schools at CHC and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, has seen it all. In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Miller shares her top three go-to strategies for challenging behavior. From positive reinforcement to consequences and consistency, you’ll learn new tools to try at home and when to reach out for help. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Miller shares her own experience parenting children with challenging behavior, reminding us that “it will improve.” Listen today!

October 7, 2021 | Episode 7, Season 2

Illustration of teen girl lying in bed at night using smartphone

with Joan Baran, PhD

From the minute we become parents, we start fixating on sleep — are our babies getting enough? Too much? Will they ever sleep through the night? Will we? It’s a hot topic because we know how critical it is for healthy development, both mental and physical. As our kids turn to teens, we may monitor their sleep less, but it doesn’t become less important to their wellbeing and academic performance. Teens can face many impediments to consistent, restorative sleep, including stress, with an estimated 70-75% of teens getting less than the recommended 8 hours per night. In this podcast episode, we sat down with two CHC experts — Dr. Joan Baran, Clinical Director at CHC, and Deepika Bose, Doctoral Psychology Intern — to learn strategies for helping your teen develop healthy sleep habits. You may even want to try some yourself!

September 22, 2021 | Episode 6, Season 2

Illustration of adult and teenager having a serious discussion on a couch

with Katherine Reeves, PMHNP-BC

It can be hard to imagine talking with your teen about suicide. But given that it is the second leading cause of death among young people, it makes sense to be prepared to have that conversation. How can we as parents create a safe, nonjudgmental space where our teens feel comfortable talking about hard things? How do we know when to worry and how to get help? Join us for today’s podcast episode, where we talk with two CHC experts, Katie Reeves, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Jason Tinero, Doctoral Psychology Intern, to hear what all parents should know about teen suicide.

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