In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

Understood.org, Gretchen Vierstra, Rachel Bozek

Discover In It, a podcast that explores the joys and frustrations of supporting kids with learning disabilities and ADHD. Join hosts Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra as they talk with parents, caregivers, teachers, and sometimes kids. They offer perspective, advice, and stories for and from people who have challenges with reading, math, focus, and other learning differences. Get tips on parenting kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia.

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126 episodes
Updated February 12

Episodes126

Newest first

Mar 27, 2019 · 33 min
When gifted kids need accommodations, too
Twice-exceptional (or “2E”) kids have learning and thinking differences AND are gifted. In this last episode of Season 1, Lexi and Amanda speak with guests Penny Williams, a parenting trainer and coach, and Debbie Reber, author and creator of TiLT Parenting, about the unique challenges of meeting the needs of 2E children. For these moms, their kids’ giftedness doesn’t make things easier — it adds a layer of complexity. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shapi
Mar 12, 2019 · 23 min
Dyscalculia, more than “bad at math”
When does being “bad at math” mean something more? For Lily, a Missouri teen with dyscalculia, math struggles go a lot further than math class. On this episode, we go inside Lily’s world and experience the unexpected challenges that pop up because of her math learning disability. Amanda and Lexi talk with expert Daniel Ansari about why dyscalculia is underdiagnosed. And they hear from parents who called in to share what math challenges are like in their family. Understood is a nonprofit and so
Feb 20, 2019 · 26 min
To disclose…or not?
Who do you tell? When? Telling people your child has ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning challenges is a big, complicated decision. Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright talk with families whose experiences range from triumphant to cautionary. Gimlet Media’s Wilson Standish shares why he’s still cautious about disclosing. And expert Manju Banerjee explains how to pass the disclosure torch to your young adult child. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shapin
Jan 31, 2019 · 26 min
The legit fear behind “Please don’t call on me to read”
It’s scary — in the moment and even recalling it years later. Reading out loud in front of a group when you have dyslexia can be legitimately awful. Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright dig into this fear with a mom whose son stumbled over reading his own name in front of his class. They hear from other parents, too, and hockey champion Brent Sopel. Expert Bob Cunningham also weighs in with insight on whether kids really do need to read out loud, and how to make the experience better for k
Jan 9, 2019 · 19 min
How we deal with “Is ADHD real?”
It’s a dreaded (and hurtful) question that families get asked too often: “Is ADHD even real?” Hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright hear from parents of kids with ADHD who’ve muddled through explaining their child’s attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity issues to family and friends. And they hear from expert Stephanie Sarkis, PhD, about the brain science behind ADHD. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact organization dedicated to shaping a world where the 1 in 5 people who learn
Dec 21, 2018 · 20 min
Why we cry in IEP meetings
On this first episode of “In It,” hosts Amanda Morin and Lexi Walters Wright dig into why emotions tend to run high in IEP meetings. They talk with comedian Dena Blizzard about her (very) public reaction to a disappointing IEP meeting. They hear from other parents who have gotten emotional when discussing the needs of their kids struggling in school. And they also connect with expert Mark Griffin, PhD, about what’s at stake during these meetings. Understood is a nonprofit and social impact org

In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

When gifted kids need accommodations, too

Dyscalculia, more than “bad at math”

To disclose…or not?

The legit fear behind “Please don’t call on me to read”

How we deal with “Is ADHD real?”

Why we cry in IEP meetings