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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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If you like this show, consider making a donation this holiday season. 100% of your donation will go towards helping us create more podcasts (like this one!). Click here to make a gift today. The news is often scary, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming. And kids who learn and think differently may have an especially hard time with intense news cy…
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If you like this show, consider making a donation this holiday season. 100% of your donation will go towards helping us create more podcasts (like this one!). Click here to make a gift today. You may have read or heard that kids with ADHD are at a higher risk for addiction. Is this true? If so, why? And what can we, as parents and caregivers, do ab…
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This week on In It, we’re sharing an episode of another podcast we love called Good Inside with Dr. Becky. The show’s host, Dr. Becky Kennedy, is a clinical psychologist and mom of three. Each week, she talks to parents, experts, and trusted friends and colleagues about strategies and tips for the stickiest parenting situations. We’re sharing an ep…
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If you like this show, consider making a donation this holiday season. 100% of your donation will go towards helping us create more podcasts (like this one!). Click here to make a gift today. Gus Walz is the son of vice presidential nominee Tim Walz. You may have seen him cheering for his dad at the Democratic National Convention in August. At that…
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If you like this show, consider making a donation this holiday season. 100% of your donation will go towards helping us create more podcasts (like this one!). Click here to make a gift today. You might have heard or seen the acronym STEM in education circles. It stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. And it can be very helpful for k…
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Brushing their teeth. Taking a shower. Cleaning up after themselves. What’s going on when kids seem to ignore these must-do tasks? And what can parents and caregivers do to change that? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Brendan Mahan. Brendan is an executive function coach and the host of the podcast ADHD …
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Gearing up for a new school year can feel overwhelming. As the first day of school gets close, kids have so much to think about. And so do parents and caregivers. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Kate Garcia. Kate is a high school teacher with lots of back-to-school experience and tips. For a transcript o…
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Join us for new episodes of In It, a podcast on raising kids who learn differently. Hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek continue to offer advice, camaraderie, stories of successes, and — let’s be real — failures. We’ll hear from experts, parents, and caregivers on a range of topics — from bribes vs. rewards to managing some of the unanticipate…
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Bedtime can be a struggle for parents and caregivers of kids of all ages. Maybe your child needs an extra glass of water — three times before bed. Or maybe they want you to read that story “just one more time,” for hours. No matter what roadblocks you face at bedtime, you’re not alone. On this bonus episode of In It, we’re sharing an episode of ano…
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Breaks from school can sometimes mean breaks from other kids. This can be hard for kids with learning and thinking differences. What are some ways to avoid “summer slide” when it comes to social skills and time with friends? And what are some ways to see kids in the summer, when the friends we usually see are not around? In this episode of In It, G…
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You may have heard of “summer slide.” It refers to the learning loss that can happen during summer break from school. On this bonus episode of In It, we’re sharing a conversation on how to handle the summer break from another Understood podcast, The Opportunity Gap. Host Julian Saavedra talks with special education teacher Kate García about how fol…
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In this episode of In It, Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek suggest podcasts that are ideal for kids with learning and thinking differences. These shows are also great for any kid. To find a transcript for this episode, visit the episode page at Understood. We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at init@understood.org. Their suggestions incl…
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Many people who learn and think differently are also on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. This can be a lot for kids—and their families—to navigate. In this episode of In It, Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk to Kade Friedman. Kade is the Director of Education for PINE, the Program for Inclusion and Neurodiversity Education. Kade identifies as non-binar…
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Breaks from school are prime time for screen time. But how much screen time is too much? And what can we do about it? Is screen time ever a good thing? In this episode of “In It,” Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk to Dr. Devorah Heitner. Devorah is the author of two books: Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World a…
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Many parents usually try to avoid sharing too much information about their kids on social media. But many parents also want to share cute pictures, funny stories, or their kids’ accomplishments. And online communities can be great places to share stories or trade parenting tips. It can be tricky to tell where to draw the line — how much is too much…
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When families are in a dispute about their child’s special education, it can be tricky to know how to handle things. There are big emotions involved, and the law around IEPs, or Individualized Education Programs, can be confusing. But in some cases, it might help to work with a special education attorney. In this episode of In It, Gretchen Vierstra…
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Do you ever wonder if having an IEP means your child will be labeled forever? Are you worried that an IEP will mean your child is separated from their peers? Well, those are actually both myths. And this week, we’re sharing a podcast episode that’s all about busting common myths relating to IEPs, or Individualized Education Programs. The episode co…
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If you think your child is struggling at school, what’s the best way to make sure they’re getting the support they need? Who should you talk to first? Should you call a meeting, send an email, or do something else? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Julian Saavedra. Julian is an assistant principal in Philade…
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Michelle Carter is an athlete and businessperson. She was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a young child. With her parents’ support, she discovered her talents in track and field, going on to compete in three Olympic Games: in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Michelle won gold in 2016. Now she runs You Throw Girl, a camp that helps girls build confidence. …
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From the colors of the classroom to the noises of the playground, school can be overwhelming for kids with sensory processing challenges. One author has turned these experiences into a new picture book. The book aims to help kids who have trouble processing sensory information. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk…
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Language disorders can lead to many questions, both in the classroom and elsewhere. How will the school handle it? What can you do to help at home? And what if you’re not even sure if a language disorder is what your child is struggling with? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Kelli Johnson, a Minneapolis-b…
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Getting diagnosed with a learning and thinking difference can be a big relief for many kids. But for some kids, the news can lead to many questions and worries. They may not want to talk about their diagnosis at all. And sometimes, the way kids respond to their diagnosis changes over time. In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek w…
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When siblings have different needs, what’s a parent to do? In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Dr. Ari Tuckman, a psychologist who works with families and couples. He shares tips for finding balance in parenting kids when one has a learning or thinking difference. And he talks about the importance of the ide…
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Sibling dynamics are challenging for all families. But when one sibling has a learning and thinking difference and the other one doesn’t, things can be even tougher. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk with Becca. She’s a mom of two kids, one with ADHD and one without. Becca shares how she’s finding balance in pa…
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If your child is struggling at school or at home, and you think it may be related to ADHD or a learning difference, communication is key. Talking with your child’s pediatrician can be a first step to getting support. But sometimes it’s hard to know what to say to your child’s doctor. In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Boze…
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