In Part 2 of this episode of the LD Expert Podcast, Jill Stowell is joined by the authors of “The Language of Advocacy” - a workbook for parents who are in the midst of the emotional journey of advocating for their special needs children.   Episode Highlight “You are the expert at your child, and your opinion and your input is just as valid as anybody else’s.” - Julie Cole   In Part 2 of this episode: Empowering parents to create a collaborative IEP environment (as opposed to an intimidating power struggle)Diagnoses and qualifying for an IEPWhat to expect from the IEP process"The Language of Advocacy" workbook: a step-by-step guide for parents navigating the IEP process   ▶️ Watch Part 1 here   SHOW NOTES Language of Advocacy: Speak for Your Child with Confidence: Advocating for a Neurodivergent ChildEpisode Resources and TranscriptJulie Cole: Educational ConsultantJolee Hibbard: Hibbard Psychological Services, PCStowellCenter.com     Want to speak directly to a learning specialist about your child? Click here to schedule a call now.

In Part 1 of this episode of the LD Expert Podcast, Jill Stowell is joined by the authors of “The Language of Advocacy” - a workbook for parents who are in the midst of the emotional journey of advocating for their special needs children.   Learn: The emotional piece of advocating for your childCommunication strategies to help parents feel confident about crafting their message to the school or IEP teamIssues about triggers that impact your emotions as a parent and impede communication   Episode Highlight "Parents of kids that struggle can have vicarious experiences. Parents feel as though their children are extensions of themselves. Parents will have the same kind of neural responses as if they had gotten some sort of feedback about themselves when they get feedback about their kid." - Jolee Hibbard     In Part 1 of this episode: Factors that affect you as the parent of a neurodivergent childBarriers you are facing and strategies for effective communication with the IEP teamCommunication skills that help you get your message across for the best outcome for your childInformed advocacy: How parents can get educated and prepare for an IEP   SHOW NOTES Language of Advocacy: Speak for Your Child with Confidence: Advocating for a Neurodivergent ChildEpisode Resources and TranscriptJulie Cole: Educational ConsultantJolee Hibbard: Hibbard Psychological Services, PCStowellCenter.com     Want to speak directly to a learning specialist about your child? Click here to schedule a call now.

“I could see so many applications for increasing awareness of self and others, self-regulation, and mental flexibility.” - Jill Stowell, on the Ronnie Gardiner Method®   In this episode of the LD Expert Podcast with Jill Stowell: ✅ What is the Ronnie Gardiner Method® (RGM) ✅ How RGM uses rhythm as brilliant, fun way for people of any age to improve their thinking, energy, attention, social connection, and executive function ⭐️ NEW - First ever Young Adult Executive Function & Social Skills RGM Groups in California - starting at Stowell Learning Centers in February and hosted by Jill Stowell ⭐️ Click here for Info + Registration   Combining rhythm, music, color, language, and movement, RGM is designed to benefit: ➡️ Individuals with neurological conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injuries ➡️ Seniors aiming to maintain cognitive and motor agility ➡️ Children with developmental challenges ➡️ People with ADHD ➡️ People with Dyslexia ➡️ And even healthy adults seeking a novel approach to mental and physical stimulation   ▶️ Watch the video version of this episode on our website to see the demonstration at the end! (You'll find episode resources and transcript here, too!)

Special needs attorney and mom of a special needs child, Dina Kaplan, joins Jill Stowell for a live Q and A to help parents navigate the IEP process and ongoing services for their children and young adults with learning challenges.   Learn crucial things you need to know about: ✅ The assessment process ✅ IEP and 504 Plan basics ✅ How to educate yourself and navigate school and life with special needs kids   SHOW NOTES Episode Resources WebpageDina C. Kaplan, Esq., Vanaman GermanThe KEN Project Parent Support Group: Email Dina Kaplan: dkaplan@vanamangerman.com Special Education Rights and ResponsibilitiesOtter AI - Voice Meeting Notes and Real-Time TranscriptionSLC Mom Squad - A private Facebook Group for parents of children with learning and attention challengesP.E.A.C.E. - Monthly in-person parent learning workshop, support group, and live Q&AStowell Learning Center Virtual Information Session - Have questions about SLC services? Get them answered!Self-Determination Program   ➡️ Want to speak to a learning specialist? Call 877-774-0444 or click https://stowellcenter.com/learning-specialist-call/

"I don’t want kids to have to spend their life compensating for their learning challenges and so we don’t teach them to manage or to cope. We really identify and develop the underlying skills that are actually at the root of the problem in order to remove the roadblocks to reading and to learning." -Jill Stowell   Jill Stowell and Suzanne McClure - Head of School at MUSE Global Schools in Calabasas - discuss ways to help our kids embrace and value their own differences: ✅ How to invite kids' passions into the classroom to help them feel more engaged ✅ When kids are part of the process, they build executive function skills ✅ How neurodivergent kids can make and keep friends   --   ➡️ MUSE highly values passion and the idea of allowing students to merge their interests, curiosities, and passions with their academic life. ➡️ As parents and educators, whenever we can help kids see that what they're learning in school actually relates to their real life, especially something they're really good at or passionate about, the learning becomes so much more meaningful. ➡️ When parents and teachers engage with students around their interests and passions, students develop a sense of confidence and autonomy and ownership. ➡️ When students and teachers work together, the students are able to build executive function skills around self-management and self-control. ➡️ Encouraging your child's passion may also lead to him finding and keeping friends who have similar interests. ➡️ Jill and Suzanne also dig into why the nontraditional approaches to education that both MUSE and Stowell Learning Center take are a key component to the future success of our neurodivergent kids. Teaching kids how to "cope" with their learning challenges will not open the door to possibility the way that getting to the root of the problem will.   --   SHOW NOTES: ➡️ Episode Resources and Transcript: https://stowellcenter.com/2023/09/01/episode-69-embracing-differences-and-building-social-emotional-health-suzanne-mcclure/ ➡️ Speak to a Learning Specialist for Free: https://stowellcenter.com/contact    Suzanne McClure & MUSE Global School 🌐 MUSE Global School ⓕ MUSE on Facebook ⓘ MUSE on Instagram ⓣ MUSE on Twitter 📕 The OMD Plan - by Suzy Cameron

"What I'm really interested in when I'm working with kids is them really engaging in the learning and growing process and them feeling awesome about who they are." -Seth Perler In this episode, Seth Perler breaks down some time-saving strategies for parents and teachers to help build executive function skills with their kids and get student buy-in at the start of the new school year. Plus, hear Seth's empowering message to kids, and learn about TEFOS - The Executive Function Online Summit - HAPPENING AUGUST 11-13, 2023. ✅ Tips for parents: How to get your kids in the right mindset and off to a good start in school ✅ Advice for teachers in prepping for the new school year ✅ Seth's advice for kids as they head into the new school year ✅ TEFOS (The Executive Function Online Summit): What is it, who is it for, and how to get the most out of it -- ➡️ TEFOS is a free online event Hosted by Seth Perler, ADHD, 2E, and Executive Function coach. ➡️ If your child, teen, or young adult struggles with executive function, you really don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn along with tens of thousands of parents and educators around the world about executive function and get practical strategies you can use to help your child. (If you still have a little summer vacation time left in August and can’t make it live, you can purchase the all-access pass and watch anytime). 🎟️ TEFOS Info and Registration 🧠 Executive Function Info Page: Definition, Symptoms, Testing and Treatment 🎧 Episode Transcript and Resources 📞 Speak to a learning specialist

"Your unique, interesting, neurodivergent brain is what makes you perfect and amazing exactly how you are." -Seth Perler In this episode, Seth Perler offers some words of encouragement for kids as they prepare for the new school year. PLUS learn about TEFOS - The Executive Function Online Summit - Happening August 11 - 13, 2023 ➡️ TEFOS is a free online event Hosted by Seth Perler, ADHD, 2E, and Executive Function coach. ➡️ If your child, teen, or young adult struggles with executive function, you really don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn along with tens of thousands of parents and educators around the world about executive function and get practical strategies you can use to help your child. (If you still have a little summer vacation time left in August and can’t make it live, you can purchase the all-access pass and watch anytime). 🎧 Episode Resources and Transcript 🎟️ TEFOS Info and Registration 🧠 Executive Function Info Page: Definition, Symptoms, Testing and Treatment 📞 Speak to a learning specialist

In this replay of The Refocus Podcast with Angela Stephens, Angela and Jill explore: ✅ ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder ✅ Anxiety, especially in children ✅ Why Stowell Learning Center is the last stop for parents who are looking for permanent solutions for their kids with learning or attention challenges   Angela Stephens hosts the Re-Focus Podcast and she interviews CEOs, Senior Executives, ADHD Coaches, Business Coaches, Presidents, Surgeons, and more on how they focus and re-focus when they face adversity.   RESOURCES ➡️ The Re-Focus Podcast with Angela Stephens: Jill Stowell discusses auditory processing and managing anxiety ➡️ Go to www.ReFocusWithAngela.com to find all of her podcast episodes. ➡️ Auditory Processing Information and Free Resources Page ➡️ At Wit's End by Jill Stowell - Chapter 10: Auditory Processing ➡️ Take the Stone Out of the Shoe by Jill Stowell - Chapter 5: What Do Challenges With Processing Skills Look Like?   🗣️ Want to speak directly to a learning specialist? Click here.

"I just really want the world to know that the struggles associated with learning disabilities and dyslexia do not have to be permanent. They really can change. The brain is amazing!" - Jill Stowell In this episode, Jessyka Coulter interviews Jill Stowell for the "Love to Learn 2023" virtual event. Jill uses Stowell Learning Center's Learning Skills Continuum to explain why some students struggle in school. You'll learn there are whole sets of underlying skills that need to be in place for optimal learning. If any of these skills are weak or inefficient, the attention system is going to be stressed, and the student will struggle. Jill also explains why the vast majority of the students who are reported to have attention issues, do not actually have ADHD, but that most attention challenges are just a symptom of a weak underlying skills.   RESOURCES Learning Skills ContinuumAt Wit's EndTake the Stone Out of the Shoe: Chapter 3 - Understanding the Problem Beneath the Problem ➡️ Speak directly with a learning specialist

"Our ability to be our best is under attack." - Alex Doman   There are more mental health challenges today than ever before, and Alex Doman, founder of Vital Neuro and this week’s LD Expert Podcast guest, is on a mission to help people shift back to where they need to be for a less stressful, more balanced life.   What is Vital Neuro? Vital Neuro is a new technology for neuro performance training that is personalized to change your state of mind using real-time EEG and psycho-acoustically designed music.   More areas of the brain are involved when experiencing music than any other input to the nervous system, so this revolutionary tool can help us to: have a healthier stress-responseoptimize and improve focusactivate our executive functionlearn how to more easily relaxget a restorative night’s sleep so that neuroplasticity can take place as your brain consolidates the events of the day --   GUEST Alex Doman - Founder of Advanced Brain Technologies and Vital Neuro Advanced Brain TechnologiesThe Listening ProgramVital Neuro   RESOURCES Auditory Processing Information Page   ➡️ Want to know more about Vital Neuro or speak directly to a Learning Specialist? Call 877-774-0444 or go to https://stowellcenter.com/learning-specialist-call/

“Am I really alone out there in the world? Am I the only mom who feels this way?” Being the mom of a neurodiverse child can be difficult and lonely. In this episode of the LD Expert Podcast, Jill Stowell is talking to Megan Champion, mother of a neurodiverse child, host of the "On The Hard Days" podcast, and founder of "Mothers Together." Megan shares her story, and she has some important messages to share with other mothers.   ----more---- GUEST - Megan Champion Host of the "On The Hard Days" Podcast and Founder of Mothers Together On The Hard Days Podcast - OnTheHardDays.comMothers Together - Mothers-Together.com - a community for moms of neurodivergent kids that understands the unique challenges you face and provides a supportive space to help you through feelings of loneliness, guilt, shame, and doubt.Instagram: @on.the.hard.days   SHOW RESOURCES AND REFERENCES "What Moms of Neurodivergent Kids Wish They Could Say Out Loud - Part 123"Think:Kids - Collaborative Problem Solving 👉 Speak to a learning specialist

The twice exceptional, or "2E" population can be truly baffling for parents and teachers. These students are often misunderstood because they have both skills and deficits. This means that their often high intelligence and academic success can very easily mask their weak underlying behavior or executive functioning skills. In this episode of the LD Expert Podcast, Jill Stowell and Lauren Ma, Director of Clinical Growth and Operations at Stowell Learning Centers, dig into the dichotomy of the 2E population. RESOURCES - Think:Kids - "Think skill, not will" - Collaborative Problem Solving - Take the Stone Out of the Shoe - Chapter 22: Principles for Enhancing Attention, Behavior, and Executive Function - At Wit's End - Chapter 11: Executive Function Speak directly to a Learning Specialist

"In my opinion, there’s definitely some theoretical basis to understand that anxiety has increased in relation to the introduction of technology and digital media." - Dr. Keeban Nam In this episode, Jill Stowell and Dr. Keeban Nam, psychiatrist, talk about several hot topics that were only exacerbated by the pandemic. School Refusal: Why does it happen, and why is it worse after the pandemic? Digital Media: This "new" way of communicating has become the norm, but how is it affecting teens and families? What are appropriate guidelines for digital media, and how can parents connect with their kids and teens? Medication and ADHD: When is medication helpful? When isn't it? How should parents approach this topic? These are very difficult questions for parents, and if you are struggling with any of these issues, you are not alone. -- GUEST Dr. Keeban Nam - Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatrist Oak Health Center: 949-258-3741Oak Health Center Oak Health Center on Facebook Oak Health Center on InstagramOak Health Center on TwitterOak Health Center on LinkedIn   RESOURES At Wit's End - Chapter 9: Attention and Memory Q&ALD Expert Podcast Episode 33: Mental Health – Social Anxiety In Teens – Dr. Tracy BallardoLD Expert Podcast Episode 34: Sleep and Learning - Why is it so Important? - with Dr. Giancarlo LicataLD Expert Podcast Episode 42: Video Games And What They Do To The Brain – Dr. Regine Muradian

"The first step in building more mental and emotional flexibility is identifying the underlying skills that are not serving the student well enough." - Jill Stowell Adapting to change can be really difficult for our neurodiverse learners, particularly those on the autism spectrum. In this episode, we’re going to talk about why change is so hard and look at some tools for helping your child build stronger comprehension and mental flexibility. You'll learn: Reasons behind mental inflexibilityTips for you and your inflexible child or teen2 easy strategies you can use right now to integrate both hemispheres of the brain   SHOW NOTES - Episode Resources and Transcript - Cross Crawls - Infinity Walk Book I: The Physical Self by Deborah Sunbeck - Infinity Walk: Preparing Your Mind to Learn! by Deborah Sunbeck

"Be comfortable with and celebrate your child being different...Different can be hard but different doesn’t mean bad. It actually can be wonderful." -Lindsey Sterling   In this episode, we're talking to Dr. Lindsey Sterling - a clinical psychologist and founder of the Sterling Institute in Naples, CA. Dr. Stirling focuses on child psychology and specializes in autism and neurodiversity research and treatment.   This conversation provides an in-depth look at the autism evaluation and diagnosis process, including where to go and what it should look like for people of different age groups.   You'll learn: Autism Diagnosis: where to get it, why it's important, and how it helps everyoneWhy autism is harder to spot in girlsAutism and mental health   --   SHOW NOTES Episode Resources and TranscriptThe Social Survival Guide for Teens on the Autism Spectrum: How to Make Friends and Navigate Your Emotions by Dr. Lindsey SterlingLD Expert Live Broadcast: "Autism or ADHD: Why Girls Get Missed" - with Dr. Monica BliedAt Wit's End - Chapter 20: Other Causes of Learning Problems   GUEST - Dr. Lindsey Sterling The Sterling Institute for AutismThe Sterling Institute for Autism on FacebookThe Sterling Institute for Autism on Instagram - @sterlingautismDr. Lindsey Sterling on LinkedIn

"APD is a very hidden disability. Things can actually change. I'm not dumb or stupid or slow. I just work differently, and that's fine." -Adalyn Smith   Auditory processing challenges are one of the most invisible learning challenges out there, so it is difficult to understand what students with APD are faced with every day.   In this episode, Adalyn Smith - a college student with APD - is back on the show to talk about what it's like to have an auditory processing disorder, and how big of an impact auditory training made on her life both in and out of school.   Learn: A first-hand account of what it's like to have APD as a studentWhat auditory training is and how it worksHow auditory training can eliminate excessive exhaustion, boost confidence and self-esteem, increase academic performance, and enhance social skills   SHOW NOTES Episode resources and transcript: https://stowellcenter.com/2023/04/07/episode-58-how-auditory-training-changed-my-life-adalyn-smith/Adalyn Smith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advocate4apd/LD Expert Live episode with Adalyn Smith - Part 1 - https://youtu.be/hlicyIlFDYEAdvanced Brain Technology and The Listening Program - https://advancedbrain.com/Take the Stone Out of the Shoe - Chapter 5: What Do Challenges With Processing Skills Look Like? - https://stowellcenter.com/takethestoneoutAt Wit's End - Chapter 10: Auditory Processing - https://stowellcenter.com/book-atwitsend/

"If you or your child are struggling because of weak auditory processing, don’t let anyone tell you that it cannot be improved." -Jill Stowell Auditory processing is not your hearing - it’s how the brain perceives and thinks about or processes information that comes in through your ears. In this episode, we're discussing Auditory Processing and why it has such a profound impact on learning, social skills, and general sense of confidence and well-being. You'll learn: - What it feels like to have an Auditory Processing challenge (audio simulation) - How Auditory Processing challenges look in real-work scenarios - Auditory Processing can be developed through sound therapy and active auditory training -- RESOURCES - Episode resources and transcript: https://stowellcenter.com/2023/03/31/episode-57-auditory-processing-key-to-increasing-confidence-and-learning/ - LD Expert Live episode with Alex Doman. LISTEN (https://stowellcenter.com/2022/02/27/using-music-improve/) or WATCH (https://youtu.be/AvCtH7meqos) - Advanced Brain Technology and The Listening Program - https://advancedbrain.com/ - LD Expert Live episode with Adalyn Smith - Part 1 - https://youtu.be/hlicyIlFDYE - Brain Gym - https://www.braingym.com/ - Take the Stone Out of the Shoe - Chapter 5: What Do Challenges With Processing Skills Look Like? - At Wit's End - Chapter 10: Auditory Processing ☀️ Learn about our Summer Intensive programs (limited availability): https://stowellcenter.com/summer ➡️ Schedule a free 1-to-1 consultation with a Learning Specialist at https://stowellcenter.com/

"The students we’ve worked with are bright and as teens they look pretty grown-up. So it’s really easy for their challenges with organization or getting work in on time to be misunderstood." - Jill Stowell   Executive Functioning skills are our mental control skills help us to focus attention, plan, organize, follow through, and manage our behavior.   These real life skills are not taught in school but are expected and are key to success.   In this episode we're talking to Natalie Borrell and Alison Grant, Academic Life Coaches at Life Success for Teens. Learn about: Executive Function challenges in teensHow a teen's Executive Function challenges affect self-esteem, behavior, and their parentsProcrastination: what's going on + strategies to helpAdvice for parents and teens with ADHD   GUESTS Natalie Borrell and Alison Grant, Founder and Coach of Life Success For Teens Website: Life Success for TeensLife Success for Teens on FacebookLife Success for Teens on Instagram RESOURCES Episode Resources and Transcript"7 Ways to Stop Procrastinating" - Free Download from Natalie BorrellExecutive Function Information PageStowell Learning Center's Learning Skills ContinuumTake the Stone Out of the Shoe - Chapter 11: Executive Function and OrganizationAt Wit's End - Chapter 19: Executive Function (and the teenage brain)

"The brain is a powerful resource. At any age, we can stimulate our cognitive skills for more efficient thinking and functioning." -Jill Stowell   Processing skills are a group of skills essential to learning that aren’t really taught, but are assumed to be in place. These are skills like memory, attention, auditory, visual, and language processing, logic and reasoning, and processing speed.   These skills impact each other and if any of these underlying skills are underdeveloped or inefficient, it will stress the attention system, impact behavior, and cause learning to be harder than it should be.   In this episode, we'll talk about processing skills in detail: What they areWhat processing skills challenges look like in struggling studentsTraining that can permanently eliminate those struggles   --   SHOW NOTES Episode Resources and TranscriptTake the Stone Out of the Shoe - by Jill Stowell - Chapter 5: What Do Challenges With Processing Skills Look Like?At Wit's End - by Jill Stowell - Chapter 17: Processing Skills Development ☀️ Learn about our Summer Intensive programs (limited availability): https://stowellcenter.com/summer ➡️ Schedule a free 1-to-1 consultation with a Learning Specialist at https://stowellcenter.com/

"It will pass. Every time you’ve had anxiety or a panic attack, it has passed. In that moment, it sure does feel awful, and like it’s never going to end, but every time it has happened, it has ended. So know that there is relief in sight." - Jamie Roberts   In this episode, we're talking with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Jamie Roberts about teen anxiety. Learn: How to define anxietyStrategies to get a handle on anxietyThe importance of self-talkHow mindfulness affects anxiety and why it helps   Share this episode with a teen in your life, and make sure to pick up a copy of Jamie Roberts' book, Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety: A Practical Guide to Manage Stress, Ease Worry, and Find Calm. It’s written for teens in a format and style that they’ll really connect to and not feel overwhelmed by.   GUEST Jamie Roberts, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Website: https://equilibriumcs.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EquilibriumCounseling/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergenttherapist,  https://www.instagram.com/equilibriumcounselingNewsletter: https://equilibriumcs.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=beaf37ab74511c0738d17403e&id=ed7f14e523Book: Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety: A practical guide to mange stress, ease worry and find calm https://amzn.to/3spMKIi   SHOW NOTES Episode Resources and Transcript: https://stowellcenter.com/2023/03/10/episode-54-teen-anxiety/Take the Stone Out of the Shoe - by Jill Stowell: https://stowellcenter.com/takethestoneout/    ➡️ Schedule a free 1-to-1 consultation with a Learning Specialist at https://stowellcenter.com/