The Most Imporant Interview Ever- James Hoffman

Today's guest is my son, James. For over a year now, I have spoken about both of my children, James and John, and used them as examples. Examples about when certain things have worked, and when some things have not. I thought it was time to let you hear James talk about having a learnign disability, having ADHD, and what it's been like for him. I ask James what we do well as parents, and what we do wrong- what works for him, and what does not. I was impressed by how relaxed and honest he was in his answers, and I hope you will be, too.

James is going into 7th grade in the fall; he has a great perspective, and hopefully it will help other middle school aged kids with similar issues.

I'd love to hear your comments on this show in particular at ldpodcast@gmail.com.

Click here to download Show #64- A Middle School Perspective

Show #63- Avoiding Extremes

Show # 63- Avoiding Extremes- We're Back From vacation!

In today's show, I talk about how we need to keep centered, and avoid the extreme reactions to things. For example, we can choose to be an advocate, or we can choose to be adversarial with school staff; We can ask for help or we can demand services; we can work as a team or take defensive and polarizing positions.

In the end, parents need to work together with schools, teachers, doctors, therapists and more. We need to work through the bureaucracy, rather than just rail against it. We need to work as much within the system as possible, and try to get as many others on our child;s side as possible. By showing yourself as an engaged and concerned parent, you are more likely to get what you and your child need, than if you take an adversarial and combative approach to every interaction with professionals.

You want to be respected, and as such, you have to be the professional as well, even when it's frustrating and makes you angry. We all need to remember- When the elephants fight- it's the grass that gets trampled. In other words, when we fight with professionals, our child may really be the one hurt in the end by all this conflict.

Today's song is Black Coffee by Chaz and is available on the podsafe music network.

If anyone's interested, you can see some of the great shots we got on our whale watch by going to our main website, at www.ldpodcast.com and clicking on the link. That way, you won't get the whole movie downloaded to your computer by accident!.

Click here to listen to Show # 63, Avoiding Extremes

Show #60- Jan Olsen, OTR- Handwriting Without Tears, Part II

This week's show starts out with a few quick stories, including a wrap up of the amazing people I met at Podcasters Across Borders. Podcasts to check out:
Quirky Nomads- Sage Tyrtle
Just One More Book- Mark and Andrea
The Catfish Show- Cat & Bob

Thanks to Dave Reader of Parrish, NY for all his help in fixing my flat tires, and sharing his life with me on my way to PAB. Dave told me what it was like for him growing up with dyslexia, and how his experiences affected how he encouraged his children to stay in school. His daughter now teaches autistic children in Massachusetts.

I share comments from listener Susanna about the last show.

In the second half of my interview with Jan Olsen, Jan talks in detail about the handwriting without tears program, and how it can help kids learn to write - tear free. One great comment she made- "Honey, you're doing great- it's your letters that are in trouble!" As a result of my conversation with Jan, I have new workooks, and will start working with my guys again this summer, no more than five minutes, twice a day. I'll post their progress on the blog- this will help keep me honest and accountable, too.

Next show, we'll celebrate our 1 year anniversary!

Thanks again for listening, and as always, contact us by email at ldpodcast@gmail.com and by phone at (206) 666-2343.

Click here to listen to Jan Olsen, Handwriting w/o Tears part II

Show # 51: Peter Wright of Wrightslaw

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.
Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind. The books empower parents to understand what the laws governing special education say and allow, helping parents to become more effective advicates for their children in the process.

In part I of our conversation, Pete discusses the difference between an IEP and 504 accommodations, and why you might want one over the other, and while children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education, this does not mean they are entitled to the "Best" education, only an adequate one.

One specific section of the law we talk about is 20 USC Sec. 1414- Evaluations, Eligibility Determinations, Individualized Educations Programs, and Educational Placements. In this section, either a parent or a State educational agency can request an evaluation, but the "clock" only starts ticking when the parent consents to the evaluation. The State then has 60 calendar days, under the federal statute, to complete the evaluation. If parents request testing but don't specifically consent. using this language at the same time, the State can legally drag their feet until they receive a "consent"- then they are on the 60 day clock.

This is but one of the examples of "magic language" parents need to know to protect their child's rights, and I know you'll find Pete's information useful and enlightening.

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343.

Click here to Download Conversation with Peter Wright- Wrightlaw - Special Education Law Attorney and Expert

Show # 51: Peter Wright of Wrightslaw

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.
Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind. The books empower parents to understand what the laws governing special education say and allow, helping parents to become more effective advicates for their children in the process.

In part I of our conversation, Pete discusses the difference between an IEP and 504 accommodations, and why you might want one over the other, and while children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education, this does not mean they are entitled to the "Best" education, only an adequate one.

One specific section of the law we talk about is 20 USC Sec. 1414- Evaluations, Eligibility Determinations, Individualized Educations Programs, and Educational Placements. In this section, either a parent or a State educational agency can request an evaluation, but the "clock" only starts ticking when the parent consents to the evaluation. The State then has 60 calendar days, under the federal statute, to complete the evaluation. If parents request testing but don't specifically consent. using this language at the same time, the State can legally drag their feet until they receive a "consent"- then they are on the 60 day clock.

This is but one of the examples of "magic language" parents need to know to protect their child's rights, and I know you'll find Pete's information useful and enlightening.

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343.

Click here to Download Conversation with Peter Wright- Wrightlaw - Special Education Law Attorney and Expert

Show #50: Conversation with Paige Heninger of Mommycast - Moms & Kids with ADHD

Paige is one of the two fantastic moms who started the first podcast I ever listened to, Mommycast. Paige and Gretchen also inspired me to start the LD Podcast, and I consider them some of my oldest and closest online friends.

Paige is the mother of five children, two of whom have been diagnosed with ADHD, and Paige has ADHD as well. In part I, Paige and I talk about what it was like to try to figure out why her oldest son was struggling in school, trying to communicate with teachers, and finally find outpart of the problem was due to ADHD.

In part II, Paige and I talk more about how finding out about her son's ADHD transformed his experience in school, and took him from a smart but struggling kid into a real academic superstar; what it was like when she found out she had ADHD; and what her current child is going through as he gets tested at age 7 1/2 to see whether he, too, is ADHD like his mom and siblings.

I know you'll find this helpful whether your child has ADHD or any other LD or school struggle. The story is a very familiar one to most parents whose kids seem smart and bright, but for some reason, seem to really be underperforming in school. Parents always hear comments like "We know he can do it, if he'd only concentrate and apply himself"- sometimes the problem is not a moral problem, but an underlying neurological one, like ADHD.

Next week, I have an interview with Peter Wright of Wrightslaw.com. Pete is an attorney who specializes in special education law and has travelled the country, speaking to parents and educators about how the special education laws and No Child Left behind affect kids with disabilities. Pete also argued a landmark case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. Pete also has learning disabilities and struggled in school, so he knows about the importance of these issues on a personal basis as well as a professional one.

As always, please email us with comments and questions at ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our comment line, 206-666-2343.

CONTEST!!!!

Since we receieved no answer from the announced contest winners, the first three emails with comments I receive after posting this show will receive a copy of Dr . Mel Levine's A Mind at a Time, and first three voice comments I recieve will get additional educational book prizes, either The Myth of Laziness by Dr. Mel Levine, It's So Much Work to be Your Friend, by Rick LaVoie, or The Irreducible Needs of Children by T. Berry Brazelton. If you leave a voice comment, please include your contact information so I can let you know if you're a winner!

Please also consider leaving a review of the Podcast in iTunes- each review helps us become a featured podcast.

Click here to Download Show #50: Moms & Kids with ADHD- Conversation with Paige Heninger from Mommycast

Home Schooling

Home Schooling with Karen Patrick

I don't know about you, but when I read that over 1.1 million kids were being homeschooled, I wondered what all of this was about. Was this all religious fundamentalists who were against the school system, andlooked at it as corrupt and evil? Well, regular people are opting to home school their children for a variety of reasons, including the needs of their family, and it provides the flexibility to customize your child's education in a way that simply can't be done in a public school environment.

Home Schooling is not for everyone- I'm not sure I would be good at it, myself, but I have always wondered about it. Karen Patrick is the mother of two children, both schooled at home. Her husband, Dr. Mike Patrick Jr., is a pediatrician, and host of Pediacast- a great podcast that addresses all those little questions you want answered by your own pediatrician, but never have time for in the office. (Dr. Mike was kind enough to be interviewed on Show #19 of the LD Podcast). Karen and Mike decided to homeschool both of their children for many reasons, and have really enjoyed the closeness it has helped develop in their family. I think you'll enjoy Karen's perspective on education and schooling, and how it works for their family!

As always, you can contact us by email at ldpodcast@gmail.com, call the voicemail line at (206) 666-2343, or leave a comment on the blog.

Click Here to Download Show # 32- Homeschooling

Show 31: A Parent's Guide to Developmental Delays

Laurie LeComer is a parent of three children, and a special educator. She has written a wonderful book, “A Parent’s Guide to Developmental Delays: Recognizing and Coping with Missed Milestones in Speech, Movement, Learning, and Other Areas.” It is a must read for all parents worried about their children and for teachers and day care providers, who suspect something might be wrong or different about a child, but can’t seem to pinpoint the source or the cause. It is the book I wish I had when my children were young, and I know you’ll find the early warning signs of developmental problems helpful, as well as her pointers on how to have happy and less stressful holidays!

Let us know what you think! Leave comments here, or send us email at ldpodcast@gmail.com. You can also call us at (206) 666-2343 with any comments or questions!

Click here to listen to Show # 31