One of the biggest problems plaguing parents of children with some sort of special need is: affording the care your child needs.

There are seemingly endless supports your child needs when development takes a detour for whatever reason. And affording medical equipment, special foods, therapies, adaptive equipment, sensory inputs, tailored social opportunities, etc can get overwhelming FAST!

Ordinarily our first thought is, "What costs can I cut?" But, Michael Pereira says that is not going to work because there are only so many expenses you can cut. He says what we need to do is find ways to increase our income.

Now you might think, "That seems impossible. I am already working hard and exhausted." But Michael likes to point out that when you care for a child with a disability, you not only have added responsibilities, but you also GAIN skills that can be used to help with affording the care your child needs!!

Join us today and hear more about some of the resources you might already have available to you!

Check out the Show Notes for a link to Michael Pereira's Blog, The Autism Voyage!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-75

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In today's episode, I am joined by Raj Khedun, as we talk about how important it is to just breathe!

All of us have lived through some tough times over the last 5 years. Even if everything else went perfectly in your life, you still lived through a worldwide pandemic.

Stressors can cause not only anxiety but also Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. You can also experience medically induced PTSD from difficult experiences with getting medical care for yourself or someone close to you.

When you find yourself experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it can be overwhelming to even do basic life activities like eating and sleeping even.

That's why what Raj has to share with us about his breathing technique is so important because it only takes 1 minute!

Join us today to learn a breathing technique that is so simple and yet so powerful!

Check out the Show Notes for link a link to Raj Khedun's business, Keep Fit Kingdom!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-74

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In today's episode, I am joined by Dr. Gwendolynn Diaz, as we talk about the importance of embracing the set of cards life deals you.

Everyone comes into this life with a set of cards. Sometimes we look at that set of cards and assume that we have been dealt a bad hand. 

But, the set of cards you come into the world with is not something to turn away from. It is something embrace because those cards are a part of you, and you are a beautiful part of this world!

Dr. Gwendolynn Diaz is a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine and works with clients worldwide online!

I have personally worked with Dr. Diaz and find the Ayurvedic approach to health to be uplifting! 

As someone who spends a lot of time seeing doctors about all the things that are wrong with my body, I find Ayurveda's emphasis on bringing balance back to the body to be a needed reprieve!

Join us today to hear about a different way of looking at healthcare!

Check out the Show Notes for link a link to Dr. Gwendolynn Diaz's website, Origins Health, and maybe make an appointment to start embracing the cards life has dealt you!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-73

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In today's episode, I am joined by Dr. Erin Attaway, and we are talking all about the chemistry of your life: your blood!

Dr. Erin Attaway is a doctor of Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and so she has a different way of looking at our traditional blood test results!

I, personally, find her approach to be anxiety reducing and empowering!

Join us today to hear about a different way of looking at your labs!

Check out the Show Notes for link a link to Dr. Erin Attaway's website, Five Points Health, and maybe make an appointment to have her explain the chemistry of your life!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-72

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Today's show is all about PANDAS: The Fight Against Chronic Inflammation! Check out the show to find out what PANDAS is and more broadly what PANS is!

My guest, Ethan Pompeo, not only shares his story of living with PANDAS and reaching a place of acceptance and proactive positivity, but he also shares with us his 3 step plan to living with chronic inflammation well: Stop, Start, and Smile!

The things that Ethan has found to help him live with his chronic inflammation will be helpful not just to PANDAS sufferers but to those with an number of chronic inflammatory conditions including Long COVID!

Check out the Show Notes for links to Ethan's company, Green Valley Nutrition!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-71

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Autism, Vaccines, and Diets are words that have caused much controversy over the years. 

Everyone has an opinion, and people often feel threatened when people have different opinions from them. 

I hope that this episode will be a breath of fresh air that allows us to consider some possibilities that might not always be considered.

But mostly, I hope this episode encourages you to see each child as an individual and to let that guide you!

Check out the Show Notes for links to more resources mentioned in the episode!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-70

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: when your body is a Mercedes living in a Ford pick-up world.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a common comorbidity for both Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Dysautonomia. It is often described as "being allergic to the universe." But perhaps it is best described as a Mercedes living in a Ford pick-up world.

People with MCAS have bodies that need a lot of extra TLC! Avoidance of triggers is one of the most important things in supporting someone with MCAS, but it goes beyond that, it means performing regular maintenance checks on your body assuring that you maintain homeostasis 

Check out the Show Notes for links to more resources about Mast Cell Activation Syndrome!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-69

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

You've got the power! In this week's episode, we talk with Geralyn Spiesz about Epigenetics, Neuroplasticity, Down Syndrome, Autism, and more!

Geralyn Spiesz is an Occupational Therapist, author of Redefining the Reality of Down Syndrome: The Power of an Integrative Mindset, and founder of The Down Syndrome Action Plan Community.

What I hope you take away from this conversation is that thanks to epigenetics and neuroplasticity, you've got the power! No matter what genes you might have been born with, your genes are NOT your destiny!

We ALL have the power to influence the expression of genes through the environment we create for our bodies to live in!

Whether it is dietary change, palate expanders, stress reduction, or physical exercise, it's all about supporting your child body, mind, and soul so they can grow into their best selves!

Check out the Show Notes for links to more information about Geralyn Spiesz and The Down Syndrome Action Plan Community!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-68

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In this week's episode, we talk with Dr. Andrew Maxwell all about Dysautonomia, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and even Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)!

Dr. Maxwell is a Board Certified Pediatric Cardiologist and Pediatrician who takes a particular interest in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dysautonomia, POTS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and all the many other comorbidities so commonly seen in his "Pentad Super-Syndrome."

Dr. Maxwell also wrote the chapter on Dysautonomia in the book Disjointed Navigating the Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.

Check out the Show Notes for links for more information about Dr. Maxwell and his Pentad Super-Syndrome!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-67

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

This week's episode is all about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome! If you have read Fourth Wing, this is what Violet has, and it also happens to be what I and my children have!

We are joined today by Dr. Kaydee Zimmern, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor health and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I bet you didn't know those two things were so closely related!

This is a great time to have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome as there are now so many resources available that we didn't have before. And we are continuing to learn more every day!

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is not a hopeless diagnosis. It can be difficult, but we have options to empower us to live our best life whatever that may look like. But it all starts with advocacy because YOU are worth fighting for!

Check out the Show Notes for links for more information about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dr. Kaydee Zimmern, and her work at Gulf Coast Pelvic Health!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-66

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In this special episode, Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine, we are breaking from our focus on Neurodivergent Healthcare in honor of the holidays!

I am joined by Dr. Janice Cohn, author of The Christmas Menorahs, and Paolo Volpati-Kedra, who features prominently in Freedome Pancakes for Ukraine!

At the end of the episode, I recommend that you make a tradition in your home of reading a new story about someone who was an upstander every year during the holidays! 

It is a great time when we are already more focused on shining light into dark places! And it is a great way to help children see that they are capable of creating change in the world!

Such an empowering message that can help kids grow in their self-confidence and nurture the growth of more upstanders in the future!

Check out the Show Notes for links to more information about Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine, The Christmas Menorahs, Dr. Janice Cohn, Paola Volpati-Kedra, and more resources about being an upstander!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-65

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In No Patient Left Behind, our second episode of Season 4: Neurodivergent Healthcare, I am joined by Angela Gehrt. Angela is an Occupational Therapist working on her capstone project for her doctoral work, and the focus of her research is on improving Neurodivergent Healthcare!

She had some very interesting statistics to share with us such as:

- Autistic life expectancy is reduced by 16-30 years, and Autistics are more likely to die in every disease category than their non-Autistic counterparts. 

- Autistic people are twice as likely to use emergency departments and die after attending emergency care.

- Autistic people are three times more likely to require inpatient admissions.

- 80% of Autistics reported difficulty visiting a GP when needed unrelated to costs, compared with 37% of non-Autistics.

- 56% of Autistics delayed seeking care because they don't feel understood. Only 13% of non-Autistics reported the same challenges.

- Only 13% of physicians felt they had adequate (not good but adequate) tools and resources to serve Autistic patients.

Check out the Show Notes for links to some of the research Angela cited in this episode!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-64

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Welcome back to Season 4 of Special Needs Kids Are People Too!  This entire season is going to be focused on Healthcare and Neurodivergent Healthcare specifically!  

There are different ways that we "earn the right to talk" about a particular subject. Sometimes we earn that right by getting a degree in that area of study. Othertimes we read a great deal and self-educate ourselves on a particular topic.

However, we can also "earn the right to talk" about a particular subject through "the school of hard knocks," in other words, through life experience.

Throughout this season, I will be interviewing people with degrees in relevant areas of study, but I will also be sharing from my own life experience with the very real problem of Substandard Neurodivergent Healthcare.

Join me today as I start our new season off by sharing my own story and experiences with Neurodivergent Healthcare!

Join us today!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-63

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In this episode I am excited to share with you all that I wrote a book! It is called Special Needs Kids Are People Too! Seeing the Possibilities Through a Neurodiverse Lens.

In the week since its official release on Amazon, my book has been #1 New Releases in both Parenting Hyperactive Children and Teaching Students with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (ahead of Temple Grandin's new release)!

Special Needs Kids Are People Too! Seeing the Possibilities Through a Neurodiverse Lens has also appeared in the Top 100 New Releases for all new releases in the category of Education!

I've told you I wrote a book, but what is my book about? Listen to today's episode to find out! And if you have already read my book, listen to today's episode to get some insights into the outcomes of Jon, Sarah, William, Anne, Nick, Emma, and Jack!

Join us today!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-62

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In this episode we talk all about Interoception with Whitney Whitten of Sensational Moms!

Whitney is an Occupational Therapist turned Coach who likes to encourage moms to address their own sensory needs, and it all begins with Interoception!

What is Interoception and how can it impact your home?

Join us today and find out!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-61

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

In this episode we talk about Kids and Electronics: Yes or No?

This is probably one of the biggest topics in parenting circles today whether you homeschool or not, whether your kids have a disability or not. 

And it is not an easy topic to navigate because it is one that most parents haven't experienced, at least not in the same way that their kids are experiencing technology now!

What does the research really say? And what can we do to help our children remain safe and healthy?

Join me today in our episode, Kids and Electronics: Yes or No? 

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-60

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

This is the last episode of our Q&A series -- Q&A: All About Special Needs Homeschooling! We will have a few more episodes before we break for the season, but this will be the last in our Q&A series.

To date, I have never done an episode just on homeschooling! So today I get the opportunity to share with you all about my journey as a homeschooler and what books and resources have influenced me!

Join me today in our episode, Q&A: All About Special Needs Homeschooling! 

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-59

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

What are the challenges of being a neurodivergent woman? We are taking a break from our Q&A series this week to address this question!

Michelle Markman of ND Coach, Inc is my guest this week, and she works to empower high-masking, high-achieving women, particularly those who have been late-diagnosed or self-diagnosed autistic (or otherwise neurodivergent).

So what are the challenges of being a neurodivergent woman? Well, in some ways they aren't that different from the challenges of being a woman... perhaps, as we say in the podcast, "just more so!" 

Join me today in our episode, The Challenges of Being a Neurodivergent Woman! 

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-58

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Our next Q&A is all about ACT/SAT Testing Accommodations, a topic of great concern to those with high schoolers.

Today we will be answering important questions like: Which test should my student take? How do I apply for accommodations? What kinds of accommodations could I possibly apply for? Is there anyone who can help with this process?

You can ease your mind about ACT/SAT testing accommodations as I am including links to all the relevant information and necessary forms to apply for ACT/SAT accommodations in the Show Notes.

I am also including a link to my Boost Packet: Planning, Organizing, Documenting Your Homeschool: The Neurodivergent Way. This is a great tool to help you document along the way so applying for these accommodations will not be so overwhelming.

And if you still feel overwhelmed, you can check out my Special Needs Membership. It is a great way to get some help documenting along the way. And if you reach the high school years and still feel overwhelmed, I can walk with you through every step of the way!

Join me today as I help you chart a path towards your student's future!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-57

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Our next Q&A is all about Misophonia, a condition where a person experiences a decreased tolerance for certain sounds. To help us understand more about Misophonia, I have asked Doctor of Audiology Rae Stout to join me!

Dr. Stout is an Autistic Audiologist that has taken a particular interest in using low gain hearing aids to help children not only cope with Misophonia but to hopefully increase their tolerance for certain sounds.

Dr. Stout speaks to the fact that exposure therapy is rarely successful, but tools like low gain hearing aids that give a child control over their auditory environment can be helpful in decreasing the severity of the child's experience with Misophonia!

I always say that if you want to find a truly exceptional professional in any field that you should look for an Autistic person with a special interest in that field, and Dr. Rea Stout does not disappoint!!

Join me today as I talk with Dr. Rae Stout about the fascinating world of sound!!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-56

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Today is all about Primitive Reflexes! And I invited Sarah Collins of Homeschool OT to help us out as we dive into this topic! 

Sarah is not just a talented OT. She is also a homeschool mom with lived experience with retained primitive reflexes!

What are primitive reflexes? Primitive reflexes are things that our bodies naturally do as babies but that we loose as we develop.

When development gets interrupted, we can end up retaining our primitive reflexes instead of loosing them,  which can cause a lot of difficulties in ALL areas of development!

Join me today as I talk with Sarah about what all you need to know about primitive reflexes!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-55

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

This Is Why We Homeschool - Part 2! Last week's episode addressed some questions that could all be answered with the sentence: "This is why we homeschool!" This week I want to expound on that idea by explaining the inverse of why we homeschool!

When people ask why we homeschool, what they sometimes really want to know is, "Why don't you go to school?" Very often they are wondering why I might go to that much effort when we are surrounded by good schools.

In this episode, I share some of the stories that helped me decide that this was the best choice for our family. That doesn't mean it is the best choice for every family every year. But no matter what you choose, you need to stay vigilant!

There are horrible things that happen every year in our schools all over the United States. The only way to make sure your children stay safe and receive a quality education is to be involved--no matter what your educational choices!

Join me today and find out why we homeschool and don't go to school!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-54

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

This is why we homeschool! We are continuing our Q&A series this week, and all of the questions for today’s episode can all be answered with the sentence: "This is why we homeschool!"

There are so many things that can make life more difficult for those of us with needs that fall outside the average. Sensory processing differences can be especially challenging and even more so during puberty, a time when our sensory systems are on high alert!

How do we support our kids well? How do we teach them to support themselves? What do we do when they refuse the coping strategies we offer? How do we manage the requirements placed on us as adults while also respecting our child's differences?

Join me today to find out why we homeschool and what a difference it can make if only we have the courage to step out and go against the grain! 

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-53

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

We are continuing our Q&A series this week. All of the questions for today’s episode will focus on how to effectively shoulder the responsibility of advocating for others.

There is no doubt that advocating for others does place a burden on the advocate, no matter how much we love and care about the person we are advocating for.

This burden is doubly challenging for Neurodivergent parents who not only have to navigate the importance of self-care like other parents, but they also have to communicate and work within a system that is not designed for them.

So what do you do? Do you just give up? None of the parents I know would accept that as an answer! But there are some things we can do to support ourselves!

Join me today to find out the answer to these and other questions!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-52

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

We are continuing our Q&A series this week. All of the questions for today’s episode will focus on inspiring confidence in our children.

Parents wrote in asking about their struggles with helping their children to not only understand themselves but also accept themselves.

Can we help our children become more confident in themselves? If so, how?

Join me today to find out the answer to these and other questions!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-51

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!