The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Welcome to the Empowered Parent Podcast! This is your space to grow your confidence and skills in communicating, interacting, and understanding your children—so you can become the empowered parent you are destined to be.
In each episode, I speak with inspiring parents, therapists, and community leaders who truly understand the joys and challenges of parenting. Together, we explore a treasure trove of information and practical ideas for you to try at home.
We cover topics like:
- Celebrating neurodivergence
- School readiness
- The power of play
- Managing behaviors with compassion
- Discovering your and your child’s unique profiles
- Stories of parents finding strength and purpose through their parenting journey
This podcast is for all parents. It’s a place to build community and a sense of belonging—a space where you can ask questions, connect with others, and learn from experts who work with children every day.
Our goal is to empower you to:
- Learn more about yourself as a parent
- Take time for your own growth and well-being
- Discover new tools and resources to raise happy, confident kids
- Nurture your self-confidence in parenting
Let’s work together to make the world a better, more understanding, and compassionate place for everyone—young and old!
Don’t forget to like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app. I’d love to hear your topic suggestions and guest speaker ideas. Reach out via danabaltutis.com or join my Facebook community: My Therapy House And Friends Empowered Parent Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/583062577433444
Let’s connect, grow, and thrive together!
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Episode 44: Michele Ricamato (DIR Floortime Speech Pathologist) - Transforming Child Development Through Holistic Speech Pathology and Collaboration
Renowned developmental speech pathologist Michele Ricamato shares her inspiring journey in the field of speech pathology, sparked by her aunt's influence and solidified through her education at Northwestern University. She introduces us to the DIR model, a holistic approach that seamlessly integrates into speech pathology, emphasizing the developmental nature of language acquisition and the importance of family involvement. The episode is rich with insights into Michele's collaboration with Deanna Tyrpak and Linda Cervenka, which led to the creation of Soaring Eagle Academy, a state-funded school dedicated to children with special needs.
The journey of establishing Soaring Eagle Academy is a testament to perseverance and commitment to accessibility. From its humble beginnings with just five students, the academy now serves nearly 90 children, providing a nurturing environment with extensive support systems including one-to-one teaching assistants, speech and language pathologists, and mental health providers. Michele candidly discusses the challenges of staffing, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the academy has navigated these hurdles to continue offering high-quality education and support to its students.
https://soaringeagleacademy.org/founding-of-sea/
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
