Brain waves and Backpacks
Brainwaves & Backpacks is the go-to podcast for parents navigating school systems with neurodiverse or behaviorally complex children. Hosted by a school psych and child advocate, we decode IEPs, behavior plans, and district systems—so you don’t have to.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions shared are for general informational purposes only and reflect the hosts’ personal views. This podcast does not constitute professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific concerns regarding your child’s education and mental health.
Episodes
30 episodes
Bringing SEL Home: How Parents Can Teach and Model Social Emotional Learning
In this episode of Brain Waves and Backpacks, we’re diving into how families can support Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at home—through simple, everyday moments. We’ll break down the core SEL competencies—self-awareness, self-management, socia...
•
30:05
School Counseling: When Is It a Related Service—and When Do Students Need More?
In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we dive into the critical role of counseling as a related service under IDEA and how it supports students’ access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). We unpack when counseling is provide...
•
23:34
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Why It Matters, What Data to Review, and How to Advocate
In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we dive deep into the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)—a cornerstone of special education under IDEA. We explore why LRE matters for student outcomes, what critical data should be reviewed durin...
•
32:23
Child Find Failures in Texas: Austin ISD, OSEP’s CAP, and the Ongoing Backlog in Special Education Evaluations
In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we dive deep into the legal and ethical obligations under Child Find, the federal requirement ensuring that all children with disabilities are identified, located, and evaluated in a timely manner....
•
34:16
Demystifying Procedural Safeguards: Consent, MDRs, and Private School Placements
In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we break down the critical components of procedural safeguards under the IDEA, with a special focus on parental consent, Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs), and unilateral private school pl...
•
40:03
Fueling Success: How Nutrition and Exercise Impact Learning and Behavior
What children eat and how much they move each day can have a profound impact on their ability to focus, regulate emotions, and succeed academically. In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we explore the powerful connection between nutri...
•
28:06
Supporting All Learners: Creating a Balanced and Inclusive Classroom
Every classroom is filled with students who have unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles. As educators, how do we meet the diverse needs of our students while maintaining a structured, engaging, and productive learning environment for...
•
29:44
Boundaries with Balance: How Parents Can Foster an Authoritative Parenting Style
Setting boundaries as a parent can feel challenging—how do you provide warmth and connection while still maintaining structure and expectations? In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we explore authoritative parenting, the research-bac...
•
36:03
Understanding Grief in Children: Signs, Manifestations, and How to Support
Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience, and for children, it can look very different than it does in adults. In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we explore how children experience and express grief, what parents and educat...
•
28:55
The Power of Sleep: Short- and Long-Term Benefits for Your Child
In this episode of Brainwaves & Backpacks, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked yet essential components of a child’s well-being—sleep. From improved focus and emotional regulation to long-term cognitive and physical health, sleep p...
•
28:58
Decoding SLD: Identifying Learning Disabilities
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, we take a deep dive into the complex process of identifying Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) in schools. We break down how school teams analyze data to determine whether a student truly has a lea...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
29:52
Understanding Intellectual Disabilities: Advocacy, Misconceptions, and Resources
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, we’re breaking down intellectual disabilities (ID)—what it is, what it isn’t, and the common misconceptions that often surround it. We dive into how parents can effectively advocate for thei...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
34:45
Managing Anxiety: Helping Yourself and Your Child Navigate Fear and Uncertainty
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, we take a deep dive into anxiety—what it looks like for parents and children and how to manage it in healthy, practical ways. We discuss strategies for addressing your own fears...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 16
•
31:00
Motherhood: How It’s Changed Us and the Importance of Prioritizing Yourself
In this heartfelt episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, we open up about our experiences as mothers and how motherhood has shaped us both personally and professionally. We reflect on the challenges, the growth, and the lessons we’ve lea...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
34:03
Evening Routines and Homework: Tips for Success During Busy Weeks
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, we tackle one of the biggest challenges for parents and kids alike: navigating homework and evening routines during hectic weeks. We share practical tips to help parents foster success with ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
34:19
Episode 13: Supporting Students with ADHD: Practical Tips for the Classroom
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, the hosts focus on actionable strategies that general education teachers can use to support students with ADHD. From strategic seating arrangements to creating designated spaces for structured moveme...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
33:45
Episode 12: Building Independence: The Power of Expectations and Boundaries for Teens
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, the hosts explore the importance of setting clear expectations, boundaries, and limits for adolescents to foster long-term success and independence. They discuss how structure during the teenage year...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 12
•
30:42
Episode 11: Maximizing the Role of School Psychologists: Proactive Support for Positive Outcomes
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, the hosts highlight the comprehensive training of school psychologists and the proactive ways they can enhance student success across the school. They discuss how school psychologists contribute beyo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 11
•
31:03
Bonus Episode: Holiday Tips and Activities to Build Connection and Skills
In this special bonus episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, we’re helping parents make the most of the holiday season before we take a short two-week break. The holidays are the perfect time to foster connection, strengthen family bonds...
•
19:07
Episode 10: Understanding Cognitive Strengths and Weaknesses: CHC Theory in Action
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, the hosts dive into the CHC (Cattell-Horn-Carroll) theory of cognitive abilities, explaining how it sheds light on students’ individual strengths and weaknesses within the general education setting. ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 10
•
35:17
Episode 9: Decoding Dyslexia: Navigating the Evaluation Process
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, the hosts tackle the complexities of dyslexia, focusing on the evaluation process and the unique challenges it presents. They discuss how dyslexia is identified in school settings, exploring the step...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
36:40
Episode 8: School Choice: Impact on Students and Scandals in the System
Disclaimer: There are some statements in our recently dropped episode that are incorrect including:1. State and federal funding. Charters receive the same state and federal funding but DO NOT RECIEVE Local funding from taxes etc.<...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 8
•
37:56
Episode 7: Navigating the IEP Process: A Parent’s Guide
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, the hosts break down the entire Individual Education Plan (IEP) process, from the initial referral to creating and implementing a customized education plan for your child. They explain each step in d...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 7
•
39:00
Episode 6: Q&A Part 2 and Behavior 101: Understanding and Intervening
In this follow-up to our bonus Q&A episode, the hosts of Brainwaves and Backpacks continue answering listener questions, diving deeper into topics on parents’ and teachers’ minds. This episode also introduces “Behavior 101,” where the hosts...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 6
•
38:10
Episode 5: Autism Revisited: Supporting Parents and Early Intervention
In this episode of Brainwaves and Backpacks, the hosts return to the topic of autism, this time focusing on the challenges parents may face when raising a child on the spectrum. They discuss common obstacles, such as navigating the education sy...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 5
•
31:21