Creating a “village,” or a group of supportive people, can really boost kids’ confidence and help them thrive. This village doesn’t have to consist of only parents and family. But it can also include teachers, therapists, and doctors who care about your child.

Listen as host Julian Saavedra highlights the kinds of people who can make a big difference in your child’s life. And get practical tips on how to build these important connections.

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the Opportunity Gap episode page at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Related resources

• 4 ways to help your child build a support network
• How to find more support when you have kids who learn and think differently

Timestamps

(01:46) What are the benefits of having a supportive village?

(03:46) Should a child’s village only include family members?

(07:35) People to consider when building your child’s village

(10:05) Tips on how to build your child’s village

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Ever thought about what it’s like to raise kids with ADHD while also having ADHD yourself? Dion Chavis, the host of the Black People Parenting podcast, understands this experience very well.

In this episode, listen as Dion shares how he’s juggling parenting kids with ADHD and his own ADHD diagnosis. Find out when he started noticing the unique needs of his kids. And hear why he believes in the importance of responsible fatherhood.

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the Opportunity Gap episode page at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Related resources

• Dion Chavis
• Black People Parenting podcast
• Black People Parenting podcast episode, "Mastering Tantrums and Meltdowns: Strategies for Parents of Black Children."
• ADHD and race: What Black families need to know
• ADHD parenting tips from a Black clinical psychologist

Timestamps

(03:32) Dion talks parenting a child with ADHD

(05:26) Dion talks early signs of learning differences in his daughter

(12:49) Dion reflects on his own ADHD diagnosis

(22:21) Dion’s “Dads In The Class” initiative

(28:26) Dion’s advice to other dads

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

What can parents do when the school falls short in providing the right support for their child’s learning differences? How can parents avoid burning bridges while still advocating for change for their child?

In this episode of Opportunity Gap, host Julian Saavedra talks with Jamilah Bashir. Jamilah is an education consultant and IEP coach.

Listen as Jamilah explains why a school may not be providing adequate support. And why having a detailed record of a child’s struggles is key when meeting with the school.

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the Opportunity Gap episode page at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Related resources

• Jamilah F. Bashir, MEd, The IEP Coach LLC
• Master the IEP Course by Jamilah F. Bashir, MEd
• Unilateral placement: Moving from public to private school

Timestamps

(02:23) Ways to tell if the school is providing the right support

(04:34) Ways to tell if your child needs more support

(07:40) Reasons why a school may have trouble providing support

(11:28) Why documenting your child’s struggles is important

(15:46) How to communicate with the school effectively

(18:14) What do you do when you’ve exhausted all efforts to get your child the right support?

(28:30) What is unilateral placement?

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

For some parents, building independence in kids with learning and thinking differences might feel overwhelming. But it’s an important part of kids’ growth. Because when kids learn to do things on their own, they begin to feel more confident.

Listen as Julian explains how learning and thinking differences can impact kids’ ability to build independence. Learn why teaching kids how to navigate the world with confidence is key. And get tips on how to teach independence at home.

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the Opportunity Gap episode page at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Related resources

• 5 ways to help tweens and teens be independent learners
• Let Grow

Timestamps

(01:13) Why is independence important?

(06:18) What is a growth mindset?

(06:56) Why parents should praise kids’ efforts

(11:01) Ways to teach kids independence at home

(14:15) How Julian teaches his children independence

(16:39) Tips for parents

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Going back to school can be an exciting time for kids and parents. But for some kids, it can also be full of stress and uncertainty. Especially if the previous school year had its share of ups and downs.

Maybe your child had a tough time in math class? Or maybe making friends was a challenge? Listen as host Julian Saavedra explains how parents can get kids ready for the new school year with confidence. Hear why it’s important for parents and kids to reflect on the previous year. And learn ways to help kids manage challenges in the classroom.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit The Opportunity Gap episode page at Understood.

Related resources

• Back-to-school making you and your child anxious? These strategies can help
• What to say when your child doesn’t want to go to school
• Julian’s book recommendation: The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi

Timestamps

(00:47) Why is it important for parents and kids to talk about school?

(02:37) Questions to ask your child about school

(09:00) How to handle challenges in the classroom with confidence

(12:16) “The Magical Yet”

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Summer break can be a great time to learn new skills. And to keep old ones from getting rusty. But how so?

In this episode, Julian shares how to prevent the “summer slide.” And gives tips on how to create moments for learning.

Related resources

• Stopping “summer slide”
• Summer survival guide: Hacks to help your family thrive
• Summer learning programs for kids who learn and think differently

To get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes, visit The Opportunity Gap podcast page at Understood.org.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Some parents think about behavior in a negative way, like a problem they don’t want to deal with. But the truth is, behavior is just a form of communication.

On this bonus episode of The Opportunity Gap, we’re sharing an episode from another Understood podcast, Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn. Listen as Dr. Andy explains the truth behind kids’ actions. And gives tips for how parents can respond to their kids’ challenging behaviors.

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

• Listen: Understanding your child’s behavior as communication
• How to manage behavior problems in young kids
• The difference between discipline and punishment

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Parents play a big role in continuing a child’s learning journey outside of the classroom. These opportunities for learning are often called teachable moments. And they can happen anywhere from the grocery store to even at the park.

Listen as Julian explains what teachable moments are. And how they help kids build important life skills. Then get tips on how to create these moments at home.

Visit the episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources.

We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Related resources

• Summer learning: How to help your child keep skills strong
• 7 ways to encourage your child to read over the summer

Introducing MissUnderstood, the first-ever podcast channel for women with ADHD. Listen now: lnk.to/missunderstood

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give