The Special Needs Parent Podcast

• S5E15: The Challenges of a Non-Speaker – David Kaufer

  In this conversation, David Kaufer shares his journey as aspecial needs parent, focusing on the challenges and triumphs of raising his son, Stone, who was a non-speaking autistic teen when David got support to start a new approach to help Stone to communicate more easily. He discusses howmotor skills were found to be critical in helping Stone’s communication abilities advance quickly.The discussion highlights the importance of hope, thediscovery of effective communication methodologies, and the systemic biases faced by families in the special needs community. David emphasizes the joy and lessons learned from his son, encouraging other parents to remain hopeful and connected. Chapters00:00 Finding Hope in Darkness06:01 The Journey of Communication11:05 Unspoken Connections15:42 The Power of Advocacy20:49 Breaking Barriers in Education32:26 The Journey to Education and Self-Discovery35:40 Breaking Down Barriers: Communication and Understanding37:43 Challenging Assumptions: The Power of IndividualPotential40:09 Creative Expression: Unleashing Hidden Talents43:07 Navigating Medical Challenges: The Importance ofAdvocacy45:34 Exploring New Therapies: Hope for the Future50:35 Living with Seizures: The Ongoing Battle54:26 Words of Wisdom: Encouragement for Special NeedsParents About the podcast guest: David Kaufer is a writer, speaker, and advocate—and mostimportantly, the proud father of 19-year-old twin boys, including his non-speaking autistic son, Stone. He says his journey with Stone has transformed how he sees communication, connection, and what it truly means to be understood.Through David’s work at KDMC Marketing and his podcast The Lighter Side of the Spectrum, David helps families, educators, and healthcare providers reimagine neurodiversity and unlock new tools for support—especiallythrough AI and nontraditional communication methods.  Check out this free resource from David: it is one of hismost personal blog posts—about how spelling changed everything for his son and what it revealed about the brilliance inside: https://davidkaufer.com/2023/01/31/stone-found-his-voice-through-spelling/Connect with David on his website at https://davidkaufer.com and on Instagram/Facebookat the handle @DavidKauferTune in to The Lighter Side of the Spectrum podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-david-kaufer-podcast-the-lighter-side-of-the-spectrum/id1779167029 About the podcast host: Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach,special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to help special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported. Please subscribe, and send in your requests about topics you'd like the podcast to address.Get your free copy of Marcia’s Trigger Mapping Worksheethere, to help you recognize patterns that lead to your child’s meltdowns, and develop approaches that could calm the storm: https://marcianb.com/free-trigger-mapping-worksheet-org/Join the Special Needs Parent Space (her free community,including many supportive resources) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialneedsparentspace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• S5E14: Receiving The Empathy You Need – Samantha Wittenberg

  In this episode, Samantha Wittenberg discusses the vital role of empathy in the lives of special needs parents. She shares her personal journey, the challenges faced, and the importance of emotional processing and resilience.The discussion explores the need for clear communication,understanding neurodivergence, and the power of naming feelings to foster healing and connection. Samantha also provides practical advice for parents on how to seek support and build a community around them. Chapters00:00 The Importance of Empathy in Special Needs Parenting04:32 Samantha's Journey: From Lawyer to Advocate07:48 Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Impact10:51 The Role of Community and Support13:38 Empathy as a Tool for Healing16:38 Naming Feelings and Processing Emotions19:44 The Power of Requests vs. Demands22:34 Building Emotional Resilience25:44 Connecting with Needs for Better Communication28:54 Finding Your Emotional Vocabulary31:56 Empathy in Action: Practical Steps for Parents34:33 Final Thoughts and Advice for Special Needs Parents About the podcast guest: Samantha Wittenberg’s coaching and speaking business supports parents and carers of special needs children. Her journey began when her teenage child’s sudden aggression and possessiveness led her to understand Autism and its challenges. Samantha empowers parents, who are often navigating constant crises, to break free from self-limiting beliefs and create a life of purpose. Using a blend of somatic practices, empathy, and mindset coaching, Samantha guides her clients toward rediscovering their authentic selves, creating lives filled with strength, connection, and abundance.  Reach out to Samantha on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/misty.mountain.96558/Book your free Clarity and Connection Call with her here: https://tidycal.com/samanthawittenberg/clarityconnection About the podcast host: Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to help special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported. Please subscribe, and send in your requests about topics you'd like the podcast to address.Get your free copy of Marcia’s Trigger Mapping Worksheethere, to help you recognize patterns that lead to your child’s meltdowns, and develop approaches that could calm the storm: https://marcianb.com/free-trigger-mapping-worksheet-org/Join the Special Needs Parent Space (her free community,including many supportive resources) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialneedsparentspace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• S5E13: Coping with Parenting Stress – Laurie White

  In this conversation, Laurie White shares her journey as aspecial needs parent and coach, discussing the emotional challenges, the importance of community support, and the tools she has developed for mindfulness and grounding. She emphasizes the significance of acceptance in decision-making and offers practical advice for parents navigating similar paths. Laurie's insights highlight the duality of grief and gratitude in the parenting experience, and she provides resources for those seeking support. Areas covered in this episode include:Introduction to Laurie White and Her JourneyNavigating Special Needs ParentingThe Emotional Journey of a Special Needs ParentMental Health and Self-CompassionIsolation and Community SupportFamily Dynamics and Sibling RelationshipsTransforming Professional Practice Through PersonalExperienceThe Importance of Being Seen and HeardMindfulness Techniques for GroundingUnderstanding Emotions and Physical SensationsThe Journey of Grief and AcceptanceTools for Special Needs ParentsConnecting with Supportive Communities About the podcast guest: Laurie White is a clinical therapist with over 20years of experience in the mental health field. She’s also a busy wife and mom of two—Kenzie and Kash. Kenzie has special needs, and becoming her mom was the turning point that sparked Laurie’s journey with anxiety and ultimately inspired the specialized work she does today. After working through her own struggles, she now helps women—especially fellow moms—manage anxiety, perfectionism, and overwhelm. Laurie’s been married for 11 years, loves country music, and says she’s obsessed with everything about fall weather.  Find more about Laurie and her work at www.LaurieWhiteCounseling.com Find Laurie’s free facebook group and get access to her freeresource to manage your anxiety at https://www.facebook.com/groups/lauriewhitecoachingAbout the podcast host: Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to help special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported. Please subscribe, and send in your requests about topics you'd like the podcast to address.Get your free copy of Marcia’s Trigger Mapping Worksheethere, to help you recognize patterns that lead to your child’s meltdowns, and develop approaches that could calm the storm: https://marcianb.com/free-trigger-mapping-worksheet-org/Join the Special Needs Parent Space (her free community,including many supportive resources) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialneedsparentspace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find many other resources and connect with Marcia directly here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ARX67913U/

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• S5E12: Helping a Nonverbal Autistic Boy to Learn and Speak - Inga Ogas

  In this episode, Inga Ogas shares her journey as a special needs parent, focusing on her experiences with her autistic son and the decision to homeschool him.She discusses the challenges and triumphs of navigating theeducation system, the importance of communication, and the strategies she employs to foster independence and resilience in her child, and to help him to move from being non-verbal to speaking.Inga emphasizes the need for patience, understanding, andself-care for parents, while also providing valuable insights for other parents in similar situations. Chapters00:00Navigating the Special Needs Education System06:05The Impact of Schooling on Learning10:54Finding Independence in Learning15:01Balancing Self-Contained and Mainstream Classes18:26Navigating Learning Challenges19:25Resilience in the Face of Failure20:38Fostering Independence and Routine22:50Innovative Teaching Approaches24:13Maintaining Motivation and Energy27:19Self-Care for Caregivers29:30Overcoming Parental Struggles30:53Understanding Autism and Diagnosis33:15Sibling Relationships and Dynamics34:37Navigating Parenting Challenges36:01The Benefits of Homeschooling37:57Exploring Nature and Socialization39:39Understanding Animal Interactions40:50Future Planning for Education42:41Balancing Family and Relationship Time46:10Advice for Special Needs Parents About the podcast guest: Inga Ogas is the mom to two children, the younger ofwhom is autistic. Inga worked with him at home to support him to learn to speak and, during the pandemic, her family made the decision to shift to homeschooling, in order to give him more support in familiar circumstances, and to allow her to give personal encouragement and assistance when needed. Inga strongly believes in the power parents have to supporttheir children’s development by observing them, adapting approaches to support and teach them, and simply loving and accepting them. She encourages other parents and celebrates others’ journeys through Our Autism Journeys, her YouTube Podcast, which is available here: https://www.youtube.com/@OurAutismJourneysPodcast You can connect with Inga on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/inga.ogas/About the podcast host: Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to help special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported. Please subscribe, and send in your requests about topics you'd like the podcast to address.Get your free copy of Marcia’s Trigger Mapping Worksheethere, to help you recognize patterns that lead to your child’s meltdowns, and develop approaches that could calm the storm: https://marcianb.com/free-trigger-mapping-worksheet-org/Join the Special Needs Parent Space (her free community,including many supportive resources) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialneedsparentspace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• S5E11: Embrace the Journey – Beth Silver Pilchik

  In this episode, Beth Silver Pilchik talks about the multifaceted journey of special needs parenting, emphasizing the intersection of neurodiversity and entrepreneurship. Together with the host, she discussesthe importance of community support, the impact of labels, and the empowerment that comes from understanding and navigating these challenges. The conversation highlights the significance of celebrating small victories, transitioning to adulthood for neurodivergent children, and building businesses that cater to diverse needs. Ultimately, the speakers convey a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of connection among parents and caregivers.Beth’s links and resources are shared below. In addition,the host offers access to a Trigger-Mapping Worksheet to assist with identifying environmental and other patterns that lead to meltdowns in our children. The link is available below.  Chapters00:00Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Parenting03:17Beth Silver: A Journey of Marketing and Parenting05:46Navigating Neurodiversity: Insights from Special Needs Parenting08:27The Importance of Labels and Understanding10:51Supporting Each Other: The Community of Special Needs Parents13:18Finding Humor and Connection in Parenting15:56The Unique Perspectives of Our Children17:48Understanding Autism: Layers and Challenges20:19Using Labels as Learning Opportunities23:21Empowerment Through Language and Diagnosis26:10The Importance of Community and Support28:17Reflections on Family and Legacy30:03A Journey of Growth and Transition32:49Trusting the Process of Development33:40Preparing Special Needs Children for College35:20Building Foundations for Independence36:39The Importance of Community and Support37:52Navigating Family Relationships39:36Understanding and Accepting Differences43:07Supporting Neurodivergent Clients in Business About the podcast guest: Beth Silver Pilchik is a longtime advocate for the special needs and neurodivergent community, known by families and professionals as someone who helps connect the dots—whether that’s finding the right resources, building inclusive opportunities, or creating strategic visibility for businesses that support children with diverse needs. Beth is the founder of Doubet Consulting, where she advisesmission-driven entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives on marketing, PR, and community engagement. As a special needs parent herself, Beth brings personal insight and purpose-driven passion to every project. You can connect with her at www.doubetconsulting.com, on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/bethsilver, or on Instagram @BethWouldKnow. About the podcast host: Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to help special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported. Get your free Trigger-Mapping Worksheet here: https://marcianb.com/free-trigger-mapping-worksheet-org/to help you identify what leads to your child’s meltdowns and recognize some shifts you could make to help life feel more manageable for your child and for you.Get Marcia's Amazon bestselling book, Lighting the Path, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/lightingthepath⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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