The Opportunity Gap

Michelle Carter believes sports can be a big help for kids with learning differences. She's an athlete and a businessperson. And track and field was a game-changer for her ADHD and dyslexia. In this episode, listen as Michelle talks about the challenges she faced in the classroom and on the field. How she discovered her talents in track and field. And then learn how she's helping kids build confidence. 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

ADHD has gotten a lot of attention on social media lately. From videos about personal experiences to experts sharing tips, some posts hold truth, but many are misleading. In this episode of The Opportunity Gap, we take a closer look at the influence social media has on toxic myths about ADHD. Listen as Dr. Kristin Carothers, a clinical psychologist, explains: Related resources: 8 common myths about ADHD10 special education myths you may hearVisit 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

René Brooks was diagnosed with ADHD twice during her childhood. But stigma and shame kept her family from learning more and getting her the right support. So when she was diagnosed with ADHD for a third time at age 25, she decided to take control of her own journey. In this episode, René unpacks her experiences growing up with ADHD. Listen as she explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

It’s common for parents to wonder how the IEP process works and how to best advocate for their child’s needs. The truth is, the more parents know about IEPs and how they’re put into place, the more active a role they can take in the process. In this episode, Julian speaks with IEP expert Jamilah F. Bashir, MEd. Listen as Jamilah explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

If your child is struggling at school or at home, you may be wondering whether or not it’s related to a learning difference. Talking with your child’s pediatrician can be a good first step to getting support. But how do you start the talk? Listen as behavioral pediatrician Dr. Nerissa Bauer visits our friends at In It and gives tips for talking with your child’s pediatrician about learning differences like ADHD and more. Visit the In It episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources. We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

In celebration of Black History Month, Julian highlights four members of the Understood team: Senior Content Producer Social Media ManagerGrants and Relationships ManagerChief People & Culture OfficerEach of them is making an impact in the lives of people with learning and thinking differences, from silencing shame and stigma to promoting inclusion. Learn the reasons why they choose to do this work. 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

For kids with learning and thinking differences, preparing for life after high school is often met with many emotions and questions. “What’s next for me?” “Will I have the same accommodations?” “Will I be successful in my studies?” In this episode, Julian talks with Sudi Shayesteh. Sudi is the director of the Office of AccessABILITY at Hunter College. Learn about the challenges students face when transitioning out of high school. And get tips on how to team up with the school to better prepare students for this transition. 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

Some kids love talking about school. But some don’t— especially when something is upsetting them, like bullying or struggling with a specific subject. If your child is a bit quiet about how things are going in school, there are ways to encourage them to open up more. In this episode, learn some key things to keep in mind. Listen as host Julian Saavedra explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

The school-to-prison pipeline has been hidden in the shadows of our educational systems for way too long. It’s a series of policies that have targeted kids of color, pulling them out of schools and into the legal system. And now, more than ever, it requires our fight to end. Listen as Malhar Shah, an education attorney at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tantrums and meltdowns are challenges all parents face. But for families of kids who learn and think differently, they can be even more of a struggle. Listen as Dr. Andrew Kahn gives expert advice on how to deal with tantrums and meltdowns with our friends at the In It podcast. Learn how practicing strategies ahead of time can help you manage outbursts in the moment. And find out what calming techniques can help. Visit the In It episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources. We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year. But they can also be the most stressful for families with kids who learn differently. That’s because, for some, the holidays mean telling relatives about their child’s learning differences for the very first time. Sometimes, this talk goes smoothly — other times, there are a few bumps in the road. In this episode, listen as Julian explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wondering how to make the most of parent-teacher conferences? Planning ahead can help you walk into the next meeting with confidence. In this episode from our friends at In It, get advice on how to prepare for parent-teacher conferences from DeJunne’ Clark Jackson. Hear how DeJunne’ prepares herself — and her kids — for parent-teacher conferences. Plus, get tips on how to help your child talk with you about school. 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

Some teachers, despite their best efforts, bring their own biases into the classroom. And their beliefs impact how they interact with students and their families in a major way. Racial bias in education is a common experience — and it shouldn’t be. In this episode, we address a pressing issue with guest Afrika Afeni Mills, MEd. Listen as Afrika explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

The signs of dyslexia are often overlooked. And there’s so much parents of kids of color can do to advocate for the right support for this learning difference. Our guest is Dyslexia Mom Boss host Lauren McClenney-Rosenstein, EdD. Listen as Dr. Lauren explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bonus episode! Introducing Understood’s newest podcast: What Now? A Parent’s Guide. Tune in for a peek at Season 1, which is all about tantrums and meltdowns. We’re sharing Episode 6, “Identifying your child’s behavior triggers.” Listen to host Dr. Andrew Kahn as he explains how to find your child’s behavior triggers to prevent tantrums and meltdowns. Get a transcript of this show and check out more episodes from What Now? A Parent’s Guide at u.org/podcasts. We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning disabilities are real challenges that are not related to intelligence. They impact millions of kids and adults in the United States. And people who have them are not at all “lazy.” Learning disabilities are caused by differences in the brain. And they often are hereditary. These challenges can impact people at school, at work, and in everyday life. But the good news is there are strategies and supports that can help people with learning disabilities thrive. In this episode, listen as Julian explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

We recorded this episode in Spanish, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Los padres suelen tener muchas preguntas referentes a la educación especial. En el proceso de entender y aprender de qué se trata, se topan con términos y una jerga con los que no están familiarizados. Ante esto, cualquiera se podría sentir abrumado. Pero las dificultades pueden ser aún mayores para muchas familias hispanas. El acceso a la información es limitado o difícil de encontrar para algunas familias hispanas. También las barreras lingüísticas y las diferencias culturales juegan un papel muy importante. Estos factores pueden hacer que los padres se sientan inseguros sobre cuál es la mejor manera de ayudar a sus hijos. En este episodio respondemos preguntas sobre la educación especial. Explicamos qué son las discapacidades del aprendizaje y cómo pueden afectar la vida diaria. Examinanos en detalle los apoyos que brindan las escuelas para ayudar a los niños a progresar en el aula. Escuche a la educadora Claudia Rinaldi (PhD) explicar: Visite la página del episodio para obtener la transcripción y enlaces a recursos útiles. Nos encantaría saber de usted. Escríbanos a opportunitygap@understood.org. Understood.org es una organización sin fines de lucro enfocada en crear un mundo en el que puedan prosperar los millones de personas que piensan y aprenden de manera diferente. Obtenga más información sobre “The Opportunity Gap” y todos nuestros podcasts en u.org/podcasts. Derechos de autor © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. Todos los derechos reservados. -- When it comes to special education, parents often have many questions. While learning the ins and outs, they come across terms and jargon that they’re not familiar with. This can leave any parent feeling overwhelmed. But for many Hispanic families, it can feel like an even bigger challenge. For some Hispanic families, access to this information is limited. Or even hard to find. For others, language barriers and cultural differences play a huge role. These factors can make parents feel unsure about how to best support their child’s needs. In this episode, we answer questions about special education. We break down what learning disabilities are and how they can impact daily life. We take a closer look at supports schools provide to help kids make progress in the classroom. Listen as Dr. Claudia Rinaldi, an educator, explains: We recorded this episode in Spanish, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “The Opportunity Gap” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

English language learners bring unique perspectives to the classroom. And their diverse backgrounds and experiences often impact how they learn. So, it’s important for teachers to take the time to learn about their strengths and challenges. Learning a new language is hard work. And multilingual students are often learning how to read, write, and do math in that new language all at the same time. In this episode, listen as Understood expert Dr. Claudia Rinaldi explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

When kids with learning and thinking differences have positive self-esteem, they feel more confident. They try their best. They value themselves. And they’re proud of the things they can do. Kids with learning differences develop positive self-esteem by working hard toward a goal — and then seeing their hard work pay off. But failure builds confidence in kids too. In this episode of The Opportunity Gap, listen as Julian explains: 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. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

How do you discipline kids who have trouble with the skills they need to behave? What strategies work best for kids with learning differences? Many parents struggle with how to discipline their kids. And for families of kids with ADHD or learning differences, it can be even harder to know what to do. Get discipline tips from clinical psychologist Dr. Kristin Carothers in this episode of In It, another podcast in the Understood Podcast Network, hosted by Rachel Bozek and Gretchen Vierstra. Listen as Dr. Carothers explains why it can be hard for kids with learning differences to follow rules. Hear answers to questions like: What do we do when kids with learning differences forget their homework? Learn how positive discipline can help. Visit the In It episode page for a transcript and links to helpful resources. We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about The Opportunity Gap and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2023 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.