Learning Essentials

From Home to School: Bridging Health, Neurodivergence, and Advocacy with Dr. Karin Varblow An episode by Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent

From Medical Reports to Everyday Support: Bridging Health and Education with Dr. Jennifer Reesman An episode by Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent

Turning Parent Concerns into Actionable IEP Goals An episode by Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent

Medical Insights That Transform Learning & Behavior Feeling overwhelmed by constant IEP meetings, doctor visits, and behavior struggles? Join Wendy Taylor as she interviews developmental-behavioral pediatrician Dr. Amir Miodovnik—an expert who trained at Boston Children’s and Kennedy Krieger—on how medical factors like sleep, a...

Different Thinkers: Turning a Diagnosis into Empowerment In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor sits down with pediatric neuropsychologists Dr. Yael Rothman and Dr. Katia Fredriksen—co-authors of the Different Thinkers children’s book series—to explore how families can help children understand diagnoses with...

Building Independence One Microstep at a Time In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, Wendy Taylor sits down with Kristin Lombardi, MA, BCBA, founder of Zeal Behavior Analysis, and Dr. Christine Drew, BCBA-D, Assistant Professor at Auburn University, to discuss their groundbreaking book, Spectrum of Independence: Ho...

How Will the General Education Teacher Know What’s in My Child’s IEP? In this solo episode of The Special Ed Strategist, Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P, unpacks a question many parents whisper with concern: How will the general education teacher know—and follow—my child’s IEP?

Listener Favorite: Complex Kids: Navigating Autism, ADHD & Anxiety with Dr. Dan Shapiro Understanding your child's unique behaviors can feel overwhelming—but clarity is possible. In this empowering, listener-favorite episode from our archives, host Wendy Taylor welcomes Dr. Dan Shapiro, renowned developmental-behavioral pediatrician, author, and founder of the Pa...

Is Pull-Out Support Helping or Hurting? Navigating Special Ed Services with Clarity Join Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P and special education strategist, alongside guest Jackie Beach—early childhood expert and founder of Rally Family Support—as they unpack the real impact of pull-out vs. push-in services. Are students gaining what they need or missing what matters...

Listener Favorite: Girls with Autism: Why We’re Missing the Signs with Dr. Donna Henderson This listener favorite is especially important because it sheds light on how often autistic girls are misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply missed—keeping them from the support they truly need to thrive. Dr. Donna Henderson, a clinical neuropsychologist and expert in autism i...

What Makes a Goal Realistic? How to Know If Your Child’s IEP Goals Are Too Easy (or Too Much) What does a realistic IEP goal actually look like? In this episode of our Summer Question Series, host Wendy Taylor is joined by Jackie Beach, M.Ed., founder of Rally Family Support, to unpack the “just right” goal—ambitious yet achievable. Learn how to collaborate with your s...

Summer Parent Series: What Do Services Look Like? Welcome to a brand-new 12-week series on The Special Ed Strategist Podcast, where we take the guesswork out of special education.