Special Ed on Special Ed

Stay tuned for the transcript, which will be available shortly after publication on SpecialEd.fm.

Host: Dana Jonson
Guest: Diane Gould
Guest Title and Bio: Diane Gould is a licensed clinical social worker with over 40 years of experience working with neurodivergent children, adults, and their families. She founded PDA North America, an organization dedicated to supporting families and professionals navigating this unique autism profile. Diane is also the co-author of the groundbreaking book, Navigating PDA in America, which adapts international knowledge of PDA to the unique challenges faced by families in the United States. Her work focuses on creating low-pressure, supportive environments for individuals with PDA through education, advocacy, and systemic change.
 
Episode Summary
In this episode, host Dana Jonson sits down with Diane Gould, a pioneer in raising awareness about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in the United States. They explore what PDA is, how it fits within the autism spectrum, and why it has only recently gained recognition in America. Diane shares her journey to becoming a leading advocate for PDA, highlights the challenges in diagnosing and supporting individuals with PDA, and provides insights into creating low-pressure, relationship-based environments that foster autonomy.
Listeners will learn:
The unique characteristics of PDA, including its pervasive drive for autonomy and heightened sensitivity to demands.

How PDA differs from traditional understandings of autism.

Why traditional behavioral approaches may not work for PDA and how to adopt a mindset shift focused on flexibility and collaboration.

Practical strategies for parents, educators, and professionals to support individuals with PDA effectively.

 
Resources Mentioned
Book: Navigating PDA in America by Diane Gould and Ruth Fidler 

Website: PDA North America (pdanorthamerica.org)

Free monthly PDA 101 webinars (First Thursday of every month)

Downloadable resources for parents and professionals

Training programs and provider directory

Book: Is This Autism? by Donna Henderson 

Book: The Declarative Language Handbook by Linda Murphy

 
Engagement and Sharing
Share the Episode with a Friend: If you know someone who could benefit from understanding PDA, share this episode with them!
Leave a Review: Help us spread awareness about PDA by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback supports the podcast and helps others to find it.
Follow Diane on Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Follow Dana on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
 
If You Like This Episode, Be Sure to Check Out:
Giftedness and Beyond: Navigating Neurodivergence with Dr. Matt Zakreski
 
Thank you for listening!

Shortly after publication, a transcript of this episode will be published on SpecialEd.fm.
Host: Dana Jonson
Guest: Dr. Gwendolyn Martin
Title/Organization: Licensed Professional Counselor, Founder of Dr. Gwen's Counselor Café, LLC, and Coastal Crossroads Counseling Solutions, LLC
Guest Bio:
Dr. Gwendolyn Martin, also known as Dr. Gwen, is a licensed professional counselor, former special education teacher, school counselor, and college professor. She has dedicated her career to supporting children and families with high emotional and behavioral needs. Through her ventures, Dr. Gwen's Counselor Café, LLC, and Coastal Crossroads Counseling Solutions, LLC, she provides self-care training, products, and counseling services to combat stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Dr. Gwen is a global advocate for mental health and resilience and has authored resources to support educators, parents, and students alike.
Episode Summary
In this episode, host Dana Jonson and Dr. Gwen dive into the intersection of special education and counseling, discussing the profound impacts of emotional and behavioral challenges on students, educators, and families. They explore topics such as:
The importance of emotional and behavioral support in special education.
Strategies for bridging the gap between home and school behavior management.
The critical need for teacher training and self-care.
Post-pandemic challenges, including the rise of anxiety, depression, and social skill deficits in students.
Practical tools and strategies, including the use of fidget tools as behavior management aids.
Dr. Gwen's transition from educator to counselor and her efforts to support educators and families through her businesses.
Dr. Gwen shares her insights from years of experience, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, consistency, and proactive mental health support for students and staff.
Resources Mentioned
Dr. Gwen's A to Z Self-Care Guide for Educators
A workbook and journal designed to help educators prioritize self-care.
Brain Break Kits
Practical fidget and sensory tools for students to improve focus and regulate emotions. Available at Dr. Gwen's Counselor Café.
Calm Down Corners
A classroom strategy to help students self-regulate and manage emotions effectively.
Parent Advocacy Tips
Guidance on navigating school meetings, advocating for children's needs, and aligning home and school expectations.
Engagement and Sharing
Share the Episode with a Friend: Know a parent, teacher, or counselor who could benefit? Share this episode to spread the insights.
Leave a Review: Your reviews help support our podcast. Leave one on your favorite platform!
Follow Dr. Gwen on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
Follow Dana on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Related Episodes or Content
Unlocking Potential Enhancing Brain Health and Development with Dr. Rebecca Jackson

Stay tuned for the transcript, which will be available shortly after publication on SpecialEd.fm.
Host: Dana Jonson

Guest: Maxwell Ivey

Guest Title and Bio:
Maxwell Ivey, also known as The Blind Blogger, is a blind entrepreneur, author, speaker, and accessibility advocate. Maxwell has built a successful career helping businesses, nonprofits, and organizations embrace accessibility—not just as a legal requirement, but as an opportunity to create a better experience for everyone. With an inspiring journey that began in a family of carnival owners, Maxwell has emerged as a respected voice on inclusivity in the business and digital world.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Dana Jonson sits down with Maxwell Ivey, a.k.a. The Blind Blogger, to explore his incredible journey from growing up in a family of carnival owners to becoming a prominent accessibility consultant and advocate. Maxwell shares insights into how accessibility benefits not only individuals with disabilities but businesses and society as a whole.
Key topics include:
•   Maxwell's early life and gradual vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa
•   How accessibility improves user experiences, business growth, and inclusion
•   The role of technology, AI, and collaboration in breaking barriers
•   Why advocacy and creative problem-solving are essential for inclusion
•   Encouraging businesses to view accessibility as an investment, not a burden
Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how accessibility benefits everyone, why it matters for the future workforce, and how individuals and organizations can be proactive in creating inclusive environments.
Resources Mentioned
1  Maxwell Ivey's Websites:
The Blind Blogger
The Accessibility Advantage
2  Pathful (formerly Nepris): Online platform connecting professionals with classrooms for education and career mentorship.
3  Pixi AI Tool: Emerging AI plugin for image description (discussed as a potential accessibility tool).
4  Legislation Mentioned:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
National Rehabilitation Act
5  Braille Legos: Innovative tools helping visually impaired children learn to communicate through written language.
 Engagement and Sharing
•   Share This Episode: If you found this episode valuable, share it with friends, family, or colleagues who could benefit from hearing Maxwell's insights.
•   Leave a Review: Help support the podcast by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback makes a difference!
•   Follow Maxwell Ivey on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
•   Follow Dana on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Related Episodes
If you enjoyed this episode, check out:
Social Skills Training rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Thank you for tuning in to Special Ed on Special Ed! Stay connected for more conversations that empower parents, educators, and advocates.

Host: Dana Jonson
Guest: April Rehrig
Title: Founder, Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting
Bio:
April Rehrig is a distinguished advocate in special education with over two decades of experience as a school psychologist, teacher, and parent within the public school setting. As the founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting, April focuses on training parents to be effective advocates for their children. Her strength-based approach emphasizes collaboration, communication, and empowering families to navigate the IEP process successfully.
 
Episode Summary
In this episode, Dana Jonson is joined by April Rehrig to discuss the power of parent advocacy in special education. April shares her journey from being a teacher and school psychologist to becoming an advocate and consultant. Together, they dive into:
The importance of strength-based IEPs and reforming deficit-based processes.

How parents can become equal participants in the IEP process and proactively address their concerns.

Strategies for connecting assessment data to meaningful IEP goals and objectives.

Training parents and students to advocate for their needs, especially in preparation for post-secondary transitions.

The role of parent reports, accommodations, and self-advocacy in fostering better collaboration between families and schools.

Listeners will leave with actionable insights into how they can champion their child's unique needs and strengths at the IEP table.
 
Resources Mentioned
Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting Website

Free Consultation Contact Form

COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates): copaa.org

 
Engagement and Sharing
Share this Episode: If you found this episode helpful, share it with friends or family who might benefit from learning about parent advocacy in special education.

Leave a Review: Help us reach more listeners by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow April on Social Media Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook
Follow Dana on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

 
Related Episodes and Content
Parent Advocacy Insights from School Psychologist and Special Education Director Diana Fannon

Visit SpecialEd.fm for more episodes and transcripts.
 
Shortly after publication, a transcript of this episode will be available at SpecialEd.fm.
Thank you for listening!

Stay tuned for the transcript, which will be available shortly after publication on SpecialEd.fm.
Host: Dana Jonson
Guest: Andrea Pollack
Founder, Autism Parent Solutions
Andrea Pollack is a former litigator turned educator and parenting coach. After homeschooling her autistic son for eight years due to a lack of suitable educational settings, Andrea earned a master's degree in education and founded Autism Parent Solutions. Her mission is to empower parents of autistic children with the tools and strategies needed to foster success at home, in school, and beyond. She is also the chairman of the board of The Cook School and Institute in New York City, where she contributes to advancements in special education.
 
 
Episode Summary
In this episode, Dana speaks with Andrea Pollack about the challenges and strategies for parenting autistic children. Drawing on her personal experiences and professional expertise, Andrea shares insights into:
The importance of understanding the root causes of behaviors rather than reacting to them.

How Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) can address more than academic needs, focusing on behavioral and social-emotional growth.

The transformative power of mindset shifts for parents and why it's essential to recognize behaviors as communication.

The role of positive reinforcement, the dangers of discipline-driven strategies, and the importance of meeting children where they are.

Strategies for building parenting confidence and maintaining self-regulation during challenging moments.

Listeners will walk away with practical advice on how to advocate for their children's needs in school, embrace positive parenting techniques, and find community support.
 
 
Resources Mentioned
Autism Parent Solutions: Website

Andrea's Monthly Parenting Workshops and Facebook Group: Details are provided on her website.

Special Education Rights: Visit Wrightslaw for reliable information.

 
 
Engagement and Sharing
Share the Episode with a Friend
Know a parent or caregiver who could benefit from this episode? Share the link to help them on their parenting journey.
Leave a Review
Enjoyed the conversation? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help others discover the show.
Follow the Guest on Social Media
Andrea Pollack on Facebook: Join the Group

LinkedIn | Website | YouTube

Stay updated with Dana's social media work and through Special Ed on Special Ed for more insightful discussions. Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn 
 
 
Other Episodes to Check Out
Maximizing Independence for Students with Autism: A conversation with Julie Swanson, The Life Skills Lady

For more episodes, visit SpecialEd.fm.
 
 
Stay tuned for the transcript, which will be available shortly after publication on SpecialEd.fm.