THE SJ CHILDS SHOW-Building a Community of Inclusion

• Episode 327-Finding Your Voice: Siblings, Stories, and Special Needs with Mila Maxwell

  Send us a textCuriosity drives creativity in this heartfelt conversation with author Mila Maxwell, whose debut novel "Finding Lady Baltimore" emerged from a simple yet profound question: "What if something happened to me that allowed me to see her perspective?" This burning desire to understand her sister Sarah's experience with cerebral palsy ultimately became the foundation for a work of fiction that blends real-life experiences with imaginative exploration.Maxwell's journey from caregiver sibling to storyteller reveals the complex dynamics of growing up alongside someone with different abilities. Just 18 months older than Sarah, she naturally fell into a protective role that shaped her identity well into adulthood. Home videos captured young Mila directing her sister during bath time—early evidence of the responsibility she carried throughout her life. This pattern became so ingrained that when Maxwell became a mother herself, she had to consciously adapt her approach for her neurotypical son.What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Maxwell's candid acknowledgment of the complicated emotions that accompany being a sibling caregiver. Rather than presenting an idealized version of her experience, she addresses the resentments and unspoken feelings that accumulated over years. Through writing, Maxwell found healing not just for herself but for her entire family. "It's changed the whole family dynamic with my sister and my parents," she shares, highlighting how bringing these feelings into the light created opportunities for greater understanding.Beyond her writing, Maxwell embodies versatility as a self-described "multifaceted serial entrepreneur" whose career has spanned marketing, nutrition, personal training, and even volunteer firefighting. Her approach to life mirrors her creative process—organic, intuitive, and guided by what feels right in the moment rather than rigid planning.The most powerful takeaway from our discussion lies in Maxwell's emphasis on individuality: "Everyone that has a disability, they're still an individual," she notes, explaining that even people with the same diagnosis can have vastly different needs and personalities. This understanding extends to her philosophy that "we all have special needs"—a perspective that shifts the conversation from categorization to celebrating universal human diversity.Have you read "Finding Lady Baltimore" or connected with the sibling caregiver experience? Share your thoughts and join the conversation about how stories like these help normalize what it means to be part of a special needs family.Support the show

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• Episode 327-Everyone Deserves Connection: Dating with Disabilities with Kathy O'Connell

  Send us a textKathy O'Connell opens up about her journey navigating dating while living with cerebral palsy, revealing how vulnerability and self-acceptance transformed her personal life and launched her mission to help others. As founder of Radiant Abilities, she's developed a framework that guides people with disabilities through the often challenging world of dating and relationships.Her story is both touching and inspiring – after years of painful dating experiences, Kathy learned that openly acknowledging her disability while confidently highlighting her strengths as a partner was the breakthrough she needed. This approach led to meeting her husband of 16 years, who initially struggled with his own discomfort but was drawn to her authentic confidence.Through her virtual program "Dating Made Easier," Kathy coaches individuals to identify where they are in their dating journey and provides targeted support through workshops and community connections. Unlike traditional matchmaking services, she empowers participants to become their own best matchmakers, developing the self-awareness and confidence to attract compatible partners.The conversation explores how self-acceptance is the foundation for successful relationships, not just for people with disabilities but for everyone seeking meaningful connection. As Kathy beautifully explains, "When you are living to be your happiest self, people are drawn to the light." This radiance becomes the natural magnet that attracts the right people into your life.Looking to transform your dating experience through greater self-acceptance and confidence? Visit radiantabilities.com to download free resources on building self-esteem and discover how Kathy's coaching program can help you navigate relationships with authenticity and purpose.Support the show

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• Episode 326-Beyond Words: Autism's Intuitive Connection with Catherine Crestani

  Send us a textWhat if your child's seemingly unusual behaviors are actually their way of connecting with a world most of us can't see? Catherine Crestani, leadership coach and intuitive healer with nearly two decades of experience as a speech-language pathologist, shares profound insights about the spiritual dimensions of autism that mainstream approaches often miss. Drawing from her extensive work with hundreds of children on the spectrum, Catherine reveals how many nonverbal children possess remarkable intuitive abilities – sensing energies, communicating with spirits, and processing the world in ways that defy conventional understanding.This conversation takes a deep dive into the power of parental intuition when raising a child with special needs. Sara and Catherine discuss the critical importance of trusting your gut feelings about schools, therapies, and medical advice, even when professionals dismiss your concerns. Through personal stories, including Catherine's experiences with "guardian angels" guiding her nonverbal clients and Sara's discovery that her son's sleep patterns follow lunar cycles, they demonstrate how honoring your child's unique rhythms can lead to profound healing.Perhaps most powerfully, Catherine shares her perspective on healing generational patterns through self-work. "When you heal something in you, it heals seven generations after and seven generations before," she explains, highlighting how addressing our own wounds creates space for our children to thrive. This shift from trying to "fix" the child to healing the family system offers a revolutionary approach to autism support.Whether you're parenting a child with autism or supporting families on this journey, this episode will transform how you understand neurodivergence and intuitive connection. Listen now to discover how breaking free from societal expectations and embracing your family's unique path can create unexpected harmony and joy.Support the show

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• Episode 325-Your Autism Is Not My Autism: Celebrating Neurological Diversity with Dr. Kristen Williamson

  Send us a textWhat if autism isn't a modern condition but an ancient, essential thread in human evolution? Dr. Kristen Williamson, a professional counselor diagnosed with autism at 39, takes us on a journey that challenges everything we think we know about neurodiversity."I feel like an alien wearing a matching skin suit of a human," Dr. Williamson confesses, describing the exhausting process of studying and mimicking neurotypical behaviors just to fit in. Her late diagnosis mirrors the experience of countless women and girls whose autism goes unrecognized behind masks of anxiety, depression, and learned social behaviors.We explore how limited media representations—from Rain Man to The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper—have shaped public perception, while recent research suggesting autistic traits in Neanderthals offers a revolutionary perspective: autism isn't a disorder but a natural variation that has contributed to human advancement throughout our evolutionary history. "We do not have to prove to you who we are. We are undeniable."For parents raising neurodivergent children, Dr. Williamson offers a liberating approach: "Don't try to change the child you have. Try to know and accept the child for who they are." Drawing from her experience parenting two neurodivergent children while navigating her own diagnoses, she shares practical wisdom about honoring sensory needs, setting boundaries, and replacing shame-inducing "shoulds" with self-compassion.Whether you're autistic, love someone who is, or simply curious about different ways of experiencing the world, this conversation invites you to embrace neurodiversity as the spice of life. Connect with Dr. Williamson on social media or explore her workbooks and resources on Amazon to continue your journey toward understanding and celebrating all kinds of minds.Support the show

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• Episode 324-Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Don't Define Your Child's Future-with Daniela Feldhausen

  Send us a textWhat happens when children struggle to read despite their best efforts? How can parents spot the early warning signs of dyslexia or dysgraphia? And why do millions of children continue falling behind in reading despite classroom interventions?Daniela Feldhausen, founder of Kids Up Reading Tutors, brings both professional expertise and transformative solutions to these pressing questions. After 25 years practicing law in Washington DC, Daniela discovered her true calling while volunteering with struggling readers at a local elementary school. This passion led her to pursue a master's degree in special education, specialized training in teaching children with dyslexia and dysgraphia, and eventually building a tutoring practice that now helps 70 children nationwide.The conversation reveals startling insights about how early reading difficulties can be detected—even before formal reading instruction begins. Brain scans can identify dyslexia markers in four-year-olds, and simple games like rhyming activities can help parents spot potential challenges. Daniela explains the science behind phonological awareness, the critical skill that many struggling readers lack: understanding that words consist of individual sounds that can be manipulated.Parents will find practical strategies they can implement immediately, from car games that build sound awareness to the proper use of audiobooks as a bridge to independent reading. The discussion also clarifies the often-misunderstood relationship between dyslexia (reading difficulties) and dysgraphia (writing difficulties), explaining how they frequently stem from the same underlying processing challenges.Perhaps most importantly, Daniela emphasizes that effective reading intervention requires frequency—tutoring once or twice weekly simply isn't enough for most struggling readers to catch up. Her innovative online tutoring model allows for the intensive, consistent support these children need, regardless of geographic location.Whether you're concerned about your own child's reading development or simply interested in understanding how to better support literacy in our communities, this episode provides enlightening insights and actionable solutions for helping every child discover the joy and power of reading.Support the show

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