144: Different Thinkers: Turning a Diagnosis into Empowerment

Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent

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 compassion and clarity. With a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens, they offer practical ways to shift conversations from “what’s wrong” to “what’s unique,” empowering both home life and school advocacy.
Three Key Takeaways:

• Reframe diagnosis as a narrative shift toward understanding, not limitation.
• Use personalized storytelling and concrete examples to highlight what the child does best.
• Equip children with words and self‑advocacy tools early and revisit them as they grow.

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Find the full episode here:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the‑special‑ed‑strategist‑podcast‑with‑wendy‑taylor‑m‑ed‑et‑p/id1639953041

Other platforms: https://pod.link/1639953041