The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Radio

Latest Episodes:

Jen Hancock - The Humanist Approach To Happiness Dec 12, 2011

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Jen Hancock – Are we making life harder on ourselves than we need to? The Humanist Approach to Happiness Lead a happier more productive live

Jim Tracy, Editor Apostrophe Magazine Dec 05, 2011

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Apostrophe - a quarterly magazine taking the Can't - Shouldn't and Don't out of developmental disabilities. An outstanding publication and an honor to share with our special needs families

Dr Charles Parker Nov 28, 2011

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Physician, Clinical Neuroscientist, Writer – Advancing Mind Science In the last 10 years incredible neuroscience evidence about the communication networks between the brain, the endocrine system and the immune system encourage a complete rethinking of the many psychiatric platitudes and inadequate labels used currently for patient care. It’s time to add improved laboratory data to the core of psychiatric practice.

Susan Richardson - Reiki Master - Autism Advocate Nov 21, 2011

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Autism & Natural Mothering Advocate, Reiki Master, Blogger, Author of The Mother Consciousness, Founder of Exceptional Beyond Labels Susan is the mother of two fantastic, expressive, healthy daughters. As she spent the past few years orchestrating my daughter’s treatment plan for reversing autism, she collected beneficial data along the way. Many know her as Alterna Mom - natural mothering for the autistic child

Temple Grandin - Diane Kennedy - Rebecca Banks Nov 14, 2011

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Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism The future of our society depends on our gifted children--the population in which we'll find our next Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, or Virginia Woolf. Yet the gifts and talents of some of our most brilliant kids may never be recognized because these children fall into a group known as twice exceptional, or "2e." Twice exceptional kids are both gifted and diagnosed with a disability--often ADHD or an Autism Spectrum Disorder--leading teachers and parents to overlook the child's talents and focus solely on his weaknesses. Too often, these children get lost in an endless cycle of chasing diagnostic labels and are never given the tools to fully realize their own potential. Bright Not Broken sheds new light on this vibrant population by identifying who twice exceptional children are and taking an unflinching look at why they're stuck. The first work to boldly examine the widespread misdiagnosis and controversies that arise from our current diagnostic system, it serves as a wake-up call for parents and professionals to question why our mental health and education systems are failing our brightest children. Finally, the authors show what we can do to help 2e children, providing a whole child model for parents and educators to strengthen and develop a child's innate gifts while also intervening to support the deficits. Drawing on painstaking research and personal experience, Bright Not Broken offers groundbreaking insight and practical strategies to those seeking to help 2e kids achieve their full potential. Join Dr Grandin on her fourth appearance on our show with coauthors , Diane Kennedy and Rebecca Banks

Louise Sattler - Signing Families - Sign Language Nov 14, 2011

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Louise Sattler is a nationally recognized guest speaker who melds her life as a psychologist with her passion for sign language. Known for her infusion of humor in to her live presentations and media engagements- she can make learning fun! She is a School Psychologist, an Expert Contributor to the JustAsk! Forum on Education.com and a founding member of

Speaking to your child about the Penn State Child Abuse Nov 12, 2011

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The Penn State Sex Abuse Crisis has horrified us as parents and as human beings. The thought of someone being able to use their power to abuse children is incomprehensible. Sometimes parents wait until it is s too late to discuss these types of situations and scenereos with their children. I am not speaking of the parents of the victims in this case, I am speaking in general terms. My heart goes out to these families. We are offering this special broadcast because we sincerely feel this horrific turn of events gives parents a golden opportunity to speak to their children, calm frightened children and speak in very clear terms as to what they are to do if they are ever in this situation or know of someone who is. Joining us to discuss the psychological impact of children being exposed to the sexual abuse scandal in the media and why and how parents should have this important conversation is Dr Jerry Weichman. Dr. Jerry Weichman is a licensed psychologist, an adolescent specialist, author, speaker and parenting expert. Housed in the prestigious Hoag Neurosciences Institute in Newport Beach

Bruce Sallan - A Dads Point of View Nov 07, 2011

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Bruce's first book takes the best of his A Dad's Point-of-View columns and other writings, plus brand new material, and puts it all together in a terrific examination of how to be the best parent you can be. He also discusses many of the other family-related issues that he regularly covers, such as second marriages, teens, gender issues, and faith. Bruce is a columnist writing on parenting issues from the dad’s point-of-view, though often the situations are gender-neutral. It is his contention that the dad’s point-of-view is less “heard” yet equally valuable to parents. Written with wit and humor, Bruce shares the world of single parenting, being a male primary caregiver and creating a blended family. Formerly a television producer working with such actors as Ingrid Bergman, Ron Howard, Mickey Rourke (THAT is a story), Don Johnson (another even better story), Ben Affleck, Hal Holbrook, Barbara Hershey, Sissy Spacek, Henry Winkler, Alan Arkin, and Brian Dennehey. Join Bruce and host Chuck Walley as they discuss “The Dad’s Point of View”

Dr Orville Easterly - Marriage and Family Therapy Oct 31, 2011

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Got marriage issues, Got Ex co-parenting problems , Got relationship communication discord with your child or teen..... We got Dr Orville Easterly. Dr. Easterly is the founder and the Clinical Director of Life Source, Inc. counseling center. He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with decades of counseling experience as a minister and psychotherapist. His master’s degree included course work in psychological care and his doctoral dissertation was in marriage and family counseling. Dr. Easterly uses a cognitive behavioral method in counseling with individuals, couples, and families. He is a business leadership consultant with post doctoral training in forensic psychology and is a Board Certified Sex Therapist. Whether you are having marital difficulties, co-parenting issues or struggles with parent/child relationships, Dr Easterly is here to answer your questions and discuss the value of marital and family therapy.

Dr Ron Minson - ILS Oct 24, 2011

Show notes

Often, our learning tools are putting a roof on a weak foundation. The acquisition of reading, writing, math and other academic skills is dependent upon a normally-developed nervous system. Communication between the two hemispheres and integration of sensory input from the eyes, ears and motor systems must be intact to accomplish the goals of educational intervention. However, efficient processing doesn’t occur in an immature nervous system. Through appropriate auditory, visual and vestibular stimulation, we are able to help the nervous system develop. The brain’s ability to increase neuronal activity in response to stimulationis known as “neuroplasticity.” iLs sessions provide repeated, gentle stimulation which influence brain function. The improvements in brain function are based on the premise that our higher brain functions – the “cortical functions” such as language, cognitive skills, socialization – rely and depend upon how well sensory input is received and processed as it enters the central nervous system and is relayed to the upper brain. iLs improves processing at both the sub-cortical and cortical levels. iLs has a global effect on the brain and central nervous system, influencing the following systems: balance, visual, auditory, motor, coordination, behavior and emotional regulation. As a result, it is successfully implemented for a wide variety of conditions: Learning difficulties such as reading, spelling, math, auditory processing and attention Sensory processing and integration Stress, sleep, emotional regulation and mood problems Those with autism and neuro-developmental difficulties