The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Radio

Multi-platinum record producer, songwriter, performer, author Michael Buckholtz's raw, unflinching and often humorous account of his life with Asperger's Syndrome, is a refreshing departure from the clinical and often anecdotal books written on the subject of autism. The book is written (graphics and all) by Michael, no ghost writers. His perspective also reflects being a minority in U. S. society. After Michael's late diagnosis (he was in his early 40's), his goal has been to encourage love and have patience with our autistic children.  Michael is the founder of The Autistic Childrens Foundation. He is convinced it was his mother's unwavering determination that pinpointed what was happening with her three boys, all of whom are on the autism spectrum. Even though she did not know it at the time, she employed music, which allowed her sons to open up just enough to instill some basic social parameters. His is a compelling and inspirational story that doesn't end the way you might think.   Take a look at the true world of Aspergers and be inspired!  

Drs. James Webb and Edward Amend, psychologists and experts on the social, emotional, and educational needs of gifted and talented youth. Dr Webb is recognized as one of the 25 most influential psychologists nationally on gifted education. Dr. Webb established SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted Children, Inc.), a national nonprofit organization that provides information, training, conferences and workshops, and he remains as Chair of SENG’s Professional Advisory Committee.   Dr Amend is a Clinical Psychologist at Amend Psychological Services, focuses on the social, emotional, and educational needs of gifted and talented youth and their families. Dr. Amend has served on the Board of Directors of SENG for 5 years. 

Leigh Weinraub M.A. - Youth sports are starting younger and younger these days.  The competition amongst children is fierce and is felt at every age.  Even a child with minimal anxiety can get anxious when a coach is yelling at them or the parents on the sidelines are cheering and screaming during a game.  The pressure to win, be the best, and make the team can make children extremely anxious and overwhelmed.  It can also make children shut down and impede there performance because their anxiety level is too high.  Coach Leigh will talk about what is was like for her as a child being a competitive tennis player, transitioning to a college tennis coach, and how as a therapist she guides people through exercise and therapy together to relax and overcome their anxieties.    Leigh Weinraub, the founder of Mind in Motion, combines her background in coaching and counseling with a passion for health in her multi-dimensional therapy practice. A healthy lifestyle, appreciation of nature, passion for movement and dedication to helping others inspired her to found Mind in Motion in 2007.    

"Different Not Less " the phrase made famous by Dr Grandin's mother Eustacia Cutler in the HBO biopic Thinking In Pictures the story of Temple Grandins life, is the title of her latest book.  Inspiring stories of achievement and successful employment from adults with Autism, Aspergers and ADHD is one of the most empowering books I have had the pleasure to read.  In this latest release Dr Grandin shares stories of adversity and triumph from those with autism spectrum disorders.  Heart wrenching and overwhelmingly inspirational stories that give hope and validation for those who have fought for their success and independence will give hope to millions.  The always informative, gracious and quite funny Dr Grandin is a national treasure.  She just keeps getting better and better! Join our hosts Rebecca Bank and Diane Kennedy co authors of Bright not Broken with Dr Grandin for this incredible interview. 

Do you live in the Westchester New York area?  There is a wonderful alternative for your tween or teen to participate in after school, summer and on school breaks. The Digital Arts Experience Inc. is family owned and operated, and is founded on the values of collaboration, open communication and community. At The DAE, Rob feels that the best way to learn is through hands on experience and through working collaboratively. The DAE strives to provide a completely unique learning environment  by surrounding their students with like-minded individuals of the same skill level who share similar goals, where they can create an experience that is both collective and noncompetitive.

Dr Lynne Kenney IS BACK!!! Dr Kenney is a pediatric psychologist, author of The Family Coach and has a new endeavor "Play Math"  When creating expectations for your child do you take time to thinnk about what motivates your decisions? When raising a child, any child, your expectations are often a knee jerk reaction from your own conditioning and upbringing or conjured by the "norm" of how you percieve others may judge you or your child.  Tonight we discuss Expectations.... Who are they for, how they challenge and help your child grow and how they can overwhelm and undermine success. When raising a special needs child expectations and goal setting can be difficult to formulate.  We will discuss some basic questions you should consider when creating a strategy for your child and your family.  Are you driven by outside pressure or influences? Are expectations individualized to each child and their abilities and deficits? How can you keep it fair and still keep it individualized?  What is the importance of setting attainable goals to achieve mastery and confidence? What is the risk of setting the bar too high?

Dr. Linda Silverman, world renowned expert and author on Giftedness and Twice- Exceptionality  joins hosts Diane and Rebecca to discuss her brand new book Giftedness 101. Dispelling the many myths surrounding the concept of giftedness this insightful and valuable resource covers important topics such as: The meaning and characteristics of giftedness throughout the lifespan,  Comprehensive methods of assessment, parental and educational roles in developing the abilities of gifted children, the unique psychological needs of gifted children often manifested as feeling different, and special issues such as gifted children with learning disabilities (Twice-Exceptional). Dr. Silverman is the Director of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD) and its subsidiary, the Gifted Development Center, in Denver, CO. She has contributed over 300 articles and chapters on the assessment, psychology and education of the gifted.

 Join Marianne Russo with guest Dr Richard Selznick author of School Struggles: A Guide to Your Shut-Down Learner's Success The follow-up to his acclaimed The Shut-Down Learner: Helping Your Academically Discouraged Child, covers a broader scope of potential problems faced by school children, offering techniques and insights to help them learn. The book explores reading and writing issues, behavioral problems, difficulties with organization, social skills, medication, parents' interactions with teachers, excessive use of technology, the

  Angela Eaton is a brilliant photographer and writer, she is also the mother of a twice exceptional daughter with a unique thinking style which has brought her to a place of understanding and amazement of her child Meredith's abilities. On her journey to unravel an alphabet soup of possible diagnosis for her child’s behaviors and challenges she uncovered something exceptional…… an extraordinary way of thinking….. a brilliant mind…. Some refer to it as Synesthesia..... others...  the Maverick Mind.  Synesthesia is seeing colors when you hear music, seeing letters and numbers as colors, or getting a particular taste in your mouth when you hear a particular name.  The synesthestic experience is involuntary and automatic and doesn't seem to change over time it is an amazing ability to see what others cannot. A filing system unlike any other that alters the way a child thinks, learns and relates to their world. Be inspired by the story of a little girl and the mother that found her gift.      

Suki Wessling - From School to Homeschool Should You Homeschool Your Gifted Child  Sometimes school just doesn't work and homeschooling is the answer-particularly for gifted or 2e children. Join us us we welcome parent, author, and homeschooling expert Suki Wessling. Suki will be discussing her brand new book "From School To Homeschool: Should you Homeschool your gifted child? We'll be talking about many issues parents face when deciding to homeschool; deschooling; creating a homeschool support system; learning about different homeschooling styles; and homeschooling to college. This is the episode to hear if you are in need of resources and practical information on this important topic.

Dr. Jennifer Hartstein - Anxiety is a part of all children’s lives.  Sometimes a child’s worry is as basic as being away from a parent, going to school, a test, or a birthday party. Sometimes children worry about things we didn't even think they could be worried about.  When a child is suffering from anxiety and avoiding everyday activities it is time to be concerned.  How do parents know when its really time to be concerned?    Dr. Jennifer Hartstein will talk to us about children’s anxieties and when to know if the worrying becomes more than “normal” everyday children worries. She will also discuss how to speak to children about the horrific tragedy in Sandy Hook.  Dr. Hartstein specializes in high-risk children and adolescents with intensive training in adolescent suicide assessment.  She uses a variety of treatment approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  

On this day that shocked a country, perhaps even the world, when a senseless act took the lives of innocent children in the school shooting in Connecticut our hearts are broken. Healing our children and communicating with them about their fears will be key.  For many children language does not come easily and for some not at all.  Tonight we discuss with Louise Sattler, founder of Signing Families and President of 411 voices, how to communicate and interpret non verbal childrens feelings. 

Join hosts Diane Kennedy and Rebecca Banks with guest Dr Temple Grandin. Temple Grandin Animals: Companions and Careers Animals are an important part of our social culture. Many 2e/ASD/ADHD children have found a special connection with Horses, Dogs, and othe companion animals. Temple Grandin herself first discovered a personal connection early in her life which later lead to her incredible career as one of the foremost authorities in animal science. Temple returns as our guest to help us understand the rich therapy animals can provide as companions and how a personal interest and love for animals large or small can develop into a rewarding career. Two of her popular books on the subject written along with Catherine Johnson are- "Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior" and "Animals Make Us Human: Creating The Best Life For Animals"  

Bright Not Broken - Hosted by Rebecca Banks and Diane Kennedy As parents, the two of us (Diane and Rebecca) sought answers as to why our own children were trapped by an alphabet soup of labels despite their obvious abilities. While we researched and wrote Bright Not Broken, we realized that we were asking questions no other book has addressed:  Why does the DSM system lead to an alphabet soup of labels? Could it be that our system is fundamentally flawed or incapable of meeting the needs of practicing clinicians and parents?  If not clinicians and caregivers, whom does the DSM system serve?Join us for the second in a two-part series on the DSM.  Featuring Drs. William Sheehan and Stephen Thurber, Part 2 explores some of the challenges the DSM presents for practicing clinicians and parents/caregivers, and addresses some of the questions we raise in our book including, questioning the Validity of the ADHD Diagnosis.

We are thrilled to welcome back Cheris Frailer, Director of Merchandising at Mayer Johnson The Special Education Super Store! From the makers of  Boardmaker, Dynavox Cheris will  bring us the latest in products from books, toys, gross motor products, language stimulation, fine motor tools, games and more not only help your child but have fun too! Make your holiday list and check it twice with the Mayer-Johnson Gift Giving Guide! Mayer-Johnson is your Special Education Super Source and with their Gift Guide, they’ve made it easy to shop 3 different ways – by price, category or specific solution. The perfect present is just a click away at mayer-johnson.com!