The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Radio

    The MetLife Center for Special Needs PlanningSM helps you to take steps to provide lifetime quality care that your dependent with special needs requires. Planning for the future of an individual with special needs requires in-depth knowledge of the federal laws as they pertain to government benefit eligibility and legal documents such as special needs trusts and guardianships. There are important financial considerations as well for providing not just lifetime care, but quality of life.   In planning for the future of your dependent, remember that you are the primary expert, but you may also need to turn to a number of other experts for assistance on such things as special needs estate planning. Though many of these issues can seem overwhelming, it is important you take the time with those experts today to provide for your loved one’s tomorrow.    The same holds true for issues of medical insurance authorizations for specialized services and products such as physical therapy and medical equipment. It is also true when it comes to knowledge of the special education laws which most often require you to become an active advocate and participant in your child's education plan.   She is the mother of four children, and jumped at the chance to work with the MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning since one of her children has special needs.  Kelly is an active advocate for dependents with special needs, and serves as a resource for families with special needs dependents.   Discussion on study by MetLife - Torn Security Blanket

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

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 

  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.  

  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

  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 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

  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'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”      

    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.  

  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

Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized authority on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. The apples don't fall far from the trees - join us to discuss adult and child ADHD.  Untreated ADHD in a child continues into adulthood with struggles in relationships, careers and every aspect of life.  Executive functioning skills are key, learn tips and acquire tools to overcome deficits. Join us with the most respected expert in the world along with special co-host Laura Rolands the ADHD Coach to discuss this common and treatable disorder.  One of the most informative and insightful interviews we have ever done.   We are offering this show again to spotlight ADHD Awareness week. 

Dr. Warren is the Director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD). Here his unique perspective of the research, treatment and education of children on the spectrum. 

 Why are millions of children labeled Dyslexic, ADD/ ADHD analyzed by psychologists and counselors without being examined properly for the undetected vision problems that are most likely the cause of their difficulties. Dr Bonde Optomitrist was in his practice for over 40 yrs, served as Secretary of the Idaho board of examiners was appointed by then Governor Cecil Andrus to a committee on “Vision and it’s relationship to academic achievement” His completed book was written in the hopes of saving thousands of children with untapped potential from misdiagnosis of ADD and ADHD.

Shannon Des Roches Rosa Squidilicious and Gary James - Apps For Children With Special Needs join us to bring us the latest and best apps for kids with special needs. - Ipad and app giveaway special event