The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Radio

  Big Daddy brings his unique view of fatherhood, and the world at large, to life on this frequently updated and hilarious blog. His tales and cartoons from the lighter side of raising a child with autism always spark laughter and plenty of comments. By telling funny and off-beat stories from his life, Big Daddy shows that raising a kid with special needs is not all doom and gloom. To the contrary, it can be quite humorous and inspirational. Hosted by Chuck Walley 

  Chantal Sicile-Kira http://www.chantalsicile-kira.com/ - My mission is to empower parents and educators with the knowledge they need about autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including Asperger's Syndrome (AS). I am known for my practical advice and autism parenting tips on raising teenagers and children, as well as teaching the life skills all children with autism and adolescents on the autism spectrum need to learn.

  Do you have an anxious child? Meet Dr Russ to discuss the causes and presentations of child anxiety and his program to help. Turnaround: Turning Fear Into Freedom is a professionally developed audio treatment program that teaches your child how to stop anxious thoughts, calm uncomfortable feelings, and use the most effective strategies to overcome anxiety. Your child will listen to an adventure story designed to capture their attention and teach them how to break free from their fear. In the Turnaround audio adventure, your child joins six other anxious children, two "docs", a mentor teen, and a cast of animated characters- all designed to capture your child's attention and imagination. Your child will psychologically bond with the group, which is tremendously effective in addressing their anxiety. Anxious kids tell us how much they love the characters, the entertaining stories, and how hearing from other kids helps not feel so alone.   So whether your child is shy or anxious or is grieving a loss of a loved one or pet learn how to help your child overcome anxiety and teach themselves how to calm 

Author of award winning blog The Mindstorm: Raising a Mentally Ill Child Chrisa Hickey is one of the most outstanding advocates for children and teens with mental illness.  

Annie Fox returns just in time to help you prepare your tween or teen emotionally for the new school year.  Whether your teen is moving up to middle or high school or just returning to their old stomping ground, Annie is here to give parents advice on transitioning and cutting down on the drama and anxiety many teens face. 

Dr Cheryl Arutt Clinical and Forensic Psycologist - Dr Arutt has worked extensively with victims of violent crime and sexual abuse, helping people cope with the aftermath of incidents that happened recently or long ago. Her use of EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a powerful evidence-based brief therapy that effectively decreases or eliminates the symptoms of post-traumatic stress for adults and children will be discussed.  Post traumatic syndrome is not just for adults find out how we can help children affected by trauma. 

  Are you facing the problem of parenting a child with eating challenges? While The Eating Game was initially developed to address the nutritional challenges faced by many children with Autism, it is also being used by many others who need support to make healthy food choices: picky eaters, those on selective or restricted diets, adults in group homes or assisted living situations who are striving to be more independent, those with communication challenges who benefit from visual supports, families wanting to develop healthy diets, schools/preschools teaching about good nutrition and those with compulsive eating disorders obsessed with eating. Giveaway of The Eating Game to first caller. Are you wanting to experience the positive results thousands of other parents have had with the Gluten Free Caisen Free diet for your child with autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder or other related disorder? You've probably heard success stories from other parents and the improvements they've seen with their child. But does the idea of getting started just seems overwhelming?!!  Join Lori to hear about her 8 week seminar and call in for a change to win a seating in a giveaway.  Lori is also offering a one on one session for another lucky winner.

  The Focus Foundation was established in 2005 by Carole Samango Sprouse, EdD  A neurodevelopmentalist, Dr. Samango-Sprouse is the director of the Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Center for Young Children, located near Annapolis, Maryland, and an associate clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She serves as the Executive Director and Chief Science Officer of The Focus Foundation and has extensive experience with the three disorders that are the Foundation's focus X & Y Chromosomal Variations, Developmental Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Children with X & Y Variations are often diagnosed before birth and are known to have an increased incidence of both Developmental Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Therefore, infants with X & Y Variations provide a unique opportunity for observing the very early manifestations and the natural evolution of Developmental Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. By monitoring and helping guide the care of these infants, Dr. Samango-Sprouse has been able to both study and assist in the early treatment of Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Her experience, knowledge, unique education and insight is invaluable to The Focus Foundation, as is her recognition of the integration between a child's mind and learning style, and the importance of movement and motor skills as a framework of all of learning.

  Dr. Jerry Weichman, licensed psychologist, is an adolescent specialist, author, speaker and parenting expert. Housed in the prestigious Hoag Neurosciences Institute in Newport Beach, he has dedicated his career to enhancing adolescent skill development in academic, interpersonal and intrapersonal areas so that today's teens are well prepared for their adult lives. Dr. Jerry is a recognized expert on teens and teen crisis issues, and through his public speaking and private practice, provides relevant solutions to teen and parenting challenges. Suffering a right leg amputation as an infant, Dr. Jerry's formative years were particularly rife with emotional and social pitfalls. To deal with his insecurities, stress and depression, he developed a collection of survival tools, literally one tool at a time. While in college, Dr. Jerry further developed and enhanced The Tool Belt approach through extensive research while completing masters and Ph.D. programs. Today he teaches young adults what is now deemed the The Tool Belt and shares with them how it enabled him to overcome the challenges of teen life, play NCAA Division I Football, and attain a Ph.D. by the early age of 26.

  Our features children's foundation of the month. The March of Dimes help mothers have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.

  Mary O'Connor, President, Cushings Help Organization, Inc.

Diane Kissner Director of Out Placement at the Windward School an incredible resource for children with language based learning disabilities.  Placement is everything. From finding that specialty school to returning to a mainstream educational environment, early planning and collaboration is key. Join Diane as we discuss specific educational programs for children with language based learning disabilities and hear her "To Do" list of planning for transitioning your child into and out of special needs schools. 

Dr. Lynne Kenney is one of the most accessible psychologists in the US, an expert for Dr. Oz's Sharecare.com, organized wisdom, pediatricsafety and more, you can find her advice in Parenting, Parents, and Working Mother magazines. She is dedicated to helping parents raise happy, competent, ethical children.  A mom, author, producer and educator, Lynne is bringing brain-based parenting skills to radio and television so that we can move away from time-out as a primary parenting strategy. Today we'll learn the how and why of Dr. Lynne's passion and what she brings to you.

  Dr Lucy Miller Founder and Director of The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation ... expanding knowledge, fostering awareness and promoting recognition of Sensory Processing Disorder.  Join us as we discuss the amazing work this woman has done and what she continues to do in research and programs.  Dr Miller is the author of the incredible book "Sensational Kids" and has created several assessment tools for teachers and clinicians including MAP Miller Assessment for Preschoolers.  She is considered to be one of the foremost authorities in the diagnosis and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder.  

Alexander Souri Founder & Executive Director Relief Rider International  a humanitarian childrens foundation. Riders International (RRI) is a humanitarian-based, adventure travel company that organizes horseback journeys through breathtaking areas in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. Over the last six years Relief Riders International has held ten successful Relief Rides. During this period we were able to design and develop far reaching medical and educational programs providing school supplies, goats, medical care and cataract surgeries to rural communities in Rajasthan. Our free general medical camps provided us with the medical data to design and develop programs