Q&A: ACT/SAT Testing Accommodations

What are the challenges of being a neurodivergent woman? We are taking a break from our Q&A series this week to address this question!

Michelle Markman of ND Coach, Inc is my guest this week, and she works to empower high-masking, high-achieving women, particularly those who have been late-diagnosed or self-diagnosed autistic (or otherwise neurodivergent).

So what are the challenges of being a neurodivergent woman? Well, in some ways they aren't that different from the challenges of being a woman... perhaps, as we say in the podcast, "just more so!" 

Join me today in our episode, The Challenges of Being a Neurodivergent Woman! 

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-58

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Our next Q&A is all about ACT/SAT Testing Accommodations, a topic of great concern to those with high schoolers.

Today we will be answering important questions like: Which test should my student take? How do I apply for accommodations? What kinds of accommodations could I possibly apply for? Is there anyone who can help with this process?

You can ease your mind about ACT/SAT testing accommodations as I am including links to all the relevant information and necessary forms to apply for ACT/SAT accommodations in the Show Notes.

I am also including a link to my Boost Packet: Planning, Organizing, Documenting Your Homeschool: The Neurodivergent Way. This is a great tool to help you document along the way so applying for these accommodations will not be so overwhelming.

And if you still feel overwhelmed, you can check out my Special Needs Membership. It is a great way to get some help documenting along the way. And if you reach the high school years and still feel overwhelmed, I can walk with you through every step of the way!

Join me today as I help you chart a path towards your student's future!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-57

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Our next Q&A is all about Misophonia, a condition where a person experiences a decreased tolerance for certain sounds. To help us understand more about Misophonia, I have asked Doctor of Audiology Rae Stout to join me!

Dr. Stout is an Autistic Audiologist that has taken a particular interest in using low gain hearing aids to help children not only cope with Misophonia but to hopefully increase their tolerance for certain sounds.

Dr. Stout speaks to the fact that exposure therapy is rarely successful, but tools like low gain hearing aids that give a child control over their auditory environment can be helpful in decreasing the severity of the child's experience with Misophonia!

I always say that if you want to find a truly exceptional professional in any field that you should look for an Autistic person with a special interest in that field, and Dr. Rea Stout does not disappoint!!

Join me today as I talk with Dr. Rae Stout about the fascinating world of sound!!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-56

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

Today is all about Primitive Reflexes! And I invited Sarah Collins of Homeschool OT to help us out as we dive into this topic! 

Sarah is not just a talented OT. She is also a homeschool mom with lived experience with retained primitive reflexes!

What are primitive reflexes? Primitive reflexes are things that our bodies naturally do as babies but that we loose as we develop.

When development gets interrupted, we can end up retaining our primitive reflexes instead of loosing them,  which can cause a lot of difficulties in ALL areas of development!

Join me today as I talk with Sarah about what all you need to know about primitive reflexes!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-55

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

This Is Why We Homeschool - Part 2! Last week's episode addressed some questions that could all be answered with the sentence: "This is why we homeschool!" This week I want to expound on that idea by explaining the inverse of why we homeschool!

When people ask why we homeschool, what they sometimes really want to know is, "Why don't you go to school?" Very often they are wondering why I might go to that much effort when we are surrounded by good schools.

In this episode, I share some of the stories that helped me decide that this was the best choice for our family. That doesn't mean it is the best choice for every family every year. But no matter what you choose, you need to stay vigilant!

There are horrible things that happen every year in our schools all over the United States. The only way to make sure your children stay safe and receive a quality education is to be involved--no matter what your educational choices!

Join me today and find out why we homeschool and don't go to school!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-54

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

This is why we homeschool! We are continuing our Q&A series this week, and all of the questions for today’s episode can all be answered with the sentence: "This is why we homeschool!"

There are so many things that can make life more difficult for those of us with needs that fall outside the average. Sensory processing differences can be especially challenging and even more so during puberty, a time when our sensory systems are on high alert!

How do we support our kids well? How do we teach them to support themselves? What do we do when they refuse the coping strategies we offer? How do we manage the requirements placed on us as adults while also respecting our child's differences?

Join me today to find out why we homeschool and what a difference it can make if only we have the courage to step out and go against the grain! 

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-53

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

We are continuing our Q&A series this week. All of the questions for today’s episode will focus on how to effectively shoulder the responsibility of advocating for others.

There is no doubt that advocating for others does place a burden on the advocate, no matter how much we love and care about the person we are advocating for.

This burden is doubly challenging for Neurodivergent parents who not only have to navigate the importance of self-care like other parents, but they also have to communicate and work within a system that is not designed for them.

So what do you do? Do you just give up? None of the parents I know would accept that as an answer! But there are some things we can do to support ourselves!

Join me today to find out the answer to these and other questions!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-52

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

We are continuing our Q&A series this week. All of the questions for today’s episode will focus on inspiring confidence in our children.

Parents wrote in asking about their struggles with helping their children to not only understand themselves but also accept themselves.

Can we help our children become more confident in themselves? If so, how?

Join me today to find out the answer to these and other questions!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-51

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

We are beginning 2024 with a series of podcast episodes on questions asked by members of my Facebook group! All of the questions for today's episode, the first episode of the new year, focus on how we can find balance.

Parents wrote in asking how they could find balance in helping their children but also enjoying their children. They asked how to find balance in setting expectations and offering accommodations.

All parents doubt themselves and worry that they are missing the mark. But finding balance is a lot like surfing. You can't analyze it. You have to feel it and make tiny corrections to compensate as you go!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-50

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!

For the last episode of 2023, I felt like it was important to remind all the moms out there that you are people too!

2023 has been a hard year for many people I know (myself included),  and sometimes this time of year can bring some extra stress.

Sometimes we, as moms, need a reminder that as people we also have needs that are worthy of being cared for.

As I take a brief holiday break to take care of myself, I want to encourage you to also find some ways to invest in yourself because you are worth it!

Show Notes: https://amybodkin.com/podcast-episode-49

For more info about Amy Bodkin, a Special Needs Consultant for parents and professionals, visit our website:
Amy Bodkin Consulting – Seeing the Possibilities through a Neurodivergent Lens because Special Needs Kids Are People Too!