Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners

Dr. Vaish Sarathy
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Where we raise the bar on Education for children with a disability. Educating a child with a disability isn’t for the faint of heart, and if you’re a parent or educator who refuses to give up on your child’s potential, you’re in the right place. Hosted by TEDx speaker and Ph.D. Chemist Dr. Vaish Sarathy [mom to a non-speaking Autistic teen with Down syndrome], this podcast offers a bold new way to support your child’s learning, regulation, and independence without burnout or arbitrary busy work. Together we explore how to: - Break learning barriers so your child with Autism / Down Syndrome / ADHD can learn complex Math and Science - Make teaching and learning at home a flow state - Support brain + body health with practical, science-backed tools - Use Non Linear Education strategies to unlock growth in ways traditional systems never could Hear from top educators, researchers, and self-advocates. And most importantly, believe again: in your child, and in yourself.

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    190. Exploring the science of Failure for you and your Autistic learner

    In this edition of Non Linear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy and co-host Searmi Park unpack the buzz around “productive failure”and flip it on its head for neurodivergent learners. Inspired by Manu Kapur’s work and his recent conversation on 10% Happier, Vaish and Searmi explore when failure can deepen learning, when it harms, and why the word we’re actually looking for is exploration, not failure at least for this audience.  In this episode Productive failure what we think it means Why we don’t “design failure” for autistic students Parents as the ones who “fail productively” Real-life stories A challenge for listeners Key takeaways Exploration > evaluation. Our learners already face constant performance tests; they don’t need “engineered” failure. Hold the bar high, detach from outcomes. You can keep rigor and still protect nervous systems. Make the “failure” yours. Parents and educators can iterate on the environment, task, and supports instead of labeling the child. Build a web, not a bridge. Let detours teach the terrain. Resources & Links Book: Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing by Manu Kapur Podcast that sparked this convo: 10% Happier with Dan Harris “Let’s Normalize Failure (The Right Kind) | Manu Kapur.” (Spotify) Try this at home (Quarterly Challenge) Pick one stretch experience your child “can’t do”—museum hour, library time, a short concert, a new trail, and scaffold it respectfully (sensory-wise, regulation-wise). Debrief afterwards: What worked? What needs one tweak? What surprised you? About your hosts Dr. Vaish Sarathy — TEDx speaker, PhD educator, creator of Non Linear Education, and mom to a non-speaking autistic poet with Down syndrome. Searmi Park — Concertmaster, Eugene Symphony; founder of Autism Mustang Alliance; mom to a non-speaking autistic young adult. Support the show 💌 Get the free guide: Turn ON your child’s learning switch 🎓 Join the Non Linear Education waitlist ⭐ If this episode helped, please leave a 5-star review—and if it didn’t… maybe skip the review this time 😉

    28 min

  2. 1 SEPT.

    189. What Dyslexia Research Can Unlock for YOUR Autistic Learner

    When we think of dyslexia, most people imagine a reading problem. But the real story is far more complex and non linear - and the lessons from dyslexia research can open new doors for autistic learners (yay!). In this episode, I talk with Russell Van Brocklen, founder of Dyslexia Classes and known as The Dyslexia Professor. Russell shares why dyslexia is less about reading and more about how the brain organizes ideas - and how strategies that work for dyslexic learners may also translate to autistic students who think and learn in unique ways. We explore: Why dyslexia is not just a reading issue but a brain organization issue. How focusing on a child’s special interest unlocks motivation and comprehension. Why writing (typing) before reading is the breakthrough many students need. The crossover between dyslexic and autistic learners as specialists, not generalists. And of course, what you can do RIGHT NOW!   Listen, I know your autistic child may struggle outside their super special interests - and you may be struggling with how to help them move laterally to a different topic. THIS conversation will give you some ideas to think about. Here’s the freebie Russell mentioned in the podcast: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/nonlinearlearning/ You are a non linear parent, and you deserve a non linear path!    Next Step: Get on the waitlist for my course, Non Linear Education, where I teach parents how to build advanced, age-appropriate learning for their kids with disabilities. And if you found this episode helpful, please leave a review. Your words may be exactly what another parent needs to discover this podcast and know they’re not alone.

    17 min

  3. 8 AOÛT

    188 Rethinking College Readiness: Why Life Skills Aren’t Enough for Students with Disabilities

    In this episode of Nonlinear Learning, we challenge the conventional path parents often take when preparing children with disabilities for higher education. We discuss why focusing solely on life skills, physical independence, and basic academics can leave students unprepared for the real demands of college. Instead, I outline the true foundation that fosters genuine readiness for higher education and guess what - there is a key factor there - MOTIVATION. How do we build that?  Tune in to learn more. You’ll discover: Why physical independence, while valuable, doesn’t guarantee college readiness. How fluent academic communication—whether through speech, AAC, or spelling-based systems—unlocks learning potential. and more... Links & Resources: Join the waitlist for the Nonlinear Education Learn more about Dr. Vaish Sarathy

    13 min

  4. 31 JUIL.

    187 Not a "Math Person"? That’s a Myth - even if your child has Down Syndrome

    Why are so many of us terrified of math—but not history, art, or reading? In this episode of Nonlinear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy sits down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning, to why math anxiety exists and why it disproportionately affects children with disabilities.   Tune in to learn:   Why math anxiety shows up earlier and more intensely than other academic anxieties How early gaps in understanding compound into full-blown learning trauma by 3rd grade What the phrase “I’m not a math person” is really masking—and how to dismantle it The problem with waiting until a child is “ready” for math   This is for parents burned out by the grind of addition, AND educators trying to find a new way forward ...   Key Quotes: “The real problem isn’t the math—it’s the meaning we’ve assigned to our struggles with it.” — Dr. Aditya Nagrath “There is no diagnosis that disqualifies someone from understanding math. You just have to meet them at their level.” — Dr. Vaish Sarathy Resources & Mentions: Learn more about Dr. Nagrath and Elephant Learning: www.elephantlearning.com Listen to Vaish’s TEDx talk: "Who Decides How Smart You Are?" https://www.drvaishsarathy.com/

    29 min

  5. 18 JUIL.

    186 Allowing Imperfection - The Teaching Strategy that leads to the most growth

    One of the biggest hurdles in disability education is the Insistence on Completion / Perfection.   In this episode, Dr. Vaish Sarathy breaks down the one rule that every parent and educator of disabled children needs to hear: Progress in Learning requires gaps.   And refusing to move forward until every milestone is mastered is the fastest route to stagnation.   She uses the lens of game theory to map out a “payoff matrix” that compares the risks of moving forward (even when skills are shaky) to the devastating cost of waiting. Spoiler: the risks of progressing are minimal. The potential payoff? Life-changing.   You can sign up for the waitlist for Vaish's path breaking course: Non Linear Education here: www.drvaishsarathy.com/nonlineareducation   Drop a queestion for Vaish to answer at nonlinearlearningpodcast@gmail.com

    9 min

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    185 Ancient Wisdom, Modern Needs - Ayurveda, Regulation & Learning with Anuradha Gupta

    I am joined by Ayurvedic practitioner Anuradha Gupta in this episode to look at how Ayurveda can support emotional regulation, and learning of neurodivergent children and their caregivers.   We talk about:   What doshas and gunas really are, and how they shape your child’s emotions, attention, and learning The Ayurvedic principle of chatushpad and why a child’s progress is inseparable from a parent’s wellbeing Strategies for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha imbalances in autistic and non-speaking children How to regulate when breathwork isn’t possible, and why co-regulation matters more than ever Why honoring your child’s natural tendencies isn’t permissive parenting—it’s transformational   Learn Sudarshan Kriya (SKY Breath Meditation): https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/sky

    37 min

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    184: Gestalt, Scripting, Echolalia and the Speech vs Language problem!

    Is your child's speech meaningful? In this unfiltered episode of Non Linear Learning, co-hosts Dr. Vaish Sarathy and Searmi Park talk about the difference between speech and language, and why that may be everything in educating our kids with disabilities.   Here's what they talk about: Why scripting and echolalia aren’t proof of limited cognition The danger of over-labeling learners as "gestalt processors" How presumed competence starts where speech ends Why academics—not behavior—is the best way to detect intention   This is the episode for you if you’ve ever wondered: Is my child’s speech meaningful? How do I know if they understand but can’t express it? What should I do when I don’t know what’s motor, comprehension, or behavior?   👉 If this episode made you think or gave you hope, please leave a review so others can find us. It makes all the difference.

    37 min

  8. 20 JUIN

    183 When Speech Isn’t Language: Understanding the Real Barrier to Communication

    Does your child echo everything you say—but struggle to express their own thoughts? In this episode of Non Linear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy tackles one of the most misunderstood differences in developmental education: the gap between speech and language—and why recognizing this difference can completely shift how you teach your autistic child. You'll learn: How speech apraxia and motor planning issues can mask true intelligence Why “presuming competence” often means “presuming apraxia" A powerful mindset shift that could change everything for your child’s learning journey Free Resource Download your free guide to Non Linear Learning: www.drvaishsarathy.com/nonlinearlearning  Do :) Leave a Review If this episode gave you a new perspective, help us reach more parents and educators by leaving a review wherever you listen.

    6 min
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À propos

Where we raise the bar on Education for children with a disability. Educating a child with a disability isn’t for the faint of heart, and if you’re a parent or educator who refuses to give up on your child’s potential, you’re in the right place. Hosted by TEDx speaker and Ph.D. Chemist Dr. Vaish Sarathy [mom to a non-speaking Autistic teen with Down syndrome], this podcast offers a bold new way to support your child’s learning, regulation, and independence without burnout or arbitrary busy work. Together we explore how to: - Break learning barriers so your child with Autism / Down Syndrome / ADHD can learn complex Math and Science - Make teaching and learning at home a flow state - Support brain + body health with practical, science-backed tools - Use Non Linear Education strategies to unlock growth in ways traditional systems never could Hear from top educators, researchers, and self-advocates. And most importantly, believe again: in your child, and in yourself.

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