You know what we don't talk about enough? Raising humans for the first time. Once a child comes into your care (as a parent, caregiver, uncle, teacher, mentor, etc.) you are learning in real time. You've never done this before! NOW add on the fact that your child was born with a disability. It's one that it invisible to the eye but continues to be seen as societal expectations push a human being over time. Now, you're lets say, a parent. You are now a parent to a child with (maybe) an identified disability. However you thought you'd be as a parent disappears because now you're learning in real time what you need to do to help your child. You also need to know the rights and supports your child can receive. You need to attend appointments that you have never even heard of, and you don't know how to navigate. You are after all, a parent...for the first time.We are so grateful to have Kayla Read @travelingredballoon talk parenting, neurodivergence, autism, IEPs, 504s, CSEs, and how we need to change the world as we raise humans and ourselves for the first time. Kayla Read is a mom of three, including two children on the autism spectrum, whose life has been shaped by learning how to support different needs, rhythms, and ways of experiencing the world. Her perspective is grounded in the everyday realities of parenting—adapting, listening, and growing alongside her kids.Through her experiences, she’s come to see learning as something deeply human and ongoing, often found in the messy, unplanned moments. While she works as a travel advisor and created Traveling Red Balloon, her work is simply an extension of her life—helping families navigate the world with more ease, understanding, and care.Kayla brings a thoughtful and honest lens to conversations about raising humans, parenting, neurodiversity, autism, and what it really looks like to raise and become human at the same time for the first time. We are all learning how to thrive in a world that is not designed for everyone, and raising humans in today’s society means learning how to raise humans and parent that meets the needs of children and ourselves. #iep #specialeducation #education #parenting #cse #advocacy #504 #podcast #family #children #raisinghumans #new #interview #conversation #learn #learning #fyp #fun #autism #disability #autismawareness #disabilityawareness #disney
