Shifting Perspectives

Yolande Robinson and Latasha Strachan
Shifting Perspectives

This podcast challenges listeners to fuel themselves with diversity in the way they think, the way they work, the way they parent and the way they live. 

  1. Episode 79: Diagnosis and Beyond (with Natasha Gray)

    05/11/2024

    Episode 79: Diagnosis and Beyond (with Natasha Gray)

    Have you wondered whether your child or loved one is struggling with a learning difference or disability? Natasha Gray joins Yolande for a conversation about the importance of psychoeducational testing. Natasha addresses some of the myths and concerns that parents and caregivers often have, and sheds light on the multiple advantages of having assessments done.  Listeners will learn about how dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia present, and also how getting a diagnosis can be the starting point of learning to thrive with any learning difference or disability one has. Contact Info: Barbados- WhatsApp message (246) 825-8697  Jamaica - WhatsApp message (876) 560-2870  Instagram - @spark_learning  Website- www.sparklearningedu.com Email - sparkthelearning@gmail.com Guest Bio: Natasha Gray, Director of Spark Learning, is an Educational Diagnostician, Dyslexia Therapist and Structured Literacy Specialist who specializes in Learning Disabilities (LD). Her professional development and training has focused on Learning Disabilities and Special Education Needs (SEN)as well as Making Thinking Visible® and the Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory Approach. In addition to this, she has been a registered member of the British Psychological Society for over 18 years. Her company Spark Learning provides services in Psycho-Educational Assessments to children and adults as well as educational consulting and training to schools, teachers, teachers’ colleges, institutions and parents in Barbados and Jamaica. With more than 28+ years of experience, she has occupied diverse roles in the education sector, such as serving as an Educational Consultant on regional projects focusing on literacy and numeracy development. Natasha has diagnosed and worked with children both in the U.S. and regionally as the Regional Support Manager. She has supported schools, teachers and parents with workshops and presentations on ‘Identifying and Understanding Children with LD’. Natasha advocates for children with educational and social–emotional needs, particularly those with learning disabilities and most recently, has served as a Consultant, project leader and facilitator on development projects with development banks. Most recently, Natasha was the Lead Consultant at the Ministry of Education in Antigua and Barbuda, designing an Early Identification System (EIS) for psycho-social services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shifting Perspectives is a conversation with Yolande and Latasha that challenges listeners to fuel themselves with diversity in the way they think, the way they work, the way they parent and the way they live their lives. 🎧 Listen to Shifting Perspectives on Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Castro, Castbox, Podfriend or at www.learnandleadltd.com/podcast Follow Yolande @yolanderobinson Follow Latasha @latashastrachan

    33 min
  2. Episode 77: Autism Acceptance (with Melisha Williams)

    04/13/2024

    Episode 77: Autism Acceptance (with Melisha Williams)

    It's Autism Awareness Month, and on this episode of Shifting Perspectives, we are taking a stroll back through time with Melisha Williams, the mother of a brilliant and autistic teenage son.  Melisha opens up on her journey - the questions, the fears, and the faith. What emerges is a heartfelt story of hope and overcoming, which is what we wish for every family impacted by autism.   Melisha is now, not just an advocate for her son, but a voice for parents who are walking in similar shoes. Hers is a wonderful example of how not giving up is perhaps the best thing you can do for your autistic child.  Guest Bio:  Melisha Williams is an ABA specialist here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. She started her journey in education in 2005 when she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in English. After 16 years, Melisha took the bold decision to step away from the classroom and dedicate her focus to Special Needs Education. Her passion for making a difference comes from the personal obstacles faced by her and her family after her son was born and later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 8. Due to the lack of resources and the challenges that her family faced, Melisha started her Master’s degree in Applied Behavioural Analysis in 2021 and officially took the bold step of opening Oasis ABA Consultancy in June 2023. Melisha is now dedicating her time to offering support to families, spreading awareness, and gearing towards acceptance within her community. Shifting Perspectives is a conversation with Yolande and Latasha that challenges listeners to fuel themselves with diversity in the way they think, the way they work, the way they parent and the way they live their lives. 🎧 Listen to Shifting Perspectives on Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Castro, Castbox, Podfriend or at www.learnandleadltd.com/podcast Follow Yolande @yolanderobinson Follow Latasha @latashastrachan

    48 min

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This podcast challenges listeners to fuel themselves with diversity in the way they think, the way they work, the way they parent and the way they live. 

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