Opportunity Gap: For Families Navigating Special Education

Understood.org
  • 5.0 (29)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Navigating the education system can be overwhelming for families whose children have ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning and thinking differences. Opportunity Gap is a podcast that sheds light on the real challenges families face when trying to get the right support for their kids. On this show, we explore how identity, race, disability, and access to resources can make the education journey more challenging — and what parents can do about it. Join host Julian Saavedra, an assistant principal and father of two, as he shares real stories, expert insights, and practical strategies to help you advocate for your child.

  1. Help kids face failure without stepping in to fix it

    2D AGO

    Help kids face failure without stepping in to fix it

    Kids can learn to carry the “boulders” of their feelings, build resilience, and make independent choices without parents taking over. As hard as it is to watch them struggle, sometimes the best support is simply listening and being present.  In this episode, Dr. Nanika Coor shares practical ways to hold space for kids facing challenges at school, with friends, or in social situations. For more on this topic Download: Is my child resilient? Listen: Why let your child fail? Read: My son failed a test. Here’s how I helped him. For a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    25 min
  2. Do kids really need homework?

    FEB 18

    Do kids really need homework?

    Homework can be a source of stress for kids and families, especially for those with learning and thinking differences. In this episode, assistant principal Julian Saavedra breaks down what homework is good for, when it can become overwhelming, and practical ways to support kids. From creating routines and communicating with teachers to leveraging IEPs and 504 plans, Julian shares strategies to make homework a positive, manageable part of learning and help kids build habits that stick. For more on this topic Listen: Homework battlesRead: FAQ about homework for kidsDownload: Homework contract for your childFor a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    11 min
  3. Introducing Everyone Gets a Juice Box

    FEB 11

    Introducing Everyone Gets a Juice Box

    Discover a new show on the Understood Podcast Network: Everyone Gets a Juice Box, hosted by Jessica Shaw!  This series explores the real challenges parents face raising neurodivergent kids — with honest conversations that balance frustration, humor, and small victories. In this episode, hear how one mom navigates unexpected struggles with her young daughter and the creative ways she finds solutions. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min
  4. Top 5 IEP meeting tips from a parent advocate

    FEB 4

    Top 5 IEP meeting tips from a parent advocate

    As a parent advocate and mom, Danielle Ward has been in countless IEP meetings. She’s a wealth of knowledge on how to make the most of your time with the special education team.  From bringing supportive guests (including your child when appropriate) to decoding confusing assessments, Danielle and Julian share practical, clear steps to help you feel confident and prepared for your next IEP meeting. For more on this topic:  Explore: All about IEPs on Understood.orgListen: Understood Explains IEPsRead: IEP terms to knowListen: The ABCs of IEPSFor a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
  5. The mid-year reset: How parents can help kids finish the school year strong

    JAN 21

    The mid-year reset: How parents can help kids finish the school year strong

    We’re officially halfway through the school year. That makes this the perfect moment to pause and reset. In this solo episode, Julian shares why mid-year check-ins matter — and how families can use this “halftime” moment to reflect, adjust routines, and set meaningful goals.  Most importantly: Talk to your child, partner with teachers, and review those IEP goals! For more on this topic:  Download: IEP goal trackerRead: Questions to ask about your child’s IEP goalsListen: How to get over the “mid-year slump”Read: Questions you should ask your child about schoolFor a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    12 min
  6. Phone-free classrooms: What happens when devices disappear

    JAN 7

    Phone-free classrooms: What happens when devices disappear

    It seems like everyone has a phone in their hand these days, and kids are no exception. But increasingly, schools are starting to limit phones — or even ban them. What does that mean for students, teachers, and families?  In this episode, Julian chats with Dr. Julie Mayring, middle school director and psychologist at Bay Ridge Prep in Brooklyn, about her school’s nine-year phone ban. They discuss how it affects focus, mental health, friendships, and parent communication. Dr. Mayring also shares tips on handling pushback, keeping kids safe, and making sure technology helps learning instead of getting in the way of it. For more on this topic:  Read: Accessibility and assistive technology for kidsRead: Signs your child is ready for a cell phoneDownload: Cell phone “contract” for kidsFor a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min
  7. School refusal vs. sick days: What’s really going on?

    12/17/2025

    School refusal vs. sick days: What’s really going on?

    In this episode, Julian breaks down “chronic absenteeism.” What is that, you ask? As parents, you’re probably familiar with kids avoiding school. But when does a feeling turn into a pattern? And what can that tell us about a child’s school experience?  Julian will explain the difference between occasional sick days and ongoing patterns, what true school refusal really looks like, and what you can do about it. For more on this topic:  Listen: School refusal (when kids say “no”)Read: How to help kids cope with school refusalDownload: Find out why your child doesn’t want to go to schoolFor a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    10 min
  8. How “bad behavior” may signal anxiety in kids with ADHD

    12/03/2025

    How “bad behavior” may signal anxiety in kids with ADHD

    Many kids with ADHD also deal with anxiety. Together, this can end up looking like defiance, avoidance, or just acting out at school.  In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on behind these behaviors. And we share practical ways that parents can support their kids — at home and at school — through clear communication, behavior plans, and strategies that actually work. For more on this topic:  Listen: How can you help an anxious childRead: 6 things I wish I’d known about my son’s anxietyDownload: Anxiety tracker for kidsTimestamps:   (05:40) Why teachers misinterpret ADHD behavior as defiance (10:30) Behavior is communication: Decoding what kids are really saying (16:00) How behavior intervention plans (BIPs) support kids with ADHD (22:30) Motivating kids: Rewards, buy-in, and real-world success For a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org. Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    29 min
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Navigating the education system can be overwhelming for families whose children have ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning and thinking differences. Opportunity Gap is a podcast that sheds light on the real challenges families face when trying to get the right support for their kids. On this show, we explore how identity, race, disability, and access to resources can make the education journey more challenging — and what parents can do about it. Join host Julian Saavedra, an assistant principal and father of two, as he shares real stories, expert insights, and practical strategies to help you advocate for your child.

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