))
If I Want My Child to Talk, I Need to Give Him Something to Talk About
Manage episode 491223896 series 3602422
Content provided by Lucinda Koza. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Lucinda Koza or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Claudia Charles-Sardine is a powerhouse appellate court attorney, but her most personal case? Advocating for her son, Justin, who is on the autism spectrum. In this deeply moving and inspiring conversation, Claudia shares how her legal training, faith, and Afro-Caribbean roots shape the way she mothers, fights systems, and builds community. From winning appeals to make sure her son gets the support he needs, to creating inclusive spaces in school and church, Claudia’s story is a masterclass in grace and grit.
Whether you’re a parent, professional, or both—this one will stay with you.
🔑 Topics We Cover:
What it means to be an Afro-Caribbean woman in the legal field
Navigating the special education system as a parent and attorney
How advocacy begins at home—and extends to every child
Letting go of shame and asking for help
Creating access to faith, friendship, and belonging for neurodivergent kids
The importance of sharing knowledge: “Each one, teach one”
🕰️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet Claudia Charles-Sardine: attorney, mother, advocate
02:00 – Growing up in Brooklyn in an Afro-Caribbean family
06:30 – Inside the appellate court system—and how it works
10:15 – Justin’s autism diagnosis: fear, faith, and fierce advocacy
14:45 – Winning an appeal for occupational therapy services
17:30 – The unseen burdens parents carry—and why we need safe spaces to vent
22:00 – A powerful moment of divine reassurance
26:00 – Why she celebrates the smallest milestones
30:00 – Empathy for all parents—and how her perspective has changed
34:00 – The social power of inclusion: from after-school to sacraments
42:30 – Building trust and support with your child’s school
46:00 – Her favorite mantra: “If I want my child to talk, I have to give him something to talk about”
👂 Listen If You’re…
Parenting a child with disabilities
Feeling overwhelmed in the IEP or therapy maze
A professional learning to hold space for families
Looking for real talk, spiritual grounding, and radical hope
📝 Connect with Claudia:
Want to reach out to Claudia? She welcomes connections from fellow parents and advocates.
📧 Email: [email protected]
25 episodes
Share
