Best BCS Students Podcasts (2025)

1
Tips for Speaking with Loved Ones About Your Child | Season 7 Episode 7 31:08

21d ago31:08

31:08

In this episode we speak with mental health professional Josie Gardner about ways to navigate tricky conversations with loved ones regarding our child and their needs, diagnosis, challenges and strengths. Josie discusses the positives, and possible negatives, of directly naming and speaking about a diagnosis your child might have. She also gives ti…

1
Eloping: What is it and How Can We Address it? with Dr. Natalie Montfort | Season 7 Episode 6 36:29

1M ago36:29

36:29

In this episode Dr. Natalie Montfort, PhD discusses eloping. She shares what it means for a child to elope or wander and where and when it can happen. She also answers questions about which children are most at risk of eloping and ways families and caregivers can prepare themselves. Throughout this conversation Dr. Montfort provides research-based …

1
When Supporting Your Child Means Supporting Yourself, with expert Courtney Suddath | Season 7 Episode 5 40:38

4M ago40:38

40:38

In parenting, it’s often said that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In other words, children are often a lot like their parents! This can be a great thing and also cause some frustration. In this episode we speak with licensed professional counselor, Courtney Suddath, about ways parents can support their children when they find themselves …

1
Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech, with expert Nancy Kaufman | Season 7 Episode 4 35:49

5M ago35:49

35:49

Today’s episode is from our podcast vault, previously released in our first season! We sit down with speech-language pathologist and Childhood Apraxia of Speech expert, Nancy Kaufman. Nancy is the owner and director of the Kaufman Children’s Center in Michigan where she has established the Kaufman Speech to Language protocol, a treatment approach t…

1
Navigating the Holidays | Season 7 Episode 3 21:11

6M ago21:11

21:11

It’s December and for many that means the start of a very busy holiday season. From travel, to major changes in schedules, to unfamiliar holiday traditions, this can be a difficult season for children to navigate. However, there are a few simple strategies parents can use to take some stress out of the holidays for the whole family. This previously…

1
Carol Westby, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL : The Importance of Play and Narratives in Early Learning | Season 7, Episode 2 33:05

7M ago33:05

33:05

In this episode, we speak with legendary Speech-Language Pathologist, Dr. Carol Westby, about the importance of play and personal narratives in early learning for later language and academic success. During the episode, Carol discusses how she began researching play, and shares her years of experience supporting students in public schools. She also…

1
Matt Fugate, PhD : Understanding Twice Exceptional Students | Season 7, Episode 1 41:55

8M ago41:55

41:55

In this episode, guest Dr. Matt Fugate discusses twice exceptional, or 2E, students. 2E students have been identified as Gifted and Talented along with another diagnosis such as a learning or neurological difference or communication disorder. We were surprised by Matt’s definition of what it means to be twice exceptional, which gave us a new perspe…

1
Stephanie Landis and Meredith Krimmel: Preventing the Summer Slide | Season 6, Episode 9 33:03

1y ago33:03

33:03

Parents and children all have the same dream – to spend their summer days having fun without the stress and pressure of the school year. However, many parents also worry that too much fun could cause a loss of progress or skills gained during the year, or as some call it, the dreaded “summer slide.” Luckily, there are many ways to have fun while st…

1
Marilyn Zecher, M.A., CALT : Multisensory Math | Season 6, Episode 8 53:32

1y ago53:32

53:32

In this episode we speak with dyslexia specialist, Marilyn Zecher, MA, CALT, about using her expertise and experience as a Certified Academic Language Therapist to teach mathematics. During the episode, Marilyn explains what it means to teach using a “multisensory approach”, discusses the intersection of language and mathematics and talks about why…

1
Dr. Michele Joseph: Supporting Neurodiverse Students into Young Adulthood | Season 6, Episode 7 47:52

1y ago47:52

47:52

In this episode Stephanie speaks with Dr. Michele Joseph, Head of School at Gateway Academy about supporting high school students as they transition into young adulthood. Gateway Academy is a private school in Houston, Texas that serves 6th-12th grade students with academic and social challenges. Through their programming, Gateway supports students…

1
Elizabeth Elder: Finding Community and Support | Season 6, Episode 6 34:46

1y ago34:46

34:46

In this episode we speak with Elizabeth Elder about finding a community and support system as a mother of children with special needs. Elizabeth is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, a Houston based support group for Mothers of children with special needs. Steel Magnolia Moms offers a variety of programs, events, and an online community designed t…

1
Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo: Using Conscious Discipline at Home | Season 6, Episode 5 53:09

1+ y ago53:09

53:09

In this episode Elizabeth Montero-Cefalo, former special education teacher and Conscious Discipline Master Instructor, discusses the positive impact of using Conscious Discipline at home and in her classroom. Elizabeth highlights the changes she implemented in her classroom and home that had the greatest impact as well as which elements of consciou…

1
Ash Brandin: Managing Screen Time | Season 6, Episode 4 47:26

1+ y ago47:26

47:26

Screens are becoming increasingly interwoven into our children’s everyday lives. Unfortunately, a lot of the information around screen usage is either contradictory, vague, or rooted in extremes. This can leave parents confused, frustrated, or feeling guilty as they navigate screen usage for their family. In this episode, educator Ash Brandin (@The…

1
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC-SLP: Strategies to Support Executive Functioning | Season 6, Episode 3 44:00

1+ y ago44:00

44:00

In this episode we sit down with Speech-Language Pathologist and executive functioning expert, Sarah Ward to discuss strategies to support the development of executive functions at home and school. Sarah starts off by giving a brief overview of what “executive functioning” means in everyday life then jumps into practical and effective ways parents,…

1
Becky Willson, MS, CCC-SLP: Linking Language Therapy and Academics | Season 6, Episode 2 50:37

1+ y ago50:37

50:37

In this episode, we speak with pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Becky Wilson, about the link between language disorders and academics and how targeting underlying language skills helps support students learning. Throughout the episode Becky discusses ways reading, math, and all areas of school are interwoven with underlying language skills and…

1
Melissa Howard, DPT: What is Pediatric Physical Therapy | Season 6, Episode 1 32:34

1+ y ago32:34

32:34

In this episode, we sit down with pediatric physical therapist, Melissa Howard, DPT to talk about the basics of pediatric physical therapy. Melissa explains what physical therapy is, signs a child may benefit from physical, how it differs from occupational therapy, and ways she collaborates with other therapists. While many areas physical therapist…

1
Anjela Martinez and Jill Wood: Making Summer Reading Fun | Season 5, Episode 10 43:38

2y ago43:38

43:38

Summer is finally here! And while many kids have dreams of days spent at the pool, playing outside or having all day tv marathons, it is also the perfect time to kick back and relax with a good book! In this episode, Anjela Martinez from the Harris County Public Library Outreach Program and special co-host Parish School librarian, Jill Wood, share …

1
Dr. Michelle Beard: Part 2 - Accepting a Diagnosis | Season 5, Episode 9 54:48

2y ago54:48

54:48

When a child receives a diagnosis, it can impact the entire family and bring on a variety of emotions and responses from parents. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Beard returns to the podcast to discuss a child receiving a diagnosis from the parent and care giver perspective. She touches on a variety of emotions that parents commonly report, ways pare…

1
Rachel Czar: What is Occupational Therapy? | Season 5, Episode 8 26:07

2y ago26:07

26:07

In this episode, pediatric Occupational Therapist Rachel Czar answers all our questions about the basics of occupational therapy (OT) including our most commonly asked question- what is OT? Throughout the episode Rachel discusses signs a child might benefit from OT and how to obtain an evaluation. She also discusses ways specific areas of difficult…

1
Dr. Michelle Beard: Speaking to Children About Their Diagnosis | Season 5, Episode 7 52:00

2+ y ago52:00

52:00

In this episode we tackle a frequently asked question: “Should I tell my child about their diagnosis? And if so, how?”. When a child receives a diagnosis such as dyslexia, autism, ADHD, or a Language or Learning Disorder it can be difficult for parents to know how to discuss this with their child. According to our guest, Dr. Michelle Beard, there i…

1
Sharon Duval, CCC-SLP: DIR® Floortime Model of Therapy | Season 5, Episode 6 44:23

2+ y ago44:23

44:23

In this episode we discuss the DIR® Floortime model of therapy with Sharon Duval, CCC-SLP. DIR stands for the Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based model which highlights the power of relationships and emotional connections to fuel development. Throughout the episode Sharon discusses the underlying principles of DIR® Floorti…

1
Wade Barrett: Exploring Inclusive Sports Programing | Season 5. Episode 5 39:06

2+ y ago39:06

39:06

Finding an activity outside of school that is developmentally appropriate and inclusive of neurodivergent children or children with speech and language difficulties can be a challenge for parents. While many of our kids may excel in physical activities, they may struggle to attend for long periods, follow multiple step instructions, or need repetit…

1
Greg Santucci, MS, OTR: Supporting Sensory Regulation | Season 5. Episode 4 44:31

2+ y ago44:31

44:31

In this episode, Stephanie and Meredith sit down with the Keynote Speaker from The Parish School’s 2022 Giving Voice to Children Luncheon, Greg Santucci. Throughout the episode Greg discusses ways to see beyond a child’s behavior by supporting their underlying sensory and safety needs at home and in the classroom. Greg uses specific examples from h…

1
Jennifer Anderson from Kids Eat in Color: Pediatric Nutrition Q&A | Season 5. Episode 3 38:05

2+ y ago38:05

38:05

In this episode, we use questions submitted by Unbabbled listeners in an informal Q&A with pediatric dietician Jennifer Anderson MSPH, RND. Jennifer has firsthand experience not only as a dietician, but as a mother of a picky eater. She uses her expertise and life experience to answer questions ranging from “How do I introduce more protein” and “He…

1
Ali Allawala and Farzeen Ali: The Karachi Down Syndrome Program | Season 5. Episode 2 48:30

2+ y ago48:30

48:30

In this episode we sit down with Ali Allawala and Farzeen Ali to discuss their innovative and inspiring work to support families and individuals with Down Syndrome. Ali and Farzeen are Co-founders and current directors of The Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP). KDSP is a non-profit organization in Karachi Pakistan, launched in March 2014 by a gro…

1
Cari Ebert: Play Based Speech-Language Therapy | Season 5. Episode 1 54:07

2+ y ago54:07

54:07

In this episode, we speak with Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Cari Ebert about the importance of play and relational connections in supporting a child’s language development. Cari shares her own personal experiences that have shaped her perspective and therapeutic style, discusses the science-based importance of play on children’s brain deve…

1
Mr. Chazz: Conscious Parenting | Season 4. Episode 10 43:02

3y ago43:02

43:02

In this episode, we chat with Mr. Chazz, a parent and teacher coach, about positive behavior approaches at home and in the classroom. He is an early childhood educator, educational specialist, and parenting coach. In the episode Mr Chazz discusses his three-step approach of see, guide, trust by walking us through each stop. He also touches on the i…

1
Mary Mecham: Disability Book Week | Season 4, Episode 9 22:39

3y ago22:39

22:39

In this episode, we sit down with Mary Mecham, Director of Disability Book Week to learn about this year’s inaugural event. Mary is an avid reader, advocate, and mother of two girls with rare genetic disorders. She has teamed up with Parish School Teacher Caralou Smith to start Disability Book Week as part of their capstone project with Texas Partn…

1
Bonnie Jones and Meredith Krimmel: Understanding Specialty School Admissions | Season 4, Episode 8 33:29

3y ago33:29

33:29

A substantial part of finding the right school for your child is going through the seemingly daunting admissions process! In this episode we chat with the director of admissions from Gateway Academy, Bonnie Jones, MS, CCC-SLP and The Parish School’s director of admissions and Unbabbled co-cost, Meredith Krimmel, MS, CCC-SLP. Throughout the episode …

1
Houston School Options: Finding the Right School for Your Child | Season 4, Episode 7 38:32

3y ago38:32

38:32

Our guests today, Dee Dee Halpin and Julie Blumberg run Houston School Options where they help families find the most effective school program for their children. Over the years, Dee Dee and Julie have helped guide numerous families - both new to the city and Houston natives - through the school choice process. During our conversation they discuss …

1
Dr. Steven Hogan: Preparing for the Dentist | Season 4, Episode 6 29:53

3y ago29:53

29:53

In this episode we chat with pediatric dentist Dr. Steven Hogan about the unique challenges and treatment for a neurodiverse population, including children with sensory processing difficulties, anxiety, communication difficulties, and a wide range of medical diagnoses. Dr. Hogan discusses things parents can do to prepare children for the dentist, t…

1
Kacie Barnes: Taking the Stress Out of Feeding Your Kids | Season 4, Episode 5 40:38

3+ y ago40:38

40:38

In this episode we speak with registered dietician Kacie Barnes about pediatric nutrition. Kacie is the owner of Mama Knows Nutrition, where she helps parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers find solutions to nourish their families without stress, guilt, or chaos. Throughout the episode, Kacie shares tips for introducing new foods, discusses …

1
Huyen Cao: Navigating the Public School Special Education System | Season 4, Episode 4 41:17

3+ y ago41:17

41:17

The public school system offers a wide range of services for children free of charge! But Navigating through the paperwork, knowing what services are available, understanding the laws and regulations and learning the new lingo can be overwhelming and confusing! In this week’s episode, speech language pathologist, Huyen Cao, MA, CCC-SLP answers our …

1
Alyssa Blask Campbell: Emotional Intelligence and Sensory Regulation | Season 4, Episode 3 45:19

3+ y ago45:19

45:19

Alyssa Blask Campbell, Med, is an emotional development expert with a master's degree in early childhood education. She is the founder of Seed and Sew, an online modern parenting community, and the co-created the Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) method, a how-to guide for responding to tiny humans' big emotions to build emotional intelligence…

1
Supporting Siblings of Neurodiverse Kids Part 2 with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S | Season 4 Episode 2 40:04

3+ y ago40:04

40:04

This episode continues our discussion on supporting siblings with input from a mental health professional. Our guest, Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, RPT-S, gives advice on how to talk to children about struggles one child may have and gives ideas for supporting families as they navigate family dynamics and emotions. During our conversation Lynn not only give…

1
Supporting Siblings of Neurodiverse Kids: A Parent Perspective with Katie Higgins | Season 4, Episode 1 38:57

3+ y ago38:57

38:57

You may have heard it said, “Your sibling is your first friend” or “A sibling is a built-in best friend”. And while these common sayings can be true, sibling relationships are often complex and messy - swinging from loving, supportive, cooperative to jealous and fighting, then back again! Add into the mix a child with neurodiversity or complex medi…

1
At-Home Toddler Activities with Beth from Days with Grey | Season 3, Episode 11 1:10:16

4y ago1:10:16

1:10:16

Do mornings with your young children often feel hectic? Does starting the day with TV or iPad games set the wrong tone for the rest of your day? Beth from the website Days with Grey has a solution: start the day with simple, intentional, play-based learning activities! In this episode of Unbabbled, Beth, a teacher turned stay-at-home mom turned bus…

1
At-Home Support for Children with ADHD Featuring Dr. Kimberly Harrison | Season 3, Episode 10 1:10:17

4y ago1:10:17

1:10:17

Do you ever wonder why your child with ADHD has trouble getting started on chores or homework? Have you noticed that they get off track when following seemingly simple instructions? Or does preparing to leave your house in the morning often feel chaotic? Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Kimberly Harrison discusses why individuals with ADHD operate differ…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Being an Informed SLP with Meredith Harold 26:05

4y ago26:05

26:05

This special episode was recorded in February 2020 at the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (TSHA) Annual Convention in Houston, and is being released in conjunction with the 2021 Virtual TSHA Convention. In this episode, we speak with Meredith Poore Harold, PhD, CCC-SLP, about the importance of evidence-based practice, barriers clinician…

1
At-Home Sensory-Based Play Activities with Julie Friedman | Season 3, Episode 9 26:00

4y ago26:00

26:00

Mompreneur Julie Friedman joins us this episode to discuss her journey to bringing sensory-based play into her home. Julie is the owner and founder of Young, Wild & Friedman, a Houston-based company that ships sensory play kits worldwide. She shares her inspiration for starting her business and gives a first-hand account of how sensory-based play h…

1
At-Home Activities That Support Your Child’s Social-Emotional Development with Amanda Armbruster | Season 3, Episode 8 47:21

4y ago47:21

47:21

Licensed professional counselor, Amanda Armbruster, provides advice for supporting children’s social and emotional development at home. Hear meaningful tips to help children through everyday challenges, including how to navigate big emotions in public places, how to deal with low impulse control, what to do when you feel your child “knows better,” …

1
At-Home Activities That Support Your Elementary Student’s Learning | Season 3, Episode 7 38:19

4y ago38:19

38:19

Reading specialist, Jordan Boyce, shares practical, easy and fun ideas that parents can do at home to support their elementary-aged child’s (ages 5-9) learning. Throughout the episode, Jordan provides hands-on, engaging activities to support a child’s developing reading and math skills using materials most families already have on-hand, like Legos,…

1
At-Home Activities That Support Your Tween’s Learning | Season 3, Episode 6 33:33

4+ y ago33:33

33:33

Elementary teacher Wendy Garza, Wendy provides a variety of simple, engaging and practical activities parents can do at home with their tween (kids ages 9-12) to support their academic learning. tips on using children’s interests to drive fun inquiry-based learning projects, provides methods for engaging children when practicing reading, and discus…

1
Mental Health and Medication with Dr. Alain Katic | Season 3, Episode 5 52:55

4+ y ago52:55

52:55

Dr. Alain Katic of Houston Clinical Trials joins us to answer parents' and professionals' questions about mental health and medication. He discusses how to tell if a medication is working, how long it takes to see changes, and provides information on side effects parents may see with certain medications. Many questions asked are related specificall…

1
Tips to Survive and Thrive During the Holidays | Season 3, Episode 4 20:51

4+ y ago20:51

20:51

The holidays are here, and our hosts are discussing several tried and true tips to help parents prepare for the challenges the season may bring. These tips are provided with children who have language and social challenges in mind, but they’re excellent for trying with all children as well. This episode was originally recorded and released in Decem…

1
Social-Emotional Learning: Practical Activities Parents Can Implement at Home | Season 3, Episode 3 37:25

4+ y ago37:25

37:25

Social-emotional learning is a vital part of education and development. Self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills are necessary for school, work and life success, but these skills may require direct teaching for children who have disabilities. In this episode, we chat with Elizabeth Sautter, who provides practical strategies parents can…

1
Long-Term Financial Planning for Families of Children with Special Needs | Season 3, Episode 2 33:28

4+ y ago33:28

33:28

Caring for a child with special needs, such as a communication disorder, learning difference or complex medical diagnosis, can be overwhelming. Families planning for the future of a child with special needs could benefit from additional support and financial resources. In this episode, we speak with financial planners Bryan Smith and Tinja Anderson…

1
Dyslexia Diagnosis and Intervention | Season 3, Episode 1 31:17

4+ y ago31:17

31:17

With an estimated 15-20% of the population showing signs of dyslexia, it is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties in children and persists throughout life. Yet, there is still a lot of confusions among the public, including parents and teachers, when it comes to understanding this learning disability. In this episode, …

1
Help Your Child Adjust to Frequent Changes in Social Norms | Season 2, Episode 15 22:42

4+ y ago22:42

22:42

If there is one thing we’ve learned since March 2020, it’s that the rules of our society are frequently changing! The way we grocery shop, go out to eat, attend school, have birthday parties, and even interact with family members have all been altered. With changes to the social rules and expectations occurring in almost every aspect of your child’…

1
Dynamic Testing for Social Communication Disorders Using the CAPs with Dr. Adriana Lavi | Season 2, Episode 14 21:02

5y ago21:02

21:02

Have you ever sent a text asking someone how they’re doing and received the reply “great.” You may have interpreted it as your friend is having a wonderful day. However, they might have actually been having a horrible day and meant “great” sarcastically. Understanding a person’s meaning behind their words (otherwise known as pragmatic language abil…

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