De Facto Leaders
193 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 47 ratingsOn the De Facto Leaders podcast, host Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan helps pediatric therapists and educators become better leaders, so they can make a bigger impact with their services. With over 15 years of experience supporting school-age kids with diverse learning needs, Dr. Karen shares up-to-date evidence-based practices, her own experiences and guest interviews designed to help clinicians, teachers, and aspiring school leaders feel more confident in the way they serve their students and clients. She’ll cover a range of topics designed to help you support students' emotional and academic growth and set kids up for success in adulthood, including how to support language, literacy, executive functioning, and how to help IEP teams working together to support kids across the day. Whether you want to learn more effective strategies for your therapy session or classroom, be a more influential leader on your team, or find creative ways to use your skills to advance in your career, Dr. Karen has you covered.
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Episodes
How to help picky eaters (without bribing them with dessert)
November 24, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBMost parents know that eating a balanced diet is important for brain development...but making that happen is easier said than done. Especially when they have "picky eaters" who are unsure about venturing out of their comfort zone. It's tempting to default to the popular method of using dessert as "positive reinforcement" for eating less enticing food...but often this does more harm than good in the long run. That's why in this episode, I share tips for getting kids to eat healthy f...
Neurodivergent gaslighting stops here
November 17, 2021 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBThis is part 3 of a 3-part series on the common problems with interventions for ADHD and autism, and in my opinion it's one of the most powerful shifts we can make. When you have some type of neurological variation that causes you to experience the world in a different way, you automatically become an easy target for manipulation. Those who are easily overwhelmed, or who aren't sure how to read social cues and self-regulate have to work really hard to participate in day-to-day situations ...
Why you shouldn't assume "laziness" in neurodivergent kids
November 17, 2021 12:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBThis is part 3 of a 3-part series on the common problems with interventions for ADHD and autism. When you have some type of neurological variation that causes you to experience the world in a different way, you automatically become an easy target for manipulation. Those who are easily overwhelmed, or who aren’t sure how to read social cues and self-regulate have to work really hard to participate in day-to-day situations that feel normal and easy for other people. This could inclu...
A case against "normal" and "appropriate" behavior
November 10, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBAs kids go through the school systems and grow up in general, they're taught a lot about how to act "appropriately" in different situations. There's a certain set of rules we've deemed to be acceptable, "normal" ways to act. On the contrary, certain behaviors are seen as "inappropriate", "weird", or "undesirable" in some way. But some people are wired differently, making them experience the world differently that "neurotypicals". This may cause them to engage with the world around...
When "compliance" does more harm than good (with ADHD and Autism)
November 03, 2021 11:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MB"Behavior management" approaches are often used with kids who have diagnoses of ADHD, autism. Usually these approaches focus on giving rewards for good behavior and punishing "bad" behavior. They're prevalent in therapy settings, schools, and home environments across the nation. I've even used some of these approaches in my practice. But in recent years, I've changed my philosophy after reflecting on my own experiences being on the receiving end of such techniques. I've also started...
3 skills kids with ADHD need to overcome procrastination
October 27, 2021 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBWhen kids with ADHD avoid difficult work, it's easy to assume they have a "behavior problem", that they don't care, or that they're just lazy. But this couldn't be further from the truth. People with ADHD are wired in a way that makes it hard for them to overcome feelings of overwhelm that lead to avoidance. It's a skill-based issue, NOT a behavior issue! That's why in episode 031, I talk about 3 common skills kids with ADHD need to overcome procrastination. Specifically, I share:...
Supporting executive functioning at home and school
October 20, 2021 11:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBIf you're supporting kids who need help with executive functioning, academic skills, and language, it can be hard to figure out exactly how to intervene. For parents, it can be overwhelming; and for professionals (like SLPs, teachers, and other professionals), it can be a challenge to figure out who is working on what skills. That's why in this episode, I talk about the roles of the teachers, therapists, and parents when it comes to supporting kids with executive dysfunction and l...
Literacy skills and technology: The pros and cons
October 13, 2021 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBIn episode 29 of the Are they 18 yet?™ podcast, I did part 3 of a 3-part series on literacy (you can find parts 1 and 2 in episodes 27 and 28.) Since the influx of technology, a lot of us are left wondering how this will impact our children's learning; especially their reading and writing skills. ✅That's why I discussed the following in this episode: ✅The difference between "explicit learning" and "implicit learning". ✅The kind of opportunities kids need in order to develop...
How to help kids become fluent readers and spellers
October 06, 2021 11:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBFiguring out how to help kids learn to spell can be confusing. If you've ever helped one of your kids or students spell a word, only to have them forget what you taught them the next day, you know what I mean. The challenge is that if kids don't automatically catch on to reading skills, they get further and further behind as the years go on. That makes it hard for them to keep up in school, and over time they start to dread going. No one wants their child or their students to be i...
Is texting affecting spelling and reading skills?
September 29, 2021 11:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBWith all the technology and texting kids are doing these days, I often find myself wondering if kids are getting enough "good" practice with spelling and reading skills. Based on social rules, texts often don't have to be written with "correct" grammar and spelling. Since a lot of the kids I've worked (who have diagnoses like dyslexia or developmental language delays, among others), I know that having opportunities to practice reading and spelling is really important; so I'm always on high...
Is texting affecting spelling and reading skills?
September 29, 2021 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBWith all the technology and texting kids are doing these days, I often find myself wondering if kids are getting enough "good" practice with spelling and reading skills. Based on social rules, texts often don't have to be written with "correct" grammar and spelling. Since a lot of the kids I've worked (who have diagnoses like dyslexia or developmental language delays, among others), I know that having opportunities to practice reading and spelling is really important; so I'm alway...
Does your family need a new operating system? (with Kate Wendell)
September 22, 2021 11:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBWe're always updating the operating systems on our devices, but do we ever think about updating the "operating system" we use to live our lives? The truth is, a lot of people end up living with their "default" setting; doing things not because it's what they want, but because it's what they think they're "supposed" to be doing based on what they've seen in their past. That's why in episode 26, I sit down with Kate Wendell from FamilyOS. Kate and her husband Tanner Wendell work wi...
The problem with positive thinking
September 15, 2021 11:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBIn this episode, I talk about "toxic positivity" in both the parenting and professional communities for therapists and teachers. If you've ever felt dismissed when someone told you to "look on the bright side" or "be grateful for what you have", you'll appreciate this discussion. I share: ✅Why telling someone to "just think positive" can make an overwhelmed person feel worse. ✅Why many depressed people don't WANT to feel happy when they're having an episode (and what they wa...
Building creativity and independence through play (with Drew Vernon)
September 08, 2021 11:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBIn this episode, I talk with Drew Vernon about how to help kids develop a natural sense of curiosity and ability to tell stories. Drew currently works for Tonies®, a toy brand that partners with schools to bring screen-free education to your children. He also spend several years working for the LEGO® Group, hosts a podcast with his 5-year old daughter, and has a passion for toys that help kids become creative thinkers. In our conversation, we discuss: ✅Ways to guide your kids thr...
De-escalation strategies for home, school, and community (with DJ Stutz)
September 01, 2021 11:00 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MBMeltdowns and tantrums are a normal part of parenting, but it's not always easy to get through the day if you aren't sure how to handle them. That's why in episode 023, I share the second half of my conversation with DJ Stutz, where we talk about bad parenting advice, building self-esteem, and how to de-escalate tantrums and melt-downs. She also shares her experience growing up with an undiagnosed hearing impairment until 6th grade, and how this has helped her be a better teacher...
How to set boundaries and share positive feedback with your child (with DJ Stutz)
August 25, 2021 11:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBMost parents know they should be giving their child praise and encouraging them to explore their interests... But most people don't realize that making small changes to what you say can make a big difference in your day-to-day life and interactions with your family. That's why in episode 022, I sit down with early childhood educator and parenting coach DJ Stutz to talk about the RIGHT (and wrong) ways to communicate expectations with your child. DJ has been an early childhood ...
3 ways to show appreciation for your child's school
August 18, 2021 11:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBOne of the best ways to take care of your kids is to take care of the people taking care of our kids. That includes any professionals working with your child, like teachers, school therapists, administrators, and coaches to name a few. If you know anyone in any of those positions, you know it can be a thankless job. That became even more apparent this year after school staff endured harsh criticism no matter what decisions they made. Despite this, thousands of educational and med...
How to communicate effectively with your child's teachers and therapists
August 11, 2021 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBIt can be frustrating when you aren't sure how to best support your child; especially when it comes to schoolwork. If you have a child who gets some type of specialized services and therapies, that makes it even more complicated. The good news is that strong communication with the professionals helping your child can make it much easier. The problem is that it can be a challenge to figure out HOW to do it seamlessly; so you get the information you need to help your child. That's ...
How to support your dyslexic child (with Nicole Holcomb)
August 04, 2021 11:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBIn this episode, I had the opportunity to talk with Nicole Holcomb from Dyslexia Mom Life. Nicole is a lawyer, and educator (she's worked as a teacher, school counselor, and school administrator); but most importantly, she's a mom of a dyslexic daughter and the host of the Dyslexia Mom Life podcast where she provides information and support for moms of children with dyslexia. In this conversation, she shares: ✅Red flags of dyslexia that indicate that you may want to seek out ...
What popular TV gets wrong about autistic people
July 28, 2021 11:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBIn this episode, I share my thoughts on two popular shows: "Love on the Spectrum" and "Atypical". *Please note: This episode is marked "explicit" because I discuss certain topics that may not be suitable for young children. Being someone who's spent a lot of time working with autistic people (as well as someone who doesn't identify as neurotypical), I procrastinated in watching these shows. I think I was afraid I'd hate what I saw, and that I'd be cringing the whole time. I ...
A kid's perspective on resilience, work ethic, and independence
July 21, 2021 11:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBIn this episode, I sit down with my stepdaughter, Olivia, to talk about what's helped her become more independent and disciplined this past year in middle school. This year, we saw her make huge strides in her ability to stick with challenging tasks, stay committed to things, and overall become more focused and organized. In this conversation, Olivia shares: ✅What her teachers did this year to help her keep her work organized. ✅Why she found homework packets and home practice wo...
How much “school” practice do kids need in the summer?
July 14, 2021 11:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBIn the spring, I often get a lot of questions about what parents should be doing with their kids over the summer to keep them from regressing. That’s why in episode 016 of the Are they 18 yet?™ podcast, I shared my tips and recommendations for summer “school” work, so the back-to-school routine doesn’t throw your family in to a complete state of chaos in the fall. I talk through: ✅How to start your day off on the right foot, so you can avoid meltdowns and arguments. ✅How keeping...
Building communication skills in nonverbal children and late talkers (with Rebecca Robbins)
July 07, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBIn this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Robbins, a pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with young children with autism, apraxia, and other conditions that impact communication. You’ll find this conversation extremely helpful if you’re a parent of a toddler and you want to know how to interact with them in a way that helps them to build the speech and communication skills they need to thrive. During this interview, we talk about: How you can help your child de...
Building communication skills in nonspeaking children and late talkers (with Rebecca Robbins)
July 07, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBIn this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Robbins, a pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with young children with autism, apraxia, and other conditions that impact communication. You’ll find this conversation extremely helpful if you’re a parent of a toddler and you want to know how to interact with them in a way that helps them to build the speech and communication skills they need to thrive. During this interview, we talk about: How you can help your...
Am I neurotypical? I'm not sure.
June 30, 2021 11:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBWhen I was growing up, the idea of being diagnosed with a mental health condition or a disability had a certain negative stigma associated with it. To be honest, my choice to become a pediatric speech pathologist and eventually get a doctorate in special education didn’t initially have to do with my own personal struggles. I was too deep in to denial to think of that. There were certain sensory needs I had…and when I found ways to meet them through what I now realize was stimming,...
Talking to your partner and your kids about money
June 23, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MBIn episode 013, I sit down with my husband Joe as we share how we handled conversations on some difficult topics when we first got together. Specifically, we talk about how we handled the money conversation early on, in addition to how we continue to manage our finances and talk about money with Olivia. I firmly believe that if you are in a relationship, one of the keys to being a good parent is having a strong relationship with your partner. One of the most common arguments in ...
Body image and media: What stories are we telling our kids? (with Dr. Kate Browne)
June 16, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBIn this episode, I sit down with writer and speaker Dr. Kate Browne to talk about the narratives being told in the media, the impact it has on our beliefs, and the way it’s effecting our kids’ health and well-being. In this interview, Dr. Browne shares both her personal experiences that led to her becoming an activist for body positivity, as well as her research on the story telling that goes on in advertising. Specifically we talk about: ✅Why before/after weight loss stories ca...
Burnout, boundaries, and systems
June 09, 2021 11:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBIn this special pop-up episode, I take a break from the regular content to talk about burnout and boundaries; and specifically how I use systems to help me set healthy boundaries and reduce burnout. Back when I started working as an SLP in 2004, I found there was one area of my life (work-related) that caused an exponentially larger amount of stress than other things in my life. So much, in fact, that this ONE thing was impacting me in other areas of life outside of work. Like h...
Your mental health: Why it’s impacting your kids (with Katherine Endy)
June 02, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBIn episode 011, I sit down with Katherine Endy from The Family Life Coach. Katherine is a social worker, mom of 3, and doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland. If you’re a parent, you’ve likely spent a lot of time thinking about your kids’ behavior and mental well-being. But how much time do you spend thinking about your OWN mental health and well-being? In this conversation, Katherine share insights from her clinical work, personal experiences as a mom, and her researc...
Single parenting and emotional well-being after divorce (with Mary Leonard)
May 26, 2021 11:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBIf you or someone you know is going through a divorce with kids involved, you’re not going to want to miss this episode of the Are they 18 yet?™ Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with my sister, Mary Leonard, and talk about how to help your kids build resiliency when coping with big life transitions like divorce. She shares her experience single parenting two young children; including how to thrive when getting through the day alive feels like a chore. Specifically, we talk ab...
Time Management and Device Use Boundaries for kids with ADHD (with Mike McLeod)
May 19, 2021 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBIn this episode, I share the second part of my interview with speech-language pathologist and ADHD specialist Mike McLeod from GrowNow Therapy as we continue our conversation about how to support with kids with ADHD and other conditions that impact executive functioning. If you’re someone who easily estimates how long things will take so you can plan ahead, it’s often frustrating when you see other people dawdling or not using their time wisely. But often there are MULTIPLE things...
Building accountability and motivation in kids with ADHD (with Mike McLeod)
May 12, 2021 11:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBWhen it comes to working with kids who have ADHD, it’s easy to mistake skill-based issues with behavioral issues. That’s why in this interview, I sit down with Mike McLeod, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in ADHD and executive functioning. During this conversation, Mike shares: ✅Red flags of executive dysfunction, how it relates to organization and time management, and why it’s so common in kids with ADHD. ✅What the “argument vortex” is, and the reason kids would...
Positive Reinforcement: Does it really help motivate kids?
May 05, 2021 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBWhen I worked in the school systems, rewards and behavior charts were a common practice. Even in my training to be a therapist, “positive reinforcement” was often a go-to strategy for managing behaviors and motivating kids to do “non-preferred” tasks. The problem was that for a lot of kids it didn’t work. And what was even worse…sometimes it worked TEMPORARILY, but as soon as the reward went away, so did the motivation to do the task. It left me wondering if relying on external rewards is ...
Positive Reinforcement: Does it really help motivate kids?
May 05, 2021 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBWhen I worked in the school systems, rewards and behavior charts were a common practice. Even in my training to be a therapist, “positive reinforcement” was often a go-to strategy for managing behaviors and motivating kids to do “non-preferred” tasks. The problem was that for a lot of kids it didn’t work. And what was even worse…sometimes it worked TEMPORARILY, but as soon as the reward went away, so did the motivation to do the task. It left me wondering if relying on external re...
A kid's perspective on remote learning
April 28, 2021 11:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBIn this episode, I continue our family study with Olivia and Joe; and we ask Olivia to share her perspective on remote learning. In this conversation, Olivia shares: ✅What was hardest for her in making a transition from elementary school through middle school during the pandemic. ✅What she missed the most about being in school. ✅What kinds of support she needed from the adults in her life during online learning and school in general. By the time you're listening to this episode, ...
Using your child's natural tendencies to build communication and connection
April 21, 2021 12:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MBIn this episode, I turn the mic on during a Brannan family Sunday night study with me, my husband Joe, and my stepdaughter Olivia as we talk about Gretchen Rubin’s 4 Tendencies and Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages. In this conversation, we share: ✅How understanding the personalities of the people in your family can reduce conflict and increase empathy. ✅What to do when your child has different tendencies and love languages than you. ✅How we regularly connect in our own family to make...
Can we improve attention span?
April 12, 2021 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBCan you change your child's capacity to focus? Or do they just have to play the hand they've been dealt for life? In this episode, Dr. Karen discusses what she's learned through the last 15 years of studying the research and working with school-age kids, as well as the parents and educators who support them. She also discusses the great "medication debate", including ways it's often mishandled by well-meaning professionals, and also the set of skills your kids need in order to ...
The Breaking Point
April 12, 2021 14:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBWe all have a point where the demands of life become too overwhelming and we lose our ability to self-manage and stay disciplined. For people who have a diagnosis of ADHD, that point can come sooner rather than later. In this episode, my husband (Joe) shares what happened when he hit his breaking point, including: His experience growing up with an "almost ADHD" diagnosis How he managed to fall through the cracks and squeak by in elementary and secondary school. What happened w...
Building discipline and self-management in elementary school through college.
April 12, 2021 14:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBWhen raising kids in elementary school, junior high, and high school, a lot of parents wonder if they're preparing their kids for what lies ahead in college and adulthood. We can't look in to a crystal ball and predict the future, but we can bring insights from our own failures and successes to the way we parent. That's why in this episode, Joe and I continue our conversation about his experience going through school, including: How he initially failed out of college, but then l...
Improve attention and focus by building these skills
April 12, 2021 14:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBDo you find that using organizers, minimizing distractions, or using rewards just don't work when it comes to getting your kids to focus? Does getting your kids to follow through with chores, homework, or other daily tasks seem like pulling teeth? If so, you're going to love this episode. When it comes to getting kids to follow through on activities that require sustained focus and effort, most people don't realize that improving attention and alertness is just the first step. ...
The Attention Span Myth
April 12, 2021 14:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBCan you change your child's capacity to focus? Or do they just have to play the hand they've been dealt for life? In this episode, Dr. Karen discusses what she's learned through the last 15 years of studying the research and working with school-age kids, as well as the parents and educators who support them. She also discusses the great "medication debate", including ways it's often mishandled by well-meaning professionals, and also the set of skills your kids need in order to success...
Are they 18 yet? ®
March 30, 2021 14:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBAs a parent, you want to know you’re doing the right things to help your kids grow up to be healthy, successful, well-adjusted people who lead productive lives and make an impact on the world. But what if you could raise your kids to be independent and self-sufficient without sacrificing your own ambitions, sense of identity, and sanity? Listen in as Dr. Karen shares insights for parents and kids with diverse learning needs and family structures through her own experiences and guest interv...
Are they 18 yet?™ A parenting podcast
March 30, 2021 14:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBAs a parent, you want to know you’re doing the right things to help your kids grow up to be healthy, successful, well-adjusted people who lead productive lives and make an impact on the world. But what if you could raise your kids to be independent and self-sufficient without sacrificing your own ambitions, sense of identity, and sanity? Listen in as Dr. Karen shares insights for parents and kids with diverse learning needs and family structures through her own experiences and guest interv...