Opportunity Gap: How to Support Kids of Color Who Learn Differently

By Understood.org, Julian Saavedra

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Category: Education for Kids

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Episodes: 81

Description

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.

Episode Date
Best of: Unpacking viral ADHD myths on social media with Dr. Kristin Carothers
Jul 16, 2025
What is a “good summer” for kids with learning disabilities?
Jul 02, 2025
8 key special education terms parents should know
Jun 18, 2025
What you need to know about federal funding for special education
Jun 04, 2025
What to do when kids are feeling depressed or anxious
May 21, 2025
When dyslexia is missed: The impact on students of color
May 07, 2025
Navigating your child’s diagnosis: Self-care tips for parents
Apr 23, 2025
4 tips to help kids cope with uncertainty and anxiety
Apr 09, 2025
How to build strong parent-child bonds
Mar 26, 2025
The hard truth about racism in special education: Part 2
Mar 12, 2025
The hard truth about racism in special education: Part 1
Feb 26, 2025
The power of culturally responsive teaching
Feb 12, 2025
How to get over the “mid-year slump”
Jan 29, 2025
What families wish you knew about learning disabilities
Jan 15, 2025
Building strong reading skills in kids
Jan 01, 2025
How I’d parent my ADHD kids differently
Dec 18, 2024
Helping kids navigate the holiday season
Dec 04, 2024
How I’m navigating my child’s two diagnoses
Nov 20, 2024
Game on! Teaching kids sportsmanship
Nov 06, 2024
What to do after a parent-teacher conference
Oct 23, 2024
How to build a supportive village for kids
Oct 09, 2024
Navigating fatherhood with ADHD
Sep 25, 2024
What to do when school supports fall short
Sep 11, 2024
How to teach kids independence
Aug 28, 2024
Empowering kids for school success
Aug 14, 2024
How to make summer learning fun
Jul 31, 2024
Parenting Behavior: What is behavior?
Jul 17, 2024
Creating teachable moments
Jul 03, 2024
Understanding preschool services
Jun 19, 2024
Understood Explains IEPs: Special education terms and your legal rights
Jun 05, 2024
IEPs and English language learners
May 22, 2024
What teachers want parents to know
May 08, 2024
In It: Olympian Michelle Carter talks ADHD and dyslexia
Apr 24, 2024
Social media and toxic myths about ADHD
Apr 10, 2024
Growing up with ADHD: An interview with René Brooks
Mar 27, 2024
Understanding the IEP process
Mar 13, 2024
Talking to your child’s pediatrician about learning differences
Feb 28, 2024
Diverse impact: Champions of change at Understood
Feb 14, 2024
Preparing kids for life after high school
Jan 31, 2024
How to get kids to talk about school
Jan 17, 2024
What is the school-to-prison pipeline?
Jan 03, 2024
In It: How to tame tantrums and meltdowns with Dr. Andrew Kahn
Dec 20, 2023
Talking to your family about your child’s differences
Dec 06, 2023
In It: How to make the most of parent-teacher conferences
Nov 22, 2023
Confronting racial bias within special education
Nov 08, 2023
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Oct 25, 2023
Bonus: Introducing “What Now?”
Oct 18, 2023
What is a learning disability?
Oct 11, 2023
En español: Preguntas y respuestas sobre la educación especial
Sep 27, 2023
Empowering English language learners
Sep 13, 2023
Supporting self-esteem and confidence in kids
Aug 02, 2023
In It: Discipline, ADHD, and learning differences
Jul 05, 2023
Stopping “summer slide”
Jun 07, 2023
Supporting kids’ mental health: Tim Massaquoi on shame, stigma, and asking for help
May 17, 2023
Supporting kids’ mental health: Kier Gaines on fatherhood, self-care, and social media
May 03, 2023
Trauma, learning differences, and kids of color
Apr 05, 2023
What is a special education evaluation? (from “Understood Explains”)
Mar 02, 2023
Black History Month: Celebrating Lois, Solange, and Octavia
Feb 15, 2023
IEP meeting tips for parents of kids of color
Feb 01, 2023
Growth mindset and the power of “yet”
Jan 04, 2023
ADHD and race: What Black families need to know
Dec 07, 2022
Bias in school discipline: When the teacher says your child is “acting out”
Nov 02, 2022
Myths about special education
Oct 05, 2022
“The Opportunity Gap” Season 2
Sep 28, 2022
A mom of 8 with limited resources on advocating for her son with ADHD, and feeling judged
Jun 09, 2022
Bullying, shame, and parenting guilt: Reacting to real stories
May 26, 2022
Wisdom for families from LeDerick Horne, poet with dyslexia
May 12, 2022
Understanding your child’s behavior as communication
Apr 28, 2022
How “The Talk” changes with disability and learning differences
Apr 14, 2022
Why Black girls with learning disabilities need more visibility
Mar 31, 2022
Early intervention and kids of color
Mar 17, 2022
Teacher shortages, special education, and kids of color
Mar 03, 2022
How to teach Black history to kids with learning differences and ADHD
Feb 17, 2022
ADHD parenting tips from a Black clinical psychologist
Feb 03, 2022
Omicron, special education, and marginalized communities
Jan 20, 2022
Twice-exceptional Black and brown kids
Jan 06, 2022
IEP meeting tips for undocumented families
Dec 16, 2021
Is special education different in wealthy schools?
Dec 02, 2021
Simone Biles and why role models are hard to find
Nov 18, 2021
ADHD as a “white boy problem”
Nov 18, 2021
Introducing The Opportunity Gap
Nov 11, 2021