Show Notes
Words get stuck. Letters flip. The hand can't keep pace with the mind. For millions of people, dysgraphia turns something as simple as writing into a daily battle — one that's often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as laziness or carelessness. In this episode, we sit down with Kelli Fetter, owner of Handwriting Solution, to dig into what dysgraphia really is, how it shows up in kids and adults, and why so many people go years without the right support. Drawing on her hands-on experience helping students overcome writing challenges, Kelli breaks down the signs parents and teachers often miss, practical strategies that actually work, and how to shift the narrative from "try harder" to "here's what your brain actually needs." Whether you're a parent trying to understand your child's struggle, an educator looking for real strategies, or someone who's always felt "off the lines" yourself — this conversation offers clarity, tools, and hope. Because how you write shouldn't define what you're capable of saying. https://www.handwritingsolutions.org/about The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades The Writing Rope: A Framework for Explicit Writing Instruction in All Subjects by Joan Sedita M.Ed. (Author), Jan Hasbrouck Ph.D. Email: [email protected] Website: www.handwritingsolutions.org Access to over 100 articles on our blog Free Guide to 15 Multisensory Handwriting Practices
More from Empowering Exceptional Minds
Why is it so difficult for some children and adults to get started, manage time, and follow through—even when they know exactly what they need to do? In this episode, Maayan Glaser-Koren sits down with Sarah Ward, MS, CCC-SLP, a leading executive functioning expert and co-director of Cognitive Connections, to discuss practical ways to develop executive functioning skills and support greater independence. Sarah shares insights from more than 30 years of experience and explains why traditional tools like planners and checklists may not be enough. Together, they explore mental simulation, time blindness, situational awareness, and the power of the Done, Do, Get Ready approach. ✨ What you'll learn: Why executive functioning is more than organization and reminders
Ever know what you want to say but struggle to organize your thoughts, find the right words, or get started? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, Maayan sits down with Suzy Carbrey, speech-language pathologist, ADHD coach, and author of You’re Not Doing It Wrong, to explore the powerful connection between executive functioning, communication, and self-talk. Discover practical strategies to manage overwhelm, navigate workplace conversations, and build systems that work with your brain, not against it. 💛 Because you’re not broken—you may just need a different approach! 🎧 Listen now and discover tools you can start using today. https://a.co/d/021uq7f8 Suzy Carbrey ADHD & Executive Functioning Coach suzycarbrey.com
Do you know what you need to do—but somehow just can't get yourself to do it? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, Maayan Glaser-Koren talks with educational therapist and executive function coach Eric Kaufman about the everyday challenges adults face with executive functioning. They discuss procrastination, working memory, emotional regulation, task initiation, prioritization, workplace challenges, and practical strategies for getting things done without constantly feeling overwhelmed. You'll hear about: Why procrastination happens How emotions affect task initiation Working memory and using external reminders The ABC method and Eisenhower Matrix Breaking overwhelming tasks into smaller steps Using self-talk to move forward Why there is no one-size-fits-all EF strategy Starting small and celebrating progress Most importantly, your brain isn't broken. Executive functioning is a set of skills, and we can build strategies that work with the way our brains work. 🎧 Follow Empowering Exceptional Minds for more conversations about neurodiversity, ADHD, learning differences, and practical strategies for everyday life. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional or medical advice. https://www.upskillspecialists.com/team
Did you know that many "behavioral issues" in children aren't behavioral at all—they’re sensory? Following up on our last conversation with Aaron about sensory integration, we’re taking a deeper dive into the specifics of how our nervous systems process the world around us. In this episode, host Maayan sits down with Lisa Danahy, founder of Create Calm, featured Hay House author, and international speaker with over 30 years of experience across education, healthcare, and community organizations. Lisa breaks down the complex science of stress and human behavior into relatable, practical strategies you can use immediately in the classroom or at home. The 8 Sensory Systems: Moving beyond sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to explore Vestibular (balance), Proprioception (body awareness), and Interoception (internal signals like hunger or heart rate).
Why might a student press incredibly hard on their pencil, bump into things, avoid sports, or completely fall apart after holding it together all day at school? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, Maayan sits down with occupational therapist Aaron DeNardo, founder of Laughing Giraffe Therapy, for a fascinating conversation about the connection between the brain, body, sensory processing, movement, and learning. Aaron explains what occupational therapists actually look for during an evaluation—including fine and gross motor skills, visual processing, sensory processing, body awareness, and functional skills. Maayan and Aaron dive into primitive reflexes, proprioception, vestibular processing, and interoception, and how these systems can influence movement, regulation, coordination, attention, and everyday functioning. The conversation includes practical examples of what these challenges can look like in the classroom—from difficulty copying from the board to pencil pressure, clumsiness, avoiding movement, and exhaustion after school.