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The Parenting Cipher

The Parenting Cipher

Di: Genie Dawkins
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A proposito di questo titolo

The Parenting Cipher is the podcast for innovative Black parents raising neurodiverse and special needs children who want clear answers, fresh strategies, and a supportive community. Each week, host Genie Dawkins — best-selling author, award-winning podcaster, and unstoppable advocate — breaks down the intersections of special education, family lifestyle, and advocacy so you can confidently lead your child’s educational journey.


Genie has walked this path herself, helping her own children access scholarships, private education, and global opportunities. Now she’s sharing the lessons, laughs, and proven strategies that help families like yours create progress schools don’t always hand over.


Expect real talk, humor, and empowering conversations with experts and parents on everything from IEPs and 504s to holistic family living, entrepreneurship, and cultural experiences. Every episode is packed with practical steps and cultural insight you can use right away.


You’ll finish each episode feeling informed, equipped, and ready to advocate for the best possible education and life for your family.


🎙️ Media inquiries or podcast collaborations: Schedule here: link.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Genie Dawkins Genitorialità e famiglie Igiene e vita sana Medicina alternativa e complementare Relazioni Successo personale Sviluppo personale
Episodi
  • The Ultimate Back-to-School List for Neurodivergent Kids

    The Ultimate Back-to-School List for Neurodivergent Kids
    Aug 18 2026
    Standard back-to-school lists are built for a typical student — and if you're raising a neurodivergent child, they leave out most of what actually gets your kid through the day. In this episode, Genie breaks down the sensory, adaptive, and academic tools that belong on your list, what schools are legally required to provide under IDEA and Section 504, and exactly how to request them in writing so support doesn't stay a verbal promise.In this episode:02:26 Choosing a low-friction backpack — wide opening, bright lining, one clean sleeve so nothing gets lost03:34 Sensory-friendly clothing: tagless shirts, seamless socks, flat seams to prevent morning meltdowns05:13 Adaptive writing tools — ergonomic pencil grips, thick gel pens, erasable friction pens06:11 Color-coded folders, tinted exercise books, and large grid paper for dyslexia and dyscalculia08:52 Reading rulers to help dyslexic students focus one line at a time09:46 Noise-reducing earplugs and headphones for loud classrooms, cafeterias, and assemblies10:54 Discreet fidgets and resistance bands for sensory regulation and ADHD support12:23 Visual timers, dry-erase schedule cards, and nonverbal break cards for anxiety and transitions17:12 Text-to-speech scanning pens and calculators for reading and math support21:27 Where to find these tools for free: State Assistive Technology Act programs, the International Dyslexia Association, CATS, and local Special Education PTAs24:40 How to request an assistive technology evaluation in writing — and the language that gets resultsKey Takeaways:Neurodivergent kids need more than the standard list — sensory-friendly clothing, adaptive writing tools, and noise-reducing headphones are real classroom support, not extras.If a supply or tool is necessary for your child to access their education, the school is legally responsible for providing it under IDEA and Section 504.Request an assistive technology evaluation in writing, tie it to a specific goal, propose a 30-day trial, and get it written into the IEP or 504 — a verbal promise from a teacher doesn't legally bind the school district.Being prepared doesn't mean buying everything. It means knowing exactly what helps your child participate.The power of documentation and follow-up: Why checking in weekly matters, and how to get tools written into your child's IEP so support continues year-roundLinks and Resources:State Assistive Technology Act Programs – Find your state’s lending library for adaptive equipmentInternational Dyslexia Association – Local chapters offering reading tool grantsChildren’s Assistive Technology Service (CATS) – Free refurbished adaptive equipmentSpecial Education PTAs (SEPTA) – Local support and supply exchangesAssistive Technology: The Parenting Cipher Podcast Episode – Deep dive into AT optionsTemplate for requesting AT evaluationQuotes:“Prepared does not mean buying everything. It means knowing what helps your child participate.”- Genie Dawkins“When requesting items, frame them not as helpful tools, but as necessary bridges to accessing learning.”- Genie DawkinsGenie DawkinsGenie Dawkins is the creator and host of The Parenting Cipher podcast, a dedicated advocate for neurodivergent children, and a parent with lived experience navigating the education system. Genie empowers families with practical tools, legal knowledge, and self-advocacy strategies to support their children’s learning, emotional wellbeing, and unique brilliance. Whether she’s breaking down school policies or sharing empowering music, Genie’s mission is for every child to enter the classroom knowing their differences are valued—and supported.🎙️ Stay connected with Genie Dawkins and The Parenting Cipher! Get expert support for special education, advocacy, and family success. Book a complimentary strategy session here, download your free guide “Top 10 Advocacy Mistakes to Avoid”, or inquire about podcast/media collaborations here. Follow on Instagram @geniedawkins and visit www.geniedawkins.com. Thanks for listening — let’s build powerful journeys together!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    34 min
  • Beating the Summer Slide:

    Beating the Summer Slide:
    Aug 4 2026
    Are you worried your child might forget crucial academic skills during the summer break?Wondering how to keep them engaged, confident, and ready for the new school year without turning your home into a classroom?In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, Pam Roggeman, Dean of the College of Education at the University of Phoenix and a former award-winning high school English teacher, joins Genie to demystify the "summer slide." She shares stories from her years in the classroom, explains what the summer slide really is, and gives practical, realistic ways to weave learning into everyday summer routines for every kind of learner — neurodivergent or not.Key TakeawaysUnderstanding the Summer Slide: what it means and why kids lose academic ground over the break if learning routines stop entirely.Routines Matter: why routines around sleep, meals, and learning support kids' social-emotional health and prepare them for the transition back to school.Everyday Academics: practical, low-pressure ways to practice math (grocery store challenges), writing (letters, journals, song lists), and reading (comic books to audiobooks) that don't feel like schoolwork.Boosting Confidence & Connection: strategies to help reluctant readers and writers feel curious, connected, and confident — and how to build on what already interests them.Social-Emotional Prep: easing the transition back to school, from visiting the building in advance to writing letters that introduce your child to a new teacher.Real-Life Skills: how self-advocacy, social practice, and simply being present set kids up to thrive in and out of the classroom.Quotes"The summer slide is just what it sounds like. It is the academic loss that all of our kids, unless we combat it, experience over the summer."— Pam Roggeman [02:22]"Learning over the summer doesn't necessarily have to look and feel like school, because our kids do need a break."— Pam Roggeman [04:18]"We're keeping them curious, we're keeping them confident, and we're keeping them connected."— Pam Roggeman [06:22]"Consistency over time — that's what builds results. We fall back to our habits."— Pam Roggeman [57:47]"There are a lot of reasons to cry in this world, but homework is not one of them."— Pam Roggeman [03:29]Links and ResourcesBook lists: search your local librarian's picks or favorite teacher accounts on Instagram for age-appropriate young adult and children's titles.Local library programs: check your public library or high school for free summer reading programs and events.Audiobook platforms: many libraries offer free audiobook access through apps like Libby or Hoopla.Related listening: The Parenting Cipher's homework episode, for more on easing academic pressure at home.Speaker BiographiesPam RoggemanPam Roggeman is the Dean of the College of Education at the University of Phoenix. Before moving into higher-education leadership, she spent 18 years as an award-winning high school English teacher in Arizona. She's passionate about teacher preparation, accessible learning, and the ways academic and social-emotional growth go hand in hand.Genie DawkinsGenie Dawkins is the host of The Parenting Cipher, a podcast for parents of neurodiverse children, especially Black and brown families navigating IEPs, ADHD, autism, and everything in between. She brings both a parent's lived experience and years of advocacy work to every conversation on the show.🎙️ Stay connected with Genie Dawkins and The Parenting Cipher! Get expert support for special education, advocacy, and family success. Book a complimentary strategy session here, download your free guide “Top 10 Advocacy Mistakes to Avoid”, or inquire about podcast/media collaborations here. Follow on Instagram @geniedawkins and visit www.geniedawkins.com. Thanks for listening — let’s build powerful journeys together!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    58 min
  • Your Child Missed ESY: What Parents Can Still Do

    Your Child Missed ESY: What Parents Can Still Do
    Jul 21 2026
    Did your child's IEP team say no to Extended School Year (ESY) services this summer — or was the “assistive tech” box never checked at all? In this episode, The Parenting Cipher breaks down why an ESY denial isn't the end of the conversation, how to recognize if your child needs assistive technology, and the concrete steps you can take to build your case before September.The conversation focused on demystifying both sides of the summer gap: how ESY decisions get made (and how to challenge them) and what assistive tech actually looks like, from low-tech solutions like pencil grips and fidgets to high-tech software that turns speech into text and highlights words as they're read aloud. The discussion explored how to identify if your child's IEP is missing critical services, what to document over the summer, and why it's so important to keep communication lines open — not just with schools, but with your child themselves.Key TakeawaysAn ESY denial is reviewable — “didn't qualify” is not the final word, and the documentation you gather this summer is what makes a September appeal possible.Assistive technology is broadly defined — from simple tools like pencil grips and graphic organizers to sophisticated programs for text-to-speech and speech-to-text, all designed to help children bridge academic gaps and express themselves more fully.Many schools overlook assistive technology supports, and parents are often surprised to learn their child is eligible — or already receives them without the IEP “tech” box checked.The documentation and observations you gather over summer about regression or lost progress will be powerful evidence if you need to challenge ESY or IEP decisions in the fall.Tools like Learning Ally and Sora provide age-appropriate, accessible reading for students with reading challenges — making a huge difference in motivation and comprehension.Parents are encouraged to review their child's IEP, identify missing tech supports, and advocate assertively for new or better technology — using provided scripts and strategies.Maintaining open, trusting conversations with your child about school, technology needs, and teacher relationships builds their confidence and ensures their voice is heard.Chapter Markers00:00 — Importance of assistive technology06:26 — Assistive tech for learning support08:41 — Using assistive tech for ADHD12:09 — Text to speech for dyslexic kids16:05 — Using assistive tech for writing20:06 — Assistive technology benefits for students23:04 — Discussing child's communication skills25:47 — Teacher-parent relationship dynamics28:59 — Inviting listeners to subscribeLinks & Resources:Advocate with Confidence: Advocacy Letter Library and TemplatesParent Centers (nationwide support)“It’s Time to Prioritize Assistive Technology for Neurodiversity” – Fast Company articleRead&Write – Assistive Tech ToolUnderstanding Assistive Technology for Your Child’s Academic Success (Episode Link)Child Trends ReportQuotes:“The documentation you build this summer, the regression you’re seeing right now, the progress they’ve lost, the services they’re missing is the evidence you’ll need. The work you do in July is what September's IEP meeting will be built on.” – Genie Dawkins“It only takes one parent to come out and really advocate for their child. When I advocated for assistive tech, now the whole school has it.” – Genie DawkinsShort Biography:Genie Dawkins is a passionate parent advocate, author, and special education consultant committed to empowering families navigating the special education landscape. Drawing from personal experience and professional expertise, Genie Dawkins helps parents decode school systems, collaborate with educators, and ensure their children receive the supports and services they deserve. Through “The Parenting Cipher,” she creates a supportive community dedicated to demystifying special education and uplifting every family’s journey.🎙️ Stay connected with Genie Dawkins and The Parenting Cipher! Get expert support for special education, advocacy, and family success. Book a complimentary strategy session here, download your free guide “Top 10 Advocacy Mistakes to Avoid”, or inquire about podcast/media collaborations here. Follow on Instagram @geniedawkins and visit www.geniedawkins.com. Thanks for listening — let’s build powerful journeys together!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-parenting-cipher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 min
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