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In this episode, we'll explore Nicole Santiago's approach to collaborative problem-solving, her emphasis on intrinsic motivation, and how she successfully integrates these strategies into both her professional work and personal life. Nicole is a seasoned IEP coach and special education advocate, bringing a wealth of experience from her background as a dual-language teacher and a dedicated homeschooling mom. With a focus on neurodivergent families, particularly those navigating autism and ADHD, Nicole is here to share valuable insights into creating more inclusive and supportive educational environments.

We'll also touch on the importance of family dynamics, the role of advocacy in understanding ADHD, and how Nicole leverages tools like the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) to highlight and build on a child's strengths. From discussing flexible schooling options to the necessity of family meetings, Nicole’s expertise sheds light on actionable ways parents and educators can foster a culture of kindness, curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Former dual language teacher with a specialty in Spanish for middle and high school students.
• Homeschooling experience with her own son diagnosed with ADHD.
• Rich history of supporting families in the special education system.
• Inspired by Dr. Ross Green's collaborative problem-solving methods.
• Focus on intrinsic motivation and mastery learning over traditional grading.
• Merits and challenges of homeschooling vs. public schooling.
• Tailoring education to fit individual family and child needs.
• Encouraging students to self-assess and use peer feedback.
• Addressing underlying issues affecting a child's behavior, such as undiagnosed learning disabilities or home troubles.
• Adopting firm boundaries with supportive measures for a functional family dynamic.
• Effective parent coaching emphasizing respect, curiosity, and firmness.
• Utilizing family meetings to foster culture and solve problems collaboratively.
• Creative approaches to generating solutions, allowing flexibility in task completion.
• Managing ADHD with Tools like Trello for task management.
• Nicole’s personal experience and insights on the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD.
• Strengths-Based Educational Approach:
• Utilizing the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) in IEP and ART meetings.
• Personalized learning projects involving second-language vocabulary and local immersive activities.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Reverse Planning Journal from Homeschool OT
• What are Executive Functioning Skills?
• Field Trips can Build Executive Functioning
• What are Executive Functioning Skills? - Course from Homeschool OT
• Episode 9- The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning with Mandy Doman
• Episode 10 - Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Give Grace and Reject Shame by Nicole
• Follow Family ADDventures on Instagram
• Like Family ADDventures on Facebook

Nicole Santiago, M. Ed, AC, is a disability advocate and learning specialist. She is the founder of Family ADDventures- a disability advocacy and training organization. We support neurodivergent students (and their families) so they thrive at school and in life!