Claim OwnershipLeveling the Spectrum
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© syrena hernandez
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With one host having more than 20 years of experience working with children on the spectrum and the other with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, this mother daughter duo knew we needed to revise the conversation around autism, and you’re invited. Our conversation topics range from the mental health strain parents & children experience when navigating challenges in the classroom and at home to practical approaches parents can utilize during each developmental change in their child's life. New episodes uploaded every 2 weeks.
25 Episodes
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Today me and my mom have a conversation about the impact Zoom and covid still have on the schools and kids we work with. I share my experience with running online counseling groups with kids and my approach for groups. My mom shares some in person challenges she has been facing and the impact hybrid schooling has. We discuss our opinions about schools being restricted by the lack of resources needed to set appropriate Covid safety protocols and how ridiculous it is that school zoom hours won't count towards yearly school hours. We end today's conversation with my mom sharing how she helped find 2 different test taking approaches by just observing. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today me and my mom have a conversation and debate today. We start the conversation by discussing how the schools in California and Massachusetts are responding to the recent Covid-19 Omicron spike. We then transition into a small debate discussing our thoughts on distractions in the classroom. When does a kid's interests become a distractions? When is it appropriate to draw in the classroom? Are fidgets for every kid? me and my mom have a long discussion today about the state of our work at this time in 2022. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today me and my mom have a conversation about TikTok, groups and our feelings around kiddo's behaviors, do you have a fear of losing control? I bring up a youtube video I recently watched around the conversation of shorter attention and TikTok, and we share our thoughts on the subject. My mom then shares some examples of classroom patterns some of her kiddos have and how she navigates around them when they become a disruption. We then transition into other conversations about groups and how we have managed individual group member's behaviors. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today me and my mom have a conversation about a few different things. We start off by discussing my work load and our opinions about starting groups during a busy holiday month. My mom shares some stories about kids at her school who had a difficult time transitioning back from the Thanksgiving Break last month. We then talk about other challenges we have been facing during our work with children, and ponder on some approaches and things to keep in mind when a child's safety is at risk. Overall, showing empathy towards the kids we work with is the most important skill to have not how well you can "solve their problems". Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today me and my mom have a conversation about our thoughts going into a week after Thanksgiving break. My mom shares some examples of kids she is working with and the amount of procrastination she is seeing since break started. We also get into a discussion about the little moments in our day that can make or break us. My mom shares some examples of how she approaches kids at her school when they are having an unusual day. It is so important to keep in mind that we see behaviors for a reason and going to back school after a long break is a challenge for everyone. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about the the impact parents who work in similar fields as us have on their children . I share some information about a possible new client and my mom shares her experience with parents she has worked with at her school. There are always benefits and consequences to everything in life. A parent's job is no different. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about a few things. I share some information about what I learned at a training this past week. Then we jump into an experience my mom had with a child where listening to the child played a big role. Sometimes all a child needs is someone to listen to them. We then transition into client updates and other experiences we have had this past week at school, with kids and their parents. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about a few different things. First, we just started talking about our podcast episodes and are happy to know you are able to connect with the conversations we are having. I then update you on my work with my client which transitions the conversation to resistance. My mom explains some of her challenges with her students. We then discuss how challenging childhood is for all the kids we work with. There are so many decisions children have to make and most of us grow up feeling like we can't be ourselves. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about a few different things. My mom shares the worksheet her and her school use when helping a child organize their thoughts when working on reading comprehension. I share some client updates and some small milestones in my work with them. Me and my mom also share some examples of when adults tend to dismiss children's emotions and try to rush the situation. We give some questions you can think about when you are in a pressured moment. We also discuss the difficulties teachers have when needing to teach their classroom while also helping kids manage their emotions within relationship with their peers. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about our current experiences with resistance from the children we work with. Sometimes individuals we work with don't have a choice when starting work with us and that is expected at times, but our clients have many reasons for why they choose not to trust us. Me and my mom discuss some of the reasons why we think clients can show resistance with us and share some ways you can approach these difficult situations. The first being this, stop dismissing children's feelings and start believing that a child can feel anxious. The way we approach working with individuals who are hesitant to trust someone can stem from our limitation that we put on their ability to feel certain ways. Our work is so important and we need to remember that each detail of our relationship with an individual can influence the ways they interact with others in their life. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about starting the new school year. My mom works at a private school as a classroom aid for with autistic students and talks about the new student she has been assigned. She explains the student's behavioral challenges and how she is thinking of working with them and their family. The kids I work with have not started the school year yet but I share my ideas on how we can go into different situations with our clients with confidence and a calm energy that will show the students they can trust us. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about group, specifically groups of students/kids we have worked with that have a large age range. We start off the conversation with me explaining how this topic became a conversation and my current placement. I explain what ages I am currently working with and the struggles I have had. My mom also shares her experience in a school setting working with autistic students. After we discuss the challenges that we face with groups we ponder on some ideas that can help next time we are in a similar situation. We focus on different ways of limiting distractions from social connection such as taking away phones at the beginning of classes or limiting time with technology. We also bring up the option of separating kids in group based on age or pair a younger student with an older student for certain activities. It can be easy to beat ourselves up after a group or session with someone that didn't go the way we wanted or we just found ourselves unsure of how to react in the moment. However, the main point is that we are not going to have all the answers and that is okay. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today me and my mom have a conversation about summer school/programing. We catch you up on our placements this summer and the challenges we have been facing with our kids. We also share some of the aspects of summer that we have been enjoying. My mom shares the cool media program the kids at her school have access to and the joy she feels when she sees their creative sides come to life. I share some of the group dynamics I have been struggling with and share some of the ways I have attempted to work with the kids. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
This week me and my mom have a conversation about the prompting hierarchy. My mom shares examples of each prompt and when and how to use them. She also shares an example of a student she is working with and the challenges she is facing when working with their parents. My mom stresses the importance of parents learning about the prompting hierarchy so they are better equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to help their children work towards more independence. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today me and my mom have a conversation about ADHD. We start it off with me reading the criteria from the DSM-5 that you have to meet in order to be clinically diagnosed with ADHD. My mom and I share our experiences working with children in a school setting, after school program, individually and in groups who have a diagnosis and who do not. Do we work with children who don't have a diagnosis in the same way as those who do or is it different? There are so many ways we can work with children and at the end of the day we have to tailor our approach to what will best fit the child in front of us. Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today my mom and I have a conversation about what our jobs have been like now that schools are wrapping up the year. We discuss teachers' stress and how we are noticing their emotions taking over situations, the possibility of retraumatizing kids, safety plans, school protocol when a child is a runner, and more. We did not have a specific topic we wanted to hit this week so we hope you enjoy our random conversation! Reminder: We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today me and my mom have a conversation about OCD. We start the conversation with the DSM5 criteria of OCD so we all have a general understanding of what we are talking about. Then, my mom shares her experiences with her kiddos who are on the spectrum and may exhibit OCD symptoms. We discuss some challenges that come with diagnosing young children with OCD and any other disorders. We also talk about some ways you can work with students who's daily function is impacted by such compulsions and obsessions. When working with kiddos and any other population we ask you to do your own research and utilize your observations to conclude what may be best for your child. We are only two individuals having a conversation on these topics. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today my mom and I share our ideas on how to stay mentally strong for you, your child and your family. We start off the conversation by sharing my realization of how difficult it is for parents to have time for "self care". Self care sometimes is just caring for yourself. Trying to get parents to meditate when they have never meditated before or do other "self care" tasks outside of their normal routine can put more stress on them instead of relieving it. Sometimes all you need to focus on are the basics and care for yourself, such as brushing your teeth every morning and night, fueling your body with nutritious food, dressing yourself, etc. The goal is to maintain a healthy mind and body so that you are able to wake up most mornings and feel ready to tackle your busy day. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today my mom and I have a conversation about High school. High school brings a lot of new obstacles for both children and parents. We hope by having this conversation as a continuation of our "School Series" parents and aids of children on the spectrum can learn to balance their needs and their child's. My mom's also shares tips she has learned from her work as an aid that we hope can help you and your family. It's not your child's problem, it's not your problem, it's a team effort. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
Today my mom and I have a conversation about Middle school. Middle school brings a lot of new obstacles for both children and parents. We hope by having this conversation as a continuation of our "School Series" parents and aids of children on the spectrum can learn to balance their needs and the child's. Also, children begin to enter puberty which brings a new level of discomfort and push back. My mom shares some tips she has learned from her work as an aid that we hope can help you and your family. Listen and ask questions. Thank you for listening!
Contact us- levelingthespectrum@gmail.com
Wordpress Website- https://levelingthespectrum.wordpress.com/
Syrena’s podcast “The Sesh”- https://open.spotify.com/show/60QnjzArn9p8V4NqOfVYi6?si=r1kkrfQeQoSj0iBbFfwX4A
Syrena’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/syrenamichele/?hl=en
Music credit- https://www.purple-planet.com
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