In this episode of Hope and Will: A Parenting Podcast from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we’re joined by three incredible guests who are raising children with special needs. Together, they help us better understand what life is like for their families and provide insight to help parents harness kids’ natural curiosity and turn it into something positive. They share examples of big and little gestures that go a long way to help their kids feel loved and accepted.

Jenn is Mom to Wyatt, who has dwarfism. Nicole is Mom to Ruby, who has Down syndrome. And Neil is Dad to Jack, who is on the autism spectrum and communicates through a tablet.

You’ll hear what helps their kids feel supported in everyday settings like schools and sports, and what well-meaning people sometimes get wrong. They share advice for families starting their own special needs journeys, as well as support that makes a real difference for them as parents.

Before the panel discussion, you’ll also hear from Dale Spivey, a school social worker, double amputee and former Children’s patient, who reflects on her own childhood and the message her parents taught her early on: When life knocks you down, you turn your foot around and get back up.

This heartfelt conversation is an honest look at parenting and the small gestures that help every child feel like they belong.

For more about this episode and our podcast, visit www.choa.org/podcasts.

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Created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
www.choa.org

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be considered medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgments when making recommendations for their patients. Patients in need of medical or behavioral advice should consult their family healthcare providers. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. Product mentions are not endorsements.

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Type 1 diabetes often shows up without warning, and missed symptoms can put a child at serious risk. Parents, teachers, coaches and caregivers all play a role in noticing the early warning signs, like unusual thirst, fatigue and sudden weight loss.

In this episode of Hope and Will: A Parenting Podcast from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we chat with pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Presley Nichols, diabetes educator Alison Higgins and parent guest Megan Bowman. They break down what type 1 diabetes is—and what it isn’t—while sharing practical tips for recognizing symptoms, supporting kids with the condition and creating environments where children can thrive.

You might be raising a child with type 1 diabetes, teaching one, babysitting one or coaching one. Or maybe your child shares a classroom, dugout or birthday party circuit with one. Whether you're deep in this world already, or just want to be a more informed adult in an affected child’s life, this episode will give you the knowledge—and the confidence—to be a champion for kids with type 1 diabetes.

For more about this episode and our podcast, visit www.choa.org/podcasts.

Follow Children’s:

• Instagram @childrensatl
• Facebook @ChildrensHealthcareofAtlanta
• X @childrensatl

Created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
www.choa.org

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be considered medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgments when making recommendations for their patients. Patients in need of medical or behavioral advice should consult their family healthcare providers. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. Product mentions are not endorsements.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you have kids, you won’t be surprised to hear that “Is my child getting enough sleep?” and “hours of sleep by age” are top digital search queries.

In this episode of Hope and Will: A Parenting Podcast from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we dive into something that keeps parents up at night—literally. Whether you have a younger child whose nighttime routine somehow morphed from a sprint into a marathon or a teenage night owl, this episode has insight for you. We discuss how much sleep kids need by age and signs a child is getting too little—or too much—sleep. We also take on the topic of sleep-aid supplements like melatonin and magnesium, which seem to be everywhere these days.

The episode opens with cathartic insight from two parents who are in the throes of sleep time conundrums, then segues into tips from Dr. Stan Sonu from our Strong4Life team. Dr. Sonu draws from his experience as a pediatrician and a dad to tackle questions he regularly hears from parents. Whether you captain a ship with elementary schoolers, teens or both, this episode offers insight you don’t want to miss.

For more about this episode and our podcast, visit www.choa.org/podcasts.

Follow Children’s:

• Instagram @childrensatl
• Facebook @ChildrensHealthcareofAtlanta
• X @childrensatl

Follow Strong4Life:

• Instagram @wearestrong4life
• Facebook @S4LGA

Created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
www.choa.org

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be considered medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgments when making recommendations for their patients. Patients in need of medical or behavioral advice should consult their family healthcare providers. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. Product mentions are not endorsements.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.