This episode shines a light on the power of self-regulation,
mindfulness, and daily practice as transformational tools for well-being. Join
us as Tam Taouss shares her wisdom, practical strategies, and real-life
experiences in Vedic Meditation and Breathwork—especially for parents and
caregivers navigating the unique challenges of raising neurodivergent children.
Whether you’re new to mindfulness or looking for fresh inspiration, you’ll walk
away with encouraging insights and actionable steps to bring more balance,
resilience, and self-compassion to your daily life.

Hear
how Tam's dynamic entrepreneurial background and personal journey led her
to become a leading voice in meditation, breathwork, and corporate
wellness.

The
Unfiltered Reality: The realities of raising an autistic daughter and
why nervous system regulation matters so deeply for parents of
neurodivergent children.

Regulation
Before Strategy: Discover the science behind nervous system regulation
and learn why healing yourself first is the ultimate key to successful
co-regulation with your kids.

The
Power of Vedic Meditation and Breathwork: Tam explains how these
consistent daily practices build essential emotional resilience and help
you navigate both internal and external chaos.

Simple
Practices for Busy Parents: Practical, realistic strategies to manage
stress, overwhelm, and burnout when you feel like you have nothing left to
give.

Finding
the Balance: Navigating the tension between supporting your child's
delicate nervous system and advocating for the world to accommodate their
needs.

Resources & How to Connect

Website:
tamtaouss.com – Explore Vedic
Meditation courses, breathwork sessions, and coaching/mentor programs.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tamtaouss/
– Follow Tam for daily inspiration, tips, and direct contact via DM.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579142199817
– Stay updated with Tam’s latest events and wellness insights.

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tam-taouss-711a4110b/
– Connect for collaborations or professional inquiries.

Email:
tam@tamtaouss.com

For more on emotional regulation, Vedic Meditation, and ways
to reclaim your daily calm, visit Tam’s website or reach out on social media.

Enjoying the show?

If this conversation inspired you, please subscribe and
leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us
bring these important discussions to more listeners and empowers neurodivergent
families. Thank you!

Connect With Us:

§ Follow
us on Instagram: @piecesformypuzzle

§ Email
us: Info@piecesformypuzzle.com

§ Learn
more: www.piecesformypuzzle.com

§ Check
it out! We are one of the Top 35 Special Need Parenting Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/special_needs_parenting_podcasts/

If you found this episode inspiring, be sure to like,
share, and subscribe to Pieces For My Puzzle! Leave us a comment below to
share your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with
you.

Are you a parent, teacher, or advocate wondering how to
support a bright child who struggles to read? In this episode, we sit down with
Meagan Sardana, a speech-language pathologist on a mission to change the
narrative around dyslexia. Meagan defines dyslexia as a specific learning
disability rooted in challenges with phonological and phonemic awareness—not a
measure of intelligence—and clears up the misconceptions that leave so many
capable kids overlooked. She shares why telling a struggling reader to "sound
it out" misses the mark, how audiobooks can build rich vocabulary and
language skills, and why the structured, multisensory Orton-Gillingham approach
works so well. We also explore the deep embarrassment, anxiety, and shame that
reading struggles can create, and how reframing the question to "What's
right with me?" can unlock the unique strengths many dyslexic thinkers
bring to the world.

Key Discussion Points:

Defining
Dyslexia: Understanding dyslexia as a specific learning disability
rooted in phonological and phonemic awareness—and the key difference
between awareness of a language's sound system and the ability to
manipulate individual speech sounds.

Why
"Sound It Out" Falls Short: Why this common advice misses
the mark, since decoding sounds is precisely what dyslexic brains struggle
to do.

The
Emotional Impact: How reading struggles can lead to deep
embarrassment, anxiety, and shame that often persist into adulthood—and
how reframing to "What's right with me?" builds confidence.

The
Strengths of Dyslexic Thinking: The unique cognitive gifts often tied
to dyslexia, from visual-spatial thinking (Steven Spielberg) to holistic,
big-picture vision (Jamie Oliver) and deep empathy (Keira Knightley).

Structured
Literacy & Orton-Gillingham: What a systematic, sequential, and
multisensory approach looks like—and why engaging visual, auditory, and
kinesthetic pathways works so well.

Practical
Support for Families: Evidence-based strategies parents and educators
can use, including audiobooks to build vocabulary and syntax, plus
advocacy for the right reading interventions.

Resources:

Visit
Meagan’s website for tutoring and educational resources: https://www.bythebooktutor.com/

Connect
with Meagan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-sardana-m-s-ccc-slp-7328444b/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bythebooktutoringservices

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mwsardana/

Email:
meagan@bythebooktutor.com

Enjoying the show?

If this conversation inspired you, please subscribe and
leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us
bring these important discussions to more listeners and empowers neurodivergent
families. Thank you!

Connect With Us:

§ Follow
us on Instagram or Facebook: @piecesformypuzzle

§ Email
us: Info@piecesformypuzzle.com

§ Learn
more: www.piecesformypuzzle.com

§ Check
it out! We are one of the Top 35 Special Need Parenting Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/special_needs_parenting_podcasts/

If you found this episode inspiring, be sure to like,
share, and subscribe to Pieces For My Puzzle! Leave us a comment below to
share your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with
you.

Discover how a school principal and grandmother navigate
autism, support families, and train first responders to keep neurodiverse kids
safe. Tune in now!

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Kaufman to
explore her powerful journey from both sides of the desk. We discuss practical
strategies for grandparents, how to support adult children raising neurodiverse
kids, and the critical importance of autism safety training for law
enforcement. Whether you are a parent, educator, or first responder, this
episode offers hope, humor, and real help.

Key Topics Discussed:

The
dual perspective of being both a school principal and a grandmother of an
autistic grandchild.

The
biggest misconceptions grandparents have about autism, including the idea
that "he doesn't seem autistic."

How
grandparents can support their adult children without overstepping—following
the parents' lead and listening without judgment.

Creating
sensory-friendly, predictable home environments that help autistic
grandchildren feel safe and comfortable.

How
First Response Autism trains police, first responders, and educators to
support neurodiverse community members.

Shifting
perspective from "they're giving you a hard time" to
"they're having a hard time" to prevent crisis situations.

The
power of unconditional presence—showing up consistently without trying to
"fix" everything.

The
critical importance of water safety and swimming lessons for individuals
with autism.

Guest Info and Contact Details:

About Jennifer Kaufman:

Jennifer Kaufman is a school principal, grandmother, author, and the founder of
First Response Autism. She offers authentic, lived experience to help families
navigate autism with practical strategies and deep understanding.

Resources & Links:

Read
the Book: Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides
of the Desk (Available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon)

First
Response Autism: Learn more about autism support training for law
enforcement and get community safety resources for your family.

Email
Jennifer (Grandparenting): jen@grandparentingonthespectrum.com

Email
Jennifer (First Response): jennifer@firstresponseautism.com

Follow
Jennifer on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! (Search: Jennifer Kaufman)

Visit
her website to book her for grandparent workshops, first responder
trainings, or school consultations.

Connect With Us:

§ Follow
us on Instagram: @piecesformypuzzle

§ Email
us: Info@piecesformypuzzle.com

§ Learn
more: www.piecesformypuzzle.com

§ Check
it out! We are one of the Top 35 Special Need Parenting Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/special_needs_parenting_podcasts/

If this conversation inspired you, please subscribe and
leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us
bring these important discussions to more listeners and empowers neurodivergent
families. Thank you!

#JenniferKaufman
#GrandparentingOnTheSpectrum
#AutismSupport
#AutismParenting
#GrandparentsOfAutism
#SpecialEducation
#AutismAdvocacy
#FirstResponderTraining
#AutismAwareness
#NeurodiverseInclusion
#Neurodiversity
#AutismFamily
#DeEscalationTraining
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