Finding Your Fit: Tailoring Education to Neurodiverse Needs w/ Cassie Olguin

Mike and Chaya sit down with Cassie Olguin, a Partnerships Specialist at Outschool and homeschool mom of 11+ years. Cassie shares how her family moved from a traditional-school mindset to homeschooling, and then navigated a new layer of needs as one of her twins was diagnosed with OCD, autism, and ADHD. Together, they explore what it looks like to protect a child’s spirit, redefine “success” beyond test scores, and build a learning life that flexes with mental health, sensory needs, and curiosity. We Also Cover: Why testing high doesn't always translate to actually understanding the material The hidden cost of comparison culture and chasing standardized grades The real-world benefits of homeschooling neurodivergent kids When it's time for academics to step back for mental and physical health How interest-based learning benefits all students Using creative platforms like Minecraft and art to teach math What to consider with online learning vs public school for neurodivergent kids Practical ways working parents can integrate alternative schooling Leveraging dual enrollment pathways for high schoolers Giving yourself permission to pivot and ditch a curriculum that isn't working Quotes: “We don’t need a billion mathematicians… we need creatives.” — Cassie Olguin “Just because you started something doesn’t mean you have to finish it.” — Cassie Olguin “None of my kids could read at what would be considered grade level until the sixth grade… and now they are all way above grade level.” — Cassie Olguin “Some of what we view as accommodations for neurodivergent learners are just the right way to teach anybody anything.” — Mike Cornell About Cassie Olguin: Cassie Olguin is a Partnerships Specialist at Outschool and has homeschooled her three daughters for 11+ years (one in high school and twin middle schoolers, one of whom is neurodiverse). A former paralegal with a Political Science degree, she transitioned from the legal field into home education—using a California homeschool charter while exploring a wide range of curricula and approaches. At Outschool, she focuses on community engagement and content development, working closely with educators and families to build supportive, student-centered learning environments. Cassie advocates for flexible, personalized options across public, private, homeschool, and hybrid models, and believes every child deserves an education that fits their unique needs. Connect with Cassie Olguin: Outschool: https://outschool.com/ Cassie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassieolguin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassies.hs.corner/ Outschool Resources for Parents: https://outschool.com/parents Join the Waitlist for SPARKADE: Games for Children and Families Designed for ADHD Minds, by ADHD Minds https://play.sparkade.app/ Your neurodivergent child deserves an educational experience that helps them thrive. Join the Sparkade community to give them a gamified learning journey that sparks confidence and curiosity, builds skills, and strengthens your connection — one playful session at a time. Available soon on iOS and Android. - Play on any tablet or phone. Stay Connected: Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/ All podcast listening methods: https://episodes.fm/1758785803 Play Our Game - For ADHD Minds: https://play.sparkade.app/ ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.ai Chaya on Instagram: @the_sparklaunch Mike on Instagram: @followshisghost Mike's Neurodivergent & Mental Health Peer Coaching-- Nab a Free Consultation: https://followyourghostcoach.com/ As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.