Special Needs Daily
by LA Enright
Life with Special Needs children and adults can be beautifully messy, unbelievably exhausting, and unexpectedly hilarious. Special Needs Daily is a place where parents, caregivers, etc., can breathe, laugh at things most wouldn't understand, and remember that none of us have to do it alone. This isn't a podcast about having all the answers. It's about finding joy in the chaos, humor in the hard days, and hope in the middle of real life. So grab your cold cup of coffee, hide in the pantry, and laugh through the tears with us. If you're raising a child with special needs, and you desperately need a smile today...welcome home!
Episodes
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I'm Fine. It's Everything Else.
“I'm fine.” Two little words. Sometimes the biggest lie we tell all day. In Episode 17, we're talking about the exhaustion nobody sees, the unexpected faces of grief, and why laughing when life falls apart doesn't mean you've lost your mind. (Although, some days, that's debatable.) Because you…
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Indestructible? Hold My Chewy!
Indestructible? Unbreakable? Military-grade? Clearly, these manufacturers have never met my boys! From sensory chewies to iPad cases, my teenage twins have a talent for turning heavy-duty products into expensive confetti. Join me for a laugh about sensory needs, the never-ending search for…
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Planning To Be Spontaneous
I can plan for my boys' future decades from now, but dinner next Wednesday? Don't push it! This week, we're talking about the ridiculous contradictions of special needs parenting, shrinking social circles, and why every RSVP should come with a disclaimer. And when I nearly missed the school bus...
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Apparently Mom Boys Are Water Snobs
Apparently, our drinking water has stirred up more controversy than I anticipated! After some rather pointed emails about our Fiji Water habit, I decided to investigate why I'm importing my family's hydration from the South Pacific. Is there science behind the silica hype, or have I just been...
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Have You Tried...?
“Have you tried…?” Three little words every special-needs parent knows way too well. From supplements and miracle treatments to the latest “autism breakthrough,” LA asks the question hiding behind all the hype: What does it actually HELP? Because autism isn’t one thing, our kids aren’t all the...
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Moms Don't Get Sick Days
What happens when two nonverbal autistic teenagers get sick, refuse ALL medicine…and then Mom goes down too? You break out the humidifier, the Vicks, the DayQuil, approximately 4,000 tissues, and enter survival mode. This week, I’m talking about the funny, exhausting and very real side of...
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Apparently, I Wasn't Stressed Enough!
Between a school communication battle, an annual oncology appointment, and a fever blister that decided to join the conversation, this week had opinions. A funny, honest look at advocacy, anxiety, caregiving, and why sometimes just continuing to show up is its own kind of lucky.
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But You Liked It Yesterday!
Yesterday it was their favorite food. Today? Apparently, you’re trying to poison them. If you’ve ever yelled, “BUT YOU ATE IT YESTERDAY!” Welcome to the wonderfully confusing world of autism and selective eating. We’re talking safe foods, packaging changes, beige dinners, medicine battles, and…
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Our Hope Is Not For Sale
“My child was nonverbal, until we tried THIS.” You’ve seen the posts. The green smoothie, supplement, diet or latest “miracle” followed by a child suddenly speaking, and, conveniently, a link to buy it. In this very personal Episode 9, I’m talking about the dangerous line between hope and false...
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More Than Words
I almost didn't take my nonverbal autistic teenage twins to our community pool because sometimes I just don't have the energy for the stares, questions and explanations. I'm so glad I did. Two young boys, one simple sign and an afternoon in the pool reminded me that communication doesn't always...
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The Holiday Weekend
A three-day weekend sounds relaxing, until you realize school is closed Monday. 😂 For special needs parents and caregivers, holiday weekends can bring a strange mix of wanting to be included, knowing an invitation might be more stressful than staying home, and then wondering why staying home can...
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See the Able NOT the Label
When I was reprimanded for calling my own boys “non-verbal,” my Jersey came out, and it got me thinking. Labels can unlock services, support and accommodations. But they can never tell you who our children are or what they’re capable of becoming. A report is a snapshot of where they are. It is…
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I Had A Plan Today, That's Adorable!
Ever make a plan to get your life together… only to have life remind you that it was never consulted? I had a plan: wake up before the boys, get a head start on my day, answer emails, return calls and maybe even squeeze in a podcast. What actually happened? Very little sleep, one thing after...
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High School and Hills Oh My!
The first day of high school is a big deal. The first day of high school with twin non-verbal autistic teenagers? That’s a whole different kind of drop-off. I walked in cracking jokes with security and walked out wondering who was watching my boys, whether they understood I was coming back, and...
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No Accommodations & Nowhere to go!
High school registration with zero special-needs accommodations. A burning Amazon truck. Three hours stranded on the 5. And two non-verbal autistic teenage boys who finally decided clothing was optional. Just another week at Special Needs Daily. This episode is about advocating when the system...
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Email Questions, Laughter & Two Cents
I know I said my 2nd episode would involve a guest, and that is happening, we are just coordinating busy schedules. So in the meantime, I thought I'd answer a couple questions that I received through specialneedsdaily.com. I also share something that I had to use both hands over my mouth to keep...
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Why We Laugh Anyway
In this first episode, I'm sharing who I am, why I started Special Needs Daily, and why I believe laughter isn't ignoring the hard, it helps us survive it. So if you're laughing on the days you're too tired to even smile, then Welcome, you're our people!
About this show
Life with Special Needs children and adults can be beautifully messy, unbelievably exhausting, and unexpectedly hilarious.
Special Needs Daily is a place where parents, caregivers, etc., can breathe, laugh at things most wouldn't understand, and remember that none of us have to do it alone.
This isn't a podcast about having all the answers. It's about finding joy in the chaos, humor in the hard days, and hope in the middle of real life.
So grab your cold cup of coffee, hide in the pantry, and laugh through the tears with us.
If you're raising a child with special needs, and you desperately need a smile today...welcome home!
Hosted by
LA Enright