Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple!

For our season premiere, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law – Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, – to do a deep dive on the special education system. On part 1 of this two-part series, they provide legal and practical tips by discussing the definitions, rights, and processes involved in special education evaluations

• Learning & Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) (MGH)
• Ellen Braaten, PhD (MGH)
• Eileen M. Hagerty, Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP (KCS Legal)
• Massachusetts Advocates for Children (Mass Advocates)
• Coping With ADHD: How A Young Man And His Mom Are Managing The Path To Success (MGH Clay Center)
• Our Greatest Strengths, Part 2 (Shrinking it Down)
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (US Department of Education)
• Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (US Department of Education)
• Intro to Processing Speed (MGH Clay Center)
• What are the Best Treatments for ADHD (MGH Clay Center)
• Dyslexia 101 (MGH Clay Center)
• What is Autism (MGH Clay Center)
• Massachusetts Advocates for Children Helpline (Mass Advocates)

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories matter, especially when it comes to children's mental health and wellbeing.

For our season finale, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests from Barefoot Books – book editor Lisa Rosinsky and children’s author Joelle Retener. They explore how stories help kids to make sense of the world in all of its confusion and beauty by taking a closer look at Marley’s Pride, a new children’s book about overcoming big anxieties and realizing the power of community. Plus, stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite children’s book!

Media List

• The Importance of Stories for Child Health (MGH Clay Center)
• Barefoot Books - About Us
• Joelle Retener
• Marley’s Pride (Goodreads)
• Mindful Kids Card Deck (Barefoot Books)
• Berry Song, by Michaela Goade (Goodreads)
• Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wall (Goodreads)
• The Snowy Day, by Jack Keats (Goodreads)
• The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams Bianco (Goodreads)

We wish you a story-filled summer! We’ll see you back here in October on the Third Thursday of every month. Until then, be well.

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz and Sara Rattigan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you hear the term “eating disorders” what do you think of? Probably not boys and men. Yet, adolescent boys struggle with body image and disordered eating behaviors nearly just as much as girls.

On today’s show, eating disorder specialist Jason Nagata, MD joins Gene and Khadijah to unpack what every parent should know about disordered eating in boys. They discuss the pressures boys face when it comes to body ideals, the impact of sports culture, and how to recognize signs of an eating disorder in your child.

Media List

• Jason Nagata, MD (University of California, San Francisco)
• Why eating disorders are affecting more adolescent boys (PBS News Hour)
• Parents’ perception of their child’s body image (Mott Poll Report)
• Boys, Bulk, and Body Ideals: Sex Differences in Weight Gain Attempts Among Adolescents in the United States (Journal of Adolescent Health)
• The real cost of a “Marvel body”: How the pressure to look like Thor and Captain America is hurting men (Salon)
• Muscle Dysmorphia (National Eating Disorders Association)
• Research suggests student athletes face body image concerns, develop rigid eating habits (Clemsen News)
• Disordered eating and considerations for the transgender community (Journal of Eating Disorders)
• What Are the Treatments for Eating Disorders? (MGH Clay Center)
• Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys (Charlotte Markey, Daniel Hart, Douglas N. Zacher)
• Resource Center (National Eating Disorders Association)
• 19 of Your Favorite Superheroes: Then and Now (RVCJ)

Special thanks to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for connecting us with special guest Jason Nagata, MD.

Podcast theme music by Gene Beresin, MD, MA

Episode research by Spenser Egnatz

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.