Welcome to The Parenting Cipher! In this episode, host Genie Dawkins sits down with Nicole Stewart Jones, founder and president of the National Association of Black Micro School Leaders, to uncover how micro schools are transforming education for Black and Brown families. With 18+ years as an educator and administrator—and personal experience as a mom […]
Navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process can feel overwhelming for many parents. Between evaluation reports, meetings, and educational jargon, it’s easy to feel unsure about what steps to take or what questions to ask. Yet your perspective is invaluable. You know your child better than anyone else, and your insights are critical to crafting […]
Are You Ready for the 2025 IEP Fight? Are you worried about how 2025 New IEP changes could affect your child’s education? With sweeping policy shifts happening at both federal and state levels, it’s more important than ever to understand what’s changing—and how to protect your child’s rights. In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, […]
Halloween is supposed to be fun — costumes, candy, spooky decorations, and silly excitement everywhere. But for many neurodiverse kids, the holiday can feel like chaos wrapped in glitter and fake spiderwebs. Loud noises, flashing lights, scratchy costumes, crowded sidewalks, and unfamiliar social rules can overwhelm their senses fast. If you’ve ever tried to enjoy […]
Have you ever watched your child struggle with Halloween costumes, loud noises, or unpredictable sights and wondered, “Is Halloween supposed to be this overwhelming for neurodiverse kids?” In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, host Genie Dawkins unpacks the sensory challenges that come with Halloween and offers how to make Halloween sensory-friendly solutions so […]
How Do You Make Halloween Fun—Not Overwhelming—for Neurodiverse Kids? Do you ever watch your child melt down halfway through trick or treating, wishing there was a magic spell for sensory overload? You’re not alone! For many families, Halloween brings excitement and stress—especially for parents of neurodiverse children. At The Parenting Cipher, we believe advocacy starts […]
Are you wondering how to protect your neurodiverse child's education when it feels like the systems designed to support them are unraveling? You're not alone—and The Parenting Cipher is here to help. In this powerful return episode, host Genie Dawkins brings honest reflection and actionable strategies for parents navigating special education in 2025. As a […]
We’re told that school tests measure how well a student understands what’s been taught. But here’s the problem: Testing Secrets Schools rarely admit how unfair, biased, and outdated those systems actually are. Behind every “standardized” test is a design that fits only a narrow range of minds and backgrounds. The rest, including special needs students, […]
