Conversations with two Amsterdam Mamas making a difference for families with differently-wired kids
In this episode, we interview two parents raising neurologically-atypical children in the Amsterdam Mamas community. We touch on both their of their choices to move to the Netherlands, how they navigated their educational options, the needs they had and where it led them. The parenthood journey, it turns out, often takes us to unexpected destinations.
First, we answer a question from a listener facing the process of special needs evaluation in the Dutch education system, which became the inspiration for the entire episode. We meet with Lucinda Juliani, founder of the Facebook group Special Needs Families in the Netherlands to help answer this question. We talk about:
- Why she started the group Special Needs Families in the Netherlands
- How she experienced navigating the educational options for her son in the Netherlands
- The testing and evaluation process for her son
- A general critique of the special needs support in the Dutch education system, from a newcomer’s perspective
- Advice and tips for other parents, as recommended in the group
Next, we talk to Debbie Reber, founder of the TiLT Parenting podcast and website, a passion project which grew out of her experiences raising her son Asher, and through which she hopes to challenge the current parenting paradigm and start a revolution for parents of differently-wired kids. Differently-wired is a term she explicitly uses to emphasize that the way many children (and adults) experience the world is not a deficit but a difference. We think you’ll love the TiLT Parenting podcast and hearing Debbie’s inspiring vision. Topics we cover include:
- Discovering parenting was not going to go as she planned
- Her family’s decision to move to the Netherlands and make a major lifestyle change
- Homeschooling in the Netherlands
- Shifting her approach to parenting Asher
- The realization of TiLT Parenting as more than just a memoir
- Why the term ‘differently-wired’ is meaningful
- Debbie’s vision for the TiLT Parenting movement
Show notes
Special Needs Families in the Netherlands Facebook group
TiLT Parenting (also on Facebook and Twitter: @Tiltparenting)
Register for the 2016 Spooktacular Parade
Vote for the 2016 Amsterdam Mamas Recommend Awards
Volunteer for Amsterdam Mamas by contacting volunteer@amsterdam-mamas.nl
Don’t forget to subscribe! You can find The Amsterdam Mamas Podcast in iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, or on your favorite podcast app. Please leave us a rating us on iTunes.
For feedback, questions, or comments on this episode, visit our Facebook Page or contact us at podcast@amsterdam-mamas.nl.
Donna Bardsley
Donna Bardsley is the travel-loving mother of three homebodies who hate to leave the house. After living in Amsterdam for six years, she has recently moved her family back to the US where she is experiencing all the joys of reverse culture shock.
