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PODCAST

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for Neurodivergent Learners

Dr. Vaish Sarathy

Where we raise the bar on Education for children with a disability. Educating a child with a disability isn"t for the faint of heart, and if you"re a parent or educator who refuses to give up on your child"s potential, you"re in the right place. Hosted by TEDx speaker and Ph.D. Chemist Dr. Vaish Sarathy [mom to a non-speaking Autistic teen with Down syndrome], this podcast offers a bold new way to support your child"s learning, regulation, and independence without burnout or arbitrary busy

kids & family education for kids

All Episodes

46:06

195 What's Your Excuse? Lessons on Problem-Solving,...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/10/30

This may be the most heartfelt episode I've ever recorded. In this deeply human conversation, Maxwell Ivey: The Blind Blogger, and I talk about what it means to keep moving when life doesn't hand you easy options. Maxwell lost his sight as a child, taught himself to code, built a business, and learned to ask for help without shame. We talk about the quiet power of asking, the courage to act before conditions are perfect, and a rare take on gratitude-not as politeness, but as the willingness to

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13:18

188 Rethinking College Readiness: Why Life Skills...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/08/08

In this episode of Nonlinear Learning, we challenge the conventional path parents often take when preparing children with disabilities for higher education. We discuss why focusing solely on life skills, physical independence, and basic academics can leave students unprepared for the real demands of college. Instead, I outline the true foundation that fosters genuine readiness for higher education and guess what - there is a key factor there - MOTIVATION. How do we build that? Tune in to learn

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29:02

187 Not a "Math Person"? That’s a Myth - even if...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/07/31

Why are so many of us terrified of math—but not history, art, or reading? In this episode of Nonlinear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy sits down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning, to why math anxiety exists and why it disproportionately affects children with disabilities. Tune in to learn: Why math anxiety shows up earlier and more intensely than other academic anxieties How early gaps in understanding compound into full-blown learning trauma by 3rd grade What the

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09:07

186 Allowing Imperfection - The Teaching Strategy...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/07/18

One of the biggest hurdles in disability education is the Insistence on Completion / Perfection. In this episode, Dr. Vaish Sarathy breaks down the one rule that every parent and educator of disabled children needs to hear: Progress in Learning requires gaps. And refusing to move forward until every milestone is mastered is the fastest route to stagnation. She uses the lens of game theory to map out a “payoff matrix” that compares the risks of moving forward (even when skills are shaky)

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36:54

185 Ancient Wisdom, Modern Needs - Ayurveda,...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/07/02

I am joined by Ayurvedic practitioner Anuradha Gupta in this episode to look at how Ayurveda can support emotional regulation, and learning of neurodivergent children and their caregivers. We talk about: What doshas and gunas really are, and how they shape your child’s emotions, attention, and learning The Ayurvedic principle of chatushpad and why a child’s progress is inseparable from a parent’s wellbeing Strategies for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha imbalances in autistic and non-speaking

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37:14

184: Gestalt, Scripting, Echolalia and the Speech vs...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/06/27

Is your child's speech meaningful? In this unfiltered episode of Non Linear Learning, co-hosts Dr. Vaish Sarathy and Searmi Park talk about the difference between speech and language, and why that may be everything in educating our kids with disabilities. Here's what they talk about: Why scripting and echolalia aren’t proof of limited cognition The danger of over-labeling learners as "gestalt processors" How presumed competence starts where speech ends Why academics—not behavior—is the

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06:10

183 When Speech Isn’t Language: Understanding the...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/06/20

Does your child echo everything you say—but struggle to express their own thoughts? In this episode of Non Linear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy tackles one of the most misunderstood differences in developmental education: the gap between speech and language—and why recognizing this difference can completely shift how you teach your autistic child. You'll learn: How speech apraxia and motor planning issues can mask true intelligence Why “presuming competence” often means “presuming apraxia" A

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29:11

182 Breath, Burnout, and Beginning Again: Syed Abbas...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/06/13

In this deeply honest episode, I talk with Syed Abbas—global meditation teacher, disability advocate, and father—about how a life-altering diagnosis of muscular dystrophy pushed him into the world of breathwork, mindfulness, and inner transformation. We talk about: His journey from depression and chronic medication use to mental clarity and peace What it’s like to live with a progressive disability—and find pride and power in it The science and simplicity of breathwork Why caregivers,

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39:49

181 Beyond Inclusion: Civil Rights, Communication,...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/05/28

Access to communication is the first step—what comes after? In this episode of Non Linear Learning, Dr. Vaish Sarathy and Searmi Park sit down with award-winning researcher and advocate Dr. Edlyn Peña to talk about inclusion, spelled communication, and what happens when we stop settling for access and start building actual community. Dr. Peña shares her journey raising her non-speaking son Diego—from fighting for AAC in preschool to full inclusion in high school using a letterboard. She

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43:32

180 From Letterboards to Augmented Reality: Building...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/05/15

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Diwakar Krishnamurthy—engineer, AI researcher, and parent of a non-speaking autistic teen—about what it takes to build truly accessible communication tools. We discuss: Why most autism tech fails non-speakers How apraxia—not cognitive delay—affects communication What happens when you design technology with non-speaking autistic users How augmented reality tools can support motor planning, regulation, and independence What it means to integrate AI

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01:09:23

3 steps to building intelligence - Limited time replay

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/05/01

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30:03

179 When your dreams for your child hold them back...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/04/29

In this episode of the Tiger Moms Chat, I sit down with my brilliant friend and co-host, Searmi Park—concertmaster of the Eugene Symphony and founder of Autism Mustang Alliance—to talk about letting go of neurotypical dreams to make space for radical possibility. As we talk about "Lesser Dreams" - we discuss How some dreams can hold you back! The critical concept of Apraxia (even in how you dream) What happens inside Non Linear Education We also answer a listener’s heartfelt question:

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33:33

178 Why Education should be Non Linear for Autistic...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/04/24

Vaish and Searmi return for another Tiger Moms Chat—they talk about “Non Linear Education”. From abandoning division to rediscovering the power of poetry, Vaish shares the personal story behind the name Non Linear Education, and both moms reflect on what happens when you stop chasing curriculum and start chasing connection. Whether you’re new to presuming competence or have been supporting a non-speaker for years, this episode is your permission slip to step out of the box—and into the zone. What

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22:36

177 Nourishing the Learning Brain: Nutrition,...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/04/12

Can food actually support your child’s focus, regulation, and learning? In this tender AND practical episode of Non Linear Learning, I’m joined by Allison Schaaf—registered dietitian, trained chef, and founder of PrepDish—for a conversation that goes far beyond food prep. We explore how nutrition is not just fuel—it's a tool for regulation, attention, and connection, especially for autistic children, but really just for all children. And how even the busiest families can find calm and clarity in

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39:50

176 The Science of Brain Training with Dr. Henry Mahncke

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/04/07

What if your child’s brain could literally rewire itself—with the right kind of input? In this empowering episode of Non Linear Learning, I sit down with neuroscientist and BrainHQ CEO Dr. Henry Mahncke to explore the incredible science of neuroplasticity—and what it means for our neurodivergent kids. We break down: The real difference between brain games and effective brain training How sensory input and motor function impact learning and attention Whether structured brain training can

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25:01

175 The Link Between Gut Health and Brain Function –...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/03/28

In this episode, I chat with Julie Matthews, a nutrition expert I’ve learned so much from, about how food impacts learning, behavior, and focus—especially for kids with autism. We break down picky eating, gut health, and why simple nutrition changes can make a big difference. Julie shares practical tips parents can start using right away. Some key questions we cover: Can food really help kids focus and learn? Are artificial additives making things worse? What’s the link between gut health and

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23:06

174 What does Picky Eating have to do with Gut Health...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/03/10

I spoke with Madeleine Lauf, founder and CEO of Begin Health, about the critical role of gut health in children's overall wellness and their learning. These are some really powerful connections we uncovered: Can Prebiotics actually help Picky Eating? Does the Gut Microbiome impact digestive health? What are the differences between Probiotics and Prebiotics? And small daily habits that can make a big difference in your child’s eating AND learning 🌱 Follow Madeleine: @beginhealth👉

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35:26

173 Presuming Genius, Telepathy and Intuition [Tiger...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/03/04

The Tiger Moms Chat is a series of unfiltered hard-hitting (sometimes) conversations. As Searmi and Vaish wonder what it is to be a tiger mom - they think that being a tiger mom partly means pushing past comfort zones. We discuss a few controversial topics in this episode - including the Telepathy Tapes - both for and against. From Vaish: "The question is not if telepathy is real. It is - is it necessary to sensationalize an already marginalized group?" We discuss if presuming competence is the

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12:21

172 Close the Gap - 3 things you can do to address...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/02/20

Do you ever feel like your child is falling behind their peers? In this episode of Non Linear Learning, we talk about the gaps that Traditional Education can create in Neurodivergent learners and 3 ways you can address that right now! I’ll explain how sensory needs, Apraxia, and an under-resourced education system contribute to the illusion of "lagging behind." Plus, three actionable steps to reframe, support, and empower your child's learning journey. Tune in and let's obliterate the gap!

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42:10

171 How Understanding Apraxia changes your child's...

Non Linear Learning - Rethinking Education for... ·

2025/02/13

I first spoke with Dana Johnson nearly 4 years ago, and that conversation completely changed how I saw vision and learning. I call it my "ocular motor awakening"—when I truly understood that vision has three components, and only one of them is corrected by glasses. Dana is the co-creator of the Spellers Method and the founder of multiple centers dedicated to helping non-speaking individuals communicate and learn with purpose. As both an occupational therapist (OT) and a Spellers Method

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161 results

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