The journey doesn’t end when your child graduates from the NICU. And when a parent is told that their child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, finding an education program that suits their needs is just one step on their educational path.
My guest today, Kristi Herschberger, is no stranger to children with special needs; she has dedicated herself to teaching special education for 14 years and cares for her daughter, Karly, who has cerebral palsy.
In this episode, she shares the importance of seeking out unique educational paths for our children, and how a diagnosis can be a crucial first step towards getting the tools your child needs to thrive.
She also explains what Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are, and shows us how to seek them out for our kids. She also shares important tools on advocating for our children’s needs.
Kristi talks about her family’s journey with adoption and dives into the complexities and joys of being a transracial family, and tells her story of raising her two gorgeous little girls, Karly and Katelyn.
Key Takeaways with Kristi Herschberger
- How feeding a baby with bad reflux issues to make sure they add weight is a full-time job.
- The amount of support that moms need when adopting a baby without a proper maternity leave.
- Caring and advocating for children with special needs.
- Remembering to prioritize self-care as parents.
- How to seek out special education (IEPs) for children who need it,
- How she navigates the complexities of being a transracial family as a light-skinned parent with dark-skinned children.
Kristi Herschberger Tweetables
- “Something I tell my daughters is: ‘I won’t ever know what it’s truly like, because I don’t live in your skin color. I can only help you along the way the best that I can.’” – Kristi Herschberger
- “A diagnosis is only a means to get your child what they need. That’s what I tell parents all the time. Your kid is still your kid. They have their strengths, they have their deficits; we all want to use the strengths to help kids with things that they’re struggling with.” – Kristi Herschberger
- “You’re the best advocate for your child; highlight the things you don’t know, ask what the big words are, because it’s really easy in a room where you feel like everyone gets it but you, to not speak up.” – Jamie Freedlund
Resources
- Learn more about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
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