The Opportunity Gap

Kids of color who have ADHD and other common learning differences often face a double stigma. But there’s a lot that families can do to address the opportunity gap in our communities. Host Julian Saavedra is a father of two. He's also an assistant principal who has spent nearly 20 years working in public schools. Join Saavedra as he talks with parents and experts and offers tips to help you advocate for your child.

Navigating your child’s diagnosis: Self-care tips for parents
Apr 23, 2025 – 00:15:45
4 tips to help kids cope with uncertainty and anxiety
Apr 9, 2025 – 00:10:51
How to build strong parent-child bonds
Mar 26, 2025 – 00:23:37
The hard truth about racism in special education: Part 2
Mar 12, 2025 – 00:25:14
The hard truth about racism in special education: Part 1
Feb 26, 2025 – 00:16:06
The power of culturally responsive teaching
Feb 12, 2025 – 00:20:41
How to get over the “mid-year slump”
Jan 29, 2025 – 00:21:58
What families wish you knew about learning disabilities
Jan 15, 2025 – 00:23:34
Building strong reading skills in kids
Jan 1, 2025 – 00:19:54
How I’d parent my ADHD kids differently
Dec 18, 2024 – 00:18:23
Helping kids navigate the holiday season
Dec 4, 2024 – 00:10:55
How I’m navigating my child’s two diagnoses
Nov 20, 2024 – 00:16:19
Game on! Teaching kids sportsmanship
Nov 6, 2024 – 00:18:01
What to do after a parent-teacher conference
Oct 23, 2024 – 00:18:06
How to build a supportive village for kids
Oct 9, 2024 – 00:16:28
Navigating fatherhood with ADHD
Sep 25, 2024 – 00:34:05
What to do when school supports fall short
Sep 11, 2024 – 00:36:41
How to teach kids independence
Aug 28, 2024 – 00:19:58
Empowering kids for school success
Aug 14, 2024 – 00:16:20
How to make summer learning fun
Jul 31, 2024 – 00:18:30
Parenting Behavior: What is behavior?
Jul 17, 2024 – 00:07:47
Creating teachable moments
Jul 3, 2024 – 00:20:19
Understanding preschool services
Jun 19, 2024 – 00:37:10
Understood Explains IEPs: Special education terms and your legal rights
Jun 5, 2024 – 00:14:16
IEPs and English language learners
May 22, 2024 – 00:28:55
What teachers want parents to know
May 8, 2024 – 00:35:55
In It: Olympian Michelle Carter talks ADHD and dyslexia
Apr 24, 2024 – 00:29:23
Social media and toxic myths about ADHD
Apr 10, 2024 – 00:39:07
Growing up with ADHD: An interview with René Brooks
Mar 27, 2024 – 00:24:54
Understanding the IEP process
Mar 13, 2024 – 00:26:41
Talking to your child’s pediatrician about learning differences
Feb 28, 2024 – 00:22:50
Diverse impact: Champions of change at Understood
Feb 14, 2024 – 00:11:44
Preparing kids for life after high school
Jan 31, 2024 – 00:29:05
How to get kids to talk about school
Jan 17, 2024 – 00:13:15
What is the school-to-prison pipeline?
Jan 3, 2024 – 00:39:02
In It: How to tame tantrums and meltdowns with Dr. Andrew Kahn
Dec 20, 2023 – 00:29:35
Talking to your family about your child’s differences
Dec 6, 2023 – 00:11:56
In It: How to make the most of parent-teacher conferences
Nov 22, 2023 – 00:22:54
Confronting racial bias within special education
Nov 8, 2023 – 00:32:43
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Oct 25, 2023 – 00:23:41
Bonus: Introducing “What Now?”
Oct 18, 2023 – 00:07:50
What is a learning disability?
Oct 11, 2023 – 00:23:17
En español: Preguntas y respuestas sobre la educación especial
Sep 27, 2023 – 00:17:53
Empowering English language learners
Sep 13, 2023 – 00:26:14
Supporting self-esteem and confidence in kids
Aug 2, 2023 – 00:10:19
In It: Discipline, ADHD, and learning differences
Jul 5, 2023 – 00:26:51
Stopping “summer slide”
Jun 7, 2023 – 00:19:53
Supporting kids’ mental health: Tim Massaquoi on shame, stigma, and asking for help
May 17, 2023 – 00:24:32
Supporting kids’ mental health: Kier Gaines on fatherhood, self-care, and social media
May 3, 2023 – 00:25:54
Trauma, learning differences, and kids of color
Apr 5, 2023 – 00:31:28

Recent Reviews

ice-wings🐾🐲🌌

Great topics, great tips, great host!

Julian is a great host—I love this show! Great topics, great guests, great tips, and did I mention I love the host?
Nyrkim

Thoughtful podcast on important issues

This podcast is one of a kind — specifically focusing on the intersection of race and learning disabilities/ADHD, which often gets overlooked in schools. The host is honest, relatable, and informative. The guests always add great perspective. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to become more knowledgable on these issues.
BK77534

Really great show

Love the hosts and how candid they are. I really appreciate the perspective they bring. Required listening for all teachers.
JS44419

Bold and exciting

Hearing someone finally asking the tough questions families face when it comes to differences like race and school choice is refreshing. Knowing the gap exists is common, reckoning with what this means for parents and their kids with disabilities — is bold!! Bravo!
Beth5750

Honest and thought-provoking

Julian and Marissa engage in thoughtful conversations and use their own experiences as teachers and parents to discuss some of the joys and challenges of raising kids of color with learning differences. This is a great resource for families and teachers.
Gerry, parent/learner

Timely, poignant, needed: phenomenal podcast!

Saavedra and Wallace guide insightful, data-driven conversations that connect listeners to the reality of The Opportunity Gap and how we can close it for kids of color with overlooked learning and thinking differences. The way they weave experience and personal connection elevates the conversation and carries the listener along the story of an engaging, learning-filled journey. Highly recommend!