What if a simple text message could change, or even save a teen’s life?

When Elaine Uskoski received a chilling email from her son, she knew something was deeply wrong. He had stopped attending university classes, missed deadlines, was sleeping all day, barely eating, and had been gaming for up to 16 hours a day. What began as a fearful drive to pick him up from campus became the beginning of a life-altering journey, not just for her son’s recovery, but for Elaine’s new purpose: helping families across the world understand and address video gaming addiction.

Now an internationally recognized coach, speaker, and author of Cyber Sober, Elaine joins us to share her story of heartbreak, healing, and hope, offering insight into a modern addiction that many still don’t recognize.

Highlights:

💥 The red flags of gaming addiction

💥 What recovery looked like at home

💥 Why "just take it away" doesn’t work

💥 Who’s most at risk (and why)

💥 What parents and educators can do

💥 Harm reduction strategies and prevention

💥 How Jake is thriving today, and helping others

💥 The modules now available for post secondary schools and residences to raise student awareness

How to reach Elaine: https://eyespyhealth.ca/

The Primary Purpose of This Podcast Is To Educate, Which Does Not Constitute Professional Advice or Services. The Views and Opinions Expressed are Those of The Guests. Their Appearance on The Podcast Does Not Imply Any Endorsement of Them, Their Products, or Their Services.

Connect with Lynn:

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Website: https://lynnmclaughlin.com/

Dr. Teri Rouse holds a doctorate in behaviour management. She is an international speaker, autism reading specialist and creator of the REAL Peaceful Parenting program. She is on a mission to help families and ed build stronger relationships through empathy, empowerment and emotional intelligence. Whether you are navigating tantrums or teacher burnout, Dr. Teri offers real world strategies that are practical, heartfelt and deeply human.

What happens when a seasoned educator and special education expert faces behaviours in her own home that she can’t explain, let alone manage? Join Dr. Teri Rouse, Women Changing the World Award winner, as she shares her journey with her step-son and how it led her to a doctorate in behaviour management.

Dr. Rouse unpacks the emotional and professional challenges educators and parents face today.

💥 We explore her unique BARC system for tracking behaviour.

💥 the importance of asking "What are you feeling now?", and how to co-create a plan that works for both child and adult.

💥 She opens up about her REAL Peaceful Parenting Framework, the power of communication in identifying root issues, and why early intervention is non-negotiable.

💥 From Snuggle Bunny Time to her book Untamed Chaos, her tools and strategies are born from both academic expertise and lived experience.

💥 New autism research and practical ways to reconnect with your child—starting with one outdoor moment at a time.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or professional working with kids, this episode is a must-listen.

Dr. Teri's website: https://drterirouse.com/

The Primary Purpose of This Podcast Is To Educate, Which Does Not Constitute Professional Advice or Services. The Views and Opinions Expressed are Those of The Guests. Their Appearance on The Podcast Does Not Imply Any Endorsement of Them, Their Products, or Their Services.

Connect with Lynn:

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Website: https://lynnmclaughlin.com/

When Rita Miceli received her son Giaci’s autism diagnosis, her world shifted - but it didn’t break. In the second part of this heartfelt conversation on Taking the Helm, Rita shares how her family navigated the uncertainty, fear, generational and cultural beliefs by building an unshakable foundation of love, support, and understanding.

Rita also reflects on sibling connection, self-care, the steps they took to build their son's independence and how she found peace knowing her son will always be supported. It’s a conversation filled with honesty, hope, and the powerful reminder that love can truly light the way.

💥 How do parents cope when they hear the diagnosis?

💥 How do we take care of ourselves and find strength rather than working at it from a point of weakness?

💥 Giaci's siblings adore him. What made this possible and how has he has made them better people?

💥 Giaci did not go to traditional high school. What did he do as an alternative that introduced him to the work world?

💥How did one TikTok post go viral and how does Giaci's social media posts give families a light at the end of the tunnel?

💥 How did his family prepare Giaci for his sister's wedding and the dance he had with her?

With over three decades of educational experience, Rita teaches in the Autism and Behavioural Science Graduate Program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Her family's journey has been highlighted in The Drive Magazine, on CTV News, and CBC National News. Rita is the past president of Autism Ontario (Windsor/Essex Chapter) and has published works on multiple platforms related to special needs and autism, including "A Call to Action" (Autism Matters) and "Words that Connect Us" (Canadian Authors Association).

More about Rita: https://giaci.ca/

Follow Giaci on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giacimiceli?

Follow Giaci on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giacimiceli/

The Primary Purpose of This Podcast Is To Educate, Which Does Not Constitute Professional Advice or Services. The Views and Opinions Expressed are Those of The Guests. Their Appearance on The Podcast Does Not Imply Any Endorsement of Them, Their Products, or Their Services.

Connect with Lynn:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnmcla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnmclaughl...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkye...

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-mcla...

Website: https://lynnmclaughlin.com/

Rita Miceli is a mother of four and a contributor to the international bestselling book "Ambitious Women Rise: The Amazing Stories of Women Overcoming Obstacles and Creating the Life of Their Dreams."

Living in Windsor, Ontario, with the love of her life, John, Rita is the proud mother of three daughters and her autistic son. She was honoured with the Best New Canadian Manuscript award from the Word Guild for her manuscript, "Giaci and Me: Life Lessons on Raising an Autistic Child." Additionally, Rita's short story "Going to the Dance" has been featured on Spillwords Press.

Key points:

💥 What sparked a TikTok community that now has over 600,000 followers? What was the catalyst for a platform, a message, and eventually, her book 𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗰𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲: A Mother’s Journey of Loving and Raising an Autistic Child?

💥 What were the first indicators that caused concern?

💥 How did Giaci gain independence and how effective was Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in Giaci's development?

💥 Rita's journey as a mother of four, navigating the early signs, delayed diagnosis, and emotional toll of parenting a child with autism.

💥 Rita opens up about the grieving process parents often go through, mourning the life they imagined for their child and the one they must now build together.

💥 What is the latest research connecting genetics to autism and the groundbreaking work from Toronto Sick Kids Hospital?

With over three decades of educational experience, Rita teaches in the Autism and Behavioural Science Graduate Program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Her family's journey has been highlighted in The Drive Magazine, on CTV News, and CBC National News. Rita is the past president of Autism Ontario (Windsor/Essex Chapter) and has published works on multiple platforms related to special needs and autism, including "A Call to Action" (Autism Matters) and "Words that Connect Us" (Canadian Authors Association).

More about Rita: https://giaci.ca/

Follow Giaci on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giacimiceli?

Follow Giaci on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giacimiceli/

The Primary Purpose of This Podcast Is To Educate, Which Does Not Constitute Professional Advice or Services. The Views and Opinions Expressed are Those of The Guests. Their Appearance on The Podcast Does Not Imply Any Endorsement of Them, Their Products, or Their Services.

Connect with Lynn:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnmcla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnmclaughl...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkye...

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lynnmclaughlin.bsky.social

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-mcla...

Website: https://lynnmclaughlin.com/

Assistive technology is more than just a tool—it’s a game-changer for students of all abilities, helping to bridge gaps in learning and create equitable opportunities.

Erin Plumb is a leader in assistive technology with 20+ years of expertise in accessibility, accommodations, and inclusion. She has influenced policies and technologies across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, championing digital equity to ensure all learners have access to education. Erin specializes in technology-driven solutions that remove barriers, offering policy development, training, and support for inclusive learning environments.

Passionate about accessibility, she advocates for equitable education and empowers educators to adopt best practices in assistive technology, shaping a more inclusive future.

Key Points:

💥 What is assistive technology?

💥 Why is it so important globally in this digital world?

💥 Reading, Writing, Math and STEM programs (Text Help Read and Write, Equatio as examples)

💥 What are the pros and cons of using tech in the classroom? How does it support educators, inclusivity and those with special needs?

💥 What programs or apps can we use to access books and resources that are already formatted?💥 Tips for parents on how to choose and use the right apps/tools.💥 AI is here to stay. How do we embrace it safely in schools?

💥 What will assistive tech look like in the future and how should we support educators with universal design for learning?

Erin shares a written synopsis and resource links for many organizations that support Assistive Tech worldwide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mfUecjgK4eubn1vUbU5Nko69xf_rX0jF/view

The Primary Purpose of This Podcast Is To Educate, Which Does Not Constitute Professional Advice or Services. The Views and Opinions Expressed are Those of The Guests. Their Appearance on The Podcast Does Not Imply Any Endorsement of Them, Their Products, or Their Services.

Connect with Lynn:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnmcla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnmclaughl...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkye...

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-mcla...Website: https://lynnmclaughlin.com/

Dr. Christine Daigle is a child and adolescent clinical neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist whose work includes brain-computer interface, translating brain signals into commands to control technology.

She's been doing children's psychology for 17 years, specializing in developmental disabilities, autism, learning challenges, and mental health.

Key points. 💥 Conditions that affect your brain also affect your life.

💥 What is Brain Computer Interface or BCI?

💥 Noninvasive headsets are being researched for children with neuromotor disorders, most of who are nonverbal. Children who have limited motor capabilities learn to use something in their environment.

💥 Imagine a child at home or in school making a character in a video game jump with their thoughts! With a few sessions of 20 minutes of training, students can turn their lights on and off, turn the pages of a virtual book, start and stop a motorized wheelchair, and more.

💥 Research is now being done in classroom environments with tremendous potential for independence, play, socialization, and inclusion.

💥 Anything that can be done with a switch adaptor can be done with a BCI. Communication is beginning to be researched with great potential using headsets. 💥 A current research study is underway. Can the headsets work in classrooms with noise, distraction, and movement? They are working in the current trials.

💥 What are the challenges?

Learn more about BCI:

https://hollandbloorview.ca/

The Primary Purpose Of This Podcast Is To Educate, Which Does Not Constitute Professional Advice Or Services. The Views And Opinions Expressed Are Those Of The Guests. Their Appearance On The Podcast Does Not Imply Any Endorsement Of Them, Their Products, Or Their Services.

Connect with Lynn:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnmcla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnmclaughl...

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Lindsey Frank, M.Ed., CEO of The Butterfly Within and President of the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully (COSEM), joins us to explore how cultivating presence through heart-centered practices can transform schools and communities. With over 13 years of experience as an educator and now a global changemaker, Lindsey shares her courageous journey of stepping out of the classroom to embrace a broader mission of empowering others to unlock their “butterfly within.”

We dive into:

💥 Why presence is essential in our rapidly evolving, often disconnected world.

💥 The HEART strategy—a powerful tool to unlock presence and foster emotional regulation.

💥 The importance of mindfulness-based social and emotional learning (SEL) as a way of being, not just something to do.

💥 How COSEM is creating an evolving educational ecosystem that starts with adults and ripples into school communities.

Lindsey also leads a guided mindfulness practice to help you assess and deepen your own level of presence. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or leader, this episode will leave you inspired to create courageous, calm, and connected communities through heart-centered mindfulness.

Learn more about Lindsey’s work:

• The Butterfly Within®: www.TheButterflyWithin.me
• COSEM: www.EducatingMindfully.org
• Lindsey’s award-winning children’s books (available on Amazon)

The Primary Purpose Of This Podcast Is To Educate, Which Does Not Constitute Professional Advice Or Services. The Views And Opinions Expressed Are Those Of The Guests. Their Appearance On The Podcast Does Not Imply Any Endorsement Of Them, Their Products, Or Their Services.

Connect with Lynn:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnmcla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnmclaughl...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkye...

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-mcla...Website: https://lynnmclaughlin.com/