Normalizing Physical Disabilities and Differences with Kids | Alana Nichols & Emily Ladau | A Kids Co.

Full Episode description

Whether they notice a wheelchair, limb difference, or how parents respond to disabilities, kids pick up on physical differences earlier than we think. Raising Us host Elise Hu is joined by team USA’s three-time Paralympic gold medalist Alana Nichols as she reflects on her life-changing injury and how representation and community really matters, especially for kids with disabilities. 

Later in the episode, disability rights activist, writer, and educator Emily Ladau discusses how to raise kids who view disabilities with respect and opportunities for curiosity, rather than discomfort. Both Alana and Emily offer practical advice for parents on where to get involved, ways to be allies and not bystanders, or even how to start that first conversation to normalize disabilities and physical differences.

Key Takeaways:
Be mindful of how to make your community or neighborhood more accessible.
Consistently have conversations about disabilities at home to normalize the topic everywhere.
Approach your child’s vulnerability with a curiosity to encourage new things.
Expand your child’s community by introducing role models they can see themselves in.
Get involved with local organizations that support people with disabilities.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GBsNgrmzxfdhOkSW1QRC1lqnVwbmp_CcCm2uSnRRg4c/edit?tab=t.0

⏱️ Timestamps:

Keep the conversation going at home with our FREE Conversation Kit companion guide: https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/2e3986ea092acb45/a3f9a41227d42c32

Learn more from Alana Nichols: https://www.instagram.com/alanathejane

Learn more from Emily Ladau: https://www.instagram.com/emilyladau

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ABOUT THE SHOW

Raising Us | Parenting Podcast for Kids, Tweens, & Conscious Caregivers

Award-winning journalist Elise Hu (TED Talks Daily, Forever35) hosts Raising Us, a parenting podcast for grownups raising Big-Question Kids. From puberty and identity to tech and body image, each episode gives you tools to spark real conversations with the kids in your life.

Created by A Kids Co. (a family media company) the show blends expert-backed insights with real, lived experiences featuring trusted doctors, educators and purpose-driven public figures sharing age-appropriate advice so you don’t have to wing the hard stuff.

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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-us-a-parenting-podcast/id1552286967

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Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you like parenting podcasts like Good Inside with Dr. Becky, The Longest Shortest Time, Raising Good Humans or Ask Lisa, this podcast is for you.

Topics Covered on Raising Us:

Parenting kids and tweens

Mental health for kids

Talking to kids about racism, identity, and inclusion

Screen time and social media

Puberty, anxiety, and big feelings

Building emotional intelligence in families

Conscious and values-driven parenting

Elise Hu parenting podcast

A Kids Co. podcast series

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