In this episode, Samantha Wittenberg discusses the vital role of empathy in the lives of special needs parents. She shares her personal journey, the challenges faced, and the importance of emotional processing and resilience.
The discussion explores the need for clear communication,understanding neurodivergence, and the power of naming feelings to foster healing and connection. Samantha also provides practical advice for parents on how to seek support and build a community around them.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Empathy in Special Needs Parenting
04:32 Samantha's Journey: From Lawyer to Advocate
07:48 Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Impact
10:51 The Role of Community and Support
13:38 Empathy as a Tool for Healing
16:38 Naming Feelings and Processing Emotions
19:44 The Power of Requests vs. Demands
22:34 Building Emotional Resilience
25:44 Connecting with Needs for Better Communication
28:54 Finding Your Emotional Vocabulary
31:56 Empathy in Action: Practical Steps for Parents
34:33 Final Thoughts and Advice for Special Needs Parents
About the podcast guest:
Samantha Wittenberg’s coaching and speaking business supports parents and carers of special needs children. Her journey began when her teenage child’s sudden aggression and possessiveness led her to understand Autism and its challenges.
Samantha empowers parents, who are often navigating constant crises, to break free from self-limiting beliefs and create a life of purpose. Using a blend of somatic practices, empathy, and mindset coaching, Samantha guides her clients toward rediscovering their authentic selves, creating lives filled with strength, connection, and abundance.
Reach out to Samantha on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/misty.mountain.96558/
Book your free Clarity and Connection Call with her here: https://tidycal.com/samanthawittenberg/clarityconnection
About the podcast host:
Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a speaker, coach, special needs parent, podcaster, author, and strategy lecturer. She runs the Special Needs Parent Podcast because she aims to help special needs parents feel valued, connected, and supported. Please subscribe, and send in your requests about topics you'd like the podcast to address.
Get your free copy of Marcia’s Trigger Mapping Worksheethere, to help you recognize patterns that lead to your child’s meltdowns, and develop approaches that could calm the storm: https://marcianb.com/free-trigger-mapping-worksheet-org/
Join the Special Needs Parent Space (her free community,including many supportive resources) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialneedsparentspace