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Join Leta, Amanda, and guest Jason Heffler on the Leta’s Tap Styles this Friends’ Friday. Jason joins us to discuss his children’s book, Tongue Tied. Tongue Tied is the story of Cadence, a chameleon who is shy and is often bullied for her speech impediment. Jason based Cadence’s story on his experiences with stuttering and bullying.

Through personal stories, we explore the effects of bullying, and why speech impediments don’t need to be “fixed”, but need to be understood and accepted.

Visit Jason's website to connect and to purchase a copy of Tongue Tied for yourself https://tonguetied.unicornplatform.page/

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In this episode of Leta’s Tap Styles, hosts Leta and Amanda welcome back Jennifer Celeste Briggs. Jennifer joins us to discuss the transformative Son Rise Program, and how it helped her with her daughter, Sarah. This enriching conversation goes in-depth into how the Son Rise Program helped Jennifer nurture Sarah's unique needs, celebrate Sarah’s quirks, and foster a loving and humorous connection. We delve into the importance of having a village to support parents and their autistic children, the importance of personalized education methods, and how respecting Sarah's individuality helped Sarah grow as a person. Don’t forget to check out Jennifer’s book, “Watching Sarah Rise”, for an even more detailed account of Jennifer’s journey.

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In this episode of the Leta’s Tap Styles Podcast, Leta and Amanda look at Leta’s Five Least Favorite Costumes, and the roll Leta’s complex sensory issues had on the list. They discuss the lack of understanding and knowledge most dance teachers have about sensory issues, and how those can affect a dancer’s ability to perform onstage. They touch on the challenges faced by autistic kids in traditional dance environments, emphasizing the importance of understanding the spectrum of sensory sensitivities. The episode also delves into Leta's personal experiences with various recital costumes, counting down her Top Five Most Hated Costumes, and discussing why they caused discomfort and explaining how these issues impact performance. The discussion aims to raise awareness among dance studio owners, teachers, and neurotypical parents to better accommodate the needs of neurodivergent dancers.

Support Leta's nonprofit dance studio for autistic dancers by visiting https://donorbox.org/join-us-in-starting-autistic-wings-dance-company and giving a one-time gift today.

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Join Amanda and Leta sit down with Kara Nash, a registered nurse who is also autistic, to discuss various aspects of autism from a medical perspective. From the importance of stimming and the misunderstanding of autistic meltdowns to the flaws in school systems and special education, the episode covers a wide range of significant topics. Kara shares her expertise on why typical punitive measures are ineffective and harmful for autistic individuals, and the discussion delves the necessity for a better understanding and acceptance of different neurotypes in all walks of life. (With a focus on dance, of course.) With personal anecdotes and professional insights, this episode is a comprehensive resource for parents, educators, and anyone interested in autism advocacy.

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In this episode, Amanda and Leta delve into the complexities of Imposter Syndrome, and how it often affects dance students. They discuss how dance is often touted as a confidence booster for children, yet many dancers, including Leta, struggle with feelings of not belonging, not being perfect, and wanting to hide in the shadows. Tears are mixed with dark humor as they dive deep into Leta’s personal struggles with imposter syndrome.

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Join us as we dive deep into the complexities of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia with special guest, Jess Arce, owner of 3D Learning Experts Tutoring. Jess, who has extensive experience with neurodiversity including her own family, helps us dymystify dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. She explains what these learning differences actual are, common misconceptions, and effective teaching strategies. We also discuss homeschooling, accommodations in education, and the impact of COVID-19 on learning. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that offers valuable insights for parents, educators, and anyone interested in understanding neurodiversity.

Find Jess at http://www.3DLearningexperts.com

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In this episode of Leta’s Tap Styles, we talk about how anyone can dance. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can dance. We talk a bit about some of those people who were told they couldn’t dance or sing, or play a guitar. Yet they became some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. We also thank Autistic Wings Dance Company’s April Donors and Supporters. And we finally get to tell the world that So Danca is one of the studio’s supporters! We end with a call for everyone to get out there and dance. Film it, post it online. Tag @letatapstyles on Instagram or @letatapstylespodcast on TikTok so we can repost your amazing dancing skills.

Links to things we mentioned in the podcast today

The Dance Ground

https://thedanceground.com/

Styles in Motion

https://stylesinmotionllc.com/

So Danca Taylas

https://www.sodanca.com/collections/women-shoes-tap/products/tayla-ta800v

So Danca Blog Post about Autistic Wings Dance Company (and Leta)

https://www.sodanca.com/blogs/news/autistic-wings

So Danca Instagram Post announcing their support of Autistic Wings Dance Company

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI7CLgUT8hU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Autistic Wings Dance Company

https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

Leta’s Instagram Account

https://www.instagram.com/letatapstyles?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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In this conversation, Amanda Trisdale, Rebecca Prejean, and Leta Rundell discuss the challenges and experiences of raising neurodivergent children, particularly in educational settings. They share personal stories about bullying, the importance of understanding and patience from educators, and the impact of the pandemic on therapy and social interactions for children with autism. The discussion emphasizes the need for advocacy, community support, and the importance of treating neurodivergent individuals with respect and dignity. In this engaging conversation, the speakers discuss the unique challenges faced by different generations, particularly focusing on Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on child development, the complexities of navigating school systems, and the biases present in education regarding gender and behavior. The importance of allowing children to be themselves and the need to empower their voices in society are emphasized throughout the discussion.

You can find Rebecca at https://www.ebgc.net/