Shows
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast1KHO 457: Kids are Play-Deprived and Paying the Price | Angela Hanscom, TimberNookAngela Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook, returns for her fourth appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast—and this conversation is one of her most powerful yet. Angela and Ginny Yurich dig into the growing epidemic of play deprivation and how it’s silently impacting children’s physical, social, and neurological development. With insights from Angela’s groundbreaking work around the world, they explore how nature offers the richest sensory experiences, why kids need to get messy, and how the freedom to take risks outdoors transforms confidence and builds real-life resilience.Together, they als...2025-04-0459 min
A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationPros & Cons of PromptingPrompting is a key component of specially designed instruction and is often misunderstood. Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss the pros and cons of prompting and the many nuances of the most commonly understood prompting hierarchy.For more resources on this topic check out:https://www.unr.edu/ndsip/services/resources/tips/using-the-system-of-least-to-most-promptshttps://thinkpsych.com/blogs/posts/understanding-prompt-hierarchies?srsltid=AfmBOorBMSbBrRlmax3bGaYcXoOjomE5bh3vaYx5lB8Z8faB-U8MRn4rASHA statement on Facilitated CommunicationNIH article on Facilitated Communication2025-04-0430 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationREPOST: Due Process in Special Education with Angela Buchanan Smagula.Angela was asked to be a guest on Marisha Mets Podcast: Special Ed Leaders: Unplugged. to speak about Due Process. The full guide on the website is also up here and the YouTube video is here. In the world of special education, due process is a cornerstone for protecting the rights of students with disabilities. At its core, it ensures fairness and accountability, offering a legal pathway for parents to address disagreements with schools regarding their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.To hel...2025-02-0736 min
Healthy By Heather BrownThe Power Of Outdoor Play For Thriving Kids: Ditch The Screens With Timbernook's Angela Hanscom EP 93This episode of the 'Healthy by Heather Brown' podcast features Angela Hanscom, author of 'Balance and Barefoot,' discussing the importance of outdoor play for children's physical, mental, and sensory development. Hanscom, also the founder of TimberNook, emphasizes how nature-based play can counteract the negative effects of technology and screen time on children. The conversation touches on how modern health issues can often be traced back to metabolic dysfunction and the need for simpler, whole-food diets. The discussion also includes practical advice for encouraging outdoor play despite societal and environmental constraints, alongside insights into systemic health care challenges and the...2024-10-2952 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationMeeting BombshellsListen in as Angela, Robin and Abby discuss what they are thinking and how they respond when someone in a meeting makes an unexpected statement or decision. Check out the resource for developing comprehensive evaluations from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction here.Brilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9 with fun, screen-free activities from the world of scoutingPlease tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2024-10-1142 min
Inside the Tide Podcast13: Free Range Kids & Growing Through Adventure with Angela HanscomIn this episode, I have on the show Angela Hanscom, occupational therapist and founder of Timbernook, an award-winning nature-based program that is implemented in countries across the world. Angela started Timbernook in response to the lack of outdoor education and play opportunities for kids, bringing a refreshing perspective to the importance of unstructured play. We touch on the hands-off approach to safety, allowing children to explore freely rather than being closely monitored. Our conversation highlights how reducing pressure on kids when engaging in outdoor activities can significantly enhance their willingness to participate and connect with nature.We...2024-10-1042 min
Outdoor Classrooms Podcast114: Balanced and Barefoot: Q&A with Author Angela HanscomIntroductionWelcome to today's special episode! We are thrilled to host Angela Hanscom, the esteemed author of Balanced and Barefoot. This LIVE Q&A event was inspired by our insightful discussions during the book club within the CIRCLE Membership. After diving deep into Angela's valuable insights, our members were inspired to initiate separate discussion groups with parents at their schools. This excitement ultimately led us to invite Angela to join us for this engaging session.Angela J. Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook—an award-winning developmental and nature-based program that has gain...2024-07-1657 minOutdoor Classrooms Podcast107: Outdoor Classroom CIRCLE Book Club: #2 Balanced and Barefoot by Angela HanscomHave you heard? I have just announced our second Outdoor Classroom’s CIRCLE Book Club selection! It's Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela Hanscom.Book description: Today's kids have adopted sedentary lifestyles filled with television, video games, and computer screens. But more and more, studies show that children need "rough and tumble" outdoor play in order to develop their sensory, motor, and executive functions. Disturbingly, a lack of movement has been shown to lead to a number of health and cognitive difficulties, such as attention defi...2024-06-1110 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education100th episode! (and can anyone help Angela turn off her notifications?!)Can you believe we've uploaded 100 episodes?! We're ending Season 4 celebrating our 100th episode and choosing our favs from each season. Please go back and listen to those if you started mid-way through our show. Here is a list of the top 20 downloads if you want listener favorites. We've already planning for season 5- be back soon! Thank you listening- Robin/Abby/Angela S1 Ep. 1. With Friends Like These: Intro PodS3 Ep. 6 The 1,2,3s of IEPs (meetings, that is!)S2 Ep. 26 Final Episode of Season 2! AKA Robin's Had It...2024-04-1928 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationIQ Test DebateListen in on the debate about the uses and misuses of IQ testing for students with disabilities and students of color. Robin, Angela and Abby dissect a recent article from the Hechinger report which can be found HERE titled: How flawed IQ tests prevent kids from getting help in schoolSchool psychologists are relying less on testing — but the change is too slow for some"by Sarah Carr and published on March 28, 2024.Brilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9...2024-04-0540 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationWorld Down Syndrome Awareness DayMany of you have seen the ad #Assume I Can (and Maybe I Will) created by the organization CoorDown. Robin, Abby and Angela talk about the power of this campaign on the social inclusion movement. Check out some of the previous campaigns created by this organization (Esp. The Hiring Chain). Brilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9 with fun, screen-free activities from the world of scoutingPlease tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @ast...2024-03-2926 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationReview of Love On The Spectrum S2 (SPOILERS!)Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they review the TV show Love On the Spectrum (Season 2 - Netflix)Tait's Take (youtube)The Color of Autism Foundation (mentioned on Tait's Take) Important because people of color tend to be diagnosed later in life due to stigma, biased testing protocols, medical racism etc.) Brilliant Beaver Guidebook - Audio VersionEngage kids aged 6-9 with fun, screen-free activities from the world of scoutingPlease tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com2024-03-1537 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationCall Out the National Guard!?!?!Listen in as Angela, Robin and Abby discuss a recent request from several members of the Brockton School Committee for the Governor of Massachusetts to send the National Guard to Brockton High School. As you can imagine this has attracted a LOT of attention. Here are some articles related to the request and how the Governor responded:Here is an article about the original request from the Business InsiderHere is a link to the actual letter from the Brockton School CommitteeHere is a summary of the Governor's Response (she declined)And...2024-03-0135 minThe 1000 Hours Outside Podcast1KHO 253: A Childhood on the Screens is Not Really a Childhood | Joelle and Angela Hanscom, TimbernookIn her podcast debut Joelle Hanscom, a senior in high school shares her remarkable journey navigating a childhood intentionally free from the clutches of screens. This episode features Joelle alongside her mother, Angela Hanscom, the acclaimed author of Balanced and Barefoot and founder of Timbernook. Joelle shares her unique perspective on growing up without the constant presence of electronic devices, revealing that her mom held off on introducing cell phones until her freshman year of high school.Throughout the conversation, Joelle paints a vivid picture of the stark difference between her childhood, characterized by face-to-face communication and...2024-02-2954 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationThe Future of FAPEYou asked for it......this episode is alllllllllll Angela! Join us as we break down Endrew v. Douglas and what it means for FAPE. Endrew v DouglasThe USDOE considers Endrew to be such an important case they have devoted significant resources to unpacking the decision - you can find the whole discussion here:USDOE summary of the case. If you are interested in a brief summary, here is what USDOE has to say today:"On March 22, 2017 the U.S. Supreme Court (sometimes referred to as Court) issued a unanimous opinion in E...2024-02-2336 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationPTO v School Sponsored activitiesListen in as Angela, Robin and Abby sort through the similarities and differences between PTO and School Sponsored activities. Learn more about what needs to be accommodated and what does not based on the ADA and special education compliance requirements.Here is a sample letter to notify your PTO of their responsibilities under the ADA.Here is a link to the American Diabetes Association ADA Q and A which applies to other students as well.In 2013 the Office of Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague letter that is linked here specific to participation...2024-02-1636 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationChoosing a Functional CurriculumThe decision to move to a "functional curriculum" is fraught - for teachers, specialists, administrators and especially, for parents. During this episode, Robin, Abby and Angela consider ways to help teams discuss moving from an academic track to a functional academic track. Pros and Cons abound and communication can make or break a Team's trust in the process and have a major impact on Student programming. Listen in while Angela, Robin and Abby unpack the dynamics and discussion points Teams should consider when considering the move to a functional curriculum. Check out this resource from the Indiana Institute on Disa...2024-02-0230 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationHow to handle RejectionWelcome to the back end of season 4! Join Abby, Angela and Robin as they review how to handle the most common IEP rejections. The editing program was a little wonky this week- sorry! Also Angela's ending was too good to edit :) Please tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2024-01-2633 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationWorking WITH AdvocatesTune in this week to hear Robin, Angela and Abby respond to a listener question about how to work with professional advocates. The discussion ranges from the logistics and details of how to incorporate an advocate into the dialogue to the emotions and feelings that advocacy can raise in school staff.Please tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2023-11-1737 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationOh Nuts!During this episode, Robin and Angela talk about how to manage severe food allergies in school.MA DESE guidanceFAACT- 504 guidancePlease tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2023-11-1040 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationA Shout Out To OSEPJoin Robin, Abby and Angela as they discuss emergency removals and the latest discipline stats from the Discipline and Behavior Blog Series from the OSEP website.Discipline and Behavior -Blog SeriesDiscipline Dear Colleague Letter (2022)5 Action Steps To Reduce exclusionary disciplineResources (keep digging through the links!)Valerie C WilliamsPlease tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2023-11-0342 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationMail bag #3**sorry for the weird ending- editing got a little funky this week**In this episode Robin, Angela and Abby answer a listener question involving if services are tied to a specific disability, when is it a good idea to terminate speech services for a student with autism and how related services are provided in an online school setting. MA technical guidance: 8/25/06Please tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2023-10-2026 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationThird time's a charm: Laura Gillis & the MCAS debateJoin Abby, Robin and Angela as they discuss the Massachusetts high stakes competency exam required for a high school diploma (MCAS exam) with Laura Gillis , parent side special education attorney. There is a movement by parents and the MA Teacher's Union to end it as a diploma requirement while at the same time, DESE is proposing to raise the bar for proficiency. Here are some articles to read more about it:MTA/MassLive articleAdvocates ask leaders to end MCAS Leaders vote to raise the MCAS proficiency scorePlease tell us how...2023-10-131h 05A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationThere's No Place Like HomeListen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss the protections and supports available for students who are experiencing Homelessness. They discuss the ins and outs of the Federal Law that governs this topic - The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act.Guidance and ResourcesMcKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance — Advisories DESE Guidance on Data CollectionGuidance on Fixed, Regular, and Adequate Housing: Identifying Family and Youth HomelessnessFlyers and Brochures for Families Homeless Education Brochure Enrollment Flyer US Department of Agriculture Guidance for Homeless Children in School Nutrition ProgramsNon-Regulatory Guidance: Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program...2023-10-0642 minThe 1000 Hours Outside Podcast1KHO 200: Children Today are Under Relentless Supervision | Angela Hanscom, Balanced and BarefootIn this episode of the 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich engages in a profound conversation with guest Angela Hanscom, the insightful author of "Balanced and Barefoot."They explore the modern challenges children face, including play deprivation and the adverse effects of reduced outdoor time. Angela sheds light on how the current environment affects children's physical and neurological development, emphasizing the critical role of movement in a child's life. They discuss the importance of unstructured play, sensory experiences, and the need for children to engage with the natural world.Throughout the episode, Angela offers hope...2023-10-0555 min
Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based EducationNature-Based Occupational Therapy and the Importance of Outdoor Play with Angela HanscomIn today's episode, my guest Angela Hanscom and I discuss all kinds of things related to developing skills through outdoor play, including:
The impact on childhood development when kids do not get enough outdoor play
How Angela built her nature-based occupational therapy business
Prioritizing play in kindergarten and early childhood
Play-based learning methods
Integrating nature-based learning into schools
The impacts and benefits of TimberNook's program on teacher satisfaction and student well-being
and so much more!
Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of TimberNook–an award-winning nature-based program that has gained in...2023-09-2849 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationTo Notify or Not....That is the Question.A big part of safeguarding a Student and a Parent's rights is the provision of Prior Notice. Listen in as Angela, Robin and Abby debate and discuss when that notice is legally required and when it is just a very very very good idea.Please tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2023-09-2242 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education"Women's Work"?Listen in as Angela, Robin and Abby discuss the very real gender dynamics at play in our field and the implications for hiring and retaining the next generation of awesome special education teachers and related service providers.We referenced several historical timelines and recent articles in our discussion - if you are interested in learning more here are some places to start:Ed Week's recent hiring articleThe History of Women as Teachers, 2016 the Western Carolina JournalistThe Feminization of Teaching in America, the MIT program in Women & Gender Studies the MIT Kampf...2023-09-1543 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationTop 10 Common Logical FallaciesJoin Robin, Abby and Angela as they discuss 10 common logical fallacies that come up in Team meetings and interactions with staff/parents. There are a bunch of these floating online but here is the one we used in the pod!Please tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2023-09-0847 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationBack to RealityListen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss the real impact belonging can have on student achievement, the absurdity of anti-affinity group lawsuits and answer a listener question on calculating minutes. Happy Back to School and Back to Reality....Some resources discussed this episode with references to the research cited:Creating Academic Belonging in the ClassroomAffirming Disability: Strengths-Based Portraits of Culturally Diverse Families (Disability, Culture, and Equity Series) by Janet Story Sauer (Author), Zachary Rossetti (Author), Alfredo J. Artiles (Series Editor), & 1 morePlease tell us how you found us by completing...2023-09-0132 minA Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special educationSeason 4 (Really!)Welcome back! Join Abby, Robin and Angela as they begin season 4 and provide some helpful tips to get back into school. Please tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast2023-08-2531 min