Ep. 36 - High School Graduation and Early Adulthood Transition Planning
Release Date: 02/10/2025
Ep. 47 - Turning Up the Volume on Education with TeachRock
The Curious Incident Podcast
On this episode of The Curious Incident Podcast, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan speaks with TeachRock Executive Director Bill Carbone and Gina Machado, Director of Programs and Partnerships, about how their curriculum uses music to engage students in learning and combat school disengagement. Inspired by founder Stevie Van Zandt’s own experience as a struggling student who found his path through music, TeachRock helps K–12 students connect core subjects. Bill and Gina share how music’s abstract, identity-building nature makes classrooms feel safer, more inclusive, and more...
info_outline
Ep. 46 - Learning in Every Direction: Inside The Shirley Aninias School
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this episode of The Curious Incident Podcast, NYC special education attorney Adam Dayan sits down with educator and school founder Shirley Aninias—the visionary behind The Shirley Aninias School, a program for neurodiverse learners that blends academics, social–emotional learning, daily living skills, and naturalistic ABA. Shirley shares how a vibrant on-campus “town” fosters creativity, autonomy, and joyful learning while helping students discover how they learn best. Tune in to hear powerful stories of progress, inclusive education, and the small steps that lead to big,...
info_outline
Ep. 45 - Empowerment Through Technology
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this episode of The Curious Incident Podcast, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Beth Rosenberg, educator, and founder of Tech Unlimited, empowering neurodiverse students to develop real-world technology and workplace skills. Beth shares how her experience as a parent of a neurodiverse child inspired her to create a program that now serves more than 500 students with autism, ADHD, OCD, and learning differences - teaching everything from digital media and game design to communication and collaboration. Together, Adam and Beth discuss how technology can unlock new...
info_outline
Ep. 44 - Leading with Inclusion at The IDEAL School of Manhattan
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this episode of The Curious Incident Podcast, Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Janet Wolfe, Head of School at The IDEAL School of Manhattan - New York City’s only K–12 independent inclusion school. Since joining IDEAL in 2016, Janet has led its transformation into a fully accredited program with a thriving high school including post-secondary initiative for students ages 18 to 21. Together, Adam and Janet explore what true inclusion looks like in practice. From classrooms that celebrate every learner’s individuality to programs that promote academic challenges,...
info_outline
Ep. 43 - Academics and Beyond: Nurturing Children, Supporting Families
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this episode of The Curious Incident Podcast, Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan welcomes Jennifer Susser, Admissions Head at West End Day School in Manhattan. Drawing on nearly 30 years as a clinical social worker, Jennifer shares her path to West End Day and highlights the school’s distinctive approach to creating a nurturing environment for children with diverse needs. Their conversation delves into how social-emotional learning is woven into daily life, the impact of individualized counseling and small class sizes, and the vital role families play in helping children grow and...
info_outline
Ep. 42 - Unlocking Potential: The Importance of Executive Functioning and Social/Emotional Learning
The Curious Incident Podcast
NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan explores the critical role of Executive Functioning along with Social and Emotional Learning in a conversation with Randall Klein, education strategist and Director of Educational Services at Pediatric Assessment and Learning Support (PALS), on The Curious Incident Podcast. Randall shares her belief that every student can thrive when provided with the right tools, time, and trust, advocating for a whole-child approach that integrates social, emotional, and academic development. She explains how executive functioning—the brain’s self-management...
info_outline
Ep. 41 - The Hidden Battle: A lifetime with OCD, Anxiety and Hope
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this powerful and personal episode, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan speaks with his Executive Assistant, Kristine Champagne, about her lived experience with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). With years of professional experience and a deep passion for supporting children, Kristine opens up about the often-invisible struggles she’s faced since childhood. Together, they explore the complexities of intrusive thoughts, compulsive rituals, and the shame and guilt often hidden behind high-functioning exteriors. Kristine also shares how avoidance shaped her life,...
info_outline
Ep. 40 - From Diagnosis to Determination: A Mother’s Journey Through Special Education Advocacy
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this heartfelt episode, Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan speaks with Dani Amirian, a former media executive who became a dedicated advocate for her son with special needs. Dani shares her family’s journey, beginning with her son James’ early diagnosis of strabismus and evolving into a complex path of developmental delays, therapies, and special education planning. She opens up about navigating Early Intervention, CPSE, CSE, private services, and the emotional toll of advocacy. With honesty and determination, Dani offers valuable insights on building the right support team, staying...
info_outline
Ep. 39 - Unmasking Autism: The Diagnostic Challenges Girls Often Face
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this compelling episode, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan sits down with Gemma, the mother of “Penny,” a longtime client of Law Offices of Adam Dayan. Gemma shares her personal journey navigating the often-overlooked challenges girls face in receiving an autism diagnosis. With symptoms that tend to present differently—often more masked—many girls, like Penny, are diagnosed later than boys. Penny wasn’t identified as being on the spectrum until ages 6 to 7, resulting in missed vital early intervention services. Adam and Gemma discuss the critical need for awareness,...
info_outline
Ep. 38 - Empowered Advocacy: A Mother’s Journey Raising a Child with Cerebral Palsy
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this episode, NYC Special Education Lawyer Adam Dayan speaks with the inspiring Jessica Salonus, a mother of a child with cerebral palsy and a passionate special education lawyer for children with disabilities. Jessica opens up about her journey raising a child with special needs and her professional experience fighting for the rights of children who require special education services. The episode wraps up with a heartwarming conversation between Adam and Jessica’s son, Grey. Don’t miss this empowering discussion on resilience, determination, and advocacy.
info_outlineNYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by fellow Special Education Attorney Arshi Pal as they delve into the crucial topic of early adulthood and transition planning for students with disabilities. Arshi brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, having spent 10 years working in an elementary school with children from diverse backgrounds who often lacked the support they needed to thrive both academically and emotionally. Together, Adam and Arshi emphasize the importance of parents planning early for their child’s future—looking beyond school years and preparing for the transition into adulthood. Tune in as they cover key topics such as high school diplomas, graduation, college accommodations, and adult services, all with the goal of helping students with disabilities succeed in the next chapter of their lives.