Ep. 41 - The Hidden Battle: A lifetime with OCD, Anxiety and Hope
Release Date: 07/14/2025
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,...
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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...
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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,...
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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.
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Ep. 37 - Navigating Special Needs Advocacy Amid Political Uncertainty
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this episode, NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan engages in an insightful discussion with Selene Almazan, Special Education Attorney and Legal Director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). Against the backdrop of today’s political climate, they explore the current administration's push to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Adam and Selene break down the potential consequences, what it would take to make such a move a reality, and the critical role COPAA plays in addressing this issue, along with other challenges impacting the nation.
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Ep. 36 - High School Graduation and Early Adulthood Transition Planning
The Curious Incident Podcast
NYC 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...
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Ep. 35 - Healing-Centered Practices And Their Effect On Special Education
The Curious Incident Podcast
NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by Nelson Mar, Senior Staff Attorney at Bronx Legal Services, to discuss Healing Centered Practices and the importance of emphasizing the strengths of individuals recovering from trauma. Nelson, who served as the lead attorney in a landmark lawsuit challenging the NYC public school system’s practice of sending students to hospital emergency rooms for disruptive behavior, shares his current work focused on creating safer, more supportive schools through trauma-informed practices and better access to mental health services.
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Ep. 34 - How Mindfulness Supports a Child’s Emotional, Physical Health and Education
The Curious Incident Podcast
NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by Dr. Eli Kraiem, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Guidance and Psychology at Sephardic Academy of Manhattan Elementary School. Together, they explore the benefits of mindfulness, discussing how it can help both children and adults recognize their emotions, manage stress and anxiety, and improve focus and self-awareness. Listeners will have the chance to participate in three mindfulness exercises, with Dr. Kraiem guiding Adam through each technique to demonstrate how it's done.
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Ep. 33 - The Physical and Emotional Effects of Eating Disorders
The Curious Incident Podcast
NYC Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan is joined by Gabriela Ponce, a Certified Life Coach, mother, and wife. Gaby shares her journey with Adam, starting with her difficult childhood in a dysfunctional family in Quito, Ecuador, and her battles with eating disorders that began in her teenage years. Now in recovery, Gaby provides important insights for parents on how to recognize signs that their child may be at risk for developing an eating disorder. She also discusses co-occurring issues such as self-harm and anxiety, as well as the effective treatments and therapies that have supported...
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Ep. 32 - Shedding Light on a Sibling’s Journey Growing Up with a Special Needs Family Member
The Curious Incident Podcast
In this follow-up to our insightful episode with Heather Deutsch, a teacher, parenting coach, and founding member of Imagine Academy, Special Education Attorney Adam Dayan explores the complexities of raising a special needs child, particularly focusing on the emotional impact on siblings. Heather openly shares the challenges of balancing the needs of a special needs child with those of typical children, offering valuable insights into time management and the importance of self-care. She also addresses the guilt many parents feel when they miss important milestones in their typical children's...
info_outlineIn 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, her initial fears around therapy and medication, and how she’s learning to live with OCD rather than fight against it—offering hope and insight to others on a similar path.