27: Brave Together Podcast - Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw - Episode 2727: Brave Together Podcast - Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw - Episode 27
UK Health Radio Podcast
Speech therapist Chris Winger talks with hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell about shifting IEPs from deficit-focused reports to strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming plans. The conversation highlights safety, regulation, authentic friendship and identity, with practical ideas for parents and teachers supporting autistic and ADHD students.
42:39•29 Jul 2026
From Broken Horse to Cool Zebra: Rethinking IEPs with Speech Dude
Episode Overview
- Reframing IEPs with strengths-based, respectful language changes the quality of goals and support a child receives.
- Felt safety, regulation and connection should be prioritised before academic targets or social skills drills.
- Standardised tests designed around non-autistic norms can misrepresent autistic students and drive unhelpful goals.
- Short, focused emails to teachers outlining a child’s interests, strengths and practical supports can set up the school year for success.
- Stories like “Stripey McStripeface” help children see themselves as unique rather than broken, supporting healthier identity and self-advocacy.
“You’re not a broken horse. You’re totally cool zebra.”
How can education systems treat neurodivergent kids with more humanity and humour? This UK Health Radio episode of Brave Together centres on that question, offering parents a fresh way to think about IEPs and support at school. Host and "brave mom" Jessica Patay, joined by co-host Susanna Peace Lovell, chats with speech-language pathologist and self-described "ADHD-er" Chris Winger, widely known as “speech dude”.
With over 20 years’ experience and his own neurodivergent background, Chris talks about shifting IEPs away from deficit-focused language toward a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach.
Instead of reports that say things like “Chris does not maintain eye contact and perseverates on Minecraft,” he shows how a simple reframe can change everything: “Chris does better listening when not being forced to make eye contact… Chris loves Minecraft and that’s what connects him with his peers.” From there, goals and accommodations focus on safety, regulation and genuine connection, rather than forcing kids into awkward social drills no adult would tolerate.
As Chris jokes about a wedding seating-chart scenario, he asks, why are we demanding things of children that we’d refuse ourselves? Parents of autistic and ADHD teens will hear practical ideas: emailing teachers short, clear snapshots of their child’s strengths and needs; prioritising sensory supports like movement breaks; and building in co-regulation and self-advocacy as central IEP aims.
The Jenga metaphor for daily stress and the vivid image of kids holding it together at school only to “collapse” at home will resonate with many carers. Chris also shares his children’s book “Stripey McStripeface”, a story about a zebra who thinks he’s a broken horse until he learns to be proud of his stripes: “You’re not a broken horse. You’re totally cool zebra.” It’s a simple, funny way to talk about identity and difference with kids of all ages.
If you’re tired of IEP meetings that feel defeating, this conversation offers language, examples and hope to try a different path.
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