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Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Julie McIsaac, M.A.

About Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Julie McIsaac is a child development specialist with an interest in joining children and their parents to problem solve and connect through play. She has a Masters degree from Tufts University and is expected to complete her PhD in Infant and Child Development with an emphasis on Mental Health (Fielding University) in 2018. Certified in the DIR/Floortime relationship-based framework, Julie has found that her most meaningful work is connecting with families. Julie lives in Ottawa, Canada with her husband and three active boys. She has gained new insight into the experience of navigating life and services as a parent of a child with special needs and Julie brings this experience to her writing as a parent blogger for Exceptional Lives.

Who is Exceptional Lives?

February 14, 2019 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Paula and Son Waving Image Small

At Exceptional Lives (or as we call ourselves, ELI) we all have credentials. We have experience, both lived and academic. We have gained experience in various professional disciplines. But that’s less interesting to me. I want to tell you what I see: I see our executive director stepping away from her desk, no matter the […]

Filed Under: Exceptional Lives, Featured, MA, news & blog, Resources, Special Needs Tagged With: Contact, exceptional lives, Facebook, free, guides, help, resources, Website

Understanding your child’s strengths and challenges

February 6, 2019 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Little boy running through sprinkler at sunset

No one knows your child better than you! This is why you are key to finding the right supports and activities that are most likely to help your child thrive.

Filed Under: Advice from Parents, Autism, Communication, Exceptional Lives, Featured, Healthy Lifestyle, Inclusion, Inspiration, news & blog, Social Skills, Special Needs Tagged With: autism, Challenges, Communication, inclusion, special needs, strengths, understanding

“How do I help my son to engage in more sports activities?”

February 4, 2019 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Little boy laughing and playing

Last week, I looked into a soccer program for my son. It has been a couple of years since we’ve tried community sports programs and I wondered, “Is he ready?”

Filed Under: Advice from Parents, Autism, Back to School, Disability, Exceptional Lives, Featured, Healthy Lifestyle, Inclusion, Social Skills, Special Needs Tagged With: Activity, autism, inclusion, sports, sports program, volunteer

Talk to my son

January 17, 2019 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Mother crouching down to talk with her son

We want our children to have control over their thoughts and emotions as much as possible. We teach them to better identify how they’re feeling and what they need. We want them to have the confidence to try. If they fail, we encourage them to try again. We hope they advocate for themselves in whatever […]

Filed Under: Advice from Parents, Autism, Exceptional Lives, Featured, Healthy Lifestyle, Inclusion, MA, news & blog, Social Skills, Special Needs Tagged With: inclusion, non verbal, respect, social skills, special needs

Special Education Placements for My Child

January 4, 2019 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Little girl coloring at a desk

The winter break from school can be a time to observe and experience our children in a new way. There are probably times of overstimulation or exhaustion. There are hopefully moments of quiet connection or discovery of something new. As we send our students back to the classroom (good luck, teachers!), this mid-year moment is […]

Filed Under: Autism, Back to School, Education, Exceptional Lives, Featured, IEP, Inclusion, news & blog, Special Needs, Transition Tagged With: classroom, education, IEP, inclusion, private school, public school, special education, special education placement

The Holiday Hustle

December 19, 2018 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Little girl eating a cupcake

During a season where we are all prone to be a little more stretched than usual, I’ve been trying hard to be present and stay grounded for my children. Mostly I’ve been trying not to lose my calm. Really trying. So hard.

Filed Under: Advice from Parents, Autism, Exceptional Lives, Featured, Healthy Lifestyle, Inspiration, MA, news & blog, Social Skills, Special Needs, Travel Tagged With: advice, anxiety, developmental disability, holidays, self regulation, special needs, stress

Traveling while parenting

December 6, 2018 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Baby and mother on airplane

I have thought many times that there should be a parade or at minimum a marching band for solo parents exiting planes or arriving at their road trip destination with their children in tow.

Filed Under: Advice from Parents, Autism, Exceptional Lives, Featured, Healthy Lifestyle, Inclusion, news & blog, Special Needs, Travel Tagged With: autism, developmental disabilities, food allergies, holidays, special needs, Travel, TSA

What should I know about child development?

November 20, 2018 by Julie McIsaac, M.A.

Little girl looking up at the trees at sunset

I’ve studied child development for almost 20 years and I’ve been a parent for almost 9. I do not have all of the answers. But I’ve learned to ask some good questions.

Filed Under: Advice from Parents, Autism, Exceptional Lives, Featured, Free, Healthy Lifestyle, Inspiration, MA, news & blog, Special Needs Tagged With: child, Child Development, developmental disability, Different, Infant, special needs, Toddler

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Recent Posts

  • Is my child developing OK?
  • Who is Exceptional Lives?
  • Understanding your child’s strengths and challenges
  • “How do I help my son to engage in more sports activities?”
  • What is disproportionality in special education?
  • Talk to my son
  • Tracking Your Child’s Progress in 2019
  • Special Education Placements for My Child
  • The Holiday Hustle
  • What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?

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