Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms

About Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms

For all those busy moms out there who, like me, take care of kids who have a little something extra, and in the midst of all that extra, want to lead a more organized and present life. I am Angela O’Brien; a certified Enneagram coach and professional organizer. I know what it’s like to have too much overwhelm and too little time when you’re trying to raise a special needs child. Each week, I will bring information and encouragement to help you move through your clutter so that you are less stressed and more present in your parenting. Let's reclaim the space, time, and energy you deserve!

Publisher

Angela O'Brien

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Mar 2023

Latest episode

9 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

114 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Jun 2026

   104 | Send Them Off With Confidence: Preparing Special Needs Kids for College, Camp and More

   104 | Send Them Off With Confidence: Preparing Special Needs Kids for College, Camp and More College can feel like an impossible dream for many families raising a child with an intellectual disability—but what if it's more possible than we think? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Lisha Mack, whose daughter Alex recently graduated from a four-year college program and now works full-time as a teaching assistant at an elementary school. Lisha shares the journey from childhood to college graduation, including the practical skills, systems, and mindset shifts that helped Alex successfully live away from home, navigate campus life, manage daily responsibilities, and grow into a confident young adult. Whether your child is headed to college, a summer camp, a supported living program, employment, or simply greater independence at home, this conversation is packed with wisdom and encouragement. One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation is Lisha's philosophy: "Insulate your child. Don't isolate them." It's a powerful reminder that our goal isn't to protect our children from every challenge—it's to give them the tools and support they need to navigate those challenges successfully. Whether your child is 8, 18, or 28, this episode will encourage you to start looking for opportunities to build independence one small skill at a time. Because independence isn't built overnight—it grows through hundreds of small opportunities, everyday experiences, and a willingness to let our children surprise us. Resources Mentioned: https://thinkcollege.net/ (https://thinkcollege.net/) https://education.louisiana.edu/academic-programs/ul-life-program (https://education.louisiana.edu/academic-programs/ul-life-program) Lisha Mack and her husband, Chris, are the parents of a 25-year old daughter, Alex, who has Down syndrome. When Alex was one year old, Lisha started a Down syndrome support group that is now known as the East Texas Down Syndrome Group and serves over 250 families. Lisha has been a life long advocate for Alex and this includes full inclusion in Longview ISD K-12 as well as in extracurricular activities. Alex then attended a four-year, out-of-state college program that she graduated from two years ago. She has now finished her second year of full-time employment as a teaching assistant in first grade in the same school district that educated her. Lisha and Alex collaborate artistically in abstract paintings in a business Alex owns called "My Peoples" Art.  Lisha believes her advocacy and involvement throughout Alex's life has been a contributing factor in her daughter's ability to achieve her goals. The Mack family live in Longview, Texas. Connect with Lisha: https://www.instagram.com/mypeoplesart/ (https://www.instagram.com/mypeoplesart/)

2. 

   26 May 2026

   103 | Organizing With Your Child In Mind: The Golden Tool That Changes Everything

   103 | Organizing With Your Child In Mind: The Golden Tool That Changes Everything Why do some organizing systems work beautifully for one child… and completely fall apart for another? In this episode, I’m sharing one simple but powerful mindset shift that changed the way I think about organizing for disabled and neurodivergent kids. Instead of asking: “How do I get my child to organize this space?” What if we asked: “How do I organize this space for my child?” Building on the previous episodes in this caregiving and organization series, today I dive into practical ways to help our children succeed in their own rooms, playrooms, and everyday spaces — while honoring their sensory, cognitive, and emotional needs. Inspired by the book The Sensory Child Gets Organized by Caroline Dalgleish, I walk through what she calls “The Golden Tool,” a simple framework that can help reduce overwhelm, increase independence, and create calmer routines for the whole family. In this episode, we discuss: why traditional organizing systems often fail neurodivergent kids how to break down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps reducing sensory and cognitive friction in everyday routines why drawers, noise, textures and visual clutter may matter more than we realize using clear bins, labels, visuals, and special interests to support independence how fewer choices can actually create more success You’ll also hear practical ideas like: Using picture labels and color coding Creating calming sensory corners Rotating clothing choices to reduce overload Making frequently used items easier to access Incorporating your child’s favorite characters or special interests into organizing systems Because the goal isn’t a Pinterest-perfect room. The goal is less frustration, more cooperation, and creating a home that truly supports your child — and you. _____ Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode. Just ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.speakpipe.com/EspeciallyOrganized) to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question: If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself? I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://yourspacereclaimed.net/) to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox. And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need! Happy Organizing! Are we friends? Connect with me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/yourspacereclaimed/) (@yourspacereclaimed) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/yourspacereclaimed/)(Your Space Reclaimed) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://yourspacereclaimed.net/) Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing

3. 

   19 May 2026

   102 | How To Get Organized When Life Feels Like Too Much

   102 | How To Get Organized When Life Feels Like Too Much We are back, building on last week's episode where we touched on why organizing as a disability caregiver is actually harder and more complicated than typical home organizing. I lay out my B.R.E.A.T.H.E. framework for special needs parents, with practical and emotional tools to help us get through hard seasons and difficult days. I include recommendations to reduce decision fatigue and make easy systems work, even on the hardest of days. Because, if a system requires too much thought, it won’t be used consistently and when you are organizing, consistency is the key to maintenance. When it all feels like too much, remember to BREATHE! _____ Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode. Just ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.speakpipe.com/EspeciallyOrganized) to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question: If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself? I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://yourspacereclaimed.net/) to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox. And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need! Happy Organizing! Are we friends? Connect with me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/yourspacereclaimed/) (@yourspacereclaimed) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/yourspacereclaimed/)(Your Space Reclaimed) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://yourspacereclaimed.net/) Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

18 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 72 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

98

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.