I know that parenting kids who are struggling with mental health challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, as though we’re not equipped to handle what’s happening. When our kids are going through tough mental health moments, it can be isolating, scary, and exhausting. That’s why I’m so grateful for the work of my guest today, Dr. Christine Crawford, the associate medical director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. Dr....
Dec 03, 2024•49 min
Dr. Rita Eichenstein, author of "Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children," talks about how parents can process the discovery that their child is neurodivergent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 29, 2024•49 min
Debbie Reber and parent coach Margaret Webb answer a listener's question about how to deal with chaotic energy among children during the bedtime transition (as well as other big transitions). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 26, 2024•25 min•Ep. 415
Dr. Allie Ticktin, a licensed occupational therapist with a specialty in sensory integration and early childhood development, talks about how to tap into the power of play to support a child's learning and development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 22, 2024•45 min
I’ll say right upfront that this is a different kind of episode for the podcast, but stick with me, because today, we’re diving into digital decluttering. I know firsthand the toll digital clutter can take. Raising neurodivergent kids means managing a ton of information — from school communications and teacher emails to scheduling appointments, handling assessments, and organizing documentation. It’s a lot to keep track of, and it can really weigh us down. If you can relate, this episode is for ...
Nov 19, 2024•41 min
Debbie talks with four differently wired adults who share their stories of discovering and/or learn more about their own neurodivergence as a result of parenting their differently wired children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 15, 2024•42 min
I’m thrilled to finally welcome Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide to the show! They’re the authors of the groundbreaking, recently updated book The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain. As leading experts in dyslexia, Brock and Fernette have reshaped our understanding of dyslexia through a strengths-based lens. They continue this work through their nonprofit, Dyslexic Advantage, and their social purpose company, Neurolearning. Rather than viewing dyslexia as a diso...
Nov 12, 2024•52 min
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Neff talks about the unique challenges for adults who discover their own neurodivergence as a result of going through the diagnostic process with their children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 08, 2024•53 min
When my child was little, one of the most common sleep training methods was the "cry it out" approach. We tried it briefly, and it felt absolutely terrible for all of us. I know many parents can relate to the feelings of desperation and overwhelm that come when a child just isn’t sleeping. I wish I’d known back then about sleep coaches Macall Gordon and Kim West, also known as The Sleep Lady, who have developed a gentler, effective approach to changing sleep patterns. Their approach, based on ye...
Nov 05, 2024•52 min
Over the years, countless strategies have been created to help differently wired kids succeed in school and life. But as the neurodiversity movement grows, there's increasing awareness that many of these approaches focus on fitting neurodivergent kids into neurotypical environments and norms, rather than embracing and respecting their unique ways of experiencing the world. My guest, Elizabeth Sautter, a speech-language pathologist and social-emotional learning specialist, was initially trained i...
Oct 29, 2024•41 min
Development pediatrician Dr. Mark Bertin talks about his new book How Children Thrive: The Practical Science of Raising Independent, Resilient, and Happy Kids, as well as resilience in our kids and the benefits of mindful parenting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 25, 2024•49 min
Today, I’m excited to share my conversation with Ali Miller on how nonviolent communication (NVC) can help navigate co-parenting dynamics and couple relationships. When raising a neurodivergent child, there are often many opportunities for parents to disagree—whether it’s about the therapies to explore, whether or not to disclose a diagnosis to family members, or even if a diagnosis exists at all. These discussions can be tough and can definitely place a strain on the relationship. But with nonv...
Oct 22, 2024•40 min
Strategic learning assessment psychologist Dr. Devon MacEachron provides ideas for next steps for parents after receiving a diagnosis for their child. Connect with Tilt Parenting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 18, 2024•44 min
My guest for today’s show is likely no stranger to you. He’s been on the podcast before, we’ve co-hosted special live events focused on the mental health crisis among neurodivergent kids, and he’s a key figure in the differently wired revolution. Through his speaking engagements, work as a therapist for kids and adults, and his own lived experience as a neurodivergent individual, he’s a powerful advocate for understanding and supporting neurodivergent students. Yes, I’m talking about Dr. Matt Za...
Oct 15, 2024•45 min
Speaker and author Jonathan Oliver shares his personal story of being a differently wired (ADHD and dyslexia), stay-at-home father of two children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 11, 2024•42 min
As a parent of a neurodivergent child, you’ve probably had to let go of the traditional timelines we’re often told our kids should follow, especially when it comes to school milestones. And that requires a big adjustment for us as parents! But what if we all took a step back and focused more on slowing down? That’s exactly what my guest today, educator and author Leslie Martino, encourages us to do. With over twenty years of experience as a teacher, homeschooler, and adjunct lecturer, Leslie has...
Oct 08, 2024•52 min
What comes to mind when you think about raising healthy kids? We often focus on physical health — things like height, weight, and nutrition. But today, we're taking a more holistic look at health with return guest, nutritionist and author Jill Castle. Specifically, e're diving into her new book, Kids Thrive at Every Size: How to Nourish Your Big, Small, or In-Between Child for a Lifetime of Health and Happiness. In our conversation, we explore why emotional well-being is just as important as phy...
Oct 01, 2024•41 min
Flex School founder Jacqui Byrne shares her vision for creating powerful learning communities for gifted and 2e students through her unique educational model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 27, 2024•49 min
Parent coach Zach Morris and Debbie answer a listener's question about sharing a new autism diagnosis with a 10 year old who embraces his neurodivergence but lives in a community / culture where the term "autism" has a negative connotation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 26, 2024•21 min
In today’s conversation, I’m diving into the much-anticipated book Navigating PDA in America with the co-authors and thought leaders in the PDA space, Diane Gould and Ruth Fidler. We've touched on PDA in past episodes, but I learned so much from this book, and I’m excited to share it with you because PDA is a diagnosis bringing a lot of clarity and relief to families. As it gains traction in the neurodivergence space, the more we know, the better we can support PDAers in our communities. In this...
Sep 24, 2024•52 min
Neuropsychologist William Stixrud PhD and Ned Johnson talk about their gamechanging book "The Self-Driven Child" and explain the importance of supporting our child's sense of control and autonomy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 20, 2024•54 min
In today's episode, my guest reminds us that no one goes through life unscathed. We all face big, difficult challenges—it's part of being human. And when we encounter these challenges while parenting, it's up to us to help our kids make sense of things in healthy ways that foster resilience. But how exactly do we do that? My guest, author-illustrator Sara Olsher, is a strong advocate for talking to kids honestly about the big things happening in our families. She speaks from her own experience, ...
Sep 17, 2024•47 min
Dr. Manju Banerjee, VP of Educational Research and Innovation at Landmark College, talks about Landmark's vision for helping neurodivergent students thrive in college and in their careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 13, 2024•38 min
Just as technology evolves rapidly, so too do the ways drugs are consumed. For parents, it can be challenging to recognize when our kids are using, especially since many products on the market now resemble harmless school supplies or candy. And then if we find our kids are engaging in drug use, how do we even begin to navigate that? That’s what we’re going to explore today with my guest Brenda Zane, whose oldest son struggled with an addiction to a high-risk lifestyle and illicit drugs for over ...
Sep 10, 2024•49 min
Pediatric psychologist and author Mona Delahooke talks about her new book "Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 06, 2024•55 min
Parent coach Margaret Webb and Debbie discuss how to help an autistic child with low self-esteem. They explore the importance of giving the child time to regulate and be alone, rather than assuming it is a sign of low self-esteem. They also discuss the window shade age, where children become aware of their differences from their peers. They emphasize the need to support effort rather than outcome and to make sure the child feels valued. The conversation ends with a reminder to trust in oneself a...
Sep 05, 2024•20 min•Ep. 402
My fall season is officially starting today and I’m kicking it off with a conversation with Dr. Billy Garvey on mental health. Billy, a developmental pediatrician with over 20 years’ experience working with children in Australia, met last year while he was traveling around the world on a fellowship to explore the connection between how children are parented and their mental health as adults. One of the outcomes of that fellowship is Billy’s new book, which is called 10 Things I Wish You Knew Abo...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr
Author and thought leader Jordan Shapiro, PhD, talks about his new book "The New Childhood" and why he believes parents should consider embracing and supporting the role of screens and technology in children's lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 30, 2024•51 min
There is a lot of misinformation and stigma around neurodivergence that can create extra barriers and challenges for our families. This is especially true for Tourette syndrome, which is often referred to as “the most misunderstood well-known condition,” often the punchline of jokes on late-night TV and sitcoms. Its in large part because of these misconceptions and difficulty accessing resources that my guest today, Michele Turk, found herself at a loss when her 11 year old son Michael was diagn...
Aug 27, 2024•43 min
Psychotherapists Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright (The Happy Sleeper) talk about how to handle difficult situations in a way that’s respectful of the child and supports their social and emotional development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 23, 2024•50 min
