TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids

Speech-language pathologist and audiologist Dr. Donna Geffner explains what central auditory processing disorders are and discusses approaches to best supports and accommodations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we're talking about aggression, specifically in boys, and how we as parents can respond with understanding, connection, and compassion instead of fear or shaming. Joining me is Tosha Schore, a powerful voice in peaceful parenting and the founder of Parenting Boys Peacefully. Tosha is also the creator of the Out With Aggression program and co-author of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges. She's spent decades helping parents shift the way they relate to their kids, especially when big behaviors show up. In our conversation, Tosha and I got into the roots of aggressive behavior in boys, and how it's so often a signal, not of defiance, but of fear or frustration. We explored how society often mislabels boys as “bad” when they make mistakes with little room for second chances. Tosha shared what it means to truly listen to our kids, how to build safe spaces for them to express themselves without shame, and why emotional connection, not punishment, is the key to long-term growth and emotional development. If aggression is something your family is struggling with right now, this conversation is for you. And if you find it valuable, and I think you will, consider sharing it with other parents who might need it.   About Tosha Schore Tosha Schore is a dynamic leader and globally recognized speaker and trainer dedicated to empowering parents and the professionals who support them. As the founder of Parenting Boys Peacefully and creator of the Out With Aggression program, Tosha has equipped thousands of parents worldwide with tools to transform challenging behaviors by fostering connection, confidence, and compassion in their relationships with their children. She is also the author of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges. Drawing on her over two decades of experience, and her extensive training in Hand in Hand Parenting and certification as a Step into Your Moxie® Facilitator, Tosha inspires parents to integrate connection as a bedrock principle in their families, and provides actionable answers to the “then what?” questions parents often face when shifting away from harsher, less effective practices. Tosha is championing a cultural shift toward more compassionate parenting and a more peaceful world.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why understanding boys' behavior requires connecting the dots between their emotions, environment, and executive function challenges How recognizing aggression as a response to fear, frustration, or impulse control issues helps parents approach it with empathy Why creating safe spaces for boys to express emotions without judgment fosters emotional growth and self-regulation Why challenging societal perceptions that label boys as "bad guys" is essential for supporting their emotional development How to prioritize emotional connection over discipline in order to navigate challenging behaviors without shame or escalation   Resources mentioned Toscha Shore's website Parenting Boys Peacefully Free 10-Day Reconnect Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges by Toscha Shore Dr. John Duffy on Helping Our Struggling Teen Boys (Tilt Parenting podcast) Rescuing Our Sons: 8 Solutions to Our Crisis of Disaffected Teen Boys by Dr. John Duffy Seth Perler, Executive Function Coach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author, educator, child development expert Dr. Becky Bailey talks about her Conscious Discipline model of safety, connection and problem-solving to nurture children's social and emotional learning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you define your family as an ADHD family? Today's guest, Dr. Tamara Rosier, and the author of the book You, Me, and Our ADHD Family: Practical Steps to Cultivate Healthy Relationships, says that ADHD isn't an individual experience – it's a relational one. And the ADHD dynamic affects the entire family system. I know many listeners of this show would identify as members of an ADHD family and so I'm excited to share this conversation and Tamara's work with you. Tamara is an ADHD coach, speaker, educator, and founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she and her team support individuals and families in better understanding how ADHD shapes their experiences. In addition to the book we're talking about today, she's also the author of the popular book. Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD.  In our conversation, Tamara shared her personal and professional insights on what it really means to live in an ADHD family, from the emotional rollercoasters to the quirky dynamics that might feel familiar to you. We talked about how ADHD deeply affects relationships, communication, and emotional regulation across the whole family system. Tamara offered creative, relatable metaphors that help make sense of ADHD behaviors, and she emphasized the importance of self-awareness and revisiting our own childhoods to parent with more clarity and empathy. Lots of ideas and takeaways from this one!    About Dr. Tamara Rosier Dr. Tamara Rosier has been a college administrator, a professor, a leadership consultant, a high school teacher, a business owner, and an ADHD coach. Through these varied experiences, she has gained invaluable insights into ADHD and its impact on individuals' lives. As the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, Dr. Rosier guides a dedicated team of coaches, therapists, and speech pathologists in assisting individuals, parents, and families as they develop a deep understanding of themselves and acquire practical skills to navigate life with ADHD. Her books, Your Brain's Not Broken and You, Me, and Our ADHD Family, offer practical strategies for addressing the potent emotional dimensions of living with ADHD.   Things you'll learn from this episode The ways in which ADHD affects entire families and how recognizing its inheritable nature can foster deeper understanding across generations How emotional processing and dysregulation present unique challenges in ADHD households, making self-reflection and revisiting childhood experiences key to breaking cycles Why cultivating self-awareness and compassion is essential for growth and healthier family relationships How externalizing ADHD symptoms and using metaphors can help children better understand their experiences How strategies like managing one's “monkeys,” recognizing quirks as non-personal, and understanding proximity to emotional triggers can improve family dynamics Why helping kids take responsibility for their emotions is a critical piece of helping ADHD families thrive   Resources mentioned Dr. Tamara Rosier's website You, Me, and Our ADHD Family: Practical Steps to Cultivate Healthy Relationships by Dr. Tamara Rosier Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD (A Playbook for Neurodivergent Men and Women with Tools for Coping with ADHD) by Dr. Tamara Rosier The ADHD Center of Western Michigan (Tamara's organization) Internal Family Systems Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Educator, blogger, and community activist Jason B. Allen shares his ideas for how traditional school environments need to change to better serve differently wired black students and, in particular, black and brown boys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're talking about the reality of parenting while disabled. My guest is Jessica Slice, the author of the new book Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World. A writer, advocate, and disabled mother who challenges the way society defines “fit” parenting, Jessica's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Disability Visibility.  In this episode, Jessica opens up about the unique challenges disabled parents face, from the obstacles within the process of becoming parents to navigating a world that often feels inaccessible. We also talk about how disabled parents are often excluded from mainstream parenting conversations and why they face heightened scrutiny from Child Protective Services. Jessica shares her powerful perspective on creative adaptation — a mindset that empowers disabled parents to create a parenting approach that works for them, rather than trying to conform to systems that weren't built with their needs in mind. Whether you're a disabled parent, raising a disabled child, or just wanting to learn how to be a more informed and supportive ally, this episode is filled with Jessica's honest insights and practical wisdom that challenge outdated ideas of what makes a “good” parent.   About Jessica Slice Jessica Slice is a disabled mom and author of Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World. She is also the co-author of Dateable: Swiping Right, Hooking Up, and Settling Down and This is How We Play, as well as the forthcoming This is How We Talk and We Belong, which was co-authored with the late Judy Heumann. She has been published in Modern Love, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Alice Wong's bestselling Disability Visibility, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and more. She lives in Toronto with her family.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why disabled parents are not often part of the mainstream parenting conversations What are the challenges that disabled parents face when they're starting the process of becoming parents Why disabled parents face more threats from Child Protective Services, and why demanding that someone parent without help can be considered discriminatory How being disabled prepares potential parents for the parenting journey What creative adaptation is and how it can give disabled parents the freedom to build their life from scratch How non-disabled parents can support the disabled parents in their communities   Resources mentioned Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World by Jessica Slice Jessica Slice's website Jessica Slice writes about disability, parenting, and poems Jessica on Instagram Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau Emily Ladau on Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer, filmmaker, and creative director Chris Baier talks about raising a daughter with OCD and the film their journey inspired him to produce, UNSTUCK, an award-winning short that explains OCD through the eyes of young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to an episode of Understood.org's new podcast Climbing the Wall, a 6-part series that investigates why women with ADHD have gone undiagnosed for so long… and how that changed dramatically during the pandemic, when the diagnosis of ADHD in women skyrocketed. The show asks: Why women? Why now? And how has underdiagnosis impacted women's mental health?  Learn more here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

​In this special 9-year anniversary episode, I'm doing things a little differently. Instead of a guest interview, I'm doing a solocast in which I share nine shifts I've noticed in the parenting paradigm for those of us raising neurodivergent kids over the past almost decade since I first founded Tilt. Some of the things I explore in this episode include the evolution of language within the neurodiversity movement, the increased recognition of dual diagnoses like Autistic ADHD and new identifications such as PDA, how concepts like Polyvagal theory and co-reguation have profoundly changed the ways differently wired children are understood, the importance of centering neurodivergent voices, and much more. * I've put together a special anniversary playlist of the podcast episodes I reference in this episode over on Spotify. To listen to that, click here.*   About Debbie Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of Tilt Parenting, a resource, top-performing podcast, consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. A regular contributor to Psychology Today and ADDitude Magazine, and the author of more than a dozen books for children and teens, Debbie's most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent's Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope.   Resources mentioned Dr. Megan Anna Neff and Neurodivergent Insights Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price, PhD Are you autistic? How a 'lost generation' of women on the spectrum went under the radar (The Telegraph)  The lost girls: ‘Chaotic and curious, women with ADHD all have missed red flags that haunt us' (The Guardian) The Electricity of Every Living Thing: A Woman's Walk in the Wild to Find Her Way Home by Katherine May Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else by Dr. Donna Henderson and Dr. Sarah Wayland Dr. Stephen Porges Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges by Dr. Mona Delahooke Deb Dana's website, Rhythm of Regulation Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana Navigating PDA in America: A Framework to Support Anxious, Demand-Avoidant Autistic Children, Teens, and Young Adults  by Ruth Fidler and Diane Gould The Family Experience of PDA by Eliza Fricker Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn and Thrive Outside the Lines by Jonathan Mooney Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Aspergers by John Elder Robison Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau Unmasking for Life: The Autistic Person's Guide to Connecting, Loving, and Living Authentically by Dr. Devon Price Executive Function Coach Seth Perler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Karen Wilson shares her best practices about the transition of differently wired children from preschool (or no school at all) into elementary school, including special considerations, vetting schools for fit, red-shirting practices, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm excited to welcome Dr. Devon Price back to the show to talk about unmasking and self-acceptance for autistic individuals. You may know about Devon's book Unmasking Autism, and if you haven't I highly encourage you to go back and listen to our conversation about that book on the show – I'll have a link in the show notes or you can find it at tiltparenting.com/session292. But today, we are discussing Devon's brand new book Unmasking for Life: The Autistic Person's Guide to Connecting, Loving, and Living Authentically, which explores what it truly means to embrace one's identity in a world that still struggles with accessibility and inclusion. I think it's such an important book for parents of autistic children to read, as it shares insights into what our kids ultimately need to grow up as people who can advocate for their needs and invent new ways of living, loving, and being that work with their disability rather than against it. In this conversation, we discussed the journey of self-acceptance for autistic individuals and the cultural shifts happening around neurodivergence. Devon shared insights on how parents can support their children in embracing their authentic selves while navigating a world that often prioritizes conformity. And we also talked about the impact of generational trauma on family dynamics and why redefining success beyond societal norms is crucial for long-term well-being, and much much more. There are more adults discovering their own neurodivergence through parenting their own neurodivergent child, and I think Devon's book and everything he shared in this conversation can help anyone who is trying to live more authentically with their autism AND any parent who is raising an autistic child that wants to consider what life looks like for their child at various stages of life. This is a great one. Have a listen and please share this episode in your communities.   About Dr. Devon Price Devon Price, PhD, is a social psychologist, professor, author, and proud Autistic person. His research has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and the Journal of Positive Psychology. Devon's writing has appeared in outlets such as the Financial Times, HuffPost, Slate, Jacobin, Business Insider, LitHub, and on PBS and NPR. He lives in Chicago, where he serves as an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago's School of Continuing and Professional Studies.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why self-acceptance is an ongoing, internal process that can be especially challenging for neurodivergent individuals How despite progress, the world remains largely inaccessible to disabled people, making advocacy and practical life planning essential Why friendship and love are common struggles for autistic adults and why support, self-awareness, and empowerment rather than forced conformity is critical Where we are now — cultural awareness of neurodivergence is growing yet parents still face pressure to make their children fit societal expectations Why the key to a fulfilling life as an autistic adult means questioning societal norms, addressing generational trauma, and embracing authentic self-expression   Resources mentioned Unmasking for Life: The Autistic Person's Guide to Connecting, Loving, and Living Authentically by Dr. Devon Price Devon Price on Substack Devon Price on Medium Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price, PhD Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price, PhD Devon Price on Instagram Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) Sarah Casper and Comprehensive Consent The World of Estranged Parents Forums (IssenDai)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Minds micro-school founder Dr. Melanie Hayes shares her story of starting a school for twice-exceptional learners, and discusses ways 2e students' needs can be met in traditional educational setting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A few months ago, I had my friend and colleague Cathy Adams on the show to talk about her book Restoring Our Girls and raising daughters to be emotionally healthy in a complicated world. I knew then that I wanted to have a similar conversation for a future episode, but this time, focusing on boys, specifically about why many teen boys are struggling right now and what we, as parents, can do to support them. I also knew exactly who I wanted to bring on the show to talk about this — Dr. John Duffy. Through his private practice, bestselling books, and media appearances on CNN, NPR, and the Today Show, John has helped thousands of parents navigate the complex world of raising teens in today's world. And he's really got a pulse on the complex inner lives of today's teen boys.   In this conversation, we talk about the unique mental health challenges boys are facing today, from increased isolation and anxiety to the messages they are getting from society that are leading to self-doubt and emotional struggles. We also discussed how the pandemic intensified these issues and why paying attention to the media they are consuming is key to connecting with them. John also shared how neurodivergent boys may experience these challenges differently and shared practical strategies for fostering emotional resilience and self-worth.   About my guest Dr. John Duffy is a Chicago-based clinical psychologist, best-selling author, keynote speaker and national media expert. He has been in private practice for 25 years, specializing in work with adolescents, young adults and their parents. Dr. Duffy has written three best-selling books intended to provide parents with the tools to help their teens and young adults thrive in this persistent age of anxiety. For more than a decade, Dr. Duffy has also spoken to thousands of parents internationally through PTA's, Fortune 500 corporate programs, and other parenting networks. Dr. Duffy has written and contributed to articles for CNN, the Washington Post, The New York Times, Your Teen, Time and countless other media outlets. On television, he has been a regular contributing expert on NewsNation and Steve Harvey, and has shared his expertise through frequent appearances on CNN, the Today show, the Morning Blend, and hundreds of appearances on local and regional outlets. On radio, Dr. Duffy is a regularly appearing expert on WGN, WLS and NPR.He shares his current articles on his Substack titled On Parenting and Life.   Things you'll learn Why boys are facing a growing mental health crisis, with increasing isolation, lack of hope, and behavioral challenges How the pandemic intensified boys' disconnection, highlighting a significant gender divide in mental health How societal narratives around masculinity contribute to self-loathing and emotional struggles in boys How parents can foster connection by engaging with their sons' interests and understanding their media influences Why looking beyond surface behaviors helps parents support boys' emotional well-being and sense of identity   Resources Dr. John Duffy's website Rescuing Our Sons: 8 Solutions to Our Crisis of Disaffected Teen Boys by Dr. John Duffy Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety: A Complete Guide to Your Child's Stressed, Depressed, Expanded, Amazing Adolescence by Dr. John Duffy The Available Parent: Expert Advice for Raising Successful Teens and Tweens by Dr. John Duffy Dr. John Duffy on Facebook Dr. John Duffy on Instagram Dr. John Duffy's Substack, On Parenting & Life Parenting the New Teen with Dr. John Duffy (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Educator and author Terry Roberts, PhD, discusses his new book "The New Smart: How Nurturing Creativity Will Help Children Thrive," and shares his ideas surrounding the future of work, what the education model is getting wrong and why it needs to change, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm thrilled to welcome back two favorite podcast guests and just all-around wonderful humans, Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson. You might know them from their bestselling book The Self-Driven Child, which I often refer to on this show as one of the most important resources in my parenting life. Well, Bill and Ned have a new phenomenal resource that I can't wait to share with you — a workbook based on their beloved book called The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child.  Today's episode features a rich and deep conversation about some of the concepts they support parents in navigating in their new workbook, like why fostering autonomy is key to motivation, emotional well-being, and long-term success, why connection matters more than control, how to support our kids without trying to change them, and ways we can create a home environment that builds confidence and trust. They also share practical strategies for effective communication, including how to guide our kids through challenges without adding pressure or anxiety. As parents, it is scary to let go of control and to trust our kids to navigate their own problems, but as you'll hear in this conversation, this is exactly what they need to be motivated. We know we can't change them, but we can support them in finding the reason to change for themselves.   About William R. Stixrud, Ph.D William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of The Stixrud Group. He is a member of the teaching faculty at Children's National Medical Center and an assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Stixrud is the author, with Ned Johnson, of the nationally bestselling book, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives, What Do You Say: How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home, and The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child: A Workbook. About Ned Johnson Ned Johnson is president and “tutor-geek” of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring and standardized test preparation. A battle-tested veteran of test prep, stress regulation and optimizing student performance, Ned has spent roughly 50,000 one-on-one hours helping students conquer an alphabet of standardized tests, learn to manage their anxiety, and develop their own motivation to succeed. Ned is the host of the The Self-Driven Child podcast. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, US News, Seventeen, and many others.   Things you'll learn Why empowering children with autonomy fosters their development, motivation, and ability to navigate their own reality Why connection matters more than control, and parents should act as supportive guides rather than enforcers The role of self-reflection, an understanding of different temperaments, and a willingness to listen without pressure in effective parenting (guiding) How to cultivate respectful environments where children feel safe to explore, make decisions, and learn from their experience Why raising self-driven children leads to the best outcomes for their lives as self-determined and self-actualized adults   Resources mentioned The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child: A Workbook by Dr. William Stixrud & Ned Johnson Ned Johnson / Prep Matters What Do You Say? How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home by Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Teens Overcome the Pressure and Succeed by Ned Johnson and Emily Warner Eskelsen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Children's picture book author / illustrator Samantha Cotterill discusses her new book series, Little Senses, which highlights the experience of children with sensory issues or ASD, and also shares her own journey of growing up as a girl on the spectrum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we are talking about one of the most accessible and impactful tools we've got to help our kids thrive. But this tool is so simple and obvious that we may not even realize its immense power. I'm talking about WORDS, as in, the words we use when talking with our children. The language we use with our children can make a profound difference in the way our kids relate to themselves and how their brains process situations.  We're going to explore this concept with Lily Howard Scott, an educator, speaker, and author of the new book,The Words That Shape Us: The Science-Based Power of Teacher Language. Lily has spent nearly a decade teaching elementary school and now helps educators create classrooms where children feel known, valued, and empowered. She's passionate about the ways language can influence how kids see themselves, process emotions, and build resilience, and she wrote this book to help teachers, parents, and any other adults who work with children positively transform how students think, feel, and achieve through effectively tapping into this tool that everyone has access to. During our conversation, Lily shares how small shifts in the way we speak to children—both at home and in the classroom—can make a huge difference in their confidence, emotional intelligence, and ability to navigate challenges. We talked about practical strategies, like using metaphors to help kids manage emotions and reframing how we talk about mistakes and setbacks. Lily also explained the role that words play in fostering a sense of belonging and emotional safety in children, which is essential for learning and growth, especially for neurodivergent kids who may struggle with self-perception. These are small shifts that can make a huge difference, so I hope you can take these suggestions and apply them right after you finish listening to this episode. Enjoy my conversation with Lily Howard Scott.   About Lily Howard Scott Lily Howard Scott (MSEd) is an educator and author. Her work is centered around helping children navigate their inner lives, connect with each other, and take the risks that lead to meaningful learning. Scott presents regularly at national conferences, and her writing about the importance of a child-centric, holistic approach to teaching and learning has been published in Edutopia and The Washington Post, among other publications. For nearly 10 years, Lily taught elementary school in both public and independent settings. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children. The Words That Shape Us (Scholastic) is her first book   Things you'll learn from this episode Why the language we use shapes how children see themselves, influencing their confidence, emotional intelligence, and self-perception The way that subtle shifts in language can create big changes, helping children navigate emotions, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and build self-compassion Why connection and belonging are essential—children thrive in environments where they feel known, valued, and encouraged to take risks How using language tools like "president decider" for thoughts and "feelings as visitors" can help kids manage emotions and self-talk in healthy ways. Why it's never too late to start using intentional, supportive language that clarifies feelings, reduces shame, and nurtures creativity and self-trust.   Resources mentioned Lily Howard Scott's Website The Words that Shape Us: The Science-Based Practice of Teacher Language by Lily Howard Scott Lily on Instagram The Antiromantic Child: A Memoir of Unexpected Joy by Priscilla Gilman How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett Dr. Bruce Perry Dr. Richard Schwartz & Internal Family Systems Rainer Maria Rilke Ish: Creatilogy by Peter Reynolds David Foster Wallace On Children by Kahlil Gibran Dr. Ross Greene on Using CPS with Very Young Kids (Tilt Parenting podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eileen Devine, a neurobehavioral therapist and support coach, discusses supporting children with brain-based neurodevelopmental challenges resulting from pre-natal exposure to drugs or alcohol, as well as the unique challenges for adoptive parents raising atypical children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

​Today I've got a really interesting conversation for you about a relatively new instruction model that is designed to create learning environments that truly meet the needs of every student. It's called the Modern Classroom Project, and my guest is Robert Barnett, is the co-founder of the model as well as the author of the new book that describes this approach called Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Learners Can Succeed. Rob has spent years teaching across different subjects and age groups, and he's passionate about transforming education to be more flexible, engaging, and student-centered. In this episode, you'll hear Rob broke down the Modern Classroom instructional model, which gives students more agency over their learning by allowing them to move at their own pace and collaborate with each other to achieve mastery. He also explained why instructional videos can enhance accessibility, how mastery checks help confirm readiness before advancing to the next lesson, and how, ultimately, this model prioritizes the critical role of teacher-student relationships in fostering engagement and trust. Rob also shared insights into why traditional education systems often struggle to meet the needs of all the learners, as well as how parents can share the Modern classroom resources with their kids' teachers or school administration. I love talking with people who are on a mission to shake up big systems, and this is definitely one of those inspirational conversations. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Rob Barnett.   About Robert Barnett Robert Barnett co-founded the Modern Classrooms Project, which has empowered 80,000+ educators in 180+ countries to meet every learner's needs. Before that he taught math, computer science, English, social studies, and law, from the middle-school to university levels, at public and private schools in the U.S. and abroad. He is the author of Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Learners Can Succeed and he hopes his children will learn in Modern Classrooms someday!   Things you'll learn from this episode How the Modern Classroom model supports flexibility, student agency, and individualized pacing for deeper learning Why instructional videos enhance engagement, comprehension, and accessibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace How mastery checks help confirm readiness before advancing, ensuring a strong foundation for continued learning Why building relationships with students fosters trust, engagement, and better behavior management in the classroom Why equity in education means adapting teaching methods to support all learners, and parents can advocate for modern approaches that benefit their children   Resources mentioned Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Students Can Succeed by Robert Barnett Meet Every Learner's Needs book website Meet Every Learner's Needs Substack Modern Classroom Project Book giveaway for listeners Khan Academy Universal Design for Learning (UDL) The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Rebecca Winthrop & Jenny Anderson The End of Average: Unlocking Our Potential By Embracing What Makes Us Different by Todd Rose   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nutritionist Jess Sherman shares ideas for how parents can bring more nourishment into their children's lives, including, or maybe especially those with food sensitivities, picky or aggressive behavior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your child has extreme food aversions, anxiety around eating, or struggles with a very limited diet, you won't want to miss this conversation. Today we're diving into ARFID — Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder — or as my guest calls it, “picky eating on steroids.” To talk about ARFID, I circled back to Zoë Bisbing, a licensed psychotherapist and the director of Body-Positive Therapy NYC who specializes in treating eating disorders and body image concerns with an affirming, neurodiversity-friendly approach. Zoë holds a Master of Social Work from New York University, a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College, and a certification in Family-Based Treatment from the Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. Today, she's sharing her expertise on the unique ways ARFID presents in neurodivergent children. In this fascinating conversation, Zoë broke down what ARFID is, how it differs from other eating disorders, and why she sees it as a form of neurodivergence in its own right. We talked about how sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and even trauma can contribute to restrictive eating, and how the pandemic exacerbated these challenges for many kids. Zoe also explains why traditional eating disorder treatments often don't work for ARFID and why a child-centered, individualized approach is key to building a positive relationship with food. And a small ask before I play the episode — if you enjoy this episode, please hit the share episode button on your app and send it to a friend or post a link to it in a community of parents with neurodivergent children. I know that when families are struggling with complex challenges like ARFID, it can be difficult to find neurodiversity-affirming resources.   About Zoë Bisbing Zoë Bisbing, MSW, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and content creator. She is the director of Body-Positive Therapy NYC, a group therapy practice, and Body-Positive Home, a learning and healing hub for parents and professionals who want to nurture a more embodied and inclusive next generation… and heal their own food and body stuff while they are at it. You can follow her on instagram @mybodypositivehome for bite-sized body-positive basics and body image healing and her forthcoming Substack, Body-Positive Home. Zoë holds a Master of Social Work from New York University, a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College, and a certification in Family-Based Treatment from the Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. A native New Yorker, Zoë lives in a fiercely neurodivergent-affirming, body-positive home in Manhattan with her husband, three children, and two dogs.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why Zoe believes ARFID can be seen as a form of neurodivergence, distinct from other eating disorders How the pandemic has worsened mental health issues, including the prevalence and severity of eating disorders like ARFID The different ways that ARFID can present in children, including sensory aversions, anxiety-driven restrictions, and extreme selective eating How to differentiate between ARFID from anorexia or bulimia is crucial, including not driven by body image concerns but by sensory and other factors Why effective ARFID treatment must be individualized and prioritize the child's comfort, autonomy, and unique needs   Resources mentioned Body Positive website Body Positive Therapy (serving residents of NY, CT, and NJ) Body Positive on Substack Zoë Bisbing's website Body Positive on Instagram Body Positive Parenting with Zoe Bisbing and Leslie Bloch (Tilt Parenting podcast) Noreen Hunani Dr. Megan Anna Neff and Dr. Debra Brause on the Complex Relationship Between Traditional Therapeutic Modalities and Neurodivergence (Tilt Parenting podcast) Feelings and Body Investigators (FBI) ARFID   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest this week is autism and neurodiversity support specialist Kristy Forbes of In Tune Pathways. Kristy is the parent of four autistic children, and has an abundance of emotional, practical, and lived experience both working with and raising children who are neurodivergent. She has an extensive background in early childhood education and psychology, and as you'll hear from our conversation, is passionate about radical acceptance without the need or intention to fix, change or cure, particularly in regard to children. Kristy was diagnosed as autistic at age thirty-three herself, and has committed herself to working with children and adults on the autism spectrum, with a special interest on people who, like her, have a PDA expression. In this episode, we share a deep conversation about how parents can truly tune in to who their children are and show up for them in a way that reflects true respect for their children's neurodivergence. We cover a lot of ground, including the PDA profile of autism, how parents can get clear about their intentions when exploring interventions for their children on the spectrum, how to support families through periods of intensity and very difficult behavior, and the trauma that can result when children are perpetually in fight, flight, freeze or fawn mode because they're being forced to conform to a way of being that isn't true to who they are. Kristy is a wise and genuine spirit who is doing healing work for so many families… I'm grateful to be able to share this conversation with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to an episode of Understood.org's podcast ADHD Aha!, a podcast about ADHD. Hear the unexpected and emotional ways ADHD symptoms surface for kids and adults, and the moments when it clicks that ADHD is real. Learn more here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's conversation feels both important and timely, because they're tackling a challenge so many parents are facing: how to help disengaged teens reconnect with learning. My guests are Jenny Anderson, an award-winning journalist focused on learning and parenting, and Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution specializing in education innovation. Together, they've been diving deep into the science of student engagement, and today, they're sharing what they've learned about reigniting curiosity and motivation in kids who have checked out of school and their excellent new book, The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better. In our conversation, Jenny and Rebecca broke down why engagement isn't just about academics—it's an intricate mix of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors, often even more complex for neurodivergent children. We discussed the connection between technology and disengagement, why traditional models of education often fail to meet kids where they are, and how parents can foster curiosity by modeling a love of learning. Jenny and Rebecca also walked us through the four modes of learning and offered strategies to help kids switch from resistor, passenger, or achiever mode into explorer mode, which is the mode where kids learn best. One of the most powerful takeaways from this discussion is the reminder that resistance in learning doesn't equal a lack of interest in learning—it's often a signal that the context is not working for the student. Things you'll learn Every child deserves access to quality education, but disengagement, exacerbated by technology, has long been an issue Engagement is a dynamic mix of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors, often highlighted by challenges faced by neurodivergent children Parents can bridge the gap between school and real-world relevance by modeling curiosity and fostering the thrill of learning Disengagement today carries higher costs, making it vital to connect learning content to children's interests and help them envision possible future selves Resistance in children can become part of their identity, but with emotional coaching and redirection, their agency can lead to growth Why staying emotionally connected, fostering curiosity, and engaging in meaningful discussions supports both academic and emotional development   Resources mentioned The Disengaged Teen (website) The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop Jenny Anderson's website Rebecca Winthrop on Brookings Institute website Giving Some Kids Autonomy Has Surprising Results (New York Times article) How to Be Brave (Jenny's Substack) Winthrop's World of Education (Rebecca's LinkedIn newsletter) Jenny on Instagram Rebecca on Instagram Cathy Adams on Navigating the Complexities of Raising Daughters (Tilt Parenting podcast) Restoring Our Girls: How Real Conversations Shape Our Daughters' Lives, Help Them with Teen Challenges, and Remind Them That They Matter by Cathy Adams Lisa Damour The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Lisa Damour The Self-Driven Child with William Stixrud and Ned Johnson (Tilt Parenting podcast) Daphna Oyserman / Future Possible Selves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Educator and school co-founder Zach Morris shares his insights on how we can emotionally support children through difficult periods, including challenges relating to school anxiety and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parent Coach Margaret Webb joins Debbie to answer a listener question on how to navigate solo parenting as a neurodivergent mom in burnout, balance supporting two neurodivergent kids post-divorce, and find realistic ways to prioritize self-care—even when it feels impossible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Picture this. You're sitting in the neuropsych's office after you just got your kid's diagnosis. You're relieved to have some information on how to help them but have no clue how to explain their neurodivergence to them. Do you talk about the science? Do you wait until they are a certain age where they might understand more about their brains? Or maybe you think about waiting for them to start asking the questions. If you can relate, you're not alone in wondering what the best way to have this conversation is. And the reality is, the how and when does matter. So for today's show, I'm bringing on Dr. Liz Angoff, a Licensed Educational Psychologist who specializes in helping families reframe assessments and diagnoses into empowering narratives that celebrate a child's unique brain. Liz has spent years working with children and families to make learning differences easier to understand. She's the author of the Brain Building Books, a resource designed to help kids see their neurodivergence as a strength rather than a limitation. In our conversation, Liz shares why early and open discussions about neurodiversity are so important, how parents can guide their children through assessments in a way that fosters trust, and why shifting from a deficit-based model to a discovery-based approach can be transformative for the whole family. We also explore how different kids process this information in their own ways—some may embrace it, while others, especially teenagers, might resist labels altogether. She also provides thoughtful strategies to meet kids where they are and help them feel seen and supported.  If you've ever struggled with how to talk to your child about their neurodivergence, this episode is full of practical insights and reassurance.   About Dr. Liz Angoff Liz Angoff, Ph.D., is a Licensed Educational Psychologist with a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology, providing assessment and consultation services to children and their families in the Bay Area, CA. She is the author of the Brain Building Books, tools for engaging children in understanding their learning and developmental differences. More information about Dr. Liz and her work is available at www.ExplainingBrains.com.   Things you'll learn from this episode How early conversations about neurodiversity help normalize differences and make children feel unique and valued Why parents should approach assessments as discovery processes rather than problem-solving exercises How to prepare children for assessments by discussing their experience to foster understanding and trust The importance of respecting how children choose to process information about their neurodivergence, especially teenagers resistant to labels   Resources mentioned Dr. Liz Angoff's Explaining Brains website Our Brains: A Workbook to Understand, Celebrate, and Advocate for Your Unique Brain! by Dr. Liz Angoff Dr. Liz Angoff on Instagram Dr. Liz Angoff's collection of resources to help families talk to kids about their neurodivergence, including a living spreadsheet The End of Average: Unlocking Our Potential by Embracing What Makes Us Different by Todd Rose Karen Wilson on Telling Kids About Their Diagnosis (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Amy Laurent on Shifting the Conversation from Emotional Regulation to Energy Regulation (Tilt Parenting podcast)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marriage and family therapist, licensed psychotherapist, and author Susan Stiffelman talks about her book Parenting Without Power Struggles and shares strategies for staying calm in the midst of conflict with our children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're diving into an urgent and often overlooked issue—the connection between ADHD, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the critical need for early intervention. My guest for today's conversation is Sarah Templeton, an ADHD activist, counselor, and author whose personal and professional experiences have made her a passionate advocate for mandatory ADHD screenings in schools and the criminal justice system. Sarah was diagnosed with ADHD, severe dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and sensory processing disorder later in life. As a psychotherapist working with incarcerated individuals, she made a startling discovery—an overwhelming majority of inmates have ADHD that was never recognized or supported in childhood. This realization led her to create ADHD Liberty, a charity focused on increasing awareness, advocating for policy change, and ensuring early intervention for kids who might otherwise fall through the cracks. She's actually got a book coming out soon about her work in the prison system called The Prison Counselor. Sarah is also the author of How Not to Murder Your ADHD Child, How Not To Damage Your ADHD Adolescent, and Teachers! How Not to Kill the Spirit in Your ADHD Kids, books which are designed to help parents and educators better understand and support neurodivergent kids. In this conversation, Sarah unpacks why ADHD is so prevalent in the prison population and how mandatory screenings in schools could change the trajectory of countless lives. We discuss the role of teacher training, the need for mental health teams in schools, and the systemic barriers that prevent ADHD from being taken seriously in both education and the justice system. This episode is eye-opening, informative, and a powerful call to action for parents, educators, and policymakers alike. I hope you enjoy it.   About Sarah Templeton Sarah Templeton is an ADHD activist and author. She wrote the best selling book How Not to Murder Your ADHD Child — Instead Learn to Be Your Child's Own ADHD Coach. She followed this up with a book to help teachers understand and manage their ADHD students and a book for parents of ADHD teenagers. As a fully qualified and accredited counsellor and psychotherapist she is passionate about ADHD being understood and stopping anyone trying to ”knock the ADHD out of kids” and instead allowing them to be their authentic selves. Sarah campaigns relentlessly for mandatory ADHD screening in the education system and the criminal justice system. Her own moderate to severe combined ADHD, severe dyspraxia, dyscalculia and sensory processing disorder went completely missed until she was in her 50s.She doesn't want this for children now.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why ADHD is highly prevalent in the prison population, with estimates suggesting 75-85% of inmates may have undiagnosed ADHD How early intervention and mandatory ADHD screening in schools could prevent exclusions and significantly improve life outcomes for children Why teacher training and mental health teams are critical in recognizing and supporting students with ADHD, yet remain insufficiently prioritized Why governments and police departments need to take ADHD seriously by addressing stigma, promoting awareness, and funding early interventions Resources mentioned Sarah Templeton's website ADHD Liberty Headstuff ADHD Therapy Sarah on Instagram How NOT to Murder Your ADHD Kid: Instead Learn How to Be Your Child's Own ADHD Coach by Sarah Templeton HOW NOT TO DAMAGE YOUR ADHD ADOLESCENT: Instead, Coach them Through their Turbulent Teens to Win at Life by Sarah Templeton Teachers! How Not to Kill the Spirit in Your ADHD Kids by Sarah Templeton   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gwen Vogelgang and her 12-year-old son Rylan talk about their new book, "If I Squeeze Your Head I'm Sorry," which allow readers to enter the brain of a child who sees, feels, and understands the world from a refreshingly unique perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode couldn't be more timely. We're exploring the important topic of resilience and how to support our kids in navigating challenging times. Joining me is Dr. Tovah Klein, author of the insightful new book Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. Dr. Klein is a renowned developmental psychologist and the director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development. With over 30 years of experience, she's dedicated her career to understanding what children need to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. She's a sought-after advisor to children's media and organizations, including National Geographic Kids and Apple TV+.  In her latest book, Tovah explains why resilience isn't a fixed trait but a skill that can be nurtured through supportive relationships and intentional parenting practices. And so in today's conversation, we unpack what it means to be an anchor and container for our children, explore the five pillars of resilience—security and trust, emotional regulation, agency, social connection, and self-acceptance—and discuss why understanding our own emotional baggage is key to helping our kids build resilience.   I love the way Tovah frames resiliency as a skill that is built together between parents and children because so often we think of it as an individual characteristic. And as you'll hear in this conversation, it all starts with the connection between us. There's so much food for thought and hope.    About Dr. Tovah Klein Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D. is the author of Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty and How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success. She is also the Director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and a psychology professor at Barnard College, Columbia University. In her role as a researcher and professor and in direct care with parents and children for over thirty years, Klein has helped to define what every child needs to thrive, regardless of their life situations. Working worldwide with programs addressing the needs of children, she is highly sought after as a developmental expert on a range of timely topics and an advisor to children's media and organizations, including National Geographic Kids, Apple TV+, the Children's Museum of Manhattan, the Hunts Point Alliance for Children, Room to Grow, and Ubuntu Pathways South Africa.   Things you'll learn Why resilience isn't a fixed trait but rather the ability to adapt and adjust with life's uncertainties What it means for a parent to serve as an anchor and container for their children Why awareness of our own emotional baggage is crucial in order to help our kids be more resilient What the 5 pillars of resilience are and how to cultivate them Why agency and social connection are vital for children's development and building resilience   Resources mentioned Dr. Tovah Klein's website Dr. Tovah Klein's How Toddler's Thrive website Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty by Dr. Tovah Klein How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success by Dr. Tovah Klein Barnard Center for Family Development Dr. Stephen Porges Dr. Michele Borba Dr. Michele Borba on How to Help Kids Thrive in an Anxious World (Tilt Parenting) You Factor Journal code: Tovah24   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Stacy Hawthorne and Dr. Jessica Potts of The Davidson Institute talk about the unique needs for profoundly gifted children and share insights on how to support their intellectual and social/emotional development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Playing with our kids doesn't always come naturally to parents. For some of us, it might feel uninteresting, repetitive, or as though the only way to participate is by taking over. But today's conversation might just change the way you think about play. We're diving into the transformative power of play as a form of communication that allows our kids to feel safe while exploring what's going on inside them. Joining me is Georgie Wisen-Vincent, an expert in play therapy and co-author, alongside Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, of the new book The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Kind and Confident Kids. In today's episode, Georgie shares insights from The Way of Play and explains why play is a universal language that helps kids express their feelings and navigate life's challenges. We discuss how parents can intentionally use play to strengthen bonds, nurture sibling relationships, and reconnect after time apart. Georgie also offers practical strategies for engaging in play effectively, such as mirroring your child's play to deepen connection and understanding. Plus, we explore how play isn't just for kids—it's a lifelong skill that can enhance relationships at every stage of life.   About Georgie Wisen-Vincent Georgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S, ECMHS is a nationally recognized play therapy expert and co-author (with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson) of the new book -- THE WAY OF PLAY (Penguin Random House, January 2025). Georgie is the Founder/Director of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens, along with Dr. Bryson, the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice in Southern California. Georgie is also a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist and maintains a private practice at The Center for Connection. The Play Strong Institute offers the Certificate in Play Therapy with a Neurorelational Emphasis, an educational pathway toward becoming a credentialed play therapist. Through the Institute, the Play Strong approach was developed using child-led, adult scaffolded connection and play to help parents, therapists, educators, and care providers augment intervention aimed at the social, emotional, developmental, and learning needs of children from infancy to early adolescence. Play Strong Parenting (a component of Neurofilial Therapy) has been validated by empirical research and is currently being studied with non-parental caregivers and early childhood educators, among other research investigations currently underway.   Things you'll learn Why play is a natural language that fosters social-emotional development, allowing children to express their feelings and process difficult experiences How parents can strengthen connections by intentionally setting aside time for play and becoming active observers rather than controllers How little moments of play can lead to big connections, helping to nurture sibling relationships and strengthen bonds after time apart How to engage in play effectively, mirroring our child's play to enhance connection and understanding Why play is a lifelong skill that not only supports children's growth but also enriches adult relationships and communication   Resources mentioned The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Kind and Confident Kids by Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent The Play Strong Institute Tina Payne Bryson's website Georgie Wisen-Vincent on Instagram Tina Payne Bryson on Instagram The Way of Play on the Play Strong Institute website The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Dr. Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson PhD No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Dr. Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson PhD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Morris joins Debbie to answer a listener question on how to address a 17-year-old with ADHD and executive function challenges who is vaping, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing trust, open communication, education on risks, and understanding the motivations behind the behavior while fostering a strong parent-child connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychologist, life coach, and author Dr. John Duffy talks about his new book, "Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety" and shares insights for how parents raising teens can be the emotional support they need and crave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're diving into a topic that's not just timely but that can transform education for all students: creating neurodiversity-affirming schools. Joining me to share their vision for what's possible in education are two extraordinary advocates and experts, Amanda Morin and Emily Kircher-Morris who have collaborated on a wonderful new book on the topic, just out today in fact, Neurodiversity Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported. In today's episode, we explored why embracing neurodiversity in schools benefits every student, not just those with IEPs. Amanda and Emily unpacked the barriers to change in education, including stigma and fear, and introduce how strategies like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can be used to create inclusive classrooms. We also discussed the Neurodiversity Affirming Teacher's Compact, a framework for educators to embrace diverse learning needs, and finally, the importance of fostering self-advocacy skills in neurodivergent students. About Amanda Morin Amanda Morin is a neurodivergent neurodiversity activist, an award-winning author of six books, early childhood specialist, and nationally known speaker, deeply committed to fostering accessible and inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals. She leverages her expertise in learning and child development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), special education, advocacy, and mental health to distill complex data into easily digestible information for parents, educators, and employers who want to advance the mission of creating inclusive content, programs, and strategies to make the world accessible to all. Amanda proudly serves as a subject matter expert for the DUCC (Developing & Using Critical Comprehension) project for the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University, sits on the advisory board of Digital Promise's Learner Variability Project, the professional advisory board of Matan, and the Technical Expert Panel of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media & Youth Mental Health. About Emily Kircher-Morris Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, is a mental health professional and advocate for neurodiversity, with a deep commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for all students. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she has spent over a decade working with neurodivergent individuals, specializing in providing therapy and resources that empower her clients to thrive. Her passion for this field is deeply personal, as she herself navigated the educational system as a twice-exceptional (2e) student, experiencing firsthand the challenges and misunderstandings that often accompany neurodivergent experiences. This early insight fueled her dedication to transforming educational practices to be more affirming and supportive. In addition to her clinical work, Emily is the host of the popular Neurodiversity Podcast, where she explores a wide range of topics related to neurodivergence, often interviewing leading experts, educators, and individuals with lived experience. Things you'll learn Why neurodiversity-affirming practices in schools benefit all students, not just those with IEPs Why recognizing and supporting diverse learning styles is essential for effective teaching and how it's possible to do so in traditional classrooms Why fear of stigma and change remains a major barrier in education, and what we can do about it What schools and educators can do to create inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming classrooms What Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is and why it's a critical framework neurodivergent learners Resources mentioned Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin The Neurodiversity-Affirming Teachers' Compact of Shared Beliefs (PDF) Neurodiversity University Education Hub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jill Emanuele, senior director of the Mood Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, talks about how parents can best support their children who are struggling in the dynamic with their sibling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're diving into a complex and nuanced topic—raising daughters in today's world. Joining me for this conversation is Cathy Adams, a longtime friend of the pod, powerhouse in the parenting space, and champion of mindful, connected parenting. Her latest book, which takes center stage in today's discussion, is Restoring Our Girls: How Real Conversations Shape Our Daughters' Lives, Help Them with Teen Challenges, and Remind Them That They Matter. With her background as a clinical social worker, certified parent coach, and former child and family therapist—as well as her experience as a mom of three daughters and university professor—Cathy brings a rich, multifaceted perspective to this important topic. In this episode, Cathy and I explore the unique challenges girls face today, from societal pressures and cultural conditioning to navigating a fast-paced, often judgmental world. We discuss the importance of parents addressing their own emotional baggage, being mindful of their reactions, and recognizing how fear can hold us back from having the messy but meaningful conversations our daughters need. Cathy also shares strategies for creating judgment-free spaces where girls feel heard, validated, and supported in becoming their authentic selves.   About Cathy Adams Cathy Cassani Adams, LCSW, co-hosts the long-running Zen Parenting Radio podcast and founded the Zen Parenting Conference in Chicago. She is the author of Zen Parenting and Living What You Want Your Kids to Learn (both Nautilus Award and International Book Award winners) and her upcoming 2025 release, Restoring Our Girls. Cathy is a clinical social worker, certified parent coach, former elementary school educator, and yoga teacher. She was a blogger for The Huffington Post and a former columnist for Chicago Parent Magazine. She previously worked as a Child and Family Therapist and Clinical Educator at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and now teaches in the Sociology and Criminology Department at Dominican University. She lives outside Chicago with her husband, Todd, and their three daughters.   Things you'll learn How cultural conditioning and societal expectations on girls can impact them (and what we need to know about it) Why parents must address their own emotional baggage to avoid projecting it onto their children How being mindful of our own reactions in the moment will help us communicate more effectively with our children The role fear plays in preventing meaningful conversations which leads to missed connection opportunities The benefits of engaging in messy and imperfect conversations for promoting authenticity How to create a judgment-free space where girls feel heard and validated to support their emotional growth   Resources Zen Parenting website and resources Restoring Our Girls: How Real Conversations Shape Our Daughters' Lives, Help Them with Teen Challenges, and Remind Them That They Matter by Cathy Adams Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and Our Children in an Unpredictable World by Cathy Adams Zen Parenting 2025 Summit Zen Parenting on Instagram Cathy Adams on Zen Parenting & Caring for Ourselves and Our Children in an Unpredictable World (Tilt Parenting podcast) Zen Parenting on Facebook Zen Parenting Radio podcast Getting Aligned Through Parenting and Marriage Challenges, with Zen Parenting's Cathy and Todd Adams (Tilt Parenting podcast) Pop Culturing Podcast Rescuing Our Sons: 8 Solutions to Our Crisis of Disaffected Teen Boys by Dr. John Duffy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creativity coach, speaker, and author Kathryn Haydon talks about the benefits of bringing more creativity into our parenting lives raising differently wired kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year, and welcome to the podcast's winter season! I have some really special conversations to share with you this year, and I'm thrilled to kick things off with what I can only describe as an absolutely fascinating conversation with Dr. Amy Laurent about ENERGY—specifically, the power and freedom in shifting the focus from emotional regulation to energy regulation when supporting neurodivergent individuals, including ourselves. You might remember Amy from her last appearance on the show with Dr. Jacquelyn Fede, where they shared about their autistic-allistic partnership Autism Level UP!—a collaboration dedicated to providing education, accessible resources, and practical strategies to increase active engagement for autistic individuals and their communities. If you haven't heard that one yet, it's a great listen! You can find it at tiltparenting.com/session328 or through the link in the show notes for this episode. In this conversation, we dive into Amy and Jacquelyn's latest resource, Energy: The Framework, Tools, Strategies & Logic to Support Regulation manual, a comprehensive guide to the Autism Level UP! tools and their innovative approach to energy regulation. Designed with autistic and neurodivergent people in mind—but perfectly suitable for all neurotypes—this manual introduces ways to understand and support energy levels for yourself or others through tools, worksheets, and practical strategies. I LOVE this resource, so it was a real treat to explore its concepts with Amy. In our chat, Amy shares why energy regulation is often a more accessible and relatable framework than emotional regulation for many autistic people, how the “Energy Meter” helps individuals identify their energy states and foster self-awareness, and how parents can better co-regulate and connect without judgment by recognizing and reflecting on energy states. We talk a lot on the show about becoming fluent in your child, and what we're covering today takes that concept to an entirely new level.   About Dr. Amy Laurent Amy Laurent, PhD, OTR/L is the co-director of Autism Level UP! an autistic / allistic partnership dedicated to the provision of education, accessible resources, and practical strategies focused on increasing active engagement for autistic individuals and the members of their communities. She is a co-author of the SCERTS Model and frequently lectures internationally. She is passionate about neurodiversity and helping others to honor and understand the implications of “different ways of being” in relation to navigating the physical and social world. Dr. Laurent strives to practice what she preaches and uses her love of play and movement to meet her own regulatory needs.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why energy regulation is a more accessible and relatable framework than emotional regulation for many autistic people How the “Energy Meter” helps individuals in identifying their energy levels and needs fostering self-awareness and practical strategies for balance. How parents can better co-regulate, connect, and support (without judgment) through recognizing and reflecting on energy states Why it's critical that we tailor tools to meet unique needs of our children (ie: there is no one size fits all)   Resources mentioned Energy: The Framework, Tools, Strategies & Logic to Support Regulation by Dr. Amy Laurent and Jac Fede Autism Level UP! Autism Level UP! on Facebook Autism Level UP! on Instagram Autism Level UP! Co-founders Amy Laurent & Jacquelyn Fede on Learning From Autistic Self-Advocates (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Stuart Shanker, author of Self-Reg, shares his expertise on self-regulation, offering practical strategies and compassionate insights to help neurodivergent kids and their families manage stress and build self-awareness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Mooney, author and advocate, explores the neurodiversity movement, scaling advocacy, Universal Design in education, and intergenerational trauma, offering thought-provoking insights and inspiring reflections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC, shares actionable insights on fostering identity development, belonging, and resilience in children, with a focus on navigating social challenges, promoting inclusivity, and supporting neurodivergent and marginalized kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Academic, teacher, and writer Victoria Biggs shares her experience growing up as an autistic, dyspraxic child and explains how parents can support their similarly wired children Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We live in a society where success is often defined by external markers like prestigious jobs, academic achievements, or traditional milestones. But as parents of neurodivergent kids, we know our children's paths and timelines often look different. And while their journeys may not align with conventional notions of success, that doesn't mean they're any less meaningful or valuable. So, how can we redefine what success means—for our kids and for our families? That's one of the big questions I explore with today's guest, child psychologist Dr. Emily King. In our conversation, Dr. Emily and I dive into redefining success for neurodivergent students, emphasizing the importance of joy, self-discovery, and effectiveness in their learning journeys. We explore how cultural definitions of success can be limiting, what's happening in American public schools regarding neurodivergence, and the actionable steps we can take to help shift the paradigm. Most importantly, we talk about how to reframe “success” in our families in ways that empower our children to build autonomous, self-actualized lives on their terms.   About Dr. Emily King Dr. Emily King is a Child Psychologist and former School Psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for over 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she worked at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. She spent five years as a School Psychologist in Houston, Texas specializing in providing school-based mental health services in K-12 public schools. Dr. Emily now works in private practice in North Carolina supporting the mental health needs of neurodivergent youth, their families, and their teachers. Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack where you can find her blogs and monthly parent workshops. She is also the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom, a professional development curriculum for elementary and middle school educators. Dr. Emily has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, quoted in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has written for Parents.com. You can learn more with Dr. Emily by listening to her podcast or following her on Substack.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why the 2 key ingredients for success for neurodivergent students are joy coupled with effectiveness How cultural definitions of success can be limiting for neurodivergent kids, and what we can do about it What is the state of neurodivergence understanding in American public schools and what we can all do to shift the paradigm forward How we can redefine “success” in our families and for our children in ways that empower them to create autonomous, self-actualized adult lives   Resources mentioned Dr. Emily King's website Learn with Dr. Emily (Emily's Substack) Learn with Dr. Emily Podcast Dr. Mona Delahooke's website Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges by Dr. Mona Delahooke Dr. Mona Delahooke on the Power of Brain-Body Parenting (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Mona Delahooke on Looking Beyond Kids Challenging Behaviors (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Dan Siegel & the Window of Tolerance Stephen Porgess & Polyvagal Theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a deep dive into pathological demand avoidance in children (also known as PDA), which is typically defined as a pervasive developmental disorder that falls under the autism spectrum. It's a label that's frequently used in the United Kingdom, and it's often defined as a complicated and misunderstood condition wherein some people have a heightened anxiety response to demands being placed on them. PDA isn't universally recognized as a diagnosis, and it's also a label rooted in controversy. To talk with us about all of this is friend of the podcast Dr. Melissa Neff, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment of ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, nonverbal learning disorder, and autism spectrum disorders, about the diagnostic process. Melissa Neff, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Missoula, MT. She conducts psychological evaluations for children and adults. She specializes in the assessment of giftedness, ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, nonverbal learning disorder, and typical and atypical presentations of autism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've touched on the theory of self-determination on the show before, but today, I'm thrilled to dedicate an entire episode to this important topic. Joining me for this deeper dive is Dr. Gina Riley, an expert in self-determination theory and motivation. This conversation will resonate with so many of you because it beautifully ties into themes we often explore here, like low-demand parenting and fostering our kids' natural passions and strengths. In this episode, Gina explains the theory of self-determination and dives into the science behind why it's so impactful, particularly for neurodivergent kids. We explore how it connects with autonomy-supportive parenting and discuss the three tenets of cognitive evaluation theory, which examines what fosters intrinsic motivation. We also tackle the hot topic of whether extrinsic motivators like stickers and rewards have a place and how to genuinely connect with our kids' interests—even when they differ from our own.   About Dr. Gina Riley Gina Riley, Ph.D., is an educational psychologist, Program Director, and Clinical Professor of Adolescent Special Education at CUNY – Hunter College. She has conducted significant research on homeschooling and unschooling, an educational method and philosophy that advocates student intrinsic motivation as a primary means for learning. In addition to her research on self-directed learning environments, Dr. Riley has expertise in Supported Decision Making, an alternative to guardianship for students with disabilities. She is a faculty advisor for Supported Decision Making New York, promoting autonomy and self-determination for individuals with disabilities.  Dr.Riley also has extensive experience in online, hybrid, and HyFlex education, having been actively involved in the field since 1998. Her contributions to educational psychology and alternative education models have been influential in shaping contemporary discussions on personalized and flexible learning approaches. Dr. Riley is the author of numerous academic articles and three books, including Unschooling:Exploring Learning Beyond the Classroom (Palgrave, 2020), The Homeschooling Starter Guide (Simon & Schuster, 2021), and The Joys of Self Determined Learning: A Collection of Essays (Ricci Publishing, 2022). She is the current President-Elect of the New York State Association of Teacher Educators.   Things you'll learn from this episode What self-determination theory is, and how it's connected to intrinsic motivation Why a sense of competence, autonomy, and relatedness, as outlined in the cognitive evaluation theory, are crucial for motivation Why it matters that parents focus on facilitating autonomy and decision-making in their children What the science says about how and why intrinsic motivation leads to better academic and social outcomes in adulthood How intrinsic and extrinsic motivations can coexist and why it's important that they're balanced   Resources mentioned Dr. Gina Riley's website Gina on Instagram Gina on Twitter Unschooling: Exploring Learning Beyond the Classroom by Dr. Gina Riley The Homeschooling Starter Guide: How to Create and Adapt the Best Education Action Plan for Your Needs by Dr. Gina Riley NYS Decision Making Curriculum (free decision making curriculum for schools and homeschools I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World by Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards on Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World (Tilt Parenting podcast) Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Dan Pink The intrinsic motivation of Richard Ryan and Edward Deci The Self-Driven Child, with William Stixrud and Ned Johnson (Tilt Parenting podcast) The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sherri Cawn, a leading practitioner of the DIR/Floortime® model in speech and language development, explores characteristics, assessment, intervention of communication disorders in children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Crawford is the author of the new book, You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Your Child's Mental Health—With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real Families. It's an incredibly helpful handbook for any parent navigating this challenging path. The book covers everything from how to talk to our kids about their mental health, to what to do if a long-awaited therapist doesn't turn out to be the right fit. It also delves into practical and emotional concerns, such as recognizing signs of depression, understanding our critical role as parents in the mental health team, and learning about concepts like the “distress radius” to better gauge the impact of mental health issues. Finally, a quick content warning: this episode includes discussions of suicidal ideation and other sensitive mental health topics. If these are difficult subjects for you, please prioritize your well-being while listening.   About Dr. Christine Crawford Christine M. Crawford, MD, MPH is the associate medical director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) which is the country's largest grassroots mental health organization. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Vice Chair of Education at the Boston University School of Medicine. She also provides outpatient psychiatric care to children and adolescents at Boston Medical Center. Additionally, she's the Medical Director for the Boston Public Health Commission's School Based Clinician Program in which she provides direct guidance on how best to support the socioemotional wellbeing of children within the Boston Public School System. On behalf of NAMI, she regularly engages with the general public, as well as with organizations, companies, healthcare providers, and fellow clinicians and researchers. She is a trusted source of child mental health expertise for major media outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR, the Boston Globe, NBC, and Medscape. She has made on-camera appearances for the Today Show, BBC, and local news affiliates of CBS, Fox, and ABC. She lives with her family in Boston, Massachusetts.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why it's important that we talk openly and frequently with our child about their feelings, starting as early as age three What signs to look for in terms of changes in mood or behavior that might indicate our child is experiencing a mental health challenge Why parental involvement in mental health care is critical for supporting children's progress Why learning how to manage and tolerate distressing feelings isn't just for our struggling kids What the “distress radius” is and how to use it to identify the extent and impact of mental health issues within our families How and when to seek community support and other resources when a child is navigating a mental health challenge   Resources mentioned National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Your Child's Mental Health―With Advice from Experts and Wisdom from Real Families by Dr. Christine Crawford You Are Not Alone book website Help for Parents! Symptoms and Steps for Kids' Mental Health Struggles (GoToHealth Media YouTube video) Debbie Reber Shares Her Best Self-Care Strategies 11 Ideas for Boosting Your Self-Care (PDF) Debbie's Self-Care Planner Template   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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