Complicated Kids

ADHD is not just about attention. It is about self-control, self-esteem, and what happens when the brain goes offline. Living with untreated ADHD is not just about missing assignments. It is about moving through the world without a reliable connection between what you know and what you do. In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Karin Varblow, a behavioral pediatrician, former teacher and social wor...

Autism content is not the same thing as autism science. In this episode, Dr. Theresa Lyons joins me to talk about what it really means to follow the science of autism, and why parents cannot rely on headlines, algorithms, or outdated assumptions when the stakes are this high. Theresa is a Yale trained scientist and autism parent, and she breaks down how peer reviewed research actually moves, how e...

Play is where development lives, even when it looks simple, repetitive, or messy. In this conversation, Annamarie von Firley joins me to unpack why play is essential to early brain development and why children need hands-on experiences far more than screens, flashcards, or noisy battery powered toys. We talk about how babies learn to operate their bodies, how repetition builds neural connections,...

Trouble ensues when we avoid saying what we actually need and expect the people we love to just know . In this episode of Complicated Kids , I sit down with Kati Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and longtime mental health educator, to talk about why clear, direct communication is not just a nice-to-have, but a skill that can change relationships and, in some cases, save them. We di...

"Listening is fixing: what anxious teens wish their parents knew." In this episode of Complicated Kids , I talk with therapist and author Sophia Galano about what teenage anxiety actually looks like, and why it is so easy for even the most caring parents to miss. Sophia explains that teens are not expert communicators. Their distress often shows up as irritability, withdrawal, "attitude," or "teen...

Could a common gene variant be quietly clogging the system for you or your child? In this episode of Complicated Kids , I sit down with holistic academic coach Elyse Dworin to talk about the MTHFR gene: what it is, what it does, and why it matters for neurodivergent kids and their parents. Elyse explains, in plain language, how this gene helps the body process folate, manage toxins, and regulate i...

What happens when parenting doesn't end when your child turns 18? In this special episode of Complicated Kids , I sit down with my friend Dr. Sarah Wayland to talk about "forever parenting," those situations where parents remain deeply involved in their child's life and care well into adulthood, sometimes for the rest of their lives. Sarah shares three common paths into forever parenting: children...

Have you ever wondered why your child's behavior feels so personal? Why does your child's behavior set off such a strong reaction, even when you understand what they're struggling with? In this powerful episode of Complicated Kids , I talk with clinical psychologist Dr. Debra Brause about what's really happening inside us during those intense parenting moments. We explore why kids trigger old woun...

Could small changes at home make a big difference in your child's education? In this week's episode of Complicated Kids , I talk with Chris Linder , a hybrid homeschooling advocate and founder of Homeschool Remix, about what hybrid homeschooling really looks like, how it bridges the gap between traditional school and home learning, why it's a powerful option for neurodivergent kids, and how parent...

You can't teach regulation from dysregulation, and today we're talking about why that matters. Marriage and family therapist Matthew Fishleder joins me to talk about one of my favorite topics: regulation for both kids and parents. We unpack why it's impossible to teach self-regulation if we, as adults, aren't regulated ourselves, and how our nervous systems are constantly influencing one another....

One word can change your child's entire education plan. This week's episode reveals the language schools can't ignore.   Education attorney and former teacher, Frances Shefter shares about navigating the IEP process with confidence and compassion. I talk with Frances about what she's learned from sitting in all five IEP roles — teacher, coordinator, attorney, and mom — and explains why knowing you...

What looks like 'won't' is often just 'can't yet.' And understanding that changes everything.   This week I am joined by fellow speech and language pathologist and executive function expert, Tera Sumpter to talk about what's really going on beneath the surface when kids struggle with focus, behavior, or regulation. Tera explains how executive function grows from the roots up, beginning with percep...

Punishing failure doesn't teach kids to succeed. It teaches them to hide.   Executive coach and neurodiversity advocate Jane Singleton joins me to talk about how understanding our brains can change everything. Jane shares her insights from years of helping schools and organizations create more "brain-friendly" systems, and we explore what that looks like in family life, too. Jane offers powerful r...

Handwriting isn't just about neat letters on a page. It's a critical foundation for learning, memory, and self-expression.   Handwriting specialist and founder of Squiggle Squad, Holly Britton joins me as we explore why handwriting is so much more than just putting letters on paper. It's about freeing up working memory so kids can actually learn, think, and express themselves. Holly shares how the...

Screens aren't just tools anymore. They're environments where kids live, learn, and connect. But for some, that connection turns into a compulsion that's tough to break. This week I sit down with my friend Ed Spector, a psychologist with tons of experience helping families navigate tech overuse, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism. Together, we unpack how heavy use becomes compulsive, why certai...

AI gets a bad rap from some but can be a valuable tool for helping kiddos with learning delays and development issues.   Corom Thompson and Elad Ziklik join the Complicated Kids Podcast to explore how AI is being used in creative, deeply personal ways to help children with intellectual and developmental challenges. From Corom's daughter's "digital hamster" who makes bedtime easier, to AI-powered t...

Mediation can make one of life's hardest transitions less overwhelming for families with kids who need extra care. That's what divorce mediator, Joe Dillon, conveyed when he joined me to talk about what happens when families with complicated kids go through divorce. Joe shares how his own childhood experience shaped his work, why mediation can be a healthier alternative to litigation, and how thin...

Growing up autistic brings a perspective that parents, teachers, and therapists can learn so much from. This week, I'm talking with Becca Engle, a special education teacher, book coach, and autistic adult. Becca was diagnosed at age three, found her voice by age five, and has been navigating the ups and downs of life with autism ever since. In our conversation, she shares what made a difference al...

What does it really mean to choose single parenthood by choice? Clinical Social Worker Joanna Strait, shares about the thoughtful, often complex decisions behind creating a family outside of the traditional structure. We explore fertility pressures, the importance of community, the influence of social media, and the empowerment that comes from making intentional choices.   To find out more about J...

Spoiler Alert: the secret to your child's toughest behaviors isn't discipline; it's the strength of your connection with them. 🤯   In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I sit down with parent coach and therapist Todd Sarner to talk about what attachment really means (and what it doesn't). Todd shares how shifting from "fixing kids" to empowering parents transformed his work, and why s...

If you're curious about the role of virtual reality in teaching critical life skills to autistic kiddos, you'll want to listen to this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast.   I sat down with Vijay Ravindran—engineer, autism dad, and founder of Floreo—to talk about how virtual reality can transform  the way we teach social, safety, and communication skills to neurodivergent kids. From crossing t...

What if summer wasn't just a break from school—but a chance to reset how you think about it altogether? Parent Coach and School Navigator, Scotti Weintraub has joined me to talk about how to use the summer months to reflect on your child's school experience—without falling into the trap of overthinking. We explore how to spot the wins (even the small ones), pause the academic pressure, and find me...

What if your child's struggles with attention, language, or behavior weren't about what they hear—but how their brain makes sense of it?   I'm joined by Dr. Rae Stout, audiologist and expert in auditory processing, to unpack the often-misunderstood world of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). We dig into what APD actually is, why it's so often missed or misdiagnosed, and how things like early ear...

Tired of the power struggles? Discover how one small mindset shift—validation—can bring more peace to your parenting. I'm diving deep into one of the most powerful—yet often misunderstood—tools in parenting: validation. We'll explore what validation really means, why it's not the same as agreement or caving in, and how it helps kids (and adults!) feel seen without sacrificing boundaries . I'll sha...

Ann Dolin, founder of Educational Connections, came to talk about all things homework In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast . We covered why homework is such a struggle for so many kids and what we can actually do to help. We dig into the role of executive function in homework challenges, especially for kids with ADHD or organizational difficulties, and how it's not about laziness or a l...