Autistic and ADHD Kids Parenting Strategies: Every Brain is Different

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on how to communicate positively with neurodivergent children, ensuring your child receives more positive than negative feedback. They explore various strategies such as praising effort over outcome, naming invisible skills like regulation and flexibility, and using descriptive feedback instead of generic praise to help neurodivergent...

Samantha and Lauren discuss the negative impact of constant corrective feedback and emphasize the importance of recognizing children's efforts rather than just their outcomes. They share personal experiences and research findings that show how neurodivergent kids often receive more negative feedback than their neurotypical peers. They highlight the importance of creating a supportive home environm...

In this final episode of the year, Samantha and Lauren discuss the societal pressures of New Year's resolutions and advocate for a more realistic approach, especially for neurodivergent individuals and parents of neurodivergent children. They highlight the overwhelming nature of setting too many goals and emphasize the importance of focusing on one or two manageable objectives at a time to avoid b...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about the importance of taking a break during the holiday season, particularly for families with neurodivergent members. They discuss the challenges that arise from the busy holiday schedules and emphasize the necessity of rest for mental health and overall well-being. Samantha and Lauren share personal experiences and provide insights on how to manage hol...

Anneke (pronounced UH-nuh-kuh) is a coach with a background in both corporate and clinical settings, having worked as a clinical director, supervisor, and behavior analyst. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, she supports clients worldwide through phone and video conferencing. Anneke specializes in coaching professionals with ADHD, autism, and related neurodivergent experiences. She brings personal insight t...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss strategies for effectively parenting children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). They emphasize the importance of collaboration over direct demands to help children feel more in control and safe, which mitigates reactive behaviors. They explain how giving children choices and involving them in decision-making can prevent the activation of their p...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren engage in a compelling conversation with Jessica Frew, the author of 'Shove Your Shoulds,' a pivotal book aimed at helping ambitious women shed societal conditioning and make bold decisions without guilt or fear. Throughout the discussion, Jessica shares insights into the importance of setting personal boundaries, trusting one's intuition, and the role of paren...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss autistic burnout, especially prevalent during the holiday season. They explain the difference between stress and burnout, and share personal experiences to illustrate the impact of prolonged masking and sensory overload on neurodivergent children. Samantha and Lauren provide detailed signs of burnout, including increased irritability, emotional outburst...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren dive talk about of gratitude. They share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for incorporating gratitude into daily life, especially for parents of neurodivergent children. The discussion covers how gratitude can serve as a tool for self-regulation, helping both parents and kids navigate challenging moments by shifting focus from problems to solutions....

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about the significant role that play has in children's development. They discuss how play is not only about having fun, but it actually changes brain structure and function, aiding in the learning process. They explain that play releases dopamine, helping with motivation, focus, and learning, especially for children with ADHD. Samantha and Lauren highlight...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren interview Yana Kleyman, a functional medicine health consultant. Yana shares her personal journey from traditional healthcare as a pharmacist to discovering the transformative power of functional medicine. This transition was inspired by her own health crisis at age 33, which led her to explore root cause medicine. Today, Yana is dedicated to helping children w...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the positive impacts of spending time in nature on mental health. They explore how outdoor activities activate the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing cortisol levels, lowering heart rates, and improving sensory integration and attention. Using personal anecdotes and scientific explanations, Samantha and Lauren highlight nature's ability to provi...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Halloween and the sensory challenges that can come with it. They discuss the sensory overload issues related to costumes, decorations, loud noises, and changes in routine. To help parents navigate these challenges, they offer practical advice on practicing with costumes, managing trick-or-treating expectations, and choosing sensory-friendly environme...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren welcome Jason Heffler, author of 'Tongue Tied'. Jason shares his personal journey of growing up with a stutter and the challenges he faced, including bullying. His book is designed to help children with speech disorders gain confidence and understand that their speech does not define them. Jason discusses the importance of representation in literature and offer...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren interview Jennifer Celeste Briggs, a mother who shares her transformative experience with the Sunrise program. Jennifer talks about how the program, which she tailored for her daughter, significantly improved her language and social skills. We explore the importance of meeting children where they are, the collaborative effort between parents and professionals,...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the conclusion of their conversation on managing mom's mental load. They provide five practical strategies to help moms regulate stress and manage interruptions, including the one-minute reset, setting interruption boundaries, sensory swaps, a decision diet, and maintaining a daily white space block. Additionally, they discuss the importance of co-regul...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on managing the mental load experienced by moms. They address the difficulties of delegating household responsibilities and provide practical steps to shift tasks to family members or others to alleviate stress. Samantha and Lauren emphasize the importance of accepting different methods of task completion, trusting the process, and pro...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the mental load carried by moms, marking the beginning of a three-week series on the topic. They explore the often-overwhelming responsibilities that mothers juggle daily, from managing household chores to coordinating children's schedules. Samantha and Lauren emphasize the significance of self-care and provide practical advice on managing sensory input...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). They explain that ARFID is a recognized eating disorder, different from simple picky eating, characterized by extreme avoidance or restriction of food, leading to nutritional, growth, or emotional problems. The disorder is often misunderstood, with myths such as it being due to bad parenting or somet...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the challenges and methods of handling food aversions in autistic children. They share personal experiences and emphasize that forcing children to eat can be counterproductive. Instead, they recommend engaging the help of a feeding therapist and employing assent-based strategies. Steps include gradually introducing the disliked food by first placing it...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about the challenges and changes families face when children transition back to school. They provide practical advice on managing children's after-school meltdowns and emphasize the importance of establishing coping skills, ensuring children are well-fed and hydrated, and maintaining a consistent routine to help children adjust. They also discuss the benef...

In this episode Samantha and Lauren share practical advice for a smoother transition back to school. They discuss the excitement and challenges of children starting school, emphasizing the importance of planning and coping strategies. Samantha and Lauren share tips such as creating a balanced schedule, managing anxiety, building excitement about school, and practicing practical skills like eating...

In this episode, we welcome back Karen Kassow, a writer, certified master life coach, and founder of AI-Powered Homeschool. As a neurodivergent parent raising two autistic children, Karen shares her journey and dedicated advocacy within the neurodivergent community. She discusses the challenges faced by families in navigating special education services, especially with the potential removal of cru...

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss summer burnout experienced by both parents and neurodivergent children. They share personal stories and offer practical tips for recognizing signs of burnout, such as emotional dysregulation and behavioral changes. Samantha and Lauren emphasize the importance of creating a balanced routine that includes adequate downtime and sensory-friendly spaces to h...

In this episode, Samantha shares practical tips for implementing language shifts and going from telling kids what not to do using "don't" to telling what to do. She emphasizes redirecting behavior with clear and positive alternatives, keeping instructions simple and specific, and being consistent in using positive language.   00:00 Introduction to Positive Language 00:55 Understanding the Impact o...