Complex Kids, Simple Solutions

Unlock the secrets to effective homeschooling for children with special needs—without burning out or sacrificing social skills. If you're feeling overwhelmed at the thought of teaching your complex kiddo, this episode is your game-changer. Katelyn Deville, a seasoned homeschooling specialist, shares her insider tips on how to tailor education at home that works for your child's unique needs. Wheth...

Most parents of kids with speech delays feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn—until now. Speech therapist Kira Howard shares her proven strategies for supporting children with apraxia and other Speech Disorders, revealing how her innovative techniques can accelerate progress—even when traditional therapy feels slow or frustrating. Imagine understanding exactly how to boost your child's speech...

In this episode, Dr. Carla Caturia shares her journey from education to coaching, focusing on empowering teenagers and parents through emotional intelligence, confidence, and resilience. Discover practical strategies to support youth in overcoming anxiety, building self-esteem, and developing vital life skills.

Adaptive Show Notes for "Understanding EMDR and Supporting Complex Kids" In this episode : Michelle welcomes Jenny Hornby, a counselor, children's book author, and EMDR-trained therapist, to explore innovative ways to help neurodivergent and complex kids process emotions and fears. Discover how trauma-informed tools like EMDR and engaging therapeutic stories can make a difference. Key Topics : Wha...

Navigating Parenthood and Self-Care: Empowering Moms of Complex Kids with Lati Ghanem In this episode of Complex Kids Simple Solutions, Michelle chats with Lati Ghanem about the emotional landscape of parenting children with unique needs. They explore how moms can recognize patterns, manage stress, and prioritize their own well-being while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Key Topics: The i...

You know that feeling when your child has been practicing handwriting for years… and somehow, it still feels painfully hard? The tracing. The worksheets. The repetition. The tears. The frustration. And yet, nobody seems to stop and ask the real question: What if the problem is not effort… but the way handwriting is being taught? This week on the Complex Kids, Simple Solutions podcast, I sat down w...

In this deeply calming and emotional conversation, Michelle sits down with meditation and breathwork teacher Tam Taouss to talk about something so many parents of complex kids desperately need… nervous system regulation. Tam shares her personal journey parenting her autistic daughter through intense daily meltdowns, anxiety, exhaustion, and survival mode—and how meditation and breathwork completel...

Kamy Moussavi — The Hidden Link Between ADHD, Dopamine, and Food In this fascinating and eye-opening conversation, Michelle sits down with Kamy Moussavi, founder of Step Together , to explore a topic that affects millions of families but is rarely discussed: the powerful connection between ADHD, dopamine, food cravings, and childhood weight gain. Kamy shares his own journey as a child with undiagn...

In this honest, practical, and deeply relatable conversation, Michelle sits down with occupational therapy assistant and ADHD coach Tiara Brumberg to unpack what’s really going on behind behaviors parents see every day… and why so many of our kids aren’t actually being difficult—they’re overwhelmed. This episode hits home in a real way—because it’s not theory. It’s the daily reality of parenting c...

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Michelle sits down with special education attorney Edwin Egelsee—the very person who represented her son during due process—to break down what actually happens when advocacy turns legal… and what parents need to know before they ever get there. Edwin shares: Why IEP meetings feel intimidating—and how to take your power back. That room full of professi...

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Cyndi Abundabar Ting —special education teacher, longtime instructional aide, and special needs mom—to unpack one of the most misunderstood eligibility categories in special education: ED, or Emotional Disability . Cyndi shares: Why ED is often misunderstood. Many parents hear “emotional disability” and immediately think of extreme psychiatric diagnose...

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Pennie Wilson , mental fitness coach and founder of Kokoro Creators , to unpack one of the hardest truths parents of complex kids face: sometimes the chaos doesn’t go away—but we can learn how to find calm inside it. Pennie shares: From survival mode to mental fitness. After 17 years in a controlling marriage, Pennie found herself completely disconnect...

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dara Wax , founder of SAM+LEO , to unpack the missing market no one was really talking about: clean, teen-friendly supplements that support energy, sleep, stress, immunity, and eye health, without the junk, the shame, or the “what’s wrong with me?” messaging. Dara shares: A global-health career that turned into a kitchen-table mission. After years work...

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dr. Theresa Lyons —international autism educator, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent—to make autism research finally feel usable in real life. Through her platform Navigating AWEtism , Dr. Lyons breaks down overwhelming science into clear, actionable steps that help parents move from confusion to confidence. Dr. Lyons shares: Why parents feel stuc...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions , Michelle sits down with parenting coach and BCBA Melissa Schulz to unpack what actually helps when parenting strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent kids. With 20 years of professional experience—and lived experience as a mom of neurodiverse kids—Melissa shares why so many behavior plans fail families, how guil...

Send us a text In this moving episode, Michelle talks with Robert DeLena about his journey parenting his son, Ryan. They discuss the evolution of a "strong-willed" child into a professional outdoor adventurer, the pitfalls of early 2000s behavioral interventions, and how a chance trip to a ski hill changed their lives forever. Robert shares a raw, honest perspective on moving past clinical labels...

Send us a text In this episode, Michelle sits down with Bailey Payne, BCBA, to talk about what truly helps complex kids and their families when behavior feels overwhelming and unclear. They explore why behavior is rarely simple, why traditional approaches often fall short, and how real change begins by adjusting the environment—not trying to fix the child. Bailey shares a practical, family-centere...

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions , Michelle sits down with parenting coach and BCBA Melissa Schulz to unpack what actually helps when parenting strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent kids. With 20 years of professional experience—and lived experience as a mom of neurodiverse kids—Melissa shares why so many behavior plans fail families, how guil...

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Nicola Rose, independent filmmaker and writer-director of Magnetosphere , to explore how storytelling through film can deepen understanding, empathy, and awareness of neurodivergence—especially during the complex and vulnerable years of early adolescence. Nicola shares the journey behind Magnetosphere , a feature film centered on a neuro...

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Lisa Watson, inner-child healing coach and creator of the Reparenting Method, to unpack why parenting—especially complex kids—can feel so emotionally overwhelming, and how our children often activate unhealed parts of ourselves that are asking for compassion, validation, and repair. Lisa shares: Why your triggers aren’t about your child....

Send us a text In this episode, Michelle sits down with pediatric dietitian and eating-behavior specialist Jessica Setnick to talk about one of the most stressful parts of raising complex and neurodivergent kids: mealtimes. Jessica breaks down why picky eating, food battles, and nutrition worries are rarely about the food itself—and how families can create calmer, more connected routines around ea...

Send us a text  In this episode, Michelle sits down with young-adult consultant Joanna Lilley to talk about the moment so many parents fear: the 18th birthday. Joanna breaks down why turning 18 doesn’t magically make a child ready for adult life—and how families of complex and neurodivergent kids can create a calmer, more supported transition. Joanna shares: Why 18 feels so scary. Parents worry th...

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dr. Jack Hinman , licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Engage Young Adult Transitions , to unpack why so many 18- to 30-year-olds are stuck between adolescence and adulthood—and how parents can help their “kids” move forward with confidence, connection, and purpose. Dr. Hinman shares: The crisis of connection. Today’s young adul...

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with special-needs family wealth strategist Michael Ringel to demystify the money side of raising complex kids—how to get organized fast, protect eligibility for services, and build a plan that cares for your child long after you’re gone. Mike shares: Why families delay (and how to start in 15 minutes). Your financial life isn’t a mess—it’s a...

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with parent coach MegAnne Ford to flip the old script—away from forcing kids to fit our vision and toward building skills, safety, and connection so families actually feel better day to day. MegAnne shares: Why control backfires. Traditional “make them comply” tactics widen the gap; centering the child’s needs helps the message land. The CLEA...