Complicated Kids

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast , I talk with Jennifer Kaufman—educator, school principal, grandmother, and now author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum . We dive deep into the often-overlooked role of grandparents in families raising autistic children. Jennifer shares how her personal and professional worlds collided when her grandson was diagnosed with autism, prompting her to re...

Samantha Foote—a board-certified music therapist, parent coach, and neurodivergent mom—brings a rare blend of professional expertise and lived experience to a powerful conversation about parenting differently-wired kids with greater connection and less frustration. In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast , we dive deep into how understanding our kids' neurodivergent wiring, and our own, ca...

What if your child's wildest playtime moments were actually the clearest window into their emotional world—and you held the key to understanding them? In this episode, I sit down with David Schatzkamer, a licensed mental health counselor and registered play therapist supervisor, to explore the world of child-centered play therapy and filial therapy. David shares his powerful approach to helping yo...

We're talking gut health in this episode, with Madeline Lauf, founder of Begin Health. Madeline shares how poor nutrition habits from her own childhood inspired her mission to help families build strong foundations for lifelong wellness, starting in the gut. We dig into the links between processed foods, digestive issues, immune function, and even mood and developmental differences in kids. If you...

Dr. Gila—neuropsychologist, and single parent to a beautifully complicated kid – is an insightful and compassionate human.  In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , we dive deep into what it means to parent with connection instead of perfection, how to shift away from black-and-white thinking, and why your child's strong will is actually a strength worth nurturing. From full "sink" moment...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I'm joined by Maedi Tanham Carney—financial planner and founder of Integrated Living Opportunities. We dive into the world of financial planning for families raising kids with disabilities. From special needs trusts to ABLE accounts to the importance of neuropsych evaluations for accessing benefits, Maedi lays out the roadmap with grace and clarity...

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I talk with Rebekah Marler, a former school principal and current parent to a neurodivergent child, about how her experience challenged everything she thought she knew about development and learning. She shares how traditional milestone-based approaches failed her son and how discovering practices like floor time and Anji Play helped her reconnect w...

Teen and young adult mentor, Matt Douglas, joined me on this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast for a deep dive into the "other" end of the parenting spectrum—college applications, executive function, and the tricky transition from high school to young adulthood. We talk about how neurodivergent teens—those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or learning differences—face added layers of complexity in...

In this episode of   The Complicated Kids Podcast, I'm joined by the incredible occupational therapist Kelsie Olds for a deep and lively conversation about what it really means when we say "everything everybody does makes sense." Kelsie brings her global OT experience—from the U.S. to the U.K. to her new adventure in Australia—and a refreshingly human-centered approach to child development. We dig...

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I'm joined once again by the brilliant Jenn Glacel to talk about the often misunderstood concept of masking, particularly in autistic folks. We dig into the unconscious ways masking shows up as a survival response, how it begins in infancy, and how it can shape a child's (and adult's!) sense of self. Jenn shares her personal experience of exhaustion...

In this episode, I sat down with Amy Lang, a longtime sex ed and parent educator, to talk about one of the most awkward—and most essential—topics parents face: talking to our kids about sex. Amy shared her own moment of panic when her five-year-old asked a completely innocent question, and how that moment shaped her entire approach to sex education for neurodivergent kids. We covered everything fr...

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast where I'll talk about one of the most foundational aspects of parenting—attunement. What is attunement? Why does it matter? And how does it shape our relationships with our kids from the very beginning? We'll explore the neurobiological, emotional, and practical sides of this essential process, and I'll walk you through what attunement l...

In this episode, I'm joined by Suzy Miller, a former pediatric speech-language pathologist whose life took an unexpected turn when a 4-year-old child with autism opened her eyes to an entirely new way of understanding communication. Suzy shares her incredible journey from traditional therapy to becoming a telepathic communicator and multidimensional seer. We get into some fascinating territory as...

Parents are essential to children's developmental process, especially when those children are dealing with challenges like ADHD, autism, and sensory processing issues. During this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast I dive into the essential role of parents alongside occupational therapist-turned-parent coach, Lisa Chan. We discuss why therapy alone isn't enough, and why parents need to be emp...

Nicole Weston is a parent coach who specializes in supporting families of children with anxiety and OCD. Nicole shares her personal journey of navigating her daughter's mental health crisis, which led her to deeply reconsider traditional parenting approaches. In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, we explore the impact of sensitive nervous systems, the importance of adapting environments...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I speak with Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell, a neuropsychiatrist with extensive experience in autism research. We chat about the complexities of communication for non-speaking autistic individuals, discussing methods like spelling to communicate and the misconceptions around these techniques. Dr. Powell highlights how neurological differences can impact...

Clinical social worker, Lisa Kays, joined me on the Complicated Kids Podcast to discuss her (super interesting) concept of "diagnosing backwards." Lisa shares how therapists often see anxious or overwhelmed parents in therapy but may overlook underlying neurodivergence or developmental differences in the child that might be driving a parent's distress. We talk about how diagnosing parents without...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Gilly Kahn, a clinical psychologist specializing in neurodiversity and emotional dysregulation, particularly in teens. We dive into the intersection of ADHD, emotional regulation, and gender bias in diagnosis—especially how the medical system often overlooks girls and women. Gilly shares insights from her upcoming book, Allow Me...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I sit down with author Kari Baker to talk about her book, Finding Kind: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences. Kari shares her personal journey—from a career in finance to becoming an advocate for neurodivergent kids—and how raising her son changed her entire perspective on parenting. We dive into a...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I sit down with Zara Waldman DeLuca, a professor, speech therapist, and advocate for siblings of individuals with disabilities. Together, we explore the unique dynamics of sibling relationships in families navigating disability. Zara shares insights from her personal and professional experience, emphasizing how siblings can be both advocates and co...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I welcome Julianne Reilly, a clinical social worker with deep expertise in working with parents, educators, and children. Together, we chat about the concept of Positive Discipline, a framework rooted in Adlerian psychology. Julianne shares how it emphasizes belonging, significance, and mutual respect while equipping parents to navigate challenges...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I sit down with coach and educator Sara Bybee Fisk to explore masking—where it comes from, how it affects our children, and how it shows up in parenting.    We unpack how kids are taught from a young age to suppress their true selves to meet adult expectations, often at the cost of their own dignity and nervous system regulation. Sara shares powerf...

This episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast discusses the intricacies of early childhood education with guest Dan Wouri, author of The Daycare Myth . We have a dynamic conversation about the disconnection between what science tells us about early development and how public policy often fails to reflect those insights.   Together, we explore the importance of nurturing interactions, the dangers of...

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I explore the world of reading challenges and dyslexia with guest Daniela Feldhausen, founder of Kids Up Reading Coaches. We chat about why some kids struggle with reading and spelling, the warning signs for parents to watch for, and effective strategies to help kids build strong foundational reading skills. Daniela shares insights on the importanc...

Why do some kids (and adults) struggle with planning, staying on task, or managing big emotions—even when they're trying their best? In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast , I talk with executive function coach Carrie Bonnett about the brain-based skills that help us get things done. Carrie breaks down how challenges with executive function show up across ages and stages, and why these sk...