Parenting with Impact

Your brilliant kid can't get out the door in the morning, falls apart over homework, and goes from fine to completely overwhelmed in seconds. You want to help them out, but it feels like you've tried everything and nothing sticks. In this episode of Parenting with Impact, Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster break down what's actually happening in your child's brain, and why...

When rewards, punishments, and consequences aren’t working, it may be time to ask new questions. In this episode, Dr. Ross Greene explains why challenging behavior isn’t usually a sign of defiance or poor motivation, but a signal that a child is struggling with expectations they cannot yet meet. He introduces the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions mode and explains how shifting from behavior ma...

Getting your child through school should not feel like navigating a maze, but for many parents, it does. When learning differences, executive function challenges, or other school struggles are a factor, it can be hard to know which supports will actually work and how to find ones that will be a good fit. In this episode, educational therapist Jenny Drennan unpacks the differences among tutors, coa...

What happens when years of overwhelm, self-doubt, and burnout finally start to make sense? For many women, ADHD goes undiagnosed for decades, leaving them navigating impossible expectations and blaming themselves for struggles they never understood. In this episode, Liz Lewis explores how a late diagnosis can change how you see your past, your relationships, and yourself, while reminding us that A...

Wanting to support your growing ADHD kid and knowing how to support them are often two very different things. As teens and young adults push for independence, even well-meaning advice can feel controlling, creating more resistance and disconnection. In this episode, Dr. Zach Gershon explains why peer support and community can be life-changing for young adults with ADHD, and how parents can shift f...

What if behaviors that look defiant are actually signs of a nervous system under threat? In this episode, Rabbi Shoshana unpacks PDA, also known as Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, and explains how nervous system sensitivity, autonomy, and co-regulation shape behavior in neurodivergent kids. She explores why traditional approaches often fail, how aspects of modern lif...

Feeling isolated or overwhelmed? Unsure why some parenting support spaces help, while others leave you feeling even more stuck? In this episode, Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster break down the differences between support groups, coaching groups, learning communities, and live Q&A spaces, and why the right kind of support can completely change your experience as the parent of a complex ki...

Math struggles are not always about effort or attention. For some kids, the challenge runs deeper, starting with how they understand numbers, patterns, and quantities. In this episode, specialist Laura Jackson unpacks dyscalculia a little-known learning ,disability that affects number sense, problem-solving, and everyday tasks like time, money, and measurement, often leaving kids frustrated and mi...

When a loved one is struggling, knowing what to say or do can feel overwhelming and high-stakes. In this episode, Diana Clark, President of Intent Clinical, shares how communication patterns, emotional reactions, and fear can shape the way families respond to complex issues like addiction, mental health, and behavioral challenges. You will hear why trying to “fix” someone often backfires, and what...

“Complex kids” are often seen as difficult or defiant, but there’s more going on beneath the surface. They are navigating executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, and a world that often expects them to conform to methods that don't work for them. In this episode, Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster break down what makes a child “complex” and why traditional parenting...

Does your child seem overwhelmed by emotions, easily affected by others, or more sensitive than their peers? It may not be a problem to fix, but a difference to understand. In this episode, Dr. Judith Orloff explains the difference between empathy, empaths, and highly sensitive kids and examines how these traits shape behavior, overwhelm, and emotional responses. Press play to learn practical ways...

Social struggles are not just about making friends. For many neurodivergent and 2e or “twice exceptional” kids, misunderstood social cues, complex peer dynamics, and hurt feelings can quickly turn into conflict or isolation. In this episode, Elizabeth Smith unpacks what is really happening beneath these interactions and how parents can guide their kids through them with greater clarity and underst...

Parenting a complex teen can feel isolating, exhausting, and hard to figure out on your own. What if you didn’t have to do it alone? In this episode, real parents share how group coaching helped them feel supported, learn practical parenting strategies, and create lasting change in their families. Listen in to find out how support, connection, and the right tools can help you parent with more conf...

You know what to do, but still can’t seem to do it. That gap isn’t necessarily about discipline or motivation. In this episode, Theresa Lear Levine reveals how your nervous system and subconscious patterns can quietly drive your reactions, keeping you stuck in stress, overwhelm, and unhelpful old habits. Listen in to learn how EFT tapping can help you self-regulate, shift into calm, and start resp...

Supporting your kid starts with supporting yourself, and that’s especially true if you’re a neurodivergent parent. In this episode with Taylor Heaton, we’ll explore the importance of rest, routines, and trusting yourself when it comes to self-regulation, and what a later-in-life diagnosis can do for parents who might be struggling. Join us for insights on understanding yourself to parent with clar...

Struggling with screen time, online safety, or other tech battles at home? It might not be about increasing control. In this episode, Elaine and Diane explore how shifting from fear to curiosity, and prohibition to cooperation, can help kids build healthy, sustainable relationships with technology. Press play to learn how communication and empowerment can change everything.     What to expect in t...

Not every student is ready to go straight from high school to college—and that doesn’t mean they are falling behind. In this episode, Jason Sarouhan explains how taking intentional time after high school can help neurodiverse young adults build confidence, resilience, intention, and real-world skills before taking their next step. Tune in to explore a more flexible, growth-centered path for your g...

Waiting until the last-minute panic hits to finally get things done? In this episode, Dr. Kourosh Dini explores why urgency isn’t the only way to activate focus with ADHD. Learn how using pause, play, interest, and agency can replace force-based productivity with something more sustainable and self-trusting. Press play to discover a calmer, connected, and more intuitive way to engage with your wor...

What if school refusal is not defiance, but a signal? In this episode, we look beneath the surface at the real reasons kids resist school—from executive function challenges and shame, to sensory overload and fear. Learn how to respond with curiosity instead of control, and how to work with your child to build solutions together. Tune in to solve school battles and restore your kid’s confidence for...

When follow-through keeps breaking down, the answer isn't planning harder. In this episode with ADHD coach Jeff Copper, we unpack why executive function struggles come from ambiguity, not lack of effort, and why direct conversation is a powerful accommodation. Press play to learn what actually helps kids and adults with ADHD move from planning to action. What to expect in this episode: Why pe...

ADHD doesn’t look the same for every kid—especially as children grow into teens and young adults. In this episode, Dr. Janina Maschke explains how gender, stigma, and internalized behaviors can shape diagnosis, coping mechanisms, and self-esteem. Press play to understand what’s happening beneath the surface and how parents can offer the support their kid really needs. What to expect in this episod...

Feeling quick to anger or stuck in constant conflict with your child? It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, we'll explore how leading with curiosity can help parents slow down, regulate emotions, and understand what's really driving their complex kids' behavior. Press play to learn how getting curious can restore calm, connection, and clarity to your home.   What to...

If school feels like a constant battle, you’re not alone. When your child struggles in school, it’s easy to feel lost, frustrated, or blamed. In this episode, Scotti Weintraub shares how understanding your child’s brain and reframing diagnosis as empowerment can turn that frustration into confidence. Tune in to learn how small mindset shifts and stronger partnerships with teachers can transform yo...

What if the secret to thriving isn’t fixing your brain but befriending it? Neuroscientist Rachel Barr shares powerful insights on how curiosity, compassion, and small daily shifts can unlock calm, clarity, and confidence. Discover why pushing harder keeps you stuck and what actually helps your brain work for you. Tune in to learn how to make your brain your greatest ally starting today. What to ex...

One small shift can turn family tension into trust. In this episode, parent mentor Georgia F. shares how curiosity, collaboration, and assumed best intentions transformed her family after an autism diagnosis. You’ll hear practical tools for calmer communication, stronger relationships, and raising confident, independent kids. Press play to learn how changing how you show up can change everything....