The Full Potential: Thriving with Neurodiversities Podcast

Yes, even when they're not at home, this environment will impact how they feel and act. In school, on the playground, in restaurants, etc. I’m fully aware this might be an inconvenient truth for you. Keep reading. This is something I'm incredibly passionate about because neurodiverse and disabled children are often more energetically sensitive than their neurotypical peers. They tend to have...

In case you didn’t know, there is a documentary film about my family, specifically my son, Rocco, who's now 12, that's hitting film festivals (and winning awards) all around the world. Today’s podcast episode takes a closer look at the question I am asked the most frequently by journalists around the Rocco Up documentary. My family is incredibly honored to be a voice for the autism community and a...

On today's podcast episode where we're looking at a topic that should seem easy to fix but often gets ugly: your child’s time management, especially in the morning. Many neurodiverse children struggle to accomplish simple tasks in a timely fashion (according to you), like get ready for school in the morning, finish their homework, or clean up after dinner. This is a topic that many parents struggl...

On today's podcast episode we are talking about  an uncomfortable and essential topic, and that is when your child is being bullied by their teacher.  For the context of this episode, I want to define bullying so that we are all on the same page. A bully is described in the dictionary as a “blustering, mean, or predatory person who from a perceived position of relative power, intimi...

If I asked if you’re overwhelmed, you’d probably respond by saying, “Sara, I've got a kid with needs. My life is busy. I'm juggling so many things in addition to my other children, my home, my career. Of course, I'm overwhelmed, aren't you?” The answer is no, I'm not overwhelmed because I support myself and manage my life, and that's something that has taken practice. Overwhelm is a choice. Please...

On the podcast today we're diving into a topic that you've likely already heard about, especially if you've followed me on social media for any length of time. It's the new documentary film about my family called Rocco Up, and it's been a journey filled with lessons, relationships, and joy that I never imagined would be part of my life.  It's a project that we began almost three years ag...

Some people wear their stress as a badge of honor, especially if they're wrapping up their self worth in how much they do during the day. But the stress felt by parents of neurodiverse kids is very real and I want to discuss it.  So many of them wind up in my inbox asking, “Sara, what's wrong with me?” “Why am I so drained?” “Why am I losing my patience with my kids?” “Why am I becoming the m...

In today’s podcast episode I’m giving you a little glimpse into the lessons I’ve received in my own life recently. I know they will resonate with you in a big way. This episode is centered around the fact that if you make a promise to someone else, you’re probably going to keep that promise. But what about the promises that you make to yourself? So often people say things like, “When X, Y, Z happe...

This week’s podcast episode is your go-to when life is "lifing". Parenting a neurodiverse child can be intense. This episode will provide you with quick tools to help your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being on those really tough days (parent experiences them, even if they don’t want to admit it). Dive into today’s episode to find out more.

It’s not a four letter word, but it’s one that no parent wants to admit to feeling: trapped. Most parents of neurodiverse, disabled, or medically complex children feel this way at some point in their journey and it’s no wonder. Your child’s needs demand more of your time, energy, and resources than those of neurotypical children. Factor in that your job, friends, and family probably expect a norma...

What do you think being "disruptive" means? When is it important for you to be disruptive in service to your child's wellbeing? On today's podcast episode I'm asking you to get curious around where in your life you need to be more disruptive for this purpose because there's a lot to lose if you don't. An interesting trend I've noticed in the clients I work with (especially the women) is that they...

On today's podcast episode we’re looking at a topic that matters to you no matter how old your child is. In February 2022 the CDC quietly changed their guidelines for three important milestones in childhood development and it rubbed many people the wrong way. Additionally, they did so without consulting professionals who work with children in a hands on fashion and it stirred up pushback from thou...

On today's podcast episode we are talking about  doctor’s office trauma, a subject that doesn’t get much air time but can be deeply challenging for parents and children. Today, we’re discussing why and how this happens, what you can do to prevent it, and, most importantly, how you can heal from it and prevent the anxiety, stress, and fear from snowballing.  This is a topic turned out to...

On today's podcast episode we are talking about an exciting topic that also feels scary. This is the topic around supporting your neurodiverse child undertaking new experiences no matter how old they are. Of course, what is new and scary for each family is different. Some parents avoid taking their child to the grocery store, afraid they’ll have a meltdown in public. Others desire to bring their c...

On today's podcast episode I have the pleasure of interviewing Kelly Alifano, a mother of two amazing daughters whose confidence was crushed when she received both ADHD and visual processing disorder diagnoses for one of her girls less than 12 months ago. In her own words, Kelly said that on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best), her self confidence was a 1 as she struggled to navigate this new...

On today's podcast episode we are having a frank conversation around what happens when parents of neurodiverse are not seen, heard, or provided with the tools they need. Full disclosure: I get feisty in this episode. I actually had it outlined for weeks before I had the guts to record it because it felt so disruptive. It is the result of many conversations I've had both online and in person w...

On today's podcast episode I have the pleasure of interviewing the founder of the Rapid Prompt Method and one of my amazing teachers, Soma Mukhopadhyay. Soma isn’t just a teacher and autism expert. She’s also a parent who, in her own words, was willing to “roll up her sleeves” and learn alongside her child to see what worked for him. In doing so, she’s become a trailblazer with much wisdom to shar...

On today's podcast episode I have the pleasure of interviewing a powerful mom, attorney, and hypnotherapist, Kelly Greene.  All I can say about this conversation is the gloves came off! Kelly and I had an honest conversation about acting from a place of empowerment as a parent of a neurodiverse child, while acknowledging the trauma you’ve experienced along the way.  Kelly has a beautiful...

On today's podcast episode we are going to talk about the newest tool in our family’s toolbox to help Rocco live an independent life, and it’s cuter and more fun than any other: Rocco's new service dog, Oakley! We have had Oakley for approximately 3 weeks and he has already made a huge impact on our lives. We figured he’d be supportive for Rocco but never imagined how healing he’d be for...

On today's podcast episode we're talking about the biggest mindset blocks parents face when raising a special needs child and it’s not what you think. It’s sneaky, insidious, and very often imposed on you by others. The great news is you get to choose whether you take it on as your own. Much like a gift you’ve been given, you get to decide whether to receive it or send it back. Admittedly, it took...

Let’s cut to the chase. The only reason you’re listening to this or any other parenting podcast is because you want to know one thing: how can I make my parenting journey easier? On today's podcast episode I have a very special guest Lida Schneider, an expert in Human Design, discussing how discovering this tool and making it part of her daily life transformed her entire family and brought mo...

What does your family's fun time say about you? One of the most profound and also heartbreaking trends with special needs families is that they don't have much joyful time together. This is not a shock to me because if you look at human psychology, including Maslow's hierarchy of needs, many of these families are still in survival mode (or inconsistently moving in and out of it). Naturally, surviv...

On today's podcast episode I'm supporting you in asking some major questions about your parenting journey. There's no question that parenting requires commitment. Parenting a neurodiverse child even more so. Yet, there are many pieces of your parenting journey that would be MUCH easier if you actually committed to doing them. Triggered? Good, keep reading because it's not what you think....

On today's podcast episdoe we are going to discusss what to do if your child's IEP meeting does not result in the way you wanted it to.  Sometimes you go to your kids’ IEP meeting and everything transpires beautifully. You happily sign off on the dotted line at the end of the meeting and then carry on with your daily life.  Other times the outcome of the district meeting does not fe...

On today's podcast episode we’re talking about there good, the bad, and the ugly of IEP season. Most parents I speak with approach it feeling a combination of dread, anxiety, and worry that the outcome won’t be one that truly supports their child’s growth. Trust me, I’ve been there! My child’s IEP meetings are very different now (thankfully), and I’m here to share with you how you can ap...