An honest look at Dr. Becky’s influence, the limits of “deeply feeling,” and why accurate labels matter for autistic and ADHD kids. 

When journalist E.J. Dickson published her viral article “Do Deeply Feeling Kids Really Exist?” for The Cut, it sparked an emotional debate among parents who follow Dr. Becky Kennedy’s parenting philosophy. In this conversation, E.J. joins me to share what she learned while reporting on the Deeply Feeling Kid (DFK) concept — and how it can unintentionally delay autism and ADHD evaluations for children who need support.

We talk about what worked (and didn’t) when she tried Dr. Becky’s strategies with her own neurodivergent son, why highly verbal interventions often fail autistic kids, and the deeper forces at play: ableism, access barriers, and the pressure on mothers to never get it wrong.

E.J. also reflects on the long history of blaming mothers for their children’s struggles, the intense pushback to her article, and why a diagnosis isn’t an ending — it’s a beginning.

If you’ve ever wondered where “deeply feeling” ends and neurodivergence begins, this conversation offers clarity and community.

This conversation is part of a seires inspired by The Cut’s article, “Do ‘Deeply Feeling Kids’ Really Exist?” by journalist E.J. Dickson, and by the growing movement of parents seeking inclusivity and empathy in modern parenting.

Find transcript and conversation on this topic at Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents Substack:

https://katelynch.substack.com/p/ej-dickson-deeply-feeling-or-neurodivergent

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