Samantha and Lauren discuss the negative impact of constant corrective feedback and emphasize the importance of recognizing children's efforts rather than just their outcomes. They share personal experiences and research findings that show how neurodivergent kids often receive more negative feedback than their neurotypical peers. They highlight the importance of creating a supportive home environment that counterbalances the critical feedback children might receive from schools and other settings. The episode ends with a promise to provide practical tips on giving meaningful positive feedback in the next discussion.

In this final episode of the year, Samantha and Lauren discuss the societal pressures of New Year's resolutions and advocate for a more realistic approach, especially for neurodivergent individuals and parents of neurodivergent children. They highlight the overwhelming nature of setting too many goals and emphasize the importance of focusing on one or two manageable objectives at a time to avoid burnout and shame. They also stress the importance of self-compassion and creating a supportive environment for personal growth and effective parenting.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about the importance of taking a break during the holiday season, particularly for families with neurodivergent members. They discuss the challenges that arise from the busy holiday schedules and emphasize the necessity of rest for mental health and overall well-being. Samantha and Lauren share personal experiences and provide insights on how to manage holiday stress, suggesting that prioritizing rest and downtime can mitigate meltdowns and enhance the holiday experience for both parents and children. They also touch upon the societal expectations to be constantly productive and how this goes against the natural cycles of rest observed in nature.

Anneke (pronounced UH-nuh-kuh) is a coach with a background in both corporate and clinical settings, having worked as a clinical director, supervisor, and behavior analyst. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, she supports clients worldwide through phone and video conferencing. Anneke specializes in coaching professionals with ADHD, autism, and related neurodivergent experiences. She brings personal insight to her practice, as she has been diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss strategies for effectively parenting children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). They emphasize the importance of collaboration over direct demands to help children feel more in control and safe, which mitigates reactive behaviors. They explain how giving children choices and involving them in decision-making can prevent the activation of their parasympathetic nervous system, which is linked to anxiety and defensive behaviors. Practical examples like offering options instead of direct commands are given and the importance of flexibility and patience in parenting, particularly for neurodivergent families is discussed. Samantha and Lauren also highlight the significance of co-regulation and maintaining a calm demeanor to support a child's sense of autonomy and safety. A PDA cheat sheet with useful scripts and strategies is available for listeners.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren engage in a compelling conversation with Jessica Frew, the author of 'Shove Your Shoulds,' a pivotal book aimed at helping ambitious women shed societal conditioning and make bold decisions without guilt or fear. Throughout the discussion, Jessica shares insights into the importance of setting personal boundaries, trusting one's intuition, and the role of parents in modeling behavior for their children. Jessica’s teachings are for everyone, particularly those raising neurodivergent children, advocating for a parenting approach free from societal 'shoulds'. She provides real-life examples of navigating difficult relationships, establishing firm boundaries, and making aligned decisions.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss autistic burnout, especially prevalent during the holiday season. They explain the difference between stress and burnout, and share personal experiences to illustrate the impact of prolonged masking and sensory overload on neurodivergent children. Samantha and Lauren provide detailed signs of burnout, including increased irritability, emotional outbursts, and physical symptoms, along with practical advice on how to support recovery through reduced demands, predictability, sensory rest, and encouraging autonomy. They emphasize the importance of parental regulation and offer strategies to prevent future burnout, such as prioritizing recovery time, practicing energy accounting, and teaching children to advocate for their needs.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren dive talk about of gratitude. They share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for incorporating gratitude into daily life, especially for parents of neurodivergent children. The discussion covers how gratitude can serve as a tool for self-regulation, helping both parents and kids navigate challenging moments by shifting focus from problems to solutions. Additionally, they explore various sensory and creative methods to make gratitude a concrete and engaging practice for children, thereby fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about the significant role that play has in children's development. They discuss how play is not only about having fun, but it actually changes brain structure and function, aiding in the learning process. They explain that play releases dopamine, helping with motivation, focus, and learning, especially for children with ADHD. Samantha and Lauren highlight the importance of engaging in play to teach social skills, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility. They also share personal anecdotes and professional experiences to emphasize the profound impact play has on building trust and connection with children.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren interview Yana Kleyman, a functional medicine health consultant. Yana shares her personal journey from traditional healthcare as a pharmacist to discovering the transformative power of functional medicine. This transition was inspired by her own health crisis at age 33, which led her to explore root cause medicine. Today, Yana is dedicated to helping children with ADHD and other developmental disorders thrive naturally by challenging predetermined futures. Yana and the hosts discuss various approaches to functional medicine, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes like gut health, genetics, and environmental factors rather than just treating symptoms with medication.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the positive impacts of spending time in nature on mental health. They explore how outdoor activities activate the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing cortisol levels, lowering heart rates, and improving sensory integration and attention. Using personal anecdotes and scientific explanations, Samantha and Lauren highlight nature's ability to provide a gentle and predictable sensory input conducive to emotional and cognitive rejuvenation. They also discuss practical strategies for encouraging neurodivergent children to spend more time outdoors, emphasizing the importance of making such activities a part of daily routines.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Halloween and the sensory challenges that can come with it. They discuss the sensory overload issues related to costumes, decorations, loud noises, and changes in routine. To help parents navigate these challenges, they offer practical advice on practicing with costumes, managing trick-or-treating expectations, and choosing sensory-friendly environments. They also emphasize the importance of understanding that children's behavior is a form of communication and suggest strategies to support children before, during, and after Halloween events to prevent sensory overload and ensure a positive experience for both parents and their kids.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren welcome Jason Heffler, author of 'Tongue Tied'. Jason shares his personal journey of growing up with a stutter and the challenges he faced, including bullying. His book is designed to help children with speech disorders gain confidence and understand that their speech does not define them. Jason discusses the importance of representation in literature and offers valuable tips for parents to support their children, like praising the effort rather than fluency and teaching empathy and resilience. The discussion touches on the power of acknowledgment, as Jason highlights how owning his stutter changed his life and career prospects. He elaborates on cognitive reframing strategies and the use of music as a therapeutic tool, sharing his own experiences as a DJ and writer in the music industry.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren interview Jennifer Celeste Briggs, a mother who shares her transformative experience with the Sunrise program. Jennifer talks about how the program, which she tailored for her daughter, significantly improved her language and social skills. We explore the importance of meeting children where they are, the collaborative effort between parents and professionals, and the impact of patient and targeted interaction on neurodivergent children. Jennifer also talks about her book, "Watching Sarah Rise," which documents their journey and offers recommendations for other parents navigating similar paths.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the conclusion of their conversation on managing mom's mental load. They provide five practical strategies to help moms regulate stress and manage interruptions, including the one-minute reset, setting interruption boundaries, sensory swaps, a decision diet, and maintaining a daily white space block. Additionally, they discuss the importance of co-regulation and self-care, emphasizing that a well-supported mom is a better-regulated mom, which benefits the entire family.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on managing the mental load experienced by moms. They address the difficulties of delegating household responsibilities and provide practical steps to shift tasks to family members or others to alleviate stress. Samantha and Lauren emphasize the importance of accepting different methods of task completion, trusting the process, and providing clear instructions and ownership of tasks. They also offer valuable advice on involving children in household responsibilities in age-appropriate ways, all aimed at reducing burnout and creating a more balanced family dynamic.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the mental load carried by moms, marking the beginning of a three-week series on the topic. They explore the often-overwhelming responsibilities that mothers juggle daily, from managing household chores to coordinating children's schedules. Samantha and Lauren emphasize the significance of self-care and provide practical advice on managing sensory input, making micro-decisions, and employing positive self-talk methods to alleviate stress and prevent burnout. A structured approach for recognizing and managing different stages of overwhelm is introduced.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). They explain that ARFID is a recognized eating disorder, different from simple picky eating, characterized by extreme avoidance or restriction of food, leading to nutritional, growth, or emotional problems. The disorder is often misunderstood, with myths such as it being due to bad parenting or something children will grow out of. Samantha and Lauren discuss sensory sensitivities, negative food experiences, interoception challenges, and anxiety as key factors contributing to ARFID, particularly in children with autism and ADHD. They also share their personal experiences and emphasize the importance of patience, understanding, and professional help in managing ARFID.

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the challenges and methods of handling food aversions in autistic children. They share personal experiences and emphasize that forcing children to eat can be counterproductive. Instead, they recommend engaging the help of a feeding therapist and employing assent-based strategies. Steps include gradually introducing the disliked food by first placing it nearby, then on the plate, and finally encouraging the child to touch, smell, and play with the food before tasting it. Samantha and Lauren stress the importance of patience and allowing children to progress at their own pace, while also highlighting the benefits of involving children in meal preparation and planning.

In this episode Samantha and Lauren talk about the challenges and changes families face when children transition back to school. They provide practical advice on managing children's after-school meltdowns and emphasize the importance of establishing coping skills, ensuring children are well-fed and hydrated, and maintaining a consistent routine to help children adjust. They also discuss the benefits of positive reinforcement and the effectiveness of switching caregivers to avoid power struggles, showcasing various strategies to create a supportive environment for neurodivergent kids.