With a neurodivergent brains, there are inherent weaknesses and different timelines for development than typical brains. Neurodivergent young people struggle with some things that typical brained peers don’t struggle with or have figured out much earlier in their development. There are also gifts that come from having a neurodivergent brain or raising a neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult. Putting more focus on these gifts helps us see the struggles in a new light.
Continue reading41. Finding Joy with Jason
What is joy? In this episode, Jason takes a deep dive into the difference between joy and happiness, and how it plays into our relationships with ourselves and others. For neurodivergent children, teens, and adults who sometimes struggle with relationships and connecting, Jason offers some helpful perspectives to find more joy in relationships.
Continue reading40. Navigating Holidays & Big Events with Debbie
Holidays and big events should be fun, right? What’s not to love- family, friends, food, festivities, breaks from routines, changing things up, maybe some travel, lots of stimulation, high expectations… Oh wait! No wonder some kids, teens, and young adults, especially neurodivergent ones, struggle, get overwhelmed by it all, or even have melt downs. In this episode, I share some perspectives and tips for having a more positive experience. It’s my holiday gift to you.
Continue reading39. Being Supportive Vs Enabling with Vashti Summervill
It’s sometimes hard finding a balance between helpful support and enabling when you’re parenting an autistic or neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult. In this episode, we talk with Vashti, parent coach and therapeutic educational consultant, about effective ways to support development. You’ll hear how to go beyond ineffective parenting default modes and opt for connections that cultivates resilience and growth.
Continue reading38. Grrr-Attitude with Debbie
If your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult has a negative attitude or you feel really negative about things, listen in as I share some perspectives on what contributes to all the negativity. I also offer an easy and effective way to counteract it and why you would want to besides just feeling better.
Continue reading37. Therapy or Development? Doing Better for Neurodivergent Who Struggle with Jason & Debbie
Join us as we share the recording of a presentation we gave at the Independent Educational Consultant’s Association (IECA) 2021 Fall Conference. It’s time to rethink interventions for those who are Neurodivergent (ND). ND diagnoses are swelling, shifting, and crystalizing. The latest research is giving better perspectives on why ND diagnoses are developmental differences and not mental health issues. Those who serve this population already know that although anxiety and depression are common, the root cause is not the same as “typicals.” Historically, ND individuals have been directed into the treatment world, when different approaches, specifically developmental approaches, are proving to be more effective.
Continue reading36. What Main Goal of Interventions Should Be with Jason
Counseling, medications, and behavioral interventions can support neurodivergent clients, but they rarely address the main goal. In this episode, Jason shares his perspectives on what the goal should be, some pros and cons of classical interventions, and how to better address the main goal effectively.
Continue reading35. Building Resilience with Debbie
We’re all hearing talk of the importance of developing resilience. Neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults often lack as much resilience as their neurotypical peers. They’re also more prone to feeling stressed than their neurotypical peers when faced with similar events or circumstances. While these sensitivities can be a strength in some situations, it can also lead to overwhelm and shutting down.
So, what can you do to help your loved one or mentee build resilience? Listen in as I share some key things to help them turn those moments of stress into growth opportunities.
Continue reading34. Supporting Forward Momentum with Debbie
In this episode, I explain how the stories we tell about past problems can block forward momentum for our neurodivergent children, teens, young adults, and for ourselves. Make peace with your past to free up time and energy for what’s in front of you in the present, and break out of old, unhelpful patterns.
Continue reading33. Parent or Partner? How Are We in the Relationship Equation?
If you never intentionally make the shift from the parent role to the partner role, it is highly likely the neurodiverse young adult you’re trying to help and support will struggle to shift out of the child role. In this episode, Jason explains what transactional analysis is and makes recommendations for how to better support their transition into adulthood
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