Our family has gone through our fair share of big changes, which you’ll hear all about in this episode, so this is something that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. Especially as a parent of a differently wired kid, I know that there are some extra challenges that might come up when their routines, environment, life circumstances, or supports change, and our kids are also more likely to be resistant to changes (even if they are beneficial). So today I’ll be sharing the strategies I’ve personally found helpful while going through big transitions with Asher. 

In this episode, I talk about key things such as why being honest when communicating with your kid is so important to help them understand and process change, how being vulnerable can be a way to show support, how to validate our kids’ feelings about the changes or transitions, and how to identify their concerns so you can make plans to address them in advance. I also share about what adjustment disorder is and the kind of extra support you might need during transitions. 

 What You'll Learn in this Episode

• The benefits and growth that can come from navigating big changes as a family

• Why honesty is so important when communicating with your child about big changes

• What to share versus what not to share with your child about the transitions you go through

• How to validate the big emotions and thoughts that big transitions can bring up in your child

• The importance of doing your own work as a parent to be able to support our kids during transitions

• What adjustment disorder is and the extra support you might need to help your child through one

• How being vulnerable with your kids can be really supportive for them

• Identifying the concerns that our kids have and coming up with plans to address them in advance

• Creating new routines to create security for our kids during big transitions

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This is a short, special mini-episode I’m sharing because my friends at Elmbridge University (formerly Bridges Academy) let me know that enrollment is now open for the next cohort of their truly unique graduate program in cognitive diversity in education, and application deadlines are coming up in June.

When Dr. Susan Baum—one of the leading voices in twice-exceptionality and Chancellor of the program—said she could join me for a quick conversation about her work and what makes this program so impactful, I said absolutely. In this brief chat, Susan shares insights into supporting twice-exceptional learners, why environment matters so much, and how this program is helping educators better understand and serve complex, neurodivergent students. If you want to learn more, you can head to https://elmbridge.edu/.

About Dr. Susan Baum

Susan Baum, Ph.D., is Chancellor of Elmbridge University’s Graduate School for Cognitive Diversity in Education (formerly Bridges) and Co-director of the 2e Center for Research and Professional Development at Bridges Academy, a school for twice exceptional students. The author of many publications concerning the needs of special populations of gifted students including the award-winning 3rd edition of her seminal work To Be Gifted and Learning Disabled, Susan is a popular international speaker whose message is celebrating neurodiversity. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted Children and is past president and co-founder of the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving students. She is recipient of the Weinfeld Group’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in educating the twice-exceptional child.

Things You'll Learn in this Episode

• The rise in awareness and identification of twice exceptional individuals, including advocacy and policy changes in schools

• Common misconceptions in education about giftedness and disabilities, and Baum’s theory of green — the paradoxical profile of these students

• The importance of tailored environmental components — intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative — for thriving twice exceptional students

• The evolution and impact of the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity (now Elmbridge University)

Resources Mentioned

• Elmbridge University 

• Bridges Academy

• Twice-Exceptional and Special Populations of Gifted Students (Essential Readings in Gifted Education Series) by Dr. Susan Baum

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Today we’re talking about something many families know they need to think about—but often don’t know where to begin: financial planning for children with disabilities. My guest is Mary McDirmid, a Chartered Special Needs Consultant and the co-founder and COO of All Needs Planning, a nationwide firm built by caregivers, for caregivers. In our conversation, Mary walks us through why proactive planning matters so much and what it can actually look like in practice. We talk about creating comprehensive care plans, protecting essential benefits, and building a long-term vision that supports not just financial security, but overall well-being. This is an empowering, practical conversation designed to help families feel more prepared, more informed, and more confident about the future.

About Dr. Devon Price 

Mary McDirmid, ChSNC, is the COO and co-founder of All Needs Planning — a nationwide financial planning firm built by caregivers, for caregivers. A Chartered Special Needs Consultant, Mary brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent navigating the special needs journey. She specializes in helping families create comprehensive plans that address the financial, legal, and care needs of loved ones with disabilities — from diagnosis through adulthood and beyond. Mary is co-author of the upcoming book Care, Protect, Grow: A Guide to Building Lasting Security for Your Loved One with Special Needs (Wiley, May 2026), which provides a compassionate, step-by-step roadmap for families facing the question of “what happens when I’m no longer here?”

Things you'll learn from this episode  

• Why early, ongoing planning is essential for families raising children with special needs

• How the Care, Protect, and Grow framework supports a comprehensive, long-term vision for care

• How creating and regularly updating care plans ensures continuity and security for loved ones

• Why involving siblings and considering long-term roles is an important part of the planning process

• How active advocacy and participation shape more effective, personalized support systems

• When and how to begin these conversations so families feel prepared rather than overwhelmed

Resources mentioned

• Mary McDirmid’s website

• Care, Protect, Grow: A Guide to Building Lasting Security for Your Loved One with Special Needs by Mary McDirmid

• Book a free meeting with Mary

• Care, Protect, Grow (on Mary’s website)

• All Needs Planning Learning Lab

• ABLE National Resource Center

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In this Parent Lean-In episode, Debbie answers a listener’s question about how to travel and navigate vacations with a child who is tied to routines. Debbie shares her past experiences and offers tips for pre-trip planning, addressing concerns ahead of time, establishing new routines while traveling, being flexible, using visual aids, and getting the child active and moving, and more.

Resources Mentioned

• Debbie and 11-year-old Asher on Successful Vacations for Differently Wired Kids (Tilt Parenting podcast)

• Download a PDF of our Family Goals Worksheet

• Download a PDF of our Vacation Concerns Worksheet

• Download a PDF of our Daily Vacation Planner Worksheet

• Look at our Departure Plan whiteboard

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Today we’re exploring what it means to reconnect with our bodies and how that can transform not just our emotional health, but our parenting and relationships as well, with Celia Bray, a psychologist, somatic therapist, and the award-winning author of Inscribed: Your Body’s Hidden Script. In our conversation, Celia shares her own journey from disconnection to what she calls somatic mastery, and why learning to tune into our body’s signals can be such a powerful guide for decision-making and regulation. We talk about simple, accessible practices parents can begin using right away, and how developing this awareness can shift how we show up—for ourselves and for our kids—with more presence, clarity, and ease.

 About Celia Bray

Celia Bray is a psychologist, somatic therapist, and award-winning author of Inscribed – Your Body’s Hidden Script. With over 20 years’ experience, she has lived and worked internationally across Australia, India, Kenya, and beyond, blending psychology with embodied healing practices. Celia is the founder of Somatic Psychology International, where she supports people to unlock the wisdom written in their bodies so they can heal, grow, and live authentically. She also facilitates Open Floor Movement, Therapy in Motion, and Family Constellations, empowering individuals and communities to reconnect with their freedom and joy.

Things you'll learn from this episode

• How Celia Bray’s personal journey from emotional suppression to somatic healing informs her work

• Why Gestalt therapy’s focus on present-moment, body-based awareness can be so transformative

• How trauma and emotional experiences are held in the body—and how somatic practices can support release and integration

• How simple practices like “Landing in the Body” build awareness and reconnect us with our internal cues

• Why resistance to body awareness is common, especially within certain cultural contexts, and how to navigate it

• How somatic work can influence parenting, decision-making, and emotional resilience, and where to begin exploring it

Resources mentioned

• Celia Bray Somatic Psychology

• Celia Bray’s YouTube Channel

• Inscribed–Your Body’s Hidden Script: Decode Your Body’s Wisdom for Emotional Healing, Wise Choices, and the Path to an Awesome Life by Celia Bray

• Pat Ogden’s Sensory Motor Therapy — For further somatic therapy practices

• Trauma-Informed Yoga — Explore gentle body-based trauma release

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11-year-old Asher joins me to share our best tips and strategies for making travel run more smoothly and having successful vacations with neurodivergent kids. As much as many families and their children may love going on vacation, the change in routine, different foods, shifting expectations, and new stimuli can even turn a trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth” (Disneyland) into one full of stress, anxiety, meltdowns, and other challenges. And while we know this rings true for pretty much any and every family, for parents raising differently wired kids, the extremes highs and lows can bigger. In this episode, Asher and I share what we’ve learned over the years when it comes to making sure everyone’s needs and expectations on any given vacation are met, or at the very least, addressed, and walk listeners through the different schedules and planners we’ve we incorporated into our vacation prep. We hope you take away a tip or two to make your next family holiday a more peaceful experience for the whole family!

Things you’ll learn from this episode

• The benefits of talking through and getting clear on expectations (for all members of the family) prior to leaving for a vacation

• A strategy for using the collaborative problem solving approach to identify, address, and pre-solve concerns ahead of time

• How to make departure day go more smoothly

• The benefits of exploring and researching aspects of a vacation time well in advance of the trip (including accommodations, activities, etc.)

• A strategy for using written schedules coupled with frequent reviews during a vacation keeps everyone’s expectations in check

• The benefits of bringing a child into the planning process (and letting them determine some of what will happen on vacation)

• Why it’s useful to work with your child to discover what they need most on vacation and then incorporating it into your daily plan (ie: rest, chill time, etc.)

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You may recall that last fall, my friend and colleague Penny Williams,  a parenting coach for neurodiverse families, the author of four books on ADHD including Boy Without Instructions, and the host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, and I did a two-part series on what it really looks like to support our neurodivergent young adults as they move toward living self-determined lives – Part one was here on Full-Tilt Parenting, and Part 2 was on Penny’s show.

We left a lot of topics on the table, so we’re back with more…parts 3 and 4 in fact. This episode on Full-Tilt Parenting is part 3, where we’ll be focusing on the practical and emotional realities of this stage—financial literacy, accommodations, decision-making, and the often complicated dynamics between parents and young adults. Penny and I share personal stories, strategies that have helped, and some honest reflections on what this phase asks of us. 

And then you can listen to Part 4 over on Beautifully Complex this Thursday … and in that episode we’ll be talking about things like consent and communication, exploring thinking about future and goals, and how we approach conversations about difficult topics like risky behavior, substance use, and more.

About Penny Williams 

A parenting coach for neurodiverse families, Penny Williams is the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions, producer and host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, host of the annual Neurodiversity Summits, and co-creator of The Behavior Revolution Program, a parent training program designed to change the narrative on behavior and help parents celebrate and support their kids with ADHD or autism through neuroscience-backed insights, hard-won strategies, compassion, and guidance.  Penny empowers parents to help their neurodivergent kids — and families — thrive.

Things you'll learn from this episode  

• How building financial literacy supports independence for neurodivergent young adults

• Why navigating money management is a key (and often overlooked) part of launching into adulthood

• How accommodations evolve from college into the workplace—and why they still matter

• Why parents are continually balancing control, trust, and letting go during this phase

• How emotional attachment to outcomes can complicate decision-making for both parents and young adults

• Why outside supports, along with the messy realities of relationships and expectations, are part of the journey

Resources mentioned

• Penny Williams’ Parenting ADHD and Autism website

• Beautifully Complex Podcast

• The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1) — a crossover episode with Penny Williams (Beautifully Complex)

• The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 2) — a crossover episode with Penny Williams (Beautifully Complex)

• Healthy Gamer website

• Dr. Alok Kanojia on Video Game Addiction and How to Raise Healthy Gamers

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I’m excited to be bringing parenting coach Margaret Webb back to the podcast this week. Margaret helps parents find more peace in parenting the child they didn’t expect when they were expecting, and part of her work is supporting parents survive summer break. Many parents (and not just parents raising differently-wired kids) limp across the finish line of a long school year only to find themselves facing the stress of summer — new schedules and routines, different expectations, wants, and needs for everyone in the family, and lots of other changes. In our conversation, Margaret shares her personal strategy for not only surviving summer break, but thriving.

About Margaret Webb

Margaret s a certified Master Life Coach, parenting coach, nature-based coach, former teacher, wife and mother. As a life and parenting coach, she weaves together her experience as an elementary education teacher with the tools she’s learned in Martha Beck’s Life Coach Training, Sagefire Institute’s Nature-Based Coach Training, and what she’s applied to her own life as a mom of a child with special needs.

Key Takeaways

• How “reality versus expectations” creates unnecessary stress for many parents over the summer

• Why having “leadership energy” as a parent can help a family thrive

• The importance of getting clear on both your personal needs as a parent and your child’s needs and wants for the summer break

• What scheduling, mapping, and tracking have to do with surviving summer holidays

• How focusing on our own experience and fostering personal self-care actually supports our children

• Why nature can be so restorative for parents raising differently-wired kids

• How to envision your ideal day as a way to begin creating a more peaceful reality

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Today we’re diving into the nuanced world of circadian rhythm sleep syndromes, and how biological and environmental factors intersect in shaping our children’s sleep. My guest is Alex Mortlock, a registered clinical psychologist who has been in practice since 2010, with training rooted in evidence-based approaches to mental health. Alex will help us unpack what’s actually happening when a child’s sleep rhythm is out of sync, and why this is so often misunderstood. We talk about practical strategies, the role of light exposure and light therapy, and how melatonin can be used thoughtfully to support regulation. 

About Alex Mortlock

Alex Mortlock has been a registered clinical psychologist since 2010, trained at the University of Canterbury with a focus on evidence-based approaches to mental health assessment and treatment. His work is grounded in psychological science, with an emphasis on the interplay of emotion, cognition, and motivation. He uses evidence-based methods to help people make positive changes in their behaviour, fostering an environment of authenticity, acceptance, and understanding.

Throughout his career, Alex has had the privilege of witnessing growth and transformation in people from diverse backgrounds — experiences that have reinforced his belief that, with the right support and guidance, everyone has the capacity to flourish.

He lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with his wife, who is also a clinical psychologist, and their two over-analysed children. Curiosity, compassion, courage, and flexibility are the values that guide him through the professional and personal challenges that human life presents.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• How circadian rhythms shape sleep patterns and why they matter for children’s overall health

• Why conditions like delayed sleep phase, advanced sleep phase, and non-24-hour sleep disorders can disrupt typical sleep cycles

• How neurodivergence can influence light sensitivity and circadian regulation

• Why gradual light exposure, environmental adjustments, and low-dose melatonin can help realign sleep rhythms

• How habits like late-night screen use can interfere with healthy sleep patterns

• When to seek professional support and how parents can practically support their child’s sleep development

Resources mentioned

• Alex Mortlock’s website

• Late Nights, Later Days: The Under-Recognized Impact of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome in ADHD (Additude Magazine)

• Reset Your Inner Clock: The Drug-Free Way to Your Best-Ever Sleep, Mood, and Energy by Michael Termin, PhD

• Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Joint Hypermobility Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (National Institute of Health)

• Article on Light Boxes (Yale School of Medicine)

• Light Therapy Visors (results page from Amazon search)

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In this special episode, I’m joined by my husband, Derin, for a candid and heartfelt reflection on our journey together—more than eight years of parenting, navigating relationship shifts, and supporting our neurodivergent child through adolescence and into early adulthood. This is a personal conversation for us, one where we open up about what this path has really looked like behind the scenes.

We talk about how our partnership has evolved over time, the challenges we’ve faced individually and together, and the ways we’ve learned to stay connected through some very intense seasons. We also share what’s helped us—communication, honesty, a willingness to grow—and how we’ve come to better understand each other while showing up for our child. This is an honest look at the complexities of parenting and partnership, and what it means to keep choosing each other along the way.

About Derin Basden

Derin Basden is a seasoned and accomplished leader with a proven track record in technology, design, and operations, gained through working with major multinational corporations, including NBCUniversal, Disney, and Microsoft. He is also the husband of Debbie Reber, the founder of Tilt Parenting, and a dedicated supporter of her work. He is enthusiastic about his role on the Tilt Team and is committed to contributing to the movement that empowers neurodivergent children to achieve their full potential. Derin leads technology and finance operations for Tilt, and ensures the smooth functioning and effective execution of Tilt’s mission.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• How family life evolves through moves, global stressors, and the transition from childhood to young adulthood

• Why adolescence reshapes family dynamics and invites growth for both parents and kids

• How maintaining a strong partnership through communication, shared routines, and intentional connection supports the whole system

• Why respecting autonomy while staying connected is essential when parenting a neurodivergent young adult

• How simple rituals—like walks, humor, and honest conversations—help rebuild and sustain connection

• Why self-regulation, honesty, and ongoing personal growth are key to navigating changing roles within the family

Resources mentioned 

• Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 1 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2017)

• Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 2 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2018)

• Derin Basden - LinkedIn

• Minecraft Mods mentioned (Inventory Pets, Animania, Better Invisibility)

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Dr. Gail Post, the psychologist behind the popular Gifted Challenge blog, joins me to talk about her book, The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children, which combines research, theory, and clinical experience, and extends her advocacy efforts to address the needs of parents of gifted children.

In this episode, we dive into the realities of parenting gifted and 2e kids — the common challenges parents experience as part of their journey, why it can sometimes feel uncomfortable to celebrate our child’s accomplishments with others and how that impacts our kids and us, and how to handle our own expectations and pressures we may feel because of our child’s unique learning profile. We also explore what many families of gifted kids' experience as a complicated relation with the word “potential,” as well as how we as parents can manage our own uncomfortable emotions that may arise in parenting our kids, including anxiety, envy, and guilt.

ABOUT GAIL Gail Post, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, parenting coach and consultant, workshop leader, and writer. She is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in practice for over 35 years, she provides psychotherapy with a focus on the needs of the intellectually and musically gifted and twice-exceptional, parenting coaching and workshops, and consultation with educators and psychotherapists. Dr. Post is the parent of two gifted young adults and served as co-chair of a gifted parents advocacy group when her children were in school.

THINGS YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE

• The common challenges parents raising gifted and 2e kids may experience as part of their journey

• Why parents of gifted kids feel intense pressure surrounding their child’s educational path and how that can negatively impact families

• Why the word “potential” is a loaded one for many families, and how parents can change their relationship with this concept

• Why anxiety is common amongst parents raising gifted or 2e kids

• The unique challenges BIPOC parents raising gifted kids face

• Why self-awareness is the roadmap to attuned parenting when raising gifted and 2e kids

About Gail PostThings you’ll learn from this episode

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