TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids

Debbie Reber

  • 55 minutes 53 seconds
    TPP 182a: A Conversation with Autism and Neurodiversity Support Specialist Kristy Forbes

    My guest this week is autism and neurodiversity support specialist Kristy Forbes of In Tune Pathways. Kristy is the parent of four autistic children, and has an abundance of emotional, practical, and lived experience both working with and raising children who are neurodivergent. She has an extensive background in early childhood education and psychology, and as you’ll hear from our conversation, is passionate about radical acceptance without the need or intention to fix, change or cure, particularly in regard to children.

    Kristy was diagnosed as autistic at age thirty-three herself, and has committed herself to working with children and adults on the autism spectrum, with a special interest on people who, like her, have a PDA expression. In this episode, we share a deep conversation about how parents can truly tune in to who their children are and show up for them in a way that reflects true respect for their children’s neurodivergence. We cover a lot of ground, including the PDA profile of autism, how parents can get clear about their intentions when exploring interventions for their children on the spectrum, how to support families through periods of intensity and very difficult behavior, and the trauma that can result when children are perpetually in fight, flight, freeze or fawn mode because they’re being forced to conform to a way of being that isn’t true to who they are.

    Kristy is a wise and genuine spirit who is doing healing work for so many families… I’m grateful to be able to share this conversation with you.


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    28 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 18 minutes 23 seconds
    You Might Also Like: ADHD Aha!, from Understood.org

    Listen to an episode of Understood.org's podcast ADHD Aha!, a podcast about ADHD. Hear the unexpected and emotional ways ADHD symptoms surface for kids and adults, and the moments when it clicks that ADHD is real.


    Learn more here.

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    27 February 2025, 10:00 am
  • 47 minutes 45 seconds
    TPP 431: Rebecca Winthrop & Jenny Anderson on Disengaged Teens

    Today’s conversation feels both important and timely, because they’re tackling a challenge so many parents are facing: how to help disengaged teens reconnect with learning. My guests are Jenny Anderson, an award-winning journalist focused on learning and parenting, and Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution specializing in education innovation. Together, they’ve been diving deep into the science of student engagement, and today, they’re sharing what they’ve learned about reigniting curiosity and motivation in kids who have checked out of school and their excellent new book, The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better.

    In our conversation, Jenny and Rebecca broke down why engagement isn’t just about academics—it’s an intricate mix of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors, often even more complex for neurodivergent children. We discussed the connection between technology and disengagement, why traditional models of education often fail to meet kids where they are, and how parents can foster curiosity by modeling a love of learning. Jenny and Rebecca also walked us through the four modes of learning and offered strategies to help kids switch from resistor, passenger, or achiever mode into explorer mode, which is the mode where kids learn best.

    One of the most powerful takeaways from this discussion is the reminder that resistance in learning doesn’t equal a lack of interest in learning—it’s often a signal that the context is not working for the student.

    Things you'll learn

    • Every child deserves access to quality education, but disengagement, exacerbated by technology, has long been an issue
    • Engagement is a dynamic mix of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors, often highlighted by challenges faced by neurodivergent children
    • Parents can bridge the gap between school and real-world relevance by modeling curiosity and fostering the thrill of learning
    • Disengagement today carries higher costs, making it vital to connect learning content to children’s interests and help them envision possible future selves
    • Resistance in children can become part of their identity, but with emotional coaching and redirection, their agency can lead to growth
    • Why staying emotionally connected, fostering curiosity, and engaging in meaningful discussions supports both academic and emotional development

     

    Resources mentioned

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    25 February 2025, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    TPP 181a: Educator Zach Morris on Emotionally Supporting Children Through Difficult Periods

    Educator and school co-founder Zach Morris shares his insights on how we can emotionally support children through difficult periods, including challenges relating to school anxiety and more

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    21 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 23 minutes 22 seconds
    TPP 430: How Can I Take Care of Myself While in Burnout & Raising Explosive Children?

    Parent Coach Margaret Webb joins Debbie to answer a listener question on how to navigate solo parenting as a neurodivergent mom in burnout, balance supporting two neurodivergent kids post-divorce, and find realistic ways to prioritize self-care—even when it feels impossible.

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    20 February 2025, 1:43 pm
  • 41 minutes 9 seconds
    TPP 429: Dr. Liz Angoff on Best Practices for Talking with Kids About Diagnoses

    Picture this. You’re sitting in the neuropsych’s office after you just got your kid’s diagnosis. You’re relieved to have some information on how to help them but have no clue how to explain their neurodivergence to them. Do you talk about the science? Do you wait until they are a certain age where they might understand more about their brains? Or maybe you think about waiting for them to start asking the questions. If you can relate, you’re not alone in wondering what the best way to have this conversation is. And the reality is, the how and when does matter. So for today’s show, I’m bringing on Dr. Liz Angoff, a Licensed Educational Psychologist who specializes in helping families reframe assessments and diagnoses into empowering narratives that celebrate a child’s unique brain.

    Liz has spent years working with children and families to make learning differences easier to understand. She’s the author of the Brain Building Books, a resource designed to help kids see their neurodivergence as a strength rather than a limitation.

    In our conversation, Liz shares why early and open discussions about neurodiversity are so important, how parents can guide their children through assessments in a way that fosters trust, and why shifting from a deficit-based model to a discovery-based approach can be transformative for the whole family. We also explore how different kids process this information in their own ways—some may embrace it, while others, especially teenagers, might resist labels altogether. She also provides thoughtful strategies to meet kids where they are and help them feel seen and supported. 

    If you’ve ever struggled with how to talk to your child about their neurodivergence, this episode is full of practical insights and reassurance.

     

    About Dr. Liz Angoff

    Liz Angoff, Ph.D., is a Licensed Educational Psychologist with a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology, providing assessment and consultation services to children and their families in the Bay Area, CA. She is the author of the Brain Building Books, tools for engaging children in understanding their learning and developmental differences. More information about Dr. Liz and her work is available at www.ExplainingBrains.com.

     

    Things you'll learn from this episode

    • How early conversations about neurodiversity help normalize differences and make children feel unique and valued
    • Why parents should approach assessments as discovery processes rather than problem-solving exercises
    • How to prepare children for assessments by discussing their experience to foster understanding and trust
    • The importance of respecting how children choose to process information about their neurodivergence, especially teenagers resistant to labels

     

    Resources mentioned

     

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    18 February 2025, 10:00 am
  • 51 minutes 59 seconds
    TPP 180a: Susan Stiffelman on Parenting Without Power Struggles

    Marriage and family therapist, licensed psychotherapist, and author Susan Stiffelman talks about her book Parenting Without Power Struggles and shares strategies for staying calm in the midst of conflict with our children.

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    14 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 40 minutes 44 seconds
    TPP 428: ADHD Activist Sarah Templeton on the School-to-Prison Pipeline

    Today we’re diving into an urgent and often overlooked issue—the connection between ADHD, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the critical need for early intervention. My guest for today’s conversation is Sarah Templeton, an ADHD activist, counselor, and author whose personal and professional experiences have made her a passionate advocate for mandatory ADHD screenings in schools and the criminal justice system.

    Sarah was diagnosed with ADHD, severe dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and sensory processing disorder later in life. As a psychotherapist working with incarcerated individuals, she made a startling discovery—an overwhelming majority of inmates have ADHD that was never recognized or supported in childhood. This realization led her to create ADHD Liberty, a charity focused on increasing awareness, advocating for policy change, and ensuring early intervention for kids who might otherwise fall through the cracks. She’s actually got a book coming out soon about her work in the prison system called The Prison Counselor. Sarah is also the author of How Not to Murder Your ADHD Child, How Not To Damage Your ADHD Adolescent, and Teachers! How Not to Kill the Spirit in Your ADHD Kids, books which are designed to help parents and educators better understand and support neurodivergent kids.

    In this conversation, Sarah unpacks why ADHD is so prevalent in the prison population and how mandatory screenings in schools could change the trajectory of countless lives. We discuss the role of teacher training, the need for mental health teams in schools, and the systemic barriers that prevent ADHD from being taken seriously in both education and the justice system.

    This episode is eye-opening, informative, and a powerful call to action for parents, educators, and policymakers alike. I hope you enjoy it.

     

    About Sarah Templeton

    Sarah Templeton is an ADHD activist and author. She wrote the best selling book How Not to Murder Your ADHD Child — Instead Learn to Be Your Child’s Own ADHD Coach. She followed this up with a book to help teachers understand and manage their ADHD students and a book for parents of ADHD teenagers. As a fully qualified and accredited counsellor and psychotherapist she is passionate about ADHD being understood and stopping anyone trying to ”knock the ADHD out of kids” and instead allowing them to be their authentic selves.

    Sarah campaigns relentlessly for mandatory ADHD screening in the education system and the criminal justice system. Her own moderate to severe combined ADHD, severe dyspraxia, dyscalculia and sensory processing disorder went completely missed until she was in her 50s.She doesn’t want this for children now.

     

    Things you'll learn from this episode

    • Why ADHD is highly prevalent in the prison population, with estimates suggesting 75-85% of inmates may have undiagnosed ADHD
    • How early intervention and mandatory ADHD screening in schools could prevent exclusions and significantly improve life outcomes for children
    • Why teacher training and mental health teams are critical in recognizing and supporting students with ADHD, yet remain insufficiently prioritized
    • Why governments and police departments need to take ADHD seriously by addressing stigma, promoting awareness, and funding early interventions

    Resources mentioned

     

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    11 February 2025, 10:00 am
  • 43 minutes 3 seconds
    TPP 179a: 12-Year-Old Rylan Talks About Growing up with Tourettes and Autism

    Gwen Vogelgang and her 12-year-old son Rylan talk about their new book, "If I Squeeze Your Head I'm Sorry," which allow readers to enter the brain of a child who sees, feels, and understands the world from a refreshingly unique perspective.

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    7 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 45 minutes 13 seconds
    TPP 427: Dr. Tovah Klein on Raising Resilient Kids During Times of Uncertainty

    Today’s episode couldn’t be more timely. We’re exploring the important topic of resilience and how to support our kids in navigating challenging times. Joining me is Dr. Tovah Klein, author of the insightful new book Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.

    Dr. Klein is a renowned developmental psychologist and the director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development. With over 30 years of experience, she’s dedicated her career to understanding what children need to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. She’s a sought-after advisor to children’s media and organizations, including National Geographic Kids and Apple TV+. 

    In her latest book, Tovah explains why resilience isn’t a fixed trait but a skill that can be nurtured through supportive relationships and intentional parenting practices. And so in today’s conversation, we unpack what it means to be an anchor and container for our children, explore the five pillars of resilience—security and trust, emotional regulation, agency, social connection, and self-acceptance—and discuss why understanding our own emotional baggage is key to helping our kids build resilience.  

    I love the way Tovah frames resiliency as a skill that is built together between parents and children because so often we think of it as an individual characteristic. And as you’ll hear in this conversation, it all starts with the connection between us. There’s so much food for thought and hope. 

     

    About Dr. Tovah Klein

    Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D. is the author of Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty and How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success. She is also the Director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and a psychology professor at Barnard College, Columbia University. In her role as a researcher and professor and in direct care with parents and children for over thirty years, Klein has helped to define what every child needs to thrive, regardless of their life situations. Working worldwide with programs addressing the needs of children, she is highly sought after as a developmental expert on a range of timely topics and an advisor to children’s media and organizations, including National Geographic Kids, Apple TV+, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Hunts Point Alliance for Children, Room to Grow, and Ubuntu Pathways South Africa.

     

    Things you'll learn

    • Why resilience isn’t a fixed trait but rather the ability to adapt and adjust with life’s uncertainties
    • What it means for a parent to serve as an anchor and container for their children
    • Why awareness of our own emotional baggage is crucial in order to help our kids be more resilient
    • What the 5 pillars of resilience are and how to cultivate them
    • Why agency and social connection are vital for children's development and building resilience

     

    Resources mentioned

     

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    4 February 2025, 10:00 am
  • 49 minutes 21 seconds
    TPP 178a: The Davidson Institute on Supporting & Educating Profoundly Gifted Children

    Dr. Stacy Hawthorne and Dr. Jessica Potts of The Davidson Institute talk about the unique needs for profoundly gifted children and share insights on how to support their intellectual and social/emotional development.

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    31 January 2025, 7:00 am
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