TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids

Debbie Reber

  • 27 minutes 40 seconds
    TPP 018: 11-year-old Asher Shares Challenges and Strategies Surrounding His Social Life

    In this special kid’s POV edition of the podcast, Asher answers questions from listeners — specifically our kid audience — about his social life. Like many differently-wired kids, social scenes aren’t always smooth sailing for Asher. He sometimes struggles to pick-up on others’ cues and his occasionally intense emotional reactions to certain situations can be off-putting to other kids.

    We talk about it all in this episode, as Asher opens up about not only what’s challenging for him in relationship to other kids, but what strategies he’s using to get through these challenges and maintain friendships, something that is very important to him.

     

    Questions answered in this episode:

    • What are your friendships like?
    • What kind of challenges have you had in your friendships and how have you handled them?
    • What happens when you have a meltdown in front of a friend?
    • What do you do when kids are mean to you or call you names like “weirdo?”
    • What advice do you have for kids starting a new school?
    • How do you manage group situations that don’t go your way?

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    6 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 34 minutes 12 seconds
    TPP 492: Laura Key on ADHD Aha Moments, Parenting, and Burnout

    Today’s conversation is a candid, honest look at what it’s really like to parent while navigating ADHD yourself. My guest is Laura Key, Vice President of Content Strategy at Understood.org and the host of the award-winning ADHD Aha! podcast. Laura was diagnosed with ADHD at 30, and she brings both professional insight and lived experience to this conversation as a mom raising two neurodivergent kids. Laura and I talk about the emotional labor so many mothers carry, the unique challenges parents with ADHD face, and why self-compassion is not optional—it’s essential. We dig into shame, burnout (both the quiet, everyday kind and the big, overwhelming kind), communication with partners, and the pressure that can come with framing ADHD as a “superpower.” This episode is an honest exploration of the joys and struggles of parenting with ADHD, and a reminder that you’re not alone in any of it.


    About Laura Key 

    Laura Key is Vice President of Content Strategy at Understood.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the 70 million people with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences in the United States. She's also the host of the award-winning ADHD Aha! podcast.


    Things you'll learn from this episode  

    • How adult ADHD is often misread as anxiety at first, and why addressing one can illuminate the other
    • Why late identification can bring both grief and relief after years of self-blame for brain-based differences
    • How shame and invisible executive function demands can quietly dominate family life, especially for moms
    • Why being great in a crisis but overwhelmed by daily details is a common—and misunderstood—ADHD pattern
    • How burnout can show up as both “micro” and “macro” exhaustion, including frenetic busyness that masks collapse
    • Why recovery often starts with basic regulation and more realistic self-expectations, not grand productivity plans


    Resources mentioned

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    3 March 2026, 10:00 am
  • 35 minutes 5 seconds
    TPP 372a: Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Self-Care for Autistic People

    Today’s episode is all about self-care for autistic people, and joining me is return guest Dr. Megan Anna Neff of Neurodivergent Insights. Megan Anna has just published a new book called Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask! which she wrote to help autistic people accept themselves, destigmatize autism, find community, and take care of physical and mental health.

    Megan Anna considers self-care to be a collective effort that includes the well-being of the community, a framework that really resonated with me. So we talk about that, along with other ideas from Megan Anna’s book, including how internalized ableism can hinder self-care, considerations for navigating self-care for individuals with PDA, and insights into co-regulation, sensory considerations, and how advocacy and accommodations in the workplace can also be forms of self-care.

     

    ABOUT DR. MEGAN ANNA NEFF Dr. Megan Anna Neff (she/they) is a neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights where she creates education and wellness resources for neurodivergent adults. Additionally, she is co-host of the Divergent Conversations podcast. As a late-diagnosed AuDHDer (Autistic ADHD), Dr. Neff applies their lived experiences from a cross-neurotype marriage and parenting neurodivergent children to their professional focus. They are committed to broadening the mental health field’s understanding of autism and ADHD beyond traditional stereotypes. This personal-professional blend enriches their work and advocacy within neurodiversity.

    Dr. Neff is the author of Self-Care for Autistic People and a forthcoming book on Autistic Burnout. Additionally, she has published in several peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from neurodivergence, place attachment, relational psychoanalysis, social psychology, and integration of spirituality into psychotherapy.

     

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Why self-care should be approached with self-attunement and an understanding of one’s own needs
    • Why self-care is a collective effort that includes the well-being of the community
    • How internalized ableism can hinder self-care and why it’s important to address it
    • Ideas for navigating self-care for individuals with PDA regarding autonomy, co-regulation, and sensory considerations
    • Ways to practice self-care in the workplace, including self-disclosure, documentation, and setting realistic expectations

     ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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    27 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 38 minutes 16 seconds
    TPP 491: A Conversation with Dr. Ross Greene About the Kids Who Aren’t Okay

    Dr. Ross Greene’s work has profoundly shaped how so many of us think about kids’ behavior and what they actually need from the adults in their lives, so I’m thrilled to welcome him back to the show to talk about his brand new book, The Kids Who Aren’t Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools. Together, we explore the urgent need to reimagine how we support children in schools, especially as mental health concerns continue to rise. We dig into the importance of recognizing developmental variability, why meeting kids where they are is non-negotiable, and how current behavior-focused systems miss the real problems underneath. Ross also highlights the role parents and caregivers can play in advocating for meaningful change.


    About Dr. Ross Greene 

    Ross W. Greene, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and the originator of the innovative, evidence-based approach called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), as described in his influential books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings. He also developed and executive produced the award-winning documentary film The Kids We Lose, released in 2018. Dr. Greene was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years, and is now founding director of the non-profit Lives in the Balance. He is also currently adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech and adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. Dr. Greene has worked with several thousand kids with concerning behaviors and their caregivers, and he and his colleagues have overseen implementation and evaluation of the CPS model in countless schools, inpatient psychiatric units, and residential and juvenile detention facilities, with dramatic effect: significant reductions in recidivism, discipline referrals, detentions, suspensions, and use of restraint and seclusion. Dr.Greene lectures throughout the world and lives in Freeport, Maine.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • How kids today are facing unprecedented challenges that require new ways of thinking and responding
    • Why developmental variability matters and why every child needs support tailored to their unique profile
    • How schools can create more supportive ecosystems by using proactive rather than reactive approaches
    • Why behavior is often a late signal of unmet expectations, not the problem itself
    • How managing expectations and understanding root causes can reduce concerning behaviors
    • Why parents’ advocacy and the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model can transform how children are supported in education


    Resources mentioned

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    24 February 2026, 10:00 am
  • 42 minutes 24 seconds
    TPP 281a: Dr. Christine Koh Talks About Vulnerability, Overwhelm, and Mental and Emotional Well-Being

    Dr. Christine Koh joins me for a conversation about vulnerability, boundary setting, leaning into discomfort, and making big, messy, life pivots. Christine is a music and brain scientist turned multimedia creative. She is a fierce believer in the power of humans, small moments and actions, and vulnerable, authentic storytelling. She communicates on these beliefs through her work as a writer (she is a contributor at the Washington Post, Boston Globe Magazine, and CNN; co-author of Minimalist Parenting; and founder of the award-winning blog Boston Mamas), podcaster (Edit Your Life, Hello Relationships), designer (Brave New World Designs), and creative director (Geben Communication). You can find her at @drchristinekoh on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

     

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • The importance of showing up for ourselves, more now than ever
    • Ways we can reduce overwhelm in life, especially when navigating really hard things
    • How the pandemic shifted Christine’s worries and parenting approach
    • How to set boundaries that are clear and that feel good to you
    • Why Christine believes intention requires attention and vulnerability
    • Why now is a great time to consider making a life pivot and change to bring us closer to our true North

     RESOURCES

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    20 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 20 minutes 10 seconds
    TPP 490: Debbie & Sheryl Stoller Explore What to Do When Our Own Fear Gets in the Way

    Today we’re exploring something so many of us wrestle with but don’t always name out loud — the impact of our own fear and anxiety on our kids. I was actually about to record a solo episode when my friend and colleague Sheryl Stoller sent me an email, and the sentiment behind it stayed with me because it put into such simple, clear language the real impact our fears about their future, their potential, their lives, can have on our kids. In this short bite-sized conversation, we’ll talk about how parental anxiety shapes family dynamics, why regulating our own nervous systems is such a powerful gift we can offer our kids, and how empathy, validation, and community support can help us move from fear toward connection.

     

    About Sheryl


    Sheryl Stoller is a PCI Certified Parent Coach® who has devoted herself to coaching overwrought parents of children whose abilities, sensibilities, and behaviors go beyond expectations (gifted, twice/multi-exceptional) since 2009. This is a personal journey as well as an academic and professional one for Sheryl. She is deeply gratified to serve parents the way she had needed when her children were young.

    Sheryl integrates many fields of knowledge and training into her coaching. Most recently, she is receiving her Somatic Attachment Therapy Certification; and is a Positive Intelligence (PI) Mental Fitness Coach, through Shirzad Chamine out of Stanford University. Sheryl Co-Leads two communities of practice for PI – Parents and Families, and Neurodiversity; and has received rave reviews for her customization of PI for her “Aligned Parents” and “Get Mental and Emotional Fitness” Group programs for 2E parents. Connect with Sheryl at: [email protected]

     

    Things you’ll learn from this episode:

    • How fear in parents can show up as anxiety — and how children often absorb and mirror that energy
    • Why managing our own fears is one of the most powerful ways we can support our kids
    • How empathy and validation create safety even when anxiety is present
    • Why remembering that everything is impermanent can help parents regain perspective
    • How focusing on past successes builds a child’s confidence and counters fear-based narratives
    • Why community, positive imagination, and ongoing learning remind parents they’re not alone in this journey

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    19 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 34 minutes 17 seconds
    TPP 489: Cindy Goldrich on Helping Kids with ADHD Thrive—Without Losing Yourself

    This episode digs into the evolving understanding of ADHD and what it really means to parent with collaboration, connection, and support at the center. My guest is Cindy Goldrich, an internationally recognized expert in ADHD and executive function support and the author of 8 Keys to Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD, a compassionate, research-informed guide that she’s just updated for today’s families. In our conversation, Cindy and I talk about why traditional approaches to ADHD often fall short and how parents can shift from managing behavior to building skills and connection. We also explore the challenges so many families face, what kids with ADHD are actually communicating, and practical, supportive strategies parents can start using right away.


    About Cindy Goldrich 

    Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, is a mental health counselor, certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider, and internationally recognized expert in ADHD and Executive Function support. She is the founder of PTS Coaching, a leading organization dedicated to training and supporting parents, educators, and allied professionals.Cindy is the author of 8 Keys to Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD: Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function, a compassionate and practical guide grounded in the latest research. She is also the co-author of ADHD, Executive Function & Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom, a widely used professional resource for educators.

    Through her signature programs—the Calm & Connected: Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD/Executive Function Challenges® parent workshop series, the ADHD Parent Coach Academy, and the ADHD Teacher Training Academy —Cindy has supported and trained thousands of parents and professionals worldwide. She also provides direct coaching to parents, students, and adults navigating ADHD and Executive Function challenges with empathy and actionable strategies. Known for her warm, engaging presence and practical wisdom, Cindy continues to advocate for a more compassionate, informed approach to supporting those who think and learn differently.


    Things you'll learn from this episode  

    • How reduced stigma and a deeper understanding of neurodiversity are reshaping the ADHD conversation for families and schools
    • Why parenting the child you have means recognizing their unique needs, strengths, and developmental pace
    • How collaborating with kids can reduce power struggles and build self-awareness and confidence
    • Why enabling and supporting are fundamentally different—and how teaching skills fosters true independence
    • How prioritizing connection over correction leads to healthier, more resilient parent–child relationships
    • Why focusing on potential and creating low-stress zones can positively transform family dynamics

    Resources mentioned


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    17 February 2026, 10:00 am
  • 38 minutes 5 seconds
    TPP 231a: Author & Self-Compassion Researcher Dr. Kristin Neff on the Power of Being Kind to Yourself

    Dr. Kristin Neff, pioneering self-compassion researcher, author, and teacher, talks about the power and benefits of practicing self-compassion as parents to differently wired children.

    In our conversation, Kristin shares what she has learned about self-compassion, both through her research and her own experiences parenting an autistic child. She goes deep into what self-compassion really looks like,  why we are often more compassionate to others than ourselves, and shares some strategies for strengthening that self-compassion muscle both for ourselves and our kids. 


    ABOUT DR. NEFF

    Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion over fifteen years ago. She has co-developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion, and is author of the books Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals.

     

    THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

    • How Dr. Neff got into the work of self-compassion research
    • What it looks like to practice self-compassion
    • Why we judge ourselves so harshly and what keeps us from being a better self-friend
    • What it means to practice self-comfort
    • Strategies parents can use to accept and BE with their suffering
    • How to teach kids and teens about self-compassion

     

    RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

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    13 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 44 minutes 12 seconds
    TPP 488: OT Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco on Tactile Defensiveness & the Nervous System

    Today’s episode is a deep dive into tactile defensiveness and sensory distress, especially around clothing. My guest is Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, an occupational therapist who helps kids and families understand their brains and bodies through everyday neuroscience. Kathryn will break down what’s actually happening in the brain and nervous system when children experience tactile defensiveness, and why clothing can feel so overwhelming for some kids. We talk about the role of co-regulation, how parents can help create positive associations with getting dressed, and practical strategies for supporting children in navigating their sensory experiences with more safety and less stress. This episode is a grounding, compassionate look at sensory processing—and a reminder that when we understand what’s underneath the behavior, everything shifts.


    About Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco

    Kathryn (Katie) Hamlin-Pacheco, M.S., OTR/L, ASDCS, is an occupational therapist, former teacher, author, and founder of the Brain Executive Program. Kathryn is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) and holds certifications in Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals and in Brain Structure and Function: Application to Sensory Integration and Processing. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, where she also worked with the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program to pursue her desire to be an advocate and leader in pediatric healthcare.

    She has shared her work at AOTA’s Inspire Conference (the world’s largest gathering of occupational therapy practitioners!), Sensory Integration Education’s international conference, and at William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education. In addition, Katie has written for OT Practice Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, Washington Family Magazine, and Stars & Stripes Magazine. Her book, How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp!, was a top Amazon release in two categories.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • How tactile defensiveness reflects a nervous system response rather than behavioral resistance
    • Why understanding sensory processing is essential for supporting children with clothing challenges
    • How co-regulation helps children feel safe, connected, and more able to tolerate sensory input
    • Why play and low-pressure practice can make clothing experiences more manageable
    • How creating calm environments and positive associations supports sensory integration over time
    • Why sensory health is a vital part of children’s overall well-being

    Resources mentioned

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    10 February 2026, 10:00 am
  • 45 minutes 58 seconds
    TPP 143b: Tilt Founder Debbie Reber Shares Her Best Self-Care Strategies

    This is one of only a few solocast episodes I’ve made over the past several years, but I wanted to talk one-on-one with you about self-care. If you’ve read my book or regularly listen to this show, you know I am a big proponent of self-care—I don’t think it’s even close to optional for parents raising neurodivergent kids. And, I also recognize that it can be a hard thing to make time for and prioritize. I get asked a lot about what my self-care looks like, and so today, I’m sharing with you twelve strategies and ideas for creating a sustainable, doable self-care practice. These are all things I rely on and, I give you my word…they work.

    I’ve also created a printable PDF cheat sheet of these strategies in case you want to print them out and post them somewhere where you’ll regularly see them and be reminded of the importance of prioritizing YOU. Grab it on the show notes page.

     

    RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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    6 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 37 minutes 20 seconds
    TPP 487: Stacey Shubitz on How to Advocate & Help Your Child Thrive at School

    Today’s show is all about navigating the school system when your child has disabilities—and how to do that with clarity, confidence, and a whole lot more support. My guest is Stacey Shubitz, author of the new book Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities: Empowering Kids for the Future. In this episode, Stacey shares her journey as both an educator and a parent, and we dig into what parents really need to understand about special education, effective communication with schools, and the IEP process. She offers practical, empowering strategies for advocating for your child, managing the complexity of the system without losing yourself, and finding moments of joy and meaning along the way, even if (or when) the path feels overwhelming.


    About Stacey Shubitz 

    Stacey Shubitz is a certified literacy specialist and former fourth- and fifth-grade teacher in the New York City Public Schools and a public charter school in Rhode Island. Since 2009, she has been a literacy consultant, supporting teachers with writing instruction. Stacey has also taught graduate literacy education courses at Lesley University and Penn State–Harrisburg.

    She is the Chief of Operations and Lead Writer for Two Writing Teachers, a leading resource for writing instruction since 2007. She also co-hosts the Two Writing Teachers Podcast. Stacey earned an M.A. in Literacy Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an M.S.Ed. in Childhood Education from Hunter College.

    She has published several books about writing instruction, including Welcome to Writing Workshop and Craft Moves. Stacey’s most recent book, Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities: Empowering Kids for the Future, was published by Guilford Press in January 2026. In this book, she shares her experiences as both a parent and an educator, equipping families with real-life stories, inclusive resources, and the knowledge to advocate for their children confidently. Stacey lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and children.


    Things you'll learn from this episode 

    • How Stacey’s dual perspective as an educator and parent strengthens her advocacy for families in special education
    • Why educating yourself about your rights, school processes, and the IEP system is essential for effective advocacy
    • How partnerships with teachers — built through clear, ongoing communication and regular check-ins — support your child’s success
    • Why building a support network helps parents navigate the overwhelm of special education
    • How practicing consistent self-care and finding joy in small moments protects parents from burnout
    • Why celebrating every bit of progress, no matter how small, helps families stay grounded and encouraged

    Resources mentioned

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    3 February 2026, 10:00 am
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