Today we’re exploring a more holistic, humane approach to supporting neurodivergent learners — one that starts with understanding the nervous system and builds from there. My guest is Dr. Emily King, a child psychologist who has spent more than 20 years working with neurodivergent youth in both school settings and private practice. She’s the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional development curriculum for educators, and the author of her new book The Neurodivergent Learner, which we’ll be talking about today.

In our conversation, Emily and I talk about why safety and regulation are foundational for learning, how relationships at school can shape outcomes in powerful ways, and what it means to redefine success for kids who don’t fit traditional models. We also explore practical ways parents can partner with schools to better support their children, and how shifting our lens can open up new possibilities for growth, connection, and well-being.

About Dr. Emily King 

Dr. Emily King is a child psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent learners for over 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and began her career in Houston, Texas, specializing in school-based mental health in K-12 public schools. She has since worked in private practice in North Carolina supporting the mental health, executive functioning, and social needs of neurodivergent youth. Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack, where she provides parent workshops, is the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional development curriculum for educators, and her first book, The Neurodivergent Learner, was released in August 2026.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• How mental health, education, and neurodivergence are deeply interconnected in shaping a child’s experience

• Why building felt safety and a true sense of community at school is foundational for learning

• How navigating IEPs, homework, and behavior systems benefits from a flexible, relationship-centered approach

• Why prioritizing social satisfaction over social achievement supports authentic connection and well-being

• How parents can assess and choose school environments that truly fit their neurodivergent child

• Why leading with relationships and adaptability strengthens both parenting and advocacy

Resources mentioned 

• Dr. Emily King’s website

• Learn with Dr. Emily (Emily’s Substack)

• Learn with Dr. Emily Podcast

• Dr. Emily on Instagram

• Dr. Emily on Facebook

• Free downloads on Emily’s website

• Redefining Success for Neurodivergent Children, with Dr. Emily (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

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Dr. Stuart Shanker, author of Self-Reg, shares his expertise on self-regulation, offering practical strategies and compassionate insights to help neurodivergent kids and their families manage stress and build self-awareness.

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Today, I’m joined by Bryden Carlson-Giving, an occupational therapy practitioner and the creator of the EMPOWER model, the first neurodiversity-affirming OT framework. Bryden is both neurodivergent and disabled himself, and his work focuses on helping practitioners challenge ableism and create more supportive, affirming environments for neurodivergent individuals.

In our conversation, Bryden walks us through the EMPOWER model and what it looks like in practice, especially when it comes to evaluations, goal-setting, and therapy approaches. We talk about how ableism can show up in subtle and systemic ways, and what it means to truly shift toward inclusive, affirming care. This is a thoughtful, important conversation about reimagining support — not just in therapy, but across education and systems more broadly.

About Bryden Carlson-Giving 

Bryden Carlson-Giving, OTD, OTR/L is a neurodivergent and disabled occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) with experience in pediatric outpatient, inpatient, and school-based settings. Bryden earned his post-professional doctorate from Boston University, where his research focused on creating a toolkit to support OTPs in challenging ableism within the OT profession. This work led to the development of the first neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy model, the EMPOWER model. He received the 2024 Emerging Leader Award from Boston University, and is the editor of the first neurodiversity-focused occupational therapy book, titled Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy: Empowering Approaches to Foster Neurodivergent Participation.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• How Bryden’s journey into occupational therapy led to creating a neurodiversity-affirming toolkit

• Why the Empower model centers strengths-based practice, anti-racism, disability justice, and trauma-informed care

• How inclusive evaluations can look in practice, especially within school-based systems

• Why implementing neurodiversity-affirming approaches in bureaucratic settings comes with both challenges and opportunities

• How ongoing self-reflection and unpacking internalized ableism are essential for practitioners

• How parents, educators, and therapists can take practical steps to amplify neurodiversity-affirming work

Resources mentioned

• Neuridivergent Nexus (Bryden’s website)

• Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy: Empowering Approaches to Foster Neurodivergent Participation edited by Dr. Bryden Carlson-Giving

• Bryon Carlson-Giving on Instagram

• Activist Emily Ladau on Demystifying Disability (Tilt Parenting podcast)

• Kassiane Asasumasu (coined the term neurodivergence)

• Dr. Destiny Huff on Neurodiversity-Affirming Advocacy in School (Tilt Parenting podcast)

• Dr. Jade Rivera and Strength-Based Assessments (Tilt Parenting podcast)

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Linda Murphy describes declarative language as a positive, thoughtful communication style that emphasizes understanding, patience, respect, and kindness, and as you’ll hear from our conversation, it is an ideal communication style for really all children, but especially neurodivergent children and kids whose nervous systems are triggered by demands or more imperative communication styles. We discussed the different ways we can communicate with our children, the language we use, and the effects that simple shifts in the way we have conversations can have in our daily interactions with them. We also explored what is declarative language versus imperative language, as well as the relationship between co-regulation and declarative language and why we should use them in tandem. 

Things you'll learn from this episode

* What it means to use declarative language (versus imperative language)

* Why declarative language is so effective for neurodivergent children, and especially those who are wired to be more demand avoidance

* Why declarative language is more effective when paired with co-regulation

* Common language and communication styles that place demands on kids that we may not be aware of (including questions)

* How to introduce declarative language communication and how it can support a child’s learning and development

* What we can hope to see in a child or an adolescent that has been on the receiving end of this style of communication

* What to say instead of “Did you hear what I said”?

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Today we’re diving into dysgraphia—what it is, how it’s different from general handwriting struggles, and why so many kids go unsupported for far too long. My guest is Kelli Fetter, a certified handwriting specialist and occupational therapist, and the founder of Handwriting Solutions. Kelli breaks down the neurological underpinnings of dysgraphia, how it can show up differently from child to child, and why early recognition is so important. We talk about the role of assessment, how to distinguish dysgraphia from more general handwriting difficulties, and what meaningful support can look like at home and in school. This is a practical, eye-opening conversation for anyone trying to better understand—and advocate for—a child struggling with writing.

About Kelli Fetter 

Kelli Fetter, MS, OTR/L is a Certified Handwriting Specialist and the founder of Handwriting Solutions, LLC, where she and her team provide world-class handwriting, reading, and spelling tutoring to students virtually across the globe. Beyond her direct work with families, Kelli is a recognized leader in teacher and therapist education, equipping professionals with evidence-based strategies that transform student outcomes.

With a career rooted in occupational therapy, Kelli has practiced in pediatric outpatient clinics, early intervention programs, preschools, and private schools, and has also served as an adjunct professor in pediatrics and kinesiology. Her expertise spans handwriting, dysgraphia, and dyslexia, supported by extensive advanced training in these areas.
Kelli’s passion is deeply personal, fueled by her own daughter’s journey with dyslexia and dysgraphia. This lived experience drives her mission to empower parents, educators, and therapists with the tools and confidence they need to unlock every child’s potential.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• How dysgraphia differs from messy handwriting and why it’s rooted in complex neurological processes

• Why handwriting is such a demanding task for the brain, involving multiple systems working together

• How to recognize common signs like avoidance, frustration, and inconsistent output

• Why dysgraphia is often overlooked in schools and the importance of comprehensive assessment and advocacy

• How to balance skill-building with technology accommodations to support functional success

• Why focusing on confidence and real-world skills matters more than striving for perfect handwriting

Resources mentioned

• Handwriting Solutions (Kelli’s website)

• Handwriting Solutions Blog

• Red Flags of Handwriting Struggles (freebie)

• Schedule a free consultation

• Email Kelli

• Kelli on Instagram

• Kelli on Facebook

• What is Dyscalculia? Parent Advocate Laura Jackson Talks About her Family’s Journey with a Math Disability (Tilt Parenting episode)

• Rebecca Bush Offers a Pathway for Parents with Newly-Identified Dyslexic Kids (Tilt Parenting episode)

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Deb Dana, a clinician, consultant, and author, gives us a primer of the key points of Polyvagal Theory, and in doing so, explains the ways in which it can support the way we parent our differently-wired kids. Deb explains the nervous system pathways, why co-regulation is essential to our survival, what befriending and listening to our autonomic nervous system looks like in practice, and the benefits of having a breathing practice. We also talk about why these concepts can change our relationships to our daily life even if our circumstances stay the same. 

Things you'll learn from this episode

• The mission behind Deb’s book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory
• What the nervous system pathways are and the three states we can be in
• What aspects of our nervous systems are innate or “hardwired” versus routed in nurture or life experience
• Why co-regulation is essential to our survival and examples for ways in which we constantly do naturally
• What befriending and listening to our autonomic nervous system looks like in practice

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Today we’re talking about boys—the messages they receive about emotions, strength, masculinity, and what it means to “be a man” in today’s world. My guest is Dr. Katie Hurley, a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting educator, and Vice President of Community Initiatives for The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. Katie is the author of several books on kids’ and teens’ mental health, and her newest release, Breaking the Boy Code, takes a deep look at the societal pressures shaping boys’ emotional lives.

In our conversation, Katie and I explore how traditional expectations around masculinity can impact boys’ mental health, emotional expression, and relationships. We talk about the unique pressures boys are facing today, what can happen when emotions get pushed underground, and practical ways parents can support boys in developing emotional awareness, resilience, and a healthier sense of self. 

About Dr. Katie Hurley

Dr. Katie Hurley is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting educator, public speaker, and writer, and is the Vice President of Community Initiatives for The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit dedicated to youth and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. She is the author of the award-winning No More Mean Girls: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls, The Depression Workbook for Teens: Tools to Improve Your Mood, Build Self-Esteem, and Stay Motivated, The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World, A Year of Positive Thinking for Teens, and her newest book, The Stress-Buster Workbook for Kids. Her newest book is Breaking the Boy Code, which came out in March 2026.

Katie covers mental health, child and adolescent development, and parenting for The Washington Post, PBS Parents, Psychology Today, Everyday Health, PsyCom, and US News and World Report, among other places. She splits her time between Los Angeles, California and coastal Connecticut with her husband and two children.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• Why the “Man Box” and traditional messages about masculinity can limit boys’ emotional well-being and self-expression

• How social media, gaming culture, and online spaces can influence boys’ identities, including exposure to red pill and incel ideologies

• Why open conversations about feelings and mental health are critical for helping boys thrive

• How practical tools, coping strategies, and supportive school environments can strengthen boys’ resilience and self-awareness

• Why media literacy, positive role models, and inclusive communities help boys navigate today’s complex world with greater confidence and authenticity

Resources mentioned

• Breaking the Boy Code: The New Playbook for Raising Resilience Boys by Dr. Katie Hurley

• Katie Hurley’s website

• Katie Hurley on Facebook

• Katie Hurley on Instagram

• Katie Hurley on Twitter

• Teen Talk / Katie’s Facebook Group for Parents of Teens

• Katie’s Facebook Group for Parents of younger children

• The Stress-Buster Workbook for Kids by Katie Hurley

• A Year of Positive Thinking for Teens by Katie Hurley

• The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World by Katie Hurley

• The Depression Workbook for Teens: Tools to Improve Your Mood, Build Self-Esteem, and Stay Motivated by Katie Hurley

• No More Mean Girls: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls by Katie Hurley

• Not familiar with ‘red pill’ content? Teen boys are, whether they want to be or not (Katie’s article on CNN)

• We’re Family, and We Lost Loved Ones to Suicide 25 Years Apart. Here’s What’s Changed About Suicide in America, and What Hasn’t (Katie’s article on Oprah Magazine)

• Ecumundo

• Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

• Louis Theroux Inside the Manosphere (documentary on Netflix)

• Sex Educator Amy Lang Talks About Kids & Pornography (Full-Tilt Parenting)

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Today we’re talking about the power of community, resilience, and what it really means to show up bravely in the caregiver parenting journey. My guest is fellow community builder and mom on a mission Jessica Patay, the founder of We Are Brave Together, a global community supporting moms raising children with disabilities and other unique needs. Jessica’s work is deeply rooted in her own experience as a caregiving mom to her son Ryan, who was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome, and her mission is all about making sure no parent has to walk this path alone.

In our conversation, Jessica shares her story and the inspiration behind building such a powerful, life-giving community for mothers. We talk about the isolation so many caregivers experience, the importance of connection and support, and what it looks like to cultivate resilience in the midst of ongoing challenges. Jessica also offers practical, compassionate insights for parents who are feeling overwhelmed, reminding us that even in the hardest seasons, we are not alone—and we were never meant to do this by ourselves.

About Jessica Patay 

Jessica Patay is passionate about serving caregiving moms and creating authentic communities.  She has always fostered deep, life-giving friendships and has been intentional about her community of girlfriends.  As a caregiving mom herself, this passion carries on as she gathers women to encourage them, mentor them, inspire them, and validate their intense and precious journeys.

Her own story as a mom to a child with a disability, began in 2003 when her second son, Ryan, was born and diagnosed with a rare, genetic disorder, called Prader-Willi syndrome. Within two days of receiving this diagnosis, she received a phone call from a mentor mom from the Prader-Willi California Foundation.  Immediately she felt relief and comfort knowing she was NOT ALONE. Thankfully, Ryan is sandwiched in the middle of siblings Luke and Kate, both fierce and loving cheerleaders and helpers to Ryan.

Jessica is the founder of The We Are Brave Together organization, a supportive community for moms of children with disabilities and all unique needs, which has grown into an international community of over 4200 moms. She has helped launch over 25 support groups all over the United States, and in New Zealand and Australia, in the last five years. She is the host of the Brave Together Podcast.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• Why community is a critical foundation for healing, resilience, and feeling less alone as a caregiver

• How distinguishing between caregiving and motherhood can help parents better understand their experience

• How We Are Brave Together creates connection through circles, retreats, and shared storytelling

• Why bravery often shows up in small, everyday moments rather than big, visible acts

• How Jessica’s work, including Suddenly Brave Together, reflects and validates the lived experience of caregivers

• Why systemic challenges can leave caregivers isolated—and how taking small, practical steps can help them find support now

Resources mentioned 

• We Are Brave Together

• Brave Together Podcast

• Becoming Brave Together: Heroic, Extraordinary Caregiving Stories from Mothers Hidden in Plain Sight by Jessica Patay

• Suddenly Brave Together: Letters to Caregiving Moms in a Defining Moment of Their Lives by Jessica Patay

• We Are Brave Together Facebook Group

• Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau

• Emily Ladau on Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

• Kelley Coleman on Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

• Margaret Webb Parent Coaching

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We are kicking off this season with a conversation with Dr. Stuart Shanker, who I first learned about through my friend Seth Perler as he’s been part of the TEFOS Summit. I love Stuart's message and recently devoured his book Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage With Life, and wanted to dive deeper with Stuart about it. In this episode, we get into the ways in which the brain controls the levels of stress, the difference between self-regulation and self-control, and the difference between stress behavior and misbehaving. Stuart also walks us through his 5 steps to Self-Reg, and talks about the power of us as parents and caregivers and educators doing our own self-reg work so we can support the kids around us.

Things you'll learn from this episode

* How the explosion of stress-related problems in recent years among children has augmented the need for additional self-reg resources for parents and educators

* How the brain controls the levels of stress and simple strategies that can be used to calm the nervous system response

* Why self-reg practices for parents and teachers other adults begin with learning how to regulate ourselves

* The difference between misbehavior and stress behavior

* How self-regulation mechanisms evolve as we get older

* The distinction between self-control and self-regulation and the five steps to self-regulation

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Today we’re exploring the intersection of giftedness, identity, and belonging—and what it means to support gifted kids in a world that’s changing faster than ever. My guest is Mark Talaga, director of the Center for Identity Potential, where he focuses on helping young people understand themselves more deeply and develop a grounded sense of who they are.

In our conversation, Mark and I talk about the complexities of gifted identity—how it forms, how it can get disrupted, and why a strong sense of belonging is so critical for well-being. We also dive into the impact of AI and the digital landscape on gifted youth, and what this means for their development, purpose, and connection. This is a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation about how we can better support gifted kids in navigating both their inner world and the rapidly evolving world around them.

About Mark Talaga  

Mark Talaga is a counselor, speaker, and consultant specializing in the social, emotional, and developmental needs of gifted and asynchronous individuals. As part of the Center for Identity Potential, his work focuses on helping children, adolescents, and adults better understand the complex interaction between cognitive intensity, identity development, executive functioning, and educational environments. He is particularly interested in the ways relationships—with teachers, families, and systems—shape whether gifted learners are able to fully engage in growth.

Mark frequently provides professional development for educators and clinicians on topics such as twice-exceptionality, language processing differences, attentional regulation, and strengthening student–teacher relationships through neurodevelopmental understanding. His presentations are known for translating complex psychological concepts into practical strategies that professionals can apply immediately in classrooms and counseling settings.

In addition to his clinical work, Mark consults with schools and organizations seeking more effective approaches to supporting advanced learners whose needs are often misunderstood by traditional models. Across settings, his goal is to help people move beyond deficit-based interpretations and toward a deeper understanding of how developmental differences can become sources of clarity, connection, and long-term potential.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

• How redefining giftedness beyond academics to include emotional, moral, and physical domains broadens how we support kids

• Why the landscape for gifted children has shifted in recent years, especially with the influence of technology and AI

• How identity development in gifted kids often involves exploring multiple, authentic selves over time

• Why belonging—both offline and online—plays a critical role in well-being and social development

• How emotional growth shapes key social skills like asking for help and active listening

• How parents can use practical strategies, including identity-focused frameworks, to support their children through complex cultural and technological shifts

Resources mentioned 

• The Center for Identity Potential

• Hopelessly Gifted podcast

• Andrew Mahoney

• Dr. Gail Post on the Journey of Parenting Gifted Children (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

• The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-Discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children by Gail Post

• Supporting Black Gifted Students with Dr. Joy Lawson Davis (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

• Bright, Talented, & Black: A Guide for Families of African American Gifted Learners by Joy Lawson Davis, Ed.D.

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Today I’m talking with Amanda Diekman, author of the book, Low-demand Parenting: Dropping Demands, Restoring Calm, and Finding Connection With Your Uniquely Wired Child

Because low-demand parenting can be such an effective approach to supporting differently wired kids, especially kids who fall under the PDA profile of autism, I invited Amanda to join the show for a conversation about what this parenting approach looks like. An autistic adult, parent coach, and author in the neurodiversity space, Amanda has become a leading voice in the movement for low demand parenting practice. She runs a successful coaching practice for parents of neurodivergent children including online courses and a vibrant membership community. During this episode, we talk about what low demand parenting is, why it’s different than what might be referred to as “permissive” parenting, why it’s so effective for kids with PDA, and how she helps parents loosen up the mindset around non-negotiables. 

Amanda Diekman is an autistic adult, parent coach, and author in the neurodiversity space. Amanda has become a leading voice in the movement for low demand parenting practices, with her book Low Demand Parenting to be published July 2023. Amanda runs a successful coaching practice for parents of neurodivergent children including online courses and a vibrant membership community. 

Things you'll learn from this episode

• What led Amanda to implement low-demand parenting in her family
• What low demand parenting is, and why it’s often misconstrued as permissive
• The relationship between PDA and low-demand parenting
• Examples of big demands and tiny demands, and how shifting the focus can reduce stress for kids
• How Amanda helps parents in loosening their mindset about what they define as non-negotiables
• Ideas for practicing low-demand parenting in regard to our kids’ relationship with technology and screens
• How Amanda and her co-parenting partner came to work together using low-demand parenting

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