TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids

Debbie Reber

  • 40 minutes 39 seconds
    TPP 414: Amanda Jefferson on Digital Decluttering and Organizing Our Tech Lives for More Calm

    I’ll say right upfront that this is a different kind of episode for the podcast, but stick with me, because today, we’re diving into digital decluttering. I know firsthand the toll digital clutter can take. Raising neurodivergent kids means managing a ton of information — from school communications and teacher emails to scheduling appointments, handling assessments, and organizing documentation. It’s a lot to keep track of, and it can really weigh us down.

    If you can relate, this episode is for you. I invited tech and productivity coach Amanda Jefferson, affectionately known as the Tech Whisperer, to help us tackle digital clutter. Amanda guides busy people through streamlining their digital lives and speaks about silencing society’s noisy “shoulds.” She’s a TEDx speaker, one of the world’s first KonMari consultants, and co-host of the Good Enough-ish podcast. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Real Simple, Harper’s Bazaar, and Good Day Philadelphia.

    In our conversation, we discussed the importance of digital decluttering, particularly for neurodivergent families. Amanda shared strategies for securely storing essential documents, organizing email to reduce stress, managing passwords, and using what she calls “free assistants” on our devices to make daily routines run more smoothly.

    Even if you consider yourself tech-savvy, I think you’ll learn something new in this episode. Enjoy, and hopefully, you’ll walk away with some actionable steps!

     

    About Amanda Jefferson

    Amanda Jefferson is a tech and productivity coach, TEDx speaker, one of the world’s first KonMari consultants, and host of the top-rated Good Enough-ish podcast. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Real Simple, Harpers Bazaar, Good Day Philadelphia, and more. She was recently named a Top 50 Women Speaker of 2024 by renowned speaker and author Jess Ekstrom. Known affectionately as the Tech Whisperer, Amanda helps busy people declutter their digital lives and talks to audiences about how to quiet the noisy shoulds of society.

     

    Things you'll learn from this episode

    • How tackling digital clutter bit by bit can lead to noticeable improvements, reducing overwhelm and enhancing focus
    • Why setting up an “action-needed” folder can streamline email processing, while Gmail's sorting tools and filters help keep the inbox clutter-free
    • What the “cloud” is and why it’s invaluable for securely storing essential documents and making them accessible anytime
    • Ideas for streamlining password management
    • The types of “digital assistants” available to help with reminders, scheduling, and hands-free task management, making family routines smoother
    • How AI tools like ChatGPT can save time on research and assist with documentation, making digital workflows quicker and more efficient

     

    Resources mentioned

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    19 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 41 minutes 52 seconds
    TPP 165a: 4 Listeners Share Their Stories of Discovering Their Neurodivergence as Adults

    Debbie talks with four differently wired adults who share their stories of discovering and/or learn more about their own neurodivergence as a result of parenting their differently wired children.

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    15 November 2024, 8:00 am
  • 52 minutes 10 seconds
    TPP 413: Drs. Brock & Fernette Eide on the Unique Advantages of the Dyslexic Brain

    I’m thrilled to finally welcome Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide to the show! They’re the authors of the groundbreaking, recently updated book The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain. As leading experts in dyslexia, Brock and Fernette have reshaped our understanding of dyslexia through a strengths-based lens. They continue this work through their nonprofit, Dyslexic Advantage, and their social purpose company, Neurolearning. Rather than viewing dyslexia as a disorder, they advocate for understanding it as a unique learning and processing style. In today’s conversation, you’ll hear how their approach brings out the exceptional qualities and talents in dyslexic individuals.

    In our discussion, we explored their new approach to dyslexia that begins not with definitions but with how the dyslexic mind functions. We covered the various ways dyslexia can manifest beyond reading challenges, why some twice-exceptional dyslexic kids are often overlooked under traditional definitions, and the importance of embracing dyslexia as part of one's identity. We also dove into strategies for advocating with schools to secure accommodations and discussed different ways students can thrive academically.

    This updated edition of The Dyslexic Advantage also highlights how a strengths-centered framework is gaining traction in schools and workplaces, plus new insights into the neurobiology underlying dyslexia and its associated strengths. As you’ll hear from Brock and Fernette, understanding dyslexia more fully allows us to open up conversations with educators about alternative learning strategies that may benefit not just our kids, but all students in the classroom.

     

    About Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide

    Leading experts on dyslexia and authors of the groundbreaking book The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain, Brock Eide, MD, MA, and Fernette Eide, MD, have been at the forefront of redefining our understanding of dyslexia. In the updated 2023 edition, they incorporate the latest research and modern techniques to highlight a strength-based approach to dyslexia, moving away from traditional deficit-focused models. This revision features 20 new interviews, insights into how a strengths-centered framework is being implemented in schools and workplaces, and fresh information on the neurobiology that underpins dyslexia and its associated strengths.

    The Eides advocate for viewing dyslexia as a unique learning and processing style rather than a disorder. Their influential work has played a pivotal role in transforming conventional views on dyslexia and has inspired countless individuals. Together, they are the authors of The Dyslexic Advantage and The Mislabeled Child, and they founded the nonprofit organization Dyslexic Advantage and the social purpose company Neurolearning.com. They reside in Edmonds, Washington, with their son.

     

    Things you'll learn

    • How the traditional focus on weaknesses in dyslexia overlooks the strengths that dyslexic individuals possess
    • Why the definition of dyslexia include diverse cognitive processing styles beyond reading challenges
    • Why it’s important to recognize the unique learning profiles of twice exceptional children when addressing dyslexia
    • How stealth dyslexia in gifted individuals can lead to underdiagnosis and missed support opportunities
    • The role that a strengths-based perspective plays in helping dyslexic individuals excel in areas requiring experience-based reasoning

     

    Resources mentioned

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    12 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 52 minutes 48 seconds
    TPP 164a: Dr. Melissa Neff on Diagnosing and Treating Adults Newly Identified as Differently Wired

    Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Neff talks about the unique challenges for adults who discover their own neurodivergence as a result of going through the diagnostic process with their children.

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    8 November 2024, 8:00 am
  • 51 minutes 35 seconds
    TPP 412: Kim West and Macall Gordon on Why Kids Won’t Sleep, and What to Do About It

    When my child was little, one of the most common sleep training methods was the "cry it out" approach. We tried it briefly, and it felt absolutely terrible for all of us. I know many parents can relate to the feelings of desperation and overwhelm that come when a child just isn’t sleeping.

    I wish I’d known back then about sleep coaches Macall Gordon and Kim West, also known as The Sleep Lady, who have developed a gentler, effective approach to changing sleep patterns. Their approach, based on years of research and experience with thousands of families, is especially suited for children who are more alert, intense, and persistent than their peers—and who put up a bigger fight at bedtime. Sound familiar? Then this episode is for you.

    In their new book, Why Won’t You Sleep?! A Gamechanging Approach for Nonstop, Super-Alert, Big-Feeling Kids, Kim and Macall present a fresh take on sleep training, rooted in understanding a child’s unique temperament. In our conversation, we cover common sleep struggles, misconceptions about sleep training, and why a gradual approach is empowering for both parents and children. They also share tips on setting limits for early risers and managing transitions that encourage peaceful nights. 

    About Macall Gordon

    Macall is a researcher, speaker, and author specializing in the link between temperament and sleep. She has a master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle with a research-based specialization in infant mental health. She also has a B.S. in Human Biology from Stanford University. She has conducted and presented research on temperament, sleep, and parenting advice at infant and child development conferences around the world. She has been a featured speaker at national sleep conferences and has led webinar-based advanced training for sleep coaches, mental health providers, and others.

    She is a certified Gentle Sleep Coach in private practice and is a featured provider on the women’s telehealth platform, Maven Clinic. She is the co-author (with Kim West) of the upcoming book Why Won’t You Sleep?! A Gamechanging Approach for Nonstop, Super Alert, Big-feeling Kids. She comes to this work because she had two sensitive, alert, intense children, and she didn’t sleep for eighteen years.

    About Kim West

    Kim West, LCSW-C is a mom of two who has been a practicing child and family social worker for over 25 years. She has personally helped over twenty thousand families all over the world gently teach their children how to fall asleep—and fall back asleep without leaving them to cry it out alone. She started training Gentle Sleep Coaches internationally in 2010 and has appeared as a child sleep expert on numerous magazines, newspapers, and television programs including Dr. Phil, TODAY, and Good Morning America. She is the author of five other books.

    Things you'll learn

    • How gentle sleep coaching can serve as an effective alternative to traditional methods
    • Why understanding a child’s temperament is crucial in the success of sleep training
    • How behaviorism in sleep training differs from its limited use in other areas of parenting
    • Why a gradual approach to sleep training empowers both parents and children, and how to do that
    • Why parents of intense children often feel stuck between traditional methods and alternative approaches when it comes to supporting their child’s sleep
    • How setting limits helps empower parents while teaching children new sleep-related skills

    Resources mentioned

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    5 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 41 minutes 15 seconds
    TPP 411: The Evolution of "Whole Body Listening Larry" & Why it Matters, with Elizabeth Sautter

    Over the years, countless strategies have been created to help differently wired kids succeed in school and life. But as the neurodiversity movement grows, there's increasing awareness that many of these approaches focus on fitting neurodivergent kids into neurotypical environments and norms, rather than embracing and respecting their unique ways of experiencing the world.

    My guest, Elizabeth Sautter, a speech-language pathologist and social-emotional learning specialist, was initially trained in a more traditional “medical model” focused on diagnosing and "fixing" behaviors to promote conformity to neurotypical standards. She co-authored the popular Whole Body Listening Larry series, which aimed to help kids improve listening skills and attention by engaging their whole body. While intended to support neurodivergent students, Elizabeth later recognized that the series reinforced ableist concepts.

    Now, Elizabeth is on a mission to promote a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach that emphasizes acceptance and advocating for individualized support. She’s been instrumental in updating the series with a new, neurodiversity-affirming title: Listen, Learn, and Grow: A Whole Body Listening Larry Story to Help Kids Regulate, Listen, and Engage. As the publisher notes, “Listening Larry is back, and he’s learned a few things about neurodiversity.”

    Elizabeth, author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick!, co-author of The Zones of Regulation children’s books, card decks, and games, and part of the EveryDay Regulation team, joins me to talk about her journey from traditional speech pathology to embracing a neurodiversity-affirming approach. We’ll dive into the story of Whole Body Listening Larry, how she responded to critical feedback from the neurodivergent community, and the development of new resources that promote inclusivity and understanding. Plus, we’ll explore what it really means to be a “good listener.”

    And, as we discuss, Elizabeth’s big goal is to replace the original Whole Body Listening Larry with the updated, neurodiversity-affirming version. So if you see the original in libraries, classrooms, or even on your own shelf, we encourage you to swap it out!

     

    About Elizabeth Sautter

    Elizabeth A. Sautter, MA, CCC, is a speech-language pathologist/social-emotional expert, speaker, author, and trainer. She is the author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! Practical activities to help your child manage emotions, navigate social situations & reduce anxiety, along with many other resources, including an online course and community for parents. Elizabeth collaborates with the Zones of Regulation team as a trainer and is a coauthor of the Zones children’s books, card decks, and games. She is also part of the EveryDay Reglation team with the focus on providing neurodiversity affirming resources for whole body regulation. She loves to connect on @elizabeth.sautter (IG), ElizabethSautterMACCCSLP (FB) or www.ElizabethSautter.com

     

    Things you'll learn

    • How Elizabeth shifted her focus as an SLP to a neurodivergent-affirming model of support and skill building
    • Why listening looks different for everyone (and that's okay!)
    • How the Whole Body Listening Larry book series and poster has been rewritten to focus on strengths, self-awareness, and regulation
    • Why it's important to model and discuss our own listening styles with children and how to do that
    • Ideas for creating inclusive educational environments, and why they benefit all learners, not just neurodivergent individuals

     

    Resources mentioned

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    29 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 49 minutes 18 seconds
    TPP 163a: Dr. Mark Bertin on Resilience, Executive Function, and Mindfulness

    Development pediatrician Dr. Mark Bertin talks about his new book How Children Thrive: The Practical Science of Raising Independent, Resilient, and Happy Kids, as well as resilience in our kids and the benefits of mindful parenting.

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    25 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 39 minutes 30 seconds
    TPP 410: Ali Miller on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) & Navigating Couple and Co-Parenting Dynamics

    Today, I’m excited to share my conversation with Ali Miller on how nonviolent communication (NVC) can help navigate co-parenting dynamics and couple relationships. When raising a neurodivergent child, there are often many opportunities for parents to disagree—whether it’s about the therapies to explore, whether or not to disclose a diagnosis to family members, or even if a diagnosis exists at all. These discussions can be tough and can definitely place a strain on the relationship. But with nonviolent communication, we can learn how to have conversations that feel like a win-win for everyone involved.

    Ali Miller is an expert in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and has been a marriage and family therapist for over twenty years. In 2021, she became certified as a Clini-Coach® specializing in couples communication. As an online coach, she helps couples worldwide improve their communication and conflict resolution skills, allowing them to experience more peace, passion, and possibilities in their relationships.

    In this conversation, Ali and I discussed what NVC is and why it’s a comprehensive model that supports all kinds of relationships. We explored how understanding our feelings—and more importantly, the underlying needs behind them—is crucial for effective communication. Ali also emphasized the importance of empathy and self-empathy in the NVC model, and shared how to express our needs to our partners without blame or judgment (while also acknowledging that this doesn’t absolve our partner of responsibility).

    This conversation truly highlights how NVC can transform conflict into connection by fostering empathy and understanding between partners. I hope you enjoy it!

     

    About Ali Miller

    Ali Miller, an expert in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), has been a Marriage & Family Therapist for over twenty years. In 2021 she became certified as a Clini-Coach® specializing in Couples Communication. As an online coach, she helps couples all over the world level up their communication + conflict navigation skills so they can experience more peace, passion, and possibilities in their relationship.

     

    Things you'll learn from this episode

    • What nonviolent communication (NVC) is and why it’s a comprehensive model that can support any and all relationships
    • How understanding feelings, and more importantly, our underlying needs, is crucial for effective communication
    • The importance of empathy and self-empathy in the NVC model
    • Why recognizing universal human needs can bridge gaps in understanding and foster true compassion and understanding
    • How to express our needs to our partner without blame or judgment (and why it doesn’t mean our partner bears no responsibility)

     

    Resources mentioned

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    22 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 43 minutes 59 seconds
    TPP 161a: Dr. Devon MacEachron on "What's Next?" After Diagnosis

    Strategic learning assessment psychologist Dr. Devon MacEachron provides ideas for next steps for parents after receiving a diagnosis for their child. Connect with Tilt Parenting

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    18 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 44 minutes 53 seconds
    TPP 409: Dr. Matt Zakreski on Cracking the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World

    My guest for today’s show is likely no stranger to you. He’s been on the podcast before, we’ve co-hosted special live events focused on the mental health crisis among neurodivergent kids, and he’s a key figure in the differently wired revolution. Through his speaking engagements, work as a therapist for kids and adults, and his own lived experience as a neurodivergent individual, he’s a powerful advocate for understanding and supporting neurodivergent students.

    Yes, I’m talking about Dr. Matt Zakreski. Today, I’m thrilled to have him back to dive into his brand-new book, Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World. Full disclosure: I wrote the foreword for this book, and I was honored to do so because it’s such a valuable resource for so many people. In the foreword, and what I’ll share with you now, is that Matt’s book encourages readers to embrace the full neurodivergent experience, offering deep understanding, validation, and a wealth of practical ideas to help “crack the code” and design a life on their own terms. Neurodiversity Playbook feels like a warm “welcome to the Club” for neurodivergent individuals and those who love and support them.

    In this conversation, while we couldn’t cover everything in the book, we touched on some of the big concepts, including why grounding discussions in neuroscience is key to understanding neurodivergence, how to navigate tricky everyday situations like making small talk, and how awareness of neurodiversity has evolved over the years. We also explored code-switching as an empowering tool and how to do it with intention and choice.

     

    About Dr. Matt Zakresk

    Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken hundreds of times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective and the author of the The Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World.

     

    Things you'll learn from this episode

    • How Dr. Matt's personal journey informs his professional work and shapes his approach to neurodiversity.
    • How neurodiversity awareness has significantly evolved over the years and there is significant progress in understanding.
    • How grounding discussions in neuroscience is crucial for understanding neurodivergence.
    • How the Neurodiversity Playbook aims to be a practical guide to help neurodivergent humans navigate a neurotypical world.
    • How code-switching can be a useful tool for neurodivergent individuals and enhance their ability to adapt.
    • Why compromise is essential for fostering understanding and bridging communication gaps between neurodivergent and neurotypical people.

     

    Resources mentioned

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    15 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 41 minutes 46 seconds
    TPP 160a: J.O. Oliver on Being a Differently-Wired, Stay-at-Home Dad

    Speaker and author Jonathan Oliver shares his personal story of being a differently wired (ADHD and dyslexia), stay-at-home father of two children.

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    11 October 2024, 9:48 am
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