Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Kids & Family
**Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children**

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child? Full-Tilt Parenting is here to help. Hosted by parenting activist and author Debbie Reber, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating life with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), giftedness, and twice-exceptional (2e) kids. With expert interviews and candid conversations, you’ll discover practical solutions for things like school challenges and refusal, therapy options, and fostering inclusion, social struggles, advocacy, intense behavior, and more — all through a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Whether you’re struggling with advocating for your child at school or seeking ways to better support their unique needs, Debbie offers the guidance and encouragement you need to reduce overwhelm and create a thriving, joyful family environment. It’s like sitting down with a trusted friend who gets it. You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back!

Latest Episodes:

TPP 209a: Blake Boles Asks Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids to School Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 454: What Do I Do When My 18-year-old Is Stalled Out and Not Ready to Launch? Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

This week I’m joined by Zach Morris for a thoughtful conversation about the challenges of parenting neurodivergent teens who are approaching adulthood. We dig into a listener question about an almost-18-year-old who’s still really struggling, despite years of support. Zach and I explore the pressures parents face, the grief that can come up, how to hold boundaries with empathy, and why we need to rethink what success and failure actually mean. We also talk about the importance of understanding each child’s unique developmental timeline—and how to give ourselves and our kids space to pause, regroup, and keep going.

About Debbie:

Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of TiLT Parenting, a resource, top-performing podcast, consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. A regular contributor to Psychology Today and ADDitude Magazine, and the author of more than a dozen books for children and teens, Debbie’s most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope.

About Zach

Zach Morris is a thought leader in education who is committed to helping people increase compassion, collaboration, and learning. Zach supports individuals, families, and organizations who aim to develop a greater sense of safety and empowerment in themselves, in their relationships, and in their communities. Gently guiding humans through the resistance they encounter is at the core of Zach’s work. Learn more about Zach here

Things You'll Learn from This Episode

Why parenting neurodivergent teens near adulthood requires extra patience, flexibility, and a long-view approach

How societal expectations can increase stress and make it harder to trust our child’s unique path

Why processing grief is a necessary part of coming to terms with unmet expectations and ongoing struggles

How setting and holding clear, compassionate boundaries helps support both safety and autonomy

Why redefining success and failure can reduce pressure and create space for authentic growth

How taking breaks, leaning on support, and staying attuned to our child’s timeline can nurture long-term resilience

Resources Mentioned

The Self-Driven Children with William Stixrud and Ned Johnson (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

Dr. Dan Peters on The Teen Years & Preparing to Launch (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

The Autistic Burnout Workbook: Your Guide to Your Personal Recovery Plan by Dr. Megan Anna Neff

A Conversation with Dr. Megan Anna Neff About Autistic Burnout (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 453: Dr. Lisa Rappaport on Parenting Dyslexia and Supporting Dyslexic Learners in School and Beyond Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, I talk with neuropsychologist Lisa Rappaport about the realities of living with dyslexia—something she knows firsthand. We get into what dyslexia really is (and isn’t), how awareness and support have evolved, and why early diagnosis and strong advocacy matter so much. Lisa shares insights from both her personal and professional experience, and we talk through ways parents can support their kids with dyslexia at home and in school.

About Lisa Rappaport, PhD

Lisa Rappaport, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Manhattan with a specialty in working with and diagnosing learning disabilities. She has extensive training and experience in treating adults and children with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, and anxiety disorders. In addition to her private practice, Dr.Rappaport is also on the faculty at the Rose F. Kennedy Center Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She lives in Manhattan.

Things you'll learn from this episode

Why early diagnosis and intervention are essential to support dyslexic children’s learning and confidence

How parental advocacy can play a powerful role in securing school accommodations and support

Why stigma and misunderstanding around dyslexia can negatively impact self-esteem—and how to counter it

How gaps in teacher training contribute to delays in recognizing and addressing dyslexia in the classroom

How consistent support at home and school can help dyslexic children thrive academically and emotionally

Resources mentioned

Dr. Lisa Rappaport’s website

Parenting Dyslexia: A Comprehensive Guide to Helping Kids Develop Confidence, Combat Shame, and Achieve Their True Potential by Lisa Rappaport, PhD and Jody Lyons, MEd

Parenting Dyslexia on Hachette

Author Micki Boas on Advocating for Dyslexic Students (Full-Tilt Parenting)

One in Five: How We’re Fighting for Our Dyslexic Kids in a System That’s Failing Them by Micki Boas

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 207a: Dr. Tina Payne Bryson on The Power of Showing Up Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Psychotherapist and author Tina Payne Bryson talks about what showing up for our kids looks like and the theory of secure attachment and how it affects our children on a neurological level.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 452: Dr. Laura Markham on Peacefully Parenting Siblings in Neurospicy Families Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Markham to unpack the often messy world of sibling dynamics—especially when one or more kids are neurodivergent. We talk about why peaceful parenting starts with connection, how to handle those inevitable "it's not fair!" moments, and how to repair after conflict. Laura shares thoughtful, practical strategies for supporting each child’s unique needs while nurturing more positive sibling relationships, even when things feel really hard.

About Dr. Laura Markham

Dr. Laura Markham is the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How To Stop Yelling and Start Connecting, Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How To Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life, and The Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook: Using mindfulness and connection to raise resilient, joyful children and rediscover your love of parenting.

Dr. Laura Markham earned her PhD in clinical psychology at Columbia University and has worked as a parenting coach with countless families across the world. Over 170,000 moms and dads enjoy Dr. Laura’s free weekly coaching posts via email. You can sign up on any page of her website, Peacefulparenthappykids.com, which serves up Aha! Moments for parents of babies through teens. Dr. Laura’s aspiration is to change the world, one child at a time, by supporting parents. The proud mother of two thriving young adults who were raised with her peaceful parenting approach, she lives with her husband in New York.

Things you'll learn from this episode

Why parenting that prioritizes connection over strategy lays the foundation for healthy sibling dynamics

How self-regulation in parents shapes the emotional tone and effectiveness of conflict resolution between siblings

Why it’s important to embrace sibling conflict as a normal and teachable part of growing up, while guiding repair and emotional processing

How acknowledging each child’s unique needs and avoiding comparison fosters a sense of fairness and individual worth

Why modeling compassion, calm, and appropriate behavior teaches kids how to navigate conflict and build emotional intelligence

How recognizing the goodwill in children and validating their feelings helps strengthen sibling bonds, even during tough moments

Resources mentioned

Dr. Laura Markham’s Peaceful Parent Happy Kids website

Raising Peaceful Siblings with Tools to Ease Jealousy and Build Connection (Free Guide)

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Dr. Laura Markham

Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life by Dr. Laura Markham

Dr. Laura Markham on Facebook

Dr. Laura Markham on Instagram

Self-Compassion for Tough Moments Printable

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 206a: Empathy and Perspective-Building: Why We Need it Now More Than Ever Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

Amanda Morin, an author, speaker, parent advocate, former early childhood educator and in-house expert for Understood, talks the importance and power of fostering empathy in our children.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 451: Dr. Ken Ginsburg on Lighthouse Parenting — Loving Guidance for an Enduring Bond Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m talking with pediatrician and author Ken Ginsburg about his new book Lighthouse Parenting. Ken shares his powerful framework for showing up as a steady, loving guide for our kids—offering both support and boundaries as they grow. We get into what it means to really know and prepare our kids, how to be their safe harbor in tough times, and why our own self-care matters just as much as theirs, especially in today’s world of social media and constant pressure.

About Dr. Ken Ginsburg

Dr. Ken Ginsburg practices Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Ginsburg practices social adolescent medicine – service with special attention to prevention and the recognition that social context and stressors affect both physical and emotional health. His research over the last 35 years has focused on facilitating youth to develop their own solutions to social problems and to teach adults how to better serve them.

He is the Founding Director of The Center for Parent and Teen Communications which works to empower parents with the skill-sets to strengthen their family connections and position them to guide their teens to become their best selves. It works to shift the cultural narrative about adolescence from being a time to survive to one in which development is to be optimized. His books include, Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings; Congrats- You’re Having a Teen!: Strengthen Your Family and Raise a Good Person; and Lighthouse Parenting:Raising your Child with Loving Guidance for an Enduring Bond. All of these works are published by The American Academy of Pediatrics.

He currently works with Covenant House International’s 35 sites to solidify and magnify their practice model rooted in the healing power of loving and respectful adult connections with youth.

Things you'll learn from this episode

What “lighthouse parenting” is and how it offers a research-backed framework for guiding kids to grow up as resilient, thriving adults

What it means to be a “secure base” for our kids and the power of stability in fostering resilience in all children

Why preparing kids for life’s challenges starts with feeling unconditionally loved and truly known

Why self-care, authentic modeling, and genuine repair are essential for strong parent-child relationships

What it means to “actively see the best in our child” and why it matters

Resources mentioned

About Dr. Ken Ginsburg

Center for Parent and Teen Communication

Fostering Resilience

Lighthouse Parenting: Raising your Child with Loving Guidance for an Enduring Bond by Dr. Ken Ginsburg

Congrats—You’re Having a Teen! Strengthen Your Family and Raise a Good Person by Dr. Ken Ginsburg

Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings by Dr. Ken Ginsburg

Dr. Devorah Heitner on Helping Kids Thrive in a Digital World (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Growing Up in Public (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 204a: Musician Laurie Berkner on Inclusivity & Connecting with Neurodivergent Kids Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

Debbie talks with singer and songwriter Laurie Berkner (The Laurie Berkner Band) about writing music that connects with all kids, why Laurie's music so powerfully resonates with differently wired children, her mission of inclusivity, and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 450: Dr. David Yeager on What the Science Says About Motivating Young People Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I talk with David Yeager about what really fuels motivation and a sense of belonging for our kids—especially neurodivergent ones. We unpack the different mindsets adults bring to the table—like enforcer, protector, and mentor—and how shifting into a mentor mindset can help kids feel respected, understood, and more engaged. David shares powerful insights about what helps adolescents thrive, and we explore how things like trust, connection, and belief in a child’s potential can make all the difference.

About David Yeager, PhD

David Yeager, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the cofounder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. He is best known for his research conducted with Carol Dweck, Angela Duckworth, and Greg Walton on short but powerful interventions that influence adolescent behaviors such as motivation, engagement, healthy eating, bullying, stress, mental health, and more. He has consulted for Google, Microsoft, Disney, and the World Bank, as well as for the White House and the governments in California, Texas, and Norway. His research has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, CNN, Fox News, The Guardian, The Atlantic, and more. Clarivate Web of Science ranks Yeager as one of the top 0.1% most-influential psychologists in the world over the past decade. Prior to his career as a scientist, he was a middle school teacher and a basketball coach. He earned his PhD and MA at Stanford University and his BA and MEd at the University of Notre Dame. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and their four children.

Things you'll learn from this episode

Why motivation thrives in environments where kids feel respected and understood

The three mindsets adults often embody when parenting

Why belonging and a child’s belief in their potential are critical drivers of motivation and long-term success

Research-backed interventions that can significantly improve a young person’s mindset and resilience

How creating strong connections with adolescents, grounded in curiosity and collaboration, helps them feel safe, seen, and motivated to grow

Resources mentioned

David Yeager

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier by David Yeager, PhD

SXSW EDU Keynote

David Yeager, PhD on LinkedIn

The Power of Mindset Masterclass

Ellen Gallinsky Takes Us Inside the Breakthrough Years (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens by Ellen Galinsky

Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson on Disengaged Teens (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop

11-Year-Old Asher Talks About Developing a Growth Mindset (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

Dr. Mary Murphy / Cultures of Growth

Phyllis Fagel on Raising Resilient Teens in Turbulent Times (Tilt Parenting)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TPP 202a: Psychologist Dr. Dan Peters on Navigating the Teen Years and Preparing for Launch Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Author, psychologist, and Summit Center executive director Dr. Dan Peters talks about how we can best support differently wired teens and prepare them to successfully launch.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected