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

Latest Episodes:

TPP 395: Where Are We in the Neurodiversity Movement? with Marcus Soutra Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

The movement surrounding neurodivergence has evolved so much since I started Tilt Parenting, which I launched as “revolution for differently wired kids” back in 2016. I see changes everywhere — in the language we use, the parenting discussions we have, the deeper understanding of diagnostic criteria for things like autism and ADHD, the adaptations some companies are making to support their neurodivergent employees.

A few months ago, I grabbed a coffee with my friend Marcus Soutra, who until recently was the co-founder and president of Eye to Eye, a national organization dedicated to enhancing the educational journey and outcomes of neurodiverse youth, and we got into a deep conversation about all of these changes, and we thought, hey, why not have this conversation for the podcast to explore it further for the Tilt community. So here we are.

So that’s what this episode is. A thoughtful look at things like how the language and identity within the neurodiversity community has shifted, why community is a cornerstone of the movement, the ways privilege and access impacts a student’s ability to fully embrace neurodivergence, the potential pros and cons of neurodiversity content on social media apps like TikTok, self-identifying versus formal diagnoses, generational differences in experience, how we can help advance the movement in our everyday lives, and much more.

About Marcus Soutra

Marcus began his professional journey as a public school teacher before immersing himself in the grassroots movement of Eye to Eye and ultimately running it for nearly twenty years. Drawing from his experiences as both an educator and an individual with dyslexia and ADHD, Marcus deeply understands the challenges faced by students and teachers in navigating the educational landscape. His commitment to dismantling barriers and fostering confidence among diverse learners is evident in his work and advocacy efforts. Marcus has just embarked on a new venture with For The Good Consulting, where he leverages his expertise, network, and personal journey to support other organizations in scaling their missions.

Things you'll learn

How the language and identity within the neurodiversity movement has evolved towards embracing neurodivergence
Why community is a cornerstone of the neurodiversity movement
How privilege impacts the ability to embrace neurodivergence, particularly regarding access to resources
Where stigma surrounding neurodivergence persists, and how individuals are challenging stereotypes
Why early identification and support is crucial for the success of neurodivergent individuals in school and beyond
How parents can effectively advocate by supporting their child's self-advocacy and building supportive communities

Resources mentioned

For the Good Consulting (Marcus Soutra’s website)
Marcus Soutra on LinkedIn
Email Marcus
Eye to Eye website
Rise Act
Judy Singer
Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman
Understood
Dr. Mel Houser and All Brains Belong

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TPP 136a: KJ Dell'Antonia on How to Be a Happier Parent Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

Author and former NY Times Motherlode editor KJ Dell'Antonia talks about her book "How To Be a Happier Parent" and what she learned about how parents can bring more happiness into their daily lives.

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TPP 394: Parent Lean-In — How Can I Help My Child Be More Flexible & Less Argumentative? Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

Parent coach Zach Morris joins Debbie to answer a listener question about how to help a twice-exceptional 8 year old (ADHD and Autism), be more flexible and less argumentative in a way that supports the whole family's emotional regulation.

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TPP 393: Dr. Mel Houser on Navigating the Healthcare System as a Neurodivergent Person Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

For some people, going to the doctor isn’t as simple as going to the doctor. In fact, for many parents of neurodivergent kids, and for many neurodivergent people themselves, interacting with healthcare systems requires researching, planning, and strategizing ahead of time in the hopes of a smooth appointment. Unfortunately, all too often, medical appointments are uncomfortable, stressful, and in some cases traumatic, because they environments and approaches to healthcare aren’t neurodivergent affirming.

As a result, traditional healthcare models often fail their neurodivergent patients, which is why today’s conversation is so important, as my guest is a doctor who is passionate about changing medical practices to be more neuroinclusive and community-based on this episode. Dr. Mel Houser is a family physician and Founder and Executive Director of All Brains Belong VT, a nonprofit organization in Montpelier, Vermont with a mission to support the health and belonging of people with all types of brains. All Brains Belong has pioneered an innovative model that integrates medical care with social connection, employment support, and community education.

In this conversation, Mel introduced me to the All Brains Belong Vermont, a revolutionary community-driven healthcare model that goes beyond medical care. We also talked about why the traditional healthcare system often fails neurodivergent patients and the serious consequences when they opt out of the medical system, the critical need for healthcare to address not just physical, but also social and emotional needs, and practical strategies on advocating for better healthcare, from understanding access needs and requesting accommodations to challenging the defaults of the current system.

About Dr. Mel Houser

Dr. Mel Houser is a family physician and Founder and Executive Director of All Brains Belong VT, a nonprofit organization in Montpelier, Vermont with a mission to support the health and belonging of people with all types of brains. All Brains Belong has pioneered an innovative model that integrates medical care with social connection, employment support, and community education.

Things you'll learn

How all Brains Belong Vermont has developed a community-driven healthcare model that integrates medical care with social connection and employment support
Why the traditional healthcare system often fails neurodivergent patients
What the consequences are when neurodivergent people opt out of the medical system
Why it’s critical that healthcare address patients' social and emotional needs
What universal design for healthcare is and how it can improve experiences for neurodivergent people
How we can all advocate for better healthcare by learning about access needs, requesting accommodations, and challenging system defaults

Resources mentioned

All Brains Belong (Dr. Mel Houser’s website)
All Brains Belong on Instagram
All Brains Belong on Facebook
Dr. Mel Houser on LinkedIn
All Brains Belong Resource, ALL THE THINGS (Free resource for navigating neurodivergent healthcare)
All Brains Belong Kid Connections (Free customized friend-making program for kids age 4-17 based on shared interests)
Everything is Connected to Everything: Improving the Healthcare of Autistic & ADHD Patients
Brain Club: (Weekly virtual community education program for older teens & adults)
Practical Strategies for Neuroinclusive Healthcare (webinar)
Milton’s ‘double Empathy Problem’: A Summary for Non-academics

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TPP 133a: College Admissions Expert Marisa Meddin on Application Strategies for Atypical Students Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

Marisa Meddin, founder of Talk College To Me and the creator of The 7 Day College Admissions Crash Course For Parents, discusses how students can become the strongest possible college applicants they can be.

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TPP 392: Cara Bean on Comics and Mental Health for Kids Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

As my guest said in the episode you’re about to listen to, you don’t have to be a mental health professional to have mental health conversations. In fact, I would say that talking about difficult mental health topics outside of medical settings is not just helpful — it’s necessary in that it both normalizes mental health challenges and reduces the stigma that’s often associated with such struggles.

Author and Illustrator Cara Bean also knows this to be true, and is committed to exploring these topics through her art, specifically comics. Cara sees comics as a powerful tool both for teens to learn about mental health, and for parents to lean on for important conversations about complex topics. Which is exactly why she wrote her new book, Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health.

Every chapter in this therapist-recommended book explores a different aspect of mental health, from the brain and the mind, to feelings and emotions. By portraying complex neuroscience concepts with a cast of illustrated characters, Cara offers an accessible, approachable understanding of what’s going on in the brain that empowers readers.

I really love Cara’s book and so wanted to have her on the show to talk about her process for writing it, and how we can use it to support kids going through hard stuff. So in this conversation, Cara explained the way she visualized thoughts and feelings, why she felt so strongly about including detailed brain science in her book, and the power of metaphors to explain the impacts and struggles of addiction, depression, anxiety, and suicidality, making these heavy topics more relatable and easier to understand.

About Cara Bean

Cara Bean is the author of Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health and Draw 500 Funny Faces and Features. She provides interactive workshops on creativity with people of all ages and backgrounds in various public forums. Cara is passionate about drawing and believes that the simple act of doodling on paper can lead to the investigation of complex ideas.

When she is not teaching, she makes comics that delve into poetic self introspection, playful storytelling and topics relevant to teens and teaching. Cara is currently working on comics projects that speak directly to kids and address mental health. Cara lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their dog Raisin.

Things you'll learn

How comics can provide an honest and accessible way to discuss complex issues
The benefits of visualizing thoughts and feelings through thought bubbles and metaphors for enhancing understanding
Why Cara felt so strongly about including detailed brain science in the book in order to foster understanding of emotional health and reactions
How Cara leaned into the power of metaphors to explain the impact and struggles of things like addiction, depression, anxiety, and suicidality
Why Cara wrote her book Here I Am, I Am Me for, and how different readers might approach engaging with it

Resources mentioned

Cara Bean’s website
Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health by Cara Bean
Draw 500 Funny Faces and Features by Cara Bean
Snakepit graphic pamphlet for adults
John Porcellino (King-Kat Comics)
The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens by Ellen Galinsky
Ellen Galinsky Takes Us Through The Breakthrough Years and Raising Thriving Teens (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
Graphic Medicine
Bill Waterson (Calvin & Hobbes)
The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence by Jessica Lahey
Jess Lahey on Her New Book The Addiction Inoculation (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

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TPP 130a: Julie Skolnick of With Understanding Comes Calm on Advocating for 2e Kids Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Julie Skolnick, the founder of With Understanding Comes Calm, shares tools and strategies for how parents can powerfully advocate for our kids and understand them as learners so we can show up as the best parent we can be.

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TPP 391: Perry LaRoque on What Neurodivergent Students Need to Successfully Navigate College Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

If you have a child approaching their college years, this episode is packed with invaluable advice. I’m thrilled to have Dr. Perry LaRoque here to discuss what neurodivergent students need to successfully navigate college and his book Taking Flight: College for Students with Disabilities, Diverse Learners and Their Families.

So, what does a “successful college experience” actually mean? Perry broke it down for us, emphasizing the importance of the core values of awareness, regulation, expression, and dynamic determination. Perry also highlighted the essential skills for independence, such as frustration tolerance and the importance of seeking help when needed, and explored some of the unexpected challenges that students might face, from managing dorm life to maintaining proper sleep hygiene. We also discussed the various resources available on most college campuses and how students can maximize these support services and why meeting with professors can be a game-changer for a struggling student.

We all know that our kids are way more than the grades they get at school and this conversation is full of insights into how to approach the college experience more holistically. I hope you enjoy it!

About Dr. Perry LaRoque

Dr. LaRoque is the founder and president of Mansfield Hall. He earned his doctorate in special education from the University of Wisconsin and has served in a variety of leadership roles serving at-risk youth and people with disabilities. Before returning for his doctoral work, Dr. LaRoque worked in an assisted-living care facility for adults with intellectual disabilities and taught special education in several public schools. Upon returning for his doctoral studies, he continued his service in the field and served as a teacher and mental health specialist in a children’s residential psychiatric program at Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI.

In addition to writing, Dr. LaRoque is also the co-founder of the College STEPS Program, a non-profit with a mission of providing post-secondary education to students with developmental disabilities in various locations across the East Coast.

Dr. LaRoque has served as an Adjunct Professor at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and University of New Hampshire and as an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York at Potsdam. He is published in several major education journals for his work on educating students with disabilities and has presented at numerous national and international conferences. Dr. LaRoque also served on the Vermont Special Education Advisory Council, which is an appointed position by the Governor. Most recently, he was an Associate Professor and the Special Education Program Director at Johnson State College in Vermont, where he was instrumental in creating the first dual-certification Elementary Education program in Vermont and also started the Think College Program at Johnson State College.

Things you'll learn

What a “successful college experience” actually means
The role that the values of awareness, regulation, expression, and dynamic determination play in a student’s ability to thrive at university
Why developing essential skills for independence, such as frustration tolerance and seeking help, is crucial for
What some of the challenging areas are for students that they may not be anticipating, including dorm life, sleep hygiene, and more
What types of resources are available on most college campuses and how students can take advantage of support services
Why meeting with professors can make all the difference for a struggling student

Resources mentioned

Dr. Perry Laroque’s website
Taking Flight: College for Students with Disabilities, Diverse Learners and Their Families by Perry Laroque, PhD
Mansfield Hall
Virtual Hall
Top College Consultants (Eric Endlich’s website)
Eric Endlich on Gap Year Experiences for Neurodivergent Students (Tilt Parenting podcast)
College Steps
Think College

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TPP 124a: Seth Perler on How Parents Can Help Their Kids Work Through Resistance Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

Executive functioning/education coach Seth Perler explores the concept of resistance in differently-wired kids and shares strategies and tools for how parents can support their kids in learning how to face their resistance.

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TPP 390: Parent Lean-In — How Can We Improve Communication & Get Better Support from a Developmental Pediatrician? Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

Parent coach Margaret Webb joins Debbie to answer a listener question about getting the most out of time spent with a developmental pediatrician, especially when the pediatrician may be minimizing concerns reported by the parents and there is little opportunity to explore questions and goals during appointments.

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