Autistic and ADHD Kids Parenting Strategies: Every Brain is Different

Connect with Samantha: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Download the Guide to Raising Your Neurodivergent Child: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

 

Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on what to do when you suspect or receive an autism diagnosis, revisiting the idea of “being a detective” to learn what makes your child tick while also debating the line between respecting boundaries and pushing kids to get out into the world for social learning and health.

They emphasize acting early to access supports, highlighting Medicaid options like the disability-based Katie Beckett Waiver (which can cover broad healthcare and therapies) and other state-specific waivers for non-traditional therapies, plus early intervention (Zero to Three), developmental preschool requirements, IEPs/504s, respite care, parent training, adaptive equipment, grants, and case management.

They stress that professionals often won’t volunteer these resources, approvals can take months to years, denials are common, and parents should reapply, follow up persistently, join local Facebook groups for area-specific guidance, get on multiple therapy waitlists, keep organized records, and request school assessments in writing.

 

00:00 Welcome Back Recap

00:40 Boundaries Versus Pushing Growth

03:01 Why Social Practice Matters

05:09 Finding Help After Diagnosis

05:24 Medicaid Katie Beckett Waiver

08:11 Early Intervention and School Supports

09:45 Local Groups and Activity Options

11:52 Waitlists and Getting On Them

13:37 Be the Squeaky Wheel

15:20 Organize Paperwork and Ask Providers

19:53 Action Steps and Next Episode

 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Suzanne Jabour Episode About Grief: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-it-normal-to-grieve-after-your-childs-autism-or/id1697406719?i=1000750957793

 

Samantha and Lauren discuss the number one thing they would do after getting an autism diagnosis for your child: learn about your child, not just autism. Samantha emphasizes that a diagnosis is a tool for understanding, not fixing, and that parents may feel relief and grief, all of which are valid.

They stress that autism presents differently in each person, caution against overreliance on online checklists, and encourage neurodiversity-affirming thinking over deficit-based views by asking what behaviors communicate and what needs they meet. Examples include sensory accommodations for loud toilets, avoiding uncomfortable clothing, and allowing harmless stimming, while still intervening for safety concerns like self-injury or eloping.

They suggest tracking strengths, triggers, and ABC patterns, seeking professional or community support, and preview next week’s focus on applying for resources early due to long waitlists.

 

00:00 Welcome and Summer Catchup

00:11 Autism Moments and Themed Weddings

02:29 Why This Episode Matters

03:34 Processing the Diagnosis

05:50 Learn Your Child First

07:19 Observe Not Checklists

09:01 Neurodiversity Affirming Shift

10:26 Assessments and Getting Resources

14:08 Deficit vs Affirming Examples

24:04 Behavior as Communication

26:33 Action Steps and ABC Notes

30:12 Wrap Up and Next Week Preview

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Get the Guide to Parenting Your Neurodivergent Child: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

 

Samantha and Lauren discuss why building a supportive network matters for mental health and how to do it, drawing from Samantha’s postpartum psychosis and breakdown in 2016 and the challenges of parenting children with medical needs.

They outline key benefits of support, which include emotional encouragement, practical help, accountability, perspective when “your brain is lying to you,” and connection.

They describe four types of support: personal (friends, family, faith/community), professional (primary care, therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, support groups), peer (special-interest and parenting/disability communities), and practical (cleaning, childcare, meal services, assistants).

They offer steps to build support without shame: start small, be specific about needs, allow imperfect help while avoiding toxic relationships, and find aligned communities, ending with a one-step takeaway and available resources.

 

00:00 Why Support Matters

01:39 When Your Brain Lies

03:52 Personal Support Plan

08:51 Professional Help Options

12:33 Peer Support Communities

13:44 Practical Help That Works

17:07 Build It Without Awkward

18:20 Ask Clearly and Specifically

19:33 Boundaries and Finding People

23:54 Weekly Takeaway and Resources

 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

 

Samantha and Lauren discuss how returning home from vacation can be dysregulating for neurodivergent kids due to transitions and delayed stress responses from masking, sensory input, uncertainty, and social demands.

They recommend not scheduling extra activities immediately after returning, prioritizing rest and recovery over productivity, and giving kids (and parents) grace during reintegration.

They advise returning to familiar routines without trying to overhaul life, focusing on connection before correction, debriefing the trip to build self-awareness and plan future supports, and watching for delayed burnout days or weeks later.

 

00:00 Welcome and Summer Check In

00:17 Autism Threads Stories

03:52 Vacation Reset Topic

05:51 Why Coming Home Is Hard

06:45 Decompression Looks Different

08:40 Protect Recovery Days

12:40 Back to Familiar Routines

15:46 Grace Rest and Screen Time

18:54 Debrief and Learnings

20:22 Delayed Burnout Signs

21:12 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up

 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Download the Guide to Raising Your Neurodivergent Child: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

 

Samantha and Lauren discuss how to help vacations go more smoothly for neurodivergent kids by prioritizing safety, predictability, and regulation over nonstop activities.

They explain how vacations disrupt routine, sensory input, and expectations (new places, foods, people, airports, planes, theme parks, beaches), which can overwhelm autistic and ADHD children. They recommend preparing kids in advance with photos, maps, videos, itineraries, visual schedules, and honest communication about uncertainty; using supports like airport assistance (Sunflower lanyards, practice tours, early boarding); and building recovery time with hotel breaks, quiet spaces, and rest days.

They suggest creating an escape plan or safe word, avoiding forced socialization, packing sensory tools and familiar items, watching early signs of overload, and adjusting parental expectations so everyone ends the day regulated, safe, supported, and connected.

 

00:00 Vacation Reality Check

01:17 Why Vacations Overwhelm

03:19 Sensory Overload Hotspots

06:11 Chill Trips Still Hard

08:04 Boost Predictability

11:44 Over Communicate Plans

13:06 Build Recovery Time

17:39 Create an Escape Plan

21:56 Pack Sensory Supports

24:25 Adjust Vacation Expectations

25:55 Bring Familiar Comforts

27:13 Spot Overload Early

28:06 Wrap Up and Recap

29:33 Resources and Farewell

 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent