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

• TPP 474: Debbie & Penny Williams on Navigating the Launch of Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1)

  Today we’re diving into one of the most tender and complex stages of parenting—launching our neurodivergent young adults into independence, or more accurately, interdependence. My guest is Penny Williams, a parenting coach for neurodiverse families and the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions. In this episode Penny and I talk about the emotional challenges parents face during this transition, how to redefine what success and independence really look like, and why interdependence is often the goal that best supports our kids’ thriving. We also explore the healing and acceptance this stage asks of us as parents—and how, even in the uncertainty, there’s so much possibility for connection, growth, and joy. Also, this is part one of a two-part episode — listen to the rest of the conversation on Penny’s Beautifully Complex podcast, which you will find here.  About Penny Williams A parenting coach for neurodiverse families, Penny Williams is the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions, producer and host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, host of the annual Neurodiversity Summits, and co-creator of The Behavior Revolution Program, a parent training program designed to change the narrative on behavior and help parents celebrate and support their kids with ADHD or autism through neuroscience-backed insights, hard-won strategies, compassion, and guidance.  Penny empowers parents to help their neurodivergent kids — and families — thrive. Things you'll learn from this episode How parenting neurodivergent young adults can be both deeply complex and emotionally challenging Why redefining success for each individual young adult is key to healthier expectations How healing from our own experiences allows us to better support our kid’s growth Why aiming for interdependence and self-determination, not independence, leads to greater emotional stability How launching into adulthood is often messy, nonlinear, and filled with opportunities for growth Why letting go of control, staying curious, and remaining open are essential during this phase of parenting Resources mentioned Penny Williams’ Parenting ADHD and Autism website Beautifully Complex Podcast Part 2 of this conversation Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards on Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World (Tilt Parenting Podcast) I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World by Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards Dr.Dan Peters Discusses the Teen Years & Preparing for Navigating Launch (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Best Gap Year Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Thrive Autism Coaching) Dr Eric Endlich on Gap Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Gap Programs Debbie Explored Gap at Glen Brook Parzival Academy Pure Life Adventure Program SOAR Sequin Land Institute   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 096a: A "Masterclass" in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 1 of 2)

  Executive functioning coach Seth Perler joins me for a two-part series in which Seth shares with us the exact approach he uses with students he works with when helping them foster their fledgling executive functioning skills. In this episode, Seth shares with us his protocol for setting up a child for success in their developing executive functioning skills. In part 2 next week, Seth will go in-depth into his specific strategies surrounding building these skills in school and in life.    THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: * Seth’s definition of executive functioning framed so it helps people apply the principles to help kids * A step-by-step breakdown of exactly how Seth works with families * Why our relationship with our child is the number one thing to be preserved when doing this work * The importance of parents doing their own personal work / self-care during this process * Why kids “can’t do what we’re asking them to do because they can’t, not because they won’t,” so we need to back up and scaffold from where they’re at * The role of mindfulness, mindset, and motivation * Why symptoms are more important than labels * Why it’s critical to understand the role of emotional regulation in executive functioning * How we as parents can co-regulate our emotions with our child * Why we want to focus on 3 positives for every 1 negative   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 473: A Conversation with Naomi Fisher About EMDR

  Today we’re exploring EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—a therapeutic approach that’s been shown to be highly effective in treating trauma, including for neurodivergent individuals. My guest is Dr. Naomi Fisher, a clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma, autism, and alternative education, and an expert in EMDR. Naomi will share her journey into EMDR and explains not just the mechanics of how it works, but also what actually happens in a session. We talk about the importance of understanding trauma in children, particularly those who are neurodivergent, and why flexibility and attunement are so essential for therapists in creating a truly supportive environment. About Dr. Naomi Fisher Dr. Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist who specialises in trauma, autism and alternative education. She is the author of several books including When the Naughty Step Makes Things Worse and the Teenager’s Guide to Burnout. She runs webinars for parents and more of her work can be found at www.naomifisher.co.uk Things you'll learn from this episode How EMDR combines emotionally activated memories with bilateral stimulation to help process trauma Why trauma can get “stuck” and how EMDR supports the brain’s natural healing process How EMDR can be effective for both adults and children when delivered in a safe, supportive environment Why neurodivergent individuals may have unique trauma responses that require flexibility in therapy How parents can play an important role in helping children make sense of traumatic experiences Why choosing accredited, well-trained therapists is critical for safe and effective EMDR treatment Resources mentioned Dr. Naomi Fisher’s website Naomi Fisher on Substack A Different Way to Learn by Naomi Fisher Changing Our Minds: How Children Can Take Control of Their Own Learning by Naomi Fisher What Can We Do When School’s Not Working: An Illustrated Handbook for Professionals by Naomi Fisher Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on Post-Traumatic Parenting (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast) EMDR UK Association EMDR Institute Francine Shapiro, PhD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 342a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up in Public

  Today, we’re talking about such a pressing consideration for anyone raising a kid these days — what it means for today’s generation of kids to grow up with very public lives and coming of age in a digital world where so many aspects of their lives are online and available for public consumption, not to mention that much of their important work of identity formation is being shaped by the media and technology they interact with. My guest, Devorah Heitner, gets into all of this in her brand new and essential book for any parent, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. For this conversation, I asked Devorah to talk us through what I see as some of the more pressing issues for parents like us, including how to balance a child’s right to privacy in their texts and online lives with valid concerns about online influences and engagement when that child is dealing with anxiety, depression or other mental health disorder, the impact of social media on kids who may already be struggling to fit in and find their people, and how many homework and grading apps used by schools may actually be undermining our kids development of executive function skills and creating additional stress for parents.   Things you'll learn How to navigate the transition from being highly involved in a children’s tech life to respecting their privacy Why violating our kids’ trust by reading their texts will drive them further apart from us What to track or monitor when your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders How engaging in social media may impact kids who are struggling to fit in and find their people Why social media can act as an intensifier for whatever kids are experiencing and how it causes a dip in self-esteem What sharenting is and how to navigate permissions, cleaning up past shares, and more Why apps like ClassDojo are particularly challenging for families with differently-wired students How grading apps often work against differently wired students Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 472: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Transforming Conflict Into Connection with our Teens

  Today we’re talking about one of my favorite topics — what it really means to connect, collaborate, and let go of control as our kids grow into themselves as they enter the transformative teen years. My guest is Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach who helps overwhelmed parents raise confident, emotionally healthy kids and teens, and the author of the brand new book, Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict Into Connection. In our conversation, Ann-Louise shares insights from her book and offers a powerful reframing of what it means to parent through the teen years. We talk about shifting from control to curiosity—especially when raising neurodivergent kids—along with individuation, cognitive dissonance, and why living a fulfilling life as a parent is one of the best ways to model healthy behaviors for our teens. She also reminds us that it’s never too late to repair, reconnect, and love the teen we have right now. About Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart is a pediatric psychologist, parent coach, speaker, and author who helps overwhelmed parents raise confident, emotionally healthy kids and teens. As the founder of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, she empowers families to move from chaos to connection using practical tools rooted in clinical expertise and real-life parenting. She is the author of an upcoming book launching October 28, 2025 titled, Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict Into Connection. She has been featured in The New York Times, Parents, HuffPost, and on The Today Show. Her dynamic, relatable style has made her a trusted voice for parents nationwide. Things you'll learn from this episode Why it’s never too late to repair and rebuild connection with your teen How curiosity helps parents better understand what’s really driving their teen’s behavior Why focusing on connection over control leads to stronger, more trusting relationships How individuation is a healthy and necessary part of adolescence for both teens and parents Why modeling a fulfilling, authentic life can positively influence your child’s growth How resetting expectations and embracing collaboration can transform communication and repair past ruptures Resources mentioned Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart’s author website Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict Into Connection by Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart A New Day Pediatric Psychology (Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart’s practice) Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Instagram Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Facebook Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart’s YouTube channel Chris Voss & The Art of Negotiation (Masterclass) Lighthouse Parenting: Raising your Child with Loving Guidance for an Enduring Bond by Dr. Ken Ginsburg Maggie Dent on How to Parent, Love & Support Today’s Teens (Full-Tilt Parenting) Education Leader Chris Balme on Navigating the Tricky Middle School Years (Full-Tilt Parenting) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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