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

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

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

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

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

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

In this Parent Lean In episode, I’m talking with Margaret Webb about a question I hear often—how can we support our neurodivergent kids in connecting with neurotypical peers, especially when social skills don’t quite align? We unpack one listener’s situation with her sweet, social autistic son and talk about managing our own worries as parents, scaffolding playdates so they feel more successful, and finding the right playmate fit. It’s all about creating safe, supportive opportunities for connection—without putting too much pressure on anyone involved.   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. Margaret Webb is a certified Master Life Coach, parenting coach, nature-based coach, former teacher, wife and mother. As a life and parenting coach, she weaves together her experience as an elementary education teacher with the tools she’s learned in Martha Beck’s Life Coach Training, Sagefire Institute’s Nature-Based Coach Training, and what she’s applied to her own life as a mom of a now 20-year-old autistic son. Her most recent book is Hero’s Journey in Parenting: Parenting the Child You Didn’t Expect While You Were Expecting.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why understanding the root causes of a child's behavior helps parents respond with empathy and effectiveness How dysregulation often stems from overwhelming emotions and energy that need safe release Why co-regulation and physical activity are powerful tools for helping children return to a calm state How a parent's calm presence can de-escalate emotional intensity and offer safety Why knowing when to step in and when to hold space without reacting is key to supporting regulation How keeping a long-term perspective can help parents navigate tough moments with more resilience and hope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I’m talking with Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a clinical psychologist, the host of the Divergent Conversations podcast, and the creator of Neurodivergent Insights, where she creates and shares fantastic, well-researched, and accessible resources for the neurodivergent community. Megan Anna is also the author of Self-Care for Autistic People, which we talked about in a previous episode, and her newest book which we’re talking about today, The Autistic Burnout Workbook. We’ll explore what autistic burnout is, how it shows up (especially in kids), and why it’s so often confused with depression. We also get into the realities of recovery, the importance of understanding each person’s baseline, and how to support kids through burnout in ways that are truly helpful.  About Megan Anna Neff  Dr. Megan Anna Neff is a clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Neurodivergent Insights. She is the author of Self-Care for Autistic People and The Autistic Burnout Workbook. Dr. Neff contributes regularly to Psychology Today and has been featured in outlets like CNN, PBS, ABC, and The Los Angeles Times. After discovering her own neurodivergence at age 37, she became passionate about raising awareness of non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. Through Neurodivergent Insights, she creates educational and wellness resources for the neurodivergent community, while also co-hosting the Divergent Conversations podcast.   Things you'll learn from this episode What is autistic burnout, and why is it sometimes confused with depression What are the major symptoms of burnout, and examples of how it shows up at different ages What recovery really means and why it looks different for everybody The two strategies that are key to recovery from autistic burnout How to support kids through burnout in ways that are truly helpful Resources mentioned Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s website, Neurodivergent Insights The Autistic Burnout Workbook: Your Guide to Your Personal Recovery Plan by Dr. Megan Anna Neff Self-Care For Autistic People by Dr. Megan Anna Neff Divergent Conversations Podcast Neurodivergent Insights on Instagram Neurodivergent Insights on Facebook Dr. Megan Anna Neff on LinkedIn Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s Link in Bio Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Diagnoses and Misdiagnoses (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Dr. Megan Anna Neff on Self-Care for Autistic People (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Dr. Dora Raymaker Sensate (Sensory device) Dr. Mel Houser on Navigating the Healthcare System as a Neurodivergent Person (Tilt Parenting Podcast) All Brains Belong  Dr. Mona Delahooke on the Power of Brain-Body Parenting (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Dr. Mona Delahooke’s website Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tilt Parenting podcast has a new name—Full Tilt Parenting—and in this short episode, I’m sharing the why behind the change and what it means moving forward. Same mission, same heart... just with a name that better reflects the movement we’re building together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amanda Stern, author of the memoir "Little Panic: Dispatches from an Anxious Life," shares her story of growing up with an undiagnosed and unsupported panic disorder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s sometimes tricky to navigate as parents: consent. My guest for this conversation is educator and consent expert Sarah Casper, founder of Comprehensive Consent and author of The Kids and Consent Curriculum. Sarah has taught thousands of children, teens, and adults how to build healthy, respectful, and joyful relationships through a social-emotional lens. Her approach is as thoughtful as it is practical. In this conversation, Sarah and I explored how consent starts early, with the little, everyday interactions that help kids understand their boundaries, express their wants and needs, and learn to respect others wants and needs. We talked about the challenges of balancing safety with autonomy, especially when it comes to things like hygiene, personal space, and social expectations, and why this balance is nuanced when parenting neurodivergent children. Sarah also shared some real-world strategies for introducing consent language at home, navigating pushback, and supporting kids in building self-awareness and self-esteem. If you’ve ever wondered how to model boundaries while still honoring your child’s agency, I know you will find this episode valuable. And hopefully you’ll feel inspired to do the activity Sarah shared at the end of the episode with your family because it’s a great way to evaluate how choices are being made at home and it will help you understand each other a little better.  About Sarah Casper Sarah Casper is an educator, author of The Kids and Consent Curriculum, and the founder of Comprehensive Consent, a social-emotional learning approach to equipping young people with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy, respectful, and joyful relationships. Through her in-school workshops, online classes, and social media content, Sarah has helped thousands of kids, adolescents, and adults deepen their consent practices.  Things you'll learn from this episode Consent begins in childhood through small, everyday practices that honor bodily autonomy, encourage agency, and invite mutual respect Teaching consent means offering choices, being honest about our intentions, and recognizing when to pivot based on our child’s cues Healthy relationships are rooted in collaboration, not control, and thrive when power dynamics are acknowledged Navigating consent with kids involves balancing their safety with their right to say no, especially in situations involving hygiene, touch, or personal space Supporting a child’s self-regulation and practicing our own helps reduce resentment, foster trust, and model respectful boundary-setting Neurodivergent kids may need extra support in understanding and expressing consent, which makes child-led play and behavior-based communication all the more important  Resources mentioned Comprehensive Consent (Sarah’s website) The Kids & Consent Curriculum: 25 Whole-Classroom Lessons to Teach Boundaries, Collaboration, and Respect by Sarah Casper Betty Martin’s Wheel of Consent Unmasking for Life: The Autistic Person’s Guide to Connecting, Loving, and Living Authentically by Dr. Devon Price Dr. Devon Price on the Autistic Person’s Guide to Unmasking for Life (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Akilah Richards on Raising Free People (Tilt Parenting Podcast) The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier by Dr. David Yeager Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices