TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children cover image

TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Latest episodes

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Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 14min

TPP 181a: Educator Zach Morris on Emotionally Supporting Children Through Difficult Periods

Educator and school co-founder Zach Morris shares his insights on how we can emotionally support children through difficult periods, including challenges relating to school anxiety and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 20, 2025 • 23min

TPP 430: How Can I Take Care of Myself While in Burnout & Raising Explosive Children?

Parent Coach Margaret Webb joins Debbie to answer a listener question on how to navigate solo parenting as a neurodivergent mom in burnout, balance supporting two neurodivergent kids post-divorce, and find realistic ways to prioritize self-care—even when it feels impossible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 18, 2025 • 41min

TPP 429: Dr. Liz Angoff on Best Practices for Talking with Kids About Diagnoses

Picture this. You’re sitting in the neuropsych’s office after you just got your kid’s diagnosis. You’re relieved to have some information on how to help them but have no clue how to explain their neurodivergence to them. Do you talk about the science? Do you wait until they are a certain age where they might understand more about their brains? Or maybe you think about waiting for them to start asking the questions. If you can relate, you’re not alone in wondering what the best way to have this conversation is. And the reality is, the how and when does matter. So for today’s show, I’m bringing on Dr. Liz Angoff, a Licensed Educational Psychologist who specializes in helping families reframe assessments and diagnoses into empowering narratives that celebrate a child’s unique brain.Liz has spent years working with children and families to make learning differences easier to understand. She’s the author of the Brain Building Books, a resource designed to help kids see their neurodivergence as a strength rather than a limitation.In our conversation, Liz shares why early and open discussions about neurodiversity are so important, how parents can guide their children through assessments in a way that fosters trust, and why shifting from a deficit-based model to a discovery-based approach can be transformative for the whole family. We also explore how different kids process this information in their own ways—some may embrace it, while others, especially teenagers, might resist labels altogether. She also provides thoughtful strategies to meet kids where they are and help them feel seen and supported. If you’ve ever struggled with how to talk to your child about their neurodivergence, this episode is full of practical insights and reassurance. About Dr. Liz AngoffLiz Angoff, Ph.D., is a Licensed Educational Psychologist with a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology, providing assessment and consultation services to children and their families in the Bay Area, CA. She is the author of the Brain Building Books, tools for engaging children in understanding their learning and developmental differences. More information about Dr. Liz and her work is available at www.ExplainingBrains.com. Things you'll learn from this episode How early conversations about neurodiversity help normalize differences and make children feel unique and valued Why parents should approach assessments as discovery processes rather than problem-solving exercises How to prepare children for assessments by discussing their experience to foster understanding and trust The importance of respecting how children choose to process information about their neurodivergence, especially teenagers resistant to labels  Resources mentioned Dr. Liz Angoff’s Explaining Brains website Our Brains: A Workbook to Understand, Celebrate, and Advocate for Your Unique Brain! by Dr. Liz Angoff Dr. Liz Angoff on Instagram Dr. Liz Angoff’s collection of resources to help families talk to kids about their neurodivergence, including a living spreadsheet The End of Average: Unlocking Our Potential by Embracing What Makes Us Different by Todd Rose Karen Wilson on Telling Kids About Their Diagnosis (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Amy Laurent on Shifting the Conversation from Emotional Regulation to Energy Regulation (Tilt Parenting podcast)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 14, 2025 • 52min

TPP 180a: Susan Stiffelman on Parenting Without Power Struggles

Marriage and family therapist, licensed psychotherapist, and author Susan Stiffelman talks about her book Parenting Without Power Struggles and shares strategies for staying calm in the midst of conflict with our children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 11, 2025 • 41min

TPP 428: ADHD Activist Sarah Templeton on the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Today we’re diving into an urgent and often overlooked issue—the connection between ADHD, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the critical need for early intervention. My guest for today’s conversation is Sarah Templeton, an ADHD activist, counselor, and author whose personal and professional experiences have made her a passionate advocate for mandatory ADHD screenings in schools and the criminal justice system.Sarah was diagnosed with ADHD, severe dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and sensory processing disorder later in life. As a psychotherapist working with incarcerated individuals, she made a startling discovery—an overwhelming majority of inmates have ADHD that was never recognized or supported in childhood. This realization led her to create ADHD Liberty, a charity focused on increasing awareness, advocating for policy change, and ensuring early intervention for kids who might otherwise fall through the cracks. She’s actually got a book coming out soon about her work in the prison system called The Prison Counselor. Sarah is also the author of How Not to Murder Your ADHD Child, How Not To Damage Your ADHD Adolescent, and Teachers! How Not to Kill the Spirit in Your ADHD Kids, books which are designed to help parents and educators better understand and support neurodivergent kids.In this conversation, Sarah unpacks why ADHD is so prevalent in the prison population and how mandatory screenings in schools could change the trajectory of countless lives. We discuss the role of teacher training, the need for mental health teams in schools, and the systemic barriers that prevent ADHD from being taken seriously in both education and the justice system.This episode is eye-opening, informative, and a powerful call to action for parents, educators, and policymakers alike. I hope you enjoy it. About Sarah TempletonSarah Templeton is an ADHD activist and author. She wrote the best selling book How Not to Murder Your ADHD Child — Instead Learn to Be Your Child’s Own ADHD Coach. She followed this up with a book to help teachers understand and manage their ADHD students and a book for parents of ADHD teenagers. As a fully qualified and accredited counsellor and psychotherapist she is passionate about ADHD being understood and stopping anyone trying to ”knock the ADHD out of kids” and instead allowing them to be their authentic selves.Sarah campaigns relentlessly for mandatory ADHD screening in the education system and the criminal justice system. Her own moderate to severe combined ADHD, severe dyspraxia, dyscalculia and sensory processing disorder went completely missed until she was in her 50s.She doesn’t want this for children now. Things you'll learn from this episode Why ADHD is highly prevalent in the prison population, with estimates suggesting 75-85% of inmates may have undiagnosed ADHD How early intervention and mandatory ADHD screening in schools could prevent exclusions and significantly improve life outcomes for children Why teacher training and mental health teams are critical in recognizing and supporting students with ADHD, yet remain insufficiently prioritized Why governments and police departments need to take ADHD seriously by addressing stigma, promoting awareness, and funding early interventions Resources mentioned Sarah Templeton’s website ADHD Liberty Headstuff ADHD Therapy Sarah on Instagram How NOT to Murder Your ADHD Kid: Instead Learn How to Be Your Child's Own ADHD Coach by Sarah Templeton HOW NOT TO DAMAGE YOUR ADHD ADOLESCENT: Instead, Coach them Through their Turbulent Teens to Win at Life by Sarah Templeton Teachers! How Not to Kill the Spirit in Your ADHD Kids by Sarah Templeton   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 7, 2025 • 43min

TPP 179a: 12-Year-Old Rylan Talks About Growing up with Tourettes and Autism

Gwen Vogelgang and her 12-year-old son Rylan talk about their new book, "If I Squeeze Your Head I'm Sorry," which allow readers to enter the brain of a child who sees, feels, and understands the world from a refreshingly unique perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feb 4, 2025 • 45min

TPP 427: Dr. Tovah Klein on Raising Resilient Kids During Times of Uncertainty

Today’s episode couldn’t be more timely. We’re exploring the important topic of resilience and how to support our kids in navigating challenging times. Joining me is Dr. Tovah Klein, author of the insightful new book Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.Dr. Klein is a renowned developmental psychologist and the director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development. With over 30 years of experience, she’s dedicated her career to understanding what children need to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. She’s a sought-after advisor to children’s media and organizations, including National Geographic Kids and Apple TV+. In her latest book, Tovah explains why resilience isn’t a fixed trait but a skill that can be nurtured through supportive relationships and intentional parenting practices. And so in today’s conversation, we unpack what it means to be an anchor and container for our children, explore the five pillars of resilience—security and trust, emotional regulation, agency, social connection, and self-acceptance—and discuss why understanding our own emotional baggage is key to helping our kids build resilience.  I love the way Tovah frames resiliency as a skill that is built together between parents and children because so often we think of it as an individual characteristic. And as you’ll hear in this conversation, it all starts with the connection between us. There’s so much food for thought and hope.  About Dr. Tovah KleinTovah P. Klein, Ph.D. is the author of Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty and How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success. She is also the Director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and a psychology professor at Barnard College, Columbia University. In her role as a researcher and professor and in direct care with parents and children for over thirty years, Klein has helped to define what every child needs to thrive, regardless of their life situations. Working worldwide with programs addressing the needs of children, she is highly sought after as a developmental expert on a range of timely topics and an advisor to children’s media and organizations, including National Geographic Kids, Apple TV+, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Hunts Point Alliance for Children, Room to Grow, and Ubuntu Pathways South Africa. Things you'll learn Why resilience isn’t a fixed trait but rather the ability to adapt and adjust with life’s uncertainties What it means for a parent to serve as an anchor and container for their children Why awareness of our own emotional baggage is crucial in order to help our kids be more resilient What the 5 pillars of resilience are and how to cultivate them Why agency and social connection are vital for children's development and building resilience  Resources mentioned Dr. Tovah Klein’s website Dr. Tovah Klein’s How Toddler’s Thrive website Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty by Dr. Tovah Klein How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success by Dr. Tovah Klein Barnard Center for Family Development Dr. Stephen Porges Dr. Michele Borba Dr. Michele Borba on How to Help Kids Thrive in an Anxious World (Tilt Parenting) You Factor Journal code: Tovah24   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 31, 2025 • 49min

TPP 178a: The Davidson Institute on Supporting & Educating Profoundly Gifted Children

Dr. Stacy Hawthorne and Dr. Jessica Potts of The Davidson Institute talk about the unique needs for profoundly gifted children and share insights on how to support their intellectual and social/emotional development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 28, 2025 • 51min

TPP 426: Georgie Wisen-Vincent on Unlocking Our Kids’ Emotional Balance and Resilience with The Way of Play

Playing with our kids doesn’t always come naturally to parents. For some of us, it might feel uninteresting, repetitive, or as though the only way to participate is by taking over. But today’s conversation might just change the way you think about play. We’re diving into the transformative power of play as a form of communication that allows our kids to feel safe while exploring what’s going on inside them. Joining me is Georgie Wisen-Vincent, an expert in play therapy and co-author, alongside Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, of the new book The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Kind and Confident Kids.In today’s episode, Georgie shares insights from The Way of Play and explains why play is a universal language that helps kids express their feelings and navigate life’s challenges. We discuss how parents can intentionally use play to strengthen bonds, nurture sibling relationships, and reconnect after time apart. Georgie also offers practical strategies for engaging in play effectively, such as mirroring your child’s play to deepen connection and understanding. Plus, we explore how play isn’t just for kids—it’s a lifelong skill that can enhance relationships at every stage of life. About Georgie Wisen-VincentGeorgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S, ECMHS is a nationally recognized play therapy expert and co-author (with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson) of the new book -- THE WAY OF PLAY (Penguin Random House, January 2025). Georgie is the Founder/Director of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens, along with Dr. Bryson, the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice in Southern California. Georgie is also a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist and maintains a private practice at The Center for Connection.The Play Strong Institute offers the Certificate in Play Therapy with a Neurorelational Emphasis, an educational pathway toward becoming a credentialed play therapist. Through the Institute, the Play Strong approach was developed using child-led, adult scaffolded connection and play to help parents, therapists, educators, and care providers augment intervention aimed at the social, emotional, developmental, and learning needs of children from infancy to early adolescence. Play Strong Parenting (a component of Neurofilial Therapy) has been validated by empirical research and is currently being studied with non-parental caregivers and early childhood educators, among other research investigations currently underway. Things you'll learn Why play is a natural language that fosters social-emotional development, allowing children to express their feelings and process difficult experiences How parents can strengthen connections by intentionally setting aside time for play and becoming active observers rather than controllers How little moments of play can lead to big connections, helping to nurture sibling relationships and strengthen bonds after time apart How to engage in play effectively, mirroring our child’s play to enhance connection and understanding Why play is a lifelong skill that not only supports children’s growth but also enriches adult relationships and communication  Resources mentioned The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Kind and Confident Kids by Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent The Play Strong Institute Tina Payne Bryson’s website Georgie Wisen-Vincent on Instagram Tina Payne Bryson on Instagram The Way of Play on the Play Strong Institute website The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Dr. Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson PhD No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Dr. Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson PhD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 24, 2025 • 23min

TPP 425: How Can I “De-Motivate” My Teen From Engaging in Risky Behaviors?

Zach Morris joins Debbie to answer a listener question on how to address a 17-year-old with ADHD and executive function challenges who is vaping, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing trust, open communication, education on risks, and understanding the motivations behind the behavior while fostering a strong parent-child connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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