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

Today’s episode is an expert visit with leadership coach, author, and podcast host Heather Chauvin about navigating life’s unexpected detours, especially the ones that knock the wind out of you and make you question everything. Heather shares how her stage 4 cancer diagnosis reshaped the way she thinks about “resilience,” why so many capable, responsible women end up running on fumes, and what it looks like to stop powering through and start rebuilding your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual resources from the inside out. We talk about the shame that can come with feeling tired, how to notice the moment right before you react (so you can respond differently over time), and simple, grounding questions like “How do I want to feel?” that can become a roadmap when life gets messy. Note: This is a special release of an expert conversation held inside the Differently Wired Club. Enjoy!   About Heather Heather Chauvin is a leadership coach who helps ‘successful’ women courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms. Heather started her career as a social worker helping adults understand children’s behavior. But it wasn’t until 2013 when a stage 4 cancer diagnosis pushed her to take a deeper stand for change, uncovering how cultural expectations sabotage our dreams. She has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Real Simple Magazine, Mind Body Green, Google, and more. When Heather isn’t working, you will find her living out what she teaches which may include kayaking Alaska, snowboarding, hiking, or anything else that challenges what she believes is possible for herself (and inviting her children along the journey). Life is full of opportunities. It’s time to feel alive.   Key Takeaways Why resilience isn’t about powering through—and how numbing and over-functioning can quietly turn into fatigue and shame How starting with the question “How do I want to feel?” helps parents make more aligned, sustainable choices Why fatigue carries important information and how getting curious instead of judgmental can shift everything How noticing your yellow zone before reacting builds awareness and more connected responses over time Why detours and uncertainty often become powerful identity work, revealing where growth and change are being invited How practicing small, intentional “tiny pushes” can help parents move toward the version of themselves they’re becoming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cathy and Todd Adams, a dynamic husband and wife duo, co-host the Zen Parenting Podcast, blending her expertise as a licensed clinical social worker and his as a certified life coach. They discuss how vulnerability enriches parenting partnerships and the importance of alignment in co-parenting. The couple reflects on parenting challenges during the pandemic and emphasizes open conversations with children about identity and social issues. Cathy also shares insights from her upcoming book on managing uncertainty and prioritizing self-care.

Today’s episode an expert visit with Dr. Mel Houser—family physician, autistic PDAer, and founder of All Brains Belong—about the realities of navigating healthcare systems with neurodivergent kids and teens. Mel shares how their clinical work and lived experience have revealed predictable patterns in the “constellation” of intertwined neuro-immune conditions many autistic and ADHD people experience, why traditional medicine often misses them, and what families can do to get safer, more informed care. This conversation is packed with practical tools, system workarounds, and hope grounded in community and bottom-up change. Note: This is a special release of an expert conversation held inside the Differently Wired Club. Enjoy! Key Takeaways How advocacy can look like bottom-up systems change—building parallel supports, community-driven solutions, and using an oblique angle instead of fighting institutions head-on Why the predictable “constellation” of medical issues in autistic and ADHD people is often missed by traditional medicine—and how a whole neuro-immune lens changes that How self-knowledge at any age becomes a medical and emotional game-changer, empowering kids and adults to understand, predict, and manage their own bodies Why teens who feel “tired of trying” need a new narrative and bigger framework, not just more interventions or treatment plans How proactively preparing for healthcare encounters—with visuals, scripts, and flexible goals—reduces dysregulation and builds long-term trust and capacity Why community and collective problem-solving are essential infrastructure when systems fail, not optional extras Additional Resources   All Brains Belong (Dr. Mel Houser’s website) Dr. Mel Houser on Navigating the Healthcare System as a Neurodivergent Individual (Tilt Parenting podcast) 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, parenting coach Margaret Webb shares her expertise on navigating family dynamics when grandparent and extended family misunderstand a child's needs. She explores common hurtful comments and emphasizes self-care and understanding your child to mitigate reactions. Margaret offers proactive planning strategies, like scripting responses and evaluating who deserves your energy. With practical tools and humor as allies, she provides invaluable advice for making family events more manageable for everyone involved.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Sharon Saline, a clinical psychologist specializing in ADHD and neurodivergence, delves into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). She shares insights from her personal experience with RSD and the emotional turmoil it brings. The conversation covers how RSD manifests in childhood, its ties to social anxiety, and cognitive distortions that exacerbate feelings of shame. Dr. Saline offers practical strategies for parents to nurture resilience in their children and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in navigating rejection.

Kate McNulty, a licensed clinical social worker and autistic advocate, shares her journey of discovering her autism through her child's questions. She explores the complexities of mixed-neurotype relationships, discussing common challenges like misinterpreted behaviors and the shifts in dynamics post-dating. Kate also offers therapeutic strategies to enhance connection and emphasizes the importance of preparing neurodivergent kids for healthy relationships. Her insights on fostering appreciation and communication in partnerships are both enlightening and empowering.

Lynn Lyons, a seasoned psychotherapist specializing in anxiety, explores the nuances of anxiety in families, highlighting its impact on children's independence. She reveals how generational worry shapes parenting styles and discusses practical strategies to shift from worry to courage. Lynn emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between shyness and temperament, and she offers insights on early signs of anxiety. With a focus on building resilience, she encourages parents to embrace discomfort and support their kids in navigating anxiety with confidence.

Kanesha Baynard, a life coach and educator specializing in multigenerational family dynamics, shares her insights on navigating relationships with parents and in-laws. She discusses the challenges of shifting roles, setting boundaries, and differing parenting styles. Kanesha introduces the PAL system for effective communication, emphasizes the importance of annual family check-ins, and suggests inviting grandparents to learn together. Her practical strategies aim to foster harmony in family dynamics, helping parents gain support and understanding from their families.

Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, the dynamic duo behind the book This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained and the co-hosts of The Puberty Podcast, were on the show a few years ago when their book was first published, and so I was eager to have them back on for a deeper conversation about the often awkward but incredibly important stage of growing up called puberty and how parents can better support their kids through it, especially when neurodivergence adds an extra layer of complexity. In our conversation, we dive into the early onset of puberty, what’s new in the updated paperback edition of This Is So Awkward, and their vision for a more comprehensive, affirming approach to health education. We also talk about the unique challenges for parents of neurodivergent kids and why all of us—parents, educators, and communities—need better tools and language to support young people through this pivotal time. Ultimately, we’re talking about whole child development. Because every child no matter their age, race, socio economic status, brain wiring, will go through this stage of life. And as it turns out, what all kids need to emerge more seen and whole is the same thing. About Cara Natterson, MD Cara Natterson, MD, is a pediatrician, consultant, and New York Times bestselling author. She’s also the co-founder and CEO of Order of Magnitude, a company dedicated to flipping puberty positive. Cara’s books focus largely on puberty — some written for the kids going through it, and others for the adults helping them along the way. Her list of titles includes The Care and Keeping of You series with more than 7 million copies in print. While this reach is incredible, the written word is only one way to transform the experience of adolescence. About Vanessa Kroll Bennett Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a puberty educator and writer, a podcaster, and entrepreneur who helps adults navigate uncertainty while they support the kids they love. Vanessa is the co-host of The Puberty Podcast which is exactly what it sounds like and the founder of Dynamo Girl, a company focused on building kids’ self-esteem through sports, puberty education and parent workshops. Vanessa consults with organizations, large and small, on how to authentically engage children in their communities.  Things you'll learn from this episode  How the average age of puberty is shifting earlier, beginning as young as 8 to 10 years old Why parents and educators need reliable, science-based information to navigate early puberty confidently How neurodivergent children may experience puberty differently and benefit from tailored support Why it’s essential to include boys in open, ongoing conversations about puberty and development How empowering children with knowledge and advocacy can positively shape their growth and self-understanding Why collaboration between parents, educators, and experts leads to stronger, more inclusive health education Resources mentioned This is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained by Cara Natterson, MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett Dr. Cara Natterson’s website, the Worry-Proof MD This is So Awkward Dynamo Girl (Vanessa Bennett’s website) Uncertain Parenting Newsletter Less Awkward on Instagram Vanessa on Instagram The Order of Magnitude Oomla The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls by Cara Natterson Decoding Boys: New Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons by Cara Natterson What You Need to Know About Modern-Day Puberty, with Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Sex Education and Our Differently Wired Kids, with Amy Lang (Tilt Parenting podcast) Sex Educator Amy Lang Talks About Kids and Pornography (Tilt Parenting podcast) Amy Lang on How Having “The Talk” Can Help Keep Your Kids Safe Online (Tilt Parenting podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Academic coach and author of The Disintegrating Student, Jeannine Jannot, Ph.D., shares insights on why previously high performing students might fall apart and offers strategies for building skills and resilience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices