

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Debbie Reber
Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child? Full-Tilt Parenting is here to help. Hosted by parenting activist and author Debbie Reber, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating life with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), giftedness, and twice-exceptional (2e) kids. With expert interviews and candid conversations, you'll discover practical solutions for things like school challenges and refusal, therapy options, and fostering inclusion, social struggles, advocacy, intense behavior, and more — all through a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Whether you're struggling with advocating for your child at school or seeking ways to better support their unique needs, Debbie offers the guidance and encouragement you need to reduce overwhelm and create a thriving, joyful family environment. It's like sitting down with a trusted friend who gets it. You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 26, 2022 • 45min
TPP 291: What is Dyslcalculia? Laura Jackson on Her Family's Journey With a Math Disability
What is dyscalculia? If you’re wondering if your child has this often misunderstood math disability, this episode is for you. My guest is Laura Jackson, a mom, writer, and advocate who helps families struggling with dyscalculia move from confusion and overwhelm to understanding and connection. Laura’s passion is to provide advocacy, coaching, and encouragement for overwhelmed parents and discouraged children who feel alone in their journey with dyscalculia.In this conversation, Laura shares insights from her new book, Discovering Dyscalculia: One Family’s Journey with a Math Disability, which was inspired by her own family’s journey of getting her daughter’s diagnosis, how they navigated working with the school, and finding strategies that work for her beyond her education. Laura also shared many, many strategies and resources for parents who want to learn more about dyscalculia and the early signs that they can look out for if they suspect their child might be struggling with it.Things you’ll learn from this episode
What the early signs of dyscalculia are that parents can look out for
How Laura navigated the journey of getting her daughter evaluated at school and what she did to help educate the special ed department about dyscalculia
Why some schools avoid suggesting an evaluation to parents but instead wait for parents to ask for their child to be evaluated
Laura’s favorite researchers and resources on dyscalculia
Examples of the adjustments Laura made at home to accommodate her daughter
Resources mentioned for discovering dyscalculia
Laura Jackson’s website
Discovering Dyscalculia: One Family’s Journey with a Math Disability by Laura Jackson
Laura’s online class for parents: Your Dyscalculia Adventure
Download a free chapter of Discovering Dyscalculia
Ronit Bird, Dyscalculia Specialist
Ronit Bird’s YouTube channel
Dr. Schreuder / Dyscalculia Services
The Dyscalculia Network
Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 22, 2022 • 40min
TPP 055a: Dr. Devon MacEachron on Assessing and Supporting Twice-Exceptional Children
Dr. Devon MacEachron, a clinician, researcher, author, and speaker who specializes in assessing and supporting twice-exceptional, or 2e, learners founded a private psychology practice in New York City where she meets the psychoeducational, assessment, and education planning needs of the families of bright learners. Her mission is to help position these awesome students to achieve their goals and dreams, and to help parents feel confident their doing their best for their children. And that’s what we get into in this episode. Devon MacEachron, PhD provides comprehensive neuropsych and psychoeducational assessments focused on discovering the student’s unique profile of cognitive strengths and weaknesses and identifying how individual differences impact learning, achievement as compared to ability, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, and interests and affinities. As a specialist in twice-exceptional and gifted learners, dyslexia, ADHD, Asperger’s, and academic motivation with a positive psychology focus on strengths and interests, Dr. Devon is an expert diagnostician who provides an actionable game-plan to families enabling students to achieve their highest potential. Things you’ll learn from this episode
How 2e or “twice exceptional” is defined
How parents can recognize when something is “off” with their child or they suspect they may be 2e
Why it’s important to look at a child’s behavior and their environment when doing a neurological assessment
What the optimal age is for an assessment to determine if a child is twice exceptional
Why there usually isn’t a good school option for kids who are 2e
How parents can best support their twice-exceptional children, even if they are in a traditional school setting
Resources mentioned for supporting 2e learners
Dr. Devon MacEachron’s website
Email Dr. Devon
Dr. Devon on Facebook
Dr. Devon on Twitter
Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory of Intelligence
Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism by Diane M. Kennedy and Rebecca S. Banks
The Mislabeled Child: Looking Beyond Behavior to Find the True Source and Solutions for Children’s Learning Challenges by Brock Eide
Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting
Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge
Read a chapter of Differently Wired
Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 19, 2022 • 41min
TPP 290: Katie Hurley on Supporting Stressed Out Kids and Adolescents
Child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting educator, public speaker, and writer Katie Hurley, LCSW, talks about supporting stressed out kids and adolescents, and the current state of kids' and teens' mental health. Connect with Tilt Parenting
Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge
Read a chapter of Differently Wired
Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 15, 2022 • 44min
TPP 116a: Psychologist and Author Dr. Dan Peters on Parenting with Purpose and Intention
My guest this week is Dr. Dan Peters, a licensed psychologist, author, co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center, and the co-founder of the Parent Footprint Awareness Training. Dan’s mission is to foster more parenting with intention and purpose, and in today’s conversation, we explore just what that means, what it looks like, and how we can do the work on ourselves that can benefit our children and the family dynamic.We also take a deep look at Dan’s Parent Footprint Awareness Training, a unique, new, virtual online experience that supports parents in guiding our child’s future by becoming aware of our own parenting beliefs. I had a chance to go through the program already and found it to be powerful, quickly resulting in some game-changing aha moments for me. As you’ll hear from our chat, there is a very close synergy and alignment in Dr. Dan’s philosophy and approach with my mission at TILT Parenting — I have a hunch you will find him just as inspiring as I do.Dr. Dan Peters is a licensed psychologist, author, co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center. Dr. Dan has devoted his career to the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families, specializing in overcoming worry and fear, learning differences such as dyslexia, and issues related to giftedness and twice-exceptionality. Dr. Dan is author of Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child’s Fears and From Worrier to Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Fears. He is also co-author of Raising Creative Kids, and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and Psychology Today.Things you’ll learn from this episode
How our children benefit when we as parents are mindful about our lives and experiences
The connection between the values of compassion and kindness and our footprint in society
Why creating a more compassionate world starts in the home
How our energy as parents and caregivers is connected to our child’s behavior
The role our own past (and our experience as a child) impacts how we parent our own child, and why it’s critical that we explore that
Why we want to parent with purpose and intention
An overview of Dr. Peters’ Parent Footprint Awareness Training
Why who you are in the world and how you’re living your life is what matters most with your kid
Resources mentioned for parenting with intention an purpose
Dr. Dan Peters
Parent Footprint Awareness Training
Summit Center
Dr. Devon MacEachron
Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Deborah Reber
Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 12, 2022 • 45min
TPP 289: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Breaking Harmful Generational Cycles
Pediatric psychologist and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart talks about trauma and generational cycles, and offers ideas for why and how to break harmful cycles to help children and families heal.Connect with Tilt Parenting
Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge
Read a chapter of Differently Wired
Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 8, 2022 • 50min
TPP 020a: Casey O'Roarty on Positive Discipline and Neurodivergent Children
In this episode, I’m talking with Casey O’Roarty of Joyful Courage, Positive Discipline trainer and parent coach who is not only passionate about the power of positive discipline, but is a fierce believer in supporting parents in becoming courageous and joyful as they navigate the ups and downs of raising kids.Because I’ve personally experienced the profound impact of positive discipline in my relationship with Asher, I was excited to sit down with Casey for a deep dive into the heart and soul of the positive discipline parenting philosophy and neurodivergent children— respectful communication, fostering connection, and supporting a child in growth and learning through a marriage of kindness and firmness. I believe wholeheartedly that positive discipline is an incredibly effective approach for all parents, but especially for parents raising differently wired kids. I have a hunch that after listening to this episode, you’ll feel the same way.Casey O’Roarty is a Positive Discipline trainer and parent coach in the Pacific Northwest who teaches parent classes and leads teacher trainings. She is the founder of Joyful Courage, an online business featuring a blog, videos, and e-courses, as well as the host of the Joyful Courage Podcast.Things you’ll learn from this episode
What Positive Discipline is as a parenting and teaching philosophy
Why it’s critical that our kids feel connected
Why a parent’s emotions are their biggest clues as to what’s going on with their “misbehaving” children
How the balance of kindness and firmness works so well for children
Why positive discipline isn’t a “permissive” parenting style
Why “punishments” and time outs don’t help our children develop skills
Resources mentioned for positive discipline and neurodivergent children
Casey O’Roarty’s website, Joyful Courage
The Joyful Courage Podcast
Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson
Positive Discipline for Children with Special Needs: Raising and Teaching All Children to Become Resilient, Responsible, and Respectfulby Jane Nelson
The Mistaken Goals Chart – Downloadable PDF from PositiveDiscipline.com
The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Dan Siegel
Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting
Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge
Read a chapter of Differently Wired
Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 5, 2022 • 44min
TPP 288: Natasha Daniels Talks About How to Help Kids with Anxiety or OCD
Author, child anxiety and OCD therapist, and founder of AT Parenting Survival Natasha Daniels talks about the way anxiety and OCD show up in children, and how parents can best support children who are struggling.Connect with Tilt Parenting
Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge
Read a chapter of Differently Wired
Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 1, 2022 • 35min
TPP 033a: A Conversation with 12-year-old Asher About Being a Kid with ADHD
In this special kid’s POV edition, my 12-year-old son Asher and I get real about the impact of ADHD in our world. We’ve known since Asher was five that he has ADHD, yet the learning for both him and us continues.In our conversation, Asher shares how he felt when he first found out he had ADHD, what it means to him, and the areas of his life where it impacts him the most. I talk about my steep learning curve with understanding ADHD when I first began homeschooling Asher, and reflect on the ways in which I’m still struggling to embrace all aspects of his ADHD. We also have a frank conversation about why Asher has chosen to not take medication for ADHD and what he’s doing instead.Debbie Reber is the founder of Tilt and the host of the Tilt Parenting Podcast. 12-year-old Asher is Debbie’s child and is regularly featured on the podcast. Find out more about Debbie and Asher by visiting the About Page.Things you’ll learn from this episode
How it feels to have to fidget in order to focus, from a kid’s POV
What Asher wishes all teachers, and parents, understood about ADHD
Strategies Asher is currently using to help him calm his mind and focus
Why many kids with ADHD are too hard on themselves
The power and truth in the quote: “Kids would do better if they could”
Resources mentioned about being a kid with ADHD
Blocked to Brilliant (ADHD Coaching)
ADHD Video Club
ADHD Kids Rock
Debbie and Asher’s Miracle Morning Routine (podcast)
The Productivity Planner
The Creative Process (image)
Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting
Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge
Read a chapter of Differently Wired
Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 29, 2022 • 43min
TPP 287: Macall Gordon Shares Her Best Sleep hacks for Differently Wired Kids
Pediatric sleep coach Macall Gordon talks about why "livewire" children struggle so much with sleep, and shares her best practices for supporting healthier sleep habits in kids.For more info, visit: https://www.tiltparenting.com/session287Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting Visit Tilt Parenting Take the free 7-Day Challenge Read a chapter of Differently Wired Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 25, 2022 • 38min
TPP 084a: Karen Young of Hey Sigmund Talks About Anxiety in Kids
In this week’s episode I’m talking with the founder of the popular psychology website Hey Sigmund, Karen Young about anxiety in kids. Karen created Hey Sigmund because she realized the power of solid information, and wanted to share brain science and the latest research and news about psychology with everyday people.What attracted me to Karen’s website is that it frequently features fascinating, comprehensive, and easy-to-digest articles on issues surrounding kids’ emotional and mental well-being, with a special focus on anxiety in kids. And that’s what we’re talking about in-depth today—anxiety in children. Karen will tell us exactly what it looks like, how we can recognize it in our kids, what to do about it, and how to talk with our kids about it. Karen also tells us about her new book which she wrote specifically for children with anxiety, called Hey Warrior.Karen Young has worked as a psychologist in private practice, in organizational settings, lectured and has extensive experience in the facilitation of personal growth groups. Her honors degree in psychology and masters in Gestalt Therapy have come in handy at times. She founded Hey Sigmund after realizing the power of solid information. Her articles have been translated into a number of languages and her work has been published on various international sites including The Good Men Project, The Huffington Post, The Mighty, and Yahoo Health.She is also a regular contributor to Parenting Magazine in New Zealand. She can often be heard on Australian radio, and is and a sought-after speaker. Recently, she published Hey Warrior, a book for kids to help them understand anxiety and find their ‘brave’. Things you’ll learn from this episode
The impetus for Karen’s popular website Hey Sigmund
What Karen hopes Hey Sigmund does in the world
Why Karen says: “Because sometimes the only diagnosis is human”
What’s happening in our kids’ bodies and minds when they’re experiencing anxiety
Useful strategies kids can use to cope with their anxious feelings
What parents can look out for if they suspect their child might be struggling with anxiety
How parents can support their children with anxiety, as well as explain to their children what’s going on
The importance of mindfulness as a way to manage anxiety
Resources mentioned about anxiety in kids
Hey Sigmund (Karen’s website)
Hey Warrior, a book for kids with anxiety to find their “brave” by Karen Young
The University of Washington Autism Center
Headspace mindfulness app
Smiling Mind mindfulness app
Hey Sigmund on Facebook
Anxiety in Kids: How to Turn it Around and Protect Them for Life (original viral article on Hey Sigmund)
Support the showConnect with Tilt Parenting
Visit Tilt Parenting
Take the free 7-Day Challenge
Read a chapter of Differently Wired
Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices