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

Social justice advocate, blogger, and podcaster Amber Coleman-Mortley (Mom of All Capes) talks about her work elevating diverse voices and perspectives in the civic education space, working with students and educators for more equitable outcomes, and how parents can raise civically-minded kids.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

This week I’m bringing back to the podcast neuroscientist, author, and speaker Dr Nicole Tetreault. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Nicole was propelled to study neuroscience after her mother’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. She then went on her own journey of self-discovery while supporting her twice-exceptional son, and recognizing many traits in herself. All this culminated in her new book Insight Into a Bright Mind: A Neuroscientist’s Personal Stories of Unique Thinking, which melds groundbreaking research with the captured experiences of unique, creative, and intense brains. I’m excited to bring this conversation to you and give you an inside look at this book, as it’s truly a unique and important addition to what currently exists to help parents better understand their exceptional kids’ needs, and perhaps to better understand themselves as well. Nicole brings an incredible breadth of knowledge, and personal experience to the neurodiversity movement, as well as a deep passion for science communication. I hope you enjoy our conversation!Nicole Tetreault, Ph. D., is a neuroscientist, author, meditation teacher, and international speaker on topics of neurodiversity, neurodevelopment, creativity, mental health, and wellness. Dr. Tetreault received her PhD from Caltech specializing in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disorders. As the founder of Awesome Neuroscience, she translates the most promising neuroscience and positive psychology for people to live their best life.  THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: What led Nicole to investigate neurodiversity and become a science communicator The important points about brain wiring that are important to understand about educating neurodiverse individuals What is meant by asynchrony and how it relates to processing and behaviors What we can learn from the current moment coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic when it comes to educating neurodiverse students Nicole’s encouragement for parents who self-identify as neurodivers as part of learning about their own child  RESOURCES MENTIONED:  Nicole Tetreault’s website Insight Into a Bright Mind: A Neuroscientist’s Personal Stories of Unique Thinking by Nicole Tetreault Trauma & Social Isolation in the Time of COVID-19 (Tilt Podcast episode) 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

I’m so excited to bring you this powerful and gut-punching conversation with Jonathan Mooney, a self-described “do-gooder,” speaker, and writer who didn’t learn to read until he was 12-years-old. Growing up with Dyslexia, Jonathan faced a number of low expectations: he was told he would be a high-school dropout and likely end up in jail. Instead, he earned a degree in English Literature, started his first non-profit organization in his college dorm, and has gone on to write a number of books, including his latest title Normal Sucks (which, side note: should be required reading for everyone). He’s been a champion for neurological and physical diversity for more than two decades, and his award-winning advocacy projects have been featured in major media outlets across the US. We cover so much ground in our conversation—all about the implications and prescriptions of “normal”—from the painful messages Jonathan received in his early life, to some of the disturbing research he came across while writing his book. But we also talk about the kind of powerful things that can happen for our kids when we set aside typical conventions, timelines, and expectations, and celebrate their differences. It’s not about just flourishing outside the box, it’s about shattering the box completely.  THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: The powerful messages, both positive and negative, Jonathan heard from the adults in his life as a child with dyslexia What is means to pathologize difference, and how even well-meaning organizations participate in this The difficult and disturbing historical outcomes for differently-abled people, including the ideas and legacy of the Eugenics movement.  How the idea of “normal” has evolved since Jonathan started his advocacy work Why Jonathan believes that learning differences are a gift and why this is such an important concept What parents and teachers can do to help children to see their differences as strengths  RESOURCES MENTIONED:  Jonathan Mooney’s website Jonathan Mooney’s email: jonathanmooney@me.com Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn and Thrive Outside the Lines by Jonathan Mooney The Short Bus: A Journal Beyond Normal by Jonathan Mooney Learning Outside the Lines: Two Ivy League Students With Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You The Tools For Academic Success and Educational Revolution by Jonathan Mooney and David Cole 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

Janet Allison, founder of Boys Alive!, speaker, author, educator, and family coach, talks about how parents and caregivers can support the emotional lives of boys.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

Multiracial (Chinese/Irish) autistic neurodiversity rights advocate Ashia Ray talks about her Raising Luminaries movement and Books For Littles — a resource for finding children’s picture books to discuss hard topics.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

In this special bonus episode, executive function coach Seth Perler shares his 5 ideas about what needs to happen next as we work to shift the parenting paradigm for those of us raising differently wired kids.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

Debbie Reber Hosts a Special Episode Celebrating 5 Years of Tilt ParentingConnect 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

Teacher, author, speaker, and mom Jessica Lahey (The Gift of Failure) shares her newest book about kids, drugs, and alcohol, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence.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

Author, speaker, and activist Julie Lythcott-Haims (How to Raise an Adult) takes us inside her powerful, inclusive new book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult.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

Dr. Jody Carrington, a clinical psychologist who has spent most of her career working with children and families who have experienced trauma, talks about her work supporting educators, parents, and caregivers in showing up for and supporting all children.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