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

Author and behavior consultant Amelia Bowler talks about her new book, The Parents' Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder, what ODD is (and isn't), how it's diagnosed, and how to support kids with this profile.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 talk with therapist, coach, speaker, advocate, and author Maria Davis-Pierre. Maria is the founder of Autism in Black, which provides educational and advocacy services to Black parents who have a child on the spectrum, as well as to bring awareness to and reduce the stigma associated with an autism diagnosis in the Black community. I first read about Maria in a Forbes Magazine article highlighting the additional fears and worries parents raising kids of color face when their kids also have special needs. Autism in Black was born out of Maria’s personal journey of having to tirelessly advocate to ensure her daughter got the diagnosis she knew she needed at an early age. Maria delves into the stigmas Black parents face from within and outside the Black community, how and why she teaches parents to advocate not just for their children but also for themselves, the difficulties Black children face in getting support in schools, the importance of cultural responsiveness from health care and social workers, and much more. Maria Davis-Pierre, Founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc., which aims to bring awareness to Autism Spectrum Disorder and reduce the stigma associated with the diagnosis in the Black community. As a licensed mental health therapist, Maria primarily works with parents to provide support through education and advocacy training. THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: Maria’s personal story and what led her to create Autism in Black The unique concerns and considerations of raising a Black child with autism Why one of Maria’s goals is to help Black parents not only advocate for their children, but to better advocate for themselves  The importance of being culturally responsive when working with the Black disability community and what that means What changes need to happen our school systems to better support Black kids on the spectrum and differently wired Black kids in general  RESOURCES MENTIONED:  Autism in Black website Autism in Black Podcast Autism in Black on Instagram Autism in Black on Facebook Self-Care Affirmation Journal by Maria Davis-Pierre Freebies for Tilt Parenting listeners: text “TILT” to 33777 For Mothers of Black Children with Disabilities, Living with Twice the Fear (article in Forbes Magazine) 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

Today I’m excited to be bringing to the podcast Brendan Mahan, an expert in ADHD and Executive Functioning, and the host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. In this episode, we cover a lot of ground—everything from ADHD and time awareness, to balancing screen time and remote schooling to dealing with anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. Brendan also breaks down what he calls the “Wall of Awful”—his brilliant analogy for understanding task resistance—as well as his strategies and tips to get past it. Get ready for many “aha” moments and realistic takeaways for parents of all differently wired kids, not just those with kids who have attention issues. Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., MS., an internationally recognized ADHD/Executive Function expert, a highly engaging, sought-after speaker, and the host of the ADHD Essentials Podcast. A former teacher, mental health counselor, and principal, Brendan provides workshops for parents, educators, and businesses throughout New England. He has presented for the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts School Administrators Association, and the International Conference on ADHD. Brendan helps individuals, families, schools, and businesses manage the challenges of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and neurodiversity through an approach that blends education, collaborative problem-solving, and accountability with compassion, humor, a focus on strengths and growth, and his trademark “Wall of Awful” model.  Things You'll Learn from this Episode How Brendan uses his personal experience to help teachers better understand and support children with ADHD How ADHD affects time awareness when it comes to school assignments and homework What is meant by the “Wall of Awful” and why it especially impacts children with ADHD Strategies to help children tackle difficult tasks How to support ADHD kids in the new school landscape of remote learning, especially when it comes to screen management Brendan’s hacks for parenting as someone with ADHD  Resources Mentioned: Brendan Mahan’s ADHD Essentials Website ADHD Essentials Podcast Email Brendan: brendan@ADHDessentials.com Jessica McCabe’s How to ADHD YouTube Channel Wall of Awful videos with Jessica McCabe (How to ADHD) 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

Parent coach Sheryl Stoller shares the ABCs of getting grounded, centered, and reintegrated, so parents can best support their children during this challenging time of Covid and back-to-school.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, youth advocate, and co-founder of PEN (Parent Education Network) Dewey Rosetti talks about her new book, "Bright Kids Who Struggle in School" and teaching from a strengths-based approach.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

Gabriel Villarreal, a fitness instructor and ADHD counselor, dives into how exercise serves as 'medicine' for kids with ADHD and autism. He shares engaging strategies to motivate children to be active, highlighting the profound impact of fitness on mental health and focus. The discussion covers personalized workout structures, empowering both kids and trainers, and emphasizes the importance of family involvement in exercise. Villarreal's insights bridge the gap between physical activity and well-being, offering hope and practical advice for parents.

Parent coach, Washington Post columnist, and author of "Parenting Outside the Lines" Meghan Leahy talks about embracing imperfection and vulnerability in our parenting lives.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 coach Dr. Christine Carter talks about her most recent book, "The New Adolescence: Raising Happy and Successful Teens in an Age of Anxiety and Distraction."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

Licensed family therapist and international consultant on high sensitivity Alane Freund explains what high sensitivity is, how it shows up in children, teens, and adults, and gives her insights on how parents can help a highly sensitive child flourish.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

Child psychologist Dr. Abigail Gewirtz talks about her new book, When the World Feels Like a Scary Place: Essential Conversations for Anxious Parents and Worried Kids, and provides insights on talking to kids at Covid-19, racism, and more. 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