Beautifully Complex

Is your back-to-school plan just a fresh stack of notebooks and high hopes? Let’s talk about what really makes or breaks a smooth transition for your neurodivergent child. In this episode, I’m sharing the top three things I wish I had known when my son was in school — the things that could’ve saved us from years of chaos, meltdowns, and overwhelm.We’re ditching the myth that buying the right planner will fix everything. Instead, I’ll walk you through how to prep your systems (not just your supplies), how to create emotional safety in the daily routine, and how to build a true partnership with your child’s teacher — before the chaos starts.This isn’t just back-to-school advice. It’s a whole new way of showing up for your complex kid with calm, clarity, and confidence.Listen in to start creating less stress and more success — starting now. ou can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time. Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/320Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

What if the secret to helping your child regulate their emotions… is already playing on your speakers?In this episode, I’m joined by board-certified music therapist and fellow neurodivergent mom, Samantha Foote, to explore how music can be a powerful (and joyful!) regulation tool for kids with ADHD, autism, and other complex needs. We chat about everything from angry drumming sessions between siblings to writing silly blues songs to cueing transitions with the right rhythm.Samantha shares how rhythm is hardwired into our bodies — and how we can use that to our advantage when emotions run high. Whether your kid calms to classical, beatboxes their stress away, or creates heavy metal drum loops on an iPad, this episode is packed with practical ways to make music work for your beautifully complex child.Listen now and discover how one song could be the bridge between chaos and calm.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/319Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

What if just five minutes a day could lower your stress, help your child regulate, and even improve sleep? Sounds too good to be true, right? In this episode, I’m joined by Ariel Garten, neuroscientist, psychotherapist, and co-founder of Muse — and trust me, this conversation is both science-packed and deeply personal.We talk about the real brain science behind mindfulness and meditation (spoiler: it’s not about emptying your mind), and how biofeedback technology like Muse can help kids and parents strengthen self-regulation, improve mental health, and actually enjoy meditation. We also dive into how sleep, anxiety, and neurodivergence all intersect — and how just a couple of minutes of practice a day can transform your family’s nervous system and routines.If you’ve ever wondered how to help your neurodivergent child (or yourself!) feel calmer, sleep better, and take control of spiraling thoughts, this episode is your starting point.Listen now and discover how neuroscience-backed tools can make emotional regulation more doable for your beautifully complex family.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/318Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

What if schools didn’t just accommodate neurodivergent kids, but celebrated them? In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation with Amanda Morin and Emily Kircher-Morris, we dig into what it really means to create neurodiversity-affirming schools. From ditching moral judgments on behavior to prioritizing belonging over compliance, this episode is a must-listen for any parent or educator who wants more for our kids than just surviving school.You’ll hear powerful personal stories, practical strategies, and a reminder that our children deserve to be seen, supported, and valued exactly as they are.Tune in and discover how we can help create classrooms that don’t just teach, but transform lives.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/317Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Ever wonder how to push your child just enough without pushing them over the edge?In this episode of Beautifully Complex, I sit down with therapist Chris Taylor, LCSW-C, to unpack what it really means to find your child’s “Just Right Balance.” Unlike the more familiar “just right challenge,” this concept is about balancing emotional safety with growth — how to gently nudge our neurodivergent kids out of their comfort zones without creating shutdown or dysregulation.Chris and I talk about how to know when to step in and when to step back, why validation and predictability are game-changers for emotionally intense kids, and how your own regulation as a parent sets the tone for everything else. Plus, we dig into why fulfillment — not just short-term happiness — should be the goal when helping kids navigate hard things.If you’ve ever felt stuck between protecting your child and encouraging independence, this episode is full of insights (and real talk) to help you find that elusive middle ground.Listen now to learn how to help your child grow in confidence and resilience — without losing trust or connection.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/316Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

What if a pom pom, a paper tube, and ten minutes a day could transform your child’s learning?In this joy-filled episode, I sit down with Kelsey Cook, mom of four, former teacher, and founder of Learning with Kelsey, to unpack the science and soul behind play-based learning. Together, we explore how creativity and play aren't just fun — they're vital tools for connection, emotional regulation, and skill development in neurodivergent kids.From sensory-friendly adaptations to parent-child rituals that build predictability, you'll walk away with practical strategies to foster emotional intelligence, meet your child’s sensory needs, and bring more joy to learning (without a single worksheet in sight).If you’ve ever struggled to get your child engaged in learning or wondered how to balance structure with flexibility, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped.🎧 Press play and discover how a little intentional play can lead to big breakthroughs.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/315Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Walking into school meetings can feel like navigating a minefield while carrying the weight of your child’s future.You're not alone — and in this episode, I sit down with education advocate and parent coach Scotti Weintraub to unpack how to have better, calmer, more productive conversations with your child’s teacher, especially when things are hard. We dig into the reality that most teachers aren’t trained in neurodivergence, and how parents can advocate without alienating and burning bridges. From leading with curiosity to asking, “Can I share this with you?,” instead of handing over a stack of articles, this conversation is packed with strategies for fostering mutual respect, trust, and teamwork.If you’ve ever dreaded that parent-teacher conference or IEP meeting, this episode is your roadmap to more effective and empowering communication.Tune in now to learn how to build the kind of teacher partnerships that actually help your neurodivergent child thrive.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/314.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

The antidote to stress and disconnection could be awe. In this heartwarming episode, I chat with child development expert Deborah Farmer Kris about the transformative power of awe and wonder for beautifully complex kids. From music and nature to kindness and curiosity, we explore how tapping into these moments can reduce stress, regulate the nervous system, and foster belonging. You’ll hear real stories, science-backed insights, and simple ways to help your child (and yourself) become an awe-seeker in a world that often feels overwhelming.Listen now and discover the small moments that can create big shifts in emotional regulation and joy.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/313Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

Is college really the only path to success? Not even close.In this episode, I sit down with Hannah Maruyama, co-founder of Degree Free, to challenge the outdated idea that college is the ultimate goal for every kid — especially for neurodivergent kids who may thrive outside traditional systems. We get deep into how redefining success, focusing on real-world needs, and shifting the career conversation can change everything. Learn why starting with your child's unique lifestyle goals leads to a far more satisfying and successful future, and why the old "college = success" formula just doesn't add up anymore.Ready to rethink what your child’s future can look like? Listen now and empower your family to build a life by design, not by default.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/312Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

What if your child’s “overexplaining” isn’t defiance, but a deep need to be understood?In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Sol Smith — autistic adult, author, life coach, educator, and dad of four neurodivergent kids — to talk about the inner world of autistic individuals. From masking and sensory differences to building friendships and finding identity through passion, Sol walks us through what self-discovery really looks like for autistic kids… and how we can better support it as parents.We also dive into the hard stuff: the social exhaustion of masking, the difference between “traits” and diagnostic persistence, and why trusting your child’s path — even if it looks different — is the most loving move you can make.Sol’s insights are real, relatable, and refreshingly hopeful. If you’ve ever wondered how to support your child in being their true self while also preparing them for “the real world,” this episode is your new roadmap.🎧 Don’t miss it — press play and get ready to see your child through a brand-new lens.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/311Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.