Complicated Kids

Kelly Mahler is an occupational therapist who specializes in interoception, and I was so happy to have recorded this interview with her. Kelly sheds light on how interoception, the awareness of our internal body signals, significantly impacts children's (and adults'!) emotional well-being. Discover how interoception is distinct from other sensory processes and how it influences so many aspects of daily life, including emotional regulation. We chat about the role of mindfulness practices in enhancing children's self-awareness by making them more attuned to their body's signals. We also explore the use of interoception in toilet training, a crucial skill for kids' independence and development. This episode offers a profound perspective on emotions as informative rather than "good" or "bad" and provides valuable resources for parents and professionals interested in delving deeper into interoception. To find out more about Kelly visit her website at www.kelly-mahler.com.

What do we do when articulation therapy isn't working? Join me and Arielle Gates, a speech-language pathologist, to answer that question. We discuss how articulation disorders, specifically difficulties in pronouncing sounds like the letter "R," can be intertwined with myofunctional issues. We explore the signs and symptoms in older elementary school-aged children and the importance of considering the broader context of airway and muscle function. Arielle also shares a success story of a child who underwent a myofunctional journey, and emphasizes the significance of a multidisciplinary approach involving professionals like dentists, ENTs, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. To find out more about Arielle and her practice visit her website at www.stellarslp.com.

Lacie Brueckner and Kat Pendergast joined me to talk about death and dying and how to help kids through this tough subject. Lacie and Kat are the authors of "Goodbye Bella," a book that helps children cope with the loss of a beloved pet. Our conversation leads into the importance of discussing death with children and provides valuable insights into how to navigate the grieving process, as well as ways to honor and remember those who have passed away. Kat and Lacie share their personal experiences and the positive impact their book has had on families dealing with pet loss and other forms of grief. This episode highlights the significance of open conversations about death and the healing power of sharing memories and emotions with children. You can find the book on Kat's website at katssocks.com or on Amazon.

This week's Complicated Kids Podcast episode features parent coach, school principal and ex-arsonist (more on that), Ben Pugh. Ben helps parents better understand their relationships with their children and changes their perspective to create understanding and support. Ben talks with us about his experience that really led him to support kids and parents the way that he does, the impact of prioritizing your own healing to better support the decisions that your children are making, how it's never too late to improve your relationships and combat generational trauma, and much more. To gain a new perspective from an educator, former troublemaker, and enlightened human being, give this inspiring episode a listen. To find out more about Ben and how he may be able to help you improve your relationships, visit, www.benpughcoaching.com/relationship.

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I am joined by Ed Thompson, the CEO and founder of Uptimize, to discuss the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace. Ed shares insights from his book, "A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work," and explains how Uptimize is leading the way in training organizations to embrace neurodiversity. We chat about the impact of neurodiversity on organizations, including the benefits of diverse thinking styles, the challenges neurodivergent individuals face, and the concept of masking. Ed highlights the value of creating inclusive and supportive work environments and provides real-world examples of how Uptimize's approach has helped organizations hire and retain top talent. To find out more about Ed and Uptimize, visit uptimize.com or grab a copy of his book "A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work" on Amazon. This episode challenges common misconceptions about neurodiversity and underscores the financial and cultural benefits of fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

Dr. Dan Shapiro is one of my favorite people to talk to about child development. Dr. Dan is the founder of Parent Child Journey, Author, and a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician. This interview was recorded a couple of years ago, but it still holds up. We discuss what professionals should parents seek out first, why kids can't do things today that they were able to do yesterday (performance inconsistency), and how challenging behavior IS communication. Dr. Dan shares his wealth of knowledge and experience as we talk about navigating child development challenges, the power of positive assumptions, his "time-in" method, and his parent coaching program, Parent Child Journey. Check out this episode to hear from one of the leaders in providing support for parents in need of some guidance. To find out more about Dan's parent coaching program and get access to his amazing books, visit his website at www.parentchildjourney.com.

Cultivating a sense of resilience in ourselves and our kids is crucial. That's why I was thrilled to welcome, psychologist, youth leader, and author of Mastering Resilience: Transforming Into Your Purpose, Dr. Lorry Leigh Belhumeur. Lorry and I talk all about her book, including her motivation for writing it, who the book is for, and what kind of results people can see from following her recipe for resilience. We also talk about our shared passion for uplifting youth and the profound impact that cultivating resilience can have, not just on kids, but also on their adults. To find out more about Lorry, visit her website at www.masteringresilience.com. You can also find her book at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Educational Consultant, Stephanie Frumkin. Stephanie has been an educator and worked with educators for her entire career. Stephanie and I talk about how she helps parents find the right educational structure for their children. We talk about the different models of school, the difference between private, public and homeschool, and what she can do to assist children with special educational needs such as 504 plans and/or IEPs. Listen to the latest episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast to hear more. To find out more about Stephanie and how she may be able to help you or your child with educational decisions, visit her website at www.exceptionaleducationalsolutions.com.

In this week's episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast I talk about treating the whole system in our kiddos. I go into the importance of realizing the connections between different parts of the system, the benefits of sleep, nutrition, environment, and breathing and how they are all connected. I talk about some things that could cause issues with your child's behavior that may not be apparent and how one problem in one system can cause other systems to have issues. Listen to the episode to find out more about the connections between body systems and behavior.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis, who does it and how can we individualize therapy WITH child development in mind. Join Becca Correll, owner of the Language and Behavior Center, and me for this engaging conversation. We'll chat about collaboration between professionals, how she came to ABA, and what this approach has done to help her clients.