Podcasts · Kids & Family · Education

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

Debbie Reber

300 episodes

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 page 3 of 6

  1. TPP 476: Rebecca Duffus & Lyric Rivera on Supporting Kids Autistic Identity Development

    · 41 min · Episode 476

    Today’s conversation is all about understanding and supporting autistic identity—how it develops, why it matters, and the ways parents and educators can help nurture it. I’m joined by Rebecca Duffus and Lyric Rivera,…

  2. TPP 124b: Seth Perler on How Parents Can Help Their Kids Work Through Resistance

    · 1 h 29 min

    Executive functioning/education coach Seth Perler explores the concept of resistance in differently-wired kids and shares strategies and tools for how parents can support their kids in learning how to face their…

  3. TPP 475: Dr. Tamar Chansky on Freeing Your Child from OCD

    · 37 min

    Today we’re unpacking a topic that so many families struggle to understand—Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD—especially when it shows up in children. My guest is Dr. Tamar Chansky, a clinical psychologist and…

  4. TPP 097b: A Masterclass in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 2 of 2)

    · 41 min

    This week is a continuation of last week’s episode with executive functioning coach Seth Perler, which was so packed full of information (and also so long) that I had to break it up into two separate episodes, which…

  5. TPP 474: Debbie & Penny Williams on Navigating the Launch of Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1)

    · 42 min

    Today we’re diving into one of the most tender and complex stages of parenting—launching our neurodivergent young adults into independence, or more accurately, interdependence. My guest is Penny Williams, a parenting…

  6. TPP 096a: A "Masterclass" in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 1 of 2)

    · 36 min

    Executive functioning coach Seth Perler joins me for a two-part series in which Seth shares with us the exact approach he uses with students he works with when helping them foster their fledgling executive functioning…

  7. TPP 473: A Conversation with Naomi Fisher About EMDR

    · 39 min

    Today we’re exploring EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—a therapeutic approach that’s been shown to be highly effective in treating trauma, including for neurodivergent individuals. My guest is Dr.…

  8. TPP 342a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up in Public

    · 56 min

    Today, we’re talking about such a pressing consideration for anyone raising a kid these days — what it means for today’s generation of kids to grow up with very public lives and coming of age in a digital world where…

  9. TPP 472: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart on Transforming Conflict Into Connection with our Teens

    · 42 min

    Today we’re talking about one of my favorite topics — what it really means to connect, collaborate, and let go of control as our kids grow into themselves as they enter the transformative teen years. My guest is Dr.…

  10. TPP 356a: Supporting Healthy Digital Media Use for Neurodivergent Kids

    · 42 min

    Many of our kids spend a LOT of time engaging on screens and with technology, and I don’t know about you, but for me it feels like this is an ever-changing, and fast-changing landscape, and one that can be hard to stay…

  11. TPP 471: Chris Balme on Making Middle School an Adventure Worth Savoring

    · 33 min

    My guest today is education leader and author Chris Balme, here to talk about his brand-new book Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome. In it, Chris gives middle schoolers themselves the tools…

  12. TPP 313a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Online Safety and Internet “Rabbit Holes” and Neurodivergent Kids

    · 42 min

    Today is an important conversation about online communities and internet rabbit holes. And I felt pulled to tackle this topic for the show because I know that the past few years in particularly has been a time where…

  13. TPP 470: How Can I Stay Grounded When My Child Falls Apart After School?

    · 17 min · Episode 470

    In this Parent Lean In episode, Margaret Webb joins me to answer a listener's question about those tough moments when our kids are totally dysregulated—especially after long, overstimulating school days. We get into…

  14. TPP 469: Helping Neurodivergent Girls Know They’re Enough, with Kate Rope

    · 40 min

    Today we’re talking about raising girls—what it means to help them feel strong in both body and mind, and how we as parents can nurture that confidence from an early age. My guest is Kate Rope, an award-winning…

  15. TPP 365a: Dr. Alok Kanojia Explains How to Raise Healthy Gamers

    · 43 min

    Where is the line between healthy gaming and unhealthy gaming? How much gaming is too much? And when does a gaming habit evolve into gaming addiction? These are some of the questions regarding screen time that I hear…

  16. TPP 468: Helping Empaths and Highly Sensitive Kids Thrive with Dr. Judith Orloff

    · 34 min

    Today we’re diving into the world of empaths and highly sensitive people—what it means to be one, what makes it complicated, and why it’s also such a gift. My guest, psychiatrist, author, and empath Dr. Judith Orloff,…

  17. TPP 128b: Digital Media and Technology Expert Devorah Heitner on Helping Kids Be Screenwise

    · 44 min

    Dr. Devorah Heitner, a digital media and technology expert and the author of "Screenwise" talks about how parents can mentor their kids to develop a healthy relationship with screens (phones, online games, and more).…

  18. TPP 467: A Conversation with Nefertiti Austin About the Diagnosis That Changed Everything

    · 32 min

    Today I’m talking with writer and memoirist Nefertiti Austin about her journey parenting a neurodivergent child and the many realizations that come with it, which she writes about in her new book, She’s Just Spirited:…

  19. TPP 016b: Understanding and Navigating the Parent-Teacher Relationship with Becca Wertheim

    · 37 min

    Becca Wertheim, a second-grade teacher at an inclusion school in North Carolina, talks about her experience as a teacher meeting the individual educational needs of a group of students with diverse learning styles, and…

  20. TPP 466: Rebecca Bush Offers a Pathway for Parents with Newly-Identified Dyslexic Kids

    · 39 min

    Today we’re talking about dyslexia—what it is, what it isn’t, and how parents can best support their children after a diagnosis. My guest is Rebecca Bush, a Certified Academic Language Therapist, Licensed Dyslexia…

  21. TPP 247a: Dr. Jody Carrington on Lifting Up Educators, Parents, Caregivers, and Anyone Else Who Supports Children

    · 47 min

    My guest for this episode, Dr Jody Carrington, a clinical psychologist, speaker, and author based in Alberta, Canada, has spent most of her career working with children and families who have experienced trauma, and has…

  22. TPP 465: How Can I Help My Kids Find Meaning When I’m Struggling to Find it Myself?

    · 21 min · Episode 465

    Debbie Reber and Zach Morris answer a listener's question about how parents can support their kids' search for meaning and connection while navigating their own struggles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…

  23. TPP 464: Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on Post-Traumatic Parenting and Breaking the Cycles that Almost Broke You

    · 43 min

    Today we’re diving into the ways our own trauma can shape how we show up as parents, and how we can begin to break those inherited cycles with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, a clinical child psychologist, trauma treatment…

  24. TPP 318a: What Parents Need to Know about the IEP Process, with Therapist Beth Liesenfeld

    · 44 min

    If you’re the parent of a differently wired kid with a diagnosed learning disability, you likely have had experience with Individualized Education Plans, otherwise known as IEPs. And if this is you, my hunch is you…

  25. TPP 463: Author and Advocate Julie Green on Generational Autism and Radical Acceptance

    · 36 min

    In this episode I’m talking with Julie Green, author of the memoir Motherness, a powerful exploration of generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance. Julie, who was late-diagnosed herself and is raising an…

  26. TPP 120b: Back to School Special with Understood's Amanda Morin

    · 48 min

    Amanda Morin of Understood joins Debbie for a special back-to-school episode to help families prepare for easing into the coming school year with as much confidence and serenity as possible. Learn more about your ad…

  27. TPP 462: Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko on the Safe & Sound Protocol

    · 41 min

    I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko about the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a therapeutic approach grounded in Stephen’s groundbreaking polyvagal theory. Stephen, a…

  28. TPP 223a: Parenting Bright Kids Who Struggle in School, with Dewey Rosetti

    · 35 min

    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. Learn more about your…

  29. TPP 461: Naureen Hunani on Neurodiversity-Affirming Nutrition and Food Care

    · 34 min

    Today we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in parenting spaces—neurodiversity-affirming nutrition. My guest is Naureen Hunani, a Montreal-based family nutritionist, pediatric dietitian,…

  30. TPP 221a: The Relationship Between Exercise and Mental Health for Neurodivergent Kids

    · 42 min

    Fitness instructor, ADHD counselor, and author Gabriel Villarreal talks about how exercise is "medicine" for kids with ADHD, autism, and more, and how to get kids motivated to exercise. Learn more about your ad…

  31. TPP 460: How Do We Get Kids the Support They Need in School Without an IEP?

    · 17 min · Episode 460

    In this Parent Lean In episode, Debbie is joined by parent coach Margaret Webb to answer a listener's question about a challenge so many parents face—when your child seems to hold it together at school, only to fall…

  32. TPP 459: Bryan Post on Navigating Trauma in Parenting & the Healing Power of Love

    · 45 min

    In this conversation, I talk with child behavior and adoption expert Bryan Post about how trauma, stress, and fear can shape the way our kids behave—and how we respond as parents. Bryan shares powerful insights about…

  33. TPP 220a: Meghan Leahy on Why We Should Stop Listening to Experts

    · 54 min

    Parent coach, Washington Post columnist, and author of "Parenting Outside the Lines" Meghan Leahy talks about embracing imperfection and vulnerability in our parenting lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…

  34. TPP 458: Dr. Emily Kline on How Motivational Interviewing Helps Kids Get Unstuck

    · 42 min

    In this episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Kline for a deep dive into motivational interviewing—an approach to communication that helps parents move from fixing and convincing to connecting and…

  35. TPP 214a: Alane Freund How to Support & Parent a Highly Sensitive Child

    · 45 min

    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…

  36. TPP 457: A Conversation with Dr. Alissa Jerud About Emotion-Savvy Parenting

    · 37 min

    In this episode, I’m talking with clinical psychologist and author Alissa Jerud about her new book, Emotion Savvy Parenting. We get into how parents can better understand and manage their own emotions—especially in…

  37. TPP 211a: Parenting Scripts for Stressed Out Moments with Kids, with Dr. Adele Lafrance

    · 36 min

    Clinical psychologist and co-developer of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Dr. Adele Lafrance, talks about her new book, What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work, a practical guide for parents and…

  38. TPP 456: Maggie Dent on How to Parent, Love & Support Today’s Teens

    · 45 min

    In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by beloved Australian parenting expert and author Maggie Dent to explore what it really takes to raise resilient, emotionally healthy teens in today’s ever-changing world.…

  39. TPP 210a: Dr. Roberto Olivardia Talks About Kids with ADHD and Sleep Challenges

    · 48 min

    Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, talks about the relationship between ADHD and sleep challenges, and offers strategies for children struggling with sleep. Learn…

  40. TPP 455: A Conversation with Dr. Naomi Fisher on Neurodivergence, PDA, and Self-Directed Learning

    · 41 min

    In this conversation, I talk with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Naomi Fisher about self-directed education, and why it can be such a powerful approach for neurodivergent kids, especially those with a PDA…

  41. Where Do We Go From Here?

    · 4:43 · Bonus

    In this special mini-episode, Debbie reflects on the Tilt Parenting revolution nearly 10 years after it began and invites listeners to complete a short survey to help assess what’s working and what still needs to…

  42. TPP 209a: Blake Boles Asks Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids to School

    · 43 min

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  43. TPP 454: What Do I Do When My 18-year-old Is Stalled Out and Not Ready to Launch?

    · 25 min · Episode 454

    This week I’m joined by Zach Morris for a thoughtful conversation about the challenges of parenting neurodivergent teens who are approaching adulthood. We dig into a listener question about an almost-18-year-old who’s…

  44. TPP 453: Dr. Lisa Rappaport on Parenting Dyslexia and Supporting Dyslexic Learners in School and Beyond

    · 31 min

    In this conversation, I talk with neuropsychologist Lisa Rappaport about the realities of living with dyslexia—something she knows firsthand. We get into what dyslexia really is (and isn’t), how awareness and support…

  45. TPP 207a: Dr. Tina Payne Bryson on The Power of Showing Up

    · 1 h 00 min

    Psychotherapist and author Tina Payne Bryson talks about what showing up for our kids looks like and the theory of secure attachment and how it affects our children on a neurological level. Learn more about your ad…

  46. TPP 452: Dr. Laura Markham on Peacefully Parenting Siblings in Neurospicy Families

    · 46 min

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Laura Markham to unpack the often messy world of sibling dynamics—especially when one or more kids are neurodivergent. We talk about why peaceful parenting starts with connection,…

  47. TPP 206a: Empathy and Perspective-Building: Why We Need it Now More Than Ever

    · 40 min

    Amanda Morin, an author, speaker, parent advocate, former early childhood educator and in-house expert for Understood, talks the importance and power of fostering empathy in our children. Learn more about your ad…

  48. TPP 451: Dr. Ken Ginsburg on Lighthouse Parenting — Loving Guidance for an Enduring Bond

    · 41 min

    In this episode, I’m talking with pediatrician and author Ken Ginsburg about his new book Lighthouse Parenting. Ken shares his powerful framework for showing up as a steady, loving guide for our kids—offering both…

  49. TPP 204a: Musician Laurie Berkner on Inclusivity & Connecting with Neurodivergent Kids

    · 37 min

    Debbie talks with singer and songwriter Laurie Berkner (The Laurie Berkner Band) about writing music that connects with all kids, why Laurie's music so powerfully resonates with differently wired children, her mission…

  50. TPP 450: Dr. David Yeager on What the Science Says About Motivating Young People

    · 37 min

    In this episode, I talk with David Yeager about what really fuels motivation and a sense of belonging for our kids—especially neurodivergent ones. We unpack the different mindsets adults bring to the table—like…

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