In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss autistic burnout, especially prevalent during the holiday season. They explain the difference between stress and burnout, and share personal experiences to illustrate the impact of prolonged masking and sensory overload on neurodivergent children.

Samantha and Lauren provide detailed signs of burnout, including increased irritability, emotional outbursts, and physical symptoms, along with practical advice on how to support recovery through reduced demands, predictability, sensory rest, and encouraging autonomy.

They emphasize the importance of parental regulation and offer strategies to prevent future burnout, such as prioritizing recovery time, practicing energy accounting, and teaching children to advocate for their needs.

00:00 Introduction

00:39 Discussing Autistic Burnout During the Holidays

02:58 Understanding Autistic Burnout

09:22 Early Warning Signs of Burnout

12:10 Common Triggers of Burnout

14:59 Supporting Recovery from Burnout

20:48 Preventing Future Burnout

24:28 Conclusion and Community Support

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren dive talk about of gratitude. They share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for incorporating gratitude into daily life, especially for parents of neurodivergent children.

The discussion covers how gratitude can serve as a tool for self-regulation, helping both parents and kids navigate challenging moments by shifting focus from problems to solutions.

Additionally, they explore various sensory and creative methods to make gratitude a concrete and engaging practice for children, thereby fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

00:00 Introduction to Every Brain Is Different Podcast

00:43 Today's Topic: The Power of Gratitude

01:44 Real-Life Example: Halloween Gratitude Story

04:21 The Science Behind Gratitude

06:14 Practical Gratitude Tips for Parents

13:20 Modeling Gratitude for Kids

15:17 Sensory and Creative Gratitude Activities

21:22 Conclusion and Support Resources

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about the significant role that play has in children's development. They discuss how play is not only about having fun, but it actually changes brain structure and function, aiding in the learning process. They explain that play releases dopamine, helping with motivation, focus, and learning, especially for children with ADHD.

Samantha and Lauren highlight the importance of engaging in play to teach social skills, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility. They also share personal anecdotes and professional experiences to emphasize the profound impact play has on building trust and connection with children.

00:00 Introduction

00:39 The Importance of Play for Adults and Kids

02:36 Neuroscience Behind Play

04:49 Play and Emotional Regulation

06:09 Building Trust and Perspective Through Play

10:11 Connecting with Kids Through Play

15:35 Effective Therapy Through Play

20:15 Practical Tips for Incorporating Play

22:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren interview Yana Kleyman, a functional medicine health consultant. Yana shares her personal journey from traditional healthcare as a pharmacist to discovering the transformative power of functional medicine.

This transition was inspired by her own health crisis at age 33, which led her to explore root cause medicine. Today, Yana is dedicated to helping children with ADHD and other developmental disorders thrive naturally by challenging predetermined futures.

Yana and the hosts discuss various approaches to functional medicine, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes like gut health, genetics, and environmental factors rather than just treating symptoms with medication.

00:00 Introduction

00:41 Meet Our Special Guest: Janna Klayman

02:08 Yana's Personal Health Journey

03:25 Understanding Functional Medicine

05:27 The Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle

14:35 Practical Tips for Parents

20:36 Resources and Final Thoughts

26:36 Conclusion and Highlights

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Yana: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atypically.awesome

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558184355910

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrYanaKleyman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yana-kleyman-45a76a313/

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the positive impacts of spending time in nature on mental health. They explore how outdoor activities activate the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing cortisol levels, lowering heart rates, and improving sensory integration and attention.

Using personal anecdotes and scientific explanations, Samantha and Lauren highlight nature's ability to provide a gentle and predictable sensory input conducive to emotional and cognitive rejuvenation. They also discuss practical strategies for encouraging neurodivergent children to spend more time outdoors, emphasizing the importance of making such activities a part of daily routines.

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Today's Topic: Touching Grass for Mental Health

01:43 Personal Stories and Benefits of Nature

04:59 The Neuroscience Behind Nature's Benefits

15:37 Practical Outdoor Activities for Kids

18:40 Overcoming Barriers to Outdoor Time

19:52 Seasonal Outdoor Activities

22:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join the Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/podcast

Scavenger Hunt Cards: https://amzn.to/42Ul4hT

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Halloween and the sensory challenges that can come with it. They discuss the sensory overload issues related to costumes, decorations, loud noises, and changes in routine.

To help parents navigate these challenges, they offer practical advice on practicing with costumes, managing trick-or-treating expectations, and choosing sensory-friendly environments.

They also emphasize the importance of understanding that children's behavior is a form of communication and suggest strategies to support children before, during, and after Halloween events to prevent sensory overload and ensure a positive experience for both parents and their kids.

00:00 Introduction

01:28 Homeschooling Decision and Mom Burnout

04:51 Halloween Sensory Overwhelm

11:57 Preparing for Halloween Night

16:56 Managing Halloween Night

18:12 Post-Halloween Tips and Reflection

20:02 Conclusion and Resources

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: The Neurodivergent Parenting Community | Every Brain is Different

Harkla: Harkla - Special Needs Products for Happier and Healthier Families
 

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren welcome Jason Heffler, author of 'Tongue Tied'. Jason shares his personal journey of growing up with a stutter and the challenges he faced, including bullying. His book is designed to help children with speech disorders gain confidence and understand that their speech does not define them.

Jason discusses the importance of representation in literature and offers valuable tips for parents to support their children, like praising the effort rather than fluency and teaching empathy and resilience.

The discussion touches on the power of acknowledgment, as Jason highlights how owning his stutter changed his life and career prospects.

He elaborates on cognitive reframing strategies and the use of music as a therapeutic tool, sharing his own experiences as a DJ and writer in the music industry.

00:00 Intro

00:41 Meet Jason Heffler: Author and Advocate

01:27 Jason's Journey with Stuttering

02:48 The Inspiration Behind 'Tongue Tied'

04:00 Supporting Children with Speech Impediments

09:58 The Power of Music in Overcoming Stuttering

12:53 Advice for Parents on Bullying and Empathy

15:18 Acknowledging and Embracing Neurodiversity

19:35 Resources and Final Thoughts

Connect with Samantha: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Get the Book: https://amzn.to/478a2H8

Connect with Jason: https://rebrand.ly/tonguetied

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren interview Jennifer Celeste Briggs, a mother who shares her transformative experience with the Sunrise program. Jennifer talks about how the program, which she tailored for her daughter, significantly improved her language and social skills.

We explore the importance of meeting children where they are, the collaborative effort between parents and professionals, and the impact of patient and targeted interaction on neurodivergent children.

Jennifer also talks about her book, "Watching Sarah Rise," which documents their journey and offers recommendations for other parents navigating similar paths.

00:00 Introduction

00:39 Meet Jennifer Celeste Briggs!

02:18 The Sunrise Program

03:50 Therapy Approaches and Parenting Insights

05:27 Challenges and Successes in Therapy

10:08 Collaborating with Professionals and Schools

21:37 Jennifer's Book and Resources for Parents

24:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Harkla: https://harkla.co/?rfsn=8804907.29f26d5

Get the Book here! https://amzn.to/42SAUt7

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: https://www.watchingsarahrise.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercelestebriggsauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercelestebriggsauthor/

Other Resources:

Autism Treatment Center of America: https://autismtreatmentcenter.org/

Autism Optimism International: https://www.autismoptimisminternational.com/

Autistic Logistics Book: https://amzn.to/4gPNBeb

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the conclusion of their conversation on managing mom's mental load.

They provide five practical strategies to help moms regulate stress and manage interruptions, including the one-minute reset, setting interruption boundaries, sensory swaps, a decision diet, and maintaining a daily white space block.

Additionally, they discuss the importance of co-regulation and self-care, emphasizing that a well-supported mom is a better-regulated mom, which benefits the entire family.

00:00 Introduction to Every Brain Is Different Podcast

00:47 Addressing Autism Causes and Concerns

01:37 Mom's Mental Load: Recap and New Strategies

02:25 Micro Regulation Techniques

04:18 Interruption Boundaries

06:20 Sensory Swap and Decision Diet

09:31 Daily White Space Block

15:47 Weekly Routine and Family Meetings

22:13 Homework and Final Thoughts

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on managing the mental load experienced by moms. They address the difficulties of delegating household responsibilities and provide practical steps to shift tasks to family members or others to alleviate stress.

Samantha and Lauren emphasize the importance of accepting different methods of task completion, trusting the process, and providing clear instructions and ownership of tasks.

They also offer valuable advice on involving children in household responsibilities in age-appropriate ways, all aimed at reducing burnout and creating a more balanced family dynamic.

00:00 Introduction

00:43 Continuing the Conversation on Mental Load

00:59 Shifting Responsibilities to Reduce Mental Load

01:24 Overcoming Blocks in Delegation

04:42 Steps to Effective Delegation

16:35 Involving Kids in Household Responsibilities

23:27 Scripts for Effective Communication

Join the Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent