Complex Kids, Simple Solutions

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with parent coach MegAnne Ford to flip the old script—away from forcing kids to fit our vision and toward building skills, safety, and connection so families actually feel better day to day.

MegAnne shares:

Why control backfires. Traditional “make them comply” tactics widen the gap; centering the child’s needs helps the message land.

The CLEAR method (her 5-step roadmap).
Connection → Limits → Empowerment → Accountability → Recovery—so consequences teach with dignity, not shame.

Behavior = a nervous system message. Nonverbals shout louder than words; listen, mirror, validate before you problem-solve.

Grief and the pivot. When diagnoses or differences rewrite your plan, community shortens the lonely middle.

Connection is the superpower. Online cohorts that become real-life support—through IEP seasons, moves, meltdowns, and milestones.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
“You’re enough. Let people come in and love on you.”

Whether you’re navigating autism, ADHD, anxiety, or big feelings that don’t fit a checklist, MegAnne’s message is simple: connection before correction—and repeat it with CLEAR steps until home feels safer for everyone.

👤 About MegAnne Ford
A Richmond-based parent coach and founder of Be Kind Coaching, MegAnne helps caregivers build regulation, boundaries, and resilient relationships through education and group coaching.

🔗 Connect with MegAnne
Website: bekindcoaching.com
Instagram: @meganne.ford
Email: [email protected]

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #ParentCoaching #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #TraumaInformed #Neurodiversity #EmotionalRegulation #CommunityCare #GentleParenting

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with educational advocate Sharon Dunlevy to demystify foster-care realities—what licensing really takes, why trauma shows up like “behavior,” and how schools can (and should) support healing with the right plans and people.

Sharon shares:

What becoming a foster parent actually requires. Background checks, home studies, annual license renewals, and 20–40 hours of new training each year—with CPR/First Aid often required in addition (and, in states like Indiana, not counting toward those hours).

IEPs for emotions are real. Trauma can look like ADHD or withdrawal. Under IDEA, kids may qualify via Emotional Disturbance or Other Health Impairment—and supports must match needs, not labels.

Why online “school” isn’t a fix. Post-COVID, many kids were pushed to virtual programs for behavior; most don’t learn there. Trauma-aware classrooms plus in-person connection beat isolation every time.

Brains can heal. Safety, attachment, and repeated positive experiences rewire neural pathways; caregivers can coach “big feelings” into words and regulation without shame.

Caregiver burnout is common—grace is required. Secondary trauma is real. Use respite, therapy, and boundaries. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
“Listen first. Behavior is a message—decode it before you correct it.”

Whether you’re a foster parent, kinship caregiver, or raising a complex kid, Sharon’s message is simple: steady relationships plus trauma-informed supports turn survival skills into school success.

👤 About Sharon Dunlevy
Sharon is an educational advocate who trains foster parents to navigate schools, secure trauma-aware services, and use IDEA/504 tools to protect kids’ learning.

🔗 Connect with Sharon
Website: www.sharondunlevy.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: fostercaretrainingtoday
Instagram: @sharondunlevy72
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sharondunlevy

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #FosterCare #TraumaInformed #ParentBurnout #IEP #504Plan #SchoolAdvocacy #Attachment #Neuroplasticity

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with nurse practitioner and mom-author Constance Lewis to share the story behind Miles and the Colorful Capes of Feelings—a playful, powerful system that helps kids name big emotions using color, costume, and connection.

Constance shares:

A family’s turning point. When her son Miles developed seizures at age four, words became hard—so the family created color-coded “capes” to show feelings when speech couldn’t.

Why play works when words won’t. Stomping like a dinosaur, “angry chalk,” music & movement—simple body-based tools regulate nervous systems and make emotions less scary.

Colors as a common language. Brave, silly, nervous, mad, cheerful—kids pick the color that fits, then “wear” that feeling so caregivers can meet the need without guesswork.

Inclusion on every page. Friends with autism and seizure disorders appear throughout the story, modeling empathy, peer support, and everyday accessibility.

From meltdown to meaning. Emotions are information, not misbehavior; curiosity (“What happened before this?”) beats shame—at home, in clinics, and at school.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
“Get curious, not furious. When kids ‘act out,’ they’re telling us what their bodies can’t yet say.”

Whether your child is neurotypical or a complex kid navigating seizures, ADHD, or sensory needs, Constance’s message is simple: make feelings visible, practice them playfully, and kids grow emotionally resilient.

👤 About Constance Lewis
Constance is a nurse practitioner and mother of three. Her debut children’s book, Miles and the Colorful Capes of Feelings, turns emotional literacy into a hands-on adventure for families and classrooms.

🔗 Connect with Constance & the book
Website: colorfulcapesoffeelings.com
Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @colorful_feelings.books

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #EmotionalRegulation #Neurodiversity #ParentingTools #SeizureAwareness #FeelingsEducation #Inclusion

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with educator and accessibility advocate Dr. C. S. Wyatt to demystify the leap from K–12 supports to college reality—and how listening (not just checklists) drives real inclusion online and in the classroom.

Dr. Wyatt shares:

• The cliff at 18. IDEA/IEP and most K–12 protections end at adulthood; in higher ed, students must personally contact Disability Services to receive ADA/504 accommodations—and parents can’t do it for them.
• Why online “access” often isn’t accessible. PDFs and one-size-fits-all templates fail many learners; give students control over font, size, color, reminders, and formats—and pair online shells with real human mentoring.
• Teach self-advocacy early. Start in elementary school: “I can’t see the board,” “I need quiet headphones,” “Can I get the notes in plain text?”—so it’s automatic by college.
• Accommodations vs. core requirements. Extra time on a general-ed essay? Often yes. Extra time in a chemistry lab or during clinical tasks that can’t pause? Often no—if it changes the nature of the course or profession.
• Parent mindset that works. Lead with listening. When your child can’t find the words (dysgraphia, motor planning, language), bring in specialists to help you “hear” what they mean.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
“Ask the student what they need—and believe the answer. Then build the class around that truth.”

Whether your learner is eye-typing on a device or juggling ADHD in a Canvas shell, Dr. Wyatt’s message is simple: relationships first, formats second—and start practicing self-advocacy long before move-in day.

👤 About Dr. C. S. Wyatt
Dr. Wyatt is a college instructor and researcher focused on accessibility, universal design, and communication for neurodivergent students. A technology professional turned professor—and a parent of two neurodivergent daughters—he blends lived experience with evidence-based practice to make higher education genuinely usable.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Wyatt
Website: tameri.com/autisticme
Link hub: linktr.ee/cswyatt
Email: [email protected]

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #CollegeReady #IEPtoADA #Neurodiversity #UniversalDesign #ParentAdvocacy

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle Choairy sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, founder of Dyslexia Classes, to uncover a radically different way of helping kids with dyslexia, ADHD, and learning differences thrive—by flipping traditional methods on their head and using neuroscience, technology, and writing itself as the therapy.

Russell shares:

🧠 A senator’s wake-up call. When a New York lawmaker discovered his daughter’s dyslexia too late for early intervention, he created the Dyslexia Task Force—and inspired a new look at what really works in literacy instruction.

⌨️ Why typing beats tracing. Instead of overloading fine-motor memory, Russell’s approach builds neural bridges through typing—using repetition, self-correction, and measurable output to strengthen both spelling and comprehension.

🔄 From “Orton-Gillingham or bust” to modern neuroscience. He explains why 1940s-era multi-sensory methods miss key discoveries about how the dyslexic brain processes language—and how simple tech tools can fill the gap.

💡 The half-circle method. By combining reading, listening, and writing around a child’s deepest interests (Disney, animals, iPhones—anything!), parents can cut through chaos and spark genuine progress at home.

💬 A parent’s perspective. Michelle shares how her son Drake’s unique learning profile reframed her belief in what literacy should look like—and why “different” doesn’t mean “less.”

Quote to tape on the fridge:

Whether your child has dyslexia, ADHD, or simply struggles to get words on paper, Russell’s message is clear: with structure, curiosity, and consistency, the brain can rewire itself for success.

👤 About Russell Van Brocklen
A New York-based educator, researcher, and founder of Dyslexia Classes
, Russell helps students and parents replace frustration with measurable progress through practical, brain-based literacy strategies.

🔗 Connect with Russell
🌐 Website: dyslexiaclasses.com

💼 LinkedIn: Russell Van Brocklen

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #DyslexiaSupport #Neurodiversity #ADHDAwareness #ParentAdvocate #SpecialEducation #ReadingStrategies

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dr. Emily Levy, founder and director of EBL Coaching, to explore how customized, multi-sensory instruction can transform outcomes for students with dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and other learning differences.

Emily shares:

• Why no one-size-fits-all works. With 22+ research-based methods in her toolkit, Emily explains why kids with unique learning profiles need a curriculum that’s both structured and flexible.
• The power of Orton-Gillingham. From tactile sand trays to skywriting, Emily breaks down how OG’s multi-sensory, step-by-step approach rewires how struggling readers decode and spell—helping not just kids with dyslexia, but any child who needs a foundation in literacy.
• Beyond the diagnosis. Emily shows how true progress comes from digging past labels and asking the real question: Which skill is this child missing right now—and how can we target it?
• Collaboration that works. By reviewing IEPs, conducting her own evaluations, and looping in teachers and therapists, Emily builds “Team Child” so parents never feel alone.
• Virtual vs. in-person. Pandemic struggles proved one thing: tech can bridge gaps. Emily shares how mailed manipulatives, interactive whiteboards, and one-on-one engagement make virtual tutoring effective—even for kids who once “hated Zoom school.”

Quote to tape on the fridge:
 "Every child has gifts and strengths—and the ability to succeed in life. School may feel like the hardest stretch, but beyond it lies the golden end: thriving in who they are."

Whether your child has dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or a rare genetic condition, Dr. Levy’s message is simple: with the right tools, teamwork, and individualized support, every child can move forward.

👤 About Dr. Emily Levy
A lifelong advocate for students with learning differences, Emily grew up immersed in special education—her mother founded a school for kids with disabilities in Florida. After an early career in finance, Emily pivoted back to her passion, earning her doctorate in special education and founding EBL Coaching, which now serves students in New York, New Jersey, and worldwide virtually.

🔗 Connect with Emily & EBL Coaching
Website: www.eblcoaching.com

Facebook: EBL Coaching

Instagram: @ebl_coaching

LinkedIn: Emily Levy
| Dr. Emily Levy

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #OrtonGillingham #LearningDifferences #IEPAdvocacy #DyslexiaSupport

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with parenting coach Jeanine Mouchawar to unpack why the strategies that worked for little kids fall apart in the teen years—especially for neurodivergent teens—and how small shifts in tone, timing, and language rebuild connection without power struggles.

Jeanine shares:

• The teen transition = a parent transition. Your child’s needs change at puberty; your approach must, too. “What worked at 8 won’t work at 14”—and that’s normal.
• Side-door conversations beat head-on clashes. Skip the spotlight and eye contact; try parallel talks (car rides, walking, chores) and start with low-stakes observations instead of accusations.
• Say less, get more. Lead with a single fact + a curious question: “I noticed a D on the test—what happened?” (Not: lectures, portals, and punishments.)
• Shame shuts down the brain. When kids sense our disappointment, they can’t problem-solve. Regulate yourself first; then coach them.
• Name it to tame it. Build a feelings vocabulary (beyond “mad/sad”) so kids can describe embarrassed, overwhelmed, frustrated—and choose better coping.
• DBT-lite at home. Practical skills that help: emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindful pauses (“Mom needs a time-out—give me a minute.”)
• For neurodivergent teens (ADHD/LD): Short sentences, reflective listening (“So you meant…?”), and indirect empathy (“I miss that puppy…”) open doors that direct comfort can slam.
• Five questions that get teens talking. Jeanine’s free guide to jump-start stalled conversations—tested over a decade with families.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
“Calm is a strategy. Regulate you first—then your teen can borrow your nervous system.”

Whether your teen is quiet-quitting family life or debating every boundary, Jeanine’s message is simple: connection before correction. Shift the approach, and the “I don’t knows” start turning into real conversations.

👤 About Jeanine Mouchawar
Jeanine is a parenting coach who helps moms and dads of preteens through young adults reduce conflict, rebuild communication, and navigate the unique needs of neurodivergent teens using practical, skills-based tools grounded in emotion regulation and connection.

🔗 Connect with Jeanine
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jeanine.theparentingcoach

FB: https://www.facebook.com/jeaninemouchawarcoaching

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeaninemouchawar/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmQD811NxejLhXRJwG19k7g

Website: www.jeaninemouchawar.com

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #TeenCommunication #NeurodivergentTeens #ParentingTeens #EmotionRegulation #DBTSkills #ADHDParenting #ConnectionBeforeCorrection

Send us a text

In this powerful episode, Michelle sits down with former child psychotherapist and author Nicole Runyon to tackle a controversial question every modern parent faces:
Is technology quietly hijacking our kids’ mental health—and what can we do about it?

Nicole shares:

📉 The silent epidemic no one saw coming. In 2014, Nicole began seeing a wave of children with severe depression, anxiety, and self-harm—and most had no trauma history. The common thread? Excessive screen time in developmentally critical years.

👀 The myth of the “calm” iPad kid. They might look regulated—but neurodivergent and complex kids are often overstimulated and dysregulated underneath. Nicole explains why tech is not the sensory regulation tool we think it is.

💡 Why tech is today’s pacifier—and how parents can say no. Nicole offers tools to help parents set boundaries and understand why their own tech use is the first place to start.

⚠️ The developmental danger of convenience. From weather apps to Amazon Prime, Nicole shows how even small conveniences rob kids of critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal responsibility.

📱 The “digital detox” that changed everything. Michelle shares her own story of removing tech from her home, how her son went from breaking everything to calming down—until one flight to Brazil brought it all back.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
 “Big Tech is no match for a developing brain. We wouldn’t give our kids a beer to survive a long flight. Why are we handing them something just as addictive?”

Whether you’ve got a screen-obsessed tween, a Roblox meltdown brewing, or a house full of devices you regret ever buying, Nicole’s message is clear: You are enough. And you have more power than you think.

👤 About Nicole Runyon
Nicole Runyon is a licensed psychotherapist turned parenting educator and the author of [Insert Book Title]. She spent 20 years working with kids and teens facing trauma, anxiety, and severe depression—and now helps families reclaim calm, connection, and clarity in a tech-saturated world.

🔗 Connect with Nicole Runyon
• 📘 Website: nicolerunyon.com
• 📸 Instagram: @igenerationmentalhealth
• 👥 Facebook: Nicole Runyon
• 💼 LinkedIn: Nicole Runyon, LMSW

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #DigitalParenting #NeurodivergentKids #ScreenTimeStruggles #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #NicoleRunyon #MichelleChoairy #TechAddiction #iPadTantrums #RobloxMeltdowns #ConsciousParenting

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with clinical psychologist and co-parenting coach Dr. Karalynn Royster to unpack one of the most loaded questions parents of complex kids face:
 What happens when the marriage isn’t working—but your child still needs both of you?

Dr. Karalynn shares:

💔 Why 80% of parents with complex kids report marriage strain. From therapy schedules to meltdowns to IEP battles, the emotional weight doesn’t just stay with the child—it ripples through the relationship. And sometimes, that weight becomes too much.

🎯 The three co-parenting models—and how to know which one is right for your family. Whether it’s collaborative co-parenting, parallel parenting, or nesting (where the kids stay and you rotate out), Dr. Karalynn explains how to choose based on your child’s emotional, medical, and behavioral needs.

🧠 What kids actually hear during a divorce. You might think they’re in the other room. They’re not. You might think they don’t notice the tension. They do. Dr. Karalynn explains how to repair after an argument and how to reassure your child in language they’ll understand.

📦 Why some moms stay longer—and why that’s okay. Whether it’s for insurance, routine, or to delay transition until a child is more independent, staying doesn’t mean failing. It means adapting. But she also explains how to move forward when you’re the only adult doing the work.

🛑 The trap of overcompensation. Guilt is a natural part of parenting through divorce—but loosening all the rules won’t make the pain go away. Dr. Karalynn gives practical scripts to stay grounded while still nurturing your child’s needs.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
 “You may not control your co-parent—but you do control how you show up for your child. That relationship is the anchor they’ll carry through every transition.”

Whether you’re already divorced, just thinking about it, or doing everything in your power to hold the house together—this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and empowered.

👤 About Dr. Karalynn Royster
Dr. Karalynn Royster is a licensed clinical psychologist and co-parenting strategist who helps families navigate separation, divorce, and complex childhood needs with emotional maturity and evidence-based parenting. She brings deep experience working with neurodivergent and medically complex kids, and offers specialized support for moms who are carrying it all.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Karalynn Royster
• Instagram: @learnwithlittlehouse

• Facebook: Learn With Little House

• YouTube: Learn With Little House

• Pinterest: @drroysterpsyd

• Substack: drroyster.substack.com

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #CoParenting #DivorceSupport #NeurodivergentFamilies #HighConflictParenting #EmotionalMaturity #MichelleChoairy #DrKaralynnRoyster #NestingDivorce #ParallelParenting #SpecialNeedsParenting #ComplexKids #FamilyTherapy

Send us a text

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Andréane Gaulin, a rare dual-licensed SLP + BCBA, to unpack the gut-wrenching moment many parents of neurodivergent kids face: when their toddler still isn’t talking—and no one seems to have real answers.

Andréane shares:

🧠 Why “wait and see” is often the wrong advice. Pediatricians mean well, but if your child isn’t talking by two, it’s not “just a phase.” Early intervention can rewire outcomes—but only if you start early.

🗣️ The speech therapist’s secret skill: decoding behavior. Apraxia, ADHD, autism, GI issues—these can all show up as “bad behavior” when in fact, they’re a cry for help from a child who literally can’t say what they need.

🎯 What makes a great SLP—and how to find one. Why “Do you treat apraxia?” isn’t enough. The better question? “How do you treat apraxia—and how is that different from other approaches?”

🧰 AAC, sign language & multimodal tools that don’t delay speech. Whether your child signs “more,” taps a speech device, or gestures with foam letters, Andréane explains how every form of communication lays the groundwork for verbal breakthroughs.

📚 Inside the IEP room. Andréane has attended dozens of school meetings—and shares exactly why having your private SLP on the call (and in sync with the school therapist) can make or break your child’s support plan.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
 “If someone doesn’t love your child the way they are—go find the people who do.”

Whether you're dealing with missed milestones, medical gaslighting, or meltdowns that make you question everything, Andréane’s message is clear: Speech is never “just” speech. It’s connection. And no child is too complex to communicate.

👤 About Andréane Gaulin, CCC-SLP, BCBA
Andréane Gaulin is a bilingual, neurodiversity-affirming speech-language pathologist and board-certified behavior analyst based in Orange County, CA. She specializes in treating children with complex communication needs, including autism, childhood apraxia of speech, and ADHD. She is the founder of Speech Point
, a multidisciplinary clinic that blends SLP and ABA strategies to meet each child where they are.

🔗 Connect with Andréane
• LinkedIn: Andréane Gaulin, CCC-SLP, BCBA

#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #ChildhoodApraxia #SLPBCBA #SpeechTherapyWorks #NeurodivergentSupport #AACforKids #IEPHelp #AskBetterQuestions #EarlyInterventionMatters #AndréaneGaulin #MichelleChoairy