Complicated Kids

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I talk with Rebekah Marler, a former school principal and current parent to a neurodivergent child, about how her experience challenged everything she thought she knew about development and learning. She shares how traditional milestone-based approaches failed her son and how discovering practices like floor time and Anji Play helped her reconnect with joy, regulation, and intuition. We explore the process of unlearning "educator brain," the importance of co-regulation, and how her family transformed their North Carolina backyard into a self-directed play haven—mud pits and all—reminding us that real growth often starts with play.

To find out more about Rebekah, visit her website at www.playshire.org.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

 📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

 📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured 

 👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story 

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet 

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet 

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/ 

 🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

Teen and young adult mentor, Matt Douglas, joined me on this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast for a deep dive into the "other" end of the parenting spectrum—college applications, executive function, and the tricky transition from high school to young adulthood. We talk about how neurodivergent teens—those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or learning differences—face added layers of complexity in the college process, and how parents can support without overstepping.

To find out more about Matt, visit www.unlockingcollegeadmissions.com or check out his book at https://a.co/d/a5pPgGl.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured

👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/

🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

Teen and young adult mentor, Matt Douglas, joined me on this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast for a deep dive into the "other" end of the parenting spectrum—college applications, executive function, and the tricky transition from high school to young adulthood. We talk about how neurodivergent teens—those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or learning differences—face added layers of complexity in the college process, and how parents can support without overstepping.

To find out more about Matt, visit www.unlockingcollegeadmissions.com or check out his book at https://a.co/d/a5pPgGl.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

 📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

 📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured 

 👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story 

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet 

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet 

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/ 

 🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I'm joined by the incredible occupational therapist Kelsie Olds for a deep and lively conversation about what it really means when we say "everything everybody does makes sense." Kelsie brings her global OT experience—from the U.S. to the U.K. to her new adventure in Australia—and a refreshingly human-centered approach to child development. We dig into what "behavior" really tells us, why labels like "aggressive" or "bad" aren't helpful, and how curiosity, specificity, and compassion can transform the way we understand and support kids—especially our more complicated ones.

To find out more about Kelsie, visit her website at www.occuplaytional.com.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured

👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/

🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I'm joined by the incredible occupational therapist Kelsie Olds for a deep and lively conversation about what it really means when we say "everything everybody does makes sense." Kelsie brings her global OT experience—from the U.S. to the U.K. to her new adventure in Australia—and a refreshingly human-centered approach to child development. We dig into what "behavior" really tells us, why labels like "aggressive" or "bad" aren't helpful, and how curiosity, specificity, and compassion can transform the way we understand and support kids—especially our more complicated ones.

To find out more about Kelsie, visit her website at www.occuplaytional.com.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

 📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

 📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured 

 👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story 

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet 

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet 

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/ 

 🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I'm joined once again by the brilliant Jenn Glacel to talk about the often misunderstood concept of masking, particularly in autistic folks. We dig into the unconscious ways masking shows up as a survival response, how it begins in infancy, and how it can shape a child's (and adult's!) sense of self. Jenn shares her personal experience of exhaustion and discovery, and we explore what it means to unmask and reconnect with the body's sensory experience.

To find out more about Jenn, visit her website at SevenCornersPsychotherapy.com.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured

👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/

🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I'm joined once again by the brilliant Jenn Glacel to talk about the often misunderstood concept of masking, particularly in autistic folks. We dig into the unconscious ways masking shows up as a survival response, how it begins in infancy, and how it can shape a child's (and adult's!) sense of self. Jenn shares her personal experience of exhaustion and discovery, and we explore what it means to unmask and reconnect with the body's sensory experience.

To find out more about Jenn, visit her website at SevenCornersPsychotherapy.com.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

 📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

 📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured 

 👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story 

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet 

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet 

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/ 

 🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this episode, I sat down with Amy Lang, a longtime sex ed and parent educator, to talk about one of the most awkward—and most essential—topics parents face: talking to our kids about sex. Amy shared her own moment of panic when her five-year-old asked a completely innocent question, and how that moment shaped her entire approach to sex education for neurodivergent kids. We covered everything from using correct anatomical terms with toddlers to setting the stage for healthy, safe, and open conversations about consent, boundaries, relationships, and identity. If you've ever wondered when (and how!) to start talking to your child about sex, this episode is for you.

To find out more about Amy, visit her website at BirdsandBeesandKids.com.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured

👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/

🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

In this episode, I sat down with Amy Lang, a longtime sex ed and parent educator, to talk about one of the most awkward—and most essential—topics parents face: talking to our kids about sex. Amy shared her own moment of panic when her five-year-old asked a completely innocent question, and how that moment shaped her entire approach to sex education for neurodivergent kids. We covered everything from using correct anatomical terms with toddlers to setting the stage for healthy, safe, and open conversations about consent, boundaries, relationships, and identity. If you've ever wondered when (and how!) to start talking to your child about sex, this episode is for you.

To find out more about Amy, visit her website at BirdsandBeesandKids.com.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

 📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

 📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured 

 👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story 

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet 

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet 

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/ 

 🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast where I'll talk about one of the most foundational aspects of parenting—attunement. What is attunement? Why does it matter? And how does it shape our relationships with our kids from the very beginning? We'll explore the neurobiological, emotional, and practical sides of this essential process, and I'll walk you through what attunement looks like in everyday parenting. Whether you're raising an orchid child, a quirky kid, or just trying to navigate the daily ups and downs, this episode will help you understand why connection always comes before correction.

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured

👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/

🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/