Over the last few years, we've seen a noticeable increase in anxiety and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. And we've talked about anxiety many times on the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast. But one thing we haven't discussed yet is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD. This is a topic that has been requested by listeners and I'm thrilled to have found today's guest, Dr. Jesse Spiegel, an expert on OCD.

Everyone has had the occasional concern about misplacing something or has had a fear of germs or contamination. Sometimes we have a need to order and arrange things in a particular way. But when these thoughts and behaviors become intense and begin to interfere with life, they may indicate OCD. In our conversation today, Dr. Spiegel explains the major differences between obsessive behaviors and compulsions as well as common unintentional mistakes parents make with children who exhibit these behaviors.

[2:28] - We are currently seeing a noticeable increase in anxiety in children and teens.

[4:05] - OCD has two components: obsessions and compulsions.

[5:48] - There are some compulsions that are observable to other people, but many compulsions are mental and unseen by others.

[8:04] - Reassurance seeking is often overlooked by parents, but it is common in OCD and tends to feed the obsessions and compulsions.

[10:03] - When you accommodate the child's compulsive behaviors, it actually accommodates the OCD.

[11:49] - Anxiety disorders overlap in a lot of ways, but OCD is overpowering.

[15:00] - Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is a component of the treatment for OCD. Dr. Spiegel explains what this entails.

[19:12] - Being over accommodating or over demanding are mistakes that a lot of parents of children with OCD make.

[20:16] - Parents need to learn new ways to respond because a lot of behaviors unintentionally fuel OCD.

[22:27] - Let's give a name to OCD for children. Some call it "The Worry Monster".

[24:57] - Giving it a name takes the power away from OCD. It's not who you are, but it is impacting you.

[26:30] - A lot of times, kids do not want to be in therapy. Dr. Spiegel describes some ways to provide motivation.

Dr. Jesse Spiegel is a licensed clinical psychologist treating children, adolescents, and adults. He works in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, where he specializes in treating OCD, anxiety, insomnia, and behavioral-related problems. In addition to utilizing CBT and exposure-based therapies, Dr. Spiegel takes a family-based approach when working with clients.

Dr. Spiegel is a clinical instructor at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. He is the Vice Chair of the Anxiety Depression Association of America's (ADAA) OCD SIG. Dr. Spiegel is a graduate of the IOCDF's Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), as well as the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program.

• Dr. Jesse Spiegel's Website

• Email: [email protected]

• Anxiety and the Family

• Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents

• Episode 67: Your Child's Anxiety - When to Worry with Dr. Piacentini

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The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Today we are welcoming back parenting activist and previous podcast guest, Debbie Reber. Debbie and I have had the opportunity to speak on multiple occasions and her support for parents of differently wired kids is extraordinary. As the founder and CEO of Tilt Parenting, Debbie has provided resources to parents around the world and uses her own experiences as a parent of a neurodivergent child to help other families navigate their unique journeys.

In our conversation today, we are talking about her five step roadmap for parents. Parents of differently wired kids don't get a roadmap for their journey, a journey which can be anxiety-provoking and lonely. But Debbie has created one and in our discussion, she shares what the steps are and why they are so important. And after learning each step, she explains how this roadmap changes in middle school.

It is a conversation and resource you won't want to miss.

[2:38] - Congratulations to Debbie for her 7 years of incredible work.

[4:57] - Once it is understood the reason behind a behavior, it is easier to address it and support regulation.

[6:44] - Karen has seen a shift in parents coming in for assessments not to "fix" their child but to better understand them.

[8:47] - Homeschooling her own differently wired child for six years impacted Debbie's understanding of the connection between learning and the environment.

[11:02] - Debbie has created a roadmap for parents. This tool is incredible because parents typically don't get a roadmap for raising a neurodivergent child.

[12:26] - The first step on the roadmap is processing. Give yourself time to take a breath and get clear on what your values and goals are as a family.

[15:04] - The second step is connecting. This journey feels isolating.

[16:27] - Gathering is the third step and Debbie explains that it is all about creating your team.

[19:36] - The next step is prioritizing. We can't do it all at once and at any time in the journey, parents can get overwhelmed.

[22:44] - If a child is not regulated, no meaningful growth will take place.

[24:33] - The last step in the roadmap is acceptance. We're here to support our kids. Part of acceptance is knowing that this is really hard.

[26:18] - Our kids are constantly changing and the transition to middle school is particularly challenging.

[27:47] - Sometimes you have to revisit things you already understand. For example ADHD in a 6 year old is different when they become a teenager.

[29:47] - You have your limitations as a parent. You can't do it all.

[31:01] - The social landscape gets more complicated as a child ages and is certainly different from what parents experienced as adolescents.

[33:05] - It's important for us to unpack our own middle school trauma and experiences because they're going to impact our parenting.

[35:34] - Be your child's companion through this journey.

Debbie Reber, MA is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker, and the CEO and founder of Tilt Parenting, a resource, top-performing podcast, consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. Her most recent book, Differently Wired: A Parent's Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope, came out in June 2018. After living abroad in the Netherlands for five years, Debbie, her husband, and differently wired teen moved to Brooklyn, NY in 2019.

• Tilt Parenting Website

• Tilt Parenting Roadmap

• Tilt Parenting Episode 320: Dr. Karen Wilson on How and When to Talk to Kids About Their Diagnoses

• Diverse Thinking Different Learning Episode 144: Raising Differently Wired Kids with Joy and Confidence with Debbie Reber

• Tilt Parenting Episode 192: Dr. Karen Wilson on How to Know if Your Child is Ready for the Transition to Elementary School

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Many parents see themselves in their children. And when a child is evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD, some parents realize that they have had the same struggles. Research shows that as many as 1 in 5 people have ADHD and because we know that the heritability of ADHD is about 80%, the odds that many adults are struggling with undiagnosed ADHD are high. With this realization, many parents are receiving an ADHD diagnosis during adulthood and like today's guest, their struggles make a lot of sense.

Holly Blanc Moses returns to the podcast today to share her own experience with a late diagnosis of ADHD. We also discuss what it's like parenting when you yourself have ADHD and what strategies are helpful for navigating the parent and life journey.

Holly is the host of The Autism ADHD Podcast where she describes this experience, offers support and resources for parents, and continues to navigate her own parenting journey of two neurodivergent children.

[2:13] - Welcome back, Holly!

[3:51] - Holly learned that she struggled because of undiagnosed ADHD and opened up about it on her podcast The Autism ADHD Podcast.

[5:50] - Holly reflects back on her childhood and the struggles that make more sense now that she understands her diagnosis.

[7:37] - The symptoms are different in girls and women because they are so good at masking. Symptoms are often overlooked.

[9:14] - Many adults who have gone undiagnosed have created a story in their minds that they aren't good enough.

[11:01] - Holly describes her experience in realizing that she likely has ADHD and why she sought an evaluation for herself.

[12:28] - The completion of the evaluation and the diagnosis of ADHD was such a relief for Holly.

[14:30] - Some tasks for Holly are still very hard, but she is able to focus without distraction on her interests.

[15:53] - A lot of parents become concerned that they can't help manage their child's ADHD if they can't manage their own.

[19:22] - Many women with ADHD also struggle with perfectionism.

[21:55] - We have to be patient with ourselves and stop beating ourselves up. We have to look at a lot and be okay with not getting everything done.

[26:05] - Don't try to be something that you are not.

[27:21] - Mindfulness is important.

[30:03] - Connect with Holly through her podcast The Autism ADHD Podcast.

Holly Blanc Moses is a neurodivergent therapist, coach, and online course creator who specializes in supporting neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and their families. Over the last 23 years, she has provided mental and behavioral health services in the areas of emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, social interaction, and school success. Holly is the host of the popular podcast - The Autism ADHD Podcast. She is the owner of Crossvine Counseling in Raleigh, NC, a therapy group specializing in evaluations and therapy for neurodivergent individuals and she is also the mother of two neurodivergent boys.

• Holly Blanc Moses Home Page

• The Autism ADHD Podcast

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Mindfulness in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• The Intersection of Executive Function, ADHD, and Other Learning Differences

• Episode 78: Supporting Youth with Autism and ADHD with Holly Blanc Moses

• Episode 144: Raising Differently Wired Kids with Joy and Confidence with Debbie Reber

• Invisible Struggle: My Late ADHD Diagnoses Story

• Get on our Email List

• Book a Consultation

• Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider

• Check out some amazing schools for incredible students

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

In her book, The Hidden Link Between Vision and Learning, Wendy Beth Rosen cited a study by Ohio State University. That research study found that 69% of students with IEPs identified as having treatable vision problems, yet would pass a typical school screening. Most people only associate vision with eyesight, but today's guest explains that there is so much more to the visual system and even a child with great eyesight could be struggling with vision-related learning difficulties.

Today's guest is Dr. Juanita Collier and she is here to discuss these vision related learning difficulties. A parent actually recommended this interview after her experience finding the help her child needed. I am so glad they reached out. This interview is so informative for all parents and Dr. Collier provides us with some great tips and guidelines to help the development of a child's visual system.

[2:57] - 10% of children have a vision-related problem that interferes with learning.

[3:22] - Vision is how you are taking in anything through your visual system. It is more than eyesight.

[4:33] - Most screenings test distance vision, but near vision isn't frequently checked in children.

[5:46] - Kids don't know how to explain that their vision is poor, especially if that is how it has always been for them.

[8:43] - Dr. Collier describes the different parts of a vision test and how she is able to determine if the challenges a child is having are due to their vision.

[11:56] - In addition to eyesight, visual processing needs to be evaluated.

[13:50] - Dr. Collier explains what visual therapy entails and how it can positively impact students with vision-related learning difficulties.

[16:03] - For children who didn't crawl, parts of their vision hasn't been fully developed.

[18:23] - Currently, we are teaching children to read before their visual system is ready.

[21:03] - Excessive screen time can create some problems.

[23:19] - We are losing the need for a lot of skills that used to develop naturally because of excessive screen use.

[25:05] - Eye strain is a concern. Adults will take a break when they have eye strain from screen time, but children don't have that regulation.

[26:09] - What is the 20-20-20 Rule?

[28:23] - Dr. Collier shares information on concussions in children due to sports.

Dr. Collier is a leading Behavioral Optometrist and the founder of 4D Vision Gym. She specializes in post-concussion care, vision-related learning difficulties, visual rehabilitation and visual development for patients of all ages. She is one of only a few Optometrists in Connecticut to have earned Fellowship status by the International Examination & Certification Board (IECB) of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Dr. Collier has lectured extensively to physicians, therapists, school faculty, healthcare professionals and students on the importance of visual functioning, and advocates to make vision rehabilitation accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities.

• 4D Vision Gym Home Page

• (860) 632-8243

• Our Child's Hidden Learning Struggle: 6 Tips for Parents by Natasha Mileusnic

• It Could Be Your Eyes Podcast

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• Check out some amazing schools for incredible students

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Lately, we've been focusing on preparing students who think and learn differently for a transition back to school. But today's topic is an interesting and often overlooked aspect of mental health - nutrition. Studies show that what we eat can significantly impact our mental wellbeing. The same is true for children and teens and we can help support their mental health through their diet.

[1:34] - Emerging research is showing that our dietary choices play a role in our mental health.

[3:07] - Avoiding processed options is best but Americans get most of their calories from processed foods.

[4:10] - How does nutrition impact our brains?

[5:19] - Improving nutrition can have positive effects on depression and ADHD.

[8:49] - Embrace whole foods.

[9:04] - Variety is key.

[9:20] - Consider a culture of mindful meals.

[9:50] - Minimize processed foods.

[11:14] - Everyone is different. It is important to consider a personalized approach.

• Get on our Email List

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• Adolescents prone to poor dietary choices, leading to changes in the brain

• Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing?

• That salad isn't just good for your nutrition - it may help stave off depression

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

As we get started and accustomed to a new academic year for students, we need to take a moment to talk about sleep. How much sleep do children and adolescents actually need? What are signs that they are getting quality sleep or insufficient sleep? Many adults track their own sleep, but are you monitoring your child's?

When children and adolescents don't get enough sleep it impacts their ability to focus, remember information, and regulate their emotions - all things that are critical to their wellbeing on any given day. In today's episode, we're discussing this crucial piece to a child's health. So listen to find out if your child is sleeping enough, getting quality sleep, and some tips to improve sleep if it is a struggle.

[3:00] - Transitioning from a summer with little sleep schedule to a new school year with a routine can be very difficult for children.

[5:04] - How much sleep do kids actually need?

[8:13] - What are the signs of sleep deprivation in kids?

[10:18] - Insufficient sleep can cause issues with memory, mood, and stress.

[11:26] - Early sleep issues are predictive of ADHD symptoms later.

[13:51] - School schedules have an impact on sleep and some school districts start later in the morning to allow for students to sleep longer durations.

[15:19] - Kids with ADHD are more likely to challenge parents and have behavioral problems around bedtime.

[19:11] - Lights from screens can suppress melatonin and can delay the onset of sleep.

[19:56] - Having a dark and cool room is best for quality sleep.

[20:50] - Always talk about sleep patterns with your child's pediatrician.

[21:35] - Making sleep a priority for yourself is modeling the importance of sleep in a healthy lifestyle for your children.

• Get on our Email List

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• Check out some amazing schools for incredible students

• 5 Reasons Sleep Matters Most for Children

• 8 Ways Teenagers Suffer When They Don't Get Enough Sleep

• Episode 40: Lifestyle Activities That Can Improve ADHD Symptoms with Dr. Joel Nigg

• Episode 147: 5 Tips to Help Students Transition Back to School

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

A new school year is upon us! This can be an exciting time but it can also be challenging for parents and their children especially for those who think and learn differently. This quick episode is designed to help ensure a smooth start for these students and their families. These five tips can help navigate this period successfully. It's not an exhaustive list, just a few tips to get the ball rolling for a great new school year.

[1:52] - Tip #1: Establish a predictable routine.

[3:02] - Plan for adequate amounts of sleep.

[4:20] - Tip #2: Prepare well in advance.

[6:14] - Tip #3: Foster open communication. Schedule a meeting with your child's teacher.

[8:08] - Trust your gut. Don't hesitate to take an active role.

[8:35] - Tip #4: Break tasks into manageable steps.

[9:52] - Tip #5: Focus on strengths and self-care. Celebrate success and encourage hobbies.

• Get on our Email List

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• Check out some amazing schools for incredible students

• Episode 146: How Parents and Educators Can Collaborate to Help Students Thrive with Shelley Lawrence

• Episode 142: How to Help Neurodivergent Kids Manage Social Media

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

For many families, it is hard to hear that your child has been struggling in school. Some parents may already know or have a feeling their child is struggling. They have even received assessment results, only to feel worried about the negative stigma or sharing that information with their school. Today, we are re-airing a discussion about the importance of collaboration between parents, families, and educators.

Today's guest is Shelley Lawrence and she comes to us with two decades worth of experience as a school administrator. In this episode, her experience shines and she shares her knowledge of how evaluations are used in schools, what to expect after an evaluation is completed, and she really drives home the need for developing a team. Feeling worried is absolutely a normal reaction, but communicating the needs of your child to schools and educators can make a world of difference in their educational progress.

[2:03] - The parent/educator relationship is so important.

[4:36] - It's not about a diagnosis. The purpose is to better understand why a child is struggling.

[6:24] - Shelley shares a story of a student she worked with and demonstrates how the teachers' knowledge of weaknesses helped him.

[7:56] - Phrasing this information in a certain way can bolster student confidence.

[8:45] - Strengths and weaknesses are harder to determine in some students.

[9:56] - As an administrator, Shelley has found that many parents are worried about the negative stigma of having an IEP or 504 plan.

[11:40] - When an evaluation is recommended, Shelley explains that many parents are worried about going through with it.

[13:31] - It is normal to feel worried, but educators can rephrase the need for an evaluation.

[14:47] - Every family Dr. Wilson and Shelley have worked with do not regret the assessment process and getting their child the support they need.

[17:29] - After completing an evaluation, it is important to break it down based on priorities.

[18:51] - Everyone needs to be working together, including the parents and teachers.

[20:43] - Some parents are also concerned about making more work for teachers, but teachers want and need to know how to help their students.

[22:20] - What should parents expect from the school after an evaluation?

[25:01] - Look beyond the IEP goals. Parent and teacher observations are markers of progress as well.

[27:50] - Sometimes progress is very slow. Different interventions can be implemented.

[29:20] - The point is to make sure the child is learning rather than spinning their wheels.

[32:20] - Emphasizing that it is a team that helps the child can make things more impactful for parents and educators.

As an Independent School administrator for two decades, Shelley Lawrence had the unique experience of working with families of students who were striving to succeed in school. She is adamant in her belief that, with the proper supports in place, all children can succeed in school. Shelley brings her passion for children, her strong connections with outside providers in the community, her keen observation and listening skills and her understanding of the complexities of learning, to help families navigate the school journey with their child. In addition, Shelley is a trained advocate who can help families navigate the IEP process.

• ChildNEXUS Provider Profile: Shelley Lawrence

• Schoolhouse Collaborative Website

• Phone: (310) 251-5908

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• Check out some amazing schools for incredible students

The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Are you concerned about whether your child has made meaningful progress over the last year in school? Today's guest is an incredible special education attorney who is passionate about advocating for children and adults. You can hear the passion in her voice throughout this entire episode and she brings to light a lot of concerns as we begin the transition to heading back to the brick and mortar classroom environment.

Our guest, Heather Zakson, is a special education attorney. She answers a plethora of questions in this episode, shares staggering statistics, explains legislation and federal funding, and encourages all parents to strongly advocate for their children.

[3:01] - The transition going back to school is a front and center concern for a lot of families.

[5:10] - Distance learning unlocked more tools and opportunities for many students.

[7:57] - Data is our stock and trade in special education. We need the information to compare data over time to see what's working.

[8:59] - A lot of work is done on screen and not kept in a paper format. Heather recommends always taking a screenshot of work to archive a child's progress.

[11:49] - Don't think of assessments as something dictated only by schools.

[12:46] - A psychological assessment will give us information on what intervention and support is needed.

[13:44] - When seeking a private assessment, you have the control on who to conduct the testing and who to share the information with.

[14:33] - If you are unable to have a private assessment done, Heather explains how it works through the school system. You can ask for a second opinion.

[17:20] - Although we have seen the good things that have come from distance learning, there are many students who have suffered with great educational loss.

[18:25] - Heather advises that if you think there is something wrong, follow your gut.

[19:40] - All public schools have the ability to assess.

[21:38] - When a child is behind, moving forward without support will just make them fall farther behind. Early intervention is crucial.

[23:10] - When you are out there advocating for your child, don't take no for an answer.

[27:53] - We know how to support children with social difficulties and with appropriate support, they can have a completely different educational experience.

[30:54] - Heather explains what recoupment means and how this affects the near future of special education.

[32:46] - Children with learning disabilities are legally entitled to remediation.

[34:22] - When there is a reading and/or language delay, there needs to be evidence-based targeted reading instruction.

[37:18] - Information doesn't hurt anyone. It doesn't put labels on anyone.

[40:28] - Dyslexia screening should be a mandatory part of assessment early on for every student.

[41:10] - What is SB 488 and how will it affect university programs for teachers?

[44:50] - The Right to Read Project and Decoding Dyslexia are highly recommended to look into by both Heather and Karen.

[46:27] - Every year is different when it comes to funding. Heather explains the push for federal funding for special education.

[48:19] - The real test of our educational system is how we support our students who struggle the most.

[49:02] - Every child is entitled to an appropriate education and remediation of learning disabilities when appropriate.

Heather Zakson represents children and adults in special education, Regional Center and discrimination cases and provides expert consultation on complex custody and guardianship matters. She is widely recognized for her creativity and tenacity on behalf of those whose rights have been violated and needs have gone unmet. She is a graduate of UCLA School of Law and Brandeis University, and has been practicing law for 18 Years.

• Zakson Law Home Page

• Phone: (424) 369-9529

• Heather Zakson on LinkedIn

• Heather Zakson, Attorney on Facebook

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• Check out some amazing schools for incredible students

Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com

If you have a child who thinks, learns, or experiences the world differently than others, this episode is for you. Parents of differently wired kids may face a negative stigma, uncertainty, and may make decisions from a place of fear, especially in regards to education. But today's guest shares her experience and encourages parents to change their mindset and make decisions from a place of possibility.

I am thrilled to welcome Debbie Reber as today's guest on the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast. Debbie inspired me to begin this podcast journey and as a parent of a differently wired child herself, she comes to the podcast today with personal stories, many years of experience, and open arms to welcome other parents on the same journey. Debbie is a parenting activist, author, keynote speaker, and founder of TiLT Parenting. The resources and community she offers through TiLT Parenting are helping parents around the world connect and support each other in raising differently wired children.

We could talk for hours, but on today's episode with Debbie we focus on what it means to be "differently wired," how Debbie grew from making decisions from fear to making decisions from love and possibility, and how parents can use their voices to make positive change in the education of their children.

[1:35] - Debbie really leans in to embracing the fact that your child may be differently wired.

[3:26] - Debbie never intended to walk this path, but as her son received diagnoses, it made things more challenging.

[5:01] - Sharing the challenge in finding the right environment for her son, Debbie explains that they bounced around to different schools and then homeschooled for 6 years.

[6:00] - This experience was the catalyst for her to start her own podcast and help other parents in similar situations.

[7:58] - As she observed her son learning at home, Debbie made the realization of why traditional schooling had not been a success.

[9:16] - There needs to be a shift in how we educate children.

[11:00] - Debbie demonstrates that the traditional school model does not teach kids to be critical thinkers.

[15:57] - Learning loss is of course a concern, but Dr. Wilson believes that social, emotional, and mental health support is more important.

[18:49] - Debbie talks about her book Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World.

[20:04] - There is no clear path for parents, especially when raising a differently wired child.

[21:07] - Debbie provides some reflection questions to ask yourself as a parent to find out more about choosing love and possibility.

[22:23] - If we, as parents, have a negative idea of what a child with a diagnosis looks like, we will not make decisions that are best for the child.

[24:38] - The idea behind Debbie's podcast and the community she has built is to help support parents.

[28:21] - Dr. Wilson and Debbie talk about the IEP process and the changes that need to be made to the educational system.

[30:10] - Debbie references a book that she recommends called The End of Average by Todd Rose and how there really isn't any such thing as "average."

[31:23] - Karen highly recommends Debbie's book and her TEDtalk.

Debbie Reber is a parenting activist, New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of TiLT Parenting, a top podcast, community, and educational resource for parents raising differently wired children. Her book, Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World, came out in June 2018. After living abroad in the Netherlands for five years, Debbie, her husband, and 16-year-old son relocated to Brooklyn, NY in 2019.

• TiLT Parenting Home Page

• TiLT Parenting Podcast

• Get on our Email List

• Book a Consultation

• Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider

• Check out some amazing schools for incredible students

Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com