Learn with Dr. Emily®

I know you all come here to read my thoughts on raising and teaching neurodivergent kids and teens. But, I’m taking a little detour today because this topic is for all parents.

I was talking to a good friend the other day. We were exchanging stories about how our kids are starting to ask questions about puberty and I was pretty sure that I had grossed out mine by talking about body hair. My friend admitted that our conversation was causing her to break out into a sweat. She’s not alone. Most parents I talk to shutter at the mention of their child being ready for the “sex talk." Here’s the thing: This talk is not just one conversation and it’s not just about sex. Kids deserve to accurately understand their sexual and reproductive health.

No more putting this off; our kids need us. 

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Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

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Social-Emotional Learning is a term that gets thrown around a lot. Schools can see it as something that needs to be taught in a very scripted way. However, therapists often think of Social-Emotional Learning as something we are always practicing as it’s integrated into our everyday experiences. So what exactly is Social-Emotional Learning, and how can we utilize SEL to help our neurodivergent kids manage emotions and regulate their anxiety?

About Our Guest

Elizabeth Sautter is the author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! Practical Strategies to Manage Emotions, Navigate Social Situations, and Reduce Anxiety. She is a collaborator and trainer with the Zones of Regulation Team and a Co-Author of The Zones Storybook Set Tools to Try Card Decks and Navigating the Zones Game.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

As a child psychologist working with families for over 20 years, here are the top three most common issues that get in the way of kids getting good sleep and my tips for getting back on track.

All parents know that sleep is important. No one knows sleep deprivation like a new parent with an infant who wakes every two to three hours to be fed or changed. I recall five hours of sleep being my personal threshold for feeling human in those early days of parenthood. Less than five hours of sleep and I was nearly non-functional. That’s because sleep is the great regulator. Without it, we struggle to maintain our attention, regulate our emotions, and manage our energy.

This is why the first thing I ask parents before we dive into figuring why a child might be struggling with something new is this: “How are they sleeping?”

Everyone has their own threshold for sleep, kids included. In case you’re wondering, here are the daily sleep amounts for kids and teens recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many autistic children and teens are even more sensitive to the emotional and sensory impacts of not getting enough sleep. Children and teens with ADHD can struggle to wind down and fall asleep which often impacts family dynamics at bedtime. And, of course, children who are anxious may experience their most intense worries when the lights go out.

We've all read about the negative impact of not enough sleep for kids and teens. And, we all know that when children are well-rested, they are better able to remain emotionally regulated when things don't go their way, they are able to access learning by remaining engaged in the classroom, and they are generally happier. 

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Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson joins us today to discuss parent-child attachment (it’s more than just rocking your baby), disciplining with empathy, connection, and regulation, and the 4 S's for raising the whole-brain child.

Dr. Tina Bryson is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of THE CENTER FOR CONNECTION in Pasadena, California. She's a NY Times Bestselling author and has written several books including The Bottom Line for Baby.
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Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

One of the most heart-breaking things a parent can hear is a child being mean to themselves. Some children get so overwhelmed at times that they call themselves names, or even worse, hit themselves when they are upset. As adults, we can feel helpless in these moments and are quick to say something to negate our child’s statement like “Of course you’re not stupid” or “Don’t say that; it’s not true” But, responding with comments opposite of a child’s thoughts can feel dismissive and leave them feeling emotionally alone. In this week’s episode, I’m going to walk you through what is happening for many of our kids in these moments and share a few ideas on how to support them.

[Note: These ideas are for informational purposes only. If you have concerns about your child’s safety due to physical self-harm or verbal self-criticism, please talk with their medical or mental health provider.]

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Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

When we hear neurodiversity, most of us think of ADHD and autism. But neurodivergence simply means a difference in brain functioning - and that impacts gifted children too. 

So how can we better understand and support our gifted kids?  Today, Dr. Matt joins us to talk about brain differences, emotional roller coasters, social anxiety, and the "Twice Exceptional" profile.

Dr. Matt Zakreski is the Founder and Lead Psychologist at The Neurodiversity Collective.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

Spring break is here, which means taking a break from school and spending time with family and friends. It also often means traveling, later bedtimes, and sometimes more sugar for our kids. But for neurodivergent children, those with ADHD, anxiety, or who are autistic, traveling for spring break also means different schedules, unknown routines, and often more dysregulation.

Many families I work with create vacation routines that differ from home and school routines, but are consistent enough to keep children regulated while experiencing new things during their travels. For more traveling strategies, be sure to check out my blog post: How to Teach Your Neurodivergent Child to Travel. Many families have found success with the strategies I mention in that post, but today’s episode is all about supporting your child when they come home.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com.

Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

Growing up, Penn Holderness knew he was different than his friends. He had tics. He was called a spazz. He would cry really easily.  In basketball practice, he would nearly chew through his shirt if he wasn't running around enough. 

If he was growing up in the 2020's, he'd be treated for ADHD pretty quickly. But back in the 80's, ADHD information wasn't widespread, and it wasn't until college that he was officially diagnosed.

On today's episode, Penn talks about growing up with ADHD, finding his passion for music and performing arts, learning how to accept his limitations and lean into his superpowers, and how he would design a school for ADHD minds.

You don't want to miss this vulnerable and hilarious episode.
 
The Holderness Family YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Podcast

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Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

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When I work with parents who are raising neurodivergent kids, I often ask, “What was school like for you?” We all have an answer to this question, but it’s hard to sum up 13 years of learning in a conversation. I’m really just interested in a parent’s gut reaction. Some freeze, some appear overwhelmed and give me a look indicating, “How much time do we have?” and some wonder how this question is even relevant to raising their child. 

The reason I ask parents what school was like for them is this:

1) What worked (or didn’t work) for us in school informs how we feel about parent-teacher collaboration now, and

2) I want parents (and teachers) to realize that the child in front of them is living their school story right now. How we respond to their needs and encourage their strengths become a part of their story.

So, what was school like for you? I’ll go first.

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Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe

When Debbie Reber and her husband figured out that they were raising a neurodivergent child, they were a little caught off guard - it wasn't exactly the vision they had in mind for their parenting life. For years, they felt "otherized" by other parents and completely misunderstood.  They didn't have much of a community to help them - until Debbie decided to create one.

Debbie Reber is a parenting activist, New York Times bestselling author (Differently Wired), podcast host (Tilt Parenting), and speaker who has been inspiring and sparking conversations for parents, women, and teens for twenty years.

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Learn with Dr. Emily is edited by Earfluence.

Helpful Resources
Parent Workshops - https://learnwithdremily.substack.com/s/parent-workshops
Professional Development - Bring Dr. Emily to Your School - https://www.learnwithdremily.com/schools

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit learnwithdremily.substack.com/subscribe