Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child at School and Home

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Ever notice how some kids can want to start something... and still seem completely stuck? 

In this episode, we're unpacking task initiation: the executive functioning skill that helps us begin tasks, get going, and push past the "starting friction". When kids struggle here, it's often misunderstood as laziness, avoidance, or lack of motivation - but there's usually much more going on beneath the surface. 

Our key takeaway? 

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected] or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so it's more likely to get to listeners who also need it. Thank-you!

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If your child or student(s) struggle when it's time to leave the park, turn off the tablet, start homework, or get ready for bed- you are not alone. 

In this episode, we're talking about why transitions can feel so hard for many kids (especially neurodivergent kids), and what adults can do to make those moments smoother and less stressful for everyone involved. I share 4 practical, realistic strategies that support executive functioning, emotional regulation, and flexibility - without relying on punishments or constant battles.

Our key takeaway? Transitions are a skill - not just a "behaviour". And we arent' aiming for "perfect transitions," just a day-to-day routine that feels a bit more manageable.

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected] or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so it's more likely to get to listeners who also need it. Thank-you!

xo Ivanna

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Ever felt like you've already said something three times - and it's still not sticking? It's not always about attention or effort, but about working memory. 

In this quick, practical episode, I'm breaking down what's really going on when kids struggle to hold onto information, and why repeating yourself in attempts to help them "memorize" isn't the solution. You'll also walk away with 5 simple tips for how to "support smarter" rather than try harder. If you've ever wondered, "Why can't they just do what I asked?" - this episode is for you. 

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected] or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so it's more likely to get to listeners who also need it. Thank-you!

xo Ivanna

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Many kids who are bright, curious, and capable still struggle in school - and it can be confusing for the adults supporting them. 

In this episode, we explore why intelligence doesn't always translate into success in the classroom, and how factors like executive functioning, processing differences, and anxiety can impact a child's ability to feel successful at school.

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected] or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so it's more likely to get to listeners who also need it. Thank-you!

xo Ivanna

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What does the word Neurodivergent actually mean - and why has it become such an important part of how we understand children? 

In this episode, we explore the concept of neurodivergence, what it includes, and why it can shift the way we think about learning, behaviour, and support. This episode focuses on moving beyond labels and toward a more complete understanding of how different brains works - and what that means for supporting children at school, at home, and in everyday life.

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected] or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so it's more likely to get to listeners who also need it. Thank-you!

xo Ivanna

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Welcome to the very first episode of Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child. 

In this episode, we're starting with an important foundation: 5 things neurodivergent kids really need the adults in their lives to understand. 

Children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, exceptionality, dyslexia, giftedness, learning differences, anxiety, and other forms of neurodivergence are often navigating environments that weren't designed with their brains in mind. When adults shift how we interpret behaviour, learning, and regulation, we can support these kids in more effective and compassionate ways. 

Whether you're a parent, an educator, or a clinician, this episode explores key ideas that can help us better understand and support neurodivergent kids at school, at home, and in everyday life.

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected] or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so it's more likely to get to listeners who also need it. Thank-you!

xo Ivanna

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Today marks the final episode of the School Psych Podcast - but don't worry, the podcast itself isn't ending. It's evolving! Over time, I realized that while the original title of the podcast reflected my profession as a school psychologist, it didn't fully capture what these conversations are really about: understanding and supporting your neurodivergent children. 

Starting with the next episode, the podcast will continue under a new name: 

 "Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child" 

The mission stays the same - helping the adults in kids' lives better understand how they learn, regulate, and thrive at school, at home, and beyond. 

If you're already subscribed, you don't need to do anything. The next episode will simply appear in your feed under the new title. 

Thanks for being part of this learning journey!

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected], direct message me on Instragram @SchoolPsychPodcast, or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like the School Psych Podcast or find it helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so others are more likely to find it. Thank-you!

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Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in children, teens, and adults - and is one of the most misunderstood. 

In this deep dive episode, I walk you through what anxiety actually is (from both a clinical and practical lens), how it shows up in real life, and where to begin if you or your child are struggling. 

Whether you're a parent, an educator, or someone navigating anxiety personally, this replay episode will help you understand what's happening in the brain and body - and what actually helps.

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover, please email me at [email protected], direct message me on Instragram @SchoolPsychPodcast, or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like the School Psych Podcast or find it helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so others are more likely to find it. Thank-you!

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This episode is a follow-up to the "Fall Start-Up" episode (#82). If you are a licensed educational psychologist (LEP), school psych, or school clinician, you're going to want to listen to this one. Winter is not coming... winter is HERE, and we are officially halfway through the school year. It's time to take stock of our to-do list, and how much we've been able (or not) to achieve so far. The point of this is not just to celebrate how far we've come but also to re-evaluate our priorities for the rest of the school year and what we realistically have time for. 

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover, please email me at [email protected], direct message me on Instragram @SchoolPsychPodcast, or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like the School Psych Podcast or find it helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so others are more likely to find it. Thank-you!

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This episode is  a message for the community of Tumbler Ridge, British Colombia, who have recently experienced a tragedy at their secondary school. 

To the people of Tumbler Ridge, the hearts of Canadians and people all over the world are with you. We are so deeply sorry for your loss. 

If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at [email protected], direct message me on Instragram @SchoolPsychPodcast, or click "Send Us a Text" in this episode description.

If you like the School Psych Podcast or find it helpful, please share it with a friend  or follow the podcast, so others are more likely to find it. Thank-you!

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