TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

TPP 320: Dr. Karen Wilson on How (and When) to Talk to Kids About Their Diagnoses


Listen Later

I know that there are concerns among many families that their child’s self-esteem can be negatively impacted by a label, or that others, including teachers may treat a child differently if they know they have one or more diagnoses, especially because of the stigma associated with neurodifferences. So this is what Dr. Karen Wilson and I get into — demystifying the process and offering suggestions for approaching these important conversations. 

In our conversation, Karen breaks down the kind of language we can use when talking with kids about their diagnosis, as well as how that conversation will likely continue to evolve as our kids get older. We also talked about how to navigate this process with a child or teen who is resistant to labels, why it’s critical that we have all of these conversations from a foundation of prioritizing and recognizing strengths.  and how to have this conversation in a household with neurotypical siblings.

Dr. Karen Wilson is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, Director of West LA Neuropsychology, PC, the founder of ChildNEXUS.com, and the host of the Diverse Thinking · Different Learning podcast. She specializes in the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents, and she has extensive experience evaluating children and adults who present with neurological, medical and psychiatric disorders.

Things you'll learn from this episode

  • What a diagnosis actually is and what it can mean to a family
  • How to balance communication surrounding your child’s areas of strengths and weaknesses so the emphasis is not on challenges
  • What types of language to use when talking with your kids about their diagnoses, and how to evolve language as kids get older
  • How to navigate talking with children and teens about their neurodifferences if they’re resistant to labels or being “otherized”
  • Best practices for talking about diagnoses in households with neurotypical siblings
  • How to give kids the tools and empowerment they need to ultimately feel confident navigating situations in their lives where they are judged by their diagnosis and related stigma
  • Resources mentioned 

    • Dr. Karen Wilson’s website
    • Dr. Karen Wilson on Twitter
    • Dr. Karen Wilson on LinkedIn
    • ChildNEXUS
    • Diverse Thinking, Different Learning (Karen’s podcast) 
    • Dr. Karen Wilson on How to Know if Your Child is Ready for the Transition to Elementary School (Tilt Parenting podcast)
    • Carol Dweck and Mindset
    • Support the show

      Connect with Tilt Parenting

      • Visit Tilt Parenting
      • Take the free 7-Day Challenge
      • Read a chapter of Differently Wired
      • Follow Tilt on Twitter & Instagram

      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent ChildrenBy Debbie Reber

      • 4.8
      • 4.8
      • 4.8
      • 4.8
      • 4.8

      4.8

      930 ratings


      More shows like TILT Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

      View all
      ADHD Experts Podcast by ADDitude

      ADHD Experts Podcast

      1,319 Listeners

      AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety by Natasha Daniels: Child Therapist, Child Anxiety and Child OCD Expert

      AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety

      1,201 Listeners

      Beautifully Complex by Penny Williams

      Beautifully Complex

      346 Listeners

      Neurodiversity Podcast by Emily Kircher-Morris

      Neurodiversity Podcast

      395 Listeners

      In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently by Understood.org, Gretchen Vierstra, Rachel Bozek

      In It: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently

      249 Listeners

      Parenting Without Power Struggles by Susan Stiffelman

      Parenting Without Power Struggles

      272 Listeners

      Raising Good Humans by Dear Media, Aliza Pressman

      Raising Good Humans

      1,831 Listeners

      THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST by Holly Blanc Moses

      THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST

      578 Listeners

      Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry by Lynn Lyons LICSW, Robin Hutson

      Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry

      434 Listeners

      Two Sides of the Spectrum by Meg Ferrell

      Two Sides of the Spectrum

      229 Listeners

      Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting by Dr. Lisa Damour/Good Trouble Productions

      Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting

      139 Listeners

      Uniquely Human: The Podcast by ART19    Uniquely Human

      Uniquely Human: The Podcast

      407 Listeners

      The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma} by Robyn Gobbel

      The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma}

      243 Listeners

      Good Inside with Dr. Becky by Dr. Becky Kennedy

      Good Inside with Dr. Becky

      4,302 Listeners

      At Peace Parents Podcast by Casey

      At Peace Parents Podcast

      331 Listeners