This version makes the distinction clear without turning the description into a disclaimer. It honours Bernstein's experience and the families he has helped, while positioning the conversation as one perspective rather than an approach you endorse in full. It also gently names the important limitation: much of his method depends on his own highly individualised work and may not translate directly into something parents can reproduce alone.

In this bonus episode, I speak with Dr Rob Bernstein, an educator and therapist who has spent more than 35 years working closely with autistic children, young people and their families.

Dr Bernstein shares the highly individualised approach he has developed through decades of observation and relationship-building. Rather than beginning with a programme or predetermined set of techniques, he looks carefully at how each child experiences the world and searches for ways to enter that world, build connection and create opportunities for growth. His stories offer parents a hopeful reminder that behaviour carries meaning, that progress may take unexpected forms, and that we should remain curious about what a child might be communicating.

I am sharing this conversation as one experienced practitioner's perspective, rather than as a complete or universally transferable model. I do not necessarily share all the language or views expressed in the episode, and some aspects of Dr Bernstein's work are closely tied to the intensive, personalised support he provides himself. Parents listening from different contexts—or without access to a practitioner who works in this way—may therefore find some ideas more immediately applicable than others.

Nevertheless, Dr Bernstein's long experience, his commitment to seeing possibility in children whom others may have struggled to reach, and the success many families attribute to his work make his a voice worth hearing. As always, I invite listeners to engage thoughtfully: to take what is useful, place it alongside other informed and neurodiversity-affirming perspectives, and consider what fits their own child, family and circumstances.

Healing with Horses is far more than an equine therapy programme—it is a story of hope, belonging and community. Jill Burgess and Aileen Johnstone share how their Zimbabwean non-profit is restoring confidence in children who have been overlooked, misunderstood or marginalised, while rescued horses, dedicated volunteers and families are transformed along the way. Together, we explore the healing power of relationships, the importance of seeing the whole child, and why some of the most meaningful support happens outside traditional therapy rooms. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that healing flourishes where people, purpose and community come together.

Dr Laurie Faith extends an invitation to teachers "to be wide awake and curious" instead of acting on habit or bias and to let uncomfortable moments lead to intentional conversations with children that grow skills!

This episode is for you if you've been introduced to the idea of Executive Function Skills (See Episode 25 with Dr Peg Dawson if you haven't) and are wondering just how you can start having conversations about them in your classroom.

Dr Faith says that "whatever is discussable is improvable" and helps the willing, compassionate teacher address the EF limits and immaturity that is the "elephant in every room" for children!

Dr Laurie Faith is an Assistant Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), where she teaches special education and executive-function-related courses.Her latest book, Executive Function Skills in the Classroom: Overcoming Barriers, Building Strategies, co-authored with Peg Dawson and Carol-Anne Bush, brings together research and practical tools for teachers.

In this episode of the Wonderfully Wired Podcast, host Eloise Leher is joined by author, speaker, and autism dad Will Acuff for a deeply reflective conversation about parenting neurodivergent children.

Will shares how his natural instinct to "fix problems" collided with the reality of parenting his son — and why shifting from fixing to knowing became transformational. Together, they explore what happens when parents take responsibility for their own responses, nervous systems, and expectations, rather than trying to change their child.

This episode will resonate with parents of autistic and neurodivergent children, educators, and professionals interested in executive functioning, emotional regulation, and hope-based parenting approaches.

Will is a a Christian author but his wisdom extends beyond a narrow faith specific audience

Welcome to Part 2 of our deep dive into Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) with Occupational Therapist Liesel Smal. This vital conversation addresses the challenging question: "What now?" Liesel details the process of adopting Low Demand Parenting (LDP), emphasizing that these accommodating acts (like handing over the remote or helping with hygiene) are life-saving caregiving. However, she explains that LDP as a mere strategy will fail, leading parents to the crucial work of radically accepting the reality of their lives, which often involves significant grief and rage. Liesel shares personal insights on how her child became a "canary in the coal mine" for her own nervous system, forcing her to embrace agency and tend to her inner wounds. The episode stresses that true regulation means flexibility, not constant calm, and highlights the importance of repair in building a deeper, messy, fully human connection.

Dive into the critical world of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Part 1 of this essential two-part series with Liesel Smal, an Occupational Therapist (OT) and mom of a PDA child Liesel introduces PDA as a specific neurotype that requires "good accommodation" due to the serious "gravity" of the diagnosis. Learn why avoidance is rooted in an inability ("I can't"), not a choice, often manifesting as an "inner straitjacket" or a "contraction" in the nervous system.

This episode exposes the confusing reality of masking; children often appear "compliant and good" or "high achieving" at school, only to experience severe "Coke bottle" meltdowns at home. Liesel offers a compassionate nervous system lens, validating parents who feel blamed or gaslighted. This discussion highlights how PDA is tied to a pervasive drive for autonomy and how understanding this difference is crucial for supporting these "uniquely brilliant" and autodidactic children.

#PDA #PathologicalDemandAvoidance #AutismSpectrum #Neurodiversity #NervousSystem #SomaticExperiencing #LowDemandParenting #DemandAvoidance #Masking #WonderfullyWired

Welcome to Season 5 of the Wonderfully Wired podcast! In this insightful episode, host Eloise welcomes Corneil Claassen, an educational psychologist and co-lead at the Neurodiversity Center (NDC) in South Africa. Corneil shares her powerful mission: to create a world where every wonderfully wired mind – be it facing autism, ADHD, anxiety, or learning differences – is seen, supported, and celebrated.

Discover NDC's origin, a multidisciplinary organization supporting over 6,000 families, dedicated to affirming neurodivergent individuals who are "brilliantly uniquely wired". Corneil emphasizes shifting from 'fixing problems' to understanding, empowering, and celebrating differences. She discusses their holistic, evidence-based approach, including the Essence perspective, focusing on co-occurring neurodevelopmental profiles. Learn about their global reach and upcoming "NeuroHood" initiative, democratizing safe, accessible neurodiversity knowledge worldwide. This episode offers hope and clarity for families and professionals navigating neurodiversity.

This special bonus episode of the "Wonderfully Wired" podcast features live studio guests Juju and Sophia, both young women who have served on the Wonderfully Wired team and are "wonderfully wired" themselves.

Juju, who has ADHD, describes her brain as a city constantly under construction, with changing alleys, roads, and houses. Sophia, who is gifted and intense, explains her experience as feeling emotions and sensory input "10 times more intensely" than others.

The conversation delves into the challenges, joys, and humours of living wonderfully wired. Both Juju and Sophia discuss the profound exhaustion that comes from existing and navigating a world not always suited to their brains, noting how they can thrive under pressure but struggle with mundane tasks. They highlight the difficulties of masking their neurodiversity to fit in and the hurtful impact of labels like "drama queen" or "too much". They emphasize the importance of grace for themselves and from others, particularly parents and teachers. The episode celebrates the unique talents and perspectives that come with being neurodivergent, concluding that they would not wish away their wiring, as it is an integral part of who they are.

Meet our tech-savvy friend Joan Green! Joan's been working with assistive technology since the 80s—and she's got the tools and stories to prove it. From calendar tricks and color-coded Google Drives to goblin tools and immersive readers, this episode is jam-packed with tips that make learning easier for our wonderfully wired kids (and adults too!).

• Easy wins with everyday tech
• Tools that organize your digital chaos
• Confidence for parents & empowerment for students

Joan reminds us: tech doesn't need to be overwhelming. With a little guidance, it becomes a powerful ally. "I just want to help people be the best they can be—and not be sidelined by their challenges."