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In this two-part conversation, pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with psychologist and play researcher Dr. Peter Gray about what kids actually need to grow into healthy, capable, well-adjusted adults — and why modern childhood is drifting in the opposite direction.

In Part 1 we talk about why modern school has become such a major source of stress for kids — and what parents can do when changing schools isn’t realistic. Dr. Gray shares what he learned studying graduates of a self-directed school model, why curiosity matters more than pressure, and how to support kids at home without turning evenings into “more school.”

Part 2 is all about play + independence — and why they’re essential for raising confident, capable kids.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I’m joined by pediatric physical therapist Allison Mell, founder of Tots on Target. We talk about baby motor development in a way that’s both reassuring and practical — including what milestones typically look like, what matters more than the exact age, and how parents can support development at home without overthinking it (or overbuying ).

We cover common reasons pediatricians refer to PT — like torticollis and head preference, tummy time struggles, late crawling, and toe walking — and Allison explains what’s normal, what deserves attention, and what a pediatric PT actually does to help. We also clear up myths (including the idea that late crawling causes ADHD or autism), talk safety around walkers, and share simple, low-tech strategies that can make a real difference.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal… and what should I do next?” this conversation will give you practical guidance on what to look for, and ideas for what you can do at home to help support your child.

Show notes:

• Milestone ranges (& why steady progress matters more than “deadlines”)
• Simple ways to support motor development at home (hint: floor time beats most gear)
• Walkers: the important safety distinction (sit-in vs push walkers)
• Torticollis: what it is, what parents can look for, and why early help matters
• Tummy time: what “counts,”  and when to pause (reflux/pain)
• Late crawling: myths vs what we actually worry about 
• Toe walking: tight muscles vs sensory seeking, and practical home ideas
• Lightning round: shoes vs barefoot, favorite low-tech movement toys, and a message for anxious parents

Tots on Target website: totsontarget.com

03:24 Milestone Timelines: Rolling, Sitting, Crawling, Walking

05:41 Simple At-Home Setup: Floor Time, Fewer Gadgets, Better Toys

08:46 Walkers Explained

11:04 Torticollis

18:30 Tummy 

21:53 Late Crawlers: Debunking Myths + Why Crawling Matters

29:03 Toe Walking 

31:56 Lightning Round: Walking Myths, Barefoot vs Shoes, Best New-Walker Footwear

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send a text

Navigating Childhood Tics and Tourette Syndrome: Expert Insights with Dr. Greenberg

In this  episode, we sit down with Dr. Greenberg, director of the pediatric psychiatry OCD and Tic disorders program in Boston, to discuss the complexities of childhood tics and Tourette Syndrome. Dr. Greenberg shares her extensive expertise and personal experiences to help parents understand what tics are, how they manifest, and their natural progression. She provides insights on effective treatments such as CBIT therapy and when medication might be necessary. Additionally, Dr. Greenberg emphasizes the importance of differentiating between normal tics and those that may indicate other co-occurring conditions like ADHD and OCD. This episode is a must-watch for parents seeking reassurance and practical advice on managing their child's tics.

Erica Greenberg, M.D. is an assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a child/adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) where she is the Director of the Pediatric Psychiatry OCD and Tic Disorders Program. Dr. Greenberg is also a co-Director of the MGH Tourette Association of America (TAA) Center of Excellence and the co-president of the Medical Advisory Board of the TAA. Her interests include Tourette syndrome (TS), OCD, “Tourettic OCD,” ADHD, body-focused repetitive behavior disorders, and other Tourette syndrome spectrum conditions. She has authored several peer-reviewed manuscripts on TS, OCD, and related disorders, and has presented on these conditions nationally and internationally. Dr. Greenberg graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, and completed her general psychiatry residency at Harvard Longwood and her child/adolescent fellowship training at MGH.

Contact Dr Greenberg: MassGeneral Brigham; Massachusetts General Hospital for Children
Pediatric Psychiatry OCD and Tic Disorders Program
Email: [email protected]
617-643-2780

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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In this episode, Dr. Amy Gelfand, a child neurologist specializing in pediatric headaches, discusses the complexities and treatment of migraines in children. Gelfand explains the genetic nature of migraines and their commonality among kids, noting triggers like menstrual cycles and changes in sleep patterns. She elaborates on distinguishing features of migraines and provides insight into preventive and acute treatments, including NSAIDs, triptans, neuromodulation devices, and supplements. The discussion also covers the importance of a regular schedule, the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and recent advancements in migraine-specific medications. Dr. Gelfand emphasizes the significant progress in migraine treatment and encourages families to consult specialists for personalized care.

About Dr Gelfand:

Dr. Amy Gelfand is a pediatric neurologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating children with a variety of headache disorders, as well as those with childhood periodic syndromes (such as abdominal migraine), which may be precursors to migraine headache later in life. Her research focuses on the epidemiology of pediatric migraine and childhood periodic syndromes.

Gelfand received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School. She completed residencies in pediatrics and child neurology at UCSF.

Gelfand has received a teaching award from the UCSF pediatric residency program and writing awards from the medical journal Neurology. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, Child Neurology Society and American Headache Society.

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

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In a podcast discussion, Aniko Hill, shares her insights into limiting technology use for children.  Aniko co-founded DopaMind, a nonprofit aimed at educating kids and parents about the effects of modern technology on mental well-being. Through schools and parent resources, DopaMind provides accessible, nonjudgmental education on making better tech choices. 

It's really incredible what DopaMind is doing to help educate parents and children about having a healthy relationship with technology!

Here's a 1 minute video describing DopaMind

Here's an example of DopaMind at an elementary school

Here's an example of DopaMind talking to adolescents

DopMind offers Online courses for parents and children and Youth Initiatives for families with older kids.

And check out the DopaMind website to see all that they offer!

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send a text

This week on Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with chef and food educator Aliza Sokolow, author of the children’s book This Is What I Eat, to make healthy eating feel simpler, more joyful, and actually realistic for busy families.

Aliza shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she went from architecture to food media, to working with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution in schools — where she saw how powerful basic food education can be.  Aliza talks about why how you present food matters, how to build routines without turning dinner into a battle, and easy ways to get kids involved (from grocery store scavenger hunts to soup, pesto, and banana bread). Plus: smart shortcuts to make cooking for your family easier. 

Follow Aliza:

• Instagram: @alizajsokolow
• Substack: This Is What I Eat
• Website/prints: sokolowphoto.com

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send a text

This is Part 2 of Dr. Jessica Hochman’s conversation with Mike McLeod, founder of Grow Now ADHD — and it’s packed with practical strategies.

We talk about why internet-connected screens can be especially dysregulating for kids with ADHD, how to recognize when screen use is crossing into addiction, and what “authoritative parenting” looks like when you’re setting limits that kids will absolutely push back on.

In this episode, part 2, we cover:

• Which types of screen time are most harmful (and why TV is different)
• The biggest myths parents tell themselves about gaming and social connection
• How to set boundaries without negotiating constantly
• Getting kids out of the house and back into real-world experiences
• Chores and non-preferred tasks: why verbal prompting backfires
• School accommodations that help — vs “accommodations” that set kids up to struggle later
• What the “ideal school” could look like (and why many kids would love it)

About Mike McLeod:
 Mike McLeod is the founder of Grow Now ADHD. He has ADHD himself and began his career as a speech and language pathologist. He developed the Grow Now Internal Skills Model and provides executive functioning coaching and fully personalized parent training for families. Grow Now has expanded to multiple U.S. locations and serves families virtually worldwide. Mike also provides professional development training for educators and shares that his Executive Functioning Playbook books are scheduled for release in January (available for order now!).

Website: grownowadhd.com

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send a text

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Mike McLeod about ADHD, executive function, and why grades are not the best predictor of long-term success.

Mike explains why ADHD is less about “attention” and more about missing internal skills — including self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, and self-evaluation — and how those skills show up at home through homework battles, emotional conflict, and daily routines.

In Part 1, we cover:

• Why executive function predicts real-life success more than grades
• The “internal skills” behind ADHD behaviors
• Why home is often harder than school for kids with ADHD
• How homework can toxify the parent-child relationship — and what to do instead
• Why real-life experiences matter more than lectures and worksheets

About Mike McLeod:
Mike McLeod is the founder of Grow Now ADHD. He has ADHD himself and began his career as a speech and language pathologist, focused on improving children’s quality of life. He developed the Grow Now Internal Skills Model and provides executive functioning coaching and fully personalized parent training. Grow Now has expanded to multiple locations across the U.S. and also works with families virtually around the world. Mike also provides professional development training to schools and school districts, and he shares that his Executive Functioning Playbook books are scheduled for release in January (this month!).

Please refer to the GrowNow ADHD website for more information!  grownowadhd.com

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send a text

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with endometriosis specialist Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, author of Beating Endo: How to Reclaim Your Life from Endometriosis and a key medical voice in the films Endo What? and Below the Belt.

Dr. Orbuch explains what endometriosis is, why it’s so common yet underdiagnosed, and how it often first shows up in teens—not only as painful periods, but often as chronic gut issues, fatigue, and “IBS” that never fully resolves. She shares how she evaluates patients, why excision surgery is considered the gold standard, and how she combines surgery with pelvic floor physical therapy, gut work, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to help patients truly heal.

Also discussed:

• The red flags that period pain that starts interfering with school, sports, and social life is not normal.
• How endometriosis can show up years before a teen ever gets her first period.
• Why birth control can help symptoms but acts as a Band-Aid, not a cure, and doesn’t stop disease progression.
• How endometriosis is linked to infertility, and why diagnosing and treating it early matters.
• Practical next steps for parents: when to suspect endo, how to talk to your pediatrician or OB-GYN, and what kind of specialist to look for.

This episode is meant to give parents a clearer sense of when to worry, when to push for more answers, and how to support teens who might be living with endometriosis.

Connect with Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch

• Website: https://www.lagyndr.com
• Iris Wings – Sanctuary for Endometriosis Surgery & Wellness 9001 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 207
  Beverly Hills, CA 90211 
• Phone: (310) 651-7333 
• Follow her on Instagram:
  • @dririskerinorbuch
  • @iriswings 
• Buy her Book: Beating Endo: How to Reclaim Your Life from Endometriosis

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

Send a text

In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with dietitian and author Kim Shapira whose book This Is What You’re Really Hungry For helps people rebuild a peaceful relationship with food.

Kim shares how her own childhood health struggles and experiences with patients led her away from traditional dieting and toward an approach centered on trust, body awareness, and emotional honesty around eating.

• Why using dessert or “treats” as rewards (for shots, potty training, etc.) can wire kids to use food for comfort.
• How to talk to kids about hunger and fullness without shaming them or making them feel watched.
• A different way to think about “picky eating” that avoids labels and keeps the door open for kids to change and explore.
• Practical ideas for structuring meals at home—like always offering fruits and vegetables, involving kids in cooking, and de-dramatizing snacks and sweets.
• Why obsessing over ingredients like seed oils may matter less than the bigger picture of connection, variety, and listening to your body.

Instagram / X / general: @kimshapiramethod 

Website:  Kim Shapira Method

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

Follow Dr Jessica Hochman:
Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica
YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica

If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form.

-For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20

-To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out:
Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA

The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...