Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

• TPP 318a: What Parents Need to Know about the IEP Process, with Therapist Beth Liesenfeld

  If you’re the parent of a differently wired kid with a diagnosed learning disability, you likely have had experience with Individualized Education Plans, otherwise known as IEPs. And if this is you, my hunch is you have some feelings about IEPs and the whole process — the stresses, the unknowns, the fact that it might feel like you have to understand a completely different language just to get the services and supports your child needs and deserves in schools. Occupational therapist Beth Liesenfeld, the woman behind a company, podcast, and resource called The IEP Lab, joins us to answer your questions around how parents can better prepare for an IEP meeting, what makes a good IEP, and how we can go about making changes on an IEP if we realize the accommodations aren’t being effective or if a school isn’t following through in the way the IEP outlines. Beth Liesenfeld, MOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist passionate about providing “insider” information of the school’s process and culture to parents in order to increase collaboration between parents and school staff! Her company, The IEP Lab, provides online workshops and courses as well as produces The Parent IEP Lab Podcast.  Things You'll Learn from This Episode: What parents actually need to know before they go into an IEP meeting The criteria for designing an effective and supportive IEP The intention behind the goals written into any IEP, and how to create goals that lead to hoped-for outcomes What parents can do if their children’s school doesn’t follow through on the accommodations provided in their child’s IEP How to include accommodations for students who are struggling with school refusal and therefore may not be meeting attendance requirements What the IDEA says about seeking an IEP for twice-exceptional children who may be performing “adequately” but aren’t reaching their potential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 463: Author and Advocate Julie Green on Generational Autism and Radical Acceptance

  In this episode I’m talking with Julie Green, author of the memoir Motherness, a powerful exploration of generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance. Julie, who was late-diagnosed herself and is raising an autistic child, takes us inside her journey of self-discovery and diagnosis, and we talk about the emotional complexities of coming to understand our own neurodivergence while parenting neurodivergent kids. We explore the healing power of writing, the importance of storytelling and compassion, and the challenges many families like ours face along the way. Julie’s memoir is a testament to these shared experiences, and this conversation is a deeply honest look at what it means to parent—and to live—with radical acceptance. About Julie Green Julie Green is the author of Motherness, a memoir about generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance, released by ECW Press in September 2025. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, HuffPost, Parents, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent, and more. She has been featured on CTV, BBC Radio, Global News, Sirius XM, and other media outlets, and was a finalist for the CBC Nonfiction Prize in 2024. Through her platform The Autistic Mom, Julie shares her lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic woman raising an autistic child. Things you'll learn from this episode  How Julie’s decade-long journey to understanding her neurodivergence was shaped by limited representation for autistic women Why writing became an essential tool for Julie to process her experiences and emotions How receiving a formal diagnosis brought relief and clarity to her life story Why Julie’s memoir Motherness shines a light on the complexities of parenting an autistic child while navigating her own identity How practicing self-compassion and protecting her child’s privacy are central to Julie’s storytelling Why community, connection, and embracing one’s identity remain vital for neurodivergent individuals and families Resources mentioned Motherness virtual book launch on September 23 (free registration via EventBrite) Julie Green’s website Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance by Julie Green Julie’s Substack, The Autistic Mom The Electricity of Every Living Thing: A Woman’s Walk in the Wild to Find Her Way Home by Katherine May Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May Katherine May and the Electricity of Every Living Thing (Tilt Parenting podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 120b: Back to School Special with Understood's Amanda Morin

  Amanda Morin of Understood joins Debbie for a special back-to-school episode to help families prepare for easing into the coming school year with as much confidence and serenity as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 462: Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko on the Safe & Sound Protocol

  I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko about the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a therapeutic approach grounded in Stephen’s groundbreaking polyvagal theory. Stephen, a Distinguished University Scientist and originator of the polyvagal theory, has spent decades helping us understand how our nervous system shapes behavior, connection, and healing. Karen, who was instrumental in bringing SSP from the lab into clinical practice, has been a tireless advocate for expanding access to polyvagal-informed care around the world. In this episode, we dive into the origins of SSP, the science behind it, and what makes it such a powerful tool for supporting emotional regulation—especially for people navigating trauma and neurodivergence. Stephen and Karen share stories from real-life applications of the protocol, explain how co-regulation plays a central role, and highlight the many ways SSP can foster connection and resilience. Whether you’re new to polyvagal theory or already familiar, this is a hopeful and inspiring conversation about what’s possible when we work with the nervous system to support healing. About Dr. Stephen W. Porges Dr. Stephen W. Porges is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems. He is the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™. In collaboration with Anthony Gorry, he co-created a Sonocea® Enhanced acoustic technology, engineered to support homeostatic functions and embedded in the Rest and Restore Protocol™. With Karen Onderko, Deb Dana, and Randall Redfield, he is a cofounder of the Polyvagal Institute. He has authored several books, including the Polyvagal Perspectives: Interventions, Practices, and Strategies (2024). He has coauthored Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing (2025) with Karen Onderko. About Karen Onderko Karen Onderko is a passionate advocate for advancing the understanding and application of polyvagal principles to improve care, connection, and acceptance among people. She played an important role in bringing SSP from the laboratory to the clinical world, conducting the initial testing, developing the training, and supporting the SSP provider community.  Together with Dr. Porges, she has written a book about SSP titled Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach to Connection, Change and Healing. Regularly witnessing the transformative power of a polyvagal-informed approach, she is eager to support the promotion of education and access to PVT for people in diverse communities throughout the world. Karen is a founding board member of the Polyvagal Institute.​ Things you'll learn from this episode  How the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) draws on polyvagal theory to support nervous system regulation Why melodic voices and filtered music can help calm the body and mind How SSP offers a non-invasive, evidence-based option for individuals dealing with trauma and anxiety Why co-regulation is a key part of making SSP therapy effective How real-life case studies show powerful transformations when SSP is used, often alongside other therapies Why the ultimate goal of SSP is creating greater flexibility in the nervous system’s response to stress Resources mentioned Dr. Stephen Porges’ website Polyvagal Institute Karen Onderko (at PVI) Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing by Stephen Porges, PhD and Karen Onderko Polyvagal Theory: Current Status, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions Randall Redfield (at PVI) Doreen Hunt (at Unyte) Safe and Sound Protocol (at Unyte) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 223a: Parenting Bright Kids Who Struggle in School, with Dewey Rosetti

  Author, youth advocate, and co-founder of PEN (Parent Education Network) Dewey Rosetti talks about her new book, "Bright Kids Who Struggle in School" and teaching from a strengths-based approach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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