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

• TPP 476: Rebecca Duffus & Lyric Rivera on Supporting Kids Autistic Identity Development

  Today’s conversation is all about understanding and supporting autistic identity—how it develops, why it matters, and the ways parents and educators can help nurture it. I’m joined by Rebecca Duffus and Lyric Rivera, two incredible advocates doing powerful work in this space, and the authors of the new Autism, Identity & Me workbook for kids, and the accompanying professional and parent guide of the same name. In our conversation, we talk about the importance of identity development for autistic young people, the current state of neurodivergent education, and how parents and caregivers can foster a positive, affirming understanding of neurodiversity. We also dig into the “superpower” narrative—when it helps, when it doesn’t—and how to use Rebecca and Lyric’s Autism, Identity & Me workbook as a practical tool for ongoing conversations about identity, acceptance, and self-understanding. About Rebecca Duffus Rebecca Duffus BSc, PGCE, MA is an experienced Advisory Teacher with a Psychology Degree and a Masters in Autism and Education. She has many years of experience working with students and educators in both mainstream and specialist education settings as well as within local councils, charities and education services. Rebecca has been a speaker at conferences across the UK, developed a range of parent programmes, and provides training and coaching for settings.Rebeca is the author of the Autism, Identity & Me Workbook and Guidebook set published by Routledge. About Lyric Rivera Lyric Rivera, an autistic self-advocate from Texas, is a prominent figure in the field of neurodiversity and autism advocacy. Over the years, Lyric has educated millions about autism and neuro-inclusion through their blog, NeuroDivergent Rebel, their consulting organization, NeuroDivergent Consulting, and their best-selling business ethics book, Workplace Neurodiversity Rising. Things you'll learn from this episode Why understanding and affirming identity is central to empowering autistic children and teens How Lyric’s late discovery of autism underscores the need for better resources and support for adults How education systems differ widely in their ability to support neurodivergent learners Why parents should approach conversations about neurodiversity with openness and sensitivity How the “superpower” narrative can unintentionally dehumanize autistic individuals Why accessible, adaptable resources and ongoing conversations are key to healthy identity development Resources mentioned Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook and Professional Guide to Empower Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+ by Rebecca Dufus and Lyric Rivera Rebecca Duffus’ website Lyric Rivera’s website Neurodivergent Rebel Rebecca on Instagram Neurodivergent Rebel on Instagram Rebecca on Facebook Neurodivergent Rebel on Facebook Neurodivergent Rebel Substack   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 124b: Seth Perler on How Parents Can Help Their Kids Work Through Resistance

  Executive functioning/education coach Seth Perler explores the concept of resistance in differently-wired kids and shares strategies and tools for how parents can support their kids in learning how to face their resistance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 475: Dr. Tamar Chansky on Freeing Your Child from OCD

  Today we’re unpacking a topic that so many families struggle to understand—Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD—especially when it shows up in children. My guest is Dr. Tamar Chansky, a clinical psychologist and author of the newly updated and revised edition of her seminal book Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. In our conversation, Tamar and I talk about how our understanding of OCD has evolved over the past 25 years, what intrusive thoughts really are, and how parents can recognize and respond to them with compassion and clarity. Tamar walks us through her five-step approach for helping kids manage OCD effectively, and she offers a message of hope—reminding us that with the right support, children can learn to take charge of their thoughts and lead full, joyful lives. About Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D. Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D., founder of the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety, has helped thousands of children overcome fears and gripping mental compulsions. She is also the author of Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Freeing Yourself from Anxiety. Things you'll learn from this episode How OCD can deeply impact family life and why awareness and understanding make such a difference Why recognizing the difference between typical anxiety and OCD is key to getting the right support How intrusive thoughts are more common than many realize—and can be effectively managed with treatment Why parents play a central role in helping children navigate OCD using structured, behavior-focused approaches How the five-step model empowers families to support change without reinforcing compulsions Why education, support, and understanding can ease parental fears and lead to better outcomes for kids Resources mentioned Dr. Tamar Chansky’s website Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Powerful, Practical Program for Parents of Children and Adolescents (Updated in 2025) by Dr. Tamar  Chansky Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking: Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility, and Happiness by Dr. Tamar Chansky Freeing Yourself from Anxiety: Practical Strategies to Overcome Fears, Worries, and Phobias and Be Prepared for Life–from Toddlers to Teens by Dr. Tamar Chansky Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety in Plymouth Meeting, PA Dr. Tamar Chansky on How to Free Children from Negative Thinking (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast) Tamar on Instagram Natasha Daniels on Helping Kids Crush OCD (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast) Crushing OCD Workbook for Kids: 50 Fun Activities to Overcome OCD With CBT and Exposures by Natasha Daniels Filmmaker Chris Baier Helps Families Get Unstuck from OCD (Tilt Parenting Podcast) UNSTUCK: An OCD Kids Movie (Available with Spanish, French, Russian, Greek, Portuguese subtitles and an audio description) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 097b: A Masterclass in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 2 of 2)

  This week is a continuation of last week’s episode with executive functioning coach Seth Perler, which was so packed full of information (and also so long) that I had to break it up into two separate episodes, which I’m now referring to as a “masterclass” in executive functioning.  In last week’s episode, Seth shared his protocol for setting up a child for success in their developing executive functioning skills. In today’s episode, Seth is going to get into the nitty gritty about specific strategies he uses to address different executive functioning challenges that show up in school and in life.    THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: * What “Frankenstudy” is, and how to know where to focus your energies so you can create a “domino effect” with your child’s fledgling executive functioning skills * How to best use “learning planners” to learn how to think / talk through their plan (and what we’re doing wrong) * The benefits of monthly planners versus daily or weekly planners * Helping kids identify the “MIT” – most important thing – each day * The importance of creating a sacred study space for a child * How to optimize an internet browser to make it easy with bookmark bars (and have tabs automatically open, including calendar, grade tab, email) * Why it’s important to get kids to start checking grades weekly (Seth recommends Sunday nights) * The importance of helping a child create clearly identified routines (for leaving house, doing daily plan, doing homework, etc.) * How getting visual with kids benefits them in developing their executive functioning skills * Why separate digital timers need to be a part of a child’s life so they can learn to calibrate time, as well as get started and do short bursts of work * Creating a weekly overhaul of systems * The important of kids “getting into the mode” for studying, etc: organize their space, make their plan, and executive   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• TPP 474: Debbie & Penny Williams on Navigating the Launch of Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1)

  Today we’re diving into one of the most tender and complex stages of parenting—launching our neurodivergent young adults into independence, or more accurately, interdependence. My guest is Penny Williams, a parenting coach for neurodiverse families and the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions. In this episode Penny and I talk about the emotional challenges parents face during this transition, how to redefine what success and independence really look like, and why interdependence is often the goal that best supports our kids’ thriving. We also explore the healing and acceptance this stage asks of us as parents—and how, even in the uncertainty, there’s so much possibility for connection, growth, and joy. Also, this is part one of a two-part episode — listen to the rest of the conversation on Penny’s Beautifully Complex podcast, which you will find here.  About Penny Williams A parenting coach for neurodiverse families, Penny Williams is the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions, producer and host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, host of the annual Neurodiversity Summits, and co-creator of The Behavior Revolution Program, a parent training program designed to change the narrative on behavior and help parents celebrate and support their kids with ADHD or autism through neuroscience-backed insights, hard-won strategies, compassion, and guidance.  Penny empowers parents to help their neurodivergent kids — and families — thrive. Things you'll learn from this episode How parenting neurodivergent young adults can be both deeply complex and emotionally challenging Why redefining success for each individual young adult is key to healthier expectations How healing from our own experiences allows us to better support our kid’s growth Why aiming for interdependence and self-determination, not independence, leads to greater emotional stability How launching into adulthood is often messy, nonlinear, and filled with opportunities for growth Why letting go of control, staying curious, and remaining open are essential during this phase of parenting Resources mentioned Penny Williams’ Parenting ADHD and Autism website Beautifully Complex Podcast Part 2 of this conversation Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards on Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World (Tilt Parenting Podcast) I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World by Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards Dr.Dan Peters Discusses the Teen Years & Preparing for Navigating Launch (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Best Gap Year Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Thrive Autism Coaching) Dr Eric Endlich on Gap Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Gap Programs Debbie Explored Gap at Glen Brook Parzival Academy Pure Life Adventure Program SOAR Sequin Land Institute   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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