Autistic and ADHD Kids Parenting Strategies: Every Brain is Different

Jessica Frew is back with her book, 'Shove Your Shoulds,' focusing on the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent parents.
Samantha, Lauren, and Jessica discuss the emotional struggles of navigating family dynamics and the societal expectations of parenting.
Jessica introduces the concept of 'mini grief' and the importance of acknowledging and processing these emotions without guilt. Emphasizing the need to release unhelpful stories and pressures, she encourages parents to let relationships develop naturally and on their own terms, fostering a safe and empowering environment for their children.
Jessica also highlights the significance of redefining success and happiness for both parents and children, breaking away from conditional programming and societal benchmarks. She reassures parents that they are doing enough and underscores the importance of grace, love, and acceptance, both for themselves and their children.
 
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Extended Conversation with Jessica Fru
00:51 Struggles of Neurodivergent Parents
01:52 Understanding and Accepting Grief
03:42 Releasing Expectations and Stories
06:02 Real-Life Examples of Relationships
08:10 Letting Relationships Blossom Naturally
15:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 
Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership
Connect with Jessica: https://www.instagram.com/heyjessicafrew/
Get the book: https://shoveyourshoulds.com/freebook
 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Dr. Temple Grandin is a renowned animal behaviorist, autism advocate, and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Diagnosed with autism at a young age, she has used her unique perspective to revolutionize livestock handling systems, designing humane facilities that are used worldwide. Dr. Grandin is also a best-selling author and a leading voice in the neurodiversity movement, advocating for early interventions and supportive environments for individuals on the autism spectrum. Her groundbreaking work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. A sought-after speaker, she inspires countless people with her story of turning what others saw as challenges into her greatest strengths.
 
Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership
 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on how to communicate positively with neurodivergent children, ensuring your child receives more positive than negative feedback.
They explore various strategies such as praising effort over outcome, naming invisible skills like regulation and flexibility, and using descriptive feedback instead of generic praise to help neurodivergent kids feel understood and appreciated.
Samantha and Lauren emphasize the importance of catching small, neutral moments and separating behavior from identity to avoid feelings of shame. They also discuss the significance of building positive feedback into daily routines and reflecting strengths during hard moments to establish a predictable, supportive environment.
They wrap up by offering practical questions parents can ask themselves to evaluate their feedback practices and promoting resources available on their website for further support.
 
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Recap of Last Week's Episode
01:22 The Importance of Positive Feedback
04:17 Strategies for Giving Positive Feedback
04:51 Praising Effort Over Outcome
07:18 Naming Invisible Skills
09:37 Using Descriptive Feedback
12:20 Catching Small Moments
14:43 Separating Behavior from Identity
18:59 Reflecting Strengths During Hard Moments
19:30 Building Positive Feedback into Routines
21:23 Recap and Final Thoughts
 
Get the Questions for Self-Reflection: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/reflection
Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership
 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Samantha and Lauren discuss the negative impact of constant corrective feedback and emphasize the importance of recognizing children's efforts rather than just their outcomes.
They share personal experiences and research findings that show how neurodivergent kids often receive more negative feedback than their neurotypical peers. They highlight the importance of creating a supportive home environment that counterbalances the critical feedback children might receive from schools and other settings.
The episode ends with a promise to provide practical tips on giving meaningful positive feedback in the next discussion.
 
00:00 Introduction
00:39 New Year Resolutions and Positive Feedback
02:05 The Impact of Negative Feedback on Neurodivergent Kids
05:18 Effort vs. Outcome: Recognizing the Invisible Work
06:50 Personal Stories and Examples
10:25 The Role of Parents and Positive Reinforcement
17:15 Conclusion and Next Week's Topic
 
Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership
No, David Book: https://amzn.to/3LjsRzX
 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this final episode of the year, Samantha and Lauren discuss the societal pressures of New Year's resolutions and advocate for a more realistic approach, especially for neurodivergent individuals and parents of neurodivergent children.
They highlight the overwhelming nature of setting too many goals and emphasize the importance of focusing on one or two manageable objectives at a time to avoid burnout and shame.
They also stress the importance of self-compassion and creating a supportive environment for personal growth and effective parenting.
 
00:00 Introduction
00:51 New Year, No Pressure
02:30 The Reality of New Year's Resolutions
05:18 Understanding Burnout and Stress
08:18 Setting Realistic Goals
13:24 Reflection and Self-Compassion
18:32 Final Thoughts and Community Support
 
Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership
 

Connect with Samantha Foote!
Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent