Beautifully Complex

• 337: Building Executive Function Supports into Your Everyday Lives, with The Childhood Collective

  There’s a moment so many of us experience standing in the kitchen, staring at the backpack explosion on the floor, the socks in the hallway, the half-finished bowl of cereal on the table and wondering why our kids can’t seem to follow through. It’s not laziness. It’s not defiance. It’s executive function. And for our neurodivergent kids, especially those with ADHD, those invisible skills we rely on to get through the day can feel like climbing a mountain without a map.In this episode, I’m joined by two members of The Childhood Collective, Mallory Yee and Katie Severson — clinicians, moms, and deeply empathetic guides who truly “live it.” Together, we break down what executive functioning actually is (spoiler: it’s your brain’s internal GPS), why so many of our kids struggle with tasks that seem “easy,” and how we can shift from doing everything for our kids to doing things with them in realistic, sustainable ways.We talk about everyday EF supports like creating “homes” for items, teaching kids to close their own loops, using declarative language, and narrating our internal problem-solving so they learn to build theirs. Katie and Mallory share generously from both their clinical lens and their lived experience, reminding us that nothing is wrong with our kids… their brains just need time, scaffolding, and connection.This conversation is hopeful, practical, and validating, especially if you’ve ever wondered why your child can’t “just get ready” or why every day feels like a string of side quests.Tune in for simple strategies, compassionate reframes, and support that meets you right where you are.Press play and let’s walk this path together.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/337Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

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• 336: ENCORE: Lessons Learned: From Mom and Her Neurodivergent Kid, with Penny & Luke Williams

  Every once in a while, a conversation lands in your heart in a way that stays. This encore episode is one of those for me. Luke was around twenty when we recorded it, and listening back now, I’m struck all over again by the grounded clarity he had about his neurodivergence, even in the places where life still felt messy or confusing. He spoke with such quiet certainty about seeing his differences as differences, not deficits. That mindset didn’t come from easy experiences. It came from years of feeling misunderstood, moments of being boxed in by systems not designed for him, and the slow, steady process of learning himself from the inside out.What I love about this conversation is how real it is. There’s no glossy “we figured it out” narrative here. Instead, Luke talks through the way school felt, the times he believed he was stuck, the pressure that shut him down, and the deep importance of finding people who truly see you. And I share what I learned right alongside him: how often I co-escalated without meaning to, how long it took to realize there was nothing to fix, and how essential it is to protect the relationship above everything else.If you’ve ever wondered what your neurodivergent child might say about their experience once they have more language for it, this episode is a gift. Luke’s perspective is honest, hopeful, and full of the kind of wisdom you only gain by living it.Settle in for this special encore and listen through two lenses — your parent heart and your human heart.Press play and join us for this tender, funny, deeply insightful conversation.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/336Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

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• 335: Navigating Existential "Crises" with Neurodivergent Kids, with Matthew Fishleder

  Some of the hardest questions our teens wrestle with don’t have answers. Why am I here? What’s the point? Who am I becoming? When your neurodivergent tween or teen starts circling those big, existential questions, it can feel unsettling and even a little frightening. But what if this discomfort isn’t a crisis to fix—what if it’s an opening for connection?In this conversation, I talk with therapist and fellow neurodivergent parent Matthew Fishleder about helping teens navigate the messy, meaning-making side of adolescence. We explore how “not knowing” is part of growth, how regulation and connection support that process, and why your calm presence matters more than your wisdom or answers.Matthew shares powerful ways to shift from fixing to accompanying—to sit beside your teen in uncertainty instead of trying to solve it. Together we unpack how nervous system regulation, shared curiosity, and honest “I don’t knows” can turn existential anxiety into deeper trust and emotional safety.If your teen is questioning everything—and you’re not sure what to say—this one’s for you.Listen now and learn how to not know together.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/335Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

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• 334: The Real Work of Raising ND Young Adults (Part 2), with Debbie Reber

  Launching a neurodivergent young adult rarely looks like what we imagined. It’s not a straight line toward independence but rather a winding journey filled with scaffolding, support, and deep personal growth for both parent and child. In this heartfelt conversation with my friend Debbie Reber of Full Tilt Parenting, we get real about what it means to companion our kids into adulthood, not push them off a cliff toward “independence.”We talk about the delicate dance of helping without overstepping, the invisible scaffolding we still build behind the scenes, and how to honor their timeline while protecting our own nervous systems. We also unpack what it feels like when society tells us we’re doing “too much,” and how to trust the long game of growth, connection, and mutual respect.If you’ve ever wondered where to draw the line between support and enabling — or how to be ok yourself while your young adult finds their footing — this conversation will bring relief, validation, and renewed hope.Take a deep breath, pour your coffee, and listen in for part two of this beautifully real dialogue on parenting through the young adult years. Part 1 is on Full Tilt Parenting at https://tiltparenting.com/session474.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at https://parentingadhdandautism.com/334Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

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• 333: 5 Ways to Help Students with Writing Challenges, with Kelli Fetter

  When writing becomes a daily battle, it’s not about laziness or lack of effort. It’s about overwhelm. Writing is one of the most complex tasks our brains can do. For kids with dysgraphia or other writing challenges, that cognitive load can feel crushing. In this episode, I talk with occupational therapist and handwriting expert Kelli Fetter about how to spot writing struggles early, what dysgraphia really looks like, and how you can support your child in simple, practical ways right now.Kelli shares her own journey — from an OT who hadn’t even heard of dysgraphia to a mom on a mission to help her daughter — and the powerful lessons she learned along the way. Together, we unpack five key strategies for helping kids build the foundations of writing without frustration or shame, from multisensory learning to quality practice and collaborative school partnerships.If your child avoids writing, melts down over assignments, or feels “stuck,” this conversation will bring both clarity and relief. It’s never too late to help your child feel capable and confident in expressing their ideas.Tune in to learn practical tools, empowering mindset shifts, and how to build success one letter at a time.You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/333Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support.

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