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

Today we’re digging into executive function — what it really is, why it matters so much for neurodivergent kids (and adults!), and how we can better support these skills without judgment or overwhelm. Sarah and I talk about how awareness around executive function has evolved, why self-regulation is foundational, and how different skills — emotional, cognitive, and behavioral — are all interconnected. She shares her supportive, nonjudgmental coaching philosophy, along with practical ideas for helping kids with lagging executive function skills and navigating resistance when it shows up. Most importantly, Sarah reminds us that there is so much hope here: executive function skills can grow, and there are concrete steps we can take to help our kids thrive. About Sarah Kesty  Sarah Kesty helps amazing neurodivergent people create strategies to thrive! She is an executive function, autism, and ADHD coach and host of the Executive Function Podcast. A 4-time teacher of the year, Sarah’s Brain Tools School coaching and learning programs support high schoolers, college students, adults, and coaches in developing executive function skills to smooth out life. Sarah specializes in translating research into real-life, actionable strategies. She regularly writes and presents for international groups and publications, including The Humane Society, State Departments of Education, Psychology Today, and Edutopia. Sarah’s trainings teach businesses and schools to create environments and systems that support executive function. Her mission is to make the world brain-friendly, inclusive, and a little more fun. An avid birder and local Trail Guide, she and her family live in San Diego, surrounded by nature. Her book for teachers, Growing Executive Function, was released September 2025 (Solution Tree). Things you'll learn from this episode  How executive function serves as a foundation for success and why self-regulation is central to these skills Why “living in hard mode” can hinder executive functioning and how environmental factors play a major role How executive function skills can be taught, supported, and improved over time Why non-judgmental, supportive coaching helps children build confidence and reduce avoidance How visual aids and small, structured supports can make time management more accessible Why recognizing and celebrating small wins reinforces progress and builds hope for continued growth Resources mentioned Sarah Kesty’s website Growing Executive Function: Empowering Secondary Students With Skills for Lifelong Success (Executive function made easy for teachers) by Sarah Kesty Stop Playing in Hard Mode (Psychology Today) Sarah Kesty on Psychology Today Sarah Kesty on Instagram Sarah Kesty on YouTube Sarah Kesty on Edutopia Sarah Kesty on Facebook Seth Perler (executive function coach) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I’m bringing back to the podcast Dr. Devon MacEachron, a New York-based psychologist specializing in assessment and educational planning for gifted and twice-exceptional learners. The last time Devon was on the show, we talked about the assessment process for 2e learners, but today we’re moving on to the next natural step of this conversation, and actually, the next step for a parent whose child has been identified as having any sort of neurodifference, from dyslexia and ADHD to a processing speed or sensory issue. And that step involves really exploring this question: What now? As in, what should I do with this information? How should I feel about it? Where do I begin? How can I figure out a way to navigate this unknown path in a way that’s in alignment with my values and will best support my child? This is a very practical episode intended to give you a framework for processing what can be overwhelming or unexpected information and then moving forward with confidence.   THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: If and when to disclose a diagnosis to a child A step-by-step breakdown for what parents should do once they receive a diagnosis for their child Whether or not parents should consider getting a second opinion How to vet advice and therapies and other approaches for addressing a child’s unique challenges Why it’s critical that we view children through a strengths-based lens Dr. Devon’s best practices for navigating the journey of raising a differently wired child Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s conversation is all about shifting from a mindset of limitation to one of empowerment and possibility. My guest is Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, a psychologist, professor, and bestselling author whose work focuses on helping all kinds of minds live creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized lives. In our conversation, Scott shares insights from his latest book, Rise Above, which explores the concept of the victim mindset and how we can move beyond it. We talk about the role of neurodivergence in shaping perspective, the traps of learned helplessness and rejection sensitivity, and the character strengths that help us cultivate resilience and personal growth. Scott also reflects on his own journey toward empowerment and what it means to truly rise above our limitations—both real and perceived. About Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a psychologist, coach, professor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author who is passionate about helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. He is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Center for Human Potential. He hosts The Psychology Podcast, which has received over 30 million downloads and is widely considered among the top psychology podcasts in the world. Things you'll learn from this episode How Scott Barry Kaufman’s personal experiences shaped Rise Above and his exploration of the victim mindset Why a victim mindset is not fixed—and how self-empowerment and learned hopefulness can transform it How rejection sensitivity and cognitive distortions can reinforce feelings of victimhood, especially in children Why leveraging character strengths and modeling emotional flexibility builds resilience and growth How an empowerment mindset helps individuals take ownership of their challenges and personal development Why self-compassion and realistic expectations are essential parts of the ongoing journey toward self-actualization Resources mentioned Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman’s website Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential by Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD Via Institute on Character VIA Youth-103 (Age 13-17) (Currently being tested) Dr. David Yeager on the Science of Motivating Young People (Full-Tilt Parenting) 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier by David Yeager, PhD Mindset: How We Can Learn to Fulfill Our Potential by Carol Dweck Dr. Tamar Chansky on Children & Negative Thinking (Tilt Parenting episode) Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking: Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility, and Happiness by Dr. Tamar Chansky Dr. Sharon Saline on Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) in Tweens and Teens (Tilt Parenting episode) Dr. David Yeager on the Science of Motivating Young People (Tilt Parenting episode) 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier by David Yeager, PhD Victim Culture & Self-Actualization (Scott on the Last Meal with Tom Nash podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The neuropsych assessment process can be daunting and complicated to navigate, especially in recent years as a result of COVID,  so I’m excited to share my conversation with pediatric and adolescent young adult neuropsychologist, Dr. Jonine Nazar-Biesman. Jonine’s work is about taking into consideration the whole child and the big picture when assessments are being done.  In this episode, we talk about what parents should think about when vetting psychologists to assess their child, the difference between a neuropsych, a psychoeducational, and a psychological assessment, and how parents can navigate getting a better assessment if they believe their child got the wrong diagnosis. We also talked about what to do with all the feedback parents get from an evaluation and how that feedback can best be relayed to our kids, and to their schools.Dr. Jonine Nazar-Biesman has over 25 years of experience specializing in assessing and treating children, adolescents, and young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism, ADHD, learning differences, and genetic conditions. She works closely with families, treatment teams, schools, and the community to ameliorate social-emotional, behavioral, and educational challenges.   Things you'll learn from this episode: What parents should think about when looking for someone to do an assessment for their child, as well as tips for vetting evaluators The difference between a neuropsych, a psychoeducational, and a psychological assessment How Jonine works with students and adjusts the evaluation process during the assessment in response to what she’s discovering How parents can navigate getting a better assessment if they believe their child got the wrong diagnosis Whether or not a neuropsych evaluation would benefit every neurodivergent child How feedback is ideally shared with parents, kids, and schools after an assessment has been completed How the COVID pandemic has impacted the assessment process How parents can best use the detailed feedback they receive as part of the neuropsych evaluation process Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode is an expert visit with leadership coach, author, and podcast host Heather Chauvin about navigating life’s unexpected detours, especially the ones that knock the wind out of you and make you question everything. Heather shares how her stage 4 cancer diagnosis reshaped the way she thinks about “resilience,” why so many capable, responsible women end up running on fumes, and what it looks like to stop powering through and start rebuilding your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual resources from the inside out. We talk about the shame that can come with feeling tired, how to notice the moment right before you react (so you can respond differently over time), and simple, grounding questions like “How do I want to feel?” that can become a roadmap when life gets messy. Note: This is a special release of an expert conversation held inside the Differently Wired Club. Enjoy!   About Heather Heather Chauvin is a leadership coach who helps ‘successful’ women courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms. Heather started her career as a social worker helping adults understand children’s behavior. But it wasn’t until 2013 when a stage 4 cancer diagnosis pushed her to take a deeper stand for change, uncovering how cultural expectations sabotage our dreams. She has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Real Simple Magazine, Mind Body Green, Google, and more. When Heather isn’t working, you will find her living out what she teaches which may include kayaking Alaska, snowboarding, hiking, or anything else that challenges what she believes is possible for herself (and inviting her children along the journey). Life is full of opportunities. It’s time to feel alive.   Key Takeaways Why resilience isn’t about powering through—and how numbing and over-functioning can quietly turn into fatigue and shame How starting with the question “How do I want to feel?” helps parents make more aligned, sustainable choices Why fatigue carries important information and how getting curious instead of judgmental can shift everything How noticing your yellow zone before reacting builds awareness and more connected responses over time Why detours and uncertainty often become powerful identity work, revealing where growth and change are being invited How practicing small, intentional “tiny pushes” can help parents move toward the version of themselves they’re becoming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices