In today's episode, Samantha Foote discusses how to support social skills in neurodivergent children, such as those with ADHD and autism. She highlights the differences in communication and thinking styles between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals and emphasizes the importance of understanding these differences to foster meaningful social interactions.

Key strategies for supporting social skills include structured play, visual supports, role-playing, and social stories. Samantha shares practical tips for integrating social skills practice into daily routines at home, school, and within the community.

00:00 Introduction to Supporting Social Skills
01:12 Understanding Social Challenges
02:03 Strategies for Supporting Social Skills
03:33 Integrating Social Skills into Daily Routines
04:28 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Parenting Power Hour: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Samantha and Lauren welcome Gail Ewell, founder and executive director of Hope Technology School (HTS), an award-winning K-12 school for neurodivergent students, including those with autism and ADHD.

Gail shares her journey of founding HTS, starting as a pilot program for five students and growing into a fully accredited school. As a parent of three, two of whom are neurodivergent, she discusses the motivation behind HTS and key inclusive education strategies like differentiated instruction, project-based learning, and sensory sensitivity awareness.

Gail also talks about fostering friendships between neurodivergent and neurotypical students through peer mentoring and collaborative projects. She offers advice on advocating for inclusion in public schools and maintaining positive relationships with educators.

Gail highlights HTS’s resources and programs that support neurodivergent learners, making this episode a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about inclusive education.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:30 – Gail's Journey and the Founding of HTS
02:23 – Inclusive Education Strategies at HTS
05:15 – Advocating for Inclusive Education
06:59 – Personal Experiences and Challenges
13:08 – Fostering Friendships and Social Skills
18:40 – Fun and Personal Interests
20:06 – Podcast Wrap-Up and Highlights

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Samantha explores the role of occupational therapy in supporting children with autism and ADHD. Discover how occupational therapy enhances essential skills for daily living, including dressing, playing, eating, and learning.

Samantha shares personal insights into the impact occupational therapy has had on her children's sensory regulation, motor skills, and emotional well-being.

Learn how occupational therapy focuses on empowering children rather than 'fixing' them, providing tailored tools to thrive in their environments.

Samantha details specific goals of occupational therapy for neurodivergent children, encompassing sensory regulation, fine and gross motor skills, executive functioning, self-care, and emotional regulation.

Explore the importance of finding a skilled occupational therapist who can customize therapy plans to meet each child's unique needs.

00:00 Introduction to the Every Brain Is Different Podcast
00:28 Samantha's Personal Experiences with Occupational Therapy
02:14 Understanding the Impact of Occupational Therapy
02:56 Benefits for Autistic and ADHD Children
03:57 Common Goals Addressed in Occupational Therapy
05:18 Importance of Personalized Therapy Plans
05:56 Tips for Finding the Right Occupational Therapist

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community:

The Neurodivergent Parent

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this milestone 100th episode of 'Every Brain is Different,' Samantha and Lauren express their excitement and gratitude to the listeners who have supported them from the beginning.

They discuss five major themes that have emerged from their interviews and personal experiences over the last year and a half. They emphasize the importance of community for neurodivergent individuals and parents, trusting oneself in parenting, the significance of advocacy, understanding and interpreting children's behavior, and the educational value of play.

Samantha and Lauren also highlight the creation of the Neurodivergent Parenting community as a resource for parents seeking support and understanding.

00:00 Welcome to the 100th Episode Celebration!

00:56 The Importance of Community

04:32 Trusting Yourself as a Parent

09:03 Get Curious, Not Furious

15:59 Incorporate Play for Better Learning

19:12 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha talks about self-regulation with a specific focus on positive self-talk. She begins by defining emotional self-regulation and explains its significance in parenting, emphasizing how this skill can help caregivers respond thoughtfully and constructively to various situations.

Samantha then discusses how positive self-talk can serve as a powerful tool for self-regulation, providing techniques such as affirmations, reframing, and self-compassion to help parents manage their emotions effectively. By integrating these strategies into daily routines, parents can model emotional resilience and foster a supportive family environment.

The episode concludes with an invitation to the Parenting Power Hour, a free monthly event designed to offer further guidance on these practices.

00:00 Introduction to Positive Self-Talk

00:15 Understanding Emotional Self-Regulation

00:48 Importance of Emotional Self-Regulation in Parenting

01:28 Benefits of Positive Self-Talk for Parents

02:38 Techniques for Practicing Positive Self-Talk

04:08 Integrating Positive Self-Talk into Daily Routines

05:01 Invitation to Parenting Power Hour

05:28 Conclusion and Farewell

Parenting Power Hour: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Andrea, a foster mother with three biological children and a 10-year-old foster daughter, shares her struggles with managing her foster daughter's ADHD-related behaviors and past trauma.

The conversation goes into Andrea's concerns about morning routines, task completion, and the challenges of maintaining a balance between flexibility and structure in parenting practices.

Samantha introduces the concept of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and discusses potential strategies for managing anxiety-driven oppositional behaviors and fostering a more positive family dynamic.

00:37 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:31 Challenges of Parenting a Foster Child with ADHD

04:21 Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

11:50 Strategies for Managing Mornings and Chores

25:13 Final Advice and Resources

Parenting Power Hour: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha talks about the challenges and benefits of setting boundaries and following through in parenting.

She explains that boundaries should clearly define what actions parents will take if certain behaviors occur, instead of trying to control the child's behavior. Consistent follow-through on these boundaries helps reduce power struggles and fosters a predictable environment, which is especially beneficial for neurodivergent children.

Samantha emphasizes the importance of proactive decision-making in managing parental reactions and maintaining emotional balance in the parent-child relationship. By planning responses ahead of time, parents can reduce stress and ensure consistent, constructive interactions with their children.

Samantha also highlights that following through on boundaries with love and kindness encourages better compliance and understanding from children, promoting healthier behavior and emotional regulation.

Parents are encouraged to integrate these strategies into their daily practices and to seek additional support through the Parenting Power Hour, a free monthly event offering further guidance.

00:00 Introduction to Positive Parenting

00:49 Understanding Boundaries

01:57 The Importance of Follow Through

02:21 Proactive Decision Making

03:36 Maintaining Emotional Balance

04:11 Communicating Boundaries with Love

05:39 Recap and Encouragement

06:19 Upcoming Events and Conclusion

Parenting Power Hour: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk with Kari Baker, a former financial services executive, author, speaker, and founder of Kind Families. Kari shares her journey from the financial sector to becoming an advocate for the neurodivergent community after her son was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. She talks about the importance of advocacy, the need for early diagnosis, and shares valuable parenting strategies for neurodivergent children. Kari further elaborates on the invisible nature of autism, the challenges of masking, and the significance of open communication about diagnoses to foster an understanding environment.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:39 Meet Carrie Baker

00:58 Carrie's Journey into Neurodivergence

02:33 Parenting Neurodivergent Children

03:43 Challenges and Strategies

04:49 Dealing with Judgement

06:53 Advocating for Your Child

11:21 The Importance of Diagnosis

12:55 Brady's Story

13:56 Creating a Supportive Community

17:06 Resources and Support

17:50 Carrie's Book and Podcast

21:55 Future Plans for Kind Families

24:32 Carrie's Personal Interests

25:09 Conclusion and Highlights

Join us for the Parenting Power Hour: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community:

The Neurodivergent Parenting Community | Every Brain is Different

Link to episode 59 about autistic people in entertainment with Marlene Sharp and Judith Uttal:

59 - Marlene Sharp and Judith Uttal - Autism in Entertainment

Find Kari on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn: @kariabaker
Kari's website: www.kariabaker.com | www.kindfamilies.com

The KIND Families Podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/br/podcast/the-kind-families-podcast/id1727783515

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BKcP3X2VA53QrVAVVLW56?si=6fceee13e79047fe&nd

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent