Podcast
Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Hosted by Debbie Reber · EN
Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child? Full-Tilt Parenting is here to help. Hosted by parenting activist and author Debbie Reber, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating life with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), giftedness, and twice-exceptional (2e) kids. With expert interviews and candid conversations, you'll discover practical solutions for things like school challenges and refusal, therapy options, and fostering inclusion, social struggles, advocacy, intense behavior, and more — all through a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Whether you're struggling with advocating for your child at school or seeking ways to better support their unique needs, Debbie offers the guidance and encouragement you need to reduce overwhelm and create a thriving, joyful family environment. It's like sitting down with a trusted friend who gets it. You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back!
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TPP 505: What Happens When We’re No Longer Here? Financial Planning for Differently Wired Families
Yesterday00:41:01Tap to summarizeToday we’re talking about something many families know they need to think about—but often don’t know where to begin: financial planning for children with disabilities. My guest is Mary McDirmid, a Chartered Special Needs Consultant and the co-founder and COO of All Needs Planning, a nationwide firm built by caregivers, for caregivers. In our conversation, Mary walks us through why proactive planning matters so much and what it can actually look like in practice. We talk about creating comprehensive care plans, protecting essential benefits, and building a long-term vision that supports not just financial security, but overall well-being. This is an empowering, practical conversation designed to help families feel more prepared, more informed, and more confident about the future. About Dr. Devon Price Mary McDirmid, ChSNC, is the COO and co-founder of All Needs Planning — a nationwide financial planning firm built by caregivers, for caregivers. A Chartered Special Needs Consultant, Mary brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent navigating the special needs journey. She specializes in helping families create comprehensive plans that address the financial, legal, and care needs of loved ones with disabilities — from diagnosis through adulthood and beyond. Mary is co-author of the upcoming book Care, Protect, Grow: A Guide to Building Lasting Security for Your Loved One with Special Needs (Wiley, May 2026), which provides a compassionate, step-by-step roadmap for families facing the question of “what happens when I’m no longer here?” Things you'll learn from this episode Why early, ongoing planning is essential for families raising children with special needs How the Care, Protect, and Grow framework supports a comprehensive, long-term vision for care How creating and regularly updating care plans ensures continuity and security for loved ones Why involving siblings and considering long-term roles is an important part of the planning process How active advocacy and participation shape more effective, personalized support systems When and how to begin these conversations so families feel prepared rather than overwhelmed Resources mentioned Mary McDirmid’s website Care, Protect, Grow: A Guide to Building Lasting Security for Your Loved One with Special Needs by Mary McDirmid Book a free meeting with Mary Care, Protect, Grow (on Mary’s website) All Needs Planning Learning Lab ABLE National Resource Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 375a: How Can Our Family Navigate Vacations When They Throw Off My Child's Need for Routine
5d ago00:19:46Tap to summarizeIn this Parent Lean-In episode, Debbie answers a listener’s question about how to travel and navigate vacations with a child who is tied to routines. Debbie shares her past experiences and offers tips for pre-trip planning, addressing concerns ahead of time, establishing new routines while traveling, being flexible, using visual aids, and getting the child active and moving, and more. Resources Mentioned Debbie and 11-year-old Asher on Successful Vacations for Differently Wired Kids (Tilt Parenting podcast) Download a PDF of our Family Goals Worksheet Download a PDF of our Vacation Concerns Worksheet Download a PDF of our Daily Vacation Planner Worksheet Look at our Departure Plan whiteboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 504: Celia Bray on Staying Anchored in an Intense World
1w ago00:42:13Tap to summarizeToday we’re exploring what it means to reconnect with our bodies and how that can transform not just our emotional health, but our parenting and relationships as well, with Celia Bray, a psychologist, somatic therapist, and the award-winning author of Inscribed: Your Body’s Hidden Script. In our conversation, Celia shares her own journey from disconnection to what she calls somatic mastery, and why learning to tune into our body’s signals can be such a powerful guide for decision-making and regulation. We talk about simple, accessible practices parents can begin using right away, and how developing this awareness can shift how we show up—for ourselves and for our kids—with more presence, clarity, and ease. About Celia Bray Celia Bray is a psychologist, somatic therapist, and award-winning author of Inscribed – Your Body’s Hidden Script. With over 20 years’ experience, she has lived and worked internationally across Australia, India, Kenya, and beyond, blending psychology with embodied healing practices. Celia is the founder of Somatic Psychology International, where she supports people to unlock the wisdom written in their bodies so they can heal, grow, and live authentically. She also facilitates Open Floor Movement, Therapy in Motion, and Family Constellations, empowering individuals and communities to reconnect with their freedom and joy. Things you'll learn from this episode How Celia Bray’s personal journey from emotional suppression to somatic healing informs her work Why Gestalt therapy’s focus on present-moment, body-based awareness can be so transformative How trauma and emotional experiences are held in the body—and how somatic practices can support release and integration How simple practices like “Landing in the Body” build awareness and reconnect us with our internal cues Why resistance to body awareness is common, especially within certain cultural contexts, and how to navigate it How somatic work can influence parenting, decision-making, and emotional resilience, and where to begin exploring it Resources mentioned Celia Bray Somatic Psychology Celia Bray’s YouTube Channel Inscribed–Your Body’s Hidden Script: Decode Your Body’s Wisdom for Emotional Healing, Wise Choices, and the Path to an Awesome Life by Celia Bray Pat Ogden’s Sensory Motor Therapy — For further somatic therapy practices Trauma-Informed Yoga — Explore gentle body-based trauma release Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 015b: A Conversation with 11-year-old Asher About Travel and Vacation Strategies
2w ago00:28:27Tap to summarize11-year-old Asher joins me to share our best tips and strategies for making travel run more smoothly and having successful vacations with neurodivergent kids. As much as many families and their children may love going on vacation, the change in routine, different foods, shifting expectations, and new stimuli can even turn a trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth” (Disneyland) into one full of stress, anxiety, meltdowns, and other challenges. And while we know this rings true for pretty much any and every family, for parents raising differently wired kids, the extremes highs and lows can bigger. In this episode, Asher and I share what we’ve learned over the years when it comes to making sure everyone’s needs and expectations on any given vacation are met, or at the very least, addressed, and walk listeners through the different schedules and planners we’ve we incorporated into our vacation prep. We hope you take away a tip or two to make your next family holiday a more peaceful experience for the whole family! Things you’ll learn from this episode The benefits of talking through and getting clear on expectations (for all members of the family) prior to leaving for a vacation A strategy for using the collaborative problem solving approach to identify, address, and pre-solve concerns ahead of time How to make departure day go more smoothly The benefits of exploring and researching aspects of a vacation time well in advance of the trip (including accommodations, activities, etc.) A strategy for using written schedules coupled with frequent reviews during a vacation keeps everyone’s expectations in check The benefits of bringing a child into the planning process (and letting them determine some of what will happen on vacation) Why it’s useful to work with your child to discover what they need most on vacation and then incorporating it into your daily plan (ie: rest, chill time, etc.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 503: The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 3)
2w ago00:44:37Tap to summarizeYou may recall that last fall, my friend and colleague Penny Williams, a parenting coach for neurodiverse families, the author of four books on ADHD including Boy Without Instructions, and the host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, and I did a two-part series on what it really looks like to support our neurodivergent young adults as they move toward living self-determined lives – Part one was here on Full-Tilt Parenting, and Part 2 was on Penny’s show. We left a lot of topics on the table, so we’re back with more…parts 3 and 4 in fact. This episode on Full-Tilt Parenting is part 3, where we’ll be focusing on the practical and emotional realities of this stage—financial literacy, accommodations, decision-making, and the often complicated dynamics between parents and young adults. Penny and I share personal stories, strategies that have helped, and some honest reflections on what this phase asks of us. And then you can listen to Part 4 over on Beautifully Complex this Thursday … and in that episode we’ll be talking about things like consent and communication, exploring thinking about future and goals, and how we approach conversations about difficult topics like risky behavior, substance use, and more. 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 building financial literacy supports independence for neurodivergent young adults Why navigating money management is a key (and often overlooked) part of launching into adulthood How accommodations evolve from college into the workplace—and why they still matter Why parents are continually balancing control, trust, and letting go during this phase How emotional attachment to outcomes can complicate decision-making for both parents and young adults Why outside supports, along with the messy realities of relationships and expectations, are part of the journey Resources mentioned Penny Williams’ Parenting ADHD and Autism website Beautifully Complex Podcast The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1) — a crossover episode with Penny Williams (Beautifully Complex) The Real Work of Parenting Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 2) — a crossover episode with Penny Williams (Beautifully Complex) Healthy Gamer website Dr. Alok Kanojia on Video Game Addiction and How to Raise Healthy Gamers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 013b: Margaret Webb Shares Tools & Mindsets for Surviving Summer Break
3w ago00:40:11Tap to summarizeI’m excited to be bringing parenting coach Margaret Webb back to the podcast this week. Margaret helps parents find more peace in parenting the child they didn’t expect when they were expecting, and part of her work is supporting parents survive summer break. Many parents (and not just parents raising differently-wired kids) limp across the finish line of a long school year only to find themselves facing the stress of summer — new schedules and routines, different expectations, wants, and needs for everyone in the family, and lots of other changes. In our conversation, Margaret shares her personal strategy for not only surviving summer break, but thriving. About Margaret Webb Margaret s a certified Master Life Coach, parenting coach, nature-based coach, former teacher, wife and mother. As a life and parenting coach, she weaves together her experience as an elementary education teacher with the tools she’s learned in Martha Beck’s Life Coach Training, Sagefire Institute’s Nature-Based Coach Training, and what she’s applied to her own life as a mom of a child with special needs. Key Takeaways How “reality versus expectations” creates unnecessary stress for many parents over the summer Why having “leadership energy” as a parent can help a family thrive The importance of getting clear on both your personal needs as a parent and your child’s needs and wants for the summer break What scheduling, mapping, and tracking have to do with surviving summer holidays How focusing on our own experience and fostering personal self-care actually supports our children Why nature can be so restorative for parents raising differently-wired kids How to envision your ideal day as a way to begin creating a more peaceful reality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 502: Alex Mortlock Explains Circadian Rhythm & Complex Sleep Challenges
3w ago00:45:43Tap to summarizeToday we’re diving into the nuanced world of circadian rhythm sleep syndromes, and how biological and environmental factors intersect in shaping our children’s sleep. My guest is Alex Mortlock, a registered clinical psychologist who has been in practice since 2010, with training rooted in evidence-based approaches to mental health. Alex will help us unpack what’s actually happening when a child’s sleep rhythm is out of sync, and why this is so often misunderstood. We talk about practical strategies, the role of light exposure and light therapy, and how melatonin can be used thoughtfully to support regulation. About Alex Mortlock Alex Mortlock has been a registered clinical psychologist since 2010, trained at the University of Canterbury with a focus on evidence-based approaches to mental health assessment and treatment. His work is grounded in psychological science, with an emphasis on the interplay of emotion, cognition, and motivation. He uses evidence-based methods to help people make positive changes in their behaviour, fostering an environment of authenticity, acceptance, and understanding. Throughout his career, Alex has had the privilege of witnessing growth and transformation in people from diverse backgrounds — experiences that have reinforced his belief that, with the right support and guidance, everyone has the capacity to flourish. He lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with his wife, who is also a clinical psychologist, and their two over-analysed children. Curiosity, compassion, courage, and flexibility are the values that guide him through the professional and personal challenges that human life presents. Things you'll learn from this episode How circadian rhythms shape sleep patterns and why they matter for children’s overall health Why conditions like delayed sleep phase, advanced sleep phase, and non-24-hour sleep disorders can disrupt typical sleep cycles How neurodivergence can influence light sensitivity and circadian regulation Why gradual light exposure, environmental adjustments, and low-dose melatonin can help realign sleep rhythms How habits like late-night screen use can interfere with healthy sleep patterns When to seek professional support and how parents can practically support their child’s sleep development Resources mentioned Alex Mortlock’s website Late Nights, Later Days: The Under-Recognized Impact of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome in ADHD (Additude Magazine) Reset Your Inner Clock: The Drug-Free Way to Your Best-Ever Sleep, Mood, and Energy by Michael Termin, PhD Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Joint Hypermobility Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (National Institute of Health) Article on Light Boxes (Yale School of Medicine) Light Therapy Visors (results page from Amazon search) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 501: An Intimate Conversation with Debbie & Derin About Their Co-Parenting Journey (Part 3)
4w ago00:42:42Tap to summarizeIn this special episode, I’m joined by my husband, Derin, for a candid and heartfelt reflection on our journey together—more than eight years of parenting, navigating relationship shifts, and supporting our neurodivergent child through adolescence and into early adulthood. This is a personal conversation for us, one where we open up about what this path has really looked like behind the scenes. We talk about how our partnership has evolved over time, the challenges we’ve faced individually and together, and the ways we’ve learned to stay connected through some very intense seasons. We also share what’s helped us—communication, honesty, a willingness to grow—and how we’ve come to better understand each other while showing up for our child. This is an honest look at the complexities of parenting and partnership, and what it means to keep choosing each other along the way. About Derin Basden Derin Basden is a seasoned and accomplished leader with a proven track record in technology, design, and operations, gained through working with major multinational corporations, including NBCUniversal, Disney, and Microsoft. He is also the husband of Debbie Reber, the founder of Tilt Parenting, and a dedicated supporter of her work. He is enthusiastic about his role on the Tilt Team and is committed to contributing to the movement that empowers neurodivergent children to achieve their full potential. Derin leads technology and finance operations for Tilt, and ensures the smooth functioning and effective execution of Tilt’s mission. Things you'll learn from this episode How family life evolves through moves, global stressors, and the transition from childhood to young adulthood Why adolescence reshapes family dynamics and invites growth for both parents and kids How maintaining a strong partnership through communication, shared routines, and intentional connection supports the whole system Why respecting autonomy while staying connected is essential when parenting a neurodivergent young adult How simple rituals—like walks, humor, and honest conversations—help rebuild and sustain connection Why self-regulation, honesty, and ongoing personal growth are key to navigating changing roles within the family Resources mentioned Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 1 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2017) Debbie & Derin on Their Parenting Journey: Part 2 (Tilt Parenting podcast, 2018) Derin Basden - LinkedIn Minecraft Mods mentioned (Inventory Pets, Animania, Better Invisibility) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →TPP 319a: Dr. Gail Post on the Gifted Parenting Journey and Support for Families of Gifted Children
Apr 2400:40:08Tap to summarizeDr. Gail Post, the psychologist behind the popular Gifted Challenge blog, joins me to talk about her book, The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children, which combines research, theory, and clinical experience, and extends her advocacy efforts to address the needs of parents of gifted children. In this episode, we dive into the realities of parenting gifted and 2e kids — the common challenges parents experience as part of their journey, why it can sometimes feel uncomfortable to celebrate our child’s accomplishments with others and how that impacts our kids and us, and how to handle our own expectations and pressures we may feel because of our child’s unique learning profile. We also explore what many families of gifted kids' experience as a complicated relation with the word “potential,” as well as how we as parents can manage our own uncomfortable emotions that may arise in parenting our kids, including anxiety, envy, and guilt. ABOUT GAIL Gail Post, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, parenting coach and consultant, workshop leader, and writer. She is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in practice for over 35 years, she provides psychotherapy with a focus on the needs of the intellectually and musically gifted and twice-exceptional, parenting coaching and workshops, and consultation with educators and psychotherapists. Dr. Post is the parent of two gifted young adults and served as co-chair of a gifted parents advocacy group when her children were in school. THINGS YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE The common challenges parents raising gifted and 2e kids may experience as part of their journey Why parents of gifted kids feel intense pressure surrounding their child’s educational path and how that can negatively impact families Why the word “potential” is a loaded one for many families, and how parents can change their relationship with this concept Why anxiety is common amongst parents raising gifted or 2e kids The unique challenges BIPOC parents raising gifted kids face Why self-awareness is the roadmap to attuned parenting when raising gifted and 2e kids About Gail PostThings you’ll learn from this episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Episode 500: 10 Years Later: How We’ve Changed, How the Movement Has Grown (And What Comes Next)
Apr 2101:01:05Tap to summarizeIn this special 10-year anniversary and 500th episode of Tilt Parenting, I’m turning the spotlight toward the community that has shaped the show from the beginning. I’ll share key findings from a new parent survey about the lived experience of raising neurodivergent kids, including the profound isolation many families feel and the hard-won confidence parents develop as they learn to support their children. But the bulk of this episode features reflections from longtime community members on how the neurodiversity conversation has evolved over the past decade, how this journey has changed them personally, and where they believe the movement needs to focus next. Across their stories, common themes emerge: greater visibility and language around neurodivergence, deeper compassion and nervous system awareness, the importance of community, and the urgent need for more empathy and change in schools, healthcare, and other systems that still lag behind what families and research already know. Things You'll Learn from this Episode Why a lack of understanding across schools, communities, and social circles remains the biggest struggle for families How parenting neurodivergent kids can feel exhausting and isolating—and how finding language and community can be life-changing Why so many parents are discovering their own neurodivergence, highlighting this as a whole-family journey How parents are growing more compassionate, self-aware, and willing to trust alternative paths while holding both grief and hope Why the future calls for systems change and a stronger commitment to connection-first, strengths-based support for neurodivergent kids Resources Mentioned The Tilt Parenting Report Zach Morris Ned Johnson Dr. Mona Delahooke’s website Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin Neurodiversity University Education Hub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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