Autistic and ADHD Kids Parenting Strategies: Every Brain is Different

Samantha Foote & Lauren Ross | Parenting Neurodiverse Kids
  • 5.0 (30)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Every Brain is Different, the podcast designed for parents raising kids with Autism, ADHD, and other neurodiverse conditions. Discover practical parenting strategies, expert insights, and real-life stories that highlight the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals. Join us to connect with a supportive community of parents, gain tools to help your child thrive, and celebrate the unique ways every brain works. If you're looking for inspiration, effective parenting strategies, or simply a sense of connection, tune into Every Brain is Different and join a community that truly understands. Website: www.everybrainisdifferent.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent TikTok: www.tiktok.com/everybrainsidifferent YouTube: www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

  1. 1d ago

    What to Expect When Your Child Needs an Evaluation (ADHD, Autism, and More) | Ep. 178

    Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/membership   Samantha and Lauren explain the child evaluation process for concerns like ADHD, autism, anxiety, and learning differences. They normalize parents’ nervousness about labels and judgment, emphasizing that evaluations don’t change a child but provide baseline understanding, shared language, and access to resources. They describe signs that may warrant discussion with a primary care provider, encourage trusting instincts, and outline steps: talk to a pediatrician or school staff, get referrals (developmental pediatrician, psychologist, neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, specialty clinics), and prepare for long waitlists. They explain typical multi-visit evaluations, forms to complete, what to bring, observation and standardized testing, parent involvement, and the feedback report with diagnoses, strengths, challenges, and recommendations, noting that support is needed even without a diagnosis.   00:00 Welcome and Listener Feedback 00:54 Why Evaluations Feel Scary 02:40 When to Seek an Evaluation 07:55 First Steps and Referrals 10:12 Insurance Costs and Waitlists 13:10 Services Without Diagnosis 15:16 What the Evaluation Looks Like 16:28 Forms and What to Bring 20:09 Testing Observation and Parent Role 26:35 Results Recommendations Next Steps 30:20 Wrap Up and Get Help Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    What to Expect When Your Child Needs an Evaluation (ADHD, Autism, and More) | Ep. 178

  2. Aug 3

    Embracing Your Different Ability with Katey Fortun | Ep. 177

    Connect with Samantha:https://everybrainisdifferent.com/   Connect with Katey: Website: https://yourdifferentability.com/ Book: https://yourdifferentability.com/book Book Preview (Katey made this free for this podcast's listeners!): https://yourdifferentability.com/welcome Instagram: https://instagram.com/kateyfortun Personal Website: https://kateyfortun.com/   Samantha and Lauren welcome back disability advocate and dyslexic speaker Katey Fortun to discuss her newly published book, "Embracing Your Different Ability," available in standard print, dyslexic-friendly print, and audiobook, along with her "Different Ability Podcast." Katey shares that she was inspired to write the book after feeling prompted on a walk in late 2023, committed in early 2024 to doing “one new thing,” and self-published through Amazon with support from a book-coaching team, ultimately releasing it on March 26, 2024—the same date she signed up to begin the process. Written initially for her eight-year-old self, the book aims to help kids feel seen and understood while also supporting parents, guardians, and teachers, including chapters from Katie’s mother to show both child and parent perspectives. They discuss distinguishing “won’t” vs. “can’t” by defaulting to “can’t” and investigating, the hidden struggles of kids who appear “fine” at school, the trauma of forced reading aloud, and how diagnosis can be validating and unlock resources; Katey also shares a free “welcome package” with sample chapters and resources at her website.   00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:33 Why She Wrote It 04:45 Who the Book Is For 09:21 Won Versus Cant 16:25 School Trauma and Diagnosis 21:43 Dyslexia Strengths and Success 25:24 Closing Questions and Hope 27:16 Where to Find the Book 29:34 Final Advice and Wrap Up   Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    Embracing Your Different Ability with Katey Fortun | Ep. 177

  3. Jul 27

    What is the Third Thing to do After Your Child Gets an Autism Diagnosis? | Ep. 176

    Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/membership Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/   Samantha and Lauren discuss the third step after a child is diagnosed with autism: building a support system. They recap the first two steps—learning about autism by getting curious about your own child and connecting with autistic adults and other parents, and applying early for resources like Medicaid and therapy waitlists. They validate how overwhelming ongoing therapies and frequent specialist appointments can be, emphasizing that parenting isn’t meant to be done alone and that some family or friends may not provide the support you expect, making it okay to set boundaries or create distance. They outline professional supports (pediatricians, therapists, mental health providers) and personal supports (spouses, friends, online communities), encourage learning from parents further along while avoiding comparison, and note research linking parental support to lower stress and improved outcomes.   00:00 Welcome and Recap 00:57 Why Support Matters 01:43 Overwhelm and Appointments 04:08 Finding Your Village 04:56 When Family Isn’t Supportive 07:49 Professional Support Team 10:01 Emotional Support and Community 11:29 Learn From Others Avoid Comparison 14:50 Support Groups and Action Step 16:18 Three Takeaways and Closing   Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    What is the Third Thing to do After Your Child Gets an Autism Diagnosis? | Ep. 176

  4. Jul 20

    What is the Second Thing to do After Getting an Autism Diagnosis? | Ep. 175

    Connect with Samantha: www.everybrainisdifferent.com Download the Guide to Raising Your Neurodivergent Child: www.everybrainisdifferent.com   Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on what to do when you suspect or receive an autism diagnosis, revisiting the idea of “being a detective” to learn what makes your child tick while also debating the line between respecting boundaries and pushing kids to get out into the world for social learning and health. They emphasize acting early to access supports, highlighting Medicaid options like the disability-based Katie Beckett Waiver (which can cover broad healthcare and therapies) and other state-specific waivers for non-traditional therapies, plus early intervention (Zero to Three), developmental preschool requirements, IEPs/504s, respite care, parent training, adaptive equipment, grants, and case management. They stress that professionals often won’t volunteer these resources, approvals can take months to years, denials are common, and parents should reapply, follow up persistently, join local Facebook groups for area-specific guidance, get on multiple therapy waitlists, keep organized records, and request school assessments in writing.   00:00 Welcome Back Recap 00:40 Boundaries Versus Pushing Growth 03:01 Why Social Practice Matters 05:09 Finding Help After Diagnosis 05:24 Medicaid Katie Beckett Waiver 08:11 Early Intervention and School Supports 09:45 Local Groups and Activity Options 11:52 Waitlists and Getting On Them 13:37 Be the Squeaky Wheel 15:20 Organize Paperwork and Ask Providers 19:53 Action Steps and Next Episode   Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    What is the Second Thing to do After Getting an Autism Diagnosis? | Ep. 175

  5. Jul 13

    What is the Number 1 Thing To Do After Your Child Gets Diagnosed With Autism? | Ep. 174

    Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/membership Suzanne Jabour Episode About Grief: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-it-normal-to-grieve-after-your-childs-autism-or/id1697406719?i=1000750957793   Samantha and Lauren discuss the number one thing they would do after getting an autism diagnosis for your child: learn about your child, not just autism. Samantha emphasizes that a diagnosis is a tool for understanding, not fixing, and that parents may feel relief and grief, all of which are valid. They stress that autism presents differently in each person, caution against overreliance on online checklists, and encourage neurodiversity-affirming thinking over deficit-based views by asking what behaviors communicate and what needs they meet. Examples include sensory accommodations for loud toilets, avoiding uncomfortable clothing, and allowing harmless stimming, while still intervening for safety concerns like self-injury or eloping. They suggest tracking strengths, triggers, and ABC patterns, seeking professional or community support, and preview next week’s focus on applying for resources early due to long waitlists.   00:00 Welcome and Summer Catchup 00:11 Autism Moments and Themed Weddings 02:29 Why This Episode Matters 03:34 Processing the Diagnosis 05:50 Learn Your Child First 07:19 Observe Not Checklists 09:01 Neurodiversity Affirming Shift 10:26 Assessments and Getting Resources 14:08 Deficit vs Affirming Examples 24:04 Behavior as Communication 26:33 Action Steps and ABC Notes 30:12 Wrap Up and Next Week Preview Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    What is the Number 1 Thing To Do After Your Child Gets Diagnosed With Autism? | Ep. 174

  6. Jul 6

    How to Build a Supportive Mental Health Network | Ep. 173

    Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership Get the Guide to Parenting Your Neurodivergent Child: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/   Samantha and Lauren discuss why building a supportive network matters for mental health and how to do it, drawing from Samantha’s postpartum psychosis and breakdown in 2016 and the challenges of parenting children with medical needs. They outline key benefits of support, which include emotional encouragement, practical help, accountability, perspective when “your brain is lying to you,” and connection. They describe four types of support: personal (friends, family, faith/community), professional (primary care, therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, support groups), peer (special-interest and parenting/disability communities), and practical (cleaning, childcare, meal services, assistants). They offer steps to build support without shame: start small, be specific about needs, allow imperfect help while avoiding toxic relationships, and find aligned communities, ending with a one-step takeaway and available resources.   00:00 Why Support Matters 01:39 When Your Brain Lies 03:52 Personal Support Plan 08:51 Professional Help Options 12:33 Peer Support Communities 13:44 Practical Help That Works 17:07 Build It Without Awkward 18:20 Ask Clearly and Specifically 19:33 Boundaries and Finding People 23:54 Weekly Takeaway and Resources   Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    How to Build a Supportive Mental Health Network | Ep. 173

  7. Jun 29

    Why Your Child Falls Apart After Vacation (And What to Do About It) | Ep. 172

    Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits   Samantha and Lauren discuss how returning home from vacation can be dysregulating for neurodivergent kids due to transitions and delayed stress responses from masking, sensory input, uncertainty, and social demands. They recommend not scheduling extra activities immediately after returning, prioritizing rest and recovery over productivity, and giving kids (and parents) grace during reintegration. They advise returning to familiar routines without trying to overhaul life, focusing on connection before correction, debriefing the trip to build self-awareness and plan future supports, and watching for delayed burnout days or weeks later.   00:00 Welcome and Summer Check In 00:17 Autism Threads Stories 03:52 Vacation Reset Topic 05:51 Why Coming Home Is Hard 06:45 Decompression Looks Different 08:40 Protect Recovery Days 12:40 Back to Familiar Routines 15:46 Grace Rest and Screen Time 18:54 Debrief and Learnings 20:22 Delayed Burnout Signs 21:12 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up   Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    Why Your Child Falls Apart After Vacation (And What to Do About It) | Ep. 172

  8. Jun 22

    Why Family Vacations Feel Hard with Autistic and ADHD Kids (And What Actually Helps) | Ep. 171

    Download the Guide to Raising Your Neurodivergent Child: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/   Samantha and Lauren discuss how to help vacations go more smoothly for neurodivergent kids by prioritizing safety, predictability, and regulation over nonstop activities. They explain how vacations disrupt routine, sensory input, and expectations (new places, foods, people, airports, planes, theme parks, beaches), which can overwhelm autistic and ADHD children. They recommend preparing kids in advance with photos, maps, videos, itineraries, visual schedules, and honest communication about uncertainty; using supports like airport assistance (Sunflower lanyards, practice tours, early boarding); and building recovery time with hotel breaks, quiet spaces, and rest days. They suggest creating an escape plan or safe word, avoiding forced socialization, packing sensory tools and familiar items, watching early signs of overload, and adjusting parental expectations so everyone ends the day regulated, safe, supported, and connected.   00:00 Vacation Reality Check 01:17 Why Vacations Overwhelm 03:19 Sensory Overload Hotspots 06:11 Chill Trips Still Hard 08:04 Boost Predictability 11:44 Over Communicate Plans 13:06 Build Recovery Time 17:39 Create an Escape Plan 21:56 Pack Sensory Supports 24:25 Adjust Vacation Expectations 25:55 Bring Familiar Comforts 27:13 Spot Overload Early 28:06 Wrap Up and Recap 29:33 Resources and Farewell   Connect with Samantha Foote! Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

    Why Family Vacations Feel Hard with Autistic and ADHD Kids (And What Actually Helps) | Ep. 171
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Welcome to Every Brain is Different, the podcast designed for parents raising kids with Autism, ADHD, and other neurodiverse conditions. Discover practical parenting strategies, expert insights, and real-life stories that highlight the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals. Join us to connect with a supportive community of parents, gain tools to help your child thrive, and celebrate the unique ways every brain works. If you're looking for inspiration, effective parenting strategies, or simply a sense of connection, tune into Every Brain is Different and join a community that truly understands. Website: www.everybrainisdifferent.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent TikTok: www.tiktok.com/everybrainsidifferent YouTube: www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

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