Brain First Parenting with Eileen Devine

Eileen Devine
  • 5.0 (43)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Brain First Parenting with Eileen Devine

The Brain First Parenting podcast supports parents who are raising children, teens or young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms. We are a safe space for parents who have historically felt like there isn't a place for them in the parenting advice world. At Brain First Parenting, we see each child as a unique individual with a unique brain, who deserves accommodations to thrive in a world that is frequently not set up for people with neurobehavioral challenges. We prioritize supporting the parents of these kids and teens so that they can, in turn, feel hope and confidence and joy in their parenting experience.

Episodes

  1. FEB 10

    Ep. 9 | Let Go of the Fear That You're Over-Accommodating

    SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen walks through a common fear that many parents hold, which is that if they fully accommodate their child or teen, that they will prevent their child from growing, developing and maturing. TAKEAWAYS Why, exactly, we provide accommodations to kids, teens, and young adults who have brain-based differencesWhy accommodations are the path towards less challenging behavioral symptomsIt is a normal part of learning to parent from a Brain First lens to have a concern that you (the parent) are over-accommodating your child or teenWe all need adequate support in our various environments to be able to keep our thinking brain on-line, stay in our window of tolerance and grow in our skillsWhen kids live with brain-based differences and a fragile nervous system, they need even greater accommodations to experience felt-safety and navigate their world successfully, due to their unique neurobiologyAccommodations do not stunt growth, they are the very thing that promotes growth and helps our kids mature RELATED BLOG POSTS: 6 Key Questions that Lead to Effective Accommodations Understanding the Window of Tolerance - Pt. 1 The Brain First approach will change how you parent ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    16 min

  2. JAN 27

    Ep. 8 | Help Your Child Break the Perseveration Loop

    SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen will break down the common and often exhausting behavioral symptom called perseveration. She takes the listeners through what perseveration looks like behaviorally, so parents can identify it in their child or teen; how it is connected to the brain; and how parents can help their child when they get stuck in perseveration loops. TAKEAWAYS The definition of perseverationThe difference between perseveration and OCDHow to see this behavioral symptom through a Brain First lensWhat cognitive skills are connected to perseverationHow you can identify preservation in your child or teenWhat you can do as a parent to help break the perseveration loop your child or teen is stuck inCommon experiences for a parent who has a child or teen experiencing perseveration RELATED BLOG POSTS: Getting Unstuck: 4 Ways to Help Your Child Break the Perseveration Loop ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    24 min

  3. JAN 13

    Ep. 7 | Understanding the Difficult Maturity Gap

    SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen takes you, step-by-step, through a universal and highly misunderstood characteristic seen in kids and teens with brain-based differences, which is a maturity gap in comparison to same-aged peers. She explains how this gap is connected to the brain, how to identify it for what it is (as a lagging cognitive skill set), and how to more successfully support a child or teen who experiences this gap. TAKEAWAYS Why kids with brain-based differences so often behave in ways that are seen as "immature"How this "immaturity" is connected to their unique brainHow this behavioral symptom is typically viewed (through a behavioral lens), and how to shift our understanding of it to a Brain First lensDysmaturity: what it is and how to identify it in your child or teenHow to respond to dysmaturity from a Brain First lens, allowing you to help your child or teen grow in their cognitive skillsCommon experiences for a parent who has a child or teen experiencing dysmaturity RELATED BLOG POSTS: Helping Our Children Navigate Friendships Dysmaturity and the Challenges of Friendship ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    26 min

  4. 12/30/2024

    Ep. 6 | Your Child Is Not the Problem

    SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen explains why kids who live with neurobehavioral conditions and are always seen as "the problem," are actually kids who are doing the best they can; they are highly misunderstood and need more support for their brain-based difference. She explains how the actual problem is society's view of behaviors, and how this behavioral lens is what leads to kids with brain-based differences experiencing challenging behavioral symptoms. TAKEAWAYS Kids with brain-based differences are not "the problem." The "problem" begins with the way in which society views their differences.Viewing behaviors through a Brain First lens allows us to see challenging behaviors as symptoms of an environment that is lacking needed accommodations.It is essential to look at the true, root cause of the behavior, so that adequate supports can be put in place, which leads to less of the challenging behaviors. RELATED BLOG POST: Your Child is Not the ‘Problem’... It's Actually Society’s Narrow Lens ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    15 min

  5. 12/16/2024

    Ep. 5 | Making Sense of Those Frustrating On and Off Days

    SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen dives into a common characteristic in children and teens with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms, which is 'on 'and 'off' days. Eileen begins helping parents identify this common lagging skill in their kids, and how they can begin to accommodate their child or teen as it relates to on and off days. TAKEAWAYS The definition of 'on' and 'off' days as it related to cognitive skills.How on and off days are linked to a brain that functions differently.What this lagging skill looks like behaviorally.What factors can lead to a child or teen living with a brain-based difference to have off days.How not recognizing off days can lead to burnout for the parent.How parents can work to see on and off days as a "brain thing" and how they can respond to off days in ways that result in skills growth and increased connection. ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    21 min

  6. 12/02/2024

    Ep. 4 | Why Your Child Struggles to Make Friends

    SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen explains why so many kids and teens with brain-based differences struggle to make and keep friends, and how parents can support their children by building the cognitive skills required to be in relationship with peers. TAKEAWAYS Why the process of making and keeping friends creates nearly universal challenges for kids and teens with brain-based differences.How to see this challenge through a Brain First Parenting lens (vs a behavioral lens).The specific lagging cognitive skills that get in the way of your child or teen having successful peer relationships.How parents can help their children grow in these cognitive skills.Common experiences for the parent of a child who struggles with making and keeping friends and why it's important to recognize the emotions this common struggles can bring to the forefront as a parent. RELATED BLOG POSTS: Moving Forward by Circling Back 'Why Can't We Be Friends?' - ​Cognitive Skills Your Child Needs for Successful Relationships... Helping Our Children Navigate Friendships Dysmaturity and the Challenges of Friendship ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    17 min

  7. 11/11/2024

    Ep. 3 | Help Your Rigid Thinking Child Become More Flexible

    SUMMARY In this episode, Eileen explains what it looks like when a child, teen, or young adult lags behind in the skills to be cognitively flexible, and how to then accommodate them in this specific skill set. TAKEAWAYS The definition of cognitive rigidityCommon behaviors that reflect this lagging skill in kids and teensHow parents can help their children and teens grow in this cognitive skill setWhat parents can expect to see, think, and feel as they shift their lens from a behavioral lens to a Brain First lens with this specific skill setConcrete and specific steps parents can take to support and accommodate a child or teen who struggles with cognitive flexibility RESOURCES Blog Post: The Uncompromising Child: Four Responses to Rigid Thinking Free Infographic Poster: 8 Necessary Mind Shifts ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    24 min

  8. 11/11/2024

    Ep. 2 | Step One to Understanding Your Child or Teen

    SUMMARY In this episode, Eileen delves into the first step to understanding a neurodiverse child, teen, or young adult with challenging behaviors. TAKEAWAYS This first, essential step to understanding your child who lives with a brain-based difference and challenging behaviors begins with neuroscience research on the brain/behavior connection.Understanding the foundation behind the Brain First Parenting approach is where we always need to begin as parents.Feeling internal resistance to seeing your child or teen through a Brain First lens is understandable, expected, and an opportunity for growth.The difference between seeing your child or teen through a behavioral lens vs a Brain First lens. RESOURCES Your Lens Matters FREE downloadable infographic Blog Post: The Brain First Approach Will Change How You Parent Blog Post: Looking Through a Different Lens Thanks for listening! Please be sure to review and share the Brain First Parenting podcast with any listeners who might be interested. To see more tools, resources and learn more about Eileen you can visit eileendevine.com ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    13 min

  9. 11/11/2024

    Ep. 1 | Eileen's Story and the Founding of Brain First Parenting

    SUMMARY In this first episode, Eileen introduces herself and explains how Brain First Parenting came to be. She shares personal stories about her own experience of parenting a teenage daughter who lives with a serious and permanent brain-based disability (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). Eileen also talks about her therapy and coaching practice where, for the last decade, she has supported parents who are also parenting kids, teens, and young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms, and how this led to the creation of Brain First Parenting. RESOURCES Learn more about Diane Malbin and her FACETS Program. More about the work of Dr. Ross Greene Dr. Kristin Neff's work on Self Compassion Thanks for listening! Please be sure to review and share the Brain First Parenting podcast with any listeners who might be interested. To see more tools, resources and learn more about Eileen you can visit eileendevine.com ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    16 min

  10. 10/23/2024

    Ep. 0 | Brain First Parenting Trailer

    Welcome to the Brain First Parenting podcast with Eileen Devine! I'm thrilled you're here, and look forward to diving into the many elements of the Brain First parenting approach in the episodes to come. This trailer -- Episode 0! -- is a brief introduction to my goals and hopes for this podcast, and an invitation to parents and caregivers who will benefit from this transformational parenting model. ======================= If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE! You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.com And of course, find and follow Eileen on social media: Facebook Instagram Pinterest

    3 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

The Brain First Parenting podcast supports parents who are raising children, teens or young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms. We are a safe space for parents who have historically felt like there isn't a place for them in the parenting advice world. At Brain First Parenting, we see each child as a unique individual with a unique brain, who deserves accommodations to thrive in a world that is frequently not set up for people with neurobehavioral challenges. We prioritize supporting the parents of these kids and teens so that they can, in turn, feel hope and confidence and joy in their parenting experience.

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