Complicated Kids

Gabriele Nicolet

Complicated Kids is a podcast about why raising kids can feel like an extreme sport sometimes. Join me to unpack all of it, figure out who needs what, and help your family thrive.

  1. Why Teaching Handwriting is Important with Holly Britton

    2 DAYS AGO

    Why Teaching Handwriting is Important with Holly Britton

    Handwriting isn’t just about neat letters on a page. It’s a critical foundation for learning, memory, and self-expression.   Handwriting specialist and founder of Squiggle Squad, Holly Britton joins me as we explore why handwriting is so much more than just putting letters on paper. It’s about freeing up working memory so kids can actually learn, think, and express themselves. Holly shares how the lack of explicit handwriting instruction in early education can ripple into challenges with higher-level skills like comprehension, organizing ideas, and even self-expression. We also explore what this means for neurodivergent kids, why typing isn’t always a simple substitute, and how intentional, step-by-step teaching can make all the difference.   Find out more about Holly and her program by visiting www.squigglesquad.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    29 min
  2. When Gaming Takes Over with Edward Spector

    7 OCT

    When Gaming Takes Over with Edward Spector

    Screens aren’t just tools anymore. They’re environments where kids live, learn, and connect. But for some, that connection turns into a compulsion that’s tough to break. This week I sit down with my friend Ed Spector, a psychologist with tons of experience helping families navigate tech overuse, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism. Together, we unpack how heavy use becomes compulsive, why certain kids are more vulnerable, and what harm-reduction strategies really look like in practice.   To find out more about Ed, visit his websites at www.spectortherapy.com or https://gamenight.space/ About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    31 min
  3. Empowering Complicated Kids Through AI with Elad Ziklik and Corom Thompson

    30 SEPT

    Empowering Complicated Kids Through AI with Elad Ziklik and Corom Thompson

    AI gets a bad rap from some but can be a valuable tool for helping kiddos with learning delays and development issues.   Corom Thompson and Elad Ziklik join the Complicated Kids Podcast to explore how AI is being used in creative, deeply personal ways to help children with intellectual and developmental challenges. From Corom’s daughter’s “digital hamster” who makes bedtime easier, to AI-powered tools that give kids customized social scripts and emotional support, this conversation shines a light on how technology can become an empathetic partner for families. We talk about imagination, consistency, and the real-world ripple effects when kids feel seen, understood, and supported in ways that work uniquely for them.   To find out more about Elad and Corom, visit their  website at uniqueminds.com.  About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    32 min
  4. Divorce When You Have Complicated Kids with Joe Dillon

    23 SEPT

    Divorce When You Have Complicated Kids with Joe Dillon

    Mediation can make one of life’s hardest transitions less overwhelming for families with kids who need extra care. That’s what divorce mediator, Joe Dillon, conveyed when he joined me to talk about what happens when families with complicated kids go through divorce. Joe shares how his own childhood experience shaped his work, why mediation can be a healthier alternative to litigation, and how things like parenting plans, child support, and property division become even more complex when children have developmental or medical needs. We also discuss the importance of stability, creative problem-solving, and putting kids’ needs first, even in the midst of major life changes. To find out more about Joe, visit his website at equitablemediation.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    27 min
  5. Becoming an Autistic Adult with Becca Engle

    16 SEPT

    Becoming an Autistic Adult with Becca Engle

    Growing up autistic brings a perspective that parents, teachers, and therapists can learn so much from. This week, I’m talking with Becca Engle, a special education teacher, book coach, and autistic adult. Becca was diagnosed at age three, found her voice by age five, and has been navigating the ups and downs of life with autism ever since. In our conversation, she shares what made a difference along the way—from the adults who supported her to the moments of real connection that opened doors to learning. We also dig into how assumptions about autism can shape—or limit—a child’s future. Becca’s story is such a good reminder that every child’s journey is different, and that growth doesn’t always look the way we think it will.   Find out more about Becca on her socials. FB: @becca.engle.02 and @Rebecrafts IG: @re02.20 and @stichesstanzas.  About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    28 min
  6. Single Parenting by Choice with Joanna Strait

    9 SEPT

    Single Parenting by Choice with Joanna Strait

    What does it really mean to choose single parenthood by choice? Clinical Social Worker Joanna Strait, shares about the thoughtful, often complex decisions behind creating a family outside of the traditional structure. We explore fertility pressures, the importance of community, the influence of social media, and the empowerment that comes from making intentional choices.   To find out more about Joanna, visit her website at www.togetherwelltherapy.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    30 min
  7. The Importance of Attachment with Todd Sarner

    2 SEPT

    The Importance of Attachment with Todd Sarner

    Spoiler Alert: the secret to your child’s toughest behaviors isn’t discipline; it’s the strength of your connection with them. 🤯  In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I sit down with parent coach and therapist Todd Sarner to talk about what attachment really means (and what it doesn’t). Todd shares how shifting from “fixing kids” to empowering parents transformed his work, and why secure attachment is the key to both child development and adult relationships. We explore the three pillars that support families—connection, structure, and compassionate responses to behavior—and dive into what it really takes to raise sensitive or “complicated” kids without shame or overwhelm. If you want to find out more about Todd, visit his website at www.transformativeparenting.com or check out his masterclass at www.masterclassforparents.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    35 min
  8. Virtual Reality and Autism with Vijay Ravindran

    29 JUL

    Virtual Reality and Autism with Vijay Ravindran

    If you’re curious about the role of virtual reality in teaching critical life skills to autistic kiddos, you’ll want to listen to this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast.   I sat down with Vijay Ravindran—engineer, autism dad, and founder of Floreo—to talk about how virtual reality can transform  the way we teach social, safety, and communication skills to neurodivergent kids. From crossing the street to interacting with law enforcement, we explore how VR offers a controlled, immersive learning environment that supports real-world generalization. It’s a fascinating blend of parenting, technology, and therapeutic innovation you won’t want to miss.   To find out more about Floreo, visit www.floreovr.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/

    28 min

About

Complicated Kids is a podcast about why raising kids can feel like an extreme sport sometimes. Join me to unpack all of it, figure out who needs what, and help your family thrive.

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