All Brains Grow

Louloua Smadi El Hajj

Progress can often feel impossible. Whether you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, navigating a life-changing conflict, or struggling to help yourself, it’s easy to feel stuck and overwhelmed. But I’ve learned through my journey—from growing up with an autistic brother, raising a deaf son with cochlear implants, to working as a neurotherapist—that growth is always within reach. Every brain can learn and adapt, no matter the diagnosis. Hosted by Louloua Smadi El Hajj, founder of the educational platform All Brains Grow and author of ”From Client to Clinician”, this podcast offers tools, stories, and conversations to help guide you through possibilities which you might have thought unimaginable. I’ll be sharing insights from inspiring caregivers, experts, and my personal experiences, answering questions like: ”How can I support my child’s development at home?”, ”What therapies or interventions are most effective?”, ”How do I manage challenging behaviours?”, ”How do I take care of myself?”, ”Am I doing enough for my child?”, ”How can I manage my feelings of guilt or grief?”, ”How do I stay resilient and optimistic?” No matter how hard things may seem, believing in growth and change can lead to transformation—for your child, your family, and yourself. From neurodiversity to mental health, therapy, parenting or science, we won’t shy away from asking the vulnerable questions that will get you the intimacy and knowledge that you’ve been craving. Let’s rewrite the narrative around neurodivergence and celebrate the everyday heroes who are moving mountains. Together, we’ll build a life of confidence, love, and acceptance—one story at a time. Visit allbrainsgrow.com/podcast for support and resources, and be sure to rate, review and subscribe wherever you’re listening to never miss a episode! (Parenting neurodivergent children, autism, neurodiversity, therapy, mental health, science, support for families with special needs, managing behaviors, home therapy techniques, sibling dynamics, resilience, and self-care for parents.)

  1. JAN 12

    What If You Stopped Saying “Stop” to Behaviors? (And What to Do Instead)

    What if the word “stop” is doing more harm than good? As caregivers, siblings, and parents of neurodivergent and disabled children, we often ask behaviors to stop, not out of frustration or lack of love, but because we want our loved ones to be accepted, included, and safe in the world. In this video, I talk about two essential steps when responding to behaviors: Step 1: Choose love and acceptance first Before teaching, before correcting, before explaining... we choose to be okay with the behavior. Not because we want it to stay forever, but because stopping a behavior without understanding the need behind it often creates more distress, not less. Step 2: Teach to the effect of the behavior, not the behavior itself Instead of saying “stop,” we teach cause and effect, gently, specifically, and in context. We explain how a behavior impacts others, the environment, or the moment, while still respecting the person’s need to regulate. Behaviors are not random. They are not “bad.” They are signals from a nervous system doing its best to regulate, cope, and survive. And don’t forget, all brains can grow. About Me: Hi, I’m Louloua, a mom, sister, neurotherapist, author and founder of All Brains Grow. I'm on a mission to empower families raising neurodivergent children by equipping them with the tools, confidence, and clarity they need at home and in real life. When you’re ready, here’s three ways I can help out 👇️ FREE GUIDE “5 ways to deal with meltdowns without feeling helpless" so you can feel in control when your child is out of control - https://www.allbrainsgrow.com/freebie... MY BOOK "From Client to Clinician: The Transformative Power of Neurofeedback Therapy for Families Living with Autism and Other Special Needs" - https://www.amazon.com/Client-Clinici... LEARN ABOUT BIOPLAY: aka biofeedback through play, our signature behavioral approach that feeds the brain intentionally through feedback, in order to create change physiologically and behaviorally, created by Dr Lynette Louise - https://www.allbrainsgrow.com/services

    16 min
  2. JAN 7

    Believe They Understand: How Expanding Expectations Builds Stronger Brains

    Does my autistic or neurodivergent child understand what I’m saying? This is a question so many parents carry quietly, and one I’ve asked myself countless times, as a sister, mother and neurotherapist. In this episode, I share why believing that our children understand, truly understand, can change the entire trajectory of their lives. After years of working with families and growing up alongside my autistic brother, I’ve learned that our expectations shape the brain just as much as any therapy session. I tell the story of a teenage autistic boy and a simple moment with a pack of cookies that revealed something powerful: when we expand our explanations, raise the bar, and presume competence, we open the door to independence, connection, and real neuroplastic change. This conversation is about giving our loved ones the information, feedback, and belief they need to grow. Not perfectly. Not instantly. But over time, because the brain is always learning. If you’ve ever wondered whether your child truly understands you, or worried that your efforts aren’t “landing,” this episode will help you see their potential through a completely different lens.  And remember, all brains can grow. ------- About Me: Hi, I’m Louloua! I'm a mom, sister, neurotherapist, author and founder of All Brains Grow. I'm on a mission to empower families raising neurodivergent children by equipping them with the tools, confidence, and clarity they need at home and in real life.  When you’re ready, here’s three ways I can help out 👇️ FREE GUIDE “5 ways to deal with meltdowns without feeling helpless" so you can feel in control when your child is out of control. MY BOOK "From Client to Clinician: The Transformative Power of Neurofeedback Therapy for Families Living with Autism and Other Special Needs" GROW WITH BIOPLAY aka biofeedback through play, our signature behavioral approach that feeds the brain intentionally through feedback, in order to create change physiologically and behaviorally, created by Dr Lynette Louise.

    16 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Progress can often feel impossible. Whether you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, navigating a life-changing conflict, or struggling to help yourself, it’s easy to feel stuck and overwhelmed. But I’ve learned through my journey—from growing up with an autistic brother, raising a deaf son with cochlear implants, to working as a neurotherapist—that growth is always within reach. Every brain can learn and adapt, no matter the diagnosis. Hosted by Louloua Smadi El Hajj, founder of the educational platform All Brains Grow and author of ”From Client to Clinician”, this podcast offers tools, stories, and conversations to help guide you through possibilities which you might have thought unimaginable. I’ll be sharing insights from inspiring caregivers, experts, and my personal experiences, answering questions like: ”How can I support my child’s development at home?”, ”What therapies or interventions are most effective?”, ”How do I manage challenging behaviours?”, ”How do I take care of myself?”, ”Am I doing enough for my child?”, ”How can I manage my feelings of guilt or grief?”, ”How do I stay resilient and optimistic?” No matter how hard things may seem, believing in growth and change can lead to transformation—for your child, your family, and yourself. From neurodiversity to mental health, therapy, parenting or science, we won’t shy away from asking the vulnerable questions that will get you the intimacy and knowledge that you’ve been craving. Let’s rewrite the narrative around neurodivergence and celebrate the everyday heroes who are moving mountains. Together, we’ll build a life of confidence, love, and acceptance—one story at a time. Visit allbrainsgrow.com/podcast for support and resources, and be sure to rate, review and subscribe wherever you’re listening to never miss a episode! (Parenting neurodivergent children, autism, neurodiversity, therapy, mental health, science, support for families with special needs, managing behaviors, home therapy techniques, sibling dynamics, resilience, and self-care for parents.)