Beyond Diagnosis: A Podcast for Parents of Neurodivergent Children

Deb Lund MS, OTR/L and Sarianna Stokes MS, CCC-SLP
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

We created this podcast to support families who are navigating a sea of information and looking for trustworthy clarity, confidence, and direction beyond the vastness of a diagnosis. Led by an occupational therapist and speech-language pathologist who have worked closely with families to create meaningful, lasting change, this podcast centers on understanding and supporting neuro-unique qualities in our children. Through an OT and SLP lens, we explore what’s behind sensory needs, communication differences, emotional regulation, and everyday challenges in a way that feels clear, practical, and human. We blend research with real-life experience to share information parents can trust and actually use in their day-to-day lives. Just as importantly, this podcast is a space for connection — a community grounded in curiosity, respect, and shared learning.

Episodes

  1. Jul 27

    Back-to-School Success: Why Routines & Visual Schedules Matter

    The transition back to school can be exciting—but for many neurodivergent children, it can also bring uncertainty, anxiety, and overwhelm. New teachers, changing routines, unfamiliar expectations, and busy mornings can make the start of the school year especially challenging. In this episode of Beyond Diagnosis, we're diving into one of the most powerful tools parents can use to ease the transition: predictable routines and visual schedules. You'll learn why routines help children feel safe, how visual supports reduce anxiety and increase independence, and why these strategies are especially beneficial for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and other neurodivergent learning profiles. We'll also share practical tips for creating morning, after-school, and bedtime routines that set your child up for success—without adding more stress to your day. Whether your child is starting preschool, heading into a new grade, or simply struggles with transitions, this episode will give you simple, evidence-based strategies to help make back-to-school season feel more manageable for the entire family. Because when children know what to expect, they can spend less energy worrying about what's next—and more energy learning, growing, and thriving. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond                                                            www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  2. Jul 27

    Introducing the Sensational Living Community: Support Beyond the Diagnosis

    Receiving a diagnosis is often just the beginning of the journey. For many parents, the questions that come afterward can feel overwhelming: What do I do next? How do I best support my child? Where do I find trustworthy guidance without spending thousands of dollars? In this special episode of Beyond Diagnosis, we're introducing something we've poured our hearts into creating—the Sensational Living Community. The Sensational Living Community is an affordable parent education and support membership designed specifically for families raising neurodivergent children. Our mission is simple: to help parents move beyond the diagnosis by truly understanding their child's unique brain and gaining the knowledge and confidence to support their development in everyday life. Each month, members receive practical education, expert guidance, and a supportive community that empowers them to make meaningful progress—one month at a time. Whether you're navigating sensory differences, communication challenges, emotional regulation, executive functioning, or simply trying to better understand your child, you'll find resources that are evidence-based, easy to understand, and immediately applicable at home. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. The Sensational Living Community was created to provide encouragement, education, and connection so that parents feel equipped, supported, and confident every step of the way. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond                                                            www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  3. Jun 9

    Sensory Series: Breaking Down the Symptoms of Sensory Processing

    In this episode of the Sensory Series, we take a closer look at the symptoms of sensory processing differences and how they can affect everyday life. We explore the major sensory systems, including tactile (touch), visual (sight), auditory (hearing), vestibular (balance and movement), proprioceptive (body awareness), gustatory (taste), and olfactory (smell). Learn how sensory challenges can present as either sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding behaviors. We discuss common signs such as sensitivity to clothing textures, difficulty tolerating certain sounds, challenges with balance and coordination, food aversions, strong reactions to smells, visual overstimulation, and the need for movement or deep pressure input. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, therapist, or someone interested in learning more about sensory processing, this episode provides an overview of how each sensory system contributes to daily functioning and what sensory symptoms may look like in real-world situations. Join us as we break down the complexities of sensory processing and build a deeper understanding of the many ways people experience and interact with the world around them. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond                                                            www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  4. Jun 1

    Sensory Series: What Sensory Symptoms May Be Communicating

    Have you ever wondered what sensory symptoms might be trying to tell us? In this episode, we explore sensory processing through a deeper lens, moving beyond the idea that sensory challenges are simply behaviors to manage or problems to fix. We'll discuss how sensory sensitivities, sensory-seeking behaviors, overwhelm, shutdowns, and other sensory experiences can serve as important forms of communication. What might a child be expressing when they avoid certain sounds, crave movement, struggle with clothing textures, or become overwhelmed in busy environments? How can we learn to recognize sensory symptoms as meaningful signals about a person's nervous system, unmet needs, emotional state, or environment? Join us as we unpack the connection between sensory processing, regulation, safety, connection, and overall well-being. Whether you're a parent, clinician, educator, or someone navigating sensory differences yourself, this conversation will help you better understand the messages behind sensory experiences and how to respond with curiosity, compassion, and support. Tune in to discover how listening to sensory symptoms can open the door to deeper understanding, more effective support, and stronger connections. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond                                                            www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  5. May 26

    Sensory Series: Intro to Sensory and the 8 Sensory Systems That We Use Each Day

    In this episode we explore the 8 sensory systems and how they shape the way we experience, respond to, and move through the world. From the familiar senses like sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, to the often-overlooked systems of vestibular (balance and movement), proprioception (body awareness), and interoception (internal body signals), we unpack how sensory processing impacts emotions, behavior, relationships, learning, and everyday life. We also discuss what happens when our nervous systems become dysregulated and how behaviors are often forms of communication rather than “bad behavior.” Meltdowns, shutdowns, avoidance, seeking movement, irritability, fidgeting, or emotional overwhelm can all be signs that a person’s sensory needs are not being met. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with them?” we invite listeners to ask, “What is their nervous system communicating?” A major part of this conversation is building the language to identify and express sensory needs — both for ourselves and for the people we support. When we can recognize and communicate what helps us feel safe, grounded, alert, calm, or connected, we create more compassion, regulation, and understanding in our homes, schools, workplaces, and relationships. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond                                                            www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  6. May 18

    Behavior is Communication: "Not Listening" and Emotional Reactivity

    For this episode, we’re asking an important question: when someone seems like they’re “not listening” or reacting emotionally, is it truly behavior — or is it a communication and regulation breakdown? As a Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist, we explore how behaviors like emotional outbursts, shutdowns, impulsive reactions, avoidance, and difficulty following directions may actually stem from underlying challenges with language processing, sensory regulation, executive functioning, or emotional regulation. What looks like defiance may be a child or adult struggling to process information, communicate needs, regulate their nervous system, or cope with overwhelm. In this episode, we break down the overlap between behavior, communication, and processing and discuss when these challenges may benefit from speech therapy, occupational therapy, or a collaborative approach. We also talk about how caregivers, educators, and clinicians can shift from asking “What’s wrong with this behavior?” to “What is this behavior communicating?” Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond                                                            www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  7. May 11

    Behavior is Communication:The Language of Avoidance and Refusal

    In this episode, we continue to explore a shift in perspective: understanding behavior as communication. Focusing specifically on avoidance and refusal behaviors, we unpack what these responses may actually be telling us beneath the surface. Rather than viewing avoidance, shutdowns, noncompliance, or refusal as simply “challenging behaviors,” we discuss how they can signal overwhelm, anxiety, unmet needs, lack of autonomy, skill deficits, sensory discomfort, or emotional dysregulation. We dive into the importance of curiosity over control, and how parents, educators, clinicians, and caregivers can better interpret these behaviors through a compassionate and neurodiversity-affirming lens. This episode offers insights for recognizing patterns, reducing power struggles, supporting regulation, and creating environments where communication feels safer and more accessible. Whether you work with children, support neurodivergent individuals, or are simply interested in human behavior and connection, this conversation will challenge traditional assumptions and offer a more empathetic framework for understanding refusal and avoidance. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  8. May 4

    Behavior is Communication: Intro to the Behavior Series

    In this episode of Beyond Diagnosis, we explore a powerful shift in perspective: what if children’s behavior isn’t something to fix—but something to understand? “Behavior is communication” is more than a phrase—it’s a lens that helps us decode what children are really expressing when they act out, shut down, or struggle to follow expectations. We dive into what behaviors can signal about unmet needs, emotional regulation, sensory experiences, and connection. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, this conversation will help you build stronger relationships and support children in ways that honor their internal experiences—not just their outward actions. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  9. Apr 27

    How to Get Started: Kickstart Intervention

    When you realize your child may need extra support, the next steps can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we break down what to do first—how to trust your instincts, start important conversations with health care providers or educators, and take those initial, practical steps toward getting help. From early milestones trackers, to seeking evaluations, and building a support system, this episode is designed to give you clarity, direction, and confidence as you begin the journey toward intervention. Don't forget to click the link below and join our email list to receive your free Milestone Tracker—a simple, powerful tool to help you stay focused, celebrate progress, and keep moving forward. https://www.twofishtherapy.com/signup Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  10. Apr 20

    The Hidden Risks of Waiting to Address a Child's Developmental Concerns: Part 2

    In this episode, we continue to explore the hidden risks of “waiting it out” and why early action can make a powerful difference. From opportunities for support to the long-term impact on learning and confidence, we break down what parents and caregivers need to know—and how to take the first step with clarity and confidence. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  11. Apr 10

    The Hidden Risks of Waiting to Address a Child's Developmental Concerns

    In this episode, we explore the hidden risks of “waiting it out” and why early action can make a powerful difference. From opportunities for support to the long-term impact on learning and confidence, we break down what parents and caregivers need to know—and how to take the first step with clarity and confidence. Connect with us on Instagram: @diagnosisbeyond, @beyondeducationmicroschool, @twofishtherapy www.instagram.com/diagnosisbeyond www.instagram.com/beyondeducationmicroschool

  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

We created this podcast to support families who are navigating a sea of information and looking for trustworthy clarity, confidence, and direction beyond the vastness of a diagnosis. Led by an occupational therapist and speech-language pathologist who have worked closely with families to create meaningful, lasting change, this podcast centers on understanding and supporting neuro-unique qualities in our children. Through an OT and SLP lens, we explore what’s behind sensory needs, communication differences, emotional regulation, and everyday challenges in a way that feels clear, practical, and human. We blend research with real-life experience to share information parents can trust and actually use in their day-to-day lives. Just as importantly, this podcast is a space for connection — a community grounded in curiosity, respect, and shared learning.

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