In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the mental load carried by moms, marking the beginning of a three-week series on the topic. They explore the often-overwhelming responsibilities that mothers juggle daily, from managing household chores to coordinating children's schedules.

Samantha and Lauren emphasize the significance of self-care and provide practical advice on managing sensory input, making micro-decisions, and employing positive self-talk methods to alleviate stress and prevent burnout.

A structured approach for recognizing and managing different stages of overwhelm is introduced.

00:00 Introduction to Every Brain Is Different Podcast

00:43 The Mental Load of Moms

01:51 Strategies for Offloading Responsibilities

03:44 Understanding the Mental Load of Motherhood

08:05 Stages of Overwhelm: Whisper, Talk, Shout

13:32 Practical Tips for Managing Overwhelm

14:49 Parenting Power Hour Invitation

23:52 Daily Check-ins and Reset Strategies

27:40 Recommended Self-Care App: Finch

29:05 Conclusion and Support Resources

Finch App: https://finchcare.com/

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). They explain that ARFID is a recognized eating disorder, different from simple picky eating, characterized by extreme avoidance or restriction of food, leading to nutritional, growth, or emotional problems.

The disorder is often misunderstood, with myths such as it being due to bad parenting or something children will grow out of.

Samantha and Lauren discuss sensory sensitivities, negative food experiences, interoception challenges, and anxiety as key factors contributing to ARFID, particularly in children with autism and ADHD.

They also share their personal experiences and emphasize the importance of patience, understanding, and professional help in managing ARFID.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:52 Understanding ARFID: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

03:50 Common Signs and Symptoms of ARFID

05:01 Challenges and Myths Surrounding ARFID

05:46 Causes and Triggers of ARFID

12:39 Impact on Family Dynamics

17:35 Support and Professional Help

18:40 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Harkla Link: https://harkla.co/?rfsn=8804907.29f26d5

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the challenges and methods of handling food aversions in autistic children.

They share personal experiences and emphasize that forcing children to eat can be counterproductive. Instead, they recommend engaging the help of a feeding therapist and employing assent-based strategies.

Steps include gradually introducing the disliked food by first placing it nearby, then on the plate, and finally encouraging the child to touch, smell, and play with the food before tasting it.

Samantha and Lauren stress the importance of patience and allowing children to progress at their own pace, while also highlighting the benefits of involving children in meal preparation and planning.

00:40 Feeding Therapy for Neurodivergent Kids

01:12 Personal Stories and Challenges with Food Aversions

04:35 Steps to Help Kids Try New Foods

05:43 The Importance of Feeding Therapy and Exposure Therapy

14:22 Final Tips and Encouragement

19:39 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: The Neurodivergent Parenting Community | Every Brain is Different

Harkla Link: Harkla - Special Needs Products for Happier and Healthier Families

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about the challenges and changes families face when children transition back to school.

They provide practical advice on managing children's after-school meltdowns and emphasize the importance of establishing coping skills, ensuring children are well-fed and hydrated, and maintaining a consistent routine to help children adjust.

They also discuss the benefits of positive reinforcement and the effectiveness of switching caregivers to avoid power struggles, showcasing various strategies to create a supportive environment for neurodivergent kids.

00:51 Back to School Transitions

02:58 Understanding Meltdowns and Masking

05:24 Coping Skills and Sensory Processing

07:34 Practical Tips for Parents

17:53 Positive Reinforcement Strategies

20:28 Handling Power Struggles

21:48 Parent Communication

23:25 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode Samantha and Lauren share practical advice for a smoother transition back to school. They discuss the excitement and challenges of children starting school, emphasizing the importance of planning and coping strategies.

Samantha and Lauren share tips such as creating a balanced schedule, managing anxiety, building excitement about school, and practicing practical skills like eating lunch within a limited time. They also highlight the significance of attending school events and ensuring kids can handle their supplies independently.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:39 Back to School Excitement and Challenges

04:13 Managing Summer Activities and Nervous Systems

07:02 Preparing Kids for School: Practical Tips

14:21 Lunch Preparation and School Events

21:29 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, we welcome back Karen Kassow, a writer, certified master life coach, and founder of AI-Powered Homeschool.

As a neurodivergent parent raising two autistic children, Karen shares her journey and dedicated advocacy within the neurodivergent community.

She discusses the challenges faced by families in navigating special education services, especially with the potential removal of crucial programs like the family-paid caregiving waiver. Karen emphasizes the importance of making educated voting choices to support these programs and shares the heartbreaking stories of families that rely on them.

Karen talks about homeschooling as a viable, flexible alternative for neurodivergent families, offering various strategies and resources that cater to the unique needs of these children.

Listeners are encouraged to get involved in local disability resources and make their voices heard to enact change and support for families in similar situations.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:40 Meet Karen Caso: Life Coach and Advocate

01:57 Challenges in the Neurodivergent Community

02:29 The Importance of Educated Voting

09:31 Homeschooling for Neurodivergent Kids

16:18 Flexibility and Support in Homeschooling

19:34 Homeschooling Standards and Regulations

20:59 Idaho Homeschooling Regulations

21:47 Standardized Testing Concerns

24:43 Personal Homeschooling Experiences

26:09 Flexibility in Homeschooling

28:37 Challenges in Public Schooling

32:00 Homeschooling Resources and Support

35:16 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Connect with Karen:

Website: https://www.karenkossow.com/

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss summer burnout experienced by both parents and neurodivergent children.

They share personal stories and offer practical tips for recognizing signs of burnout, such as emotional dysregulation and behavioral changes.

Samantha and Lauren emphasize the importance of creating a balanced routine that includes adequate downtime and sensory-friendly spaces to help children self-regulate and recover from overstimulation.

They also discuss their own experiences and strategies for managing burnout and encourage listeners to share their own tips for overcoming burnout.

00:00 Introduction to Summer Burnout

00:38 Personal Experiences with Burnout

02:09 Recognizing Burnout Symptoms

06:11 Managing Burnout in Kids

09:01 Self-Regulation Strategies

10:29 Host's Personal Burnout

10:58 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

In this episode, Samantha shares practical tips for implementing language shifts and going from telling kids what not to do using "don't" to telling what to do.

She emphasizes redirecting behavior with clear and positive alternatives, keeping instructions simple and specific, and being consistent in using positive language.

00:00 Introduction to Positive Language
00:55 Understanding the Impact of Negative Language
01:15 Shifting to Positive Instructions
02:10 Practical Examples and Tips
03:32 Consistency and Final Thoughts
04:17 Upcoming Events and Sign-Off

Parenting Power Hour: 2nd Thursday of the month from 12:45-1:45 PM MDT. Sign up at www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent