If you’ve ever gotten parenting advice that just didn’t seem to fit your child, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Danika Maddocks.

Dr. Maddocks is a psychologist, gifted and twice-exceptional parent coach, and founder of The Gifted Learning Lab. She helps parents move beyond standard parenting advice to create a family life that truly works for their unique child.

Her approach is grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm and informed by more than 15 years of work with gifted and twice-exceptional families—as an educator, therapist, researcher, and consultant—as well as her own lived experience as a twice-exceptional individual and parent.

In this conversation, Dr. Maddocks explains why traditional parenting advice often backfires for neurodivergent kids—and shares approaches that are more effective.

She talks about what’s really going on beneath behaviors that can look defiant or overwhelming, why autonomy matters so much for our kids, and how a more collaborative approach can shift the dynamic between you and your child.

If you’re in the thick of a hard season as a parent, my hope is that this episode helps you feel less alone, more confident in your instincts, and more hopeful about what’s ahead.

About Dr. Danika Maddocks:

Dr. Danika Maddocks is a psychologist, gifted/2e parent coach, and owner of The Gifted Learning Lab. She helps parents let go of standard parenting pressures and build a unique family life that actually works for their kid and themselves. Her approach is rooted in the neurodiversity paradigm and informed by over 15 years of supporting gifted/2e families as an educator, therapist, researcher, and consultant, as well as her personal experiences of growing up gifted, recognizing her own twice-exceptionality, and raising a young twice exceptional kid. To learn more about Dr. Maddocks, visit: www.giftedlearninglab.com

About the Exceptional Girls Podcast:

If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.

Autism in girls can present differently than it does in boys, and many girls are very good at masking. As a result, autism in girls is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or missed until later in life, leaving parents of autistic girls searching for clear answers and support.

In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Theresa Lyons to have a science-grounded, practical conversation about parenting autistic girls. Dr. Lyons, founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent, translates autism research into clear, actionable guidance for families and brings both scientific expertise and lived experience to her work.

🎧 Listen in as Dr. Lyons shares:

• Why autism in girls is often overlooked or misdiagnosed
• How masking in autistic girls can impact mental health
• The difference between autistic meltdowns and typical behavior
• Health and medical challenges that can accompany autism spectrum disorder
• What autism advocacy really looks like for parents
• The emotional strain families raising autistic daughters often carry in secret

If you’re parenting a girl with autism or navigating an autism diagnosis, this episode will leave you feeling informed and more confident in your next steps—as well as empowered to take care of yourself along the way.

About Dr. Theresa Lyons:

Dr. Theresa Lyons is an international autism educator, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent. She’s the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform that transforms the overwhelming complexity of autism science into clear, actionable steps for families. With a Ph.D. from Yale and a deeply personal mission, Dr. Lyons has worked with parents in over 21 countries, bringing evidence-based strategies that change lives. Through a unique blend of rigorous science and real-world experience, she gives parents of autistic children what they’ve never had before: clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for progress. Learn more about Dr. Lyons and her work at www.awetism.net/.

About the Exceptional Girls Podcast:

If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.

In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, I’m talking with Kaia Vernon-Oliveira. This episode is a departure from my recent episodes in that I’m not talking with a clinician or recognized professional, but with an actual exceptional girl.

Kaia is a profoundly gifted 11-year-old storyteller and performer who loves making people think. One of the ways she’s doing this is through her TedxLasVegas talk called The Myth of the Gifted Girl.

🎧 Listen in as Kaia shares:

• What inspired her to present a TED Talk
• Eye-opening insights from her research into giftedness in girls
• The best and hardest parts of being a gifted girl
• Her advice for struggling girls — and their parents

About Kaia Vernon-Oliveira:

Kaia Vernon-Oliveira is a profoundly gifted student, writer, and performing artist who attends Nasri Academy for Gifted Children in Las Vegas and the Davidson Young Scholars program. Known for her bold curiosity, emotional depth, and comedic timing, Kaia uses her platform to advocate for equity in gifted education, especially for girls. A multiracial 11-year-old storyteller and performer, Kaia loves making people think. When she’s not deep in debate, reading, writing, or building a prototype for her next big idea, she can be found on stage. From dancing to acting, she loves putting on a good show. She has performed with Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, Dynamic Performing Arts Center, Drama Kids of Las Vegas, and Bright Star Acting Academy. Kaia also loves comedy. Whether delivering a monologue or cracking a joke (the bluer, the better!), she believes her words have the power to move people—to action, to laughter, and if she’s lucky, both. Whatever she chooses to do with her life, Kaia plans to use her creativity and talents to empower girls and make the world a better place for everyone.

A fan of TED Talks since kindergarten, Kaia delivered a TEDxLasVegas talk that marked one of the few public talks addressing giftedness through the lens of gender and neurodiversity. Watch Kaia's TEDxLasVegas talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoEKdXIRQRg&t=58s

About the Exceptional Girls Podcast:

If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.