Ep. 24 | Slow Processing: When "Not Listening" Is Really "Needing Time"
SUMMARY - It is common for kids with neurobehavioral conditions to struggle with slow processing pace. Slow processing pace is a cognitive skill that is often missed or misunderstood, seen as a behavioral issue, and therefore not accommodated. This episode helps listeners better understand and identify slow processing pace as a lagging cognitive skill, and from there, provides concrete examples of accommodations.TAKEAWAYS:Slow processing pace is a cognitive skill set that everyone needs to have firmly in place to navigate their day successfully.Processing pace is the speed at which someone can process information, especially verbal information.There are behaviors that reflect slower processing pace which parents, caregivers and adults need to be aware of in order to be able to then accommodate this lagging cognitive skill vs punish the behavioral symptom.Accommodations take into consideration the additional time that kids with neurobehavioral conditions require to navigate their day successfully.RESOURCES:Recording of Free Workshop: 10-Second Child in a One-Second World: Slow Processing Pace and How to Support ItBrain First Parenting Podcast, Episode 15: Why "Simple" Conversations Are Hard For Your ChildBlog Post: 'The 10-Second Child in a One-Second World' - Slower Processing Pace and 4 Ways to Support It=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 23 | Five Mantras to Keep You in a Brain First Mindset
SUMMARY - This episode focuses in on five mantras that will help parents of kids with brain-based differences and challenging behaviors stay in a Brain First mindset.TAKEAWAYS:One point of "growing pains" parents of kids with neurobehavioral challenges experience is how to react in productive ways, from a Brain First lens, when they are faced with their child's challenging behaviors.When we have mantras "in our back pocket" that resonate with us in a way that helps slow down our visceral reaction so we can decide how to respond in that moment, it helps us access our thinking brain so we can respond in ways we truly desire.The infographic linked below as 15 mantras for parents to "try on" to see which one resonates! Download at the link below.RESOURCES:Free Infographic: Helpful Mantras For Staying in a Brain First Parenting Mindset=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 22 | The Unique Grief Affecting Parents of Neurodivergent Kids
SUMMARY - There is a universal grief that affects parents of neurodivergent kids that often goes unrecognized, leaving parents feeling alone in a difficult emotional experience. This episode takes listeners through what this unique grief looks like and why it's so unique to parents of neurodivergent kids and how to begin to move through it so healing can begin.TAKEAWAYS:Grief, while such a common experience for parents of neurodivergent kids, is often unacknowledged, which leads to additional suffering for parents. This is why it's so important to talk about it.Grief is defined by Dr. Brene Brown in three ways: loss, longing, and feeling lostGrief can show up for parents in many ways, like feelings of resentment, guilt, self-judgement or jealousyIt is an understandable that for many parents, they try to keep grief at arms length because of the darkness it can bring.Disenfranchised grief is grief that is unrecognized and unacknowledged by society and is the type of grief many parents experience making it even more difficult to healThere are steps parents can take so that they do not get stuck in their feelings of grief, but instead can move through it and begin to healRESOURCES: Blog post: Grappling with GriefThe Resilience Room Membership Community=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 21 | Why Your Child Melts Down: The Hidden Impact of Cognitive Fatigue
SUMMARY - Kids who have brains that work differently, have brains that are working hard all day long, resulting in cognitive fatigue or this empty fuel tank. Their cognitive fatigue is reflected through challenging behaviors. This episode helps listeners identify cognitive fatigue in kids with brain-based differences and what the adults supporting them can do to help their brain rest and recover, resulting in less challenging behaviors.TAKEAWAYS:Every task or expectation we are faced with each day takes a bit of our "cognitive fuel" in order to make it through the day successfully.Individuals with brains that work differently end up on "empty" more quickly and more often, resulting in challenging behavioral symptoms.Brains that are working harder (which are brains that work differently) need more support throughout the day in the way of fuel (food/calories) and rest.There are some common scenarios that result in cognitive fatigue more frequently than others.There are some common accommodations that, when put in place proactively, can help preserve a child's "cognitive fuel" and prevent challenging behaviors.RESOURCES:FREE "Running on Empty" Infographic (for download)Blog post: Running on Empty: Understanding your child's cognitive fuel tankThe Resilience Room Community=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
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Ep. 20 | When Should I Disclose My Child's Diagnosis?
SUMMARY - This podcast helps parents think through the personal and sometimes difficult question of when they should share their child's diagnosis with others.TAKEAWAYS:There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to making decisions about when to disclose to others about your child's diagnosis or brain-based differenceWhile it is important to consider what the impact will be if you do decide to disclose, it is even more important to consider the possible negative impact of not disclosing.When people who hold the power in various environments are missing information about your child's brain-based differences and their need for accommodations, your child is at high risk for being misunderstood and punished for their disability.Disclosure (when and why) also applies to family members (siblings, extended family, etc.).Disclosure is also important to consider in relation to your child understanding themselves. If they don't have information about their brain-based differences, they are left to jump to their own conclusions which are often negative in nature, impacting self-esteem and mental health.RESOURCES:Blog Post - Disclosure: A Path to Understanding=======================If you appreciated this episode, and would like to receive a weekly note from Eileen about the Brain First Parenting journey every Monday, you can subscribe to her free newsletter HERE!You can also check out all the FREE resources Eileen offers for parents, and learn more about all things Brain First at her website: eileendevine.comAnd of course, find and follow Eileen on social media:FacebookInstagramPinterest
The Brain First Parenting podcast supports parents who are raising children, teens or young adults with brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms. We are a safe space for parents who have historically felt like there isn't a place for them in the parenting advice world. At Brain First Parenting, we see each child as a unique individual with a unique brain, who deserves accommodations to thrive in a world that is frequently not set up for people with neurobehavioral challenges. We prioritize supporting the parents of these kids and teens so that they can, in turn, feel hope and confidence and joy in their parenting experience.
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