Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Joining me is Georgie Wisen-Vincent, an expert in play therapy and co-author, alongside Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, of the new book The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Kind and Confident Kids.

In today’s episode, Georgie shares insights from The Way of Play and explains why play is a universal language that helps kids express their feelings and navigate life’s challenges. We discuss how parents can intentionally use play to strengthen bonds, nurture sibling relationships, and reconnect after time apart. Georgie also offers practical strategies for engaging in play effectively, such as mirroring your child’s play to deepen connection and understanding. Plus, we explore how play isn’t just for kids—it’s a lifelong skill that can enhance relationships at every stage of life.



Things you'll learn

* Why play is a natural language that fosters social-emotional development, allowing children to express their feelings and process difficult experiences

* How parents can strengthen connections by intentionally setting aside time for play and becoming active observers rather than controllers

* How little moments of play can lead to big connections, helping to nurture sibling relationships and strengthen bonds after time apart

* How to engage in play effectively, mirroring our child’s play to enhance connection and understanding

* Why play is a lifelong skill that not only supports children’s growth but also enriches adult relationships and communication
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​Today we’re talking about the complex and often misunderstood sleep challenges that show up in neurodivergent kids with Dr. Melisa Moore, a clinical psychologist who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine and has spent years supporting children, teens, and young adults with sleep and mood concerns. We’ll talk about some of the concepts in Melisa’s new book, The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids, including why sleep issues are so common in neurodivergent children, the role of underlying conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, how to recognize when something more than “typical” sleep struggles might be going on, and what kinds of support can actually make a difference. Melisa also shares practical strategies for improving sleep routines and helping kids—and their families—get the rest they need.

About Melisa Moore, PhD

Melisa Moore, PhD, is a clinical psychologist board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine. Dr. Moore currently practices in the Los Angeles area and virtually across the country, supporting children, teens, and young adults for a variety of sleep and mood issues. She also works for the Sleep Center at Rady Children’s Health, San Diego. Dr. Moore continues to supervise medical and psychology trainees and teaches courses on pediatric sleep around the world. She previously worked at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for 17 years, serving as the Psychosocial Director of the Sleep Center and as faculty of the University of Pennsylvania.

Inspired by her work with families in combination with her experience as a mom, Dr. Moore’s book The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids is a compassionate, comprehensive, science-backed guide to improving sleep in neurodiverse children and teens, released by New World Library on March 4, 2026.

Things you'll learn from this episode

How biology, genetics, and circadian rhythms shape sleep patterns in neurodivergent children

Why sleep challenges are so common in kids with ADHD and autism, and what’s driving them

How to recognize signs of obstructive sleep apnea and other underlying sleep disorders

Why co-occurring conditions like allergies or hypermobility can further disrupt sleep

How consistent routines and supportive sleep associations can improve bedtime success

When to seek professional support and what options are available for addressing complex sleep issues

Resources mentioned

Dr. Melisa Moore’s website

The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids: Science-Backed Strategies for Children and Teens with ADHD, Autism, and Other Neurodiversities by Melisa Moore, PhD

Alex Mortlock Explains Circadian Rhythm Syndromes & Complex Sleep Challenges (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Dr. Mel Houser on Navigating the Healthcare System as a Neurodivergent Person (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Dr. Zachary Rubin on What Every Parent Should Understand About Allergies (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Dr. Roberto Olivardia on ADHD and Sleep Challenges (Tilt Parenting podcast)

American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)

Pediatric Sleep Council

National Sleep Foundation (NSF)


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I wanted to explore this concept of interoception and differently wired kids more deeply for the show, so I reached out to Kelly Mahler, an occupational therapist who specializes in interoception and is a co-principal investigator in several research projects pertaining to topics such as interoception, self-regulation, trauma, and autism.

Kelly answered my big questions about interoception, including how it relates to sensory processing differences or SPD, why it’s essential that we help our children get to know their bodies’ unique language, and the relationship between ADHD, autism, and interoception. We also talked about what happens in our kids’ brains when they increase their interoceptive awareness, and effective strategies for helping our kids develop in this area.





Things you'll learn from this episode:

* What interoception is and how it relates to sensory processing differences

* What the spectrum of interoception awareness is and how extremes may manifest

* The relationship between ADHD, autism, and interoception challenges

* How to support a child with poor interoception awareness to become more tuned in to their body’s internal experience

* What happens in our brains when we start to increase our interoception awareness

* How to help older kids who’ve been on the receiving end of compliance-based strategies to reconnect with and trust their bodies
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Today I’m talking with James Guttman, author of Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation. James is the father of a nonspeaking autistic son and a neurotypical daughter, and through his writing and podcast he shares an honest, deeply personal perspective on fatherhood, autism, and the journey toward acceptance.

One of the reasons I wanted to have James on the show is because we so rarely hear fathers' voices in conversations about raising neurodivergent kids. Like all of us, James's understanding has evolved over time, and I appreciated the opportunity to talk with him about that evolution, what he's learned from his children, and why acceptance has become such a central part of his story.

In our conversation, we talk about fatherhood, acceptance, community, and the unexpected ways our neurodivergent kids can change us for the better.

About James Guttman

James Guttman is the author of Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation. As a father to a nonverbal son and a neurotypical daughter, he shares a message rooted in autism appreciation and the belief that our kids’ differences hold their own beauty.

His writing reached national attention when his HuffPost Personal essay drew more than 750,000 readers in a single day and became one of the most-clicked stories on Apple News. Through his long-running blog, Hi Blog! I’m Dad, James tells honest, heartfelt stories about parenting, connection, and the shared humanity between his children.

James is also the author of the Amazon-bestselling Expectant Father’s Activity Book, and his work has been featured by Love What Matters, The Mighty, the Organization for Autism Research, Yahoo Lifestyle, and more.

A survivor of a quintuple bypass at 35 and host of the Hi Pod! I’m Dad podcast, James brings humor, vulnerability, and perspective to conversations about parenting, mental health, and raising kids in a world that doesn’t always understand them.

Things you'll learn from this episode

How James’s journey raising neurodivergent children reshaped his understanding of parenting, autism, and himself

How surviving a heart attack transformed James’s perspective on fatherhood, presence, and what truly matters

Why fathers need more inclusive spaces, community, and support as they navigate parenting neurodivergent kids

How authenticity, vulnerability, and redefining masculinity can strengthen relationships with children and challenge outdated assumptions

How James’s evolving relationship with his children, and his son’s example, helped him become a more authentic version of himself

Resources mentioned

James Guttman’s blog, Hi Blog, I’m Dad

Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation by James Guttman

James Guttman on Facebook

James on TikTok

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Pediatric and occupational therapist Rosemary White explains the philosophy behind DIR / Floortime as a powerful modality to support children's sensory, motor, and social / emotional development.

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