TPP 097b: A Masterclass in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 2 of 2)
This week is a continuation of last week’s episode with executive functioning coach Seth Perler, which was so packed full of information (and also so long) that I had to break it up into two separate episodes, which I’m now referring to as a “masterclass” in executive functioning.
In last week’s episode, Seth shared his protocol for setting up a child for success in their developing executive functioning skills. In today’s episode, Seth is going to get into the nitty gritty about specific strategies he uses to address different executive functioning challenges that show up in school and in life.
THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
* What “Frankenstudy” is, and how to know where to focus your energies so you can create a “domino effect” with your child’s fledgling executive functioning skills
* How to best use “learning planners” to learn how to think / talk through their plan (and what we’re doing wrong)
* The benefits of monthly planners versus daily or weekly planners
* Helping kids identify the “MIT” – most important thing – each day
* The importance of creating a sacred study space for a child
* How to optimize an internet browser to make it easy with bookmark bars (and have tabs automatically open, including calendar, grade tab, email)
* Why it’s important to get kids to start checking grades weekly (Seth recommends Sunday nights)
* The importance of helping a child create clearly identified routines (for leaving house, doing daily plan, doing homework, etc.)
* How getting visual with kids benefits them in developing their executive functioning skills
* Why separate digital timers need to be a part of a child’s life so they can learn to calibrate time, as well as get started and do short bursts of work
* Creating a weekly overhaul of systems
* The important of kids “getting into the mode” for studying, etc: organize their space, make their plan, and executive
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TPP 474: Debbie & Penny Williams on Navigating the Launch of Neurodivergent Young Adults (Part 1)
Today we’re diving into one of the most tender and complex stages of parenting—launching our neurodivergent young adults into independence, or more accurately, interdependence. My guest is Penny Williams, a parenting coach for neurodiverse families and the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions. In this episode Penny and I talk about the emotional challenges parents face during this transition, how to redefine what success and independence really look like, and why interdependence is often the goal that best supports our kids’ thriving. We also explore the healing and acceptance this stage asks of us as parents—and how, even in the uncertainty, there’s so much possibility for connection, growth, and joy.
Also, this is part one of a two-part episode — listen to the rest of the conversation on Penny’s Beautifully Complex podcast, which you will find here.
About Penny Williams
A parenting coach for neurodiverse families, Penny Williams is the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions, producer and host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, host of the annual Neurodiversity Summits, and co-creator of The Behavior Revolution Program, a parent training program designed to change the narrative on behavior and help parents celebrate and support their kids with ADHD or autism through neuroscience-backed insights, hard-won strategies, compassion, and guidance. Penny empowers parents to help their neurodivergent kids — and families — thrive.
Things you'll learn from this episode
How parenting neurodivergent young adults can be both deeply complex and emotionally challenging
Why redefining success for each individual young adult is key to healthier expectations
How healing from our own experiences allows us to better support our kid’s growth
Why aiming for interdependence and self-determination, not independence, leads to greater emotional stability
How launching into adulthood is often messy, nonlinear, and filled with opportunities for growth
Why letting go of control, staying curious, and remaining open are essential during this phase of parenting
Resources mentioned
Penny Williams’ Parenting ADHD and Autism website
Beautifully Complex Podcast
Part 2 of this conversation
Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards on Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
I Will Die on This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World by Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards
Dr.Dan Peters Discusses the Teen Years & Preparing for Navigating Launch (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
Best Gap Year Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Thrive Autism Coaching)
Dr Eric Endlich on Gap Programs for Neurodivergent Students (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
Gap Programs Debbie Explored
Gap at Glen Brook
Parzival Academy
Pure Life Adventure Program
SOAR
Sequin Land Institute
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TPP 096a: A "Masterclass" in Executive Functioning with Seth Perler (Part 1 of 2)
Executive functioning coach Seth Perler joins me for a two-part series in which Seth shares with us the exact approach he uses with students he works with when helping them foster their fledgling executive functioning skills. In this episode, Seth shares with us his protocol for setting up a child for success in their developing executive functioning skills. In part 2 next week, Seth will go in-depth into his specific strategies surrounding building these skills in school and in life.
THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
* Seth’s definition of executive functioning framed so it helps people apply the principles to help kids
* A step-by-step breakdown of exactly how Seth works with families
* Why our relationship with our child is the number one thing to be preserved when doing this work
* The importance of parents doing their own personal work / self-care during this process
* Why kids “can’t do what we’re asking them to do because they can’t, not because they won’t,” so we need to back up and scaffold from where they’re at
* The role of mindfulness, mindset, and motivation
* Why symptoms are more important than labels
* Why it’s critical to understand the role of emotional regulation in executive functioning
* How we as parents can co-regulate our emotions with our child
* Why we want to focus on 3 positives for every 1 negative
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TPP 473: A Conversation with Naomi Fisher About EMDR
Today we’re exploring EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—a therapeutic approach that’s been shown to be highly effective in treating trauma, including for neurodivergent individuals. My guest is Dr. Naomi Fisher, a clinical psychologist who specializes in trauma, autism, and alternative education, and an expert in EMDR. Naomi will share her journey into EMDR and explains not just the mechanics of how it works, but also what actually happens in a session. We talk about the importance of understanding trauma in children, particularly those who are neurodivergent, and why flexibility and attunement are so essential for therapists in creating a truly supportive environment.
About Dr. Naomi Fisher
Dr. Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist who specialises in trauma, autism and alternative education. She is the author of several books including When the Naughty Step Makes Things Worse and the Teenager’s Guide to Burnout. She runs webinars for parents and more of her work can be found at www.naomifisher.co.uk
Things you'll learn from this episode
How EMDR combines emotionally activated memories with bilateral stimulation to help process trauma
Why trauma can get “stuck” and how EMDR supports the brain’s natural healing process
How EMDR can be effective for both adults and children when delivered in a safe, supportive environment
Why neurodivergent individuals may have unique trauma responses that require flexibility in therapy
How parents can play an important role in helping children make sense of traumatic experiences
Why choosing accredited, well-trained therapists is critical for safe and effective EMDR treatment
Resources mentioned
Dr. Naomi Fisher’s website
Naomi Fisher on Substack
A Different Way to Learn by Naomi Fisher
Changing Our Minds: How Children Can Take Control of Their Own Learning by Naomi Fisher
What Can We Do When School’s Not Working: An Illustrated Handbook for Professionals by Naomi Fisher
Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on Post-Traumatic Parenting (Full-Tilt Parenting podcast)
EMDR UK Association
EMDR Institute
Francine Shapiro, PhD
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TPP 342a: Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up in Public
Today, we’re talking about such a pressing consideration for anyone raising a kid these days — what it means for today’s generation of kids to grow up with very public lives and coming of age in a digital world where so many aspects of their lives are online and available for public consumption, not to mention that much of their important work of identity formation is being shaped by the media and technology they interact with.
My guest, Devorah Heitner, gets into all of this in her brand new and essential book for any parent, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. For this conversation, I asked Devorah to talk us through what I see as some of the more pressing issues for parents like us, including how to balance a child’s right to privacy in their texts and online lives with valid concerns about online influences and engagement when that child is dealing with anxiety, depression or other mental health disorder, the impact of social media on kids who may already be struggling to fit in and find their people, and how many homework and grading apps used by schools may actually be undermining our kids development of executive function skills and creating additional stress for parents.
Things you'll learn
How to navigate the transition from being highly involved in a children’s tech life to respecting their privacy
Why violating our kids’ trust by reading their texts will drive them further apart from us
What to track or monitor when your child is dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders
How engaging in social media may impact kids who are struggling to fit in and find their people
Why social media can act as an intensifier for whatever kids are experiencing and how it causes a dip in self-esteem
What sharenting is and how to navigate permissions, cleaning up past shares, and more
Why apps like ClassDojo are particularly challenging for families with differently-wired students
How grading apps often work against differently wired students
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About Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child? Full-Tilt Parenting is here to help. Hosted by parenting activist and author Debbie Reber, this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating life with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), giftedness, and twice-exceptional (2e) kids. With expert interviews and candid conversations, you'll discover practical solutions for things like school challenges and refusal, therapy options, and fostering inclusion, social struggles, advocacy, intense behavior, and more — all through a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Whether you're struggling with advocating for your child at school or seeking ways to better support their unique needs, Debbie offers the guidance and encouragement you need to reduce overwhelm and create a thriving, joyful family environment. It's like sitting down with a trusted friend who gets it. You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back!
Listen to Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children, Begin Again with Davina McCall and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app