In this episode, Rachel Forrester, an Idaho real estate broker and founder of the support group Idaho Autism Moms, shares her expertise in assisting families with special needs children in finding suitable homes in and around Boise, Idaho.

She discusses various considerations when buying a house, such as proximity to therapy services, neighborhood safety, and the importance of functional spaces like sensory rooms.

Rachel also addresses the challenges of moving with special needs children and offers strategies to make the process as smooth as possible, including the usefulness of video walkthroughs and conducting thorough neighborhood research.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:18 Rachel's Involvement in the Neurodivergent Community

01:11 Housing Needs for Families with Special Needs

02:30 Considerations for Home Features and Safety

07:25 Importance of Proximity to Resources

13:05 Navigating Neighborhood Safety and Community

19:21 Rachel's Free Guide and Final Thoughts

21:00 Conclusion and Highlights

Parenting Power Hour: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Get Rachel's Guide:
tinyurl.com/rachelinboise

Connect with Rachel:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.208.rachel?igsh=MXA1Z2t4YWtxanQxaQ

Connect with Samantha Foote!

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

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

In this episode, Samantha Foote narrates a personal story about her son's meltdown during a family trip. She recounts the events leading up to the meltdown, the meltdown itself, and what they did after.

Samantha shares what she did well in managing the situation, , and also reflects on what she could have done better.

She emphasizes the importance of helping children return to a self-regulated state during meltdowns and discusses the plans they made to ensure her son had personal space and ways to calm himself for the rest of the trip.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:10 The Meltdown
02:41 Understanding the Meltdown
03:17 Reflecting on the Response
04:52 Moving Forward: Strategies and Plans
05:39 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Connect with Us: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Connect with Samantha Foote!

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

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

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk with Dana Kay, a board-certified health practitioner, and two-time international bestselling author.

Dana shares her extensive experience working with families across the US through her company, ADHD Thrive Institute, where she helps parents reduce ADHD symptoms naturally by focusing on biological triggers like diet, gut health, and inflammation.

She emphasizes the importance of supporting a child's biology rather than 'fixing' them, and discusses the profound impact of the gut-brain connection on overall health and behavior, providing insights into how gut health can influence ADHD symptoms and other disorders.

00:00 Introduction to Donna Kay

00:34 Donna's Work with Neurodivergent Families

02:14 The Gut-Brain Connection

04:15 Impact of Antibiotics on Gut Health

08:17 The Role of the Vagus Nerve

10:14 Strategies for Supporting Gut Health

20:16 Addressing Picky Eating

21:41 Donna's Personal Life and Interests

23:10 Conclusion and Resources

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

Connect with Dana:

Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adhdthriveinstitute

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

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

Connect with Samantha Foote!

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

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

In this episode, Samantha Foote discusses effective strategies for managing transitions for neurodivergent children. Understanding that transitions can trigger anxiety, resistance, or meltdowns, she emphasizes the importance of preparation and planning.

Suggestions include using visual schedules, musical cues, and countdowns to create predictability and ease anxiety.

Additionally, she highlights the need for consistent daily routines, transitional objects, positive reinforcement, sensory considerations, and supportive communication as vital tools for smooth transitions.

00:00 Introduction to Managing Transitions
00:10 Understanding Transitions and Their Challenges
00:32 Preparation and Planning for Smooth Transitions
00:43 Using Visual Schedules and Musical Cues
01:44 Creating Predictability with Consistent Routines
02:20 Utilizing Transition Objects for Comfort
02:47 Countdowns and Timers for Effective Transitions
03:03 Positive Reinforcement and Encouragement
03:43 Sensory Considerations for Transitions
04:42 Supportive Communication Strategies
05:39 Key Strategies Recap and Conclusion

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, Lauren and Samantha discuss strategies for managing multiple children with different sensory needs. They share personal experiences and provide initial tips, such as understanding individual sensory profiles, creating dedicated sensory spaces, establishing predictable routines, incorporating sensory breaks, and adapting communication strategies.

Practical advice is offered for accommodating sensory avoiders who prefer quiet spaces and sensory seekers who crave constant stimulation. The episode concludes with a promotion for their neurodivergent parenting community, where listeners can seek further support and advice.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:43 Understanding Differing Sensory Needs

02:12 Tips for Managing Sensory Differences

04:06 Creating Individual Sensory Spaces

10:08 Establishing Predictable Routines

13:43 Incorporating Sensory Breaks

17:26 Communication Strategies for Sensory Needs

23:31 Conclusion and Community Support

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 discusses Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and its significance in supporting the neurodivergent community.

She explains ABA as a scientific method aimed at improving socially significant behaviors such as communication, self-help skills, emotional regulation, and social interactions through individualized goals, data collection, positive reinforcement, and environmental modifications.

Samantha highlights the importance of client-centered care, where the preferences and consent of the individuals are prioritized, and discusses the controversial beginnings of ABA, emphasizing the need for programs that respect and empower individuals rather than solely focusing on behavior modification to appear neurotypical.

She also advises on selecting an appropriate ABA program, stressing the involvement of parents and caregivers in the process, and warns against programs that do not respect the insights and expertise of families regarding their own children.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:02 Understanding Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
00:41 Key Elements of ABA
01:16 Controversies and Personal Experiences with ABA
02:36 Choosing the Right ABA Program
03:49 Parental Involvement and Final Thoughts
05:22 Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with me: www.everybrainisdifferent.com

Connect with Samantha Foote!

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

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

In this episode, Amanda Trisdel and her daughter Leta Rundell join the discussion to talk about their journey in the neurodivergent community and the founding of the Autistic Wings Dance Company.

Amanda, the CEO, and Leta, who has been a dedicated dancer since a young age, talk about the struggles faced in traditional dance studios, leading them to establish a safe and accommodating space for neurodivergent dancers.

The conversation also touches on the detailed approach towards developing dance IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) for their students, the challenges of dealing with misconceptions about neurodivergence, and the importance of patience and understanding from dance instructors.

This episode highlights the importance of specialized programs that go beyond adaptive dance, aiming to provide serious and skill-focused dance education to neurodivergent individuals.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:39 Meet Amanda and Lita: The Story Behind Autistic Wings Dance Company

01:58 Challenges in Traditional Dance Studios

04:37 Creating a Neurodiverse-Friendly Dance Curriculum

05:40 The Importance of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

07:14 Hiring the Right Teachers for Neurodiverse Students

11:00 Overcoming Misconceptions and Building a Supportive Community

22:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

25:31 Parenting Power Hour: Join Us!

26:15 Highlights and Reflections

Get the Ultimate Guide to Parenting Your Neurodivergent Child: www.everybrainisdifferent.com/ultimate-guide

Connect with Amanda and Leta:

Website: https://www.letatapstyles.com/ | https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@letatapstyles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@antrisdale | https://www.instagram.com/@letatapstyles | https://www.instagram.com/@autisticwingsdancecompany
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/autisticwingsdance

Connect with Samantha Foote!

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

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

In this episode, Samantha talks about the importance of emotional self-regulation, particularly the effective technique of stepping away.

She discusses the significance of managing one's emotions to support both oneself and one’s child, and how stepping away during a moment of escalating emotions can help maintain composure and prevent further escalation.

Samantha provides actionable steps on how to ensure a child's safety before taking a break, using breathing and grounding techniques to regain calmness, and returning to the situation with a composed demeanor.

She underscores that taking a break is a healthy and necessary part of parenting, and emphasizes the importance of reflecting on triggers and seeking support when needed.

The episode also highlights the role of modeling appropriate behavior for children and the value of practicing self-care to manage overwhelming situations effectively.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Regulation
00:11 Understanding Emotional Regulation
00:41 When to Step Away
01:36 Techniques to Regain Composure
02:21 Returning to Your Child
02:53 Dealing with Meltdowns
03:52 Reflecting and Planning Ahead
04:55 Seeking Support
05:48 Final Thoughts and Resources

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community:

The Neurodivergent Parenting Community | Every Brain is Different

Connect with Samantha Foote!

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

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