In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the positive impacts of spending time in nature on mental health. They explore how outdoor activities activate the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing cortisol levels, lowering heart rates, and improving sensory integration and attention.

Using personal anecdotes and scientific explanations, Samantha and Lauren highlight nature's ability to provide a gentle and predictable sensory input conducive to emotional and cognitive rejuvenation. They also discuss practical strategies for encouraging neurodivergent children to spend more time outdoors, emphasizing the importance of making such activities a part of daily routines.

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Today's Topic: Touching Grass for Mental Health

01:43 Personal Stories and Benefits of Nature

04:59 The Neuroscience Behind Nature's Benefits

15:37 Practical Outdoor Activities for Kids

18:40 Overcoming Barriers to Outdoor Time

19:52 Seasonal Outdoor Activities

22:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Halloween and the sensory challenges that can come with it. They discuss the sensory overload issues related to costumes, decorations, loud noises, and changes in routine.

To help parents navigate these challenges, they offer practical advice on practicing with costumes, managing trick-or-treating expectations, and choosing sensory-friendly environments.

They also emphasize the importance of understanding that children's behavior is a form of communication and suggest strategies to support children before, during, and after Halloween events to prevent sensory overload and ensure a positive experience for both parents and their kids.

00:00 Introduction

01:28 Homeschooling Decision and Mom Burnout

04:51 Halloween Sensory Overwhelm

11:57 Preparing for Halloween Night

16:56 Managing Halloween Night

18:12 Post-Halloween Tips and Reflection

20:02 Conclusion and Resources

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Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

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In this episode, Samantha and Lauren welcome Jason Heffler, author of 'Tongue Tied'. Jason shares his personal journey of growing up with a stutter and the challenges he faced, including bullying. His book is designed to help children with speech disorders gain confidence and understand that their speech does not define them.

Jason discusses the importance of representation in literature and offers valuable tips for parents to support their children, like praising the effort rather than fluency and teaching empathy and resilience.

The discussion touches on the power of acknowledgment, as Jason highlights how owning his stutter changed his life and career prospects.

He elaborates on cognitive reframing strategies and the use of music as a therapeutic tool, sharing his own experiences as a DJ and writer in the music industry.

00:00 Intro

00:41 Meet Jason Heffler: Author and Advocate

01:27 Jason's Journey with Stuttering

02:48 The Inspiration Behind 'Tongue Tied'

04:00 Supporting Children with Speech Impediments

09:58 The Power of Music in Overcoming Stuttering

12:53 Advice for Parents on Bullying and Empathy

15:18 Acknowledging and Embracing Neurodiversity

19:35 Resources and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, Samantha and Lauren interview Jennifer Celeste Briggs, a mother who shares her transformative experience with the Sunrise program. Jennifer talks about how the program, which she tailored for her daughter, significantly improved her language and social skills.

We explore the importance of meeting children where they are, the collaborative effort between parents and professionals, and the impact of patient and targeted interaction on neurodivergent children.

Jennifer also talks about her book, "Watching Sarah Rise," which documents their journey and offers recommendations for other parents navigating similar paths.

00:00 Introduction

00:39 Meet Jennifer Celeste Briggs!

02:18 The Sunrise Program

03:50 Therapy Approaches and Parenting Insights

05:27 Challenges and Successes in Therapy

10:08 Collaborating with Professionals and Schools

21:37 Jennifer's Book and Resources for Parents

24:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Connect with Jennifer:

Website: https://www.watchingsarahrise.com/

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

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

Other Resources:

Autism Treatment Center of America: https://autismtreatmentcenter.org/

Autism Optimism International: https://www.autismoptimisminternational.com/

Autistic Logistics Book: https://amzn.to/4gPNBeb

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

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

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the conclusion of their conversation on managing mom's mental load.

They provide five practical strategies to help moms regulate stress and manage interruptions, including the one-minute reset, setting interruption boundaries, sensory swaps, a decision diet, and maintaining a daily white space block.

Additionally, they discuss the importance of co-regulation and self-care, emphasizing that a well-supported mom is a better-regulated mom, which benefits the entire family.

00:00 Introduction to Every Brain Is Different Podcast

00:47 Addressing Autism Causes and Concerns

01:37 Mom's Mental Load: Recap and New Strategies

02:25 Micro Regulation Techniques

04:18 Interruption Boundaries

06:20 Sensory Swap and Decision Diet

09:31 Daily White Space Block

15:47 Weekly Routine and Family Meetings

22:13 Homework and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, Samantha and Lauren continue their discussion on managing the mental load experienced by moms. They address the difficulties of delegating household responsibilities and provide practical steps to shift tasks to family members or others to alleviate stress.

Samantha and Lauren emphasize the importance of accepting different methods of task completion, trusting the process, and providing clear instructions and ownership of tasks.

They also offer valuable advice on involving children in household responsibilities in age-appropriate ways, all aimed at reducing burnout and creating a more balanced family dynamic.

00:00 Introduction

00:43 Continuing the Conversation on Mental Load

00:59 Shifting Responsibilities to Reduce Mental Load

01:24 Overcoming Blocks in Delegation

04:42 Steps to Effective Delegation

16:35 Involving Kids in Household Responsibilities

23:27 Scripts for Effective Communication

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Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

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

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the mental load carried by moms, marking the beginning of a three-week series on the topic. They explore the often-overwhelming responsibilities that mothers juggle daily, from managing household chores to coordinating children's schedules.

Samantha and Lauren emphasize the significance of self-care and provide practical advice on managing sensory input, making micro-decisions, and employing positive self-talk methods to alleviate stress and prevent burnout.

A structured approach for recognizing and managing different stages of overwhelm is introduced.

00:00 Introduction to Every Brain Is Different Podcast

00:43 The Mental Load of Moms

01:51 Strategies for Offloading Responsibilities

03:44 Understanding the Mental Load of Motherhood

08:05 Stages of Overwhelm: Whisper, Talk, Shout

13:32 Practical Tips for Managing Overwhelm

14:49 Parenting Power Hour Invitation

23:52 Daily Check-ins and Reset Strategies

27:40 Recommended Self-Care App: Finch

29:05 Conclusion and Support Resources

Finch App: https://finchcare.com/

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

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

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

In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). They explain that ARFID is a recognized eating disorder, different from simple picky eating, characterized by extreme avoidance or restriction of food, leading to nutritional, growth, or emotional problems.

The disorder is often misunderstood, with myths such as it being due to bad parenting or something children will grow out of.

Samantha and Lauren discuss sensory sensitivities, negative food experiences, interoception challenges, and anxiety as key factors contributing to ARFID, particularly in children with autism and ADHD.

They also share their personal experiences and emphasize the importance of patience, understanding, and professional help in managing ARFID.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:52 Understanding ARFID: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

03:50 Common Signs and Symptoms of ARFID

05:01 Challenges and Myths Surrounding ARFID

05:46 Causes and Triggers of ARFID

12:39 Impact on Family Dynamics

17:35 Support and Professional Help

18:40 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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

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Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

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

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