Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

- Why many parents worry that using the word "autism" might make their child feel different or labeled, and how to think about that fear.

- What research and clinical experience suggest about telling your child sooner rather than later.

- How giving a diagnosis a name can actually feel empowering and help your child make sense of their experiences.

- What it looks like to take a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach when talking about autism.

- How to explain autism to a young child in developmentally appropriate, non-pathologizing language.

-Why this doesn't have to be one big, serious conversation and how to follow your child's lead over time.

- The value of being the one who defines what autism means for your child, before the world does.

- Simple ways to normalize and support your child through representation, stories, and everyday conversations.

This episode will help you understand how to talk about neurodiversity in a way that feels simple, affirming, and age-appropriate, so your child can better understand their brain, their strengths, and the ways they experience the world.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

🔗 Every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and supported, and every parent deserves a place to turn. At Upshur Bren Psychology Group, we offer a full continuum of autism services: diagnostic testing, individual therapy, and parent support groups for families raising children and young adults on the spectrum. Visit upshurbren.com or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to learn more about support options for you and your child.

📚 Different Thinkers: Autism by Katia Fredriksen PhD and Yael Rothman PhD

📚 Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to help autistic kids build joy, confidence, and connection with Dr. Peter Vermeulen

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about treating autism with a strength based approach with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether a neuropsych Evaluation is right for your child with Dr. Yael Rothman & Dr. Katia Fredriksen

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to modify traditional sleep strategies for neurodiverse brains with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!

I'm joined by doula, childbirth educator, and founder of Baby To Go, Sarah Ludwig, to talk about what it actually means to prepare for birth and why so many parents feel overwhelmed, anxious, or like they have to "get it right."

Together, we explore:

- What a doula actually does and how they support families during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

- Why pregnancy can increase anxiety, and how to work with it instead of against it.

- The difference between what you can control and what you can't during birth.

- How to think about birth plans as flexible "preferences" rather than fixed outcomes.

- Why trying to control every detail can sometimes make anxiety worse.

- How to build confidence in your ability to cope, even when things don't go as planned.

- The role of postpartum planning and why it's often overlooked.

- How to recognize when anxiety is within a normal range and when it might need more support.

Instead of focusing on creating the perfect plan, this conversation is about building your ability to cope with uncertainty and feel more confident in the process.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗https://www.baby-to-go.com/

🔗Hudson Valley Birth Network

📱IG: @baby_to_go FB: Baby To Go

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:

🔗 https://drsarahbren.com/

📱@drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉 Click HERE to sign up for my FREE workshop, Confident Parenting from the Start, to get tools and strategies that you can put into practice right away to challenge self-doubt, put an end to your panic-Googling, and finally find the ease and enjoyment in early parenthood!

👉 Click HERE to download my free interactive workbook, My Mental Health Postpartum Checklist, that will help you create a personalized mental health support system for yourself allowing you to feel more confident and relaxed, knowing you have a plan for whatever your unique postpartum experience may be.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to create a plan with your OB/GYN that supports resilience and reduces anxiety during and after pregnancy with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about processing birth trauma with Dr. Sterling

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to read your child's cues, build routines, and trust your instincts with pediatrician Dr. Golly

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

- Why the expectation that toddlers should already know how to regulate themselves is a common parenting myth.

- What's actually happening in a child's brain and body when their emotional "gas tank" is empty.

- Why your child's big reaction to a limit doesn't mean you've done something wrong.

- The difference between holding a boundary and trying to solve your child's feelings.

- What to do when your child's behavior is physically aggressive, like hitting or hair pulling.

- Why your own triggers matter and how understanding them can help you respond differently.

- The foundational factors (like sleep, fresh air, movement, and connection) that often drive behavior more than discipline strategies.

If you've ever felt powerless, guilty, or overwhelmed in the face of your child's big emotions, this episode will help you zoom out, reset unrealistic expectations, and approach these moments with more clarity and compassion—for both your child and yourself.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology behind dysregulation with founder of Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do when your child is hitting

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to identify and manage your triggers with Dr. Amber Thornton

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using the attachment relationship to help your toddler fall asleep, with Eileen Henry

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!