As parents of neurodiverse kids, navigating the holidays can be…. a lot. Trying to get our kids to tolerate all the events, all the activities, and all the routine changes on top of everything else is exhausting, frustrating, and quite frankly, maybe not worth it for us and our kids. And who says we actually have to do all of this stuff anyway?

In today’s episode, we’re sharing our best holiday tips for surviving the holiday season, including managing schedules, adjusting the gift-giving process, and resetting expectations for what a fun holiday looks like. The truth is, the holiday season doesn’t have to look any certain way. We get to decide what works best for our families and how we want to enjoy this precious time we get with them.

If you’re already feeling a little overwhelmed by the holiday season coming up, this episode is for you!

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[02:19] Why the holiday break is so different from summer break when it comes to the change in routine for neurodiverse kids

[08:04] How managing –and not overscheduling– events during the holiday season can help your stress level during the holiday season

[13:20] Why you might want to rethink your process of gift-giving for neurodiverse kids

[16:34] Why Legos are absolutely magical for neurodiverse kids during the holiday season

[18:09] Why prioritizing your favorite holiday activities can be so helpful and why it’s okay to let go of the ones that don’t work for your family

[24:12] Why letting go of societal expectations and embracing what works for your unique kids can make the holidays so much more enjoyable

[28:04] Aaaaand that includes letting go or adjusting formal dinners if you need to

[30:44] The Last Word

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-16-legos-alone-time-adjusted-expectations-how-to-survive-the-holidays-with-neurodiverse-kids

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Sometimes the best-laid plans… fall flat. And when you’re raising a neurodivergent young adult, those pivots can feel like earthquakes.

In this episode, Gwen and Kristen get honest about something big: Rylan is back home from college and the beautiful, carefully supported experience that seemed guaranteed… wasn’t.

This isn’t a story of failure. It’s a story of real parenting: the kind that requires grit, grief, and the courage to start again.

If you’ve ever tasted disappointment after believing things were finally turning a corner… this episode is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[00:04:00] The shift from excitement to concern at Beacon College
[00:05:00] Red flags around how staff responded to Rylan’s Tourette syndrome
[00:08:00] When supports promised didn’t match supports delivered
[00:10:00] The reality of still needing to be the executive functioning engine
[00:13:00] Why bringing Rylan home became the right decision
[00:17:00] The intense grief spiral that happened afterward
[00:22:00] The brain dump whiteboard + learning to not fix everything at once
[00:25:00] Rylan’s self-initiated job applications
[00:27:00] Recognizing that the real pivot is the parents

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-31

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TW: This episode discusses suicide. Please listen with care.

It's suicide prevention month and we know that our population of neurodiverse youth and adults are impacted greatly by suicide, by suicidal ideation, and mental health issues because of bullying and other social challenges. It’s a vital topic, and one that’s hard to discuss, but we really have to do it because it’s so important.

In today’s episode, we have our very first guest. We’re so excited to talk to Anne Moss Rogers, a suicide prevention trainer, author, and advocate. Anne Moss tells the story of losing her son to suicide and why she’s become to passionate about suicide prevention and bringing awareness to parents and schools. We also discuss why parents are afraid to ask their kids about suicidal thoughts, how social challenges can lead to suicidality for neurodiverse kids, and the importance of having a safety plan in place.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[01:44] An introduction to our very first guest on the podcast, Anne Moss Rogers, and how she became so passionate about suicide prevention

[21:31] Why parents are afraid to ask their kids about suicidal ideation

[30:01] How the research shows that social challenges can lead to suicidality for neurodiverse children, and why we need to be able to talk about it

[39:19] The importance of having a safety plan for instances of suicidal thoughts

[45:02] How parents of neurodiverse children who experience suicidal ideation can take care of themselves

[52:34] The Last Word

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/12-suicide-prevention-for-the-neurodiverse-population-with-anne-moss-rogers

If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/

We didn’t mean to disappear for seven months… okay, maybe we did. But we’re back! Turns out, living through existential dread and trying to raise neurodivergent kids is a full-time gig (with no PTO). But we’ve surfaced—with stories, updates, and an entire dragon-themed Zoom backdrop Gwen can’t figure out how to remove.

In this catch-up episode, Gwen and Kristen are dishing out all the highs, lows, awkward award nights, top hat choices, and job transitions their neurodivergent kids have been navigating. From AmeriCorps fallout and grocery store burnout to college acceptances and Target cashier wins—we’re celebrating the inchstones (and laughing so we don’t cry).

In this episode, you’ll learn…

• [00:01:00] The fire-breathing Zoom background Gwen can’t figure out
• [00:04:00] Why we really took a break (hint: life was A LOT)
• [00:05:00] Kristen’s son Hayden goes from wildland fires to CSU
• [00:09:00] Jamison gets straight A’s—and learns asking for help is strength
• [00:11:00] Autism Elevated, Target jobs, and inchstones with Graham
• [00:15:00] Gwen’s daughter is officially becoming a Vogelzang!
• [00:18:00] Why guests are banned from Gwen’s house (for now)
• [00:19:00] Graduation night disasters, missed awards, and screaming moms
• [00:23:00] The next chapter: Beacon College + working at a lettuce farm

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-29

If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/

Helping your child transition to adulthood isn’t for the faint of heart for any parent… but when you're helping a neurodivergent child navigate the process, it’s even harder.

Sure, there’s help– if you know where to ask for it. And your locality probably has a system or service that can offer support– but it has a different title in every state. And don’t forget that the type of diploma or certificate your child receives from high school can affect the type of support they can qualify for. Feeling overwhelmed yet?

Well, before you start hyperventilating, in today’s episode, we’re sharing all the things we’ve discovered while launching our neurodivergent kids, so you’ll have an idea about what support to look for when it comes to your own kids. We’re covering Medicaid, job programs, when the school transition starts, where to look for support, and even the personality changes our kids undergo through this process.

If you have an older neurodivergent child and you’re feeling overwhelmed about the future, you need this episode. Let's dive in!

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[00:00] Intro

[02:18] Why we’re talking about what the transition to adulthood looks like with kids on the spectrum

[04:39] A Rylanism and Grahamism to lighten the mood

[09:41] Where to start when it comes to helping your neurodivergent child transition from school to adulthood

[15:09] Gwen’s experience of struggling to find information on the services available for the transition process

[22:55] The difference between guardianship and power of attorney for our kids

{25:05] What Medicaid qualification looks like for some of our kids and who can help you navigate the process

[29:00] Some educational considerations and decisions to keep in mind during the transition process

[33:23] How the transition to adulthood changes our kids into radically different humans

[41:34] The Last Word with Rylan and Graham

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-28

If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/

We’re back! As you may have noticed, we took the summer off of podcasting as our families navigated some big changes and milestones this summer. We didn’t mean to disappear, but we *may* have forgotten to tell you that we were taking a break. Sorry about that.

So today, we’re catching you up on all the changes in our lives during the last few months. Gwen is giving updates on all three of her kids –yes, you read that right: three. She’s covering Rylan’s adventures, Reagan adjusting to a new sibling, and of course, introducing their new family addition!

Meanwhile, Kristen shares how Graham is continuing to gain confidence, Jameson is loving school, and how Hayden has finally found a place in the world that feels well-matched to both his strengths and interests.

If your family has also been in a state of change this year, this episode will feel very relatable. Let's dive in!

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[00:00] Intro

[01:03] Kristen and Gwen acknowledge their unexpected absence (sorry, friends!)

[03:15] Gwen describes the way her family has expanded

[10:09] Kristen explains the big changes that her family experienced this year

[16:21] Gwen and Kristen discuss the sticky topic of neurodivergent kids transitioning into adulthood

[22:57] Gwen and Kristen each share hopeful stories of their children finding success navigating the adult (and soon-to-be adult) world

[29:05] The lesson Gwen and Kristen keep learning over and over again

[37:33] The Last Word with Rylan and M

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-27

If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/

When it comes to the brains of our neurodivergent kids and friends… There can be a lot going on. Constant input that they struggle to filter, regular therapy that they may not be able to implement yet, and expectations from a society that’s not built for them: it can be so overwhelming and dysregulating.

And while manual therapy interventions can result in slow, steady progress, using the principles of neuroplasticity can help accelerate and regulate the brains of our kids much faster. And that’s where Brain Harmony comes in.

In today’s episode, Gwen and Kristen are joined by Carol Garner-Houston to discuss neuroplasticity, what a therapy accelerant is, and how Brain Harmony can make a difference –quickly– in the lives of our neurodivergent kids.

This episode might change your life, and you can’t miss it. Let’s dive in!

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[00:00] Intro

[01:03] Kristen’s not-so-good morning

[04:46] Gwen’s revelation on summer planning

[08:03] The therapy that was life-changing for Gwen and her kids

[16:19] How the brain reacts during therapies and how Brain Harmony helps to accelerate that process using

[23:30] The scientific basis for Brain Harmony and an explanation of neuroplasticity

[30:06] Gwen’s experience with Brain Harmony and why she appreciated using it for her family

[37:37] How accelerants like Brain Harmony can help calm a dysregulated nervous system

[41:41] What you actually hear when you listen to Brain Harmony

[45:36] The symptoms that Brain Harmony can help treat and how to start working with Brain Harmony

Get the Brain Harmony quiz here!

Get the Brain Harmony course on screen safety!

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-26

If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/

Imagine with us for a moment: What would it feel like to be in a concert hall… but having a personalized audio experience created for your own individual needs? And not only that, but someone ten feet away from you could have their own audio experience tailored to their preferences that is incredibly different from your own. Sound fictional? Well, not anymore, and it could be a major game-changer for our neurodivergent loved ones.

In today’s episode, Gwen and Kristen are joined by two guests, Jen VanSkiver and James Bobel, to discuss new audio technology that could be revolutionary for those with auditory processing disorder. James describes what this new technology feels like and how it works. He also discusses possible use cases with Jen as they imagine just how inclusive the world could be if this technology were implemented broadly.

This is such a mind-blowing episode, and you can’t miss it. Let’s dive in!

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[00:00] Intro

[01:05] Some really big life updates for both Gwen and Kristen

[06:56] How Rylan is handling the big change in the Vogelzang household

[09:46] What auditory processing is and how it affects the neurodivergent community

[17:07] What HOLOPLOT is and how it is transforming audio engineering by controlling sound

[21:07] Where and how this new technology is being implemented

[28:37] What it feels like to experience HOLOPLOT audio technology

[35:35] How Jen VanSkiver envisions using HOLOPLOT technology and the endless ways it can make spaces more accessible for everyone

[47:59] The Last Word with Rylan

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-25

If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/