Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children Podcast By Debbie Reber cover art

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

By: Debbie Reber
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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!© 2023 TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids Neurodiversity Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • TPP 231a: Author & Self-Compassion Researcher Dr. Kristin Neff on the Power of Being Kind to Yourself

    TPP 231a: Author & Self-Compassion Researcher Dr. Kristin Neff on the Power of Being Kind to Yourself
    Feb 13 2026
    Dr. Kristin Neff, pioneering self-compassion researcher, author, and teacher, talks about the power and benefits of practicing self-compassion as parents to differently wired children. In our conversation, Kristin shares what she has learned about self-compassion, both through her research and her own experiences parenting an autistic child. She goes deep into what self-compassion really looks like, why we are often more compassionate to others than ourselves, and shares some strategies for strengthening that self-compassion muscle both for ourselves and our kids. ABOUT DR. NEFF Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion over fifteen years ago. She has co-developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion, and is author of the books Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: How Dr. Neff got into the work of self-compassion research What it looks like to practice self-compassion Why we judge ourselves so harshly and what keeps us from being a better self-friend What it means to practice self-comfort Strategies parents can use to accept and BE with their suffering How to teach kids and teens about self-compassion RESOURCES MENTIONED: Dr. Kristin Neff’s website Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Kristin Neff: Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • TPP 488: OT Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco on Tactile Defensiveness & the Nervous System

    TPP 488: OT Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco on Tactile Defensiveness & the Nervous System
    Feb 10 2026
    Today’s episode is a deep dive into tactile defensiveness and sensory distress, especially around clothing. My guest is Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, an occupational therapist who helps kids and families understand their brains and bodies through everyday neuroscience. Kathryn will break down what’s actually happening in the brain and nervous system when children experience tactile defensiveness, and why clothing can feel so overwhelming for some kids. We talk about the role of co-regulation, how parents can help create positive associations with getting dressed, and practical strategies for supporting children in navigating their sensory experiences with more safety and less stress. This episode is a grounding, compassionate look at sensory processing—and a reminder that when we understand what’s underneath the behavior, everything shifts. About Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco Kathryn (Katie) Hamlin-Pacheco, M.S., OTR/L, ASDCS, is an occupational therapist, former teacher, author, and founder of the Brain Executive Program. Kathryn is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) and holds certifications in Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals and in Brain Structure and Function: Application to Sensory Integration and Processing. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, where she also worked with the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program to pursue her desire to be an advocate and leader in pediatric healthcare. She has shared her work at AOTA’s Inspire Conference (the world’s largest gathering of occupational therapy practitioners!), Sensory Integration Education’s international conference, and at William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education. In addition, Katie has written for OT Practice Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, Washington Family Magazine, and Stars & Stripes Magazine. Her book, How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp!, was a top Amazon release in two categories. Things you'll learn from this episode How tactile defensiveness reflects a nervous system response rather than behavioral resistance Why understanding sensory processing is essential for supporting children with clothing challenges How co-regulation helps children feel safe, connected, and more able to tolerate sensory input Why play and low-pressure practice can make clothing experiences more manageable How creating calm environments and positive associations supports sensory integration over time Why sensory health is a vital part of children’s overall well-being Resources mentioned Brain Executive Program (Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco’s website) Kathryn’s online Sensory Dressing Course How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp! by Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco Brain Executive Program on Instagram Brain Executive Program on Facebook Deb Dana on Befriending Our Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Stephen Porges & Karen Onderko on the Safe and Sound Protocol (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Mona Delahooke on the Power of Brain-Body Parenting (Tilt Parenting podcast) Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke Sensory Processing Differences with Carol Kranowitz (Tilt Parenting podcast) The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences by Carol Kranowitz Polyvagal Card Deck: 58 Practices for Calm & Change Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety by Deb Dana Debbie’s TedxBerlin talk: What if Feeling Broken Wasn't the End of the Story? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • TPP 143b: Tilt Founder Debbie Reber Shares Her Best Self-Care Strategies

    TPP 143b: Tilt Founder Debbie Reber Shares Her Best Self-Care Strategies
    Feb 6 2026
    This is one of only a few solocast episodes I’ve made over the past several years, but I wanted to talk one-on-one with you about self-care. If you’ve read my book or regularly listen to this show, you know I am a big proponent of self-care—I don’t think it’s even close to optional for parents raising neurodivergent kids. And, I also recognize that it can be a hard thing to make time for and prioritize. I get asked a lot about what my self-care looks like, and so today, I’m sharing with you twelve strategies and ideas for creating a sustainable, doable self-care practice. These are all things I rely on and, I give you my word…they work. I’ve also created a printable PDF cheat sheet of these strategies in case you want to print them out and post them somewhere where you’ll regularly see them and be reminded of the importance of prioritizing YOU. Grab it on the show notes page. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World by Debbie Reber (on Amazon) The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Yoga With Adriene (YouTube channel) The Scientific 7-Minute Workout (New York Times) Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes Dan Pink’s website Eye to Eye Learn Different Days Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 mins
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I'm a new mom and new to Sensory processing! This podcast is amazing and I'm very happy that I found it! Very informative an beautifully said. Thank you! You definitely have a new listener with me! ❤️❤️❤️

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