You’ve tried motivating.You’ve tried reminding.You’ve even tried backing off.But no matter what you do, your child, teen, or young adult still seems stuck—avoiding new experiences, hesitating to take initiative, or shutting down when expectations rise.In this episode, Debbie shares five subtle ways anxiety hides behind behaviors that look like procrastination, resistance, or laziness and how misreading them can keep families locked in conflict instead of connection. You’ll discover what’s really going on beneath the surface and why building self-trust (not pushing harder) is the key to independence that lasts.Want to go deeper?Watch the full replay of our October workshop: “Helping Your Neurodivergent Overcome Anxiety & Build Self-Trust”👉 Available now inside the NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so
When your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult is struggling—meltdowns, shutdowns, missed deadlines, constant reminders—it’s tempting to look for the fastest fix.But parenting for quick results often comes at the expense of long-term growth.In this episode, Jason shares why a developmental approach—focusing on emotional growth, ownership, and sustainable neural pathways—is far more powerful than a behavioral one. You’ll hear why playing the long game means meeting your child where they are developmentally, not where the world says they “should” be, and how that shift can transform mental health, college readiness, and life skills.If you’ve ever wondered where to invest your time and energy for the biggest impact, this conversation will help you step out of fear-based reactions and into a mentoring mindset that fosters confidence, resilience, and lasting success.🌱 Want mentoring tools and support to help your child, teen, or young adult thrive for the long haul? Join our NDM Circle Community for live workshops, coaching, and a network of parents walking the same path.👉 Learn more and join us at NDM.Circle.so
Relief feels good.The meltdown is over. The pressure is gone. The stress has eased.For many neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults, relief can start to feel like the ultimate goal—because it’s safe, predictable, and immediate. But it's crucial to understand: relief isn’t the same as joy. And chasing it can keep them from the deeper connections and experiences that bring real fulfillment.In this episode, Jason unpacks the difference between fleeting relief and lasting joy. He challenges the myth that neurodivergent individuals don’t crave emotional connection and shares how intentional boundaries, meaningful attachments, and personal growth can open the door to a richer, more satisfying life.🌱 Want tools to help your neurodivergent loved one move beyond comfort-seeking and into a life that’s worth living?Join our NDM Circle Community for live workshops, practical mentoring strategies, and a space where you’re never alone in the journey.👉 Learn more and join us at NDM.Circle.so
When you’re living life on autopilot, it’s easy to end up in the same loops, reacting the same way, making the same choices, and feeling stuck in the same results.For neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults, those loops can be even harder to break.And not because they’re lazy or resistant… but because the brain literally gets “grooved” into patterns like a scratched record that skips in the same place over and over.In this episode, Jason shares how those grooves form, why they’re so hard to change, and what it takes to create new ones. You’ll learn how intentional reflection can rewire the brain, helping you (and your loved one) move beyond automatic, survival-mode reactions into a higher-brain way of living, one that opens the door to growth, resilience, and deeper connection.🌱 Want tools and support to help your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult break free from stuck patterns?Join our NDM Circle Community for live workshops, practical mentoring strategies, and a supportive space where you’re not doing this alone.👉 Learn more and join us at NDM.Circle.so
You got the IEP.You submitted the college accommodations.You followed all the steps—and it’s still not working.If your child, teen, or young adult is struggling to use the support they’ve been given—this episode is for you.We’re breaking down why accommodations often fall short without developmental support—and what you can do instead. You’ll learn how to move from frustration and fear to a mentoring-based approach that meets your child where they are and helps them move forward—at school, in college, or in life.🎓 Want to go deeper? Watch the full replay of our August workshop: “Thriving in School: Navigating Accommodations, Anxiety & Executive Functioning” 👉 Available now inside the NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so
Your neurodivergent young adult made it into college—but now everything’s falling apart.Missed deadlines. Emotional shutdowns. Panic. Silence.You’re not sure when to step in—or how to stop stepping in so much.In this episode, we explore why college struggles aren’t about motivation or laziness and what they're often really about.You’ll learn why traditional strategies backfire and what it really takes to help your child, teen, or young adult build capacity and thrive in school—without micromanaging or letting go completely.🎓 Join us this week for our live workshop: “Thriving in School: Navigating Accommodations, Anxiety & Executive Functioning” 🗓 August 5 | 6pm PDT / 9pm EDT | $27 or included in NDM Circle 👉 Register at NDM.Circle.so
When your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult struggles to regulate, follow through, or move forward—what are you supposed to do?Most parents step in (because they have to). You remind. You coach. You arrange the therapy appointments. You micromanage the hard stuff.Over time, this becomes your default mode. But what happens when the support that once helped… starts holding them back?In this episode, Jason explores how helicopter parenting—often born from love and necessity—can quietly become a roadblock to neurodivergent growth. And more importantly, what to do instead.🌱 Want help making the leap from helicopter to mentor? Join our NDM Circle Community where you’ll get the tools, live support, and connection you need to raise and mentor neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults with confidence.👉 Learn more and join us at NDM.Circle.so
If your child “knows what to do” but doesn’t do it, this episode will help you see the deeper story behind that pattern.We’ll break down why “knowing” and “doing” are not the same, especially in a stressed, overwhelmed, or neurodivergent brain. And you’ll start to see how practicing Neuro-Developmental Mentoring can help build the real-life application of those skills with patience and partnership.🔵 These are the kinds of mentoring shifts we teach inside NDM Circle and go deep into in our July workshop: From Reminders to Responsibility. Learn more or catch the replay at NDM.Circle.so.
If you’re the one who remembers everything and keeps everyone on track, you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong for stepping in. But if it’s starting to take a toll, this episode will help you understand why and how things can change.We’re talking about the invisible mental load of parenting, and why sharing that load (without dropping it all at once) is a powerful way to build confidence, independence, and connection with your neurodivergent loved one.🔵 These are the kinds of shifts we walk with parents through every day in NDM Circle, and they’re at the heart of our July 8th workshop, From Reminders to Responsibility. Join us at NDM.Circle.so.
If you feel stuck in the reminder loop and it’s wearing you out... you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll explore why nagging feels necessary, but often works against the outcomes you want.We’ll talk about what’s really going on when your child doesn’t follow through, and why it’s time to shift from managing behavior to mentoring development. When you learn to do that, things begin to change: less friction, more confidence, and a growing sense of maturity in your neurodivergent loved one.🔵 This is the foundation of what we practice inside NDM Circle—and what we’re diving deep into in our July workshop, From Reminders to Responsibility- How to Stop Nagging and Start Building Follow Through. Visit NDM.Circle.so or https://ndm.circle.so/c/events/workshop-from-reminders-to-responsibility to RSVP.
You want your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult to grow into a confident, capable adult. But what do you do when they’re heading straight toward failure? Do you step in and save them—or let them crash and hope they learn?If you’ve ever wrestled with that gut-wrenching decision, this episode will speak right to you.Because most parents are making one of two well-intentioned mistakes—and both can leave their loved one stuck, discouraged, or completely shut down.In this episode, Jason breaks down the complex—and often painful—decision parents face: When do I intervene? And when do I let go? What he shares may just change how you approach your role entirely. 🎧 Tune in now, and then come get support inside our NDM Circle Community—where you’ll connect with others who are navigating these same questions with empathy and expert guidance. Visit NDM.Circle.so to learn more and start your free trial.What You’ll Explore:What if your instinct to “teach a lesson” is actually backfiring?What happens when failure doesn’t build resilience—but destroys it?Is rescuing always enabling—or is something deeper going on?What if they’re not lazy—but stuck in a brain state that blocks growth?How do you tell the difference between a hard moment… and a harmful one? 💬 This kind of nuance isn’t something you figure out alone. Join us in the NDM Circle Community for live coaching, connection, and practical mentoring support. Your first 14 days are free—NDM.Circle.so
If your neurodivergent teen or young adult is struggling to launch or if you find yourself constantly questioning whether you’re doing too much or not enough... this episode is for you.There’s a reason things feel stuck or fragile, even when you're working so hard to support them.It’s not about your efforts. It’s about the patterns shaping your day-to-day interactions.In this episode, I’ll share five foundational patterns that can shift the trajectory from anxiety and shutdowns… to confidence and steady progress.Inside, we’ll explore:What might be missing beneath the surface of your daily routinesA common mindset trap that increases anxiety (without you realizing it)Why “more responsibility” backfires without this key support pieceThe one thing your child needs more than productivityA quiet but powerful strategy that strengthens independence from the inside out🎧 Tune in now and if this resonates, join us inside NDM Circle for ongoing coaching, live workshops, and a supportive community of parents and professionals who truly get it.🔗 NDM.Circle.so
You’re doing everything you can to help your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult grow into an independent adult, but what if some of the things you’re doing to help are actually holding them back?It’s not because you don’t care. It’s because so many of us are working from outdated ideas about what builds independence, and those ideas just don’t work for neurodivergent development.In this episode, I’ll walk you through five common patterns that loving, well-meaning parents fall into, and how they can unintentionally keep your child stuck. We’ll zoom in on one of those patterns and give you a practical shift you can make right away.If you recognize yourself in this episode, it’s a sign you’ll enjoy our upcoming workshop, The Independence Pathway: From Home to Thriving.What You’ll Learn:5 parenting patterns that can quietly undermine independenceWhy solving problems for your child may do more harm than goodA simple shift to start mentoring instead of managingThe key mindset change that supports real growthHow to get support that actually fits your neurodivergent loved one’s brain 📅 Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 🕖 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM MDT 🎟 $27 or FREE for NDM Circle members 💻 RSVP now at NDM.Circle.so to build mentoring strategies that support autonomy, emotional well-being, and life skills—without the power struggles.
You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and doing everything you can to help your neurodivergent loved one. So why does it still feel like nothing’s working?You’re not alone. We’ve been there too—desperate for answers, bouncing from expert to expert, trying every intervention, school, and strategy we could find… and still feeling stuck in survival mode.In this special 150th episode (a rerecording of our very first), we open up about our early struggles as parents to neurodivergent kids, how little support there was, and the painful moments that nearly broke us. But it was also the beginning of something transformative—the start of what would become Neuro-Developmental Mentoring (NDM™).If you’ve ever wondered where to begin—or how to keep going—this episode will give you hope, direction, and a sense that someone finally gets it.Tune in and get a deeper understanding of where we’ve come from, what we’ve learned, and why this podcast and community exists—for YOU.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The real-life crisis moment that changed everything for us as parentsWhy most traditional mental health and educational approaches fall short for neurodivergent kidsWhat finally started working—and why development, not behavior, is the keyHow our approach evolved into NDM™ and what makes it differentWhere to start when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and don’t know what else to try🎧 If this episode resonates, take the next step and join our NDM Circle community at NDM.Circle.so. You don’t have to do this alone.
Ever catch yourself wondering "Am I doing too much… or not enough?" Whether you're stepping in to help your child solve a problem—or stepping back to let them figure it out—finding that balance can feel like walking a tightrope.You might be working overtime to fix, rescue, or guide every decision, only to feel exhausted… or you might pull back too far, unsure when to re-engage. Either way, when the balance is off, kids struggle to grow into capable, confident adults.In this episode, Jason unpacks how to know when to parent, when to mentor, and why this distinction matters more than you think—especially for neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults.You’ll learn:✔ Why over-parenting or under-parenting can lead to emotional and developmental roadblocks ✔ How to recognize when your child needs a parent vs. a mentor (and how to shift gears) ✔ What happens when parents aren’t aligned—and how to get on the same page ✔ How parenting from survival mode affects your child’s emotional health ✔ The simple mindset shift that helps you balance intervention and autonomy for long-term growthIf you're ready to stop second-guessing and start feeling confident in how you support your child’s journey to independence, this episode is for you.✨ Want to go deeper? Join us for our upcoming workshop: "The Independence Pathway: From Home to Thriving." You'll learn how to foster autonomy, emotional well-being, and life skills without power struggles or overwhelm.🔗 RSVP for the Workshop here: NDM.Circle.so📩 Get more insights & tools—Join our email list for inspiration and updates.👉 Need a supportive community? Join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals mentoring neurodivergent young people.
If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I support my child’s authentic self while helping them navigate the real world?”—you’re not alone.You’ve heard about neurodivergent affirming care and its emphasis on acceptance, but there’s still a challenge: How do we strike the balance between honoring individuality and addressing the practical demands of life?In this episode, Jason Grygla dives into the complexities of neurodivergent affirming care, exploring both its transformative strengths and potential limitations. You’ll learn:✔ Why affirming care is essential for empowering neurodivergent individuals✔ How trauma-informed and client-centered approaches promote healing and growth✔ Why we need to balance authentic self-expression with real-world life skills✔ Practical considerations in supporting neurodivergent individuals without ignoring necessary social norms and behavioral adaptationsIf you’re ready to move beyond just acceptance and create a balanced approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals, this episode will help you get clear on the next steps.✨ Want to go deeper? 📩 Get more insights & tools—Join our email list for inspiration and updates.👉 Need a supportive community? Join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals mentoring neurodivergent young people.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this keep happening?!”—whether it’s battles over transitions, screen time, or meltdowns—you’re not alone.You try different strategies, set boundaries, offer choices… yet you keep getting stuck in the same frustrating cycles. The truth is, the situation isn’t actually the problem—it’s how we think about the situation that keeps us stuck.You’ll learn:✔ Why shifting your thoughts (not just the situation) is the key to breaking frustrating cycles✔ How lower brain survival patterns—Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn—keep parents and kids stuck✔ A simple mindset shift that helps you respond instead of react✔ How to notice and reframe thoughts in the moment for better connection and cooperationIf you’re tired of power struggles and emotional exhaustion, this episode will help you take the first step toward real change.✨ Want to go deeper? Join us for our upcoming workshop:"Mastering the Brain STEARing Model™: From Survival Reactions to Thriving Responses."You'll learn step-by-step how to shift from reacting to responding, helping both you and your child move toward more connection, regulation, and peace.🔗 RSVP for the Workshop here: NDM.Circle.so📩 Get more insights & tools—Join our email list for inspiration and updates.👉 Need a supportive community? Join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals mentoring neurodivergent young people.
Is it that they can’t—or that they won’t?In this episode, we break down the common struggle of distinguishing between genuine inability and refusal in neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults. We explore: • Why challenges can feel insurmountable due to unique brain wiring • How to avoid power struggles and foster autonomy • The neural response to perceived difficulty and how it impacts motivation • The role of resilience and discipline in long-term growthUnderstanding this gray area can help you respond with more clarity and support—without getting stuck in frustration.📩 Want more insights and practical tools? Be sure to join our email list for inspiration and updates.👉 For deeper support, join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent young people.
If you've ever found yourself saying "Calm down!" during your child's meltdown—only to watch it make things worse—you're not alone.The truth is, neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults don't just know how to regulate their emotions... it's a skill that needs to be taught and developed. But here's the kicker: emotional regulation isn't something you teach in the heat of the moment—it's something you build over time.In this episode, I dive into what emotional regulation looks like for neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, etc.) children, teens, and young adults, why it's often harder for them, and what you can do to help.I share practical tools for teaching calm, not by demanding it, but by modeling it, practicing it, and making it part of everyday life.You'll learn: Why emotional regulation is a skill—not a personality traitThe role of co-regulation and why your calm is the first stepHow to teach regulation tools outside of the meltdown momentSimple, actionable strategies to help your child access calmIf meltdowns, emotional outbursts, or shutdowns feel like a daily struggle, this episode if for you. And if you want to go deeper, join us for our upcoming workshop: "Helping Neurodivergent Children, Teens, and YAs Access Calm." We'll walk you through even more tools, real-life examples, and step-by-step strategies to support emotional regulation at home.✨ RSVP for the Workshop here: NDM.Circle.so📩 Want more insights and practical tools? Be sure to join our email list for inspiration and updates.👉 For deeper support, join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent young people.
“Why won’t they just change their mind?”If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by a neurodivergent loved one’s black-and-white thinking or their refusal to reconsider a decision, you’re not alone. In this episode of Autism & Neurodiversity, we explore the common pattern of what Jason calls "rigid decisiveness." We unpack how this behavior—often misunderstood as stubbornness or immaturity—is rooted in lower brain functions like the need to avoid pain and conserve energy.We share some real-life examples of this pattern and explain how understanding it through a developmental lens can make all the difference. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or someone navigating your own neurodivergence, this episode offers practical tools and a fresh perspective on how to approach rigid decisiveness with patience and support.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why rigid decisiveness is common in neurodivergent individuals • How black-and-white thinking ties to lower brain, survival functions • The pitfalls of labeling this behavior as “stubbornness” or “immaturity” • Developmental strategies to better support and connect📩 Want more insights and practical tools? Be sure to join our email list for inspiration and updates.👉 For deeper support, join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent young people.