Brain First Parenting with Eileen Devine

Ep. 50 | The Disappointment We Don't Talk About In Parenting

SUMMARY- Expectations are an unavoidable part of parenting, but when we’re raising a child with brain-based differences, expectations rooted in neurotypical norms can cre

Ep. 49 | The Hidden Struggles of Kids Who Look Capable

SUMMARY - Some kids can appear incredibly capable in many areas of their lives while still experiencing significant lagging cognitive skills that are largely invisible to

Ep. 48 | Addressing School-Based Anxiety with Dr. Emily King

SUMMARY - In this episode, Dr. Emily King joins me to discuss her new book, The Neurodivergent Learner, with a special focus on school anxiety—for both neurodivergent chi

Ep. 47 | When Kids “Lack Motivation,” What’s Really Going On?

SUMMARY - When your child appears unmotivated, it's easy to assume they don't care or simply aren't trying. But motivation is a brain-based process that depends on a numb

Ep. 46 | Perspective Taking: When Your Child Can't See Your Side of Things

SUMMARY - Why does your child seem unable to understand your perspective, even when it feels obvious? In this episode, Eileen explores the brain-based cognitive skill of

Ep. 45 | When the System Changes at 18: Financial Planning for the Transition to Adulthood with Mary McDirmid

SUMMARY - In today's episode, Eileen sits down with Mary McDirmid, a Special Needs Financial Planner and founding member of All Needs Planning, which specializes in simpl

Ep. 44 | The Tween/Teen Expectation Gap: Why Everything Suddenly Feels So Much Harder

SUMMARY - Many parents of neurodivergent tweens and teens describe a shift that feels difficult to explain: things were already challenging, but suddenly the stakes feel

Ep. 43 | Interrupting Those Exhausting Escalation Cycles

SUMMARY - Why do the same power struggles keep happening over and over again between parents and children? In this episode, Eileen explores the “coercive cycle,” a patter

Ep. 42 | 8 Essential Mind Shifts for More Connected Parenting

SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen shares 8 essential mind shifts that help parents move from a behavioral lens to a Brain First lens when parenting children with brain-ba

Ep. 41 | Rethinking "I'm a Bad Parent."

SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen reflects on a common theme that comes up again and again in sessions with parents: the belief that “I’m failing” or “I should be better

Ep. 40 | When Your Child’s Behavior Feels Personal: Understanding Relational Cognitive Skills

SUMMARY - In this episode, we explore relational cognitive skills, the brain-based abilities that shape how children navigate relationships, manage emotions, and respond

Ep. 39 | Dismantling Restraint and Seclusion: A Conversation with Guy Stephens (Pt. 2)

SUMMARY - Today's episode is Part 2 of a 2-part conversation with Guy Stephens, founder and executive director of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a n

Ep. 38 | Dismantling Restraint & Seclusion: A Conversation with Guy Stephens (Pt. 1)

SUMMARY - Today's episode is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation with Guy Stephens, founder and executive director of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a n

Ep. 37 | Supporting Siblings: Practical Brain First Tools for Parents - Pt. 2

SUMMARY - In Part 2 of this series on supporting siblings, we shift from awareness to action. Building on the themes discussed in Part 1, this episode offers practical, b

Ep. 36 | Supporting Siblings When Home Feels Unpredictable - Pt. 1

SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen explores the sibling experience in families where one child struggles with intense, challenging behaviors. Siblings are not passive obse

Ep. 35 | When "Good Parenting" Meets Brains That Don’t Work Typically

SUMMARY - Many parenting struggles with neurodivergent kids don’t come down to behavior, they come from a clash between deeply held parental values and a child’s brain-ba

Ep. 34 | The Birds & the Bees and Your Neurodivergent Child w/ Amy Lang

SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen sits down with Amy Lang, sexuality educator and expert, for a frank and open conversation about sex education for kids who are neurodive

Ep. 33 | When Caregiver Burnout Becomes Contagious

SUMMARY - In this episode of the Brain First Parenting podcast, Eileen explores the idea - which is grounded in research - that caregiver burnout can become contagious th

Ep. 32 | The 7 Signs Your Child Struggles With Attention & Working Memory

SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen outlines in detail what attention and working memory skills are exactly, and seven signs that may indicate a child struggles with this c

Ep. 31 | Helping Extended Family Understand Your Neurodivergent Child

SUMMARY - In this episode, Eileen discussed a topic that is at the center of stress for many parents of kids with neurobehavioral conditions which is their extended famil