Navigating the Parent-Mentor Balance with Jason

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.

Ever feel like your child’s emotions are a tornado, and you’re just trying to hold on? It’s exhausting, isn’t it?But here’s the truth: the key to helping your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult regulate their emotions starts with your calm. In this episode of Autism & Neurodiversity with Jason & Debbie, I’m sharing why emotional regulation begins with us as parents and how your calm presence can create a ripple effect in your home.If you’ve ever wondered why your best strategies don’t seem to work in the heat of the moment, this episode will give you fresh insight, practical tools, and hope for real change.What You’ll LearnThe science behind co-regulation and why your calm matters more than you think.How to spot your own emotional triggers before they escalate.Simple strategies to stay grounded during your teen or young adult’s emotional storms.Why emotional regulation isn’t about “fixing” them—it’s about modeling what’s possible.How to build a foundation of trust and connection through your steady presence.👉 If this episode resonated with you, we’d love for you to leave a quick review sharing your favorite takeaway. It helps us create more meaningful content for parents like you.📩 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.🌟Don't miss our upcoming workshop, Helping Neurodivergent Children, Teens, and YA's Access Calm: Tools for Emotional Regulation. Learn practical strategies to support your young person's ability to find calm and build emotional regulation skills—while strengthening your relationship.RSVP now for just $27 or join our community to access this and more workshops at NDM.Circle.so. Let's work together to bring more calm and connection into your family.Let’s keep building calm, connection, and confidence together.

Does it feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re not seeing the progress you hoped for with your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult? It’s easy to get caught up in the results we want, but sometimes, that focus can leave us feeling frustrated and disconnected.In this episode, we’ll dive into a fresh perspective that can help you feel more at ease and create real, lasting progress in your parenting journey.You'll Learn:Why focusing on results can unintentionally stall your child’s growth.How a simple mindset shift can unlock more connection and resilience.Practical ways to celebrate effort and progress that truly matter.👉 Ready to support your child in developing healthy habits while building strong relationships? Join our Developing Healthy Habits Workshop to kick off 2025 with tools that work for you and your family. Join our email list for more info.🔵 Visit jasondebbie.com/ndmcircle/ to learn more.

The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection, but it can also bring a lot of stress—especially when your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult struggles to navigate the busyness and expectations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to balance it all, this episode is for you.Join me as we explore how to find meaningful moments of connection in the chaos, give yourself and your child grace, and focus on what truly matters during this special time of year.You'll Learn:Why the holidays can feel extra challenging for neurodivergent families.How to shift from overwhelm to connection, even during busy moments.Practical ways to give yourself and your child grace this season.The power of letting go of perfection and focusing on what truly matters.👉 Looking for ongoing support? Join our NDM Circle community for parent coaching, live events, and tools to better mentor your child, teen, or young adult.🔵 Visit jasondebbie.com/ndmcircle/ to learn more.