Everything Makes Sense with The Occuplaytional Therapist with Kelsie Olds

Teen and young adult mentor, Matt Douglas, joined me on this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast for a deep dive into the “other” end of the parenting spectrum—college applications, executive function, and the tricky transition from high school to young adulthood. We talk about how neurodivergent teens—those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or learning differences—face added layers of complexity in the college process, and how parents can support without overstepping.   To find out more about Matt, visit www.unlockingcollegeadmissions.com or check out his book at https://a.co/d/a5pPgGl. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible occupational therapist Kelsie Olds for a deep and lively conversation about what it really means when we say "everything everybody does makes sense." Kelsie brings her global OT experience—from the U.S. to the U.K. to her new adventure in Australia—and a refreshingly human-centered approach to child development. We dig into what “behavior” really tells us, why labels like “aggressive” or “bad” aren’t helpful, and how curiosity, specificity, and compassion can transform the way we understand and support kids—especially our more complicated ones.   To find out more about Kelsie, visit her website at www.occuplaytional.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I’m joined once again by the brilliant Jenn Glacel to talk about the often misunderstood concept of masking, particularly in autistic folks. We dig into the unconscious ways masking shows up as a survival response, how it begins in infancy, and how it can shape a child’s (and adult’s!) sense of self. Jenn shares her personal experience of exhaustion and discovery, and we explore what it means to unmask and reconnect with the body’s sensory experience.   To find out more about Jenn, visit her website at SevenCornersPsychotherapy.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this episode, I sat down with Amy Lang, a longtime sex ed and parent educator, to talk about one of the most awkward—and most essential—topics parents face: talking to our kids about sex. Amy shared her own moment of panic when her five-year-old asked a completely innocent question, and how that moment shaped her entire approach to sex education for neurodivergent kids. We covered everything from using correct anatomical terms with toddlers to setting the stage for healthy, safe, and open conversations about consent, boundaries, relationships, and identity. If you’ve ever wondered when (and how!) to start talking to your child about sex, this episode is for you.   To find out more about Amy, visit her website at BirdsandBeesandKids.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast where I’ll talk about one of the most foundational aspects of parenting—attunement. What is attunement? Why does it matter? And how does it shape our relationships with our kids from the very beginning? We’ll explore the neurobiological, emotional, and practical sides of this essential process, and I’ll walk you through what attunement looks like in everyday parenting. Whether you’re raising an orchid child, a quirky kid, or just trying to navigate the daily ups and downs, this episode will help you understand why connection always comes before correction. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/   

In this episode, I’m joined by Suzy Miller, a former pediatric speech-language pathologist whose life took an unexpected turn when a 4-year-old child with autism opened her eyes to an entirely new way of understanding communication. Suzy shares her incredible journey from traditional therapy to becoming a telepathic communicator and multidimensional seer. We get into some fascinating territory as we talk about light bodies, the integration of spirit and physical form, and how neurodivergent kids often experience the world on a whole different frequency.   To find out more about Suzy, visit her website at www.suzymiller.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

Parents are essential to children’s developmental process, especially when those children are dealing with challenges like ADHD, autism, and sensory processing issues. During this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast I dive into the essential role of parents alongside occupational therapist-turned-parent coach, Lisa Chan. We discuss why therapy alone isn’t enough, and why parents need to be empowered with the right tools to support their kids at home. We explore how children's nervous systems respond to stress, why logic doesn’t work during meltdowns, and how to rebuild connection after cycles of conflict.   To find out more about Lisa, visit her website at thelisachan.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

Nicole Weston is a parent coach who specializes in supporting families of children with anxiety and OCD. Nicole shares her personal journey of navigating her daughter’s mental health crisis, which led her to deeply reconsider traditional parenting approaches. In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, we explore the impact of sensitive nervous systems, the importance of adapting environments to suit those needs, and Nicole’s personal healing process through creativity and mindfulness. We also chat about recognizing early signs of anxiety, building emotional resilience, and supporting children through challenges with compassion and understanding.   To find out more about Nicole, visit her website at RestorePeaceCoaching.com.   Information about the next Forces of Nature Retreat below:   Forces of Nature Retreat A Weekend of Strength, Creativity & Renewal Date: April 26th - April 27th, 2025 Location: Culpeper, VA (Near Shenandoah National Park) For parents raising neurodivergent children, life can feel like a constant storm—beautiful, powerful, and at times overwhelming. The Forces of Nature Retreat is a space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your own inner resilience. Set against the stunning backdrop of Shenandoah National Park, this retreat offers a blend of adventure, creativity, and community to help you rediscover balance. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I speak with Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell, a neuropsychiatrist with extensive experience in autism research. We chat about the complexities of communication for non-speaking autistic individuals, discussing methods like spelling to communicate and the misconceptions around these techniques. Dr. Powell highlights how neurological differences can impact motor control and communication, while I share about my own transformative experience witnessing a non-speaking child express themselves. Together, we explore the importance of better diagnostic tools, including neuroimaging, to better understand and support these individuals.   To find out more about Diane, visit her website at www.drdianehennacy.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

Clinical social worker, Lisa Kays, joined me on the Complicated Kids Podcast to discuss her (super interesting) concept of “diagnosing backwards.” Lisa shares how therapists often see anxious or overwhelmed parents in therapy but may overlook underlying neurodivergence or developmental differences in the child that might be driving a parent’s distress. We talk about how diagnosing parents without considering what’s happening with their children can lead to ineffective support and even harm. Lisa and I explore the importance of curiosity over judgment when it comes to children’s behaviors, the systemic challenges parents face in getting accurate diagnoses, and how professionals can better support families.   To find out more about Lisa, visit her website at www.lisakays.com. About your host, Gabriele Nicolet Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com. Complicated Kids Resources and Links: 🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com  📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.  📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured   👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story  ➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet  ➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet  ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/   🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/