Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child at School and Home
Welcome to Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child, where we are learning brains and growing hearts! This podcast is a resource for parents, caregivers, teachers, school clinicians, administrators, or anyone interested in the psychology of learning. Episodes include a variety of formats and topics, such as deep dives on childhood ADHD, autism, anxiety, intellectual disability, and specific learning disorders like dyslexia. Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child is hosted by Ivanna Lukie, a Canadian school psychologist and parent.
Episodes
Ever notice how some kids can want to start something... and still seem completely stuck?
In this episode, we're unpacking task initiation: the executive functioning skill that helps us begin tasks, get going, and push past the "starting friction". When kids struggle here, it's often misunderstood as laziness, avoidance, or lack of motivation - but there's usually much more going on beneath the surface.
Ou...
If your child or student(s) struggle when it's time to leave the park, turn off the tablet, start homework, or get ready for bed- you are not alone.
In this episode, we're talking about why transitions can feel so hard for many kids (especially neurodivergent kids), and what adults can do to make those moments smoother and less stressful for everyone involved. I share 4 practical, realistic strategies that supp...
Ever felt like you've already said something three times - and it's still not sticking? It's not always about attention or effort, but about working memory.
In this quick, practical episode, I'm breaking down what's really going on when kids struggle to hold onto information, and why repeating yourself in attempts to help them "memorize" isn't the solution. You'll also walk away with 5 simple tips for how to "s...
Many kids who are bright, curious, and capable still struggle in school - and it can be confusing for the adults supporting them.
In this episode, we explore why intelligence doesn't always translate into success in the classroom, and how factors like executive functioning, processing differences, and anxiety can impact a child's ability to feel successful at school.
If you have any questions or topics you want ...
What does the word Neurodivergent actually mean - and why has it become such an important part of how we understand children?
In this episode, we explore the concept of neurodivergence, what it includes, and why it can shift the way we think about learning, behaviour, and support. This episode focuses on moving beyond labels and toward a more complete understanding of how different brains works - and what that ...
Welcome to the very first episode of Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child.
In this episode, we're starting with an important foundation: 5 things neurodivergent kids really need the adults in their lives to understand.
Children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, exceptionality, dyslexia, giftedness, learning differences, anxiety, and other forms of neurodivergence are often navigating environments that were...
Today marks the final episode of the School Psych Podcast - but don't worry, the podcast itself isn't ending. It's evolving! Over time, I realized that while the original title of the podcast reflected my profession as a school psychologist, it didn't fully capture what these conversations are really about: understanding and supporting your neurodivergent children.
Starting with the next episode, the podcast wi...
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in children, teens, and adults - and is one of the most misunderstood.
In this deep dive episode, I walk you through what anxiety actually is (from both a clinical and practical lens), how it shows up in real life, and where to begin if you or your child are struggling.
Whether you're a parent, an educator, or someone navigating anxiety per...
This episode is a follow-up to the "Fall Start-Up" episode (#82). If you are a licensed educational psychologist (LEP), school psych, or school clinician, you're going to want to listen to this one. Winter is not coming... winter is HERE, and we are officially halfway through the school year. It's time to take stock of our to-do list, and how much we've been able (or not) to achieve so far. The point of this is not ...
This episode is a message for the community of Tumbler Ridge, British Colombia, who have recently experienced a tragedy at their secondary school.
To the people of Tumbler Ridge, the hearts of Canadians and people all over the world are with you. We are so deeply sorry for your loss.
If you have any questions or topics you want me to cover on the podcast, please email me at schoolpsychpodcast@gmail.c...
Join me as I sit down with school psychologist (with over 20 years of experience) David Krasky, to talk through some of the common parenting struggles we've all been through or are about to go through! This episode is for parents and caregivers who are interested in some tips and "perspective" (i.e., hard truth) for how we foster independence in our kids. This journey of "Raising Future Adults" is not for the faint ...
This conversation isn't about fixing kids, improving outcomes, or adding a bunch of new strategies to your plate. It's about what happens to our nervous systems when the environment feels unsettled - and why feeling irritable, exhausted, or checked out is not a personal or professional failure.
We explore:
- Why being an educator or parent nowadays might feel harder
- How chronic stress impacts the body
- Small, r...
One of the most common and emotionally loaded questions parents ask after a diagnosis is whether to tell their child.
In this episode, I'm speaking directly to parents who are weighing the benefits and risks of sharing diagnostic information with their child. We explore why there isn't a single "right" answer, but also how factors like age, understanding, and context matter. I'll also cover what parents are oft...
Many parents are surprised by how heavy things can feel after a diagnosis - sometimes heavier than before. Even when the diagnosis brings clarity or relief, it can also come with grief, worry, or a sense that everything suddenly feels more complicated.
In this episode, I'm speaking to parents who expected things to feel easier by now and are wondering why that hasn't happened yet. We talk about why this reactio...
After a new diagnosis, many parents feels pressure to start making changes everywhere - at home, at school, and in between. But trying to do everything at once often leads to more overwhelm, not more support.
In this episode, I'm speaking directly to parents who are wondering where to begin. We explore a helpful question - where is my child working hardest right now? - and why the answer isn't always a s straig...
January has a way of making everything feel urgent - especially if your child has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, a learning difference, or another form of neurodivergence. In this episode, I'm speaking directly to parents who are in teh early days after a diagnosis and feeling pressure to have a plan, make changes, or "get it right" as the new year begins. If you're feeling overhwlemed, behind, or unsure...
In this New Year's episode, I share a few of my own New Year's resolutions - not as goals to strive for, but as intentions grounded in care, sustainability, and realism. I also reflect on my hopes and wishes for parents and educators as we move into a new year together: wishes for gentler expectations, more compassion for ourselves and one another, and systems that better support the humans within them.
This ep...
In this episode, I share a more personal reflection about how I began to recognize the early signs of burnout in my own life - and the small but meaningful shifts I'm making to climb out of it.
As caregivers and educators, we're often skilled at noticing stress in others while minimizing it in ourselves. This episode explores what burnout can look like before it reaches a breaking point, how our values and role...
Self-care is often talked about as something we do - but rarely as something we define ourselves. In this replay episode, I invite parents, caregivers, and all educators to pause and consider what self-care truly means in the context of caring for others. By asking a series of gentle, thought-provoking questions, this episode encourages you to reflect on your needs, your values, and what actually helps you feel reso...
Welcome to the world of Social Thinking by Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke! In this episode, I tell you about Social Thinking, and introduce you to some key terms used in Social Thinking resources, such as the book "You Are A Social Detective!" I love using this resource in collaboration with classroom teachers, but I've heard of it being used in homeschool settings, small groups, private practices, or just...
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