In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with Elaine Taylor-Klaus to explore the challenges and strategies for raising neurodiverse teens. Elaine shares her personal journey as a mom of neurodiverse kids and how she became a coach to help other parents. They discuss the shifting perceptions of ADHD and autism, the increasing diagnoses, and why neurodiversity should be seen as an evolutionary adaptation rather than a deficit. The conversation focuses on collaborative problem-solving, trust-building, and fostering teen autonomy, as well as the role of medication in supporting neurodiverse youth.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
- How to shift your mindset around ADHD and autism
- The benefits of coaching for parents of neurodiverse teens
- Why collaborative problem-solving builds stronger parent-teen relationships
- The role of medication in supporting neurodiverse individuals
- How to empower your teen by meeting them where they are
- Coaching empowers parents and transforms family dynamics.
- ADHD can be an advantage when understood and managed properly.
- Medication is a tool, not a solution—its role varies for each child.
- Building trust leads to better communication and cooperation.
- Understanding neurodiversity benefits all kids, not just those diagnosed.
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- 00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity and Parenting Challenges
- 10:03 Understanding ADHD in Today's World
- 21:01 Supporting Neurodiverse Teens: A Coaching Approach
- 29:57 Key Takeaways for Parents of Neurodiverse Children
- Website: ImpactParents.com
- Instagram: @ImpactParents
- Facebook: @ImpactParents
- Twitter: @ElaineTKlaus
- LinkedIn: Elaine Taylor-Klaus
- Podcast: Parenting with Impact
- Website: AskDrCam.com
- Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
- TikTok: @the.teen.translator
- YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
- Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Cam (00:00) Welcome back to the show. Today we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart, supporting our neurodiverse teens. If you're parent navigating the unique challenges of raising a neurodiverse child, you don't want to miss this episode. Joining us is the incredible Elaine Taylor-Klaus, a master certified coach and a mom of six in an ADHD plus plus family. We're gonna explain what that is.
Elaine is a true thought leader in the field of neurodiversity, co-founding the first global coaching communities for parents of complex kids through Impact ADHD and ImpactParents.com. She's dedicated her career to educating and empowering parents like us, and her insights are invaluable. Elaine is here to help us understand how to nurture our teens so they can thrive. So if you're ready to transform the way you support your neurodiverse teen, stick around.
This episode is going to be packed with essential advice you don't want to miss. Welcome, Elaine.
Elaine Taylor-Klaus (she/her) (00:58) Thank you. It is great to be here. I love your energy. I'm excited.
Dr. Cam (01:02) I'm so glad to talk to you about this and I want to first hear about your story. A mom of six neurodiverse kids. Did I get that right?
Elaine Taylor-Klaus (she/her) (01:09) Not six, actually. I have three neurodiverse kids myself and my business partner Diane has three. And so I think that somehow got lost in the translation. Now that they're young adults and they each have partners, it feels like a mom of six.
Dr. Cam (01:18) is this what got you into this field or what really inspired you to focus on this?
Elaine Taylor-Klaus (she/her) (01:29) Yeah, yeah, yeah, totally. This is what got me in. I was a mom of three complex kids under the age of 10. I didn't even know what that meant. I just knew that I was struggling. My eldest kid was really not an easy kid to raise, had lots of dia
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