Back-to-School Anxiety in Teens: Reframe It, Calm It, Support It

The weeks leading up to a new school year can bring excitement—but for many teens, they bring anxiety, disrupted sleep, and a rising sense of dread. In this episode, licensed therapist Jamie Roberts joins Jill Stowell to unpack what’s really happening in the brain during transitions, and how parents can support a calmer, more confident start to school.

Together, they explore:

• What the “fresh start effect” is—and how it can backfire
• Signs of back-to-school anxiety that parents often overlook
• Grounding tools and mindset shifts that help students feel safe and capable

Jamie also shares simple, science-backed mindfulness strategies from her book Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety, and explains how to help teens shift their inner narrative to one of resilience and emotional balance.

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SHOW NOTES

Jamie Roberts

ⓘ Instagram: @neurodivergenttherapist

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🌐 Equilibrium Counseling Services

🌐 NeuroPebble – Professional Training for Supporting Neurodivergent Youth

ⓘ Instagram: @neuropebble

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📕 Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety – A compassionate, practical guide to helping teens manage stress and overwhelm

Available on Amazon

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▶️ Jamie Roberts on the LD Expert Podcast: Teen Anxiety

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CONNECT WITH US

🌐 https://stowellcenter.com/

📞 877-774-0444

📞 https://stowellcenter.com/call/

The challenges associated with dyslexia or other learning disabilities can actually be dramatically improved when we stop using Band-Aid approaches and start strengthening the underlying skills that are missing or lagging. Contrary to popular belief, your child doesn’t have to “just live with it” for the rest of their life. Every day doesn’t have to be a battle.

Starting strong this school year isn’t about being a “good student”—it’s about learning how to learn.

In this episode of the LD Expert Podcast, Jill Stowell is joined by study skills coach Jessyka Coulter to share practical strategies that help middle and high school students feel more confident, organized, and in control of their learning.

You’ll hear:

• Why study skills matter more than subject content

• When and how to start teaching kids how to study

• The top 3 skills teens need now: note-taking, time management, and goal setting

• Tips for customizing study habits based on learning style

• How to handle unmotivated students—or unhelpful teachers

Jessyka’s “Love to Learn” method has helped countless students build the structure and mindset they need to succeed in school and beyond. If your child resists help or feels overwhelmed, this episode is packed with tools you can start using today.

2025 *Learn It* FREE Back-To-School Virtual Event Info and Registration Jessyka Coulter 🌐 Website: AceCookieTutoring.com ⓘ Instagram: @acecookietutoring ⓕ Facebook: @acecookietutoring Jessyka Coulter on the LD Expert Podcast ▶️ "Smart but Struggling" - What Does it Mean? - Jessyka Coulter, Love to Learn 2023 ▶️ How to Support Your Dyslexic Teen - Jessyka Coulter, Fall into High School & Beyond 2024

CONNECT WITH US

🌐 https://stowellcenter.com/

📞 877-774-0444

📞 https://stowellcenter.com/call/

The challenges associated with dyslexia or other learning disabilities can actually be dramatically improved when we stop using Band-Aid approaches and start strengthening the underlying skills that are missing or lagging. Contrary to popular belief, your child doesn’t have to “just live with it” for the rest of their life. Every day doesn’t have to be a battle.

When parenting feels like a daily battle, there’s usually more going on beneath the surface. This episode explores how behavior is communication—and how understanding sensory needs can bring peace, connection, and joy back into your home.

In this heartfelt episode, occupational therapist Cherie Francis-Boegeman joins Jill Stowell to explore how sensory needs, emotional safety, and connection can bring calm and joy back to your parenting journey. This conversation is real, validating, and full of hope.

In this episode:

✅ Why “bad behavior” is often a sign of lagging sensory and emotional skills

✅ The power of unstructured play and 3D movement in child development

✅ Practical ways to reduce meltdowns and reconnect as a family

SHOW NOTES

Cherie Francis-Boegeman

🌐 Launch Pad Therapy for Kids

📷 Instagram

📘 Facebook

Books Mentioned

📖 Sensory Integration and Learning Disorders – A. Jean Ayres

📖 Balanced and Barefoot – Angela J. Hanscom

Collaborative Problem Solving

🧠 About CPS and upcoming classes

▶️ What is CPS?

▶️ CPS episode with Stuart Ablon

▶️ CPS episode with Debra Ann Afarian

Connect with Stowell Learning Center

🌐 Visit our website

📞 Talk to a Learning Specialist

📞 877-774-0444

The challenges that come with dyslexia and learning differences don’t have to last a lifetime. When we stop using Band-Aid approaches and start strengthening the root skills that are missing, real, lasting change is possible—for your child and your family.

What if your child’s learning challenges could actually be eliminated—not just accommodated?

In this powerful conversation from The Freedom Scholar Podcast, host Kami Wanous and Jill Stowell uncover why smart kids struggle in school—and how learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD, and auditory processing issues don’t have to be lifelong. You’ll learn what’s really going on beneath the surface, why accommodations fall short, and what it takes to actually change the brain for lasting success.

🎧 In this episode:

• Why many bright students still struggle in school

• How underlying processing skills affect attention, learning, and confidence

• What it takes to correct—not just cope with—learning challenges

Download the free Learning Skills Continuum to better understand what skills your child needs to succeed → Download it here

Want to talk to a learning specialist about your child? Schedule a free call

Is screen time replacing playtime? The average child spends six hours a day on screens—but only minutes in unstructured outdoor play. What does this mean for brain development, focus, and emotional regulation?

In this episode, Jill Stowell sits down with Jena Ponti Jauchius, an expert in nature-based play and child development, to uncover the critical role of movement, environment, and sensory experiences in helping children thrive.

🎧 Listen in to learn: ✅ Why child-led, unstructured play is essential for learning ✅ The hidden impact of screens on kids’ nervous systems and self-regulation ✅ How classrooms and indoor spaces may be triggering anxiety in children ✅ Simple, practical changes to create sensory-friendly environments ✅ How outdoor play can naturally improve focus, mood, and overall well-being

Join us for this eye-opening conversation and discover how small shifts can create a big impact on your child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive.

🔗 Learn more about Stowell Learning Centers: https://stowellcenter.com

🌿 Find Jena Ponti Jauchius online: 🌐 Website: www.NisForNaturePlay.com 📷 Instagram: @NisForNaturePlay 📘 Facebook: N is for Nature Play

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and share—let’s get kids moving, playing, and thriving!

"The real problem for learning disabilities and dyslexia lies in weak or inefficient underlying skills. When we identify and develop those skills, everything changes." – Jill Stowell

Discover how to address dyslexia and learning challenges at their root with Jill Stowell, founder of Stowell Learning Centers. In this episode, Jill shares why dyslexia isn’t a permanent condition, the skills critical for overcoming learning struggles, and practical tips for parents to support their children.

Takeaways include: ✅ Why strengthening underlying skills transforms learning outcomes. ✅ How to identify and improve key skills like auditory and visual processing. ✅ Actionable strategies to help kids thrive in school, college, and beyond.

Sign up for our newsletter to access free resources, including: ➡️ Dyslexia Accommodations: Temporary classroom supports for your child. ➡️ Free eBook: At Wits’ End: A Parent’s Guide to Ending the Struggle, Tears, and Turmoil of Learning Disabilities. ➡️ Executive Function Cheat Sheet: Tools to help build critical executive skills.

📞 Speak with a learning specialist: https://stowellcenter.com/learning-specialist-call/ 🔗 Register for free resources: https://stowellcenter.com/newsletter

The holidays can be a magical time of year, but for many kids, the change in routine, extra excitement, and new faces can lead to overwhelm and dysregulation.

In this episode of the LD Expert Podcast, Jill shares seven simple, effective tips for helping kids stay calm, regulated, and connected during the holiday season.

From maintaining a predictable routine to creating a “safe zone” for breaks and focusing on connection over perfection, these strategies are designed to make the holidays enjoyable for everyone.

Whether you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child or simply looking for ways to reduce holiday stress, these practical tips will help your family find peace amidst the festivities.

7 Tips to Keep Kids Calm During the Holidays:

1. Stick to a predictable routine
2. Use visual schedules
3. Prepare for visitors with a “safe zone”
4. Incorporate movement for energy release
5. Monitor sugar intake
6. Model calm behavior
7. Focus on connection over perfection

📍 If you would like to speak with a Learning Specialist (for free!) about your child, give us a call at (877) 774-0444 or click https://stowellcenter.com

MORE RESOURCES

Newsletter: Stay connected! A couple times a month, you'll get a message from Jill and we'll highlight essential resources that you can use now at home and in the classroom. When you sign up for our newsletter, you'll get instant lifetime access to all of our free downloadable guides. Free Dyslexia and Learning Disability Quiz: Do you suspect that you or someone you know has dyslexia, or a learning and attention challenge? Take our free quiz to find out in less than 10-minutes. If dyslexia or a learning and attention challenge is detected, you'll receive recommendations on the best next steps to resolve these challenges.

Does your child find writing frustrating or exhausting?

In this episode, Jill gives some essential (and actionable) tips to help students with dysgraphia develop stronger writing skills and more confidence.

You'll learn:

• How to help your child turn writing prompts into questions to spark ideas
• Strategies to support spelling and vocabulary without overwhelming your child
• Simple techniques to improve letter formation and writing ease

Writing doesn't have to be a constant struggle. With the right support, your child can learn to write with confidence and clarity.

If you’d like to speak with a learning specialist (it's free), give us a call at 877-774-0444 or click here.

SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES

• Alphabet 8's Demonstration Video: This is a technique to improve letter formation by integrating both hemispheres of the brain.
• Handwriting Without Tears Paper
  • Learn more about it here.
  • Or get it on Amazon here.
• Take the Stone Out of the Shoe by Jill Stowell - Chapter 7: Recognizing Challenges With Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Basic Academics.
• Newsletter: Stay connected! A couple times a month, you'll get a message from Jill and we'll highlight essential resources that you can use now at home and in the classroom. When you sign up for our newsletter, you'll get instant lifetime access to all of our free downloadable guides, including: - Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and ADHD: Key Characteristics and Strategies to Support
• Dyslexia and Learning Disability Quiz: Do you suspect that you or someone you know has dyslexia, or a learning and attention challenge? Take our free quiz to find out in less than 10-minutes. If dyslexia or a learning and attention challenge is detected, you'll receive recommendations on the best next steps to resolve these challenges.