In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we explore Low Demand Parenting by Amanda Diekman — a compassionate and practical approach gaining attention among parenting circles and neurodivergent communities. Drawing from Diekman’s lived experience as a late-diagnosed PDA autistic woman, pastor, parent coach, and mother of neurodivergent children, the book offers a roadmap for parents raising kids who struggle to meet typical expectations.

I unpack the six-step framework Amanda outlines — from assessing and dropping demands to creating safety and building a low-demand life — and share real-world examples to make it tangible (yes, even the dreaded “put on your shoes” scenario). We’ll discuss how this approach differs from permissive parenting, the boundaries it maintains, and why connection-based parenting sits at its heart.

Alongside the strengths, I also offer a reality check: what to consider if you can’t completely drop demands due to work, school, or other commitments, and the emotional resilience this approach requires from parents. You’ll hear about:

• How low demand parenting can lower stress and restore calm at home

• Practical adjustments to demands without sacrificing safety or values

• The difference between permissive parenting and intentional, low-demand choices

• Ways to work with your brain and nervous system as a parent

• Why professional or peer support can be key when implementing change

Whether you’re a parent of a child with high anxiety, strong demand avoidance, or you simply feel like every request turns into a meltdown, this episode provides tools, perspectives, and encouragement. Take what works for your family, leave what doesn’t, and remember — parenting differently takes courage, but it can also bring relief, connection, and hope.

Episode Notes & Links:

Amanda Diekman’s Information:
📖 Low Demand Parenting – The Book
📸 @lowdemandamanda on Instagram

Resources for Families:
🔹 Problem Solving with Your Child – Free Guide

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this powerful and validating episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, I’m joined by the insightful Lisa Chan — former Pediatric Occupational Therapist and creator of the Chaos to Calm course — to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface of our kids’ challenging behaviors, and what parents can do when traditional parenting approaches just aren’t working.

Together, we explore the critical skills that so many neurodivergent children struggle with — sensory overwhelm, executive functioning, and emotional regulation — and how these difficulties are often misunderstood as laziness, defiance, or disorganization. Lisa shares her practical, compassionate approach that helps families move from constant conflict to deeper connection.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why your child’s behavior isn’t your failure — or theirs

• How executive functioning struggles show up in everyday life (and how to support them)

• The real reason your mornings feel like chaos — and how to shift the dynamic

• Why slowing down is not a weakness, but a necessity for both kids and parents

• How early support builds long-term independence (without creating dependence)

• The emotional toll of a world not designed for neurodivergent kids — and how parents can buffer that

If you’re raising a child with ADHD, autism, sensory differences, or emotional regulation challenges — and feeling like you're stuck in a cycle of meltdowns, nagging, or guilt — this episode will help you breathe a little easier. You are not alone, and you are not doing it wrong. It’s time to shift the approach.

Links & Resources:

• 🌐 Lisa's website: thelisachan.com

• 📚 Free tools & guides: thelisachan.com/resources

• 🎓 Chaos to Calm parenting course: thelisachan.com/course
  
  

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
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Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this powerful and practical episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, host Leanne Tran, psychologist and parent, explores the unique challenges autistic children face in school environments—and how parents can advocate effectively for the support their kids need.

Drawing on her dual perspective as both a psychologist and a parent, Leanne unpacks:

• Why primary schools can be overwhelming for autistic kids—sensory overload, social fatigue, executive functioning struggles, and masking expectations

• The invisible signs of stress your child might be experiencing, even if everything looks "fine" at school

• What meaningful and proactive support looks like in a school setting, including visual schedules, sensory accommodations, movement breaks, social/emotional support, and flexible transition planning

• How to talk to your child’s teacher and school in a collaborative, empowered way (without feeling like “that parent”)

This episode is not about generic checklists—it’s about individualising your child’s support plan based on their real needs and strengths.

Leanne also shares a free downloadable guide to help parents start school-based conversations and advocate for their child's wellbeing. You can find it here: https://learn.leannetran.com.au/free

Whether your child is already diagnosed, you're in the process of assessment, or you're simply trying to figure out how to help them feel less overwhelmed at school, this episode is full of compassionate advice and actionable steps.

Tune in to feel empowered, informed, and ready to help your child not just survive—but thrive—in the classroom.

The guide for advocating for your child with confidence is here:
👉 https://learn.leannetran.com.au/free

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

How do we become the kind of parent our kids actually need—especially when they’re autistic, neurodivergent, or simply wired differently than we expected? This episode unpacks one of the most essential but often misunderstood parenting skills: attunement—or simply, tuning in.

Whether you're raising an autistic child, have ADHD yourself, or just sometimes feel out of sync with your kid, this conversation offers the clarity, tools, and perspective to shift from confusion to connection.

What You’ll Learn:

• What attunement really means—and how it can prevent trauma

• How to read a child’s unspoken cues and respond in a way that builds trust

• Why kids don’t need to be “fixed”—just seen, heard, and accepted

• The role of boundaries, validation, and emotional presence in strengthening the parent-child relationship

• Simple, actionable steps to help children feel safe to be exactly who they are

Rooted in both clinical insight and lived experience, this episode is practical, heartfelt, and deeply affirming. A powerful reminder that perfection isn't the goal—presence is.

Why Listen:
For any parent wanting their child to grow up knowing they are enough—without having to perform, mask, or change to be loved—this episode is a must-listen. Especially valuable for those raising autistic or neurodivergent children and seeking to build emotional safety, resilience, and lasting connection.

Show Notes:
✨ Free Resource: Download the Connection Through Collection guide to help build everyday routines that foster stronger connection:
👉 learn.leannetran.com.au/free

Have questions or reflections? Head to the website to get in touch.

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this insightful and heartwarming episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we return from the school holiday break refreshed—and ready to dive back into a crucial topic in our autism series: why stimming matters for autistic kids.

Stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, often includes repetitive movements, sounds, or phrases like hand flapping, rocking, or echolalia. It’s frequently misunderstood or discouraged by well-meaning adults—but what if we’ve been thinking about it all wrong?

This episode reframes stimming not as a problem to fix, but as a vital form of emotional regulation and joyful expression. Drawing on inspiration from the recent Yellow Ladybugs conference (featuring Sandhya Menon from Onwards and Upwards Psychology), we explore:

🔹 Why stims help autistic children regulate their nervous systems
🔹 How suppressing stimming can lead to shutdown, masking, or emotional overwhelm
🔹 The difference between stress stims and joy stims
🔹 Supportive strategies to help your child regulate at home and school
🔹 How to shift your mindset from “How do I stop this?” to “How can I support this?”

With warmth, clarity, and practical advice, this episode will empower you to tune into your child’s unique needs, embrace their ways of coping, and support their emotional wellbeing.

💡 A must-listen for parents, educators, and professionals seeking to better understand and support autistic kids—with compassion and respect.

🎙️ Listen now and learn why stimming is more than OK—it’s essential.

🌐 Resources mentioned in the episode:

• 🧭 Free guide for advocating for your child at school: learn.leannetran.com.au/free

• 📘 Helpful resources from Sandhya Menon and Onwards and Upwards Psychology: onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/worksheets

• 💛 More about Yellow Ladybugs: yellowladybugs.com.au

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

In this powerful and insightful episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, Dr. Jari Evertsz unpacks one of the most common misconceptions in modern parenting — that teenagers are supposed to behave well all the time. Drawing from her professional expertise and personal experiences as a parent to a 14-year-old, Dr. Evertsz offers a compassionate and realistic view of adolescence, one that invites parents to stop panicking and start understanding.

As teenagers navigate hormonal changes, academic pressure, social media, peer influence, and intense shifts in brain development, it’s no wonder their behavior can seem unpredictable or challenging. But Dr. Evertsz reminds us: this isn't a sign of failure — it’s a sign of growth.

You’ll learn:

• Why parents are often shocked by teen behavior — and why that reaction is normal

• How to shift expectations when your child enters high school

• Practical strategies for responding to emotional volatility and defiance

• Why humor, boundaries, and emotional regulation matter more than ever

• How to support your teen’s development without escalating conflict

• The importance of focusing on long-term skills like resilience, empathy, and self-regulation

Dr. Evertsz also introduces key themes from her book, which includes real-world scripts, boundary-setting advice, and tools to help you respond when things go off the rails. Whether you're raising a teen who’s struggling with everyday challenges or navigating more serious issues like anxiety, behavioral concerns, or learning differences, this episode offers clarity, direction, and reassurance.

Parenting teens doesn’t have to feel like survival mode. With the right mindset and skills, you can parent with more confidence, less fear, and a deeper connection to your growing child.

Listen now to gain a fresh perspective on parenting teens — and learn why it’s okay that your teenager isn’t perfect.

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au