In this deeply important episode, we briefly explore legislation like Bill 33 in Ontario intersects with the realities of parenting, education, and mental health-especially for children who struggle with behavioral challenges such as ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder), and ADHD.

But we go beyond policy to focus on the human stories behind the diagnoses: the children who feel misunderstood, the parents navigating broken systems, and the educators striving to do more with less.

We talk about the critical role of nervous system regulation, not just for students, but for the adults guiding them. And most importantly, we explore how building connection, community, and a culture of care in schools and homes is key to reducing loneliness, isolation, and even suicidal ideation in young people.

This episode is a call to action—for more compassion, more leadership, and more systemic change that centers belonging and relationship.

🔍 Topics Covered:

• A brief oveview of Bill 33
• The real-life implications for students with behavioral and emotional regulation challenges
• Why nervous system regulation and co-regulation are foundational in school settings
• The invisible emotional toll on educators and leadership: burnout, pressure, and responsibility
• Connection over correction: how school culture can promote healing and resilience
• The essential role of community, culture, and belonging in preventing youth loneliness and suicidal ideation
• Practical ways to support struggling students through a trauma-informed lens
• How principals and educational leaders can be change agents in systemic transformation

Bria Wannamaker, RP.
@therapywithbria_
www.briawannamakerpsychotherapy.com

As always, please remember that these podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical healthcare or mental healthcare. Podcasts are available as an educational and entertainment resource and are not advice, recommendations, or suggestions. Please seek out the necessary professional services if you require assistance.

Episode Summary:
In this powerful and grounding episode, we explore a common but often misunderstood experience for people with ADHD: zoning out. But we’re not just talking about distraction — we’re diving deep into the why behind this behavior, especially through a trauma-informed lens.

You’ll learn how zoning out can be a nervous system response tied to dysregulation, overwhelm, or past trauma, rather than laziness or lack of motivation. We’ll unpack what’s happening in the brain and body during these moments, and why traditional focus-based advice often misses the mark for neurodivergent folks.

What We Cover:

• What zoning out looks like in ADHD (beyond just being “distracted”)
• The role of the nervous system in dissociation and freeze responses
• How trauma history can amplify zoning out patterns
• Why grounding and regulation are more effective than forcing attention
• Practical, body-based tools to come back online and reconnect
• How to cultivate more awareness and compassion for your ADHD brain

Tools & Takeaways:

• Grounding techniques you can use in the moment
• Simple nervous system check-ins to notice when you're drifting
• How to create safety in your body to support presence and focus
• Permission to release shame around “spacing out”

Read more on my blog here.

Bria Wannamaker, RP.
@therapywithbria_
www.briawannamakerpsychotherapy.com

As always, please remember that these podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical healthcare or mental healthcare. Podcasts are available as an educational and entertainment resource and are not advice, recommendations, or suggestions. Please seek out the necessary professional services if you require assistance.

Join us for an insightful discussion with Alex Glecoff from Behaviour Ally, exploring the intersection of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), behavioural change, and neurodivergent individuals. Discover how ACT principles can be tailored to empower neurodivergent clients and promote compassionate, identity-affirming therapy.

Read more on my blog here.

Topics Covered:

• Definition and core processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, mindfulness, values-based action.
• Its alignment with behavioural frameworks and RFT (Relational Frame Theory)
• Discussion of ACT’s strong research base across stress, mental health, and behaviour change.
• Identifying unhelpful patterns using the ACT “hexaflex” model.
• Shaping new behaviours via values-driven goals.
• The importance of mindfulness and emotional acceptance in facilitating sustainable change.

Bria Wannamaker, RP.
@therapywithbria_
www.briawannamakerpsychotherapy.com

As always, please remember that these podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical healthcare or mental healthcare. Podcasts are available as an educational and entertainment resource and are not advice, recommendations, or suggestions. Please seek out the necessary professional services if you require assistance.