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Autism & Neurodiversity

Jason & Debbie Grygla

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Parenting or working with neurodivergent children, teens, or young adults? Join us Jason Grygla, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Founder and Director of NeuroDev, a specialized mentoring program for neurodivergent young adults, and Debbie Grygla, Certified Parent Coach as we share practical tools, expert insights, and personal experiences to help you better support neurodivergents and foster their growth, development, and emotional well-being.
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You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and doing everything you can to help your neurodivergent loved one. So why does it still feel like nothing’s working? You’re not alone. We’ve been there too—desperate for answers, bouncing from expert to expert, trying every intervention, school, and strategy we could find… and still feeling stuck in survival mode. In…
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Ever catch yourself wondering "Am I doing too much… or not enough?" Whether you're stepping in to help your child solve a problem—or stepping back to let them figure it out—finding that balance can feel like walking a tightrope. You might be working overtime to fix, rescue, or guide every decision, only to feel exhausted… or you might pull back too…
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If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I support my child’s authentic self while helping them navigate the real world?”—you’re not alone. You’ve heard about neurodivergent affirming care and its emphasis on acceptance, but there’s still a challenge: How do we strike the balance between honoring individuality and addressing the practical demands of life? …
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If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this keep happening?!”—whether it’s battles over transitions, screen time, or meltdowns—you’re not alone. You try different strategies, set boundaries, offer choices… yet you keep getting stuck in the same frustrating cycles. The truth is, the situation isn’t actually the problem—it’s how we think about the situati…
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Is it that they can’t—or that they won’t? In this episode, we break down the common struggle of distinguishing between genuine inability and refusal in neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults. We explore: • Why challenges can feel insurmountable due to unique brain wiring • How to avoid power struggles and foster autonomy • The neural response…
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If you've ever found yourself saying "Calm down!" during your child's meltdown—only to watch it make things worse—you're not alone. The truth is, neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults don't just know how to regulate their emotions... it's a skill that needs to be taught and developed. But here's the kicker: emotional regulation isn't som…
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“Why won’t they just change their mind?” If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by a neurodivergent loved one’s black-and-white thinking or their refusal to reconsider a decision, you’re not alone. In this episode of Autism & Neurodiversity, we explore the common pattern of what Jason calls "rigid decisiveness." We unpack how this behavior—often …
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Ever feel like your child’s emotions are a tornado, and you’re just trying to hold on? It’s exhausting, isn’t it? But here’s the truth: the key to helping your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult regulate their emotions starts with your calm. In this episode of Autism & Neurodiversity with Jason & Debbie, I’m sharing why emotional regulation…
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Does it feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re not seeing the progress you hoped for with your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult? It’s easy to get caught up in the results we want, but sometimes, that focus can leave us feeling frustrated and disconnected. In this episode, we’ll dive into a fresh perspective that can help you feel mo…
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The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection, but it can also bring a lot of stress—especially when your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult struggles to navigate the busyness and expectations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to balance it all, this episode is for you. Join me as we explore how to find meaningful moment…
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Does your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult seem to get stuck when facing challenges? Do they shut down or withdraw easily? If you're looking for ways to help them build resilience and navigate life's ups and downs with more confidence, this episode is for you. Join us as I share seven powerful beliefs that can transform your approach and …
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Ever feel like you’re stuck in a waiting game, hoping your child, teen, or young adult will finally find the motivation to move forward? It’s a common struggle, especially when you’re parenting an autistic and/or neurodivergent, but here’s the hard truth: waiting for motivation is a losing strategy. In this episode of the Autism and Neurodiversity …
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Does your brilliant child, teen, or young adult struggle with everyday tasks? It can be incredibly frustrating when they aren’t living up to their IQ potential. Society often equates intelligence with success, but the reality is more complex. Research also shows that those with high IQs have brains that may actually be getting in the way of their s…
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Join us for this chat with Josh Doyle, an Educational Consultant, with over 25 years of experience focused on helping children, adolescents, and young adults with challenges in learning, attention, social, emotional or behavioral issues. He also helps young adults who are struggling to find the traction necessary to move forward into independence. …
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What if the key to helping neurodivergent young people thrive isn't about intensive therapies, but something far more fundamental: human connection? Join hosts Jason and Debbie Grygla as they chat with Cam Sherman, the new executive director of the new NeuroDev Raleigh campus (formerly known as TechieForLife), about the transformative power of conn…
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Feeling frustrated and discouraged when your efforts to motivate your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult fall flat? We all want to support our young people in being motivated to do the things that will help them be more successful and happy. But often our efforts to help just lead to frustration, disconnect, and negative spirals. In this ep…
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Do you find yourself frustrated when you correct your child, teen, or young adult and you’re met with resistance? On today’s episode of Autism & Neurodiversity, I’ll be sharing how one simple shift in communication, inspired by the recent river rafting trip we took our student on, can lead to improved emotional regulation, skill development, and in…
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Are traditional goal-setting methods like SMART goals failing your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult? In this episode, discover a fresh perspective on fostering growth and connection. Learn why focusing on tasks rather than attributes like kindness and empathy can lead to stress and avoidance, and how an approach rooted in Eastern philosop…
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Let's talk about clutter! Anxiety, stress, and distractions plague our young people, especially our neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults. Reducing life clutter and focusing on the principals of minimalism can help. Learn the benefits of a minimalistic life approach and why it's a natural fit for our neurodivergent young people. Gain str…
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We all would like to have meaningful connections with our children, teens, and young adults, and some of our young people are hard to connect with for various reasons. They require different approaches. The quality of our relationships impact our loved one's development and well-being. Discover some strategies for creating meaningful connections an…
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Parenting comes with challenges. If you're parenting neurodivergents like children, teens, and young adults who are autistic, ADHDers, or have learning differences, those challenges can quickly turn into regular crises. In this episode, Jason discusses the personal and developmental aspects of responding to crises, contrasting it with professional …
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Independence isn't an age (18) or destination, it's having the skills to self-govern, self-advocate, and get needs met in healthy ways. Nurturing independence is important for toddlers to teens to twenty-somethings, and our autistic and neurodivergent young people often need more support. Providing either too much or too little support can impede d…
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Autism is often confused with narcissism. Autistic traits are often misinterpreted as narcissistic. In this episode Jason delves into the complex relationship between autism and narcissism, highlighting the unique ways in which self-centeredness manifests in individuals on the autism spectrum. By exploring the neurological differences that contribu…
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The disabling effects of time blindness in neurodivergent individuals are often underestimated, overshadowed by more apparent symptoms. This common but often misunderstood trait in neurodivergent individuals, can have profound consequences on their daily lives and future prospects. Unlike mere forgetfulness or distraction, time blindness presents a…
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Have you ever felt frustrated because you couldn't get your autistic or neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult to do something desirable or stop doing something undesirable? You've tried so many things and it's not working. Many parents and people working with young people get stuck in negative behavioral focused patterns. On today's episode of…
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Are you tired of trying to make traditional parenting approaches work for you? Ready to make a profound shift that fosters genuine connections and sustainable growth for your child, teen, or young adult? In this episode, we explore the transformative power of NDM™ NeuroDevelopmental Mentoring and how adopting a mentor mindset can revolutionize your…
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Friends, Hello! We've got something exciting to share with you in this episode! You know, parenting can be a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to raising neurodivergent young people. But, guess what? It doesn't have to be a struggle without hope. In today's episode, we're peeling back the curtain on our personal transformation moments and the…
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Parenting neurodivergents and those who have struggles can be overwhelming, especially when faced with conflicting advice. In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of choosing a framework to operate from. Learn how selecting a clear direction can help you move beyond confusion and towards effective solutions. Discover the key to targe…
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Parenting neurodivergent children can be challenging, and relying on quick fixes may seem like an easy solution. However, these quick fixes can lead to long-term damage and hinder sustainable development. On today's episode of the Autism & Neurodiversity podcast, I'm discussing the pitfalls of using quick fixes and highlighting the importance of em…
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Parenting can be hard, especially when you have an autistic or neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult. It's easy to find yourself constantly reacting to your loved one's undesirable or challenging behaviors. And... it's a stressful way to be parenting. Reactive approaches fall short of addressing your young person's needs, and it's a damaging c…
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Ever get discourage with trying to connect with your neurodivergent teen or young adult? You're not alone. This 3-part episode series dives into the crucial, yet often overlooked, link between neurodiversity (like ADHD or autism) and attachment styles. Experts Jason Grygla, LCMHC, MA and Dr. Jack Hinman, with over 50 years of combined experience, u…
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Ever get discourage with trying to connect with your neurodivergent teen or young adult? You're not alone. This 3-part episode series dives into the crucial, yet often overlooked, link between neurodiversity (like ADHD or autism) and attachment styles. Experts Jason Grygla, LCMHC, MA and Dr. Jack Hinman, with over 50 years of combined experience, u…
  continue reading
 
Ever get discourage with trying to connect with your neurodivergent teen or young adult? You're not alone. This 3-part episode series dives into the crucial, yet often overlooked, link between neurodiversity (like ADHD or autism) and attachment styles. Experts Jason Grygla, LCMHC, MA and Dr. Jack Hinman, with over 50 years of combined experience, u…
  continue reading
 
Feeling the holiday squeeze? The holidays can be magical... and manic, especially when your neurodivergent loved ones are on sensory overload. In this Part 3 of our holiday stress-busting mini-series, we dive deep into the hidden challenges that neurodivergent kids face and uncover a key strategy for calmer holidays or any time for years to come. B…
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Feeling frazzled instead of festive? The holidays bring joy, but for families with neurodivergent children, the season can be a sensory overload meltdown-maker. Part 2 in this mini-series on reducing stress I'll help you understand the hidden challenges that add to stress and one of the keys to calmer holidays or anytime for years to come. Be sure …
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Holiday season is here, bringing festive cheer but also potential meltdowns for families with autistic and neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults. In part one of this mini-series, I have some important perspectives to support you in taking care of yourself and your loved ones so that you can enjoy more of the good stuff over the holidays …
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Parenting is one of those jobs that rarely matches up with our expectations. The challenges of parenting an autistic or neurodivergent is an experience many of us were not well prepared for. Sometimes it's hard to adjust our expectations for what it would be like, what our child would be like, and what our definitions of success look like. If you a…
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It takes resilience to grow, develop, and be happy and successful in life when we have very real struggles. Resilient children, teens, and young adults are more willing to try things and try at them for longer. Low resilience leads to giving up quickly or even refusing to try. Get some insightful tips on how to foster resilience in your child, teen…
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Parenting an autistic and/or neurodivergent child can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. As they transition into adulthood, the question of independence often arises. In this episode, Jason explores practical strategies to help neurodivergent young adults navigate the path to self-reliance. Join him as he delves into essential life skills, sel…
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Do you want to raise a confident child, teen or young adult? One who is not afraid to take risks, try new things, and perseveres in the face of challenges? When you get skilled at building their self-confidence you can help them be more successful even if they are autistic, an ADHDer or neurodivergent with disabilities that make things extra challe…
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Do you have a teen or young adult in your life who is pulling away from you? If so, you're not alone. Many teens and young adults but especially autistic and neurodivergents go through a phase where they need to distance themselves from their parents in order to grow and develop their own identity. When you understand why neurodivergent young peopl…
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Our young people, especially our autistic and neurodivergent, thrive when they're met with support and empathy, and spiral down when they're met with shame-based approaches and rejection. It can be challenging to offer empathy, especially when your child, teen, or young adult is behaving negatively or acting out. But empathy is an essential tool fo…
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Does your autistic or neurodivergent loved one swing between manic, over the top, emotions and depression? In this episode, Jason talks about the challenges of extreme swings in emotionally dysregulated states. This can lead to problems in their relationships, at work, and in other areas of their lives. Being more aware of the signs of mania can he…
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Have you ever tried to stop yelling at your kids, only to find yourself yelling again? Have you tried rewarding and punishing, but it's not working? If so, you're not alone. Many of us were parented with shame-based approaches, and we may be unintentionally using the same approaches with our own kids. But the research shows that shame-based parenti…
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Time blindness is a common challenge for autistics and neurodivergents. It can make it difficult to estimate how long it will take to complete a task, to plan ahead, and to meet deadlines. This can lead to frustration and anxiety for both parents and their children. Understanding some of the nuances of time blindness can help us develop more suppor…
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Have you ever felt powerless, confused, angry, or resentful because you were struggling to hold healthy boundaries with your child, teen, or young adult? Or maybe you thought you were holding boundaries, but they felt ineffective or even damaging to your relationship? In this episode, I share my insights on how to set healthy boundaries with love, …
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Learn how saying 'yes' can strengthen bonds, promote open communication, and guide your child's growth. Discover practical strategies to shift from conflict to connection, leading to empowered, confident kids. Tune in for a fresh perspective on effective parenting. Follow "Debbie Grygla" on Instagram 👉 If this episode resonated with you, we’d love …
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If you've ever felt stuck in your attempts to build a meaningful bond, Debbie is here to share a powerful tool that can transform your relationship into one of influence and connection. Discover how this tool can lead to better support for your child's success, development, and overall happiness while enhancing the joy and fulfillment you experienc…
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"How do you motivate them?" It helps to understand dopamine, the neurotransmitter connected with feeling good and motivated. ADHDers have issues with dopamine levels and transmission. They need more support to increase their dopamine. Novelty is a powerful tool that can help. Follow "Debbie Grygla" on Instagram. 👉 If this episode resonated with you…
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In this episode we explore what may appear as laziness or self-sabotage, but is actually a battle with three anxiety-induced barriers. These common barriers overwhelm and frustrate neurodivergent individuals, hindering their progress. Learn how mindful and intentional mentoring can guide them towards taking that leap of faith, break free of barrier…
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