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Episode105: Connection Over Control: Parenting Neurodivergent Kids with Lisa Chan

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.

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