School Refusal or Avoidance: When Your Child CAN'T Go To School

The Dad Central Show

Parents often struggle with understanding and supporting their neurodivergent children, especially when it comes to issues like school avoidance and behavioral challenges. They want to find ways to connect with and support their children more effectively without feeling overwhelmed or confused by their behaviors.

In this episode, Ed and Drew talk through the complexities of neurodiverse families with the amazing Penny Williams, a parenting coach specializing in ADHD and autism.

Here are the top three takeaways from this enlightening conversation:

1. Embracing the Power of Yet:

- Using the word "yet" at the end of statements can create a positive and growth-oriented mindset for parents and children alike.

- It reassures that certain skills or abilities may not have developed yet, encouraging a more patient and understanding approach.

2. Creating a Collaborative Parenting Team:

- Parents should strive to be on the same page, even if their parenting styles differ.

- Staying informed about your child's activities and showing up at appointments and meetings can create a strong support system for your child.

3. Shifting Mindsets to Understand Behavior:

- It's crucial to move from a behavior-based lens to a brain-based lens when interpreting a neurodivergent child's behavior.

- Adopting a compassionate understanding and judgment-free approach is essential for effective communication and support.

This episode provides valuable insights into understanding and supporting neurodiverse families, from embracing a growth-oriented mindset to fostering collaborative parenting and shifting perspectives on behavior. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of their children's struggles and how to support them effectively, creating a more harmonious and supportive environment at home.

We appreciate each and every one of our listeners for joining us on this journey. If you found this episode valuable, please consider sharing it with other parents who could benefit. Your feedback and support mean the world to us!

As Penny Williams wisely said, "Parent the child you have, not the child you wish you had." Let's take a moment to reflect on this and strive to embrace and support our children in their unique journeys.

About Penny Williams

A parenting coach for neurodiverse families, Penny Williams is the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions, host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, host of the annual Neurodiversity Summits, and co-creator of The Behavior Revolution Program, a parent training program designed to change the narrative on behavior and help parents celebrate and support their kids with ADHD or autism through neuroscience-backed insights, hard-won strategies, compassion, and guidance. Penny empowers parents to help their neurodivergent kids — and families — thrive.

About The Dad Central Show

Dads love to see their kids grow into confident and successful adults. The problem is most dads feel unsure how to get there and have nowhere to turn for help.

The Dad Central Show coaches you to be your best, while bringing out the best in your family.

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7 STEP GUIDE TO STOP YELLING: Our guide is based on extensive research and experience working with parents just like you. We’ll guide you through each step, offering practical tips, strategies, and exercises to help you understand your triggers, improve your communication skills, and foster a more harmonious relationship with your children, ultimately becoming a more confident and effective dad: https://dadcentral.ca/7-step-guide-to-stop-yelling/