243: A Difference-Maker in the World of Neurodivergence

Celebrating Neurodivergence

Today’s show introduces you to a difference-maker in the world of neurodivergence. Her collective endeavors to advocate for kids, parents, and families are truly making a difference. Join us to learn more!

Debbie Reber is an author, speaker, and parenting activist. In 2016, she founded Tilt Parenting, a website, top podcast, and online community aimed at helping parents raise differently wired kids from a place of confidence, connection, and joy. Debbie’s most recent book is Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope.

In this episode:

Get to know Debbie, who lives in Brooklyn with her husband and 17-year-old neurodivergent child; they lived in the Netherlands for several years prior to moving back to the US
Why Debbie is intensely passionate about learning, being curious about everything, writing, helping kids and families, and running
How Debbie’s personal brand of intensity comes through in her inability to stop doing things and not being able to stop or rest
She grew up as a misunderstood child and class clown who channeled her energy into sports because it was the one area in which she was competent
As a high school student, she worked just hard enough to get by and didn’t care about applying herself
Cultural factors that affected Debbie: her family didn’t prioritize academics and didn’t teach her to value herself; there were strict religious rules that she wasn’t allowed to question
Debbie’s best friend’s family were the ones who introduced her to museums, travel, and a world outside her small Pennsylvania town
How Debbie learned to tone herself down during her college years because she wanted to be perceived in a certain way to achieve her “means to an end”
Why Debbie felt close to burnout during COVID and learned to prioritize what’s really important to her
She has learned to enjoy her life more and not work so much
Debbie uses her fire and drive to help people and make a difference
Making things sparks her and fulfills her
She has learned to be really organized from her beginning with poor executive functioning skills and is constantly hacking her own systems and processes
Debbie’s discipline around exercise and fitness is the key to mental and emotional health for her
How Debbie helps others use their fire by helping them create the lives they want
Why Debbie began Tilt Parenting almost six years ago because there were so few resources for parents of neurodivergent kids
More and more adults talking about their neurodivergence is helping to “fuel the movement