TPP 515: Dr. Emily King & the Neurodivergent Learner: A New Approach to Your Child's Success

TPP 515: Dr. Emily King & the Neurodivergent Learner: A New Approach to Your Child's Success

Author: Debbie Reber August 4, 2026 Duration: 48:33
Today we’re exploring a more holistic, humane approach to supporting neurodivergent learners — one that starts with understanding the nervous system and builds from there. My guest is Dr. Emily King, a child psychologist who has spent more than 20 years working with neurodivergent youth in both school settings and private practice. She’s the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional development curriculum for educators, and the author of her new book The Neurodivergent Learner, which we’ll be talking about today. In our conversation, Emily and I talk about why safety and regulation are foundational for learning, how relationships at school can shape outcomes in powerful ways, and what it means to redefine success for kids who don’t fit traditional models. We also explore practical ways parents can partner with schools to better support their children, and how shifting our lens can open up new possibilities for growth, connection, and well-being. About Dr. Emily King  Dr. Emily King is a child psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent learners for over 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and began her career in Houston, Texas, specializing in school-based mental health in K-12 public schools. She has since worked in private practice in North Carolina supporting the mental health, executive functioning, and social needs of neurodivergent youth. Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack, where she provides parent workshops, is the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom®, a professional development curriculum for educators, and her first book, The Neurodivergent Learner, was released in August 2026. Things you'll learn from this episode  How mental health, education, and neurodivergence are deeply interconnected in shaping a child’s experience Why building felt safety and a true sense of community at school is foundational for learning How navigating IEPs, homework, and behavior systems benefits from a flexible, relationship-centered approach Why prioritizing social satisfaction over social achievement supports authentic connection and well-being How parents can assess and choose school environments that truly fit their neurodivergent child Why leading with relationships and adaptability strengthens both parenting and advocacy Resources mentioned  Dr. Emily King’s website Learn with Dr. Emily (Emily’s Substack) Learn with Dr. Emily Podcast Dr. Emily on Instagram Dr. Emily on Facebook Free downloads on Emily’s website Redefining Success for Neurodivergent Children, with Dr. Emily (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children is a space for parents who are moving at the speed their kids require. Hosted by Debbie Reber, an author and activist who understands the terrain, this podcast offers more than just advice-it offers a sense of shared experience. Each episode delves into the real-world challenges and joys of raising children with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), giftedness, or twice-exceptional (2e) profiles. You’ll hear from specialists, educators, and therapists who provide actionable strategies, but the core of the conversation is always connection. Debbie guides discussions that move beyond theory to address the daily realities: managing meltdowns, advocating within school systems, nurturing a child’s unique strengths, and preserving your own well-being in the process. It’s a resource for those moments when standard parenting approaches fall short, offering insights that are both practical and deeply empathetic. Listening to this podcast feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who gets it, one that leaves you with tangible ideas and the reassurance that you’re not navigating this path alone. The focus is on building a supportive framework for your family, one episode at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
Podcast Episodes
TPP 266a: A Conversation with Poet and Advocate LeDerick Horne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
Performance poet and advocate LeDerick Horne talks about his journey with a hidden disability, his advocacy work, and how he found his love for poetry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
TPP 522: A Whole Child Approach to ADHD with Phil Boucher, M.D. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
Today I’m talking with Dr. Phil Boucher, a board-certified pediatrician who’s particularly interested in helping families understand and support kids with ADHD and help parents better understand their child, trust their…
TPP 521: A Conversation with Dr. Peter Gray About Restoring Childhood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:48
I’m talking with developmental psychologist Dr. Peter Gray about his new book, Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety, which challenges one of the dominant narratives about the youth mental healt…
TPP 253a: Advocate and Author Jonathan Mooney on Why Normal Sucks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:45
I’m excited to share this powerful and gut-punching conversation with Jonathan Mooney, a self-described “do-gooder,” speaker, and writer who didn’t learn to read until he was 12-years-old. Growing up with Dyslexia, Jonat…
TPP 519: Brendan Mahan on Overcoming the Wall of Awful [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:16
What if the reason you or your child can’t “just do the thing” is not laziness, but a Wall of Awful built from repeated frustration, shame, anxiety, and failure? Brendan Mahan breaks down the hidden emotional barrier beh…
TPP 518: Good Sleeping for Neurodivergent Kids, with Dr. Melisa Moore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:12
​Today we’re talking about the complex and often misunderstood sleep challenges that show up in neurodivergent kids with Dr. Melisa Moore, a clinical psychologist who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine and h…