Social Skills Unscripted

The number one concern I hear from parents is that their child or teen or young adult doesn't have friends. That is by far the primary reason parents enroll their kiddos in my program.

The second most common observation parents share with me is that their kiddo doesn't get social clues and cues. Th...

I've been noticing a lot of articles and posts lately about emotional regulation. I've even seen it mentioned that difficulty with regulating emotions is the ONE symptom of ADHD that everyone who is diagnosed experiences. 

Because of this, terms like 'overreactive', 'maladaptive', and 'dysfuncti...

I often struggle to describe exactly what I teach to the students in the program here at Starfish. Partly because my ADHD brain has a hard time translating my thoughts into words sometimes, and partly because there is just SO much that goes on here!  

I usually use the term 'social skills' to d...

Have you ever been part of a conversation or been in a situation where you feel like you are missing something? Where it feels like everyone else knows what's going on except you?

This week's podcast/YouTube episode with Dr. Michelle Hu dives into what it feels like to ALWAYS feel that way. Michell...

Welcome back!

 This photo is of my extended family at Christmas dinner, taken when I was a child. Can you spot me? 

 Yep, I'm the kid who is NOT having a good time.

 Why? I have no idea. All I know is that I was a difficult kid. 

 Why? Again, I have no idea. I was too young to have memories of t...

Welcome back!

Since last week's podcast/YouTube episode became this week's episode, I decided to publish two episodes this week. Now I kind of feel caught up!

While it's not fun to talk about depression and anxiety, I feel like it's definitely necessary.  

I looked at research regarding ...

This week's podcast/YouTube episode is inspired by some situations I've witnessed or been a part of lately:

*Hearing a father tell his toddler daughter that she isn't allowed to tell him 'no'

*Getting lost in the woods, which led to my encounter with the volunteer fire department 

These sit...

Have you ever felt caught in the middle between wanting to support your kids in what they want for themselves, and wanting to make sure they will be functional, successful adults?

It can be a tricky balance when it comes to setting boundaries, allowing failures, and giving advice.

In this week's e...

You know that visual of an iceberg that often gets used to describe things being 'under the surface'? It's a way to demonstrate what is seen compared to the monstrosity of what is not seen about a situation.

On this week's podcast/YouTube channel, I'm jumping into chores and hygiene. Talk about an...

A couple months ago I was talking to a mom about her family. She shared that her kids are both neurodivergent, and so is she, and so is her partner! She felt like the most challenging part was knowing how to support them socially when she feels socially challenged herself.

In my experience, whe...

Mel Robbins, one of my favorite people to follow and listen to, says, "You are one decision away from a completely different life." I'm a huge believer in the power of this concept. I also feel like it's very applicable when it comes to making friends.

Sometimes our kids struggle to make friends...

There's something about this time of year that seems to make parenting, teaching, just 'peopling' in general more difficult. 

The shine of the new school year has worn off.

Kids who haven't adapted so well to the transition are really struggling.

Holidays are on the horizon, which can cause ex...