Complicated Kids – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Have you ever wondered why your child's behavior feels so personal?

Why does your child's behavior set off such a strong reaction, even when you understand what they're struggling with?

In this powerful episode of Complicated Kids, I talk with clinical psychologist Dr. Debra Brause about what's really happening inside us during those intense parenting moments. We explore why kids trigger old wounds, how shame gets unconsciously passed around, and what it looks like to shift from reacting to responding.

Debra offers a grounded, compassionate framework that helps parents understand their emotional experience without blame, so connection becomes easier, calmer, and more sustainable.

If you've ever wondered why certain behaviors from your child hit you harder than others, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

• Kids absorb our emotional signals, not just our words.
• Parental triggers often originate in old wounds or unmet needs.
• Shame gets passed around until someone notices they're holding it.
• Awareness, not perfection, is the beginning of breaking cycles.
• Your child's behavior is communication, not an evaluation of your parenting.
• "Junky" feelings are cues to look within, not at your child.
• Neurodivergent kids often stir up intense emotions because they challenge old patterns.
• Self-regulation is a precursor to co-regulation.
• Even small shifts in awareness change the parent-child dynamic.
• Connection, not control, is the pathway to healing.

Dr. Debra Brause is a clinical psychologist who works from a neuro-affirming perspective with parents raising neurodivergent children and autistic adults. She earned her Doctorate in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and completed advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, diagnostic assessment at UCLA, and community mental health.

She has taught Human Development at Alliant International University, supervised clinicians at multiple counseling centers, and regularly presents seminars on neurodiversity. Before becoming a psychologist, she spent a decade working in television and entertainment, experience that now informs her work helping clients move through emotional and creative blocks.

I'm Gabriele Nicolet, toddler whisperer, speech therapist, parenting life coach, and host of Complicated Kids. Each week, I share practical, relationship-based strategies for raising kids with big feelings, big needs, and beautifully different brains. My goal is to help families move from surviving to thriving by building connection, confidence, and clarity at home.

🌎 gabrielenicolet.com
📅 Schedule a free intro call: calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@complicatedkids
👾 Grab Tell the Story (anti-anxiety tool for kids): gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story
➡️ Instagram: instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet
➡️ Facebook: facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet
➡️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet
🌺 Free "Orchid Kid" Checklist: raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up

If Complicated Kids has been helpful, the best way to support the podcast is to follow, rate, and leave a quick review. It helps other parents find the show, and it means a lot.

If there's a topic you'd love to hear covered on a future episode, you can always reach out at media@speechkids.com. I love hearing what's on your mind and what would support your family best.

Thank you so much for listening and for being part of this community. 💛

Could small changes at home make a big difference in your child's education?

In this week's episode of Complicated Kids, I talk with Chris Linder, a hybrid homeschooling advocate and founder of Homeschool Remix, about what hybrid homeschooling really looks like, how it bridges the gap between traditional school and home learning, why it's a powerful option for neurodivergent kids, and how parents can get started without burning out.

We explore what hybrid homeschooling is (and isn't), why parents are more qualified than they think, the realities of state requirements, and how to avoid the overwhelm that often comes with taking a more active role in learning at home. Chris shares simple, realistic strategies that help parents supplement school in meaningful ways, nurture their child's interests, and create learning environments that actually fit their kids.

If you've been curious about homeschooling or wondering how to support your child beyond traditional school hours, this conversation is full of clarity and encouragement.

• Parents are their child's first and most natural teacher.
• Hybrid homeschooling blends school structure with home-based flexibility.
• It's especially supportive for neurodivergent kids and kids with strong interests.
• You can start small, one subject or a few hours a week.
• Homeschooling doesn't have to be expensive.
• "Deschooling" helps prevent burnout and resets routines.
• Teaching critical thinking is more important than memorizing curriculum.
• Both secular and religious homeschooling options exist.
• Community makes a big difference, no one has to do this alone.
• Many parents say they wish they had started sooner.

Chris Linder is the founder of Homeschool Remix, where he helps families design hybrid homeschool systems that honor their values, their child's needs, and their real-life schedules. He works closely with parents, educators, and co-ops to make flexible, personalized education accessible to all families.

I'm Gabriele Nicolet, toddler whisperer, speech therapist, parenting life coach, and host of Complicated Kids. Each week, I share practical, relationship-based strategies for raising kids with big feelings, big needs, and beautifully different brains. My goal is to help families move from surviving to thriving by building connection, confidence, and clarity at home.

🌎 gabrielenicolet.com
📅 Schedule a free intro call: calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@complicatedkids
👾 Grab Tell the Story (anti-anxiety tool for kids): gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story
➡️ Instagram: instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet
➡️ Facebook: facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet
➡️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet
🌺 Free "Orchid Kid" Checklist: raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up

If Complicated Kids has been helpful, the best way to support the podcast is to follow, rate, and leave a quick review. It helps other parents find the show, and it means a lot.

If there's a topic you'd love to hear covered on a future episode, you can always reach out at media@speechkids.com. I love hearing what's on your mind and what would support your family best.

Thank you so much for listening and for being part of this community. 💛

Growing up autistic brings a perspective that parents, teachers, and therapists can learn so much from. This week, I'm talking with Becca Engle, a special education teacher, book coach, and autistic adult. Becca was diagnosed at age three, found her voice by age five, and has been navigating the ups and downs of life with autism ever since. In our conversation, she shares what made a difference along the way—from the adults who supported her to the moments of real connection that opened doors to learning. We also dig into how assumptions about autism can shape—or limit—a child's future. Becca's story is such a good reminder that every child's journey is different, and that growth doesn't always look the way we think it will.

Find out more about Becca on her socials. FB: @becca.engle.02 and @Rebecrafts IG: @re02.20 and @stichesstanzas. 

About your host, Gabriele Nicolet

Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.

Complicated Kids Resources and Links:

🌎 www.gabrielenicolet.com

 📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.

 📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured 

 👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story 

➡️ http://instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet 

➡️ http://facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet 

➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/ 

 🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/ 

In this week's episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast I talk about treating the whole system in our kiddos. I go into the importance of realizing the connections between different parts of the system, the benefits of sleep, nutrition, environment, and breathing and how they are all connected.

I talk about some things that could cause issues with your child's behavior that may not be apparent and how one problem in one system can cause other systems to have issues. Listen to the episode to find out more about the connections between body systems and behavior.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis, who does it and how can we individualize therapy WITH child development in mind.

Join Becca Correll, owner of the Language and Behavior Center, and me for this engaging conversation.

We'll chat about collaboration between professionals, how she came to ABA, and what this approach has done to help her clients.

In this week's Complicated Kids Podcast I chat with SpeechKids therapist and mother, Keisha Berry. Keisha has been homeschooling her children for 10 years now and shares with us some of apprehension she experienced before committing to homeschool, the freedom and ease she experiences with her role facilitating her children's learning, how important it is to have a tribe that can help, and how she utilizes a schedule to keep surprises from disrupting her day.

Listen to the podcast to here more about Keisha's experience homeschooling her children, being a working mom, and creating amazing human beings in the process. Visit SpeechKids.com to find out more about Keisha.

In this week's Complicated Kids Podcast we'll talk about the importance of teacher fit for Orchids. In general, Orchids are highly sensitive which makes them sensitive to the energy of other people. I talk about things to look for that will let you know that they are not a good fit, and what steps to take if you do notice these signs.

What is self-directed education? This week on the Complicated Kids Podcast, I sit with Catina Sweedy from the Embark Center for Self-Directed Education to talk about just that.

We discuss the benefits of an education model where kids are "in charge" who benefits from that model, and how. We also talk about why traditional educational models often don't serve "square peg" kids. Listen to the podcast to hear more about this alternative form of education.

To find out more about Catina and her non-profit, visit www.embarkcenter.org.

In this week's Complicated Kids Podcast episode, I talk with you about taking a hiatus from speech therapy and discontinuing it altogether. I touch on some scenarios where it is okay to take a break, somewhere I would suggest not losing momentum, and what it looks like when we reach a point where your kiddo will no longer need speech therapy.

This week I spoke with the very intuitive and highly experienced parent coach, Jen Kiss. Jen is not only a parent coach, but one that specializes in helping parents with neurodiverse children as the mother of a neurodiverse child herself.

Jen and I talk about her experience as a mother, some of the things she told herself in early motherhood, and what strategies she has learned along the way for nurturing her Orchid child. We also talk about the societal expectations of parents and children, the extra needs of orchid children, and myths about parenthood.

To find out more about how Jen may be able to help you, visit her website at www.happyparentingandfamilies.com.