Autism & Neurodiversity

Podcast by Jason & Debbie Grygla

Autism & Neurodiversity

Parenting or working with neurodivergent children, teens, or young adults? Join us Jason Grygla, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Founder and Director of NeuroDev, a specialized mentoring program for neurodivergent young adults, and Debbie Grygla, Certified Parent Coach as we share practical tools, expert insights, and personal experiences to help you better support neurodivergents and foster their growth, development, and emotional well-being.

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Latest episodes

31 October 2025

The Real Reason Boundaries Backfire

You set a boundary to bring calm...

but somehow it turns into another storm.

Your “no” becomes an argument.

Your calm turns into shutdown.

And you’re left wondering, why does this keep happening?

In this episode, Debbie reveals what’s really going on beneath those moments and why even well-intentioned limits can trigger resistance instead of respect, especially for neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults. You’ll discover the hidden signal your nervous system sends before you even speak, and how shifting your inner state changes everything about how your boundaries land.

🎓 Want to go deeper?

Watch the full replay of our November workshop:

“Boundaries That Build Trust & Respect: How to Stay Connected While Holding Your Ground.”

👉 Available now inside the NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so

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11:30

24 October 2025

5 Signs Anxiety Is Undermining Your Loved One’s Independence

You’ve tried motivating.

You’ve tried reminding.

You’ve even tried backing off.

But no matter what you do, your child, teen, or young adult still seems stuck—avoiding new experiences, hesitating to take initiative, or shutting down when expectations rise.

In this episode, Debbie shares five subtle ways anxiety hides behind behaviors that look like procrastination, resistance, or laziness and how misreading them can keep families locked in conflict instead of connection. You’ll discover what’s really going on beneath the surface and why building self-trust (not pushing harder) is the key to independence that lasts.

Want to go deeper?

Watch the full replay of our October workshop:

“Helping Your Neurodivergent Overcome Anxiety & Build Self-Trust”

👉 Available now inside the NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so

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13:27

06 September 2025

Parenting the Long Game with Jason

When your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult is struggling—meltdowns, shutdowns, missed deadlines, constant reminders—it’s tempting to look for the fastest fix.

But parenting for quick results often comes at the expense of long-term growth.

In this episode, Jason shares why a developmental approach—focusing on emotional growth, ownership, and sustainable neural pathways—is far more powerful than a behavioral one. You’ll hear why playing the long game means meeting your child where they are developmentally, not where the world says they “should” be, and how that shift can transform mental health, college readiness, and life skills.

If you’ve ever wondered where to invest your time and energy for the biggest impact, this conversation will help you step out of fear-based reactions and into a mentoring mindset that fosters confidence, resilience, and lasting success.

🌱 Want mentoring tools and support to help your child, teen, or young adult thrive for the long haul?

Join our NDM Circle Community for live workshops, coaching, and a network of parents walking the same path.

👉 Learn more and join us at NDM.Circle.so

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15:24

01 September 2025

Unlocking Joy: Moving Beyond Relief in Neurodivergent Lives with Jason

Relief feels good.

The meltdown is over. The pressure is gone. The stress has eased.

For many neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults, relief can start to feel like the ultimate goal—because it’s safe, predictable, and immediate. But it's crucial to understand: relief isn’t the same as joy. And chasing it can keep them from the deeper connections and experiences that bring real fulfillment.

In this episode, Jason unpacks the difference between fleeting relief and lasting joy. He challenges the myth that neurodivergent individuals don’t crave emotional connection and shares how intentional boundaries, meaningful attachments, and personal growth can open the door to a richer, more satisfying life.

🌱 Want tools to help your neurodivergent loved one move beyond comfort-seeking and into a life that’s worth living?

Join our NDM Circle Community for live workshops, practical mentoring strategies, and a space where you’re never alone in the journey.

👉 Learn more and join us at NDM.Circle.so

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21:05

15 August 2025

From Autopilot to Intentional Living: Rewiring the Neurodivergent Brain with Jason

When you’re living life on autopilot, it’s easy to end up in the same loops, reacting the same way, making the same choices, and feeling stuck in the same results.

For neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults, those loops can be even harder to break.

And not because they’re lazy or resistant… but because the brain literally gets “grooved” into patterns like a scratched record that skips in the same place over and over.

In this episode, Jason shares how those grooves form, why they’re so hard to change, and what it takes to create new ones.

You’ll learn how intentional reflection can rewire the brain, helping you (and your loved one) move beyond automatic, survival-mode reactions into a higher-brain way of living, one that opens the door to growth, resilience, and deeper connection.

🌱 Want tools and support to help your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult break free from stuck patterns?

Join our NDM Circle Community for live workshops, practical mentoring strategies, and a supportive space where you’re not doing this alone.

👉 Learn more and join us at NDM.Circle.so

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15:43

08 August 2025

When Accommodations Aren’t Enough: How to Support Your Child or Young Adult Beyond the Plan with Debbie

You got the IEP.

You submitted the college accommodations.

You followed all the steps—and it’s still not working.

If your child, teen, or young adult is struggling to use the support they’ve been given—this episode is for you.

We’re breaking down why accommodations often fall short without developmental support—and what you can do instead. You’ll learn how to move from frustration and fear to a mentoring-based approach that meets your child where they are and helps them move forward—at school, in college, or in life.

🎓 Want to go deeper? Watch the full replay of our August workshop:

“Thriving in School: Navigating Accommodations, Anxiety & Executive Functioning”

👉 Available now inside the NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so

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10:31