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

01 March 2025

Why You Keep Getting Stuck in the Same Parenting Struggles (And How to Break Free) with Debbie

If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this keep happening?!”—whether it’s battles over transitions, screen time, or meltdowns—you’re not alone.

You try different strategies, set boundaries, offer choices… yet you keep getting stuck in the same frustrating cycles. The truth is, the situation isn’t actually the problem—it’s how we think about the situation that keeps us stuck.

You’ll learn:

✔ Why shifting your thoughts (not just the situation) is the key to breaking frustrating cycles

✔ How lower brain survival patterns—Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn—keep parents and kids stuck

✔ A simple mindset shift that helps you respond instead of react

✔ How to notice and reframe thoughts in the moment for better connection and cooperation

If you’re tired of power struggles and emotional exhaustion, this episode will help you take the first step toward real change.

✨ Want to go deeper? Join us for our upcoming workshop:

"Mastering the Brain STEARing Model™: From Survival Reactions to Thriving Responses."

You'll learn step-by-step how to shift from reacting to responding, helping both you and your child move toward more connection, regulation, and peace.

🔗 RSVP for the Workshop here: NDM.Circle.so

📩 Get more insights & tools—Join our email list for inspiration and updates.

👉 Need a supportive community? Join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals mentoring neurodivergent young people.

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07 February 2025

Decoding the 'I Can't vs. I Won't' Paradox in Neurodivergence with Jason & Debbie

Is it that they can’t—or that they won’t?

In this episode, we break down the common struggle of distinguishing between genuine inability and refusal in neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults. We explore:

• Why challenges can feel insurmountable due to unique brain wiring

• How to avoid power struggles and foster autonomy

• The neural response to perceived difficulty and how it impacts motivation

• The role of resilience and discipline in long-term growth

Understanding this gray area can help you respond with more clarity and support—without getting stuck in frustration.

📩 Want more insights and practical tools? Be sure to join our email list for inspiration and updates.

👉 For deeper support, join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent young people.

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31 January 2025

Teaching Calm: How to Help Build Emotional Regulation Skills with Debbie

If you've ever found yourself saying "Calm down!" during your child's meltdown—only to watch it make things worse—you're not alone.

The truth is, neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults don't just know how to regulate their emotions... it's a skill that needs to be taught and developed.

But here's the kicker: emotional regulation isn't something you teach in the heat of the moment—it's something you build over time.

In this episode, I dive into what emotional regulation looks like for neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, etc.) children, teens, and young adults, why it's often harder for them, and what you can do to help.

I share practical tools for teaching calm, not by demanding it, but by modeling it, practicing it, and making it part of everyday life.

You'll learn:

Why emotional regulation is a skill—not a personality trait
The role of co-regulation and why your calm is the first step
How to teach regulation tools outside of the meltdown moment
Simple, actionable strategies to help your child access calm

If meltdowns, emotional outbursts, or shutdowns feel like a daily struggle, this episode if for you.

And if you want to go deeper, join us for our upcoming workshop: "Helping Neurodivergent Children, Teens, and YAs Access Calm." We'll walk you through even more tools, real-life examples, and step-by-step strategies to support emotional regulation at home.

✨ RSVP for the Workshop here: NDM.Circle.so

📩 Want more insights and practical tools? Be sure to join our email list for inspiration and updates.

👉 For deeper support, join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent young people.

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10:15

24 January 2025

Understanding Rigid Decisiveness with Jason & Debbie

“Why won’t they just change their mind?”

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by a neurodivergent loved one’s black-and-white thinking or their refusal to reconsider a decision, you’re not alone. In this episode of Autism & Neurodiversity, we explore the common pattern of what Jason calls "rigid decisiveness."

We unpack how this behavior—often misunderstood as stubbornness or immaturity—is rooted in lower brain functions like the need to avoid pain and conserve energy.

We share some real-life examples of this pattern and explain how understanding it through a developmental lens can make all the difference.

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or someone navigating your own neurodivergence, this episode offers practical tools and a fresh perspective on how to approach rigid decisiveness with patience and support.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why rigid decisiveness is common in neurodivergent individuals

• How black-and-white thinking ties to lower brain, survival functions

• The pitfalls of labeling this behavior as “stubbornness” or “immaturity”

• Developmental strategies to better support and connect

📩 Want more insights and practical tools? Be sure to join our email list for inspiration and updates.

👉 For deeper support, join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent young people.

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17 January 2025

The Calm Before the Storm: Why Emotional Regulation Starts with You with Debbie

Ever feel like your child’s emotions are a tornado, and you’re just trying to hold on? It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

But here’s the truth: the key to helping your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult regulate their emotions starts with your calm. In this episode of Autism & Neurodiversity with Jason & Debbie, I’m sharing why emotional regulation begins with us as parents and how your calm presence can create a ripple effect in your home.

If you’ve ever wondered why your best strategies don’t seem to work in the heat of the moment, this episode will give you fresh insight, practical tools, and hope for real change.

What You’ll Learn

The science behind co-regulation and why your calm matters more than you think.
How to spot your own emotional triggers before they escalate.
Simple strategies to stay grounded during your teen or young adult’s emotional storms.
Why emotional regulation isn’t about “fixing” them—it’s about modeling what’s possible.
How to build a foundation of trust and connection through your steady presence.

👉 If this episode resonated with you, we’d love for you to leave a quick review sharing your favorite takeaway. It helps us create more meaningful content for parents like you.

📩 Want more insights and practical tools? Be sure to join our email list for inspiration and updates.

🔵 For deeper support, join our NDM Circle Community at NDM.Circle.so—a space for parents and professionals navigating the complexities of parenting neurodivergent young people.

🌟Don't miss our upcoming workshop, Helping Neurodivergent Children, Teens, and YA's Access Calm: Tools for Emotional Regulation. Learn practical strategies to support your young person's ability to find calm and build emotional regulation skills—while strengthening your relationship.

RSVP now for just $27 or join our community to access this and more workshops at NDM.Circle.so. Let's work together to bring more calm and connection into your family.

Let’s keep building calm, connection, and confidence together.

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14 December 2024

Better Outcomes by Focusing on the Process with Debbie

Does it feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re not seeing the progress you hoped for with your neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult? It’s easy to get caught up in the results we want, but sometimes, that focus can leave us feeling frustrated and disconnected.

In this episode, we’ll dive into a fresh perspective that can help you feel more at ease and create real, lasting progress in your parenting journey.

You'll Learn:

Why focusing on results can unintentionally stall your child’s growth.
How a simple mindset shift can unlock more connection and resilience.
Practical ways to celebrate effort and progress that truly matter.

👉 Ready to support your child in developing healthy habits while building strong relationships? Join our Developing Healthy Habits Workshop to kick off 2025 with tools that work for you and your family. Join our email list for more info.

🔵 Visit jasondebbie.com/ndmcircle/ to learn more.

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