In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, Leanne is joined by Adelle Sushames—a late-diagnosed AuDHD clinical psychologist, creator of the NDME and Spoon Theory card decks, and the voice behind Neurodivergent Ally. Together, they explore how neurodivergent children (and adults) can better understand their needs, communicate them, and feel empowered rather than pathologized.

Adelle shares how her card decks help shift the language around autism and ADHD from deficits to preferences, strengths, identity, and lived experience. The conversation dives deep into Spoon Theory, a framework for understanding fluctuating energy levels, why children can appear “fine at school but melt down at home,” and how families and educators can use this language to support kids with compassion instead of pressure.

This episode is warm, insightful, validating—and full of practical tools for supporting neurodivergent children with space and grace.

• Why traditional clinical descriptions of autism and ADHD often don’t reflect lived experience

• The purpose and philosophy behind the NDME identity-affirming cards

• How Spoon Theory helps explain fluctuating capacity and energy levels throughout the day

• Why some children can cope at school but collapse emotionally at home

• Understanding school-based burnout and school can't

• The emotional experience of being neurodivergent in a world not designed for your brain

• How cards can open gentle, low-pressure conversations between parents and kids

• The importance of self-compassion for both children and parents

• The idea of parenting neurodivergent kids with space + grace, rather than endless demands

Adelle Sushames is a late-diagnosed AuDHD Clinical Psychologist and the creator of several neurodiversity-affirming card decks designed to help autistic and ADHD individuals better understand themselves and communicate their needs. Her NDME, Spoon Thieves, and Spoon Savers card decks are used across therapy, home, school, and community settings.

Adelle is also known online as Neurodivergent Ally, where she shares support, education, and relatable parenting insights—delivered with professional expertise, heart, and her signature sass.

• Instagram: @neurodivergent_ally

• Facebook: Neurodivergent Ally

• Website & Card Decks: https://www.neurodivergentally.com/

• Free Children’s Book on Understanding AuDHD:
  https://www.neurodivergentally.com/freebies

After listening, you’ll walk away with:

✅ A clearer understanding of how neurodivergent brains manage energy
✅ A strength-based language to help kids recognise and express their needs
✅ Tools to reduce after-school meltdowns and emotional overwhelm
✅ Insight into burnout and why “just push through” doesn’t work
✅ Validation that supporting your child means supporting yourself, too

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au

When we first recognize that our child is neurodivergent, it can feel like the ground shifts beneath us. Parenting becomes less about “fixing” behaviors and more about reshaping expectations, letting go of old norms, and creating a home environment that truly works for everyone.

In this heartfelt and personal episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, the host reflects on the real and often emotional shifts that come with parenting a neurodivergent child. Rather than focusing on clinical strategies or checklists, this conversation dives into three meaningful changes that transformed daily family life:

1. Letting Go of the Sit-Down Dinner – Redefining what connection at the table looks like, understanding sensory and movement needs, and lowering pressure for “perfect” family mealtimes.

2. Rethinking Physical Affection – Honoring a child’s boundaries while finding new, creative ways to stay connected.

3. Invitations Instead of Instructions – Moving away from rigid demands and toward collaborative, flexible communication that invites cooperation.

Through personal stories and gentle reflections, the episode explores how shifting parental expectations—rather than changing the child—can bring more calm, empathy, and connection into family life.

Listeners will gain:

• Practical mindset shifts that ease daily stress

• Tips for adapting routines without losing family values

• A reminder that letting go of old expectations isn’t “giving up” — it’s making space for a better fit for your family.

Perfect for: Parents of neurodivergent children, caregivers seeking more empathy-based approaches, and anyone ready to parent with greater flexibility and self-compassion.

“Sometimes the biggest change doesn’t come from our kids — it comes from us.”

Follow me on:

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Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au

Travelling with kids can feel like an Olympic-level parenting challenge—especially when anxiety, boredom, or a strong need for control enters the mix. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we unpack practical, evidence-informed strategies to make family trips smoother and more enjoyable.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The power of preparation: How visual schedules and clear communication ease anxiety.

• Flexibility within structure: Why alternating “adult” and “kid” days keeps everyone engaged.

• Boredom busters: Creative ways to keep kids occupied — from scavenger hunts to card games.

• Reducing stress in transit: Simple safety systems and “no problem-solving zones” during high-stress moments.

• Kid-centric planning: How giving children choice turns travel into a shared adventure.

Key Takeaways:

• Kids cope better when they know what to expect.

• Building in choice and familiar activities can turn frustration into fun.

• Sandwiching challenging activities with enjoyable ones keeps spirits high.

• A little prep time before the trip leads to a lot more joy during it.

• Travel is a unique opportunity for growth, connection, and shared memories.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Parents of children with anxiety, ADHD, or other neurodivergent needs.

• Families who love to travel but want more peace (and fewer meltdowns).

• Caregivers looking for realistic, evidence-informed strategies.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Family travel to Athens and the Olympic Stadium

• Creative kid-friendly detours like visiting the largest outdoor escalator in Washington, D.C.

• Tips for using museum kids’ guides, scavenger hunts, and flexible schedules

Join the Conversation:

Got your own travel hacks for kids with different needs? Share your tips on Instagram at @LeanneTransPsychology or through the website contact form. Listener insights may even feature in an upcoming episode!

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, host Leanne Tran sits down with Sandrine Alexandre Hughes — part-time lawyer, mum of three, and creator of the online safety resources See Me Together Online and the card games All the Likes and Smoke, Mirrors & Filters.

Together, they explore how parents can build their children’s digital resilience and online safety awareness through connection, conversation, and play. Sandrine shares how hearing tragic online stories before the pandemic inspired her to create practical, anxiety-free ways for families to discuss e-safety — long before issues arise.

You’ll learn:

• Why games are a powerful tool for opening conversations about online behaviour and digital literacy.

• How to start early, keep talks age-appropriate, and “chat early, chat often.”

• How the card game All the Likes helps children aged 6–12 learn about kindness, privacy, and online boundaries.

• How Smoke, Mirrors & Filters sparks reflection and discussion among teens and adults about selfies, filters, and social media habits.

• Why e-safety is a shared responsibility between parents, schools, and society — and how connection offline supports wellbeing online.

• How families, including those with neurodivergent children, can use play to explore these important topics safely and meaningfully.

Leanne and Sandrine also dive into Australia’s new social media legislation, the mixed responses from families, and what it means for helping kids stay connected in healthier, more mindful ways.

Tune in for an uplifting and practical conversation that reminds us:
The best way to protect kids online is to stay connected offline.

Website: teamtogetheronline.com
Games: All the Likes (ages 6–12) & Smoke, Mirrors & Filters (ages 15+)
Merch: “I’m Your Favorite Notification” caps & mugs

Email: contact@teamtogetheronline.com
Instagram: @teamtogetheronline.com
Website: www.teamtogetheronline.com

“I am Sandrine, a mother to three kids. I’m French and Australian, and a lawyer by profession — it turns out a lawyer can be a creative entrepreneur too!
I started Team Together Online to say goodbye to parental anxiety around online safety and wellbeing. Why a card game? Because what’s better than play to relax, connect, practise skills, and, ultimately, learn?

Team Together Online’s mission has now expanded to help all generations improve their online wellbeing. That’s why I created Smoke, Mirrors + Filters (15+ / Adults) — so you can have fun and deep conversations you never thought you’d have!”

Sandrine is offering Parent Like a Psychologist listeners an exclusive 20% discount on All the Likes with the code PARENTING at checkout.
Valid for 7 days after the release of this episode (while stocks last).

Shop now at: teamtogetheronline.com

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist, we dive deep into one of the most overwhelming and confusing challenges parents face: meltdowns. If your child goes from calm to explosive over small things, can’t be reasoned with in the heat of the moment, or leaves the whole family feeling like they’re walking on eggshells—you’re not alone, and you’re not a bad parent.

Together, we explore:

• The key difference between tantrums and meltdowns

• Why meltdowns happen (and what they’re really communicating)

• Common triggers like transitions, unexpected changes, sensory overwhelm, fatigue, hunger, and difficult demands

• What not to do during a meltdown (and why reasoning or escalating doesn’t work)

• What to do instead—including staying calm, reducing demands, creating safety, and helping your child regulate

• How to reconnect and reflect after the storm so your child learns and builds coping skills

You’ll also hear practical strategies, from using the “cup of capacity” analogy to building a calming plan or kit, that can help prevent meltdowns or make them easier to navigate when they do happen.

This episode will leave you feeling reassured, better equipped, and more compassionate—both toward your child and yourself. Remember, meltdowns aren’t a sign of failure. They’re signals. And with the right tools and mindset, you can respond in ways that truly support your child’s emotional needs.

If you’re ready to go deeper, check out the Chaos to Calm program, where we work alongside parents to create personalized strategies for understanding and managing meltdowns.

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: learn.leannetran.com.au

In this episode, I dive into one of my favourite things—talking through a book that’s reshaped how I think about parenting. Today, I’m reviewing Differently Wired by Deborah Reber, a powerful blend of memoir, guide, and rallying cry for parents raising children who experience the world in unique ways—whether through ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, giftedness, or simply not fitting into the "typical" mould.

We explore Deborah’s 18 "tilts"—mindset shifts designed to help parents move away from trying to "fix" their kids and instead lean into who they truly are. These tilts aren’t rigid rules, but flexible perspectives you can adopt, adapt, or leave behind depending on what resonates for your family. From questioning traditional parenting advice, to letting go of judgment, to parenting from a place of possibility instead of fear, these ideas are all about matching your child’s needs with your parenting approach.

Along the way, I share my reflections as a parent and psychologist, especially on how these ideas translate (and sometimes don’t) into the Australian context. We’ll unpack big themes like acceptance, connection, advocacy, and self-care—plus why embracing your child’s timeline and strengths can transform family life.

Whether you’re raising a neurodivergent child or simply looking for fresh perspectives on parenting, this episode offers both encouragement and practical insights. Differently Wired reminds us that our children aren’t broken—they’re just wired differently—and it’s our job to parent them with curiosity, compassion, and confidence.

Follow me on:

Instagram:@leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

This week’s episode is a little different—less about a single parenting topic and more of a reflection on three unexpected but powerful conversations I had with my teenager. None of them were planned. They unfolded while folding laundry, sitting at the dinner table, and driving home from school. Yet, each one highlighted how simply being present can open the door to deep connection.

Here’s what we dive into:
✨ Conversation 1: Saying No Without Hurting a Friend’s Feelings – Supporting teens as they balance boundaries, kindness, and people-pleasing.
✨ Conversation 2: Supporting a Friend Through a Hard Time – Why listening and showing up matter more than having the “perfect” words.
✨ Conversation 3: Dealing With Self-Pressure and Perfectionism – Helping kids reframe achievement with a growth mindset and separate effort from outcome.

Throughout these stories, I share how I apply both my psychologist training and my own parenting instincts, weaving in the communication strategies I also teach in my Chaos to Calm program. You’ll hear how keeping things low-pressure and simply “being around” gives our kids the safety to open up.

Key takeaway: Parenting teens isn’t about hovering or lecturing—it’s about staying nearby, staying calm, and staying available. Sometimes, it’s the casual, everyday chats that end up mattering most.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with another parent raising a teen. Parenting can feel lonely, but when we share our experiences and tools, we realize we’re all in this together.

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au
Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au

Do you ever find yourself yelling more than you’d like, feeling like the noise, clutter, and constant demands at home never stop? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we’re diving into practical, realistic ways to create a calmer home environment without needing perfection or exhausting effort. From reducing sensory overload to setting up predictable routines, you’ll learn how small environmental and routine tweaks can make a big difference for both you and your kids.

We’ll talk about:

• Why your home environment matters for stress and regulation (for both parents and kids)

• How sensory needs—like light, sound, and visual clutter—impact neurodivergent kids (autistic, ADHD, anxious)

• Practical adjustments you can try, such as soft lighting, quiet zones, and calming corners

• The role of routines and predictability in reducing stress and meltdowns

• Why one small change at a time is the key to lasting calm

And yes—there’s even a story about my dog going wild over reflections, which perfectly illustrates how changing the environment often works better than pushing for behavior changes.

If you’ve been wishing your home felt more peaceful, safe, and supportive, this episode will give you the tools and encouragement to get started—without overwhelm.

✨ Free resources mentioned: https://learn.leannetran.com.au/free

Follow me on:

Instagram: @leannetranpsychology
Facebook: @Leanne Tran
Linked In: @leannetranpsychology

Email me: hello@leannetran.com.au

Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au