13. Stop Using Timeouts and Lecturing with Neurodivergent Kids: Do this Instead!
From Connected and Capable by Alisha Grogan
March 30, 2026 · 36 min
About this episode
This episode discusses why traditional parenting techniques like timeouts and lecturing may not work for neurodivergent kids and offers alternative strategies.
Neurodivergent kids often struggle with following directions, listening, and self-control. What are we to do? We worry they aren't learning and want them to understand consequences. Both are very valid. In this episode learn why these popular parenting techniques we sometimes use intentionally and often out of desperation backfire with kids that have ADHD, Autism, or sensory needs. Full disclosure lecturing is something I struggle with using with my ADHD kid. But, there's something going on under the difficult behaviors, and if it's not addressed the behaviors will likely only happen more often. Come learn what powerful shift can change how your kid acts, how they feel about themselves, and even grow skills with examples for preschoolers to teens. Get a seat in our new free Executive Functioning Week with daily specific strategies that help kids listen, regulate, and follow directions here: YourKidsTable.com/efweek Key Timestamps: 00:25 – Why timeouts don’t work the way we think 03:10 – What’s actually happening in your child’s brain 06:45 – The mistake most parents don’t realize they’re making 10:20 – Why lecturing backfires (even when it…
People in this episode
Host: Alisha Grogan
Topics covered
- neurodivergent kids
- parenting techniques
- ADHD
- Autism
- self-control
- behavior management
Keywords
- timeouts
- lecturing
- neurodivergent
- ADHD
- Autism
- self-regulation
- parenting
- behavior
- executive functioning
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Your Kids Table, YourKidsTable.com
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