What if your child looks “fine”… but is working twice as hard just to keep up?
This podcast is for parents of uniquely wired children. The ones who are bright, capable, and often misunderstood. The ones who may be masking, internalizing, or quietly struggling beneath the surface.
Hosted by behavior specialist and parent strategist Kristan Shimpi, each episode helps you see what’s often missed and understand what your child actually needs to thrive.
We talk about executive function, school challenges, masking (especially in girls), and building family systems that actually work in real life.
If you’ve ever been told “everything looks fine at school”… but you know something isn’t adding up, this space is for you.
You’re not imagining it. And you’re not alone.
What Eight Conversations Taught Me About Raising and Supporting Neurodivergent Kids
When I launched this podcast, I thought I was creating a place to share the expertise and experiences of others. What I didn't expect was how much I would learn simply by listening. Over my first eight conversations with parents, educators, advocates, and adults with ADHD, certain themes kept appearing again and again. Some reinforced what I thought I knew from years of working in special education and raising my own uniquely wired children. Others challenged assumptions I didn't even realize...
9 Jun 2026
Taking Away Support Doesn't Create Independence: A Conversation with Hannah McDonald
What if the goal isn't getting your child to do everything independently as quickly as possible? In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child, I sit down with author Hannah McDonald to discuss executive functioning, motivation, routines, and the systems that help neurodivergent children thrive. One of Hannah's most powerful insights is this: "Taking away support doesn't create independence." Together, we explore why many uniquely wired children struggle not because they lack knowledg...
25 May 2026
Different Doesn’t Mean Broken: Holden Thorp on Neurodivergence, First Impressions & Thriving
In this thoughtful and deeply meaningful conversation, I sit down with Holden Thorp to discuss neurodivergence, first impressions, masking, education, and what it truly means to thrive. We explore how uniquely wired individuals are often misunderstood within seconds... not because they lack intelligence, depth, or capability, but because their communication styles, nervous systems, or processing differences do not always match social expectations. Together, we discuss: • the emotional c...
14 May 2026
What Looks Like Defiance Is Often Exhaustion: Autistic Girls, Masking, and Meltdowns with Jess Hendrickx
Why do so many autistic girls appear “fine” at school only to completely fall apart at home? In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child, Dr. Kristan Shimpi talks with Jess Hendrickx, co-author of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum, about masking, emotional exhaustion, meltdowns, boundaries, self-acceptance, and the hidden pressures many autistic girls carry every single day. Together, they explore: • why autistic girls are so often missed or misunderstood • the emot...
29 Apr 2026
Parenting in the Daily Grind: Where You Can Ease Up Without Giving In
In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child, I sit down with educator, founder, and parent Linda McDonough for a grounded conversation about what it actually looks like to support uniquely wired children in real life… not just in theory. We talk about the daily grind many families find themselves in, and how small shifts in where we put our energy can make a meaningful difference over time. One moment that stayed with me from this conversation: “Store-bought cake is fine. If your ch...
15 Apr 2026
The ADHD Story You Don’t Hear: Growing Up, Masking, and Making It Work
On paper, she looked successful. But behind the scenes, it took far more effort than anyone realized. In this episode, I’m joined by a college senior in a nursing program who was diagnosed with ADHD at just six years old. Together, we talk about what ADHD actually looks like over time, not just in early childhood, but through middle school, high school, and into college. She shares what it felt like to grow up with a diagnosis that didn’t quite match her identity… and what she wishes adults h...
31 Mar 2026
She Looks Fine at School... What Teachers Really See
She’s Fine at School… But Is She? What Teachers Really See What do experienced teachers actually notice about uniquely wired students… and what often gets missed? In this episode, I sit down with veteran elementary teacher Heather Bearman, who shares what 30 years in the classroom has taught her about students who learn and think differently. We talk about masking (especially in girls), the quiet signs of struggle that can go unnoticed, and what truly helps a child feel safe and understood at...
14 Mar 2026
When Girls Mask: A Conversation with a Former Student
In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child, I sit down with a former student, Kristine, who is now an adult reflecting on her experience growing up with a uniquely wired brain. Kristine shares what school felt like from the inside, the effort it took to keep up, the ways she learned to mask her struggles, and why some teachers were able to help her while others missed the signs completely. One insight that stood out during our conversation was this: the teachers who seemed to under...
28 Feb 2026
Episode 1: Kids Do Well If They Can: A Conversation with Dr. Ross Greene
Episode 1: Kids Do Well If They Can Guest: Dr. Ross Greene In this powerful opening episode, Dr. Kristan Shimpi interviews Ross Greene, the psychologist behind the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model and the widely known phrase: “Kids do well if they can.” Dr. Greene is the author of: The Explosive ChildThe Kids Who Aren't OkayWhat We Cover in This Episode 1. What Is Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS)? Dr. Greene explains how CPS shifts the lens away from willful de...
22 Jan 2026
Educating the Uniquely Wired Child Episode 0
A brief introduction to Educating the Uniquely Wired Child, a limited podcast series hosted by Dr. Kristan Shimpi. This trailer offers a preview of thoughtful conversations and gentle guidance for parents raising bright, sensitive, intense children. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the first full episode.
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