Everything Makes Sense with The Occuplaytional Therapist with Kelsie Olds
Release Date: 04/29/2025
Virtual Reality and Autism with Vijay Ravindran
Complicated Kids
If you’re curious about the role of virtual reality in teaching critical life skills to autistic kiddos, you’ll want to listen to this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast. I sat down with Vijay Ravindran—engineer, autism dad, and founder of Floreo—to talk about how virtual reality can transform the way we teach social, safety, and communication skills to neurodivergent kids. From crossing the street to interacting with law enforcement, we explore how VR offers a controlled, immersive learning environment that supports real-world generalization. It’s a...
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Planning for Next Year with Scotti Weintraub
Complicated Kids
What if summer wasn’t just a break from school—but a chance to reset how you think about it altogether? Parent Coach and School Navigator, Scotti Weintraub has joined me to talk about how to use the summer months to reflect on your child’s school experience—without falling into the trap of overthinking. We explore how to spot the wins (even the small ones), pause the academic pressure, and find meaningful ways to enjoy your kids right now. We also dive into how to communicate with next year’s teachers in a way that opens doors instead of slamming them shut. To find out...
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Auditory Processing with Dr. Rae Stout
Complicated Kids
What if your child’s struggles with attention, language, or behavior weren’t about what they hear—but how their brain makes sense of it? I’m joined by Dr. Rae Stout, audiologist and expert in auditory processing, to unpack the often-misunderstood world of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). We dig into what APD actually is, why it’s so often missed or misdiagnosed, and how things like early ear infections and fluctuating hearing can impact learning, language, and even behavior. Dr. Rae shares eye-opening stories and makes the case for early intervention using low-gain...
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Validation
Complicated Kids
Tired of the power struggles? Discover how one small mindset shift—validation—can bring more peace to your parenting. I’m diving deep into one of the most powerful—yet often misunderstood—tools in parenting: validation. We’ll explore what validation really means, why it’s not the same as agreement or caving in, and how it helps kids (and adults!) feel seen without sacrificing boundaries. I’ll share real-life examples—from toddler diaper changes to teenage curfews—and unpack how validation can shift dynamics, reduce power struggles, and build stronger connections....
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Homework and ADHD with Ann Dolin
Complicated Kids
Ann Dolin, founder of Educational Connections, came to talk about all things homework In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast. We covered why homework is such a struggle for so many kids and what we can actually do to help. We dig into the role of executive function in homework challenges, especially for kids with ADHD or organizational difficulties, and how it’s not about laziness or a lack of caring. We also explore why natural consequences only work when the right support is in place, and how getting another adult involved can sometimes make all the difference. To...
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Grandparenting on the Spectrum with Jennifer Kaufman
Complicated Kids
In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, I talk with Jennifer Kaufman—educator, school principal, grandmother, and now author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum. We dive deep into the often-overlooked role of grandparents in families raising autistic children. Jennifer shares how her personal and professional worlds collided when her grandson was diagnosed with autism, prompting her to rethink her expectations, shift her approach, and ultimately write a book to help other grandparents do the same. We explore the power of backing off, listening more, and supporting adult children...
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Parenting and Neurodivergence with Samantha Foote
Complicated Kids
Samantha Foote—a board-certified music therapist, parent coach, and neurodivergent mom—brings a rare blend of professional expertise and lived experience to a powerful conversation about parenting differently-wired kids with greater connection and less frustration. In this episode of the Complicated Kids Podcast, we dive deep into how understanding our kids' neurodivergent wiring, and our own, can completely shift the parenting experience from frustration to connection. Samantha shares powerful insights about regulation, the harm of compliance-based parenting, how parents often...
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Don't Take it Personally with David Schatzkamer
Complicated Kids
What if your child’s wildest playtime moments were actually the clearest window into their emotional world—and you held the key to understanding them? In this episode, I sit down with David Schatzkamer, a licensed mental health counselor and registered play therapist supervisor, to explore the world of child-centered play therapy and filial therapy. David shares his powerful approach to helping young children process their emotions through play—and even more importantly, how parents can learn to do this work themselves. We explore why following a child's lead is crucial, what play...
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The Role and Importance of the Microbiome with Madeline Lauf
Complicated Kids
We’re talking gut health in this episode, with Madeline Lauf, founder of Begin Health. Madeline shares how poor nutrition habits from her own childhood inspired her mission to help families build strong foundations for lifelong wellness, starting in the gut. We dig into the links between processed foods, digestive issues, immune function, and even mood and developmental differences in kids. If you’ve ever wondered how C-sections, formula, antibiotics, and sugar impact your child’s behavior and health, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. To find out more about...
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Connection Over Perfection in Parenting with Dr. Gila
Complicated Kids
Dr. Gila—neuropsychologist, and single parent to a beautifully complicated kid – is an insightful and compassionate human. In this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, we dive deep into what it means to parent with connection instead of perfection, how to shift away from black-and-white thinking, and why your child’s strong will is actually a strength worth nurturing. From full “sink” moments to the neuroscience behind why we sometimes sound like our own parents, this conversation is packed with real talk, gentle validation, and practical wisdom for anyone raising a...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Complicated Kids Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible occupational therapist Kelsie Olds for a deep and lively conversation about what it really means when we say "everything everybody does makes sense." Kelsie brings her global OT experience—from the U.S. to the U.K. to her new adventure in Australia—and a refreshingly human-centered approach to child development. We dig into what “behavior” really tells us, why labels like “aggressive” or “bad” aren’t helpful, and how curiosity, specificity, and compassion can transform the way we understand and support kids—especially our more complicated ones.
To find out more about Kelsie, visit her website at www.occuplaytional.com.
About your host, Gabriele Nicolet
Join Gabriele Nicolet, podcast host, parenting life coach and speech therapist, weekly for practical strategies and tips on raising complicated kids. Learn how to go from surviving to thriving and create a family culture in which every family member can feel valued, seen and heard. With a practical, relationship-based, family-friendly approach, Gabriele provides tools and insights parents need to create a more balanced and fun family life.If you've been listening and wondering what next steps to take to help your child, I am here for you. Maybe you're wondering whether your kiddo needs a speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy, or some behavioral intervention to deal with picky eating, anger, meltdowns, hitting and biting. With over 20 years of experience, my knowledge of child development and the available options goes deep. Maybe you just want some practical tips on how to get through the day and feel like a better parent. We can unpack that too. Sound good? Learn more at www.gabrielenicolet.com.
Complicated Kids Resources and Links:
📅Schedule a free intro call at https://calendly.com/gabrielenicolet/free-15-minute-1-1-session.
📺Subscribe to Gabriele's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@complicatedkids/featured
👾Grab Tell the Story - my powerful anti-anxiety tool for kids https://www.gabrielenicolet.com/tell-the-story
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➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielenicolet/
🌺Grab our free checklist to find out if you're raising an Orchid Kid https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/orchid-kid-check-list-sign-up/