Mind Matters

Emily Kircher-Morris chats today with Diane Dempster and Elaine Taylor-Klaus from Impact Parents, hosts of the Parenting with Impact podcast. They talk about the challenge of motivating neurodivergent kids, and break down why it's so challenging. The chat includes a framework called PINCH, a way to remember and think about important elements of motivation. You'll come away with practical strategies for parents to foster a supportive environment that encourages engagement, and ways to move away from fear and stress as motivators. TAKEAWAYS Traditional parenting advice often doesn't apply to neurodivergent kids. Motivation can be misunderstood; it's not always lack of interest. Executive functioning skills play a crucial role in motivation. Dopamine is essential for engaging in non-preferred tasks. Waiting until the last minute can be a legitimate strategy for motivation. Fear-based parenting creates stress and is not sustainable. Intrinsic motivation develops later in life, especially for neurodi