Episode 12: Navigating Neurodiversity & The "Mom Gut" with Dr. Kelly O'Laughlin

(00:00:00) Episode 12: Navigating Neurodiversity & The "Mom Gut" with Dr. Kelly O'Laughlin (00:00:05) Welcome to Breakroom Mom with Dr. Kelly (00:00:21) Dr. Kelly's Background and Expertise (00:01:59) Navigating Suspicions of Neurodevelopmental Issues (00:03:53) Key Terms in Autism and Neurodiversity (00:05:53) The Neuroaffirming Approach to Neurodiversity (00:07:32) Social Media and Self-Diagnosis in Neurodiversity (00:12:05) Creating a Sensory-Friendly Environment at Home (00:16:40) Managing Executive Dysfunction in Daily Life (00:32:55) Understanding and Responding to Meltdowns vs. Tantrums (00:40:17) Balancing Discipline and Affirmation for Neurodiverse Children (00:42:10) The "Permission Slip" every burnt-out mom needs Does your gut tell you that your child sees the world differently? In this episode, we’re joined by licensed pediatric psychologist Dr. Kelly O’Laughlin to bridge the gap between a mother’s intuition and a formal clinical diagnosis.With 15 years of experience in autism assessments, Dr. Kelly breaks down the "neuro-affirming" approach, helps us distinguish between sensory meltdowns and boundary-testing tantrums, and gives us permission to stop fighting the "neurotypical" script. If you are a high-performing mom trying to navigate the school system while protecting your own mental health, this "breakroom" session is for you.