Raising Orchid Kids, LLC

07/07/2026

In a recent coaching session with a couple Jen's helping in finding the most effective structures, language and systems at home to better support their neurodivergent son, she was reminded of this blog post she wrote back in January. When our kids blame us for things that are/were clearly not our responsibility, we often experience a knee-jerk reaction and get angry, frustrated and catastrophize, worrying that our child will never learn to take responsibility for their actions and always look to shift blame (and many adults certainly fall into that category!). Here I unpack why kids in general, and neurodivergent kids (aka "Orchid Kids") in particular may do this, and how we can help their nervous systems feel safe enough to accept responsibility/blame. Let us know what you think, and if your kids, neurodivergent and neurotypical alike, do this.

Few things can rankle us like getting blamed for something that is clearly not our fault. And when it’s our kids who are struggling to “accept responsibility,” it can feel like a stain on our parenting. Kids of Good Parents always accept responsibility, right? …Right? Good news: that is simp...

06/20/2026

If you're raising a neurodivergent kid or teen (anyone with official or suspected diagnoses like ADHD, Autism, OCD, General Anxiety, Dyslexia, and others) and would like to find community, support and resources, join us in our FB group: Raising Orchid Kids: Parents of Neurodivergent Kids and Teens and if you do, please make sure you answer the required questions! 🌸

05/29/2026

Raising Orchid Kids is hosting a Screen Hygiene workshop on FRIDAY, JUNE 5 2026 from 12–1pm Eastern for families who might need some practical, non-shaming support around screen time.

In this workshop, we’ll talk about:

How — and whether — to set limits around screens
Why Orchid Kids can have such a hard time transitioning away from screens
How to reduce the constant negotiations
What to do when things don’t go as planned
Real strategies families can try at home
Q&A for specific screen-related challenges

The workshop is free for Raising Orchid Kids members and just $25 for nonmembers.

Here’s the link to register and for more info: https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/screen-hygiene-webinar/

We know screen time is one of those topics that can make us feel judged before we even open our mouths. That’s not what this workshop is about. We’re here to help parents understand what’s happening in their child’s brain and nervous system, and to give them tools that actually fit the child in front of them.

If your Orchid (aka neurodivergent) kid is like most, then getting them off the screen is a struggle. If you’d like some ideas for how to set limits around screen time, how to eliminate the constant negotiations, and find strategies to help your Orchid transition off the screen more easily, we hop...

04/06/2026

Parenting an autistic child can be beautiful, demanding, tender, and intense, sometimes all before breakfast. Many families are living with chronic overload without always having words for it. This workshop will help parents understand what “nervous system burnout” can look like in autistic children and in themselves, and how to respond with more clarity, compassion, and practical support.

In this workshop, parents will learn:

1. How to recognize the signs of nervous system burnout
How stress and burnout show up differently in kids and parents. We’re talking meltdowns, shut downs, irritability, rigidity and numbness.

2. How to tell the difference between stress, dysregulation, and burnout

3. Understand why a child may look oppositional when they are actually overloaded, and why parents may blame themselves when they are actually running on fumes.

4. What helps recovery begin

5. Practical ways to reduce load, support regulation, respond more effectively in hard moments, and create more space for healing in the family system.

This workshop is for parents who:
- feel like their child is overwhelmed more often than not
- notice that they themselves are more reactive, depleted, or shut down
- want a more compassionate, nervous-system-informed lens on behavior
- are looking for practical support, not just theory

This will be a supportive, practical, parent-centered session with teaching, reflection, and concrete takeaways you can use right away.

Come join us on Zoom for a grounded conversation about what burnout really is, how to spot it early, and how to support both your child and yourself with more wisdom and less self-blame.

https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/rok-workshop-burnout/

01/05/2026

Happy new year, all! We wanted to share some exciting news: we have a new format for our "Raising Orchid Teens Parent Support Group" now called "Parenting Orchid Teens Membership" -- it's ongoing now, so you can just pay monthly or yearly to save $50 -- info at: https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/parenting-teens-membership/

The group kicks off Friday, Jan. 9 from 12-1pm Eastern, but it's ongoing, so you can join any time! That said, spots are limited and we're almost halfway filled already, so check it out if you could use support raising your neurodivergent teen!

Parenting teen Orchids can feel overwhelming, isolating, and unpredictable. You’ve learned a lot already, but the teen years bring new challenges, questions, and moments that make you wonder “Am I doing this right?” and “What do I do now?” We want you to feel supported, understood, and equ...

11/17/2025

Hey all, if anyone has a struggling reader at home and traditional interventions have not been particularly helpful, or if you just want to learn about a really helpful approach called "Speech-to-Print" that can be a total gamechanger, check out our online workshop TODAY (Monday, 11/17) from 12-1pm ET with Sarah Nissim, literacy specialist and founder of Monkeypod Education. The session will be recorded and shared with all registrants, so even if you can't make it live you can still get all the information and learning. Info and registration is at: https://www.raisingorchidkids.com/rok-workshop/
Please share with your networks and/or with anyone you know who might benefit.

A Speech-to-Print Approach for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids Who Struggle with Reading

10/15/2025

For those in the DC area looking to find a school that's the right fit for your child, this looks like it will be an incredibly helpful event!

This 1-hour, FREE webinar brings together five unique perspectives to provide a holistic understanding of how to choose the “right” school for your child.

Hear from:

🧑‍🏫 The Maddux School

🧑‍🏫 The McLean School

🧑‍🏫 The Springewell School

🧑‍🏫 The Lab School of Washington

🧑‍🏫 Weinfeld Education Group’s Homeschooling Specialist Casey Joseph

🏫 and our moderator will be Hayley Jacobson, Lead School Selection Specialist and education consultant with the Weinfeld Education Group.

Participants will:

🚸 Learn the factors that parents should consider when exploring different schools

🚸 Gain insights into the admissions process from schools’ viewpoints

This session is designed for parents exploring different private school and homeschooling options.

Come with your parenting questions!

👉🏽 Register to join this FREE discussion:
https://bit.ly/3Romkn6

Thank you to our sponsors for enabling this important discussion:

💙 The Stixrud Group

💙 McLean School

💙 PrepMatters

💙 Fusion Academy

💙 The Maddux School

💙 The Lab School of Washington

💙 The Springwell School

Learn more about WEG’s advocacy and school selection services at www.WEGadvocacy.com .

WISER Casey’s Special Education Services, LLC

10/14/2025

People aren’t “suddenly developing ADHD.” We’re finally seeing it. Naming it. Measuring it.

🧠Diagnosis isn’t invention.
It’s recognition.

ALSO this community is about learning and growth and compassion. IF you don’t agree, you’re allowed NOT to agree. I’d LOVE to hear your take. Just stay KIND, please ❤️

👋WANT to meet me and chill? Let’s do it!!! If you comment MEET, I’ll send you a link to this year’s . Why not, right? Belonging IS Safety, and we need all the frontal lobe space we can get!!!

This community means SO much to me. Surthriving with you, love you, XO, Dr. Jen

10/14/2025

Hey all, two events from Partnership for Extraordinary Minds to check out:
1) This one is virtual: tomorrow night, Gabriele and Jen are presenting a FREE workshop on "Unpacking an Autism Diagnosis: Understanding the Why and Navigating What's Next" Wed 10/15 from 7-8:30pm Eastern. Info and registration: https://www.xminds.org/event-6327183

2) xMinds Fall Fun-Raiser: Sun, Oct. 26 at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville from 4-6pm (info at https://www.xminds.org/) and flyer below.

10/09/2025

We are looking forward to helping parents unpack what an autism diagnosis means, why the diagnosis is helpful and how to navigate next steps to help parents and their autistic kiddos find and maintain the support they need to thrive.

🌟 Unpacking an Autism Diagnosis 🌟
📅 Oct 15 | 🕖 7:00–8:30 PM EDT | 💻 Virtual & Free
🎧 Habrá interpretación en vivo al español

A new autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Join Raising Orchid Kids co-founders Jen Dryer & Gabriele Nicolet to learn what a diagnosis means, what supports are available, and how to move forward with clarity.

👉 Register: https://xminds.org/event-6327183