All Brains Grow

What if speech therapy wasn’t just about the child, but about empowering the parent too?

In this episode, I reconnect with Sarah Oudet, a speech therapist, autism researcher, and mother of three, to explore how her professional and personal journeys have come full circle. Years ago, Sarah coached me through a parent-led speech program for my son, Talal. What stayed with me was this: the sessions weren’t really about him, they were about me.

We talk about the Hanen program, what “parent-led” actually means, and why coaching the caregiver may be the most effectiv...

In this solo episode, I share a powerful question a dad recently asked me about his autistic son—one that opened the door to a much deeper conversation about motivation, brain development, and how we teach.

His son has psychomotor difficulties with his hands but loves cooking. Should he be encouraged to pursue it, even if it's hard? Or is that setting him up to fail?

We explore why ability is only part of the story—and why belief, emotional safety, and how we teach matter just as much as what we teach. I walk you...

What if your autistic child never learns to like something like sand? Will it hold them back? Will it mean they’re not “regulated”? In this episode, I’m joined once again by my mentor, Dr. Lynette Louise, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in the world of autism: sensory regulation.

I open the conversation with a story about my autistic brother—his intense stims, the sounds, the taps, the stillness. These sensory experiences are deeply familiar to so many of us, but what do they actually mean? Are they obstacles to learning? Clues to something...

Every evening around 5pm, Milo calls. It’s a rhythm as familiar as the streets of Paris he walks while on the phone. In this episode, I share one of those calls. It might sound like a simple sibling exchange, full of repeated phrases, reminders, and offbeat transitions, but listen closely, and you’ll hear something much deeper.

This isn’t just a phone call. It’s a window into neurodivergent communication, into the rituals that bring comfort, connection, and meaning for my autistic brother. It’s also a reminder that a person's behaviors, however repetitive or "different"...

If you’ve ever sat on the floor surrounded by toys thinking, “What am I even doing?” — this episode is for you.

I used to hear “Just play with him, that’s how he’ll learn!” all the time when my son was little. So I tried. I got on the floor. I brought out the toys. I used every technique I knew as a professional. But it still felt… off. Boring. Exhausting. Honestly, like a waste of time.

It wasn’t until I shifted how I saw play — not as a goal, but as a response — that thin...

In this deeply personal and long-awaited episode, I sit down with someone you’ve heard about —but never from: my husband, Tarek.

For the first time ever, he shares his side of our journey as parents navigating the unknown. From the early signs of our son Talal’s silence, to the heartbreak and relief of finally getting a diagnosis—Tarek opens up about what it felt like to be a father, a partner, and a man in a moment where everything felt uncertain.

We talk about the panic attacks, the misdiagnoses, the grief timelines that didn’t m...

What if we approached periods not with dread — but with cupcakes, herbal pads, and real conversations about autonomy, hormones, and radical love?

In this heartfelt and raw episode, journalist and mother Emilee Coblentz joins Louloua to talk about parenting her autistic teenage daughter through puberty — and everything that came with it: the medication, the aggression, the grief, the joy, and the quiet revolution of learning to accept what is, rather than chase what might be.

They dive into the parts of autism parenting rarely talked about — from how sensory-friendly period products made all the difference, to how...

Riwa Derbas Chalak joins me from Lebanon to share the story of her son Ziad, who is now 14 and entering a new phase of his autism journey. As Ziad moves through adolescence, Riwa opens up about the shifts her family has made—stepping away from traditional therapy, encouraging independence, and embracing real-life learning.

We talk about what it means to trust your instincts as a parent, the emotional toll of changing course after years of structure, and the powerful wins that come with seeing your child grow. From cooking and rock climbing to working without a shadow te...

When my son wasn't talking yet, I felt lost. As a neurotherapist, I thought I had the tools — but nothing was working. I didn’t know yet that he was deaf, and every day felt like a guessing game. In this episode, I share the raw, honest journey of trying to connect with him before we had answers.

If you're in that uncertain communication space — waiting for a diagnosis, wondering what’s “wrong,” or feeling like your child just can’t or won’t communicate — this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through the shift I made that changed...

When Joelle Lahlouh became a mother, nothing prepared her for what was to come. In this moving episode, Joelle opens up about raising her son Mounir, who was later diagnosed with a rare genetic condition and autism. She shares the emotional journey of unlearning everything she thought motherhood would be, navigating uncertainty, and hitting rock bottom — before choosing a new path rooted in healing, resilience, and self-prioritization.

We talk about the power of mindset, the critical role fitness played in her recovery, and how supporting your own well-being as a parent can be the most impactful way to...

In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Host Louloua Smadi El Hajj and guest Krystel Alhayek come together for Autism Awareness Month to unpack 5 common myths about autism that may be standing in the way of real growth—for parents, professionals, and autistic individuals themselves.

From the damaging belief that autistic children are just being “difficult,” to the myth that they always need supervision or must be “fixed” to live a happy life, this episode invites you to gently unlearn and reframe outdated ideas. Louloua and Krystel bring their personal and professional experiences to the table, offering real-life examples...

What does it really feel like growing up with an autistic sibling?

In this intimate and emotional conversation, I'm joined by my youngest sister, Yasmine Smadi, for the first time on All Brains Grow. Together, we open up about what it was like growing up in a loud, unpredictable home shaped by love, neurodivergence, and therapy programs—centered around our autistic brother, Milo.

Yasmine reflects on:

Being the “quiet kid” in a family of chaos

Watching her parents evolve through neurofeedback and the Son-Rise Program®

Finding her own bond with Mi...

Ever feel like your emotions are getting in the way of how you want to show up in tough moments? In this episode, I share The Reset Strategy—a powerful mindset shift that helps you pause, clear the noise, and respond with intention. Whether you're navigating conflict, meltdowns, or your own overwhelm, this tool can help you break free from emotional loops and get back to what matters most.

💬 Want more strategies like this? Book a free discovery call to learn how BioPlay can support you and your child at home.

When guiding a neurodivergent child, how do we balance teaching them new skills while respecting who they inherently are? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr Lynette Louise, neurotherapist, mother of eight (six with special needs), and creator of BioPlay, to explore the art of teaching, motivation, and connection.

We discuss:
✅ The difference between teaching and changing a child
✅ Why motivation is just as crucial as regulation
✅ How to set high expectations while embracing the present moment
✅ The power of listening and genuine connection in neurodivergent communication

If you resonate...

Supporting neurodivergent children in learning, communication, and daily life requires more than just structure—it requires flexibility. In this episode of All Brains Grow, I sit down with Krystel Alhayek, a neurodiversity specialist and my teammate at All Brains Grow, to explore how adapting our approach can lead to real progress for children who think and learn differently.

We discuss:
- Why flexibility is essential when working with neurodivergent kids
- The balance between structure and adaptability in learning and behavior
- How allowing stimming, choices, and natural learning leads to better outcomes
...

Are you constantly running on empty? Do you feel like no matter how much “self-care” you do, burnout keeps creeping back in? You’re not alone. Parents of autistic and dyspraxic/ developmental coordination disorder (DCD) kids experience some of the highest levels of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion, yet their own well-being is often overlooked.

In this episode of All Brains Grow, I sit down with clinical psychologist and PhD candidate Lea Chawki, who studies the mental health of parents raising neurodivergent children. We break down:

- Why traditional self-care often fails parents of autist...

As parents, we want to teach our kids everything—how to navigate the world, how to grow, how to thrive. But when does teaching become too much? When does guiding turn into pushing? And how do we strike the balance between structure and freedom?

Jessy is the perfect example of this. A lifelong educator, she spent years shaping how children learn, only to realize that when it came to raising her autistic son, Nathan, she had to unlearn everything she thought she knew. In this conversation, we talk about the limits of teaching—how too much structure can...

Raising children who are deeply connected to their culture, proud of their heritage, and confident in their identity is more important than ever. In this episode, I sit down with Deema Al Alami, a Palestinian educator, author, and advocate, who has spent over 16 years shaping the way children and families engage with Arabic culture through literature and education. From co-authoring books like “48 Stories of Exile” on body safety and Palestinian heritage to launching the Arab Child Summit, Deema is on a mission to help Arab parents embrace their values while raising the next generation.

We talk about the...

Join me as I explore The Developing Child Center in Dubai with neuro-pediatric occupational therapist Raghida Ashkar. From her personal journey in post-war Lebanon to her work with neurodiverse children, Raghida shares her empathetic, hands-on approach to therapy while guiding us through the center’s neuroscience and sensory rooms. Her philosophy is simple yet profound: believe in every child's potential and work tirelessly to help them achieve it.

There’s no universal blueprint for parenting—especially when it comes to balancing connection and correction. In this episode, I sit down with Karen Abou Jaoude and Sarah Raslan, the minds behind The Wise Parent, to explore their transformative approach to parenting. Combining their Arab roots with a Western perspective, they offer insights into navigating the complex dynamics of discipline, connection, and fostering resilience in children. Drawing from their coaching experiences and our shared reflections, we discuss how small shifts in awareness and intentionality can create meaningful change—not just in parenting but in shaping the next generation. Whether you're...

What does it really take to change? In this solo episode, I share a raw and personal experience about transforming my 15-month-old daughter's chaotic sleep patterns into peaceful nights, and what it taught me about the science—and struggle—of change. I dive into the invisible addictions that hold us back, the roles we unconsciously play in perpetuating problems—both our own and those of others—and how rewiring our brains can create lasting transformation. As we step into a new year, let’s uncover the messy, rewarding truth about growth and the power we have to create real change—not...

Leila Nashabe shares her journey of raising her daughter Maya, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. From the confusing early days of the diagnosis to the incredible moment of watching Maya dance on stage, Leila walks us through the struggles, the sacrifices, and the little victories that meant the world to her family.

This isn’t just about cerebral palsy; it’s about a mother who had to slow down, shift her whole world, and find a new balance between who she was and who she needed to be for her daughter. Maya’s journey to the stage...

Let’s be honest: Talking about sexual health isn’t exactly a strength—or a regular habit—in the Arab world. These topics are often shrouded in taboo and remain under-researched in our region. But no matter how uncomfortable they make us, these conversations are essential.

In this episode, Dr. Asmahan shares transformative insights on how to navigate these discussions with honesty and practicality. She offers a realistic framework for families in the region and reminds us that sometimes, the first step is simply learning to say the words we tend to whisper out loud.

Kicking off our first guest episode with the inspiration behind All Brains Grow: my mom.. 

Growing up, she made it all look effortless, as if caring for my autistic brother came naturally. But when I sat down and asked her intentional questions, I realized how far from the truth that illusion was. My brother, now an independent 30-year-old and a sous-chef, wouldn’t be the man he is today without her unwavering support. 

Head to www.allbrainsgrow.com/podcast for support and resources

A prelude to the All Brains Grow podcast, where I share the story I always return to when I ask myself, “Why am I doing all of this?” Even now, I sometimes struggle to find the courage to talk about my heaviest burdens. But the story I share here reminds me why it’s worth opening up, no matter how hard it feels. You’ll notice my emotions take over—I can’t help it. It’s this kind of raw honesty and intimacy that I hope to bring to every conversation on this show. Because sometimes, the stories that hurt the...