Navigating the transition from crisis and survival mode to finding the right resources for your child is crucial, especially given recent statistics that indicate 40% of parents feel immobilized by overwhelm, with 70% reporting high levels of stress. This stress is often intensified for parents of neurodivergent children, who face additional difficulties in accessing appropriate support and resources.
For today’s episode, I am joined by Angela Powell, co-founder of Mad Charlie Inc., to discuss the vital role her organization plays in supporting parents of neurodivergent children. Given the high levels of stress and overwhelm reported by many parents, Angela will explain how Mad Charlie Inc. aims to provide essential resources and support, helping families transition from crisis mode to effective, empowered advocacy for their children’s needs.
Challenges of Finding Credentialed Professionals
Mad Charlie Inc. was founded in 2021 by Angela and her husband after years of unacceptable experiences. Their family spent years in crisis and survival mode because they weren’t encountering the “curious, credentialed people” they needed—professionals who not only had the right credentials but were also compassionate and insightful. As parents, they often felt disempowered during meetings with practitioners, expected to provide answers they didn’t have, while hoping for expertise that didn’t come.
The emotional toll of unmet expectations, coupled with the pressure to navigate their child’s needs, caused Angela to lose faith in her own intuition as a mother. The situation worsened when they took custody of their older son at age 17, who had acquired neurodivergence from trauma. Their family had to work quickly to help him feel safe and loved in a stable home environment.
When there's chaos at home, it can affect everyone, as Angela and her family experienced. Their older son began struggling with anxiety and depression in middle and high school, and despite their efforts, they couldn’t fix the situation. They felt isolated in their struggles until a fellow musician confided in them who said that his 10-year-old son had been taken from school by Child Protective Services (CPS), placed on medication, and the family was not allowed to see him for three days.
The difference between the two families lay in the level of support offered by their respective school districts—Angela's district provided resources, while the other family’s district chose removal over support. The musician’s family, both working parents, had even fewer resources, compounded by their lack of time. Angela reflected on how shame often keeps people from discussing their struggles, even though these experiences are all too common.
The Importance of Vulnerability and Community
It's frightening to push back when seeking guidance, as parents often fear judgment or the risk of their child being removed. While many professionals enter their fields with passion and good intentions, the system itself is broken. Over time, they may lose sight of their purpose, leaving families without the proper support.
That's why it's important to work with curious professionals who continue to learn and grow, staying informed about cutting-edge research rather than relying solely on traditional methods. Angela pointed out that while attending mainstream conferences can be useful, they often present stale information. Indeed, true progress comes from professionals who maintain curiosity, seek out new knowledge, and stay up to date to provide the best support possible to families.
There are growing challenges for parents as they face the rise of neurodivergence and medical issues. Parents are becoming the driving force for change by asking questions and seeking alternative solutions. However, many parents feel unsafe discussing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with only 11% speaking to their doctors about it, despite 70% using these approaches.
For Mad Charlie Inc., the goal is to encourage the “credentialed village” to use their expertise wisely and listen to the lived experiences of families. Angela emphasized that while it takes intelligence to earn credentials, it’s how professionals apply that knowledge that matters most. She urged parents to challenge professionals who aren't listening or addressing their needs, and for those professionals to step back from systems that prevent them from truly supporting families.
There are many ways to approach medicine and understanding the brain, especially as we continue learning more about these fields. At Mad Charlie Inc., they challenge professionals to be curious and continue learning, and they aim to bring this valuable information to families in need.
Additionally, they are launching a conversational course series titled “Conquering the Maze: ADHD,” which shares lived experiences and guides families toward valuable resources. Angela, drawing from her own journey, emphasized that while she may not have formal credentials, her experience as a parent provided her with profound insights into the power of vulnerability.
Mad Charlie Inc. strives to create a supportive space where families can openly share their stories and connect with others facing similar challenges. The course is designed to offer guidance and community, ensuring that families who often feel isolated in their struggles find the care and support they need to thrive.
The Role of Parents as the Best Resource
Angela praised key figures in the field, including myself—Dr. Roseanne, Megan Champion from Mothers Together, Catherine Witcher from Master IEP Coach, and Mariah Choate from Wiz Therapy. She emphasized the impact these individuals had on her journey, noting how they provided valuable resources and support for families navigating challenges in education and neurodivergence. She also shared how connecting with us, particularly at conferences, empowered her as a parent and helped shape the foundation of Mad Charlie Inc., highlighting the importance of community and resource sharing for parents.
Angela shared her powerful experience of feeling validated and seen during a conference, specifically when I addressed the complexities of nutrition in relation to neurodivergence. She emphasized how an honest and empathetic approach resonates deeply with many families, offering them the support and understanding they often lack. This kind of open dialogue is crucial in helping parents feel empowered to make informed decisions for their children’s well-being.
While professional guidance is essential, parents are often the best resources for their children. Mad Charlie, Inc. was founded on the belief that caregivers should be empowered to trust their instincts and take control of their child’s journey. Many families feel unsupported and overwhelmed, but with the right information and a strong sense of community, they can reclaim their role as the most important advocates for their children’s well-being.
Navigating the system to support a child with different needs can be overwhelming, especially given the limited time professionals often have to understand a family's situation. Many parents feel isolated and uncertain, but the key to taking control is recognizing that they, as caregivers, are their child's best resource.
The first step is often connecting with a community of families who have gone through similar experiences. This sense of belonging and shared knowledge helps parents break free from “analysis paralysis” and move forward with confidence. Building a strong support system, both inside and outside traditional systems, empowers parents to advocate for their children and guide practitioners to better understand what's really happening.
Building a knowledgeable community, such as through Mad Charlie Inc., offers parents a space to explore both natural and allopathic solutions. The conversation series at Mad Charlie Inc. aims to provide a holistic approach to addressing neurodivergence, recognizing that conditions like ADHD, autism, and OCD have diverse causes and require individualized care.
The Impact of Nutrition and Holistic Approaches
There exists a gap between allopathic and holistic medicine, with functional medicine positioned in the middle to address root causes while integrating strengths from both approaches. Mad Charlie Inc. seeks to bridge this gap by providing families with comprehensive, vetted resources rather than prescribing specific treatments. Their platform features 17 experts, including pediatricians, neuropsychologists, and functional medicine providers, offering a range of perspectives and live Q&A sessions to address various concerns.
The “Conquering the Maze” conversational course series is designed to educate and empower parents through accessible webinars that tackle common issues related to neurodivergence. This series helps parents understand their role, especially in IEP meetings, and highlights the importance of taking an active, informed role in their children's education and well-being. Additionally, Mad Charlie Inc. emphasizes the value of free community and tech resources, enabling families to effectively navigate challenges and support their children's growth.
Want to join the Mad Charlie Inc. community? Check out their website: https://www.madcharlieinc.com/
Not sure where to start? We'll help you find the right solution tailored to your needs. Visit https://drroseann.com/help/ today and take our FREE Brain and Behavior Solutions Matcher.
Discover science-backed mental health solutions and gain valuable insights from Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge by exploring the resources available at www.drroseann.com.
For more information, check out the following posts:
- https://drroseann.com/anxiety-treatment/
- https://drroseann.com/child-anxiety-test-helping-parents-understand-anxiety/
Links and Resources:
➡️ Join our FREE Natural Parenting Community to receive science-backed resources for your child and family. Join here.
➡️ Get help from Dr. Roseann and her team. Apply here.
➡️ “Is it ADHD or something else?” Take the quiz.
