Dr. Esther Hess and Dr. Ann Kirsch together discuss the complex issues of how adoption trauma often manifests itself as maladaptive survival strategies, with guidance for differentiating these maladaptive behaviors from age-appropriate developmental challenges.

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This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

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Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866

The pros and cons of anti-depressant medication during pregnancy are thoughtfully explored as Dr. Ann and Dr. Estie discuss the quandary that women often find themselves in; what to do if you want to get pregnant, think you might be pregnant and have a diagnosis of depression?

Please note: This episode explores mental health treatment alongside fertility and pregnancy, topics that may be sensitive for some listeners.

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This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

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Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866

Dr. Ann and Dr. Estie discuss a recent article written by Rahm Emmanuel, on the specific strategies that he and his wife used to raise their three children. Offered are tips that minimize technology at the dinner table, stress the importance of reading together as a family and never ever forgetting to remind a child how much he/she are loved.

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This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

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Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866

Dr. Ann and Dr. Estie together discuss the merits and the dangers of unregulated AI as it relates to excessive exposure and tech addiction within the special needs population.

Please note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation, which some individuals may find distressing.

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This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

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Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866

Dr. Esther Hess and Dr. Ann Kirsch conduct an in-depth conversation with noted child psychiatrist Dr. Milena Kaufman, exploring the concerns raised by parents as they navigate current best practice recommendations for caring for their children impacted by autism spectrum disorder.

Most pressing, Dr. Kaufman addresses the question: “Can vaccines cause autism?”

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This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

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Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866

Why Diagnoses Don't Define Potential: Dr. Ann and Dr. Estie sit down with inventor and entrepreneur Taylor Cole for an insightful and at times hilarious discussion that refines the saying 'Don't Judge a Book by its Cover'. A candid discussion that exposes the conundrum of the limits of mental health diagnoses without limiting potential of the human spirit.

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This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

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Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866

A lot of times ADHD masquerades as something else. Drs. Hess and Kirsch discuss among themselves various conditions mimicking ADHD and offer tips and strategies from their own case files to clarify what is really going on in the brains of our children.

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This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

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Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866

What Parents Can Do: Dr. Ann and Dr. Estie have a timely discussion between themselves as they review 4 tragic and traumatic world events that occurred within 12 hours of each other towards the end of 2025. Guidance is offered to parents on how to help children of various ages and stages of development tolerate and digest news, how to shield from excessive exposure and support their own self-care.

Stay in touch!

This podcast is a conversation, and we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics you’d like us to explore, or are interested in being a guest on a future episode, email us at onandoffthespectrumpodcast@gmail.com

Music

Composer / Writer / Author: ROSSANO GENTILI - SIAE IPI: 161539866