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TwistED Research

TwistED Research

By: Jana Spitalnick
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The TwistED Research Podcast

Your child is brilliant, and some days, everything is hard. If you're raising a twice- or multi-exceptional (2e/Mx) kid, you already know that "gifted" and "struggling" can live in the same child, sometimes in the same hour.

The TwistED Research Podcast turns the research on 2e and neurodivergent learners into clear, practical strategies you can use at home, at school, and in the moments that matter most.

Hosted by Jana Spitalnick, a multi-exceptional (2e/Mx) specialist, gifted specialist, instructional coach, and Ed.D. candidate in Curriculum & Instruction, each episode takes one complex topic and breaks it down without the academic jargon. You'll hear what the research actually says, where the evidence is still emerging, and what to try next.

What you can expect:

Research, translated. Jana reads the studies so you don't have to, and she's honest about what we know and what we don't.

Practical frameworks. Every episode ends with strategies you can actually use, whether you're navigating meltdowns, school refusal, rejection sensitivity, or an upcoming IEP or 504 meeting.

Compassion over blame. Behavior is communication. Episodes focus on understanding what your child's nervous system is trying to protect them from, and how to stay steady when it's hard.

Episodes that stand alone. Start anywhere. Each episode is complete on its own, so you can jump to the topic you need right now.

Episodes are short enough for school pickup, a commute, or a load of laundry.

This podcast is for parents and caregivers of 2e and Mx kids, and for the educators, clinicians, and psychologists who support them.

For free resources and weekly insights, join the newsletter at bit.ly/twistED.

This podcast is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individualized medical, psychological, or educational advice.`

2e TwistED LLC 2026 Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • The 5 Faces of RSD

    The 5 Faces of RSD
    17 Sep 2026

    Your child argues like a lawyer. Or shuts down completely. Or apologizes so fast it breaks your heart. It might all be the same thing: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.

    In this episode, Jana Spitalnick breaks down the five ways rejection sensitivity can show up in bright, complicated kids, including two responses she hasn't shared on TikTok yet, and what actually helps during the storm and after it.

    You'll learn:

    • What Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is, where the term comes from, and why it isn't a formal diagnosis
    • Why experts see this sensitivity differently: brain wiring, lived experience, or both
    • The 5 Faces of RSD: The Lawyer, The Wall, The Exploder, The Escape Artist, and The People Pleaser
    • Why the "easy," over-apologizing kid is often the most overlooked
    • The one first move that works for every face: regulate before you reason
    • What the research says about the "replay" after a meltdown, and three ways to help your child move from brooding to reflection

    Which face shows up most in your home? Join the newsletter and hit reply to tell Jana. You'll also get free guides for calm, routines, and school advocacy: bit.ly/twistED

    Seeing these patterns and want a plan built for your child? Book a 90-minute Strategy Support session: www.twistedresearch.com/conciergesupport

    References

    Dodson, W. (2025, January 14). New insights into rejection sensitive dysphoria. ADDitude Magazine. https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd-emotional-dysregulation/

    Stewart, L. C., Sorid, S. D., & Olino, T. M. (2026). Rumination and rejection sensitivity: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 82, 1016–1029. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.70136

    This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, psychological, or educational advice. If your child's safety is at risk, contact a qualified professional or emergency services.
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    8 min
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