On episode 139, as part of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, we address depression and suicide among neurodivergent people. We talk about intervention techniques that can help parents, teachers, or anyone who interacts with neurodivergent people to understand and support them through trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation. We are joined by Kelsie Bacon, a licensed clinical counselor and play therapist who works with young neurodivergent people to help them feel connected and supported. ...
Sep 26, 2022•31 min•Ep. 139
Many people don't realize they're neurodivergent until adulthood, after dealing with sensory sensitivities their entire lives. Robert Jason Grant joins us to talk about the various types of sensitivities, how to identify them, and how to cope with and accept them. We also dispel some popular myths, and talk about one of the lesser-known senses, interoception. Also, if you're an educator, we have a great continuing education course called Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students. Here...
Sep 15, 2022•36 min•Ep. 138
We take questions from people in the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group on Facebook, and Emily answers them. This is our second AMA, and you're invited to take part in future ones. Look us up on any of our social media channels for details and to find out how to participate. Here's the link to pre-order Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students for independent study. Anyone can take the course, and if you register now you'll receive 20% off the tuition. You can support ...
Sep 08, 2022•21 min•Ep. 137
As parents and educators prepare for the start of the new school year, middle schools everywhere are welcoming a new crop of excited, nervous, and sometimes unprepared kids. On episode 136 we talk about the middle school transition, and the changes parents can expect to see as their kids adapt to their new surroundings. Guest Phyllis Fagell is the author of Middle School Matters, and she joins us with ideas and advice. (This conversation is also featured in episode 38.) Here's the link to pre-or...
Aug 25, 2022•33 min•Ep. 136
Acting differently, speaking differently, or following different social rules, doesn't make someone less human or deserving of respect. On episode 135, Dr. Barry Prizant joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about his work moving the world of neurodiversity forward, and how we can continue advancing society toward equality and respect for everyone, regardless of their wiring. Also, here's a link to our continuing education and professional development course for school district gifted/twice-excepti...
Aug 18, 2022•38 min•Ep. 135
With neurodiversity comes a host of extra effects, sensitivities, and challenges. Parenting a neurodivergent child can require a willingness to reconsider your perspective and sometimes even change your environment, in order to help ease stress and anxiety. Jen Malia, author of TOO STICKY!, is here to lend her perspective as both a parent of neurodivergent kids, and as a neurodivergent person with her own sensitivities and challenges. Also, here's a link to our continuing education and professio...
Aug 11, 2022•34 min•Ep. 134
Helping neurodivergent kids with executive function issues is tricky. You have to use the correct strategy for their personality, and they need to 'buy in' to getting the help. We talk with executive function coach Seth Perler about different approaches to solving neurodiversity's executive function problem on episode 133. If you want to join us for TEFOS 2022, click here to sign up ! Also, here's a link to our continuing education and professional development course for school district gifted/t...
Aug 02, 2022•31 min•Ep. 133
Giftedness is complicated. By itself, it can be difficult to find curriculum, activities, or hobbies that will consistently engage gifted kids. How do you find the "Goldilocks Zone?" Jim Delisle and Emily Kircher-Morris talked about it, and we're bringing you that conversation again because it's as pertinent now as ever. Beneath the Surface of Giftedness, on episode 132. Also, here's a link to our continuing education and professional development course for school district gifted/twice-exception...
Jul 21, 2022•30 min•Ep. 132
A word many experts use to describe dyslexic people is "misunderstood." Teachers often don't catch the signs, parents often don't know the best ways to advocate for their kids at school, and amidst all of that confusion, the child can feel completely misunderstood. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Jill Stowell, author of Take the Stone Out of the Shoe, about tearing down barriers and building communication. Also, here's a link to our continuing education and professional development course for sc...
Jul 14, 2022•34 min•Ep. 131
The reality of working within a system in flux. The meaning or usefulness of the term "gifted." The utility (or futility) of labels. The confusion of overlapping diagnoses. Our conversation with Brandon Tessers runs in many directions, and covers many topics, sometimes straying into controversial areas. Nothing's off the table in episode 130 of The Neurodiversity Podcast. Also, here's a link to our continuing education and professional development course for school district gifted/twice-exceptio...
Jul 07, 2022•39 min•Ep. 130
Quirky kids often become the most accomplished adults, especially when they are allowed to grow and mature in a welcoming, neurodiversity-affirming environment. Dr. Dan Peters joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about the progress we've made toward that goal, and some of the pitfalls teachers, parents, and mental health professionals encounter as they guide kids into the future. Other topics include underachievement, PDA, dyslexia, and what we can learn from the bright, complex kids in our lives....
Jun 23, 2022•33 min•Ep. 129
If you suspect someone in your life has PDA (Pathological/Persistent Demand Avoidance), this is a conversation you need to hear. Sandra McConnell is a trainer, speaker, and blogger on the subject of PDA, and also the mother of a PDA child. She shares important insights into the struggles involved, and her unique and thought-provoking advice about how to approach life with a PDA-er. ABOUT THE GUEST - Sandra McConnell is a blogger, speaker, and trainer on Autistic Pathological Demand Avoidance (PD...
Jun 17, 2022•40 min•Ep. 128
We took questions from people in the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group on Facebook, and Emily answers them. This is our first AMA, and you're invited to take part in future ones. Look us up on any of our social media channels for details and to find out how to participate. You can support the podcast at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity . The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and you're invited to join our Facebook Group . For more information go to www.N...
Jun 06, 2022•26 min•Ep. 127
What happens when scaffolding, such as a 504 plan or IEP, goes away at college? Some schools have transition programs, but many or most do not. We're talking with Dr. Dawn Matera, co-founder of an institution called Westport College Prep, about how to get neurodivergent kids ready for the changes ahead. Also, educators and school administrators who are looking for continuing education or professional development material for gifted/twice-exceptional programs should consider our new offering, a 1...
May 26, 2022•31 min•Ep. 126
Educators are constantly learning how to better teach neurodivergent learners, but often we overlook the opportunity to help the students be better learners. How does educational therapy work? Is it dependent on the learner having a diagnosis? What is the process for working with families? We talk with Rachel Kapp and Stephanie Pitts, educational therapists and hosts of the Learn Smarter podcast, about helping learners learn, on episode 125. And if you're an educator, we have a course that will ...
May 19, 2022•29 min•Ep. 125
We talk a lot about the unique way neurodivergent kids see the world. Often, parents have a completely different view, and sometimes tend to try to rewire the kids to match theirs. Julie Skolnick guides and mentors parents, and has some advice on how they can adjust their approach, understand their kids better, and reap the rewards of a happier environment. We also talk about our new online PD/CE course for educators, "Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students," which is now available...
May 12, 2022•34 min•Ep. 124
Play therapy is an often misunderstood counseling technique. On episode 123 we clear up some of the misunderstandings, with help from Katie Bassiri, a neurodiversity-affirming play therapist. We also talk about our new online course for educators, "Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students," which is now available at www.neurodiversity.university . ABOUT THE GUEST - Katie Bassiri, LPCC RPT-S, co-authored the book "Congratulations, You're Autistic!" with her husband, Alex Bassiri. Kati...
Apr 28, 2022•28 min•Ep. 123
A three-year-old with an autism diagnosis is looking at a completely different future than someone who has masked their neurodivergence for years. We talk with Haley Moss, an attorney, author, and consultant, who helps companies create a neurodiversity-friendly atmosphere. She was diagnosed at age 3, and now has strong opinions about what it takes to move the world in the right direction, but she also has the power and determination to do it. A reminder, we've just officially launched our new co...
Apr 19, 2022•35 min•Ep. 122
What is Pathological Demand Avoidance and how does it manifest among the neurodivergent? What can we do to educate parents, teachers, and counselors about how to approach it? Understanding demand avoidance can completely transform the way you look at a child. During World Autism Acceptance Month, we feature a conversation with Harry J. Thompson from 2019, on episode 121. ABOUT THE GUEST - Harry J. Thompson was born in Edgware and grew up in Barnet in north London. He is currently based in London...
Apr 11, 2022•37 min•Ep. 121
World Autism Acceptance Month continues as Emily Kircher-Morris has a conversation with Washington DC policy and politics journalist Eric Garcia. Eric is autistic, and the author of We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. They talk about the shifts in how society views and supports autistic individuals, and what still needs to be done. Also don't forget the Bright and Quirky Summit 2022 is going on now. To register, follow this special link . ABOUT THE GUEST - Eric Garcia is the seni...
Apr 07, 2022•29 min•Ep. 120
As part of our special coverage for World Autism Acceptance Month, we talk with Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes, about autism, the neurodiversity movement, and where it's going. We talk about the writing of Neurotribes, and discuss some other books you might want to check out. This is an encore presentation of an earlier interview from 2021. Also don't forget the Bright and Quirky Summit 2022 is going on now. To register, follow this special link . ABOUT THE GUEST - Steve Silberman is an ...
Apr 04, 2022•41 min•Ep. 119
The landscape is slowly changing for neurodivergent kids, but progress is slow and we're facing headwinds. Getting a diagnosis is still integral to receiving educational services and insurance benefits, but there are downsides that can work to impede progress. Debbie Steinberg Kuntz joins us on episode 118 to talk about those subjects, and the free Bright & Quirky Summit April 4-8. The summit brings together some of the world's top neurodiversity experts, including our host, Emily Kircher-Mo...
Mar 31, 2022•30 min•Ep. 118
Whether you're a therapist, parent, or even teacher, it pays to embrace the gaming geeks around you by learning more about their world. Through efforts like relating to game characters, understanding the games they enjoy, and spending time in their world with them, you can learn new ways to help support them in the real world. Anthony Bean is the author of several books about the therapeutic implications of video games, and he joins host Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about letting your geek flag ...
Mar 23, 2022•29 min•Ep. 117
What is top down behavior, and how does it differ from bottom up behavior? Why is emotional regulation more difficult for neurodivergent people? How impactful or traumatic can a misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis be? Dr. Mona Delahooke, author of the new book Brain-Body Parenting (release date March 15), joins us to discuss these questions and more on episode 116. ABOUT THE GUEST - Mona Delahooke, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than thirty years of experience caring for childre...
Mar 10, 2022•37 min•Ep. 116
The data tells us rewarding kids for good behavior and punishing them for bad doesn't work. In fact, it harms relationships. In the education setting and at home, Alfie Kohn says we need to rethink the way we talk to kids, and how we help them learn behavioral skills, because rewards and punishment are ineffective. Emily Kircher-Morris has a conversation with Alfie Kohn, author of Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishment to Love and Reason, on episode 115. ABOUT THE GUEST - Al...
Feb 25, 2022•30 min•Ep. 115
A new book by Emily Kircher-Morris, "Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids," is now officially released! Emily and producer Dave Morris talk about the book, preview the contents, and discuss why parents will find it helpful. ABOUT THE BOOK Just because a child is gifted doesn't mean they don't have other types of neurodivergence, like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more. Conversely, even children with one of these diagnoses can be cognitively gifte...
Feb 04, 2022•13 min•Ep. 114
Technology use, for both kids and adults, is in uncharted territory. With 'sticky' algorithms, misleading information, and the tracking capabilities of technology companies, it's becoming more and more difficult to know where it's safe to go, and how much exposure is too much. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Alex Packer, author of Slaying Digital Dragons, about how to navigate the murky waters of the digital dark side, and how to involve your kids in setting their own healthy limits. ABOUT T...
Jan 20, 2022•35 min•Ep. 113
Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Jonathan Mooney, who authored a book called Normal Sucks, and who learned to read at the age of 12. They talk about the gap between normal and neurodivergence, and how advocates can help bridge it effectively and permanently. Who can advocate? How does the life experience of neurodivergent people affect how they parent their own kids? How does the deficit-model approach differ from strengths-based? What is the effect of lack of support on mental health? ABOUT THE ...
Jan 13, 2022•32 min•Ep. 112
The language around autism and neurodiversity in general is changing. As part of the review of 2021's biggest conversations we present a chat with Kristy Forbes, founder of Australia-based inTune Pathways, about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), the difference between PDA and other types of demand avoidance, and the changing language of autism, especially the terminology society uses to describe neurodivergent people. You can learn more about Kristy and PDA on the episode 85 page at www.Neuro...
Jan 01, 2022•42 min•Ep. 111
Parents often struggle with helping their children manage anxiety. Dr. Eli Lebowitz of Yale University talked with Emily Kircher-Morris about his research and work with children and their parents on managing anxiety and OCD. He's also developed a program to teach parents how to help their children with anxiety, and to help therapists learn new therapy techniques. This was one of the biggest conversations of 2021, and for details go to the episode 88 page at www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com ....
Dec 31, 2021•45 min•Ep. 110
