Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Carla Ciccone, a Toronto-based writer and author of the book Nowhere Girl, about her experiences with ADHD, identity, and motherhood. Carla talks about dealing with her late diagnosis of ADHD, and the overall impact of societal expectations on women. They talk about the difficulties of navigating life with undiagnosed ADHD, how it increases the challenges of parenting, and the importance of self-awareness and therapy in managing ADHD symptoms.

TAKEAWAYS

• When you realize you've had ADHD all along, allow yourself grief and grace.

• Therapy can be a critical tool for understanding and managing ADHD as an adult.

• Motherhood can look completely different through the lens of ADHD.

For information about the variety of courses for teachers, parents, and mental health professionals through the Neurodiversity University, check the info page on our website.

Carla Ciccone is a Toronto-based writer whose work spans memoir, cultural commentary, and reported nonfiction. She is the author of Nowhere Girl, a powerful debut that blends personal narrative with investigative reporting to explore her experience of living with undiagnosed ADHD. Through sharp insight and humor, Carla sheds light on the challenges of late diagnosis and the complexities of navigating neurodivergence in a world that often overlooks it.

In addition to her book, Carla's writing has appeared in a range of publications, where she explores topics related to identity, mental health, and gender. With Nowhere Girl, she offers a resonant, deeply personal account that has sparked conversations about how ADHD—especially in women—can remain hidden for years.

BACKGROUND READING

Carla on Instagram, Carla's website, Nowhere Girl: Random House, Amazon

If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

Cookie-cutter curriculum can be Kryptonite to a gifted kid, and can often spark a decline into a place where underachievement becomes the norm. Dr. Jim Delisle helps us probe the world of underachievement, and suggests ways to help people of various underachiever profiles break their chains.

Our hearts are heavy with Jim's recent passing. Jim Delisle was a giant in the field of giftedness and neurodiversity, and one of its fiercest advocates. He was a friend, an important collaborator, and his contributions left an indelible mark on our podcast and the lives of our team. More than that, he literally changed the world for countless neurodivergent people. Our thoughts are with Jim's family - his wife, Deb, son Matthew and daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandson, Wyatt.

Thank you, Jim, for being such an important part of our story.

James Delisle, PhD, was a professor of education for 25 years at Kent State University (Ohio), where he was selected by faculty and students as a Distinguished Professor, the University's most prestigious teaching award.

Jim worked on behalf of gifted children and teens for nearly four decades. He was the author of hundreds of articles and 17 books that have been published in multiple languages, and consulted with schools worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of the needs of gifted children and adults. Jim also worked part time with highly gifted 9th and 10th graders at the Scholars' Academy in Conway, South Carolina.

Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Cody Clark, a magician and autistic self-advocate, to talk about Cody's unique approach to blending storytelling and sleight of hand to offer audiences a more authentic perspective on autism. They discuss Cody's personal experiences as a kid, before he understood his autism diagnosis, and how the diagnosis shaped his life. They talk about the importance of embracing special interests, as Cody did for his journey into magic, and the effect of advocacy work for disability inclusion and self-employment for autistic people.

TAKEAWAYS

• Magic and storytelling can help reveal an authentic autistic perspective.

• The power of special interests shapes one's journey.

• Understanding an autism diagnosis can be life-changing.

• Advocacy for disability inclusion is crucial.

• Self-employment is a viable path for autistic people.

• Magic can be a form of self-advocacy.

Join us for our free event, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, a learning and continuing education opportunity. The event will feature a presentation by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, and you'll hear from a panel of experts about the future of education. Register now!

Check out a couple of tricks from Cody the Magician.

Look, it's Cosmo the puppy, the newest addition to Emily and Dave's family!

Check out the Neurodiversity University courses we talked about in today's episode.

Cody Clark is a professional magician and autistic self-advocate based in Louisville, KY, who uses storytelling and sleight of hand to shift perceptions of autism. Through his performances and talks, Cody shares how being autistic shapes the way he experiences the world, helping audiences—from students to educators to corporate teams—recognize that autistic individuals have the same hopes, dreams, and capacity for connection as anyone else.

Cody has performed and spoken for a wide range of clients, including the University of Kentucky, Ohio State University, Energizer Batteries, Domino's Pizza, and the Delta Faucet Company. He has even testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee as a voice for disability inclusion.

BACKGROUND READING

Cody's website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube, TikTok

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

Entering the world of neurodiversity often enables personal discovery, and creates challenges. How can parenting nudge adults toward uncovering their own neurodivergence? What is 'low-demand parenting' all about? It's not simply eliminating expectations, it's deeper and more nuanced. We're diving into the complex world of self-discovery and parenting with Amanda Diekman, a late-diagnosed autistic adult, and author of "Low Demand Parenting."

Learn more about 2e students by taking our course, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students. It's great for CE credits for educators, and the course will be enlightening to anyone curious about helping 2e students thrive in the classroom.

Amanda Diekman is an autistic adult, parent coach, and author in the neurodiversity community. Amanda became a leading voice in the movement for low demand parenting practices, with her book Low Demand Parenting, published back in July 2023. Amanda runs a successful coaching practice for parents of neurodivergent children, including online courses and a vibrant membership community. She lives with her husband and three neurodivergent children in Durham, NC.

BACKGROUND READING

Amanda's website

Instagram

Many brilliant young people experience the dichotomy of disability layered on top of their intelligence. It's called twice-exceptionality, or 2e for short. What are the common misconceptions about twice-exceptional individuals? How do traditional models fall short when identifying the learning disabilities of our brightest kids? And why is early recognition so pivotal? Emily talks with Dr. Danika Maddocks, a psychologist, parent coach, and founder of the Gifted Learning Lab, about the intricacies of twice-exceptionality, in childhood and beyond.

Here's a link to the free course about power struggles from Danika Maddocks.

Learn more about 2e students by taking our course, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students. It's great for CE credits for educators, and the course will be enlightening to anyone curious about helping 2e students thrive in the classroom.

Dr. Danika Maddocks is a psychologist, parent coach, and owner of The Gifted Learning Lab. She has supported gifted and twice-exceptional kids and their families for over 15 years as a teacher, therapist, school consultant, assessment provider, and coach. She has also published award-winning research on giftedness and twice-exceptionality. Much of her work is informed by her personal experiences growing up gifted and her experience raising a young gifted kid.

BACKGROUND READING

Danika's 2e coaching program

Free power struggles course

Facebook

Instagram

For many neurodivergent people, a world built for neuronormative people provides unique challenges, especially when mental health intersects with their identity. In this episode, Emily is joined by Dr. Jessica Revill, a psychologist and bereaved parent, whose autistic son Gregory died by suicide. How did he understand his identity in a world that viewed neurodiversity differently? How did factors like ableism create barriers for him? And most crucially, what signs should we all be vigilant about to prevent such tragic losses in the neurodivergent community? Join us as we delve deeply into Jessica's journey, and the imperative of suicide prevention.

The suicide prevention line is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.

Join the Neurodiversity University Educator Hub! Sign up by September 28 at midnight Pacific time. Use the coupon code FM20 for the Founding Member discount.

Dr. Jessica Revill is a psychologist and a parent survivor to a son who died by suicide in 2020. Her autistic son, Gregory, developed tourettes, depression and possible psychosis which gradually robbed him of his will to live. Since his loss, his mother has written a memoir, "Find Him Among the Living", and works within the suicide prevention space. She is an avid advocate of suicide prevention awareness and autism.

BACKGROUND READING

Website

Prisoner of the Mind video podcast

Interoception plays a pivotal role in how all people perceive and engage with their bodies and the world around them. For neurodivergent people, the differences we experience in interoception can have a bigger effect than we might expect. How well do we truly understand interoception? And how does it influence those who process it differently? From the very sensation of 'feeling our feelings' to the day-to-day experiences and potential supports for those with variations in their interoceptive system, we dig into the subject with Dr. Kelly Mahler, she's an occupational therapist and professor at Elizabethtown University.

You can still sign up for our free Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools! It's going on this week, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive. You can talk to Emily and our expert guests, and share and compare ideas with your colleagues from around the world. You also have access to videos of each event, so you haven't missed anything.

Kelly Mahler is an occupational therapist who has served both school-aged children and adults for the last 20 years. She earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, and has won multiple awards, including the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Emerging and Innovative Practice Award & a Mom's Choice Gold Medal. Kelly is an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College as well as at Misericordia University, and is a co-principal investigator in several research projects pertaining to topics such as interoception, self-regulation, trauma & autism.

BACKGROUND READING

Facebook group

Instagram

X (Twitter)

Website

Nurturing emotional regulation in neurodivergent kids can feel like a complex puzzle, yet it's vital for their wellbeing. Why is emotional regulation such a challenging problem for them? And how can the concept of co-regulation serve as a bridge to self-regulation? Sheryl Stoller is an expert on supporting families on their journey of raising neurodivergent children. She joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about the intricacies of empathy and non-judgment at home, the challenges faced by teachers in the classroom, and the many points in between.

This is your last chance to sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools! The first event is next Tuesday, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily and our expert guests, and share and compare ideas with your colleagues from around the world. It's a great step toward meeting the needs of all students in the classroom.

Also, we'll be launching a membership community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information.

Sheryl Stoller is a Family Wellbeing Coach for parents of neurodiverse children, helping them to create a supportive environment (within themselves as well as externally) that result in peace of mind, confidence, and the ability to overcome challenges. Sheryl is also a PCI Certified Parent Coach, and Mastery Level Positive Intelligence Coach. In addition to her private practice, Sheryl serves as a Parent Coach in Debbie Reber's TiLT Parenting community, and a Positive Intelligence Humanitarian Coach providing respite for those affected by the Ukrainian war. She's a neurodivergent, highly sensitive, seasoned parent of three multi-exceptional young adults, and enjoys supporting other parents in their journey with their neurodivergent kids.

BACKGROUND READING

Sheryl's website

Facebook

LinkedIn

At the intersection of neurodivergence and LGBTQ identities, self-realization is both complex and personal. The stigmas are multifaceted, and navigating the intricate overlaps between autistic experiences and gender identity is challenging. How can we best support, recognize, and uplift neurodivergent youth within the LGBTQ community? Julia Rutkovsky, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in this unique intersection, joins us today to shed light on the challenges, the overlaps, and the ways in which we can be effective allies and caregivers.

Sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools! It happens the week of September 18th, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily and our expert guests, as well as your colleagues from around the world. It's a chance to learn and share ideas that will better position your classroom and school to meet the needs of all learners.

Also, we'll be launching a membership community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information.

Please take our listener survey. It's quick and easy, and it will help us understand who is listening, so we can better choose the subjects and guests that matter to you. We value your privacy, and won't share your personal information with anyone.

To volunteer for the research study of gifted/ADHD women, email Jessica Williams at Denver University. click to email.

Julia Rutkovsky is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent and twice-exceptional children, adolescents, and their families. She also works closely with the LGBTQ+ population, and is interested in the confluence of those communities. Julia holds a Masters of Social Work from New York University's Silver School of Social Work, and she holds a number of advanced training certificates, including child & family therapy, CBT, anxiety, meeting the needs of 2e kids, mindfulness, and dialectical behavioral therapy, among others.

BACKGROUND READING

Julia's website

What are some common issues that crop up in relationships between people of different neurotypes? Are neurodivergent people more drawn to each other than to neuro-normies? Is effective communication more challenging between neurodivergent couples? What about intimacy and affection challenges between people with different sensory sensitivities? Laurie Budlong-Morse is a therapist who specializes in helping neurodiverse couples, and she talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about mixed-neurotype relationships, on this episode of the Neurodiversity Podcast.

Sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools! It happens the week of September 18th, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily and our expert guests, as well as your colleagues from around the world. It's a chance to learn and share ideas that will better position your classroom and school to meet the needs of all learners.

Also, we'll be launching a membership community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information.

Please take our listener survey. It's quick and easy, and it will help us understand who is listening, so we can better choose the subjects and guests that matter to you. We value your privacy, and won't share your personal information with anyone.

Laurie Budlong-Morse is a private practice therapist and online content creator who specializes in neurodiverse/mixed-neurotype relationships. She offers online workshops and courses for couples, as well as for partners of autistic adults. Laurie blogs regularly about neurodiverse relationships on Medium, and co-facilitates a local networking group for clinicians working with Autistic individuals. In addition to her professional experiences, Laurie grew up in a neurodiverse family and has built a neurodiverse family of her own.

BACKGROUND READING

Laurie's website

Facebook

Medium

What does it take to be an effective learner, and how does a neurodivergent person's experience differ from that of neurotypical people? Which study methods work better for our neurodivergent population? What role does confidence play in the learning process? Finally, we take no joy in breaking some news to people who fancy themselves good multi-taskers. Cinthia Nebel is a Cognitive Psychological Scientist, and she talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about learning and studying, on episode 187.

Sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools that Emily talked about in today's show. It happens the week of September 18th, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily, our expert guests, and other attendees. It's a chance to learn and share info that will better position your classroom and school to meet the needs of all learners. 

Also, soon we'll be launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information.

Finally, please take a minute to take our listener survey. It's quick and easy, and it will help us understand who is listening, so we can better choose the subjects and guests that matter to you.

Dr. Cynthia Nebel is a Cognitive Psychological Scientist who has broad interests in human learning and memory, and applying cognitive concepts to improve education. She is currently a senior lecturer in the Leadership & Learning in Organizations Program at Vanderbilt, and is part of the Learning Scientists team, which focuses on researching ways to motivate students, increasing efficacy of teaching strategies and more.

BACKGROUND READING

Twitter

LinkedIn

Raising kids and teens who struggle with emotional regulation can be tough. Parents must navigate the complexities of societal pressures, and it can lower self-esteem and cause self-doubt. Today we talk about some essential strategies to establish a warm, connected relationship with a challenging child. We try to help find the balance between talking less, and setting clear, aspirational expectations that are crucial for both parents and kids. Our guest is Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book "Calm the Chaos," and we'll try to help quell your fear of the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies raising a challenging child.

Sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools that Emily talked about in today's show. All of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily, our expert guests, and other attendees, to share and learn how to better position your classroom to meet the needs of all learners.

Also, soon we'll be launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information.

Finally, please take a minute to take our listener survey. It's quick and easy, and it will help us understand who is listening, so we can better choose the subjects and guests that matter to you.

Dayna Abraham, bestselling author and National Board Certified Educator, is the founder of Lemon Lime Adventures, which provides resources to parents of neurodivergent kids, and helps them find peace, and meet their kids where they are. Dayna is a mother of three neurodivergent children, as well as being an ADHD adult herself, and brings an out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in a modern world. Her work has been showcased in HuffPost, Scary Mommy, BuzzFeed, ADDitude Magazine, Parents Magazine and Lifehacker. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband Jason, her kids, and two huge Newfoundland puppies.

BACKGROUND READING

Calm the Chaos book

Dayna's podcast

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

LinkedIn

With synesthesia, colors can evoke sounds, numbers can generate tastes, and the lines between senses can blur. It also occurs more often in some forms of neurodiversity. Some people have mild forms of synesthesia and don't realize it. Emily talks with Maike Preißing, a German neurodivergent psychologist and synesthesia expert, on episode 185.

Here's the link for TEFOS. Register for free for The Executive Function Online Summit, so you can join Seth, Emily, and a variety of other professionals this weekend, August 11-13.

Don't forget, we're launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information. This will be an exciting and helpful place, with plenty of activities and resources every week that will help members grow and learn, from experts and each other.

Maike Preißing is a neurodivergent psychologist from Germany who supports other neurodivergent adults and adults with mental health issues. Her focus is particularly on the Autism Spectrum and Synesthesia, which inspired her to create a community for people with these conditions, as well as her podcast, "Let's Talk Synesthesia". Maike holds a Master's degree from Leopold-Franzens University in Austria and is passionate about helping others lead happier, more fulfilling lives through her work.

BACKGROUND READING

Podcast

Instagram

Website

Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Sarah Kesty, an executive function coach and host of the Executive Function podcast, to talk about challenges and strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals with executive function and emotional regulation. They discuss offloading working memory, and ideas to help create an executive function-friendly environment at home and in the classroom. Sarah shares her three-phase coaching model and they talk about the importance of self-regulation in both academic and home settings. You'll learn how these approaches can transform the learning experience for students, and provide hope for educators and parents alike.

TAKEAWAYS

• Emotional regulation is key for learning.

• Offload working memory for better focus.

• Create executive function-friendly environments.

• Self-regulation benefits all students.

• Coaching involves exploration and strategy.

• Normalize experimentation for effective learning.

Register and attend TEFOS live, or check out recordings of the event!

Join us for our free event, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, a learning and continuing education opportunity. The event will feature a presentation by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, and you'll hear from a panel of experts about the future of education. Register now!

This episode is brought to you by the Gifted Learning Lab. Check out the signature program by Dr. Danika Maddocks, Support Your Intense Gifted/2e Kid.

Sarah Kesty is an executive function, autism, and ADHD coach dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals develop practical strategies to thrive. She is the host of The Executive Function Podcast and the creator of Brain Tools School, a coaching and learning program that supports high schoolers, college students, adults, and fellow coaches in strengthening executive function skills for everyday life.

A four-time Teacher of the Year, Sarah is known for translating research into actionable strategies. She writes and presents for international audiences and outlets such as Psychology Today, KQED, and Edutopia. Her upcoming book for educators, Growing Executive Function, will be published by Solution Tree in August 2025. Based in San Diego, Sarah is also a local trail guide and passionate gardener, committed to building a more brain-friendly and inclusive world.

BACKGROUND READING

Sarah on Psychology Today, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Edutopia, The Executive Function podcast on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

Procrastination is something we all do, but it's even more common among people with executive function challenges. Do they do it for the same reasons as neurotypical people? How can we help lessen the anxiety associated with task initiation? What methods can a neurodivergent individual use to start or finish a project their brain is telling them to put off? Emily talks with Seth Perler about procrastination and task initiation, on episode 184.

Here's the link for TEFOS. Register for free for The Executive Function Online Summit, so you can join Seth, Emily, and a variety of other professionals August 11-13.

Don't forget, we're launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information. This will be an exciting and helpful place, with plenty of activities and resources every week that will help members grow and learn, from experts and each other.

Seth Perler is a well-known Executive Function Coach, activist, educator, vlogger, and guy who cares about seeing outside-the-box kids succeed. His passion is coming alongside struggling, neurodiverse learners and giving them effective tools to launch a successful future. Seth also helps educate parents and teachers on how to support neurodivergent learners by hosting TEFOS, The Executive Function Online Summit.

BACKGROUND READING

Seth's website

TEFOS

YouTube

Facebook page

Facebook group

Instagram

Understanding ADHD is more than understanding its effects on learning or work. ADHD affects personal relationships and friendships too. How does ADHD impact the way we connect, communicate, and care for our loved ones? Alyssa Loman is a neurodivergent licensed clinical professional counselor, and she talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about the intricacies of ADHD within interpersonal bonds, and they share insights on fostering healthy connections.

When we were putting together this episode, we were thinking about how many of you might really benefit from having a guide to either reflect on your own experiences and relationships as an ADHDer, or have a conversation with the ADHDers in your life. We decided to create a free resource that can help. It's a set of reflection questions and printable journal pages to help both adults and kids & teens delve deeper into understanding how ADHD impacts their relationships. Download it for free here.

Don't forget, we're launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information. This will be an exciting and helpful place, with plenty of activities and resources every week that will help members grow and learn, from experts and each other.

Alyssa Loman, LPC, LCPC, ADHD-CCSP, is a neurodivergent licensed clinical professional counselor and ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider. She specializes in providing neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based support to ADHD adults, and is particularly passionate about working with individuals diagnosed in adulthood and ADHD women. Alyssa is devoted to improving access to quality mental health care and support, increasing understanding and awareness of neurodiversity, and creating trauma-informed environments to support the individual as a whole.

In addition to being a mental health therapist, Alyssa is the co-founder of Empowered Pathways LLC, a training and consulting company focused on providing high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming professional development opportunities.

BACKGROUND READING

Empowered Pathways website

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The intersection between neurodivergence, trauma, and adopted and foster families has a lot of overlap. There's a difficulty supporting kids who don't fit the status quo, either because of their unique wiring, or life experiences. Emily Kircher-Morris is joined by Dr. Laura Anderson, the host of the Real World Parenting podcast, and they talk about her experiences and the strategies she's learned, both as a therapist and an adoptive parent.

Also, we're launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information. This will be an exciting and helpful place, with plenty of activities and resources every week that will help members grow and learn, from experts and each other.

Dr. Laura Anderson has been a licensed child and family psychologist working with kids and teens for 25 years. Her expertise lies in learning and behavior assessments, and she specializes in areas of adoption, gender identity development, anxiety, neurodiversity, and third culture kids and families. Dr. Anderson provides training around the globe, and has been featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, and Psychology Today. She is also an adoptive parent herself, and continues to learn from the lived experience of adoptees. Dr. Anderson is passionate about helping families thrive by overcoming differences.

BACKGROUND READING

Real World Parenting Podcast

Laura's website

LinkedIn

Facebook

What is the best kind of therapy for your child? What is DMDD? How can you support your child's need for executive function skills? This is episode 181, and it's another Ask Me Anything with Emily Kircher-Morris. To be part of it, join us on Facebook in The Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy & Support Group!

Also, we're launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information. This will be an exciting and helpful place, with plenty of activities and resources every week that will help members grow and learn, from experts and each other.

Educators, here's more information on our continuing education courses in the Neurodiversity University. Get in touch with us and find out how to make it available to everyone in your district.

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 book Brain-Body Parenting, discusses these questions and more with Emily Kircher-Morris on episode 180, a reprise of their timeless visit from one year ago.

Educators, here's more information on our continuing education courses Emily talked about in the Neurodiversity University. Get in touch with us and find out how to make it available to everyone in your district.

Also, we're launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information. This will be an exciting and helpful place, with plenty of activities and resources every week that will help members grow and learn, from experts and each other.

Mona Delahooke, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than thirty years of experience caring for children and their families. She is a senior faculty member of the Profectum Foundation and a member of the American Psychological Association. She is the author of Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges, and Brain-Body Parenting. Dr Delahooke is a frequent speaker, trainer, and consultant to parents, organizations, schools, and public agencies. She lives and works in the Los Angeles area.

BACKGROUND READING

Mona's website

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Facebook

Mona's books on Amazon

What is the impact of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, after having invested years struggling with neurotypical strategies? What are areas of ADHD that are under-recognized or misunderstood? Why are common strategies for building executive function and coping skills so useless to neurodivergent people? We're talking with Skye Waterson, founder of something called the Unconventional Organisation, an international ADHD support service for adults with ADHD. Skye and Emily are talking ADHD, on episode 179.

Educators, we're launching a community for those of you dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information.

Skye Waterson née Rapson is an ADHD coach and the founder of Unconventional Organisation, an international ADHD support service that provides research-backed support to adults with ADHD. Skye's experience centers around adult education, as well as ssychology, sociology, and public health. She was diagnosed with ADHD as a doctoral candidate before making the decision to leave her candidature to work full-time on Unconventional Organisation, which has now grown to a team of 8 ADHD coaches, online courses and a podcast.

BACKGROUND READING

Skye's website

The ADHD Skills Lab podcast

Instagram

We all know that uncomfortable feeling when we are around someone who is pushing us beyond our comfort zone. How can we understand where our own boundaries are, and effectively communicate those boundaries to others? Casey Jourdan works with neurodivergent people to develop coping skills, including setting boundaries, to live more fulfilling lives. She talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about the elusive 'comfort zone,' on episode 178.

You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity

Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support.

Casey Jourdan is a growth coach who is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals. She has a Masters in Mental Health, and personal experience with ADHD, Autism, and traumatic brain injury. Casey helps people create and celebrate who they are without the weight of society's expectations. She walks with her clients to help them heal their past, reframe their present, and find their new path forward.

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Website

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Instagram

Neurodivergence often comes with a side of anxiety. Is it possible to harness anxiety as a strength? Can we find ways to work with our anxiety, instead of against it? Today we talk with Morra Aarons-Mele, the host of The Anxious Achiever podcast and author of the book by the same name, about rethinking our relationship with anxiety.

We're conducting a two-hour continuing education course for mental health professionals called "Assessing and Treating Suicidality and Self-Injury in Neurodivergent Clients." You can join online June 20th. To do so, sign up here.

Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support.

Morra Aarons-Mele is an entrepreneur, communication executive, prolific writer and speaker who is passionate about helping people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their success. She has earned a number of entrepreneurial awards, and her new book, The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears Into Your Leadership Superpower was recently published by Harvard Business Review press. Her podcast, The Anxious Achiever, spotlights stories from leaders who have reframed anxiety and mental health relating to their careers, and hosts experts to help listeners thrive. Morra holds degrees from Harvard Kennedy School and Brown University.

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Morra's website

Books

The Anxious Achiever on Spotify

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One of the more misunderstood diagnoses in the world of neurodiversity is ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. We talk with Amelia Bowler, a behavior consultant and author of the book, The Parent's Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder, about the diagnosis, and how to be better at decoding the message that kids are trying to send through their defiance. This is an encore presentation.

We're conducting a two-hour continuing education course for mental health professionals called "Assessing and Treating Suicidality and Self-Injury in Neurodivergent Clients." You can join online or in-person on June 20th in Chesterfield, MO. Learn more and sign up for either version:

Online virtual

In-person

Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support.

Amelia Bowler is an author, an artist, a parent, and a behavior consultant. Growing up twice-exceptional with undiagnosed disabilities gave Amelia some firsthand experience with neurodivergence, and she is now raising a fantastically neurodivergent child of her own. Her book, The Parents' Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder, was published in 2020.

BACKGROUND READING

Amelia's website

The Parent's Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder

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Mindfulness is definitely a buzzword today, but what's the reality of mindfulness and how can it help neurodivergent people? What are some usable techniques for kids? How does mindfulness reduce anxiety? Has the growing trend towards mindfulness caused a skeptical view of its benefits? Emily talks to Dr. Christopher Willard from Harvard Medical School, and together they answer these questions and more on episode 175.

We're conducting a two-hour continuing education course for mental health professionals called "Assessing and Treating Suicidality and Self-Injury in Neurodivergent Clients." You can join online or in-person on June 20th in Chesterfield, MO. Learn more and sign up for either version:

Online virtual

In-person

Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support.

Dr. Christopher Willard is a clinical psychologist and professor at Harvard Medical School, author and international speaker, and consultant based in Massachusetts, focusing on mindfulness and mitigating anxiety. Dr. Willard has presented at two TEDx events and is the author of twenty books, including Alphabreaths (2019), Growing Up Mindful (2016), and How we Grow Through What We Go Through. (2022) His thoughts on mental health have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, mindful.org, cnn.com, and elsewhere.

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On episode 282, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes occupational therapist and author Tracey DeMaria, to explore emotional regulation through a metaphor of "surfing the waves." They talk about how the analogy helps both children and adults visualize and manage their emotions, and how that visualization helps the process feel more like a skill to be honed rather than a clinical task. They discuss the importance of language in framing behaviors, the impact of school environments on neurodivergent children, and the integration of sensory and cognitive tools to support emotional well-being.

TAKEAWAYS

• "Surfing the waves" aids emotional regulation.

• Language shapes perception of behaviors.

• School environments especially impact neurodivergent children.

• Blend sensory and cognitive tools for balance.

• Self-awareness is key to regulation.

• Mindfulness can be adapted for kids.

• Special interests can aid emotional control.

Join us for our free event, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, a learning and continuing education opportunity. The event will feature a presentation by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, and you'll hear from a panel of experts about the future of education. Register now!

Tracey DeMaria, OTD, OTR/L, is an experienced occupational therapist specializing in regulation skills, sensory integration, and mental health. With over 20 years in the field, she currently serves as an occupational therapist in the Phillipsburg School District and as an adjunct professor in the occupational therapy master's program at Moravian University.

Tracey holds a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy from Misericordia University and a bachelor's degree from Colorado State University. Proudly neurodiverse, she is a dedicated advocate for disability rights and mental health, committed to empowering individuals of all ages and neurotypes through the development of regulation skills.

BACKGROUND READING

Tracey's website, How To Surf the Waves, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

Living an authentic life is a goal we all have. In the neurodiversity world, that can be a tricky concept. Masking has often become a habit born of self-preservation, and letting go of that can be difficult, and sometimes unsafe. On episode 174 we're joined by Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a neurodivergent coach who uses her experiences to support her clients with a positive psychology approach. She and Emily talk about how acceptance is the key to being authentic and full of life. Self-regulation can be the key to motivation, and personal interests can be harnessed to help develop coping skills.

For information about our SPACE Program, and to get registered, go here.

Grab some podcast swag in the form of t-shirts, mugs, tote bags and much more!

Dr. Rebecca Jackson is a positive psychology coaching research practitioner. She researches best practice in safely, effectively and inclusively coaching autistic and ADHD adults. She is autistic and ADHD, and so combines research, practice and lived experience in pursuit of neuro-friendly coaching. Rebecca's coaching specialism is helping clients self-regulate to promote their wellbeing and zest. When she's not eating, sleeping and breathing coaching, Rebecca can be found hiking with her dog or planning her next travel adventure.

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Burnout is something everyone occasionally deals with, but it manifests very differently in the world of neurodiversity. Today we talk about the burnout experienced by twice-exceptional and gifted kids. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Brian Housand and Andi McNair, and it's a conversation all gifted people, and parents of gifted kids, need to hear.

Our sponsor is The Gifted Learning Lab, which provides resources and coaching for parents who want to feel more confident raising their intense or sensitive gifted or twice-exceptional kid. Click here for more info and to get their free 'diffusing power struggles' course.

Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this subject and many more.

Dr. Brian Housand is the coordinator of the Academically or Intellectually Gifted program at University of North Carolina Wilmington, and creator of Gifted360.com. He is also a published author and speaker, and has worked in education as a classroom teacher, gifted ed teacher, and university professor for over 20 years.

Andi McNair is a passionate educator, author and speaker. Andi taught in the gen-ed classroom for 16 years, and then switched to serving gifted learners where she found her calling. She enjoys sharing her passion for innovative education through her books for educators, speaking nationally, and finding meaningful ways to use technology. Andi currently works as the Digital Innovation Specialist in a Waco, Texas school district.

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Brian Housand

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BH Instagram

Andi McNair

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There's a pressure on parents to allow more technology into the lives of their kids. Gaming and social media have positive and negative aspects, and neurodivergent kids often have a unique relationship to technology. Emily Kircher-Morris talks about it with Debbie Steinberg Kuntz, and they discuss the upcoming Screen Time and Mental Health summit, which starts May 15, and is available free of charge through the following Friday.

To take part in the summit, get registered here, or find the link on the episode page of our website.

Here's the link for the summer camp program at Young Scholars Academy. Please use promo code YSANDP10 for 10% off, and to let them know you heard it on the Neurodiversity Podcast.

If you're on Facebook you need to be part of our group, the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group. Join today and learn, share, and grow with us!

Debbie Steinberg Kuntz, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and is the founder of Bright & Quirky. She specializes in helping bright kids and families with learning, social, emotional and behavioral challenges optimize their lives in order to thrive.

Debbie has interviewed over 300 of the top psychologists and educators, and together with the Bright & Quirky team, has served over 100,000 parents in 150 countries through the Bright & Quirky Child Online Summit, the IdeaLab parent learning community, and a variety of Bright & Quirky programs and services. Debbie lives near Seattle with her husband and two sons.

BACKGROUND READING

Bright & Quirky

Screen Time & Mental Health Summit

Facebook

Are kids really unmotivated, or are you just misinterpreting the signs? Dr. Ellen Braaten talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about the importance of understanding signs of a lack of motivation in neurodivergent children. They delve into the connection between motivation and executive functioning, and explore strengths-based interventions and ways to integrate them into our interactions with neurodivergent kids. They also touch on the controversial question of whether there's any real value to extrinsic motivators. A meeting of the minds about motivation, on episode 171.

Here's the link for the summer camp program at Young Scholars Academy. Please use promo code YSANDP10 for 10% off, and to let them know you heard it on the Neurodiversity Podcast.

For information about our SPACE Program, and to get registered, go here.

Dr. Ellen Braaten is the Executive Director of Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General hospital, and the Kessler Family Chair in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment. She also holds an Associate Professorship at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Braaten is also an experienced and prominent psychologist, researcher, speaker, and author of the upcoming book, Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less. She received her Master's from the University of Colorado, and her Ph.D. from Colorado State University.

BACKGROUND READING

Dr. Braaten's website

Bright Kids Who Couldn't Care Less

Massachusetts General's Learning & Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP)

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Is the neurodiversity movement a social justice issue? How can we convince the world that differences aren't deficits? Many of our widely-held beliefs are grounded in fairly obvious ableism. Dr. Bibi Pirayesh is a learning specialist and educational therapist, and founder of the Differences Are Not Deficits Project. She speaks out with Emily Kircher-Morris on episode 170.

Here's the link for the summer camp program at Young Scholars Academy. Please use promo code YSANDP10 for 10% off, and to let them know you heard it on the Neurodiversity Podcast.

Get mom some swag for Mother's Day and support the podcast at the same time.

Dr. Bibi Pirayesh works with children in grades 1-12 with a wide range of learning difficulties, including dyslexia, ADHD, and spectrum disorders. Her work as a learning specialist and educational therapist in private practice emphasizes on remediating learning disabilities in a one-on-one setting. Dr. Pirayesh is also a speaker and community advocate for children and families around learning rights. In 2020, Dr. Pirayesh launched The Different is Not Deficit Project to promote the importance of seeing learning disabilities as a social justice issue.

In addition to her private practice and advocacy work, she is also adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University.

As Autism Acceptance Month continues, we present a visit with Casey Ehrlich. Casey talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about the relationship between autism and PDA, and about her experience raising her PDA autistic son. She has a different approach that works for her, but is met with a measure of skepticism from some. It's all ahead, in episode 169.

For information about our SPACE Program, and to get registered, go here.

Register today and get started on our free executive function course from the Neurodiversity University! It's set up for educator professional develop and continuing education credit.

Join the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group on Facebook.

Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D., is the founder of At Peace Parents, LLC, an organization that gives parents and therapists tools to support kids with PDA. She's also the co-founder of the PDA Parents community and podcast. With a background in social science, methodology, and research, Casey takes an objective and non-judgmental approach to supporting families. She's conducted original research on conflict, peace, and non-violence in areas impacted by civil war in Colombia, and brings those insights to her work with families raising PDA children and teens, or those with hyper-sensitive nervous systems, fight, flight, and freeze behaviors, and trauma. She is also raising two sons, one of whom is PDA Autistic.

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At Peace Parents

At Peace Parents Podcast on Apple

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Selah is an autistic 7th grader at a private school, and is navigating all of the expectations and social relationships of being neurodivergent. She's the main character in a middle-grade fiction book called Good Different, by Meg Eden Kuyatt, and Emily Kircher-Morris talks to her about life as an autistic author. Who was the inspiration for Selah? Was it difficult to write her story completely in poem form? What advice does Meg have for neurodivergent kids growing up today? It's all in episode 168, part of our celebration of Autism Acceptance Month.

Here's the link for the summer camp program at Young Scholars Academy. Please use promo code YSANDP10 for 10% off, and to let them know you heard it on the Neurodiversity Podcast.

Register today and get started on our free executive function course from the Neurodiversity University! It's set up for educator professional develop and continuing education credit.

To get A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children (2nd edition) at a 25% discount, click here and use the discount code NDPOD25.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Meg Eden Kuyatt is a 2020 Pitch Wars mentee, and teaches creative writing at colleges and writing centers. She is the author of the 2021 Towson Prize for Literature winning poetry collection "Drowning in the Floating World" (Press 53, 2020) and children's novels, most recently "Good Different," a JLG Gold Standard selection (Scholastic, 2023).

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Meg's Linktree

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Are there neurodiversity training and certification programs for medical practitioners? How can we help our kids deal with existential dread? Is there still no connection between taking Tylenol during pregnancy and autism? Plus many other questions, asked and answered, on our fourth Ask Me Anything. Emily Kircher-Morris dishes it out on episode 167!

 To get in on the asking, join our Facebook group: The Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy & Support Group.

To get A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children (2nd edition) at a 25% discount, click here and use the discount code NDPOD25.

It's common today for people to be diagnosed as neurodivergent as an adult, having survived childhood without the recognition or support that may have come along with a diagnosis. Our guest lived that experience. Carolyn Kiel is the host of the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast, and she joins Emily to talk about her life as an autistic woman. What are the hurdles and barriers to getting an autism diagnosis? Does a diagnosis even matter once you're an adult? How can looking back at your childhood from that new perspective change the way you think about the world? It's episode 166, and it's part of our special series during April, Autism Acceptance Month.

This episode is brought to you by SPACE - Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. To register for SPACE, submit your information through this portal. For more details go to Neurodiversity University.

Join the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group on Facebook!

ABOUT THE GUEST

Carolyn Kiel is an experienced instructional designer of employee training programs. On her award-winning podcast, Beyond 6 Seconds, she features neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creatives and advocates who shatter misconceptions, break stigma, and showcase the diversity of the neurodivergent community. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vassar College and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

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Website

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During Autism Acceptance Month, we're reminding anyone who will listen that acting differently, speaking differently, or following different social rules, doesn't make someone less human or deserving of respect. Dr. Barry Prizant is the author of Uniquely Human, and joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about moving the concept of neurodiversity forward, and how we can continue advancing society toward equality and respect for everyone, regardless of their wiring. This is a previously published interview with updated information for AAM 2023.

Our new program is SPACE - Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. To register for SPACE, submit your information through this portal. For more details go to Neurodiversity University.

Emily is a co-author of A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children (2nd edition), which will be released April 11! For 25% off, click here and use the discount code NDPOD25.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP is among the world's leading authorities on autism and neurodevelopmental conditions, and is recognized as an innovator of respectful, person- and family-centered approaches for autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families. With fifty years of experience as a clinical scholar, researcher, and international consultant, he is a Visiting Scholar at Brown University, a certified speech-language pathologist, and director of Childhood Communication Services at his private practice.

Barry is coauthor of The SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach, now being implemented in more than a dozen countries. He has published four books, more than 140 articles and chapters and has received many awards, including the Honors of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (their highest recognition), the Princeton University Eden Foundation career award for improving quality of life for persons on the autism spectrum, and the Divine Neurotypical Award of GRASP, the world's largest autistic self-advocacy organization. He has been a two-time featured presenter at the United Nations on World Autism Awareness Day.

His recent best-selling book, Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism is now published in 22 languages, and he co-hosts and co-produces Uniquely Human: The Podcast.

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Barry's website

Uniquely Human, the Podcast

Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism (book)

In this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Joshua Stamper, author of The Language of Behavior, to explore decoding and rethinking behavior. Joshua describes his personal journey from a reluctant student to an inspiring educator, and how early experiences shaped his philosophy on supporting students. The conversation covers key topics such as trauma-informed practices, the importance of building relationships in education, and Joshua's innovative framework for understanding behavior through environment, root causes, and intentional response. They also touch on burnout and the need for self-care, and leave you with practical strategies for creating a supportive learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS

• Behavior is communication.

• Connection before correction.

• Adopt trauma-informed practices.

• Prioritize educator self-care.

• Empathize with student experience.

Join us for our free event, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, a learning and continuing education opportunity. The event will feature a presentation by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, and you'll hear from a panel of experts about the future of education. Register now!

Joshua Stamper is an educator, speaker, and author with a deep commitment to fostering growth and leadership in education. As the creator of Aspire to Lead and a former middle school administrator with nine years of experience, he draws on both his professional background and personal journey as a struggling student to advocate for supportive, student-centered learning environments.

Joshua is the author of The Language of Behavior, a practical guide that equips educators with trauma-responsive strategies and alternative behavior practices to enhance student success. Through his writing, speaking, and leadership work, he empowers education professionals to lead with empathy, embrace innovation, and drive meaningful change in their schools and communities.

BACKGROUND READING

Josh's website, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky, Aspire to Lead, The Language of Behavior

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

Many consider "A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children: A Resource for Caregivers and Advocates" to be the most comprehensive and important handbook on the subject of giftedness ever published. However, it was originally released in 2007, and since then, updated research has placed giftedness under a much more focused lens. Our guest, Ed Amend, was one of the original co-authors, and he recruited Emily Kircher-Morris to co-author a second edition, complete with a wealth of new information and research. In this episode they talk about what's new in the updated version, and how our understanding of giftedness has changed in the 16 years since its first release.

This episode is brought to you by SPACE - Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. To register for SPACE, submit your information through this portal. For more details go to Neurodiversity University.

To get A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children (2nd edition) at a 25% discount, click here and use the discount code NDPOD25.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Edward R. Amend, Psy.D., is a Clinical Psychologist at The Amend Group in Lexington, KY. He has worked in both private practice and community mental health settings, as well as in consulting positions with clinics, hospitals, schools, and other organizations.

Dr. Amend is co-author of A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children, and Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, and Other Disorders. Dr. Amend has held various positions, including on the Board of Directors of Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted (SENG); President of the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education (KAGE) and Chair for the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Counseling and Guidance Network. He has been a consultant to the Davidson Institute for Talent Development and a Contributing Editor for Roeper Review, a peer-reviewed journal for gifted education.

BACKGROUND READING

A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children (2nd edition), available April 11, 2023

Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults

The Amend Group

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We welcome Elizabeth Hamblet, the author of Seven Steps for College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities, to talk about how parents can prepare their neurodivergent kids for college. We talk about when to begin preparing, and how to develop processes and good habits. We discuss what most colleges offer (or don't offer) to neurodivergent students, and when it might be best to alter plans. The truth about post-high school accommodations might shock you. We talk about it in episode 163.

This episode is brought to you by On Your Marq, a College Success program for neurodivergent students at Marquette University. Call 414-288-0203, or go to www.marquette.edu/on-your-marq.

To register for a spot in our SPACE program, submit your information through this portal. For more details, and for information on our courses for educators and parents, head to the Neurodiversity University.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Elizabeth Hamblet began her career as a high school special ed teacher, then transitioned to working in a college setting, helping students with time management, organization, reading and study skills. Elizabeth is also a recognized author and speaker who utilizes her 20+ years of experience to help parents find an organized path through the college preparation process, get the real truth about accommodations for students entering college, and navigating the admissions process.

She's also a contributing writer for Disability Compliance for Higher Education, a journal for higher education disability professionals, and her work has also appeared in the Journal of College Admission, Teaching Exceptional Children, ADDitude Magazine, Attention, Raising Teens, and Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, and on platforms like Understood.org and ADDitudemag.com.

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Elizabeth's website

Elizabeth's book

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While career changes are possible later in life, our first choice defines much of our career so it's important to make careful decisions. But when multipotentiality comes into play, there could be many solid options. Throw in something like perfectionism, and it can bring the process to a halt. Dr. Jon Goodwin from UC Santa Barbara joins Emily to talk about multipotentiality, and when there's more than one right answer.

This episode is brought to you by On Your Marq, a college success program for neurodivergent students at Marquette University. Call 414-288-0203, or go to https://www.marquette.edu/on-your-marq.

Sign up for our free course, Using Fandoms + AI to Develop Coping Skills for Neurodivergent Kids, available through our learning portal, the Neurodiversity University. 

Head to our new merchandise page to check out our popular "a little weird is good" t-shirt, along with lots of other shirts and swag to tell the world you support the podcast!

ABOUT THE GUEST - Jon W. Goodwin, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where also serves as the Director of Clinical Training for the doctoral- and specialist-level school psychology programs. His research is focused on the assessment of learning differences and psychoeducational services for high ability students. As a licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist, he provides advanced training and supervision in psychoeducational assessment, counseling and psychotherapy, and the delivery of psychological services in schools.

BACKGROUND READING

Jon at LinkedIn

Gevirtz School at UC Santa Barbara

Parents often struggle with helping their children manage anxiety. Dr. Eli Lebowitz of Yale University joins us to talk 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.

To register for SPACE, submit your information through this portal. For more details, head to Neurodiversity University.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Professor Eli Lebowitz studies and treats childhood and adolescent anxiety at the Yale Child Study Center. His research focuses on the development, neurobiology, and treatment of anxiety and related disorders, with special emphasis on family dynamics and the role of parents in these problems.

Dr. Lebowitz is the lead investigator on multiple funded research projects, and is the author of research papers, books (including Breaking Free of Child Anxiety & OCD) and chapters on childhood and adolescent anxiety. He is also the father of three boys.

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Research via Google Scholar

Breaking Free of Child Anxiety & OCD

SPACE on Facebook

Intelligence is divided into several categories, and today we're talking about non-verbal intelligence. It's often harder to recognize, so it can be a struggle for people with higher non-verbal intelligence to show their abilities. What are the signs of high non-verbal intelligence? How can we tease out those signs in people who mask, or those who have spiky profiles? Mark Hess is the editor of the SENG Library, and President of the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented. Mark and Emily are talking about non-verbal intelligence, today on episode 160.

Here's a link to register for our free webinar about the SPACE program, happening Monday, February 27 at 8:00pm eastern/5:00pm pacific. SPACE is a service provided through the Neurodiversity University. Get more info on the website.

Bridges Academy Online is a proud sponsor of episode 160. For more information go to bridges.edu.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Mark Hess is the President of the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented and editor of the SENG Library. He has published nine books for gifted specialists, including I Used to Be Gifted, as well as a number of resources for educators on critical thinking and social-emotional needs of gifted students. Through his role with Portable Gifted and Talented, Mark has shared over 25,000 free resources. You can visit his website at www.giftedlearners.org. When he's not speaking or writing, Mark is the Gifted Programs Specialist in a large urban school district in Colorado Springs.

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Mark's website

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I Used To Be Gifted

Often, autistic girls are called shy, introverted, perfectionistic, confused, anything BUT autistic. There is a pervasive impression, even in the medical community, that autism occurs in boys vastly more often than girls. The result is, autistic girls are missing out on services and tools that are available to them. Holly Blanc Moses is a therapist, and the host of The Autism ADHD Podcast, and she joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about missing autism in girls.

On Your Marq at Marquette University is a proud sponsor of episode 159. For more information, go to http://www.marquette.edu/on-your-marq.

Also, here's the link to pre-order A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children, Second Edition.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Holly Blanc Moses is passionate about helping neurodivergent children, adults and their families. Over the last 23 years, she has provided mental health therapy in the areas of emotional regulation, anxiety, social interaction, depression, parent-child relationship, and school success. She is the host of The Autism ADHD Podcast and Autism ADHD TV. Holly is also the mother of two neurodivergent children.

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The Autism ADHD Podcast

Autism ADHD TV

Facebook group for parents

Facebook group for professionals

Holly's practice

Education and course website

The technology world is changing quickly. For confirmation, look no further than ChatGPT. Parents, teachers, and mental health professionals are rushing to determine where to draw new lines, and which lines to erase, so that kids are able to safely utilize resources and entertainment. Also, what is okay to post publicly? How can kids cope with FOMO (fear of missing out)? How can we help them deal with anxiety when they see the highly filtered lives of others on social media? Dr. Devorah Heitner is the author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World, and the forthcoming book Growing Up in Public. Dr. Heitner joins Emily Kircher-Morris to discuss these issues and more.

This episode is sponsored by Understood. Visit U.org for expert resources on ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences.

If you're a parent with kids who may be struggling with anxiety or obsessive & compulsive thoughts, make plans to join us for a free webinar to learn more about a new program we're offering through the Neurodiversity Alliance, called SPACE. Here's the link to register, and download the PDF for more information. Listen to episode 88 for our conversation with Dr. Eli Lebowitz about the SPACE program.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Devorah Heitner is a resource parents turn to for empowering advice on raising resilient and kind kids in an always-connected world. Her previous book, Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World, was an Amazon bestseller, and she is a featured speaker at conferences and independent & public schools in the United States and abroad. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN Opinion, Fast Company, and elsewhere.

Dr. Heitner earned a Ph.D. in media/technology and society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul University, Lake Forest College, and Northwestern.

Here's a link to Devorah's free email course, Seven Day Tech Habit Reset.

We're still in a years-long pandemic. Humanity feels like it's crumbling. How do we deal with the inevitable feelings of existentialism? It's common for neurodivergent people to experience it more intensely, and at an earlier age. They question life, worry about death, and generally ask, "what's it all about?" Our guest is Leon Garber, author of a blog called Leon's Existential Cafe, and we're diving deep on episode 157. It's an encore presentation of a chat from 2020, but is very pertinent today.

Today's episode is sponsored by The Council for Exceptional Children. For more information, go to exceptionalchildren.org.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Leon Garber is a philosophical writer, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Psychotherapist — specializing in Existential Psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma Therapy. He's also the author of Leon's Existential Cafe, a blog exploring issues of death, self-esteem, love, freedom, life-meaning, and mental health/mental illness, from both empirical and personal viewpoints. His practice is based in Brooklyn, NY.

What more do parents need to understand about their neurodivergent kids in order to reach that "aha" moment? Does it ever even really arrive? Penny Williams, author of Boy Without Instructions, host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, and co-founder of The Behavior Revolution, joins Emily Kircher-Morris on episode 156 to talk about understanding what motivates our kids to be who they are. This is an episode every parent should hear.

Download the Behavior Wheel here.

Today's episode is sponsored by The Council for Exceptional Children. For more information, go to exceptionalchildren.org.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Penny Williams is a coach for neurodivergent families and the award-winning author of four books on ADHD, including Boy Without Instructions. She's the host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast, co-host of the annual Neurodiversity Summits, and co-founder of The Behavior Revolution, an initiative devoted to celebrating and supporting kids with ADHD or autism.  Penny empowers parents to help their neuro-atypical kids - and families - thrive.

Often, neurodivergent people have a completely different communication experience than neurotypicals. They respond differently to regulation, attention, and motivation, and often parents struggle when trying to improve connections with their kids. Linda Murphy is the author of The Declarative Language Handbook, and she's joining us with ideas on how to reframe communication and break down barriers.

Here's a link to the Neurodiversity University, where you can find info on our first two courses, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students, and Foundations of Dyslexia for Educators. We'll be adding courses for parents, mental health professionals, and more as we enter 2023, so look for more information along the way.

Episode 155 is brought to you by Bridges Academy Online, a high school education for twice-exceptional students. Find them at bridges.edu.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Linda Murphy is a speech language pathologist and RDI Consultant. She co-founded the "Peer Projects Therapy From the Heart" clinic in Beverly, Massachusetts, and has authored several books and numerous articles during her career. Linda has enjoyed working with individuals with social learning differences for over 25 years.

On today's episode, Emily Kircher-Morris talks about the transformative power of play with Georgie Wisen-Vincent, a nationally recognized expert in play therapy. Emily and Georgie explore how play supports emotional resilience, not just in young children, but across all ages. They talk about the importance of adapting play for neurodivergent children, and the role of play in fostering emotional regulation and executive function. They also discuss ways to engage with children through play, and provide suggestions on how to create meaningful connections that nurture their development.

TAKEAWAYS

• Play is essential for emotional resilience.

• Play therapy has a role in neurodevelopment.

• Adapt play for neurodivergent children.

• Play has an impact on emotional regulation and executive function.

• You should establish a balance between screen time and real-world play.

• Play should remain present in educational settings.

Let the courses in the Neurodiversity University help you be a better educator, parent, and/or clinician.

Georgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S, ECMHS is a nationally recognized play therapy expert and co-author of The Way of Play (Penguin Random House, January 2025) with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson. She is the Founder and Director of The Play Strong Institute, a center focused on the study and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopmental lens, and also practices as a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist at The Center for Connection in Southern California.

Georgie is a graduate professor at Santa Clara University and an active researcher in childhood play, attachment science, and mental health. She studied play therapy at the University of Roehampton in London and is currently completing her doctoral degree.

BACKGROUND READING

Instagram, Facebook, Play Strong Institute

The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

What does it take to make a counseling practice neurodiversity-affirming? What do we need for the wider mental health community to understand or embrace in order to better support neurodivergent people? Dr. Andy Kahn from Understood.org is here to talk with Emily Kircher-Morris about these subjects and many more.

The Belin-Blank Center is a proud sponsor of episode 154, for more information, go to www.BelinBlank.org.

Here's a link to the Neurodiversity University, where  you can find info on our first two courses, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students, and Foundations of Dyslexia for Educators. We'll be adding courses for parents, mental health professionals, and more as we enter 2023, so look for more information along the way.

ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Andrew Kahn is a licensed psychologist specializing in working with neurodivergent individuals. He's also the Associate Director of Behavior Change & Expertise for Understood.org.

His extensive experience within the public school system encompasses providing training, evaluation, consultation and therapeutic support to students, families and staff. Dr. Khan has also worked closely with underserved communities, and supported school committees to develop policies on mental health supports, suicide prevention, and access to learning interventions. Dr. Khan himself identifies as a person with learning and thinking differences.

He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Syracuse, and both master's and doctoral degrees from Nova Southeastern University.

Destigmatizing labels. Teaching mental health professionals to be neurodiversity-affirming. Reasonable expectations of your kids, and when is it enough? Plus many other questions, asked and answered, on our third Ask Me Anything. Emily Kircher-Morris dishes it out on episode 153!

 To get in on the asking, join our Facebook group: The Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy & Support Group.

Dyscalculia. What is it? Why haven't we heard more about it? What is its relationship with dyslexia? On the first episode of 2023, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Laura M. Jackson, author of Discovering Dyscalculia, and they talk about Laura's journey with her dyscalculic daughter, the symptoms to look for, diagnosis, advocacy, and more.

This episode is sponsored by Understood. Visit U.org for expert resources on ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences.

By the way, here's a link to the Neurodiversity University, where you can find info on our first two courses, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students, and Foundations of Dyslexia for Educators. We'll be adding courses for parents, mental health professionals, and more as we enter 2023, so look for more information along the way.

And, join our Facebook group here!

ABOUT THE GUEST - Laura M. Jackson is a writer, advocate, and consultant for individuals with dyscalculia. Her book, Discovering Dyscalculia, is a resource for children, parents, teachers, and adults struggling with or supporting someone with this little-known disability. She is also the mother of two daughters, one of whom is twice-exceptional and dyscalculic.