Navigating Autism and Giftedness

When describing their kids, some parents might mention traits like a strong desire for accuracy, perfectionism, being highly attuned to their environment, experiencing very intense emotions, and having a strong sense of fairness and justice. Some may wonder, is my child autistic, gifted, or both? This episode is about exploring that question and providing insights into both giftedness and autism.

Today’s guest is Dr. Megan Helmen.  Dr. Helmen has become passionate about educating parents and families in supporting gifted and autistic children and youth. In this episode, we’ll highlight the importance of understanding neurodivergence, adjusting our approaches and expectations, and creating inclusive environments and communities. Our goal is to provide the support that individuals need to thrive, understand the complexities of how we present as humans, and help others navigate the world. These often misunderstood kids need our attention, empathy, and informed support.

So, whether you’re a parent wondering about your child’s unique traits or an educator striving to better support your students, this episode is packed with insights that will help you understand and nurture gifted and/or autistic children.

Show Notes:

[3:13] - There’s a misunderstanding that if a child is gifted that they can’t have a disability. Sometimes a disability also causes a child’s giftedness to be overlooked.

[5:10] - There isn’t an agreed upon definition or explanation of giftedness. Dr. Helmen describes some of the qualities of a gifted child.

[6:55] - Giftedness is a form of neurodiversity, but it is not a diagnosis.

[8:15] - There are modifications and accommodations that need to be made for gifted learners for them to reach their potential.

[11:13] - Like other twice exceptional people, Dr. Helmen finds that many things are very easy and other things are very challenging.

[14:05] - Dr. Helmen describes the different pieces of an autism diagnosis.

[15:35] - If you’ve met one gifted person, you’ve met one gifted person. The same goes for autistic individuals.

[17:11] - There are differences between giftedness and autism, even though there is an overlap.

[20:09] - Identification can save a life.

[23:42] - We want everyone to have social connections when they want it and when they need it. That might mean that someone may need some extra support.

[26:03] - Support does not erase a person and who they are.

[29:31] - Start from a place of curiosity.

[30:49] - Dr. Helmen shares a resource of great accommodation ideas and websites that offer a lot of tools for parents, families, and educators.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Megan Helmen is a pediatric neuropsychologist who has been providing evaluations for 12+ years and has worked in the autism community for 20+ years. Early on, she heard disheartening stories from parents about how they received their child’s autism diagnosis. She set out to be the person who could provide that service in a more supportive, educational manner. This led to a degree in Child Psychology and graduate degree in Clinical Psychology. She believes in balancing clinical expertise and research-based interventions with connection and a sense of humor. Her clinical process is neurodiversity-affirming and continually evolving. 

Connect with Dr. Helmen:

• For clinical practice, email drmegan@developmental-discoveries.com

• For speaking, email drmeganpresents@gmail.com 

Links and Related Resources:

• Episode 185: Late Diagnosis - Why Did I Get Missed? with Dr. Monica Blied

• Episode 119: Autistic Girls - Overlooked and Underrecognized with Megan Beardmore

• Episode 38: Understanding the Gifted and Twice Exceptional Child with Dr. Nicole Tetreault

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The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.