Understanding Yourself: A Process for Finding the Person Inside

Jun 12, 2025

Join Liz Angoff, a licensed educational psychologist and author of the Brain Building Books, as she dives into the world of neurodiversity. She shares insights on fostering self-understanding in neurodivergent children, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication and relatable metaphors. Liz discusses the impact of labels on children's identities, the need for collaborative assessments, and how the right practitioners can empower families. This enlightening conversation shifts the narrative from deficits to strengths, paving the way for acceptance and confidence.

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INSIGHT

Importance of Transparent Communication

Kids often create their own stories about their challenges, sometimes harmful ones like feeling stupid.
Transparent communication about diagnosis helps reframe their narrative positively and build self-advocacy.

ADVICE

Use Brain Metaphors

Use brain metaphors like "brain under construction" to help kids relate and understand their strengths and challenges.
Encourage kids to describe their experiences with their own language, validating their feelings.

ADVICE

Collaborative Assessment Approach

Involve kids in the assessment process by using clear language and asking about their strengths and challenges.
Celebrate their progress and frame challenges as "construction projects" to build hope and agency.

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Today's episode is a heartfelt conversation about the importance of helping neurodivergent children understand themselves and their brain profile, and how this understanding can foster confidence and self-advocacy. Emily talks with Dr. Liz Angoff about the need for transparent communication with children about their diagnoses, and the use of relatable metaphors to explain complex concepts. They discuss collaborative approaches in assessments, the challenges of co-occurring diagnoses, and the role of parents in supporting their children. How can families find practitioners who align with neurodiversity-affirming practices, and how can that lead to understanding and acceptance for both children and their families? Get comfortable, today's conversation covers a lot of ground.

TAKEAWAYS

Helping kids understand their brain profiles is crucial.
Self-understanding fosters confidence and self-advocacy.
Using relatable metaphors can aid in explaining neurodiversity.
Labels can serve as anchors for understanding experiences.
Children often internalize negative labels if not addressed.
Collaborative assessments enhance understanding for both kids and parents.
Empowering parents shifts the narrative from deficits to differences.
Finding the right practitioner is essential for supportive assessments.
Normalizing neurodiversity can change family dynamics for life.

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Dr. Liz Angoff is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology, specializing in assessment and consultation for children and their families in the Bay Area, California. Her work centers on helping neurodivergent children better understand and embrace how their brains work, fostering confidence, self-advocacy, and empowerment.

She is the author of the Brain Building Books and Our Brains, a series designed to support children in navigating their learning and identity through affirming, accessible language. Through her practice and writing, Dr. Liz is committed to demystifying the evaluation process and creating tools that help families and educators work together to support thriving learners.

BACKGROUND READING

Liz Angoff’s website, Explaining Brains, Upcoming book - Our Brains, tools for parents, Instagram