TPP 082a: Dr. Gail Saltz Talks About the Power of Different & Strengths of Neurodiversity

For this episode, I’m talking with Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychiatrist, speaker, podcaster, media commentator, and an expert on a variety of psychological and mental health issues. Dr. Saltz is also the author of the new book, The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius, which explores the strengths of neurodiversity.

Dr. Saltz is mental health advocate and is passionate about fostering acceptance and understanding for differently wired ways of being. In our conversation, Dr. Saltz and I talk about the connection between neurodiversity and strengths, how kids can be best primed to tap into their gifts and reach their full potential, what needs to happen to eliminate the stigma associated with being differently wired, and much more. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Dr. Gail Saltz is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of medicine and a psychoanalyst with the New York Psychoanalytic Institute. A frequent contributor in the media, she is a columnist, bestselling author, podcast host and television commentator and one of the nation’s foremost go-to experts on a variety of psychological and mental health issues, especially those pertaining to women’s emotional well-being, relationships, and the mental health aspects of current news.

Things you’ll learn from this episode

• The inspiration behind and audience for Dr. Saltz’s book, The Power of Different
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• How Dr. Saltz defines genius (both with a “big G” and a “small g”)
• The connection between neurodifferences and strengths
• What do our kids need to tap into their inner genius
• How we as parents can help our kids connect with their untapped potential and strengths
• The benefits of neuropsych testing and getting data about a child’s strengths and weaknesses
• The 80:20 ratio of teaching to kids strengths versus deficits
• What Dr. Saltz thinks it will take for the conversation around neurodiversity to change

Resources mentioned on the strengths of neurodiversity

• Dr. Gail Saltz’s website
• The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by Dr. Gail Saltz
• The Power of Different podcast
• The Powerful Connection Between Creativity and Neurodiversity, with Kathryn Haydon (podcast)

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