Neurodiversity Podcast

A Guide to School Counseling In a Neurodiverse World

Sep 5, 2024

Brandon Gernux, an elementary school counselor and the 2024 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year, dives into the evolving role of school counselors in supporting neurodivergent learners. He discusses the detrimental effects of masking on students' mental health and the vital need for self-advocacy skills. Highlighting the importance of including neurodiversity education in curriculums, Brandon showcases how leveraging students' unique strengths can lead to more inclusive and supportive school environments. He advocates for a neurodiversity-affirming framework as a crucial social justice issue.

32:37

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Brandon Gernux

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Quick takeaways

Adopting a neurodiversity-affirming framework in schools is essential for supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent learners effectively.

School counselors play a crucial role in promoting self-advocacy and addressing systemic barriers to foster inclusive educational environments.

Deep dives

Impact of Masking on Neurodivergent Students

Many neurodivergent students learn to mask their behaviors in response to social pressures from teachers, peers, and administration. This masking can lead students to internalize behaviors that are not authentic, in an effort to fit in and avoid ostracism. Consequently, students who struggle with masking may experience significant mental health consequences, including anxiety and depression, as they feel the need to suppress their identity. Addressing the negative impacts of masking is essential in creating a supportive environment where students can express their true selves without fear of judgment.

Intro

3min

Embracing Neurodiversity in Education

16min

Emphasizing Strengths in Neurodivergent Education

2min

Harnessing Interests for Social Skills Development in Neurodivergent Children

4min

Advocacy for Neurodivergent Students

8min

In episode 240, Emily Kircher-Morris chats with Brandon Gernux, an elementary school counselor from Santa Ana, California, and the 2024 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year. Emily and Brandon dive into the importance of neurodiversity-affirming support in schools, sharing insights on how schools are slowly evolving to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners. They discuss the critical role school counselors play, particularly in addressing the challenges of camouflaging and masking, which can significantly impact students' social development and personal satisfaction. They talk about the value of self-advocacy, the necessity of including neurodiversity education in the curriculum, and how leveraging the strengths of neurodivergent learners can lead to more authentic and supportive school environments.

Takeaways

Schools need to adopt a neurodiversity-affirming framework to support neurodivergent learners.
Camouflaging and masking can have negative impacts on students' social development and mental health.
Self-advocacy skills are crucial for neurodivergent students to express their needs and receive appropriate support.
School counselors play a vital role in advocating for neurodivergent students and addressing systemic barriers.
Leveraging the strengths and interests of neurodivergent learners can enhance their learning experience.
A neurodiversity-affirming approach in schools is a social justice issue.

You are an educator who’s passionate about creating neurodiversity-affirming learning environments for students. So join us for our free annual fall event we’ve created specifically for you. The event will be held on Monday, September 23, and you can sign up to join Emily and a live panel of experts, who will be discussing ways to best support students of all neurotypes.

Be sure to get your Neurodiversity Podcast swag! It helps the podcast grow, and supports all neurotypes by telling the world that “a little weird is good!”

Brandon I. Gernux (he/they) is an Elementary School Counselor in Santa Ana, CA. Their passion lies in fostering inclusive classroom and school counseling practices to support autistic and ADHD students. Brandon has presented on embracing neurodiversity inclusion to educators and graduate students locally and nationally. Gernux is a leader of the ASCA Elementary School Counselor Affinity Group and serves on the CASC Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racism Committee, and was recognized as 2024 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year.

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