Neurodiversity Podcast

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 Twitter 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. BACKGROUND READING Website TikTok YouTube 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. BACKGROUND READING Morra’s website Books The Anxious Achiever on Spotify LinkedIn Twitter

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 Instagram

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. BACKGROUND READING Facebook Twitter Instagram

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. BACKGROUND READING Website Twitter LinkedIn

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. BACKGROUND READING Brian Housand BH Facebook BH Twitter BH Instagram Andi McNair AM Facebook AM Twitter AM Instagram

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) Twitter LinkedIn Instagram