Neurodiversity Podcast

We’re revisiting a conversation this week with Dr. Dan Peters. Dyslexia is often misunderstood, and educators and parents sometimes mistake it for a simple reading deficit. Dan joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about dyslexia, as well as dysgraphia, and dyscalculia; their indications, where to go for diagnosis, and ways to help your child adapt. The basics of, and the often stealth nature of, dyslexia, on episode 151. Here's a link to the Neurodiversity University, our online campus that features courses on subjects like twice-exceptionality and dyslexia. It's great for continuing education for teachers, as well as a tool to help parents advocate for their kids. Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Bridges Academy Online, a high school education for twice-exceptional students. Find them at bridges.edu. ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Dan Peters is a psychologist, author, and co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center. Dr. Peters has devoted his career to the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families, specializing in overcoming worry and fear, learning differences such as dyslexia, and issues related to giftedness and twice-exceptionality. Dan is also co-founder of Parent Footprint, an interactive parenting education community and website. He is host of the Parent Footprint Podcast with Dr. Dan, and is a contributor to The Huffington Post and Psychology Today. Dan is the author of Make Your Worrier a Warrior: A Guide to Conquering Your Child’s Fears, its companion children’s books, From Worrier to Warrior, and The Warrior Workbook. He is co-author of Raising Creative Kids, and many articles on topics related to parenting, family, giftedness, twice-exceptionality, dyslexia, and anxiety.

Talking to kids can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. The basis of every conversation is trust, so once you build a comfortable and trusting rapport, healthy conversations will follow. But what is a healthy conversation? Today, Rebecca Rolland, author of The Art of Talking to Children, is here to talk about the hows, whys and whens of talking to kids. It’s all straight ahead on episode 150. Thank you to the Belin-Blank Center for sponsoring this episode. Head to our new merchandise page to get your swag just in time for holiday gift-giving! ABOUT THE GUEST - Rebecca Rolland is a speech pathologist, writer, and speaker who is passionate about using the power of conversation to cultivate creativity, further personal development, and enhance relationships. She has been published online at Psychology Today and USA Today, and offers professional development services, as well as coaching for both kids and adults.

On episode 149 we continue moving the world toward a more positive view of neurodivergence and its impact on society. We also talk about reimagining established thought processes, and using the plasticity of the brain to move toward compassion for self and others. We bring in the perspective of a neuroscientist, Dr. Nicole Tetreault. She’s the author of the book Insight into a Bright Mind: A Neuroscientist's Personal Stories of Unique Thinking, and she joins Emily Kircher-Morris for one of the final episodes of 2022. Here’s a link to the Neurodiversity University, where you can find info on our first two courses, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students, and Foundations of Dyslexia for Educators. We’ll be adding courses for parents, mental health professionals, and more as we enter 2023, so look for more information along the way. And, join our Facebook group here! ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Nicole Tetreault is a neuroscientist, meditation teacher, international speaker, and author of the book, Insight Into a Bright Mind. She’s the founder of the Awesome Neuroscience blog, where she translates the most promising neuroscience and positive psychology for people to live their best lives. Dr. Tetreault received her Ph.D. from Cal-Tech in Biology, specializing in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. She believes we have the ability to wire our minds for positive plasticity through compassion and wisdom, and the ability to live the life we dream about.

Dr. Ellen Braaten, Director at Mass. General Hospital and expert in pediatric neuropsychological assessment, joins to shed light on processing speed in children. She explores how it impacts emotional well-being and educational outcomes, detailing the distinction from intelligence. The conversation covers the effects of slow processing on learning, offering strategies to support affected kids, especially in fast-paced environments. Additionally, they discuss the unique challenges gifted children face due to slower processing and the importance of recognizing individual learning differences.

Today we talk with Dr. Alex Vuyk, a Professor of Psychology at the Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Paraguay. We discuss the Big Five Personality Model, the influence of personality on neurodiversity, and much more. Also, join our Facebook group to be part of the conversation, and get even deeper “into the weeds” on this and other subjects. This episode is sponsored by Bridges Academy Online, a high school education for twice-exceptional students. Find them at bridges.edu. ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Alex Vuyk is a Professor of Psychology at the Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Paraguay. She has pioneered gifted education research, practice, and advocacy in Paraguay, and founded both the Aikumby Center for Giftedness and Creativity and REDPAC Paraguay to assist both gifted students and professionals working with high ability students. Dr. Vuyk holds degrees from the University of Kansas and Emporia State University. Her research interests include social-emotional development of intellectually and creatively gifted individuals, creative and non-linear career paths, and personality traits related to gifted individuals and their career paths.

Occupational therapy. What you think it is, and what it actually is, might be completely different. Keri Wilmot joins Emily Kircher-Morris for a conversation about how occupational therapy can and does help neurodivergent kids and adults, and as the Toy Queen, Keri talks about how toys and play can be valuable tools. ABOUT THE GUEST - Keri Wilmot is an occupational therapist, toy expert, Dallas blogger, and parent, who shares popular toy reviews, tips, and toy unboxings. Keri is a full-time pediatric occupational therapist. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, professionally Keri specializes in working with infants, young children and their families by promoting developmental milestones in clients’ homes, in the public school system, and in the community. Keri is also the co-founder of ToyQueen.com. This online resource reviews toys, games, attractions, events, movies, experiences, and baby products for their developmental qualities. She's also the author of Wired Differently: A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding Sensory Processing Issues, and contributes to The Genius of Play and Understood.org.

There’s no doubt you remember a book from your childhood that changed your life, or at least had a profound effect on you. On episode 145 we talk with Jamie Sumner, who writes middle grade novels that feature kids on the fringes, including Roll With It and The Summer of June. We talk about why books affect us and how we can harness the positive impact to help along our neurodivergent kids and students. Be sure to check out our continuing education course called Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students. It's also now available for independent study to teachers, parents, or anyone who wants to know more about twice-exceptionality. If you’re an administrator and want to utilize it district-wide, click this link and we’ll get in touch and answer your questions about the course, or about our newest course, Foundations of Dyslexia for Educators. All of the details are at www.Neurodiversity.University. ABOUT THE GUEST - Jamie Sumner is a critically acclaimed author whose passion is to celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids - including those with special needs. She has written several middle grade novels for kids and nonfiction books for parents of special needs children, and been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult brings many questions to mind: What did I miss? What would my life be like if I had been diagnosed as a child? How can I adapt to the new diagnosis, or should I adapt at all? Sarah Snyder-Castañeda is the host of the Adulting With ADHD podcast, and she joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about ADHD as an adult. It’s episode 144, and our final special episode during ADHD Awareness Month. Be sure to check out our continuing education course called Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students. Here’s the link to pre-order the course for independent study at a 20% discount! If you’re an administrator and want to utilize it district-wide, click this link and we’ll get in touch and answer your questions about the course, or about our newest course, Foundations of Dyslexia for Educators. All of the details are at www.Neurodiversity.University. ABOUT THE GUEST - As the brains behind Adulting With ADHD, Sarah Snyder-Castañeda’s career went from striving to thriving within a year, after being diagnosed in 2015 at the age of 34. She’s had many ups and downs since then, many of which Sarah addresses on her podcast. Her writings on the topic can be found in ADDitude, The Mighty, Bustle, Bitch, and Bust. She’s also guested on other podcasts, like Faster Than Normal, See in ADHD, and LadyHD.

In this engaging discussion, Stephen Hinshaw, a leading expert on ADHD and child mental health, sheds light on how ADHD uniquely manifests in girls. He explores the challenges of diagnosis due to subtle symptoms often overlooked compared to boys. Hinshaw addresses societal biases, the impact of the pandemic, and alarming trends like non-suicidal self-injury linked to attention issues. His call to action emphasizes the need for better understanding and support for girls facing these struggles, advocating for effective treatments and early intervention.

Parents often believe they know their children, when in reality they haven’t made the effort to really understand them. That understanding can be even harder when adding ADHD into the mix. Dr. Sharon Saline is a clinical psychologist and author of the book, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew. She talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about how to go about understanding your child better, and how ADHD can complicate the relationship. It’s part of our special ADHD Awareness Month series. This episode is sponsored by the Belin-Blank Center, at the University of Iowa. Belin-Blank has programs and resources to support neurodiverse students and their families. Find out more at www.BelinBlank.org. ABOUT THE GUEST - Sharon Saline, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and the author of the award-winning book, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life, and creator of The ADHD Solution card deck, which specializes in working with neurodiverse children, teens, adults and families living with ADHD, learning disabilities, high-functioning autism, twice exceptionality and mental health issues. Working for years as a clinician, educator, coach and consultant, she translates complex information into accessible language and concepts that everybody can understand and apply in their lives. Her workshops offer practical, insightful strategies to improve managing workers, promote effective communication and increase productivity. She lectures and facilitates workshops internationally on topics such as understanding ADHD, executive functioning, anxiety, motivation and neurodiversity.