Neurodiversity Podcast

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.

October is ADHD Awareness Month, and we’re spotlighting it with a special series of episodes. On #141, Eric Tivers from the ADHD Rewired Podcast joins us to talk about his journey, diagnosis, support, advocacy, and more. It’s a fascinating discussion you need to hear. ABOUT THE GUEST - Eric Tivers is a licensed clinical social worker, coach, podcaster, speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur who specializes in ADHD, and has worked extensively with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. He’s the host of the ADHD reWired podcast, currently at 449 episodes and counting, and the #1 rated ADHD podcast on Apple Podcasts. You can support our podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity

We are joined by two guests, Keri WIlmot and Rosemary Richings, both of whom are dyspraxia experts in their own right. Rosemary is dyspraxic, and Keri is an occupational therapist. We look at the condition from both perspectives, and talk about accommodations, diagnoses, and more. Also, if you’re an educator, we have a great 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. All of the details are at www.Neurodiversity.University. ABOUT THE GUESTS - 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. Keri is the author of Wired Differently: A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding Sensory Processing Issues, and contributes to The Genius of Play and Understood.org. Rosemary Richings is a Canadian writer, editor, and author. She was diagnosed with dyspraxia when she was a little girl, and her writing is based on her lived experiences. Rosemary’s writing has been featured on sites such as Travel + Leisure, The Good Trade, The Unwritten, Shareable, and a long list of other websites. Rosemary currently serves on the board of trustees of Dyspraxic Me, an English charity specializing in peer support for young people ages 16-25. Her debut book, Stumbling Through Space + Time: Living Life with Dyspraxia, is available through Jessica Kingsley Publishers, and you can get 20% off using the discount code SPACETIMEPOD20.

On episode 139, as part of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, we address depression and suicide among neurodivergent people. We talk about intervention techniques that can help parents, teachers, or anyone who interacts with neurodivergent people to understand and support them through trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation. We are joined by Kelsie Bacon, a licensed clinical counselor and play therapist who works with young neurodivergent people to help them feel connected and supported. Also, if you’re an educator, we have a great 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. All of the details are at www.Neurodiversity.University. ABOUT THE GUEST - Kelsie Bacon, LCSW-S, RPT, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving the Albuquerque, NM area. She graduated from UNM with a B.A. in Psychology and Family Studies and received her master’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University in Clinical Social Work. She’s currently earning her certification as a Registered Play Therapist. She provides school-based and agency-based therapeutic interventions for children, adolescents and teens. ​She utilizes DIRFloortime techniques with many clients, and finds it particularly rewarding to work with teenagers to help them feel understood and supported.