Neurodiversity Podcast

The data tells us rewarding kids for good behavior and punishing them for bad doesn't work. In fact, it harms relationships. In the education setting and at home, Alfie Kohn says we need to rethink the way we talk to kids, and how we help them learn behavioral skills, because rewards and punishment are ineffective. Emily Kircher-Morris has a conversation with Alfie Kohn, author of Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishment to Love and Reason, on episode 115. ABOUT THE GUEST - Alfie Kohn is the author of 14 books on education, parenting, and human behavior, including Punished by Rewards (1993), The Schools Our Children Deserve (1999), Unconditional Parenting (2005), and The Myth of the Spoiled Child (2014). He has appeared twice on Oprah, as well as on The Today Show and many other TV and radio programs. Kohn works with educators and parents across the country and speaks regularly at national conferences. He lives (actually) in the Boston area and (virtually) at www.alfiekohn.org. Alfie Kohn's books https://www.alfiekohn.org/books/ Twitter https://twitter.com/alfiekohn You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

A new book by Emily Kircher-Morris, "Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids," is now officially released! Emily and producer Dave Morris talk about the book, preview the contents, and discuss why parents will find it helpful. ABOUT THE BOOK Just because a child is gifted doesn't mean they don't have other types of neurodivergence, like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more. Conversely, even children with one of these diagnoses can be cognitively gifted. Raising Twice-Exceptional Children provides you with a roadmap to understand the complex makeup of your "gifted-plus," or twice-exceptional, child or teen. The book helps you understand your child's diagnosis, meet their social-emotional needs, build self-regulation skills and goal setting, and teach self-advocacy. It also shows you effective ways to collaborate with teachers and school staff, and it offers advice on finding strength-based strategies that support development at home. For too long, these kids have fallen through the cracks. This book provides key information on how to best support neurodivergent children by leveraging their strengths while supporting their struggles.

Technology use, for both kids and adults, is in uncharted territory. With 'sticky' algorithms, misleading information, and the tracking capabilities of technology companies, it's becoming more and more difficult to know where it's safe to go, and how much exposure is too much. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Alex Packer, author of Slaying Digital Dragons, about how to navigate the murky waters of the digital dark side, and how to involve your kids in setting their own healthy limits. ABOUT THE GUEST - Alex J. Packer, Ph.D., is an educator and psychologist. A recognized expert on adolescent development, parenting, and substance abuse prevention, Alex served for 14 years as President and CEO of FCD Educational Services, the leading nonprofit provider of onsite K-12 drug education and substance abuse prevention services for schools throughout the United States and in over 60 countries abroad. Alex is the author of 11 books for parents, counselors, teachers, and teenagers, including Slaying Digital Dragons: Tips and Tools for Protecting Your Body, Brain, Psyche, and Thumbs from the Digital Dark Side, and How Rude!: The Teen Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out. Alex graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy. He received undergraduate and Master's degrees from Harvard University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Ph.D. in Educational and Developmental Psychology from Boston College. He served as headmaster of Parkmont School in Washington, D.C., and was the Director of Education for the Capital Children's Museum. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Jonathan Mooney, who authored a book called Normal Sucks, and who learned to read at the age of 12. They talk about the gap between normal and neurodivergence, and how advocates can help bridge it effectively and permanently. Who can advocate? How does the life experience of neurodivergent people affect how they parent their own kids? How does the deficit-model approach differ from strengths-based? What is the effect of lack of support on mental health? ABOUT THE GUEST - Jonathan Mooney is a neurodiverse author and advocate who did not learn to read until he was 12 years old. He went on to graduate from Brown University and is the co-founder of Eye To Eye, a non-profit advocacy organization for people with learning and attention differences. He is also the author of three books, most recently Normal Sucks. His work has been featured in the New York Times, LA Times, on ABC News, and National Public Radio, to name a few. Mr. Mooney speaks across the nation about neurological and physical diversity, inspiring those who live with differences, and advocating for change. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

The language around autism and neurodiversity in general is changing. As part of the review of 2021's biggest conversations we present a chat with Kristy Forbes, founder of Australia-based inTune Pathways, about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), the difference between PDA and other types of demand avoidance, and the changing language of autism, especially the terminology society uses to describe neurodivergent people. You can learn more about Kristy and PDA on the episode 85 page at www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com.

Parents often struggle with helping their children manage anxiety. Dr. Eli Lebowitz of Yale University talked with Emily Kircher-Morris about his research and work with children and their parents on managing anxiety and OCD. He's also developed a program to teach parents how to help their children with anxiety, and to help therapists learn new therapy techniques. This was one of the biggest conversations of 2021, and for details go to the episode 88 page at www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com.

How can we knock down the walls that surround many neurodivergent kids? Should teachers play a role in their students' social and emotional well-being, or is school only about academic rigor? What are some teaching techniques that will get kids talking and participating? Emily Kircher-Morris and Jim Delisle have a conversation about ways to release the potential often locked inside neurodivergent kids, and it was one of the biggest conversations of 2021. For more information about Jim Delisle's work, visit the episode 89 page at www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com.

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 conversation is from another of the most-downloaded episodes of 2021. For more information about Amelia and her book, go to the episode 92 page at www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com.

Most of us have at least some rejection sensitivity, but with neurodivergent people it's often magnified. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Brendan Mahan, an ADHD and executive function consultant, about how to reduce or overcome rejection sensitivity. This is an episode everyone can benefit from, and don't forget to check out Brendan's podcast, ADHD Essentials. This conversation is one of the most popular of 2021. For guest info and more, visit the episode 83 page at www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com.

"By the time you're 18, you'll be dead or in jail." When those words come from your teacher or coach, it takes a long time to unlearn that belief. This is the story of a troubled twice-exceptional teen who had no idea about his diagnosis until after he fought his way into college. Today, Dr. Shawn A Robinson is a reading instructor at Madison College, and a Senior Research Associate in Wisconsin's Equity and Inclusion Laboratory. He and his wife are the authors of the Doctor Dyslexia Dude book series. This is an inspiring story you need to hear. ABOUT THE GUEST - Shawn A Robinson PhD is a full-time reading instructor at Madison College, a Senior Research Associate in Wisconsin's Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a social entrepreneur, co-founder of Doctor Dyslexia Dude, former board member of the International Dyslexia Association, and serves on the inaugural advisory council of Benetech. Robinson graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, a Master's in Education from DePaul University, and a PhD in Language and Literacy from Cardinal Stritch University. Robinson has over 40 peer-reviewed publications and received several distinguished honors throughout his early career such as: the 2017 Alumni Achievement Award/New Trier High School Alumni Hall of Honor; the 2016 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from UWO; and received Educator of the Year from All-State Insurance (Chicago) 2005. Robinson is also a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com