Neurodiversity Podcast

We're using the holiday break to retool our podcast and debut its new name in January - The Neurodiversity Podcast! In the meantime this is an encore presentation of episode 48, featuring Jen Merrill, who talks with Emily about the holidays. Shopping can be a headache, but choosing the right gifts for high-ability kids is extra-challenging. Between meal planning and decorating, Jen Merrill found time to pop in with holiday stories and gift ideas, and Emily divulges her darker history as a "peeker." See you next year! Happy holidays, and here's to a great (or at least better?) 2021! You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2020 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

We're using the holiday break to feature some past guests, while we make some changes that will refocus the podcast just a little. When we return in January, Mind Matters will be known by a new name: the Neurodiversity Podcast. The new name better defines what we do, helps people recognize and understand what we're about, and hopefully makes us even easier to find. And, we'll be releasing episodes more often, with a larger variety of guests to help our listeners better understand the various areas of neurodiversity. Be here in January when Mind Matters becomes The Neurodiversity Podcast. The theme of today's episode is creativity, and we're featuring segments from past conversations with experts who know a thing or two about the subject. A creativity compilation, ahead on episode 72. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

Kids have two primary areas where executive functioning skills are crucial - school work and responsibilities. Seth Perler, an executive function advocate and coach, talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about what many parents and professionals are getting wrong when trying to help their kids with executive function skills. ABOUT THE GUEST - Seth Perler calls himself a renegade teacher turned executive function coach & 2e coach. He helps struggling students navigate their educational landscapes, and helps them "disrupt" and improve their educational experience. Seth specializes in executive function issues and twice-exceptional learners through his website, www.SethPerler.com. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

What is the process of evaluating a child for autism? What does the profile of an autistic twice-exceptional person look like? Why are girls' autism symptoms often missed? Dr. Alissa Doobay from the Belin-Blank Center joins us to talk about autism, on episode 70 of Mind Matters. ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Alissa Doobay received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from The University of Iowa in 2010. She is currently a Licensed Psychologist and Supervisor of Psychological Services at the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at The University of Iowa, where she provides clinical assessment, therapy, and consultation services. Her clinical expertise is in the area of twice-exceptionality (individuals who are high ability or "gifted" and have a disability), particularly students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and mood disorders. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

What is intelligence? What myths do we need to let go of, and how can we better evaluate intelligence? Is there a way to measure intelligence across cultures and continents? Dr. Russell Warne is here to talk about his findings as he wrote his new book, "In The Know: Debunking 35 Myths About Human Intelligence," on episode 69. ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Russell T. Warne earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in psychology from Brigham Young University in 2007 and his PhD in educational psychology (with an emphasis in research, measurement, and statistics) from Texas A&M University in 2011. He has taught at Utah Valley University since 2011 and has obtained the rank of associate professor. Dr. Warne is the associate editor for the Journal for the Education of the Gifted and serves on the editorial boards for Intelligence, the Journal of School Psychology, Gifted Child Quarterly, and the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. Dr. Warne has published over 55 scholarly articles in peer reviewed journals and is the author of the acclaimed undergraduate statistics textbook Statistics for the Social Sciences: A General Linear Model Approach. His next book, In the Know: Debunking 35 Myths About Human Intelligence can be ordered now. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

With the death toll still rising from the coronavirus pandemic, it's especially easy for neurodivergent people to wax existential. They question life, worry about death, and generally ask, "what's it all about?" Our guest is Leon Garber, author of a blog called Leon's Existential Cafe, and we're diving deep on episode 68. ABOUT THE GUEST - Leon Garber is a philosophical writer, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Psychotherapist, specializing in Existential Psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma Therapy. He's also the author of Leon's Existential Cafe, a blog exploring issues of death, self-esteem, love, freedom, life-meaning, and mental health/mental illness, from both empirical and personal viewpoints. His practice is based in Brooklyn, NY. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

"Neurodiversity" is an umbrella term encompassing a variety of atypical diagnoses. Where do the gifted and twice-exceptional communities fit into that landscape? What are we learning about neurodiverse people? We'll talk with Dr. Michael Postma about those subjects, and the groundswell of new information from the field of epigenetics, on episode 67. ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Michael Postma is a teacher, administrator, consultant, speaker, and author, dedicated to the development of both gifted and twice-exceptional children through his company, Gifted & Thriving, LLC. Over the last two decades Dr. Postma has worked in the field of gifted/talented education as both a teacher and administrator in the public and charter school system in Minnesota and North Carolina, and was the architect of the Minnetonka Navigator Program, a magnet school for highly gifted and twice-exceptional students. Dr. Postma is the author of two books, including The Inconvenient Student: Critical Issues in the Identification and Education of Twice Exceptional Students. Dr. Postma holds a B. A. from McMaster University in Hamilton, ON; a M.A. in Gifted, Talented, and Creative Education from the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities, and a Ed. D. in Educational Leadership (Critical Pedagogy) also from the University of St. Thomas. He is a former Executive Director of, and the current Director of Programming for, SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted). He is the father of four children, three of whom are twice-exceptional. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

When factual, peer-reviewed data is hard to find, or hidden behind paywalls, we often end up relying on pseudo-science or questionable information. In fact, some long-held beliefs in the area of neurodiversity are based on little more than anecdotal evidence. Erin Miller and Hope Wilson will be part of an NAGC conference panel in November examining pseudo-science in the area of neurodiversity. They share some of their findings with Emily Kircher-Morris on episode 66 of the Mind Matters podcast. ABOUT THE GUESTS - Dr. Erin M. Miller is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Bridgewater College. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology-Gifted from the University of Virginia, and teaches in the fields of Cognition Sciences, Measurement and Statistics, Cognitive Neurosciences and Creativity. She's a member of the National Association for Gifted Children and will present during the 2020 NAGC Virtual Convention in November. Dr. Hope Wilson is an associate professor of education at the University of North Florida, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in assessment, educational psychology, and statistics. She has a Ph.D. in Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut. Her research focusing on early childhood giftedness has been published in Gifted Child Quarterly, Journal of Advanced Academics, Journal for the Education of the Gifted, and Roeper Review, and she is the co-author (along with Jill Adelson) of the book Letting Go of Perfect: Overcoming Perfectionism in Kids. She's a member of the National Association for Gifted Children and will present during the 2020 NAGC Virtual Convention in November. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

The history of the term "twice-exceptionality" is not a long one. On episode 65 Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Susan Baum about her early experience with "green" kids, and how the term twice-exceptional was born. They also discuss ideas for parents and educators that will help them guide 2e kids to success. About the guest - Dr. Susan Baum is co-director of the International Center for Talent Development and Director of the National Institute for 2E Research and Development at Bridges Academy. Professor Emeritus from The College of New Rochelle, and an international consultant, Susan is published in a multitude of books, chapters, and articles in the areas of twice-exceptional students, primary-aged gifted students, social and emotional factors affecting gifted students, and multiple intelligences. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted Children and is past president and co-founder of the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students. She is recipient of the Weinfeld Group's Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in educating the twice-exceptional child. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

We're talking about creativity on episode 64. We define it, because there are some misconceptions, and we discuss ways to foster creativity in your kids or students. Are there connections between neurodiversity and creativity? We have Dr. Todd Kettler from Baylor University, author of Developing Creativity in the Classroom, to share what he's learned. About the guest - Dr. Todd Kettler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology in the School of Education at Baylor University. He teaches courses in gifted education and talent development, creativity, and the history and systems of psychology with educational applications. Dr. Kettler conducts research on access to advanced academic learning opportunities in schools. His book, Modern Curriculum for Gifted and Advanced Academic Students won the Legacy Award for the best scholarly book in the field of gifted education in the United States in 2016. He also wrote Developing Creativity in the Classroom: Learning and Innovation in 21st Century Schools, which explores systematic development of creative capacity in learning organizations. Currently Dr. Kettler serves as editor of the Journal of Advanced Academics, and he is the chair of the Texas Commissioner of Education's Advisory Council for Gifted Education in Texas. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.