Dr. Jessica Revill, a psychologist and bereaved parent, shares her journey and discusses the barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals in relation to mental health and identity. She reflects on the challenges of getting a diagnosis and support for her neurodivergent child in the 90s. The podcast also explores the education and support for neurodivergent individuals, the importance of seeking support for bereaved parents, and the prevalence of suicidal ideation in neurodivergent people.

Interoception plays a pivotal role in how all people perceive and engage with their bodies and the world around them. For neurodivergent people, the differences we experience in interoception can have a bigger effect than we might expect. How well do we truly understand interoception? And how does it influence those who process it differently? From the very sensation of 'feeling our feelings' to the day-to-day experiences and potential supports for those with variations in their interoceptive system, we dig into the subject with Dr. Kelly Mahler, she’s an occupational therapist and professor at Elizabethtown University. You can still sign up for our free Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools! It’s going on this week, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive. You can talk to Emily and our expert guests, and share and compare ideas with your colleagues from around the world. You also have access to videos of each event, so you haven’t missed anything. Kelly Mahler is an occupational therapist who has served both school-aged children and adults for the last 20 years. She earned a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, and has won multiple awards, including the 2020 American Occupational Therapy Association Emerging and Innovative Practice Award & a Mom’s Choice Gold Medal. Kelly is an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College as well as at Misericordia University, and is a co-principal investigator in several research projects pertaining to topics such as interoception, self-regulation, trauma & autism. BACKGROUND READING Facebook group Instagram X (Twitter) Website

Nurturing emotional regulation in neurodivergent kids can feel like a complex puzzle, yet it's vital for their wellbeing. Why is emotional regulation such a challenging problem for them? And how can the concept of co-regulation serve as a bridge to self-regulation? Sheryl Stoller is an expert on supporting families on their journey of raising neurodivergent children. She joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about the intricacies of empathy and non-judgment at home, the challenges faced by teachers in the classroom, and the many points in between. This is your last chance to sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools! The first event is next Tuesday, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily and our expert guests, and share and compare ideas with your colleagues from around the world. It’s a great step toward meeting the needs of all students in the classroom. Also, we’ll be launching a membership 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. Sheryl Stoller is a Family Wellbeing Coach for parents of neurodiverse children, helping them to create a supportive environment (within themselves as well as externally) that result in peace of mind, confidence, and the ability to overcome challenges. Sheryl is also a PCI Certified Parent Coach, and Mastery Level Positive Intelligence Coach. In addition to her private practice, Sheryl serves as a Parent Coach in Debbie Reber’s TiLT Parenting community, and a Positive Intelligence Humanitarian Coach providing respite for those affected by the Ukrainian war. She’s a neurodivergent, highly sensitive, seasoned parent of three multi-exceptional young adults, and enjoys supporting other parents in their journey with their neurodivergent kids. BACKGROUND READING Sheryl’s website Facebook LinkedIn

Julia Rutkovsky, licensed clinical social worker specializing in the intersection of neurodivergence and LGBTQ identities, sheds light on challenges faced by neurodivergent youth in the LGBTQ community. Topics include validating and connecting neurodivergent queer kids, the stimulating nature of exploring gender and sexuality for individuals with ADHD, mental health support for neurodivergent queer kids, and how to support kids exploring their identity.

What are some common issues that crop up in relationships between people of different neurotypes? Are neurodivergent people more drawn to each other than to neuro-normies? Is effective communication more challenging between neurodivergent couples? What about intimacy and affection challenges between people with different sensory sensitivities? Laurie Budlong-Morse is a therapist who specializes in helping neurodiverse couples, and she talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about mixed-neurotype relationships, on this episode of the Neurodiversity Podcast. Sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools! It happens the week of September 18th, and all of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily and our expert guests, as well as your colleagues from around the world. It’s a chance to learn and share ideas that will better position your classroom and school to meet the needs of all learners. Also, we’ll be launching a membership 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. Please take our listener survey. It’s quick and easy, and it will help us understand who is listening, so we can better choose the subjects and guests that matter to you. We value your privacy, and won’t share your personal information with anyone. Laurie Budlong-Morse is a private practice therapist and online content creator who specializes in neurodiverse/mixed-neurotype relationships. She offers online workshops and courses for couples, as well as for partners of autistic adults. Laurie blogs regularly about neurodiverse relationships on Medium, and co-facilitates a local networking group for clinicians working with Autistic individuals. In addition to her professional experiences, Laurie grew up in a neurodiverse family and has built a neurodiverse family of her own. BACKGROUND READING Laurie’s website Facebook Medium

Cinthia Nebel, a Cognitive Psychological Scientist, discusses effective learning methods for neurodivergent learners. Topics include the debunking of multitasking, the ineffectiveness of rereading, and the importance of self-efficacy for learning.

Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book on parenting, discusses essential strategies for establishing a warm, connected relationship with a challenging child. Topics include parenting neurodivergent kids, shifting mindset, addressing educational trauma, and the importance of trust and support.

With synesthesia, colors can evoke sounds, numbers can generate tastes, and the lines between senses can blur. It also occurs more often in some forms of neurodiversity. Some people have mild forms of synesthesia and don’t realize it. Emily talks with Maike Preißing, a German neurodivergent psychologist and synesthesia expert, on episode 185. Here’s the link for TEFOS. Register for free for The Executive Function Online Summit, so you can join Seth, Emily, and a variety of other professionals this weekend, August 11-13. Don’t forget, 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. Maike Preißing is a neurodivergent psychologist from Germany who supports other neurodivergent adults and adults with mental health issues. Her focus is particularly on the Autism Spectrum and Synesthesia, which inspired her to create a community for people with these conditions, as well as her podcast, “Let’s Talk Synesthesia”. Maike holds a Master’s degree from Leopold-Franzens University in Austria and is passionate about helping others lead happier, more fulfilling lives through her work. BACKGROUND READING Podcast Instagram Website

Procrastination is something we all do, but it’s even more common among people with executive function challenges. Do they do it for the same reasons as neurotypical people? How can we help lessen the anxiety associated with task initiation? What methods can a neurodivergent individual use to start or finish a project their brain is telling them to put off? Emily talks with Seth Perler about procrastination and task initiation, on episode 184. Here’s the link for TEFOS. Register for free for The Executive Function Online Summit, so you can join Seth, Emily, and a variety of other professionals August 11-13. Don’t forget, 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. Seth Perler is a well-known Executive Function Coach, activist, educator, vlogger, and guy who cares about seeing outside-the-box kids succeed. His passion is coming alongside struggling, neurodiverse learners and giving them effective tools to launch a successful future. Seth also helps educate parents and teachers on how to support neurodivergent learners by hosting TEFOS, The Executive Function Online Summit. BACKGROUND READING Seth’s website TEFOS YouTube Facebook page Facebook group Instagram

Understanding ADHD is more than understanding its effects on learning or work. ADHD affects personal relationships and friendships too. How does ADHD impact the way we connect, communicate, and care for our loved ones? Alyssa Loman is a neurodivergent licensed clinical professional counselor, and she talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about the intricacies of ADHD within interpersonal bonds, and they share insights on fostering healthy connections. When we were putting together this episode, we were thinking about how many of you might really benefit from having a guide to either reflect on your own experiences and relationships as an ADHDer, or have a conversation with the ADHDers in your life. We decided to create a free resource that can help. It’s a set of reflection questions and printable journal pages to help both adults and kids & teens delve deeper into understanding how ADHD impacts their relationships. Download it for free here. Don’t forget, 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. Alyssa Loman, LPC, LCPC, ADHD-CCSP, is a neurodivergent licensed clinical professional counselor and ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider. She specializes in providing neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based support to ADHD adults, and is particularly passionate about working with individuals diagnosed in adulthood and ADHD women. Alyssa is devoted to improving access to quality mental health care and support, increasing understanding and awareness of neurodiversity, and creating trauma-informed environments to support the individual as a whole. In addition to being a mental health therapist, Alyssa is the co-founder of Empowered Pathways LLC, a training and consulting company focused on providing high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming professional development opportunities. BACKGROUND READING Empowered Pathways website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn