Mind Matters

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 educato

At the intersection of neurodivergence and LGBTQ identities, self-realization is both complex and personal. The stigmas are multifaceted, and navigating the intricate overlaps between autistic experiences and gender identity is challenging. How can we best support, recognize, and uplift neurodivergent youth within the LGBTQ community? Julia Rutkovsky, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in this unique intersection, joins us today to shed light on the challenges, the overlaps, and the ways in which we can be effective allies and caregivers. 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

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 fo

What does it take to be an effective learner, and how does a neurodivergent person’s experience differ from that of neurotypical people? Which study methods work better for our neurodivergent population? What role does confidence play in the learning process? Finally, we take no joy in breaking some news to people who fancy themselves good multi-taskers. Cinthia Nebel is a Cognitive Psychological Scientist, and she talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about learning and studying, on episode 187. Sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools that Emily talked about in today’s show. 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, our expert guests, and other attendees. It’s a chance to learn and share info that will better position your classroom and school to meet the needs of all learners.  Also, soon we’ll be launching a community for educators who are dedicated to creating a neurodiversit

Raising kids and teens who struggle with emotional regulation can be tough. Parents must navigate the complexities of societal pressures, and it can lower self-esteem and cause self-doubt. Today we talk about some essential strategies to establish a warm, connected relationship with a challenging child. We try to help find the balance between talking less, and setting clear, aspirational expectations that are crucial for both parents and kids. Our guest is Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book “Calm the Chaos,” and we’ll try to help quell your fear of the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies raising a challenging child. Sign up for our free week-long Crash Course on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools that Emily talked about in today’s show. All of the events in the course will be live and interactive, so you can talk to Emily, our expert guests, and other attendees, to share and learn how to better position your classroom to meet the needs of all learners. Also, soon we’ll be launc

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 menta

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 Execut

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 dedic

The intersection between neurodivergence, trauma, and adopted and foster families has a lot of overlap. There’s a difficulty supporting kids who don’t fit the status quo, either because of their unique wiring, or life experiences. Emily Kircher-Morris is joined by Dr. Laura Anderson, the host of the Real World Parenting podcast, and they talk about her experiences and the strategies she’s learned, both as a therapist and an adoptive parent. Also, 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. Dr. Laura Anderson has been a licensed child and family psychologist working with kids and teens for 25 years. Her expertise lies in learning and behavior assessments, and she specializes in areas of adoption, ge

What is the best kind of therapy for your child? What is DMDD? How can you support your child’s need for executive function skills? This is episode 181, and it’s another Ask Me Anything with Emily Kircher-Morris. To be part of it, join us on Facebook in The Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy & Support Group! Also, 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. Educators, here’s more information on our continuing education courses in the Neurodiversity University. Get in touch with us and find out how to make it available to everyone in your district.

What is top down behavior, and how does it differ from bottom up behavior? Why is emotional regulation more difficult for neurodivergent people? How impactful or traumatic can a misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis be? Dr. Mona Delahooke, author of the book Brain-Body Parenting, discusses these questions and more with Emily Kircher-Morris on episode 180, a reprise of their timeless visit from one year ago. Educators, here’s more information on our continuing education courses Emily talked about in the Neurodiversity University. Get in touch with us and find out how to make it available to everyone in your district. Also, 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. Mona Delahooke, PhD, is a licensed cli

What is the impact of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, after having invested years struggling with neurotypical strategies? What are areas of ADHD that are under-recognized or misunderstood? Why are common strategies for building executive function and coping skills so useless to neurodivergent people? We’re talking with Skye Waterson, founder of something called the Unconventional Organisation, an international ADHD support service for adults with ADHD. Skye and Emily are talking ADHD, on episode 179. Educators, we’re launching a community for those of you dedicated to creating a neurodiversity-affirming learning environment for students! Click here to hop on the waiting list and get more information. Skye Waterson née Rapson is an ADHD coach and the founder of Unconventional Organisation, an international ADHD support service that provides research-backed support to adults with ADHD. Skye’s experience centers around adult education, as well as ssychology, sociology, and public health. She was diagnose

We all know that uncomfortable feeling when we are around someone who is pushing us beyond our comfort zone. How can we understand where our own boundaries are, and effectively communicate those boundaries to others? Casey Jourdan works with neurodivergent people to develop coping skills, including setting boundaries, to live more fulfilling lives. She talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about the elusive ‘comfort zone,’ on episode 178. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support. Casey Jourdan is a growth coach who is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals. She has a Masters in Mental Health, and personal experience with ADHD, Autism, and traumatic brain injury. Casey helps people create and celebrate who they are without the weight of society’s expectations. She walks with her clie

Neurodivergence often comes with a side of anxiety. Is it possible to harness anxiety as a strength? Can we find ways to work with our anxiety, instead of against it? Today we talk with Morra Aarons-Mele, the host of The Anxious Achiever podcast and author of the book by the same name, about rethinking our relationship with anxiety. We’re conducting a two-hour continuing education course for mental health professionals called “Assessing and Treating Suicidality and Self-Injury in Neurodivergent Clients.” You can join online June 20th. To do so, sign up here. Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support. Morra Aarons-Mele is an entrepreneur, communication executive, prolific writer and speaker who is passionate about helping people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their success. She has earned a number of entrepreneurial awards, and her new book, The Anxious Achiever:

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 is an encore presentation. We’re conducting a two-hour continuing education course for mental health professionals called “Assessing and Treating Suicidality and Self-Injury in Neurodivergent Clients.” You can join online or in-person on June 20th in Chesterfield, MO. Learn more and sign up for either version: Online virtual In-person Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support. Amelia Bowler is an author, an artist, a parent, and a behavior consultant. Growing up twice-exceptional with undiagnosed disabilities gave Amelia some firstha

Mindfulness is definitely a buzzword today, but what’s the reality of mindfulness and how can it help neurodivergent people? What are some usable techniques for kids? How does mindfulness reduce anxiety? Has the growing trend towards mindfulness caused a skeptical view of its benefits? Emily talks to Dr. Christopher Willard from Harvard Medical School, and together they answer these questions and more on episode 175. We’re conducting a two-hour continuing education course for mental health professionals called “Assessing and Treating Suicidality and Self-Injury in Neurodivergent Clients.” You can join online or in-person on June 20th in Chesterfield, MO. Learn more and sign up for either version: Online virtual In-person Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this episode and anything related to neurodiversity, and find a like-minded community of open support. Dr. Christopher Willard is a clinical psychologist and professor at Harvard Medical School, author and international speaker, and

Living an authentic life is a goal we all have. In the neurodiversity world, that can be a tricky concept. Masking has often become a habit born of self-preservation, and letting go of that can be difficult, and sometimes unsafe. On episode 174 we’re joined by Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a neurodivergent coach who uses her experiences to support her clients with a positive psychology approach. She and Emily talk about how acceptance is the key to being authentic and full of life. Self-regulation can be the key to motivation, and personal interests can be harnessed to help develop coping skills. For information about our SPACE Program, and to get registered, go here. Grab some podcast swag in the form of t-shirts, mugs, tote bags and much more! Dr. Rebecca Jackson is a positive psychology coaching research practitioner. She researches best practice in safely, effectively and inclusively coaching autistic and ADHD adults. She is autistic and ADHD, and so combines research, practice and lived experience in pursuit of n

Burnout is something everyone occasionally deals with, but it manifests very differently in the world of neurodiversity. Today we talk about the burnout experienced by twice-exceptional and gifted kids. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Brian Housand and Andi McNair, and it’s a conversation all gifted people, and parents of gifted kids, need to hear. Our sponsor is The Gifted Learning Lab, which provides resources and coaching for parents who want to feel more confident raising their intense or sensitive gifted or twice-exceptional kid. Click here for more info and to get their free ‘diffusing power struggles’ course. Join our Facebook group and take part in conversations about this subject and many more. Dr. Brian Housand is the coordinator of the Academically or Intellectually Gifted program at University of North Carolina Wilmington, and creator of Gifted360.com. He is also a published author and speaker, and has worked in education as a classroom teacher, gifted ed teacher, and university professor for over

There’s a pressure on parents to allow more technology into the lives of their kids. Gaming and social media have positive and negative aspects, and neurodivergent kids often have a unique relationship to technology. Emily Kircher-Morris talks about it with Debbie Steinberg Kuntz, and they discuss the upcoming Screen Time and Mental Health summit, which starts May 15, and is available free of charge through the following Friday. To take part in the summit, get registered here, or find the link on the episode page of our website. Here’s the link for the summer camp program at Young Scholars Academy. Please use promo code YSANDP10 for 10% off, and to let them know you heard it on the Neurodiversity Podcast. If you’re on Facebook you need to be part of our group, the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group. Join today and learn, share, and grow with us! Debbie Steinberg Kuntz, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and is the founder of Bright & Quirky. She specializes in helping bright k

Are kids really unmotivated, or are you just misinterpreting the signs? Dr. Ellen Braaten talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about the importance of understanding signs of a lack of motivation in neurodivergent children. They delve into the connection between motivation and executive functioning, and explore strengths-based interventions and ways to integrate them into our interactions with neurodivergent kids. They also touch on the controversial question of whether there’s any real value to extrinsic motivators. A meeting of the minds about motivation, on episode 171. Here’s the link for the summer camp program at Young Scholars Academy. Please use promo code YSANDP10 for 10% off, and to let them know you heard it on the Neurodiversity Podcast. For information about our SPACE Program, and to get registered, go here. Dr. Ellen Braaten is the Executive Director of Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General hospital, and the Kessler Family Chair in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment.