Libsyn Directory

Ep. 180: 6 Fundamental Habits for Better Sleep with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown

Release Date: 04/09/2024

Ep. 257: Helping Kids with Dyslexia and ADHD Build Confidence Through Stories with Lynn Greenberg

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are so excited to have Lynn Greenberg join us for this edition of the show. Lynn has devoted her life to being an advocate for children as a trained attorney specializing in family law and pro bono work. When her youngest son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, she stepped into the role of being his advocate, using her expertise to help carve a path toward his success. The experience inspired her to support neurodivergent children more broadly, and she discusses how co-writing the children’s book with Jonathan became a natural next step, allowing her to create characters in...

Ep. 256: How to Help Neurodivergent Teens and Young Adults Navigate Dating with Dr. Elina Veytsman

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are so happy to have Dr. Elina Veytsman join us for this episode of the show! Dr. Elina Veytsman is a licensed psychologist and the Director of Training at the UCLA PEERS® Clinic, where she leads groups for neurodivergent youth and their caregivers while also training interns, postdocs, and professionals. She earned her Psychology degrees at UCLA and UC Riverside, researching developmental disabilities and transition experiences for youth and parents, and completed her doctoral internship providing therapy, parent training, and diagnostic assessment services. Since joining the UCLA PEERS®...

Ep. 255: How to Talk to Siblings About Neurodiversity with Liz Angoff, Ph.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Join us for this episode of Diverse Thinking, Different Learning as we welcome Liz Angoff Ph.D. to the podcast. Dr. Angoff is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Diplomate in School Neuropsychology who offers assessment and consultation services for children and families in the Bay Area, California. She wrote the Brain Building Books series and Our Brains, which help neurodivergent children better understand, appreciate, and advocate for their unique minds. Learn more about Dr. Liz and her work at her . Throughout our conversation, we talk about how when one child in a family is identified...

Ep. 254: Why Handwriting Is So Hard for Neurodivergent Kids (and Why Practice Isn’t the Answer) with Leslie Catlett

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Please join us in welcoming Leslie Catlett, MS, OTR/L to the podcast! Leslie is the founder of , where she helps children develop confident, functional handwriting skills that support real learning. As a pediatric occupational therapist and mom of two, she approaches handwriting challenges by looking beyond neatness to understand the deeper factors affecting each child. Leslie specializes in working with children with ADHD, dysgraphia, dyslexia, and autism, creating individualized, engaging strategies that make writing more accessible and meaningful. She holds a Master’s degree in...

Ep. 253: When Motivation Disappears: How to Help Tweens and Teens Reconnect with Dr. Ellen Braaten

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

I am so happy to welcome back for her third time on the show! In case you missed those episodes and/or need a refresher, Dr. Ellen Braaten is the founding director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She is a prolific researcher and author whose work focuses on ADHD, learning disorders, child psychopathology, processing speed, intelligence, and children’s motivation, including bestselling books for parents and professionals. Deeply committed to public education, she frequently speaks on...

Ep. 252: How to Make the School System Work for Your Child with Stacey Shubitz

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined in this episode by , K-6 literacy consultant, a former elementary school teacher, and the co-founder of the blog and podcast. Her forthcoming book, empowers parents to navigate the special education system. In this episode, we talk openly about what it really takes to support a child with learning challenges in today’s school system. Drawing from decades of experience on both sides of the table, Stacey shares why she wrote Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities and what she wishes someone had told her when she was first trying to make sense of...

Ep. 251: Sensory Processing & Regulation: How Play Rewires the Brain with Dr. Allie Ticktin, MA, OTD, OTR/L

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We happily welcome Dr. Allie Ticktin to Diverse Thinking Different Learning! Dr. Ticktin is dedicated to helping children and their families thrive through sensory-based play, having founded Play 2 Progress and writing Play to Progress, introducing parents to all eight senses and offering practical ways to support them at home. Blending child development science with playful learning, Dr. Ticktin focuses on building kids’ confidence and supporting their growth across emotional, social, physical, and academic areas. At the core of her philosophy is the belief that empowering parents from the...

Ep. 250: Reimagining Learning: The Evolving Power of 1:1 Learning in 2025 with Jaime Porras

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are happy to welcome Jaime Porras for this episode! Jaime Porras is the District Vice President for , overseeing nine campuses across Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. With more than two decades in education (including fourteen years at Fusion), he has held roles from teacher to Head of School and is passionate about fostering student-centered, relationship-driven learning environments. He holds an MA in Education with a focus on Social Justice from Antioch University Los Angeles and a BA in English from Ohio State University. A proud Buckeye and Culver City resident, Jaime enjoys sports,...

Ep. 249: Using Technology to Support Neurodivergent Students with Joan Green

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

For this edition of the show, we warmly welcome Joan Green! Joan Green, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, assistive technology specialist, and founder of in the Washington, DC area. For nearly 40 years, she has helped people of all ages (especially neurodiverse learners) use technology to enhance communication, learning, and independence. Passionate about accessibility and innovation, Joan also educates families and professionals on how everyday tech and AI can change our daily lives. Our conversation explores how technology, including AI-powered tools, can be used to help...

Ep. 248: The Power of Early Intervention: How Neuroplasticity Shapes Young Brains with Dr. Viannae Nelkin

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is . Dr. Viannae Nelkin is a board-eligible pediatric neuropsychologist and founder of . She earned her master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology, training at top institutions including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Her work focuses on early intervention, neurodiversity-affirming care, and empowering families to help their children thrive. Deeply committed to supporting children with neurological and genetic...

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Welcome back to another discussion about sleep! We've previously delved into why sleep is crucial for our well-being, and today, we're taking it a step further. In this episode, we'll explore practical strategies that you can implement at home to ensure that not only our children are getting good quality sleep, but the whole family.

Joining me is Dr. Afolabi-Brown, a triple board-certified sleep medicine physician and pediatric pulmonologist, who will guide us through the science of sleep and offer invaluable tips to improve sleep quality for neurodivergent children and their families.

To help families establish healthy sleep habits, Dr. Afolabi-Brown introduces the CREATE acronym, outlining six fundamental strategies for good sleep hygiene: Consistency, Routines, Environment, Assigned bed for sleep, Technology management, and Elimination of disruptions. You will also hear real-life success stories of families who have implemented these strategies and witnessed remarkable improvements in sleep quality.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply interested in optimizing sleep for yourself or loved ones, this episode is a valuable resource to transform your sleep habits and promote overall well-being.

Show Notes:

[3:40] - Dr. Afolabi-Brown explains the amount of sleep that is recommended by age group.
[5:08] - It’s not enough to consider the quantity of sleep. There’s a lot that could impact sleep quality.
[8:03] - Neurodivergent children may exhibit daytime sleepiness. Dr. Afolabi-Brown describes some of the things you may notice.
[10:31] - Insufficient and poor quality of sleep affects our physical health, our brain health, and could cause social-emotional issues.
[12:06] - Sleep is healing and restorative.
[13:18] - We can change our relationship with sleep by understanding its importance.
[15:10] - CREATE is an acronym for the six fundamental habits for good sleep hygiene.
[15:44] - C: Consistency
[16:33] - R: Routines
[17:10] - E: Environment
[17:34] - A: Assigned bed for sleep
[18:08] - T: Technology
[18:23] - E: Eliminate
[20:18] - Choose small things to change first and then add more as you get used to them.
[22:38] - Neurodivergent children need even more structure than neurotypical children especially when it comes to sleep routines.
[26:28] - Dr. Afolabi-Brown provides some strategies for calming a busy brain at night.
[30:23] - Dr. Afolabi-Brown shares the story of a successful sleep intervention that changed the sleep quality of an entire family.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a triple board-certified sleep medicine physician and pediatric pulmonologist. She founded RestfulSleepMD, where she helps high-achieving professionals and their children change their relationship with sleep so they can move from being drained and exhausted to thriving in their families, careers, and relationships. She achieves this through clinical practice (The Restful Sleep Place), coaching, speaking, and organization consultation. She is a best-selling author and has been featured on various media outlets, including ABC. She obtained her sleep medicine training at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

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The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

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