Ep. 190: Should Your Teen Take a Gap Year? with Julia Rogers
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
Release Date: 06/18/2024
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®...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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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Ep. 247: Helping Kids by Building Stronger Families: A Systems Approach to Support with Dr. Adi Soffer
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
We happily welcome to Diverse Thinking Different Learning this week! Adi Soffer, PsyD is a licensed psychologist who works with children, teens, and families, and she combines family structure therapy with evidence-based practices to help families strengthen communication, establish healthy boundaries, and deepen emotional connections. Passionate about guiding parents and children through challenges such as anxiety, behavioral issues, and major life changes, Dr. Soffer offers care via her private practice, Kesher Psychological Services. She sees clients in Los Angeles and provides virtual...
info_outlineIn this episode, we’re exploring something that is often misunderstood and rarely talked about: gap years. Many parents and students don’t really know exactly what a gap year is or how taking one could be the right choice for them. So today, we are exploring the benefits and considerations of gap years for teens and young adults with learning differences. I’m thrilled to introduce our guest, Julia Rogers, a professional gap year counselor and founder of EnRoute Counseling. Julia is an expert on this topic, and she’s here to shed light on how gap years can be particularly beneficial for those who learn and think differently.
A gap year is more than just a break from academics; it’s an intentional period of personal growth supported by diverse learning opportunities. We have a lot of misconceptions about what gap years really are, so having Julia break it down will provide a lot to think about. Over the past 15 years, the reasons people choose to take a gap year have evolved, and Julia will share some common motivations behind this decision. She will also discuss the unique benefits that gap years can offer to different types of students, including the opportunity to develop social skills and catch up, especially in the post-pandemic world.
The ultimate goal is to guide our young people into a life of fulfillment. Join us as we dive into the world of gap years with Julia Rogers, and discover if this might be the right path for your teen to thrive.
Show Notes:
[3:17] - A gap year is an intentional period of personal growth supported by learning opportunities.
[4:35] - Over the last 15 years, the reasons people choose to take a gap year have shifted and changed. Julia shares a lot of common ones.
[5:59] - The benefits are a lot different for different types of students.
[7:23] - Benefits can also include “catching up” and developing social skills, especially now post-pandemic.
[8:45] - When working with her students, Julia sets three types of goals with them: personal, practical, and professional.
[11:01] - There are endless possibilities of what a gap year could look like.
[12:04] - If a young adult knows they want to be college bound, it is possible to apply and defer, or they can wait till after their gap year to begin applying.
[15:47] - The goal is to guide our young people into a life of fulfillment.
[17:48] - Julia describes gap year programs and what they offer.
[20:16] - What role should parents play in planning or supporting the plan for a gap year?
[23:45] - Give yourself the permission to explore nontraditional plans and paths for success.
[24:32] - There are some reasons that a gap year is not recommended, including certain scholarships or financial aid.
[26:59] - Julia lists the different types of gap year programming opportunities that could benefit students with learning differences.
[29:24] - A gap year is a great time for students to “get out of their bubble.” That means different things for different students.
About Our Guest:
Julia Rogers is an internationally recognized speaker, entrepreneur, and expert in experiential education with over 14 years of experience as a professional gap year counselor. She is the founder of EnRoute Consulting, a socially responsible enterprise aimed at fueling the gap year movement and cultivating a generation of compassionate, driven, and resourceful global citizens.
Julia partners with educators, service-learning organizations, non-profits, government entities and families around the world to develop creative educational pathways that result in young adults being better prepared to succeed in life and work. Julia is a TEDx speaker, a podcast host and President Emeritus of the Gap Year Association, a US-based nonprofit dedicated to the intentional growth of the gap year option through research, standards-setting and advocacy efforts.
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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.