Ep. 201: Why Loneliness Hurts and How to Help
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
Release Date: 09/03/2024
Ep. 228: Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with Dr. Samantha Levy
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
We are excited to have Samantha Levy, PhD join the show again this week to discuss Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Dr. Samantha Levy is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders. She uses a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional struggles, working with children, families, and parents to help them align the mind and body for improved functioning. Dr. Levy also runs parent groups, writes a parenting blog for , and works as a psychologist for Whole Child LA. Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which often...
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Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
We are joined this week by . Dr. Gansner is a child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in high-risk digital media use in teens. She has received multiple research grants, including a K23 career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and she is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee. Her first book, , explores the challenges of treating adolescent depression in the digital age. In this episode, Dr. Meredith Gansner discusses depression in...
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Ep. 226: Is It Autism? Recognizing, Assessing & Supporting Children and Teens with Dr. Chandni Singh
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
This week on the podcast, we are happy to have Dr. Chandni Singh on the show. Dr. Singh is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than a decade of experience in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is committed to providing evidence-based assessments and tailored treatment recommendations, and she strongly focuses on serving culturally and ethnically diverse communities. At West LA Neuropsychology, PC, she specializes in early diagnostic evaluations for young children and comprehensive assessments...
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Ep. 225: Moving Beyond Accommodations and Modifications to Cognitive Change for Academic Gains with Shelley Woon
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
This week on the podcast, we welcome Shelley Woon to the conversation. Shelley is a dedicated educator and school leader with over three decades of experience supporting students, families, and staff in overcoming learning challenges. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership, has specialized qualifications in Special Education and Reading, and serves as Head of School at and Superintendent of Special Education. Shelley values the brain-learning connection and is committed to helping others unlock their potential. Shelley joins us to explore how we can move beyond compensatory strategies...
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Ep. 224: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 2 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
Following up on last week’s episode, we are joined once again by , M.D. to further discuss the complex issue of medicating children with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and if you missed part 1 of the discussion, be sure to go back and listen to that before diving into part 2! In this continuation of our discussion, Dr. Steinberg sheds more light on the approach that is required when considering medication, stressing that a thoughtful evaluation is important before immediately jumping to medical solutions. Dr. Steinberg offers some insights into the FDA-approved medications,...
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Ep. 223: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 1 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
We are joined this week by , M.D. Dr. Steinberg is an expert in psychopharmacology, specializing in conditions such as OCD, ADHD, and autism. He has taught internationally and at institutions like UCLA, earning multiple awards for his outstanding teaching. He completed his medical training at Dartmouth, UCLA, and Stanford, and he currently practices in Calabasas, Encino, and Valencia. Dr. Steinberg joins us today in this first part of a two-part episode to discuss managing medication for youth with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. We discuss the important factors parents...
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Ep. 222: Wildfires and Mental Health: Understanding the Impact and Strategies for Recovery with Dr. Jyoti Mishra
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
We are joined for this episode by Dr. Jyoti Mishra to help us discuss an incredibly important and timely topic - the impact of wildfires on mental health. Dr. Mishra is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, the founder of NEATLabs, and co-director of the UC-wide Climate Change and Mental Health Initiative. Dr. Mishra specializes in climate trauma, resilience, digital health interventions, and precision psychiatry, with her work featured in major media outlets like CNN, TIME, and NPR. In this episode, we explore how natural disasters (such as the recent wildfires in...
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Ep. 221: Would a Behavioral Aide/Shadow Help My Child?
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
This week, joins us to talk about the role of behavioral aides or "shadows" in schools, focusing on how they help children with unique behavioral challenges thrive in the classroom. Lisa is a board-certified behavior analyst with a master's in Applied Behavior Analysis and more than a decade of experience in private practice. She provides 1:1 support for children and teens with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other behavioral challenges, along with parent coaching. In this episode, we dive into the types of challenges that might indicate a need for a behavioral aide, such as social conflicts,...
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Ep. 220: How to Support Children and Teens with Chronic Pain with Dr. Samantha Levy
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
Dr. Samantha Levy joins us this week to discuss the challenges of supporting kids with chronic pain. Samantha is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders, using a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional challenges. She also supports parents through individual sessions, group facilitation, and a parenting blog for , while working with Whole Child LA. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of chronic pain and explore its neurological nature and the effects that it has on one's body, mind, and family dynamics. Dr. Levy explains...
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Ep. 219: Understanding Dysgraphia: Signs, Strategies, and Support for Struggling Writers with Natasha Gray
Diverse Thinking Different Learning
This week, we discuss the complexities of dysgraphia, a neurodevelopmental disorder that can greatly affect written expression. We are joined by Natasha Gray, founder of in the Caribbean. We unpack dysgraphia and what it is and highlight its varied types and how it often overlaps with other challenges such as ADHD and dyslexia. Natasha explains the different ways that dysgraphia can manifest and discusses some of the warning signs such as illegible handwriting, avoidance of writing tasks, and challenges with spelling and spacing. Natasha also shares her insights into the neurological...
info_outlineWelcome to this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning, where we are diving into a topic that’s becoming increasingly urgent: loneliness in children and adolescents. We’ve all experienced loneliness at some point in our lives. However, for many young people, especially those with learning and thinking differences, loneliness can become a persistent and deeply troubling issue. It’s more than just a feeling; it’s a state of distress that arises when there’s a perceived gap between the social connections they crave and their actual experiences.
Our brains are hardwired for connection, making social interaction a biological necessity. Yet, for neurodivergent children and teens, the lack of meaningful connections can have even more profound effects. As we explore in this episode, loneliness isn’t just an emotional issue—it’s a health crisis that requires our immediate attention.
Ultimately, combating loneliness is about more than just addressing the symptoms; it’s about creating environments where all students feel connected, supported, and valued.
Show Notes:
[1:49] - Loneliness is the state of distress or discomfort that results when someone perceives a gap between one’s desires, social connection, and actual experiences.
[3:45] - Our brains are wired for connection. We have a biological need for it.
[4:35] - For neurodivergent children and teens, the lack of connection can have an even bigger impact.
[5:52] - Social media is a double-edged sword.
[6:51] - Students who are struggling with social connection and loneliness, may also feel the adverse effects on their academic progress.
[7:32] - One way to battle loneliness is by building strong family bonds.
[9:05] - Bullying is a significant contributor to loneliness.
[12:20] - Combating loneliness is not only about reducing isolation. It’s about creating environments where all students feel connected, valued, and supported.
Links and Related Resources:
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Navigating the Challenges of Social Media for Neurodivergent Youth
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Episode 43: Building Social Competence and Enhancing Social Skills with Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson
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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.