The Gifted Experience: Reframing Emotional Intensity
Release Date: 08/08/2024
Dyscalculia & Math: A Teacher's and Parent's Guide
Neurodiversity Podcast
On this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris and Dr. Daniel Ansari discuss the complexities of math education, including the anxiety it can cause in students, the challenges of teaching methods, and the importance of understanding learning difficulties like dyscalculia. They talk about the importance of explicit instruction in math, the role of neuroscience in understanding how children learn math, and the significance of working memory and attention in math learning. Educators and parents will also get suggestions for practical strategies that will help them support students struggling with math....
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What it Takes to Connect With Today's Students
Neurodiversity Podcast
Effective teaching involves more than just what happens formally in the classroom, and on this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes educator and author Adam Meyersieck to talk about it. They discuss the need for engaging teaching methods that connect with students emotionally and socially. They discuss collaboration between parents and educators to support neurodivergent learners, and the significance of strengths-based approaches in teaching. They cover sustainability of the teaching profession, the use of multiple communication modalities, and managing visual clutter to enhance learning...
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Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria with Dr. Bill Dodson (Part 2)
Neurodiversity Podcast
In the second of our powerful two-part conversation, Emily Kircher-Morris and Dr. William Dodson discuss the complexities of ADHD, emotional dysregulation and its subset, and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). He explains how RSD can manifest in ADHDers, the impact of childhood experiences, and the importance of understanding and treating these conditions. There is a need for updated diagnostic criteria and effective treatment strategies, including medication and supportive environments. They dig into the complexities of ADHD, including management strategies, and the importance of...
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Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria with Dr. Bill Dodson (Part 1)
Neurodiversity Podcast
In part one of a two-part conversation, Emily Kircher-Morris and Dr. William Dodson discuss the complexities of ADHD, emotional dysregulation and its subset, and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). He explains how RSD can manifest in ADHDers, the impact of childhood experiences, and the importance of understanding and treating these conditions. There is a need for updated diagnostic criteria and effective treatment strategies, including medication and supportive environments. They dig into the complexities of ADHD, including management strategies, and the importance of understanding the...
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New Podcast Alert: Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools
Neurodiversity Podcast
This week, we’re sharing the inaugural episode of the Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools podcast! Today, hosts Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin introduce themselves, and talk about their new book, Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported. This podcast is great as a learning tool on its own, and it's designed to align with the chapters of the book. It provides actionable insights, strategies, and inspiration for educators and parents. Emily and Amanda discuss their personal neurodivergent journeys, how they came to...
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Unraveling the Mysteries of Baffling Behaviors
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris and Robyn Gobbel, author of Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors, chat about those baffling behaviors, and how they can leave parents and teachers scratching their heads. It’s also important to understand how adults' emotions can affect how they react to kids' behavior, and why it's so important to create an environment that helps kids feel safe and connected. The conversation also includes some practical tips for parents and teachers about understanding baffling behaviors. It’s all on episode 254! TAKEAWAYS Baffling behavior requires deeper understanding rather...
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Applying Neuroscience to Education
Neurodiversity Podcast
On our first episode of 2025, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Mind, Brain and Education expert Allison Posey, to discuss the importance of inclusive practices in education, focusing on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its application in classrooms. Allison shares her personal journey that led her to advocate for inclusive education, she and Emily discuss the need for understanding individual learning differences, and they talk about the role of emotions in learning. They also explore how neuroscience informs educational practices and necessitates shifting mindsets within educational...
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Self-Regulation: A Guide for Educators and Parents
Neurodiversity Podcast
On episode 252, Dr. Richard Cash and Emily Kircher-Morris talk about the importance of self-regulation in education. They discuss the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive aspects, the critical role emotions play in learning, and the necessity of teaching metacognitive skills to students. It’s not only about school, they discuss parental support in developing self-regulation at home, and the unique needs of twice-exceptional learners. This is an updated version of an encore conversation. Takeaways Self-regulation consists of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions. Emotions...
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Moving From Traditional to Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy
Neurodiversity Podcast
On episode 251, Emily welcomes Dr. Amy Marschall, a clinical psychologist focused on trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming care. They talk about the transition from traditional therapy models to neurodiversity affirming approaches, and the importance of lived experience and self-diagnosis in mental health care. They talk about the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in accessing care, particularly in rural areas. The path to neurodiversity-affirming care involves the need for some clinicians to unlearn practices that we now understand could be harmful. Emily and Amy also talk...
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Real-World Relationships, Digital Connections, Keeping It Together
Neurodiversity Podcast
In Episode 250, Emily Kircher-Morris and Sam Young tackle the radical shifts in how neurodivergent kids connect and thrive in our post-pandemic world. The pandemic didn't just disrupt - it created unexpected opportunities for neurodivergent youth to forge meaningful connections in new ways. They dive deep into how digital spaces have become vital lifelines, while challenging the traditional playbook for "successful" socializing. One powerful revelation? A single genuine connection can transform a child's entire social world. Takeaways: The surprising advantages of post-pandemic social...
info_outlineOn episode 236, Emily Kircher-Morris and Christine Fonseca discuss emotional intensity in gifted students. They explore the reasons behind this intensity, and how it relates to the giftedness experience. They touch on the concept of overexcitabilities and how they manifest in gifted individuals. Also, they emphasize the importance of understanding and accepting the unique characteristics of gifted children rather than pathologizing them, and of embracing discomfort as part of the journey.
Takeaways
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Gifted students often experience emotional intensity due to their unique brain wiring and the rich and intense experience of the world.
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It is important to avoid pathologizing giftedness and instead focus on creating optimal learning environments and providing appropriate support for gifted individuals.
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Living authentically and embracing discomfort can help gifted individuals navigate their intense emotions and make conscious decisions that align with their values and goals.
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With school starting soon, we have an opportunity for educators to learn more about 2e students by taking our course, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students. It’s great for CE credits for educators, and the course will be enlightening to anyone curious about helping 2e students thrive in the classroom.
Christine Fonseca is a licensed educational psychologist, critically acclaimed author, and a nationally recognized speaker on topics related to educational psychology, mental health, giftedness, and using storytelling to heal past wounds. Using her experience consulting and coaching educators and parents, Christine brings her expertise to Psychology Today, authoring the parenting blog Parenting for A New Generation. She has written self-help articles for Parents.com, Johnson & Johnson, and Justine Magazine and appeared on podcasts, radio, and television. Her critically acclaimed titles include Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students, and Letting Go: A Girl’s Guide to Breaking Free From Stress and Anxiety.
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