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...
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Unlocking Motivation in Neurodivergent Children
Neurodiversity Podcast
On Episode 249, Emily Kircher-Morris chats with Diane Dempster and Elaine Taylor-Klaus from Impact Parents, hosts of the Parenting with Impact podcast. They talk about the challenge of motivating neurodivergent kids, and break down why it’s challenging. The chat includes a framework called PINCH, a way to remember and think about important elements of motivation. You’ll come away with practical strategies for parents to foster a supportive environment that encourages engagement, and ways to move away from fear and stress as motivators. Takeaways Traditional parenting advice often doesn't...
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Ask Me Anything #9 with Emily Kircher-Morris
Neurodiversity Podcast
In this episode of the Neurodiversity Podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris answers questions submitted by members of the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group on Facebook. The questions cover a range of topics including co-occurrence between ADHD and dyslexia, word disability, gifted kids who are anxious, 504 denial in schools, learning disabilities + high cognition, and many more of your questions. The episode provides insights, strategies, and resources for parents and individuals navigating neurodiversity. To submit questions for our next AMA, join the on Facebook!
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Beyond the Stereotypes of Autism and Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity Podcast
On episode 247, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Megan Anna Neff to explore the complexities of neurodiversity, and the societal stereotypes that affect their lives. They talk about the challenges of diagnosis, the nuances of misdiagnosis, particularly the overlap between conditions like autism and borderline personality disorder, and the significance of self-awareness and acceptance in the journey of neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the phenomenon of autistic burnout, its implications, the challenges in clinical training regarding autism and ADHD, and inherent inequities that exist...
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Challenging What We Know About Autism and PDA
Neurodiversity Podcast
Dr. Donna Henderson joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about the changes in the assessment process for autism, the importance of empowering therapists to diagnose autism, and the need for equity in masking. Their conversation also explores the double empathy problem and the challenges of balancing unmasking with the needs of neurodiverse individuals in educational settings. They also discuss the PDA profile and its place within the autism spectrum. That’s all waiting for you on episode 246. This is a reprise of an earlier chat. Takeaways The assessment process for autism is evolving, with...
info_outlineMiscommunication between autistic and non-autistic individuals can lead to painful misunderstandings and strained relationships. In this episode, we talk to Jaime A. Heidel, author of 'What Did I Do Wrong? An Accessible Guide to Preventing Traumatic Misunderstandings Between You and Your Autistic Loved One.' Emily and Jaime discuss the common communication barriers between autistic and non-autistic people, the importance of listening to autistic voices, and the need for effective communication to prevent trauma. They talk about the need for specificity in communication, and the impact of trauma and the importance of validating neurodivergent experiences.
Takeaways
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Miscommunication between autistic and non-autistic individuals can lead to painful misunderstandings and strained relationships.
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Listening to autistic voices and consuming their content can help improve understanding and foster better connections.
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Believing autistic individuals and being specific in communication can greatly improve communication and prevent trauma.
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The impact of trauma on neurodivergent individuals is real, and it’s important to validate their experiences.
Register here for our free annual fall event we’ve created specifically for educators who are passionate about creating neurodiversity-affirming learning environments for students. The event will be held on Monday, September 23, and you can sign up to join Emily and a live panel of experts, who will be discussing ways to best support students of all neurotypes.
Jaime A. Heidel, The Articulate Autistic, is a late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD woman who uses her social media platforms to explain the autistic experience in terms that their neurotypical loved ones can understand and relate to.
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