A Guide to School Counseling In a Neurodiverse World
Release Date: 09/05/2024
Why School Refusal May Not Be What It Seems (and What to Do Instead)
Neurodiversity Podcast
School refusal and distress are the subject of the day, as Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes child psychologist and former school psychologist, Dr. Emily King. They discuss the importance of understanding the underlying causes of anxiety, the need for neurodiversity-affirming approaches, and the balance between structure and flexibility in educational settings. The also discuss the importance of grace, connection, and individualized strategies when helping children navigate their emotional experiences. TAKEAWAYS School refusal is often a response to anxiety, not an active choice. Understanding...
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Beyond Words: The Truth About Selective (Situational) Mutism
Neurodiversity Podcast
Today, Emily Kircher-Morris and Meredith Polsky look into the complexities of selective mutism, exploring its definitions, the importance of language in understanding it, and the personal experiences that led Meredith to specialize in this area. They discuss the myths surrounding selective mutism, and its manifestation as an anxiety disorder rather than a choice or a form of shyness. Meredith shares her journey as a parent of children with selective mutism and the challenges she faced in finding appropriate treatment, ultimately leading her to become a clinician herself. They explore the...
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When Consistency is the Game Changer
Neurodiversity Podcast
On episode 266, Emily Kircher-Morris discusses the critical role of executive functioning in education with Mitch Weathers, author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom. They explore how these skills are essential for student success, and discuss incorporating them into teaching practices, rather than treating them as an afterthought. The conversation also covers the importance of clarity, modeling, and routine in teaching these skills, and the challenges posed by the digital era. TAKEAWAYS Executive functioning is a core part of learning. Teaching executive functioning skills should...
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One-Size Doesn't Fit All: Variability in Neurodivergent Brains
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Barbara Pape, Senior Director of the Learner Variability Project, about the concept of learner variability. The conversation touches on the importance of recognizing each student's unique strengths and challenges. They explore how educators can support neurodivergent learners through personalized instruction, they cover the role of technology in education, and talk about the need for a sense of belonging in the classroom. The discussion also touches on the barriers educators face in addressing learner variability and the evolution of educational policy to better...
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The Double Empathy Problem in the Classroom
Neurodiversity Podcast
On episode 264, we’re sharing our sister podcast’s conversation about the double empathy problem. In Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin explore a concept that challenges the assumption that neurodivergent individuals lack empathy, and instead highlights how misunderstandings happen between different neurotypes. They share personal stories, real-world classroom scenarios, and strategies to help educators bridge the communication gap with their neurodivergent students. TAKEAWAYS The double empathy problem—what it is and why it matters in...
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There's Much More to OCD Than You Think
Neurodiversity Podcast
Today, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Natalia Aíza, a therapist and advocate, to talk about the complexities of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They debunk common myths and misconceptions, and talk about what OCD actually is. It's important to understand the OCD cycle, be able to identify the various types of OCD, and understand how it often coexists with other neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism. They also talk about the impact of reassurance seeking, the nuances of Just Right OCD, and the challenges of school refusal. The conversation includes insights into how parents and...
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Navigating the Emotional Landscape
Neurodiversity Podcast
Today Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Leah Kuypers, developer of the Zones of Regulation framework, to discuss self-regulation skills. They talk about the importance of emotional awareness, the practical applications of the framework in educational settings, and how it provides a common language for expressing feelings. Leah shares insights from her experience as an occupational therapist and educator, including the impact of the framework on students' ability to communicate their emotions and navigate their environments effectively. They discuss the need to move away from labeling emotions as...
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Gestalt Language Processing
Neurodiversity Podcast
Today Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Gestalt language processing expert Ali Battye about the nuts and bolts of Gestalt, and why it's useful and important in understanding and supporting neurodivergent communicators. They talk about the barriers faced by Gestalt language processors, the role of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and the need for a strengths-based approach in communication. There are some common misconceptions about Gestalt language processing, and they explain and dispel them in this conversation. TAKEAWAYS Echolalia has become a helpful part of the learning...
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The Barrier-Breaking Evolution of Whole Body Regulation
Neurodiversity Podcast
Today we're discussing the concept of whole body listening, and its evolution to whole body regulation. Elizabeth Sautter joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about that evolution, and what it means to neurodivergent people and those who support them. They discuss emotional regulation and co-regulation, the role of educators and parents in modeling emotional awareness, and the impact of shame on neurodivergent learners. Also, the complexities of vulnerability, and the significant difference between calling someone out, and calling them in. TAKEAWAYS The shift from whole body listening to whole...
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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....
info_outlineIn episode 240, Emily Kircher-Morris chats with Brandon Gernux, an elementary school counselor from Santa Ana, California, and the 2024 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year. Emily and Brandon dive into the importance of neurodiversity-affirming support in schools, sharing insights on how schools are slowly evolving to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners. They discuss the critical role school counselors play, particularly in addressing the challenges of camouflaging and masking, which can significantly impact students' social development and personal satisfaction. They talk about the value of self-advocacy, the necessity of including neurodiversity education in the curriculum, and how leveraging the strengths of neurodivergent learners can lead to more authentic and supportive school environments.
Takeaways
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Schools need to adopt a neurodiversity-affirming framework to support neurodivergent learners.
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Camouflaging and masking can have negative impacts on students' social development and mental health.
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Self-advocacy skills are crucial for neurodivergent students to express their needs and receive appropriate support.
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School counselors play a vital role in advocating for neurodivergent students and addressing systemic barriers.
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Leveraging the strengths and interests of neurodivergent learners can enhance their learning experience.
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A neurodiversity-affirming approach in schools is a social justice issue.
You are an educator who’s passionate about creating neurodiversity-affirming learning environments for students. So join us for our free annual fall event we’ve created specifically for you. 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.
Be sure to get your Neurodiversity Podcast swag! It helps the podcast grow, and supports all neurotypes by telling the world that “a little weird is good!”
Brandon I. Gernux (he/they) is an Elementary School Counselor in Santa Ana, CA. Their passion lies in fostering inclusive classroom and school counseling practices to support autistic and ADHD students. Brandon has presented on embracing neurodiversity inclusion to educators and graduate students locally and nationally. Gernux is a leader of the ASCA Elementary School Counselor Affinity Group and serves on the CASC Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racism Committee, and was recognized as 2024 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year.
BACKGROUND READING