Why Do We Still Debate Overexcitabilities?
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Chris Wells, a writer, researcher, and podcaster who specializes in positive disintegration. They break down the theory of positive disintegration, developed by Kazimierz Dąbrowski, and its relevance to personal growth and neurodiversity. They explore the concept of over-excitability, its implications in the gifted education community, and the controversy surrounding its interpretation. They talk about disintegration as a pathway to self-actualization, and the need for community support for those experiencing intense emotional states. They also discuss the...
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Love on the Spectrum's Kaelynn Partlow on Autism, Advocacy, and Acceptance
Neurodiversity Podcast
Kaelynn Partlow is an autism advocate and author, and one of the stars of the Netflix series, Love on the Spectrum. Today she joins Emily to talk about her experiences with autism, and they cover a lot of ground in this conversation. They discuss the evolution and effectiveness of ABA therapy, the need for accurate labeling, and using declarative language in communication. They also offer advice for parents of newly diagnosed children, and talk about the importance of finding community. TAKEAWAYS The world will label children if parents don't. The superpower label is a double-edged sword. ...
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Understanding Yourself: A Process for Finding the Person Inside
Neurodiversity Podcast
Today's episode is a heartfelt conversation about the importance of helping neurodivergent children understand themselves and their brain profile, and how this understanding can foster confidence and self-advocacy. Emily talks with Dr. Liz Angoff about the need for transparent communication with children about their diagnoses, and the use of relatable metaphors to explain complex concepts. They discuss collaborative approaches in assessments, the challenges of co-occurring diagnoses, and the role of parents in supporting their children. How can families find practitioners who align with...
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Beyond Buzzwords: Rethinking Our Neurodiversity Discourse
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris chats with Emily Paige Ballou about the need for a more nuanced conversation around identity and support for neurodivergent individuals. They talk about the social model of disability, and the implications of public discourse on autism. They also explore the superpower narrative, and the importance of understanding both strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals. They touch on the cultural context of autism today, and critiques of the label of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). TAKEAWAYS Neurodiversity is rooted in the concept of biodiversity. The term...
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Dietary Difficulty: Fueling the Neurodivergent Brain
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes registered dietician Jackie Silver, who specializes in nutrition for neurodivergent people. They discuss the unique challenges faced by the neurodiversity community, including sensory differences, interoception, and executive functioning barriers that complicate meal planning and nutrition. They also talk about practical strategies to support the neurodivergent people in your life with making good dietary choices. They identify and analyze disordered eating patterns, and discuss the significance of self-compassion in the journey towards better nutrition. TAKEAWAYS...
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Time Blindness: What To Do When Now Isn't Now
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Ari Tuckman for a conversation about time blindness, the complexities of ADHD, and the stigma surrounding the disorder. They discuss why ADHD is more about the struggle to convert attention into action than a lack of knowledge. They talk about how and why ADHD affects time perception and performance under pressure. If you're prone to procrastination, anxiety, and time management issues, this is an episode you need to hear. TAKEAWAYS ADHD is often misunderstood as a lack of attention rather than a difficulty in converting attention into action. Time...
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Flashback: Autism + ADHD = AuDHD
Neurodiversity Podcast
A term has been gaining traction over the last few years: AuDHD. Today, Emily Kircher-Morris is talking with Mattia Maurée, a neurodivergent individual who is both ADHD and autistic. They talk about how the two diagnoses blend together, one side desiring routine and sameness, while the other seeks novelty and change. They also discuss the challenges of receiving accurate diagnoses, the impact of stigma on neurodivergent individuals, how career pathways are affected, Mattia’s personal experiences of being misunderstood and judged, and the importance of community. The conversation covers many...
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Is It PDA? Demand Avoidance in the Context of Autism
Neurodiversity Podcast
On episode 270, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Taylor Day, a licensed psychologist who specializes in neuro-affirming care for autistic children and their families. They discuss the complexities of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in children, and the importance of understanding neurodiversity and the need for family-centered care. They cover the challenges of identifying PDA, the risks of misdiagnosis, and the necessity of adapting parenting and therapeutic strategies to better support children with this profile. They also validate parents' experiences and intuition, and endorse a...
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Authenticity: Belonging vs Fitting In
Neurodiversity Podcast
Speech Dude Chris Wenger joins Emily Kircher-Morris to discuss the importance of shifting from compliance-based educational strategies to more affirming practices for neurodivergent students. They explore the significance of creating safe and regulated environments, the difference between belonging and fitting in, and the need to redefine social goals to foster authentic connections among students. They talk about the value of autonomy, community building, and understanding the unique challenges faced by high school students in the context of neurodiversity. TAKEAWAYS The shift from...
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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...
info_outlineToday 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 good or bad, and explore practical strategies for implementing self-regulation tools in educational settings.
TAKEAWAYS
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Self-regulation challenges significantly impact students' well-being and success.
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The Zones of Regulation framework provides a common language for expressing feelings.
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All zones are valid; there are no good or bad zones.
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Visual supports can help neurodivergent students communicate their feelings.
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The framework is designed to foster emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
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Teaching self-regulation skills can reduce reliance on punitive measures.
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The framework can be adapted for various age groups and needs.
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Emotional intelligence can be difficult to articulate, even for older students.
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Co-regulation with adults can help children identify and manage their emotions.
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Understanding the neurobiological aspects of regulation can inform better support strategies.
Check out the Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students course, and all of the others available now in the Neurodiversity University.
Leah Kuypers, MA Ed., OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, autism resource specialist, and educator, dedicated to helping individuals develop self-regulation skills. While working in public schools, she recognized the profound impact that regulation difficulties had on learners’ overall well-being and daily functioning. This led her to develop The Zones of Regulation, a systematic and practical framework designed to foster emotional and sensory regulation.
Since its initial publication in 2011, The Zones of Regulation has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide and has been widely adopted in educational and therapeutic settings. In 2024, Leah launched The Zones of Regulation Digital Curriculum, which has already been implemented in 40 countries. Her team trains more than 8,000 educators and practitioners annually around the globe, equipping them with tools to support learners in developing essential self-regulation skills.
BACKGROUND READING
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