Unmasking Autism: Why You Might Feel Like an Imposter
Neurodiversity Podcast
This week, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Sol Smith, the founder of the NeuroSpicy Community and author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery. Sol brings two decades of education, and his lived experience as an Autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic individual, to the discussion. They talk about the complex feelings of imposter syndrome that many neurodivergent adults face - the feeling that life is a stage play where everyone else got the script but you - and the difficulty of masking and unmasking. They also get into the science of how we think, including breaking down the difference...
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The Empathetic Classroom: A Mental Health Mindset for Educators
Neurodiversity Podcast
Why do certain student behaviors trigger an intense emotional reaction in us? According to Maria Munro-Schuster, it often has less to do with the child and more to do with our own history. In this episode, Emily sits down with Maria, a licensed clinical professional counselor and author of the new book, The Empathetic Classroom: How a Mental Health Mindset Can Support Your Students and You, to discuss the gap between therapeutic insight and the reality of the classroom. They talk about the use of the term "Mental Health Mindset" to describe a way of being that prioritizes nervous system...
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Connection Before Correction: Autism Understanding & Support
Neurodiversity Podcast
David Smith spent years working as a therapist specializing in neurodiversity-affirming care, but it wasn’t until age 56, prompted by his wife and his own clients, that he sought his own autism diagnosis. That confirmation fundamentally shifted his clinical approach from that of a white-coated expert to a fellow traveler, deepening the way he accompanies families through unmapped territory. Today, Emily and David discuss the delicate balance between professional curiosity and humility, and why traditional therapeutic models often fail to support the fragile nervous systems of neurodivergent...
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Parenting the Child You Have (Not the One You Expected)
Neurodiversity Podcast
"Parent the child you have," is a common piece of advice in the neurodiversity community, but what does it actually look like in practice when stress is high and patience is low? Why do traditional consequences often fail to build the skills a child actually needs? And how can parents distinguish between enabling a child and truly supporting them? Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Cindy Goldrich, founder of PTS Coaching, and author of Eight Keys to Parenting Kids and Teens with ADHD, about the developmental reality of executive dysfunction and why "calm is power" when it comes to...
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The Myth of Willful Defiance with Ross Greene
Neurodiversity Podcast
Episode 300! For decades, the standard response to challenging behavior has been simple: reward the good, punish the bad. But what if non-compliance isn't a sign of disrespect, but a signal of distress? Why do traditional behavioral frameworks like PBIS often miss the mark for neurodivergent students? And how can adults shift from being enforcers to problem-solving partners? Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child and the upcoming book The Kids Who Aren't Okay, and the originator of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, about the...
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Unlocking Motivation in Neurodivergent Children (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris chats today 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 so 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 apply...
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2E Or Not 2E: The Nuts and Bolts of Twice-Exceptionality (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
Many brilliant young people experience the dichotomy of disability layered on top of their intelligence. It’s called twice-exceptionality, or 2e for short. What are the common misconceptions about twice-exceptional individuals? How do traditional models fall short when identifying the learning disabilities of our brightest kids? And why is early recognition so pivotal? Emily talks with Dr. Danika Maddocks, a psychologist, parent coach, and founder of the Gifted Learning Lab, about the intricacies of twice-exceptionality, in childhood and beyond. This is part of our end-of-year recap, and one...
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Measuring Thinking Rather Than Knowledge with Dr. Jack Naglieri (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
As we wrap up 2025, we are featuring some of our most important conversations, including this conversation about IQ, intelligence, and intelligence assessment. Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Jack Naglieri, an emeritus professor at George Mason University and senior research scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. Dr. Naglieri is renowned for his work in intelligence testing and the development of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test. In this sprawling conversation, Emily and Jack talk about his insights on the evolution and misconceptions surrounding intelligence assessment....
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Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria with Dr. Bill Dodson (reprise)
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris and Dr. William Dodson have a conversation about the complexities of ADHD, in which they discuss emotional dysregulation, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), and social anxiety. They talk about how RSD manifests in ADHDers, and how we can distinguish it from social anxiety. They also explore the impact of childhood experiences, the vital role of relationships, and the need for updated diagnostic criteria. This conversation was taken from a two-part series earlier in 2025. TAKEAWAYS Emotional dysregulation is often overlooked in ADHD diagnoses. RSD is a specific...
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Building a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging
Neurodiversity Podcast
Emily Kircher-Morris is joined by Tim Villegas, the Director of Communications at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE) and the founder and host of the Think Inclusive Podcast, to discuss the concept of inclusion in education. The idea is to create inclusive environments for all students, and Tim shares his personal journey toward that goal, and insights on how to create such an environment. They talk about the importance of community, equity, and meaningful contributions in schools, as well as the challenges faced in inclusive classrooms. TAKEAWAYS Inclusion is a powerful...
info_outlineOn today's episode, Emily Kircher-Morris talks about the transformative power of play with Georgie Wisen-Vincent, a nationally recognized expert in play therapy. Emily and Georgie explore how play supports emotional resilience, not just in young children, but across all ages. They talk about the importance of adapting play for neurodivergent children, and the role of play in fostering emotional regulation and executive function. They also discuss ways to engage with children through play, and provide suggestions on how to create meaningful connections that nurture their development.
TAKEAWAYS
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Play is essential for emotional resilience.
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Play therapy has a role in neurodevelopment.
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Adapt play for neurodivergent children.
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Play has an impact on emotional regulation and executive function.
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You should establish a balance between screen time and real-world play.
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Play should remain present in educational settings.
Let the courses in the Neurodiversity University help you be a better educator, parent, and/or clinician.
Georgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S, ECMHS is a nationally recognized play therapy expert and co-author of The Way of Play (Penguin Random House, January 2025) with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson. She is the Founder and Director of The Play Strong Institute, a center focused on the study and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopmental lens, and also practices as a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist at The Center for Connection in Southern California.
Georgie is a graduate professor at Santa Clara University and an active researcher in childhood play, attachment science, and mental health. She studied play therapy at the University of Roehampton in London and is currently completing her doctoral degree.
BACKGROUND READING
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