Libsyn Directory

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria with Dr. Bill Dodson (reprise)

Release Date: 12/04/2025

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...

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....

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...

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...

Late Diagnosis ADHD: Looking Back for Context, Looking Forward for Clarity

Neurodiversity Podcast

Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Carla Ciccone, a Toronto-based writer and author of the book Nowhere Girl, about her experiences with ADHD, identity, and motherhood. Carla talks about dealing with her late diagnosis of ADHD, and the overall impact of societal expectations on women. They talk about the difficulties of navigating life with undiagnosed ADHD, how it increases the challenges of parenting, and the importance of self-awareness and therapy in managing ADHD symptoms. TAKEAWAYS When you realize you've had ADHD all along, allow yourself grief and grace. Therapy can be a...

The Over-Under on Achievement with Jim Delisle

Neurodiversity Podcast

Cookie-cutter curriculum can be Kryptonite to a gifted kid, and can often spark a decline into a place where underachievement becomes the norm. Dr. Jim Delisle helps us probe the world of underachievement, and suggests ways to help people of various underachiever profiles break their chains. Our hearts are heavy with Jim's recent passing. Jim Delisle was a giant in the field of giftedness and neurodiversity, and one of its fiercest advocates. He was a friend, an important collaborator, and his contributions left an indelible mark on our podcast and the lives of our team. More than that, he...

Presuming Competence: A Nonspeaking Person Finds His Voice

Neurodiversity Podcast

Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Sumit and Viraj Dhanda, a father-son duo who are working to update and rethink norms around communication, intelligence, and inclusion. Viraj is a nonspeaking autistic student who was diagnosed with autism and apraxia as a young child. Viraj and his father, Sumit, talk about their journey navigating the challenges and misconceptions surrounding non-verbal communication, the impact of apraxia, and the importance of presuming competence. Viraj shares his personal experiences through a communication tool, and tells the story of when he and his father discovered his...

Synesthesia in Cinema: The Making of 'Magnetosphere'

Neurodiversity Podcast

Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes filmmaker Nicola Rose, to talk about her film 'Magnetosphere,' a movie about the world of synesthesia. Nicola shares her insights and challenges of portraying neurodivergence in cinema, the difficulty and complexity of independent filmmaking, and the personal journey of understanding her own ADHD diagnosis. They talk about the creative process, the importance of authentic representation, and the universal themes of growing up and self-discovery. TAKEAWAYS Synesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon where senses are intertwined, such as seeing sounds or tasting...

Building Henry's Classroom: An Advocacy Master Class

Neurodiversity Podcast

Emily Kircher-Morris talks with writer Amy Mackin, author of Henry’s Classroom: A Special Education in American Motherhood, about her experiences navigating the special education system for her son, Henry. They discuss the challenges of accessing appropriate resources, the impact of social isolation, and how community support can make a huge difference. They talk about Amy's transition from public school to homeschooling, and the benefits of a more holistic approach to education that broadens the support group to include family and even medical professionals. TAKEAWAYS Early intervention...

Adult-Diagnosed ADHD: Grieving What Might Have Been

Neurodiversity Podcast

Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Jennifer Dall, a grief-informed neurodivergence specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically. Jennifer was diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s, and is now an educator, administrator, coach, and grief specialist. They talk about grieving over what might have been, a struggle that often accompanies late-diagnosis. They discuss Jennifer's lived experience with late diagnosis, as well as some common misconceptions about ADHD, especially those faced by women. They also talk about the challenges of identifying ADHD in school settings, particularly for girls and...

More Episodes

TAKEAWAYS

Emotional dysregulation is often overlooked in ADHD diagnoses.
RSD is a specific condition affecting many with ADHD; the pain can be both emotional and physical, leading to significant life impairments.
Social anxiety is anticipatory, while rejection sensitivity is reactive; they can coexist but are distinct.
Childhood experiences can exacerbate RSD but are not the sole cause.
Medication, alongside sleep, nutrition, structure, and routine, plays a vital role in emotional regulation.
Mood disorders can manifest independently of external events, and a significant percentage of individuals with ADHD have coexisting psychiatric diagnoses.
Understanding RSD is essential for clinicians, and psychoeducation is key to self-advocacy.

Here's the research project Emily mentions in her closing thoughts.

Dr. Bill Dodson is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who has specialized in adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for the last 27 years.

In recognition of his clinical contributions to the field of ADHD he was named a Life Fellow of the APA in 2012. He was the 2006 recipient of the national Maxwell J. Schleifer Award for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities.

His contributions to the field of ADHD include:

The only currently available methodology for the fine-tuning of ADHD medications.
The concept of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and its treatment with medications.
The first non-behavioral theory of what ADHD is and how it can be treated successfully with an emphasis on what goes right rather than what goes wrong.

BACKGROUND READING

Bill Dodson’s website, Dr Dodson’s contributions to ADDitude magazine

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