Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading. That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.

A Day with No Words – Nonspeaking autism representation with Tiffany Hammond 11/10/2025

A Day with No Words – Nonspeaking autism representation with Tiffany Hammond Tiffany Hammond is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and disability advocate. She is the author of A Day with No Words, a picture book about a Black mother and son who use a tablet to communicate with each other and the world around them. A Day With No Words successfully normalizes communication methods outside of verbal speech and provides representation of neurodiversity and autism in a way that affirms and celebrates. Through Tiffany’s platform, Fidgets and Fries, she shares stories about autism, identity, and the fullness of Black and disabled family life. She is the proud mother of two autistic sons and uses her lived experiences to shift narratives around autism and communication. Win a copy of A Day with No Words! For a limited-time, Beyond 6 Seconds is giving away a hardcover copy of “A Day with No Words” to up to 3 listeners in the United States. To enter, check out my pinned Instagram post on November 11, 2025. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM ET on November 21, 2025.⁠ Up to 3 winners will be selected at random. This giveaway is valid for listeners at US addresses only. During this episode, you will hear Tiffany talk about: How her family’s real-life experiences inspired her to write A Day with No Words Why she wrote her book from the perspective of a nonspeaking autistic child What her nonspeaking autistic son Aidan thinks of the book How her book is different from other children's books about autism Common misconceptions that people have had about her autistic sons Learn more Tiffany and her work at and . Follow Tiffany on , and . . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/38854875

Advocating for dyslexic students – with Sabrina Fandell 10/27/2025

Ava N. Simmons — STEM entrepreneur and toy designer with dyslexia and dysgraphia 10/13/2025

Ava N. Simmons — STEM entrepreneur and toy designer with dyslexia and dysgraphia Ava N. Simmons, also known as Ava The S.T.E.M. Princess®, is a 12-year-old S.T.E.M. Ambassador, Entrepreneur, Toy Designer, Author, and the creator of educational toy brand Team Genius Squad. Diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in 2021, Ava used S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) and entrepreneurial activities to help overcome her academic challenges and build her confidence. To share her learning journey and encourage others, Ava creates engaging S.T.E.M.-based educational videos, authors S.T.E.M. books, conducts peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. activities in the community, and develops S.T.E.M. toys for children ages 5-13, including children who are neurodivergent or in underserved areas. She has conducted thousands of peer-to-peer S.T.E.M. experiments with children in the community, over 700,000 households have viewed her educational videos, she has authored 3 books, and developed 15 branded S.T.E.M. Educational Toys. Additionally, she is the Host of the PBS Kids Channel Show from PBS North Carolina called Mini Fab Science Lab, and her STEM-STEAM kits are featured in the Scholastic Catalog. During this episode, you will hear Ava talk about: ● Her experience in school as a student with dyslexia and dysgraphia ● How she got interested in S.T.E.M. at a young age ● How Team Genius Squad helps make S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. more accessible to kids everywhere ● Where she gets ideas for her experiment kits ● The origin of her PBS Kids Channel show, Mini Fab Science Lab Learn more about Ava: (PBS Kids show) Team Genius Squad on , , , and Team Genius Squad in the on page 33: (M) STEM Genius Lemon Light Experiment Kit with Interactive Experience Item No: 794043 Kits and Virtual Session with Ava Item No: 793745 4-Pack of Kits Only Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/38518215

Deaf and OCD representation in audio drama — with Caroline Mincks of Seen and Not Heard 09/29/2025

Living with schizoaffective disorder – with Sally Littlefield 09/15/2025

Living with schizoaffective disorder – with Sally Littlefield Content note: This episode describes my guest’s experience with psychosis, delusions, and suicidality / suicide attempts. Sally Littlefield is a national speaker and mental health advocate dedicated to changing how the world understands schizophrenia. After experiencing a 10-month long psychotic episode that led to a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, she returned to work in communications and fundraising roles at three mental health nonprofits. This professional experience deepened her insight into trauma, stigma, and systemic barriers faced by people with serious mental illnesses. Sally’s writing has appeared in Slate, STAT News, and Psychology Today, and she has been featured in national media such as the Associated Press and the television network A+E. Now a full-time advocate, she offers talks and trainings focused on stigma reduction, recovery, and mental health crisis de-escalation. Her mission is to promote empathy, dignity, and understanding for people with schizophrenia. During this episode, you will hear Sally talk about: What schizoaffective disorder is, and how it differs from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder Her experience of hospitalizations, misdiagnosis, and the prolonged psychotic episode where she believed her life was a hyperreality psychological experiment How society dehumanizes and dismisses people with schizophrenia spectrum illnesses Finally accepting that she has schizoaffective disorder and deciding to become a mental health advocate Learn more about Sally and her work at , on and on Instagram . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/38097580

Identity, horror and artistic expression – with Tas The Artist 09/01/2025

Identity, horror and artistic expression – with Tas The Artist Content note: This episode discusses abuse in a religious cult, gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, and the negative impact of U.S. current events on marginalized people. Tas The Artist is an autistic, queer, disabled and deaf graphic artist, illustrator, and advocate who blends storytelling with a passion for accessible design. Tas supports fellow members of their community through vocational coaching, developing adaptive curriculum materials and advocating for workplace accessibility. Whether they are creating a surrealist horror piece or working in advocacy, Tas brings a thoughtful, inclusive, and innovative approach to every aspect of their professional life. During this episode, you will hear Tas talk about: The unique circumstances of how they discovered that they are autistic What their childhood was like growing up as an undiagnosed autistic child in a religious cult How were they able to leave the cult and “deprogram” themselves How they discovered their passion for art, and how art helps them process their trauma What drew them specifically into the horror genre for their art Their experience with progressively losing their hearing in adulthood, and processing their hearing loss through their art Their work in digital accessibility and design, and how to make art more accessible The impact of current events on their life Learn more about Tas and their work at or on . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/37916470

Dyspraxia, dyslexia and autism – with Charis Hawkley 08/18/2025

Life as a neurodivergent preemie – with Preeti Kalra 08/04/2025

Life as a neurodivergent preemie – with Preeti Kalra Preeti Kalra is a Hospital Clinical Pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Masters in Health Administration. She is the Director of Partnerships and Communications and Chicago Network Lead for WE ARE SAATH, an organization dedicated to advocating for South Asian mental health and defying the stigma in the South Asian community when it comes to talking and seeking therapy for mental health. She is also on the Associate Board for March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving maternal health and ending preventable premature birth within the United States. Preeti was born prematurely. In this episode, she talks about her experience as a preemie and as a member of the South Asian community, including: The circumstances of her birth as a preemie and how that affected her health as a child How she discovered that she was neurodivergent and how that impacted her life as a South Asian woman and as a preemie How her neurodivergence affected her academic studies and shaped the direction of her career Some potential long-term effects of being born a preemie, and why is it important to consider those effects when those babies become adults Her research on premature birth and the current state of maternal healthcare in South Asian countries How parents can be good advocates for their preemie children Follow Preeti on Instagram or email her at pkalra33 at gmail dot com. Learn more about the Adult Preemie Advocacy Network at . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/37552015

Space To Exhale – with Lisa Hurley 07/21/2025

Down syndrome advocacy – Matthew Schwab Speaks 07/07/2025

Cerebral palsy and disability in the entertainment industry – with Abbie Hills 06/23/2025

Cerebral palsy and disability in the entertainment industry – with Abbie Hills Abbie Hills is a UK-based talent agent, producer, writer, and passionate disability advocate with cerebral palsy. Abbie founded The Dazey Hills Company in 2019 to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, representing talent across the UK and Europe. Her writing has gained recognition with recent placements in film festivals, including the British Independent Film Festival, Lit Laughs, and the Palm Springs Diversity Screenplay Contest. In addition to her writing, Abbie works as an Access Coordinator, supporting D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent talent in film and television productions. She also mentors aspiring talent, advocating for greater accessibility and representation in the entertainment industry. During this episode, you will hear Abbie talk about: Her experience growing up with cerebral palsy, which for her is an “invisible" disability How an MRI scan of her brain changed the way she viewed her disability How people have judged her because of her disability How cerebral palsy affects her day-to-day life What inspired her to become an actress, and how her disability affected her experience in the entertainment industry The need for community among adults with disabilities Her journey from being an actor who hid her disability to founding her own talent agency and working as an Access Coordinator To find out more about Abbie and her work, visit her personal website and production company website and follow her on Instagram Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/36946040

Social media marketing for queer business owners – with Rylan Hoffman 06/09/2025

Autism Inclusion in the Christian Church – with Sunita Theiss 05/26/2025

Autism Inclusion in the Christian Church – with Sunita Theiss CW: Eating disorder, death of a parent. Sunita Theiss is an autistic, ADHD and PDA* parent, writer, and advocate. A second-generation Indian American, she has a rich background in communications, marketing, and storytelling, and has found several ways to support and encourage families raising neurodivergent kids. Sunita is passionate about creating opportunities for culturally responsive support in a way that helps families honor both their values and their children’s needs. She is a regular contributor to PDA North America's Insights and Key Ministry's blog, and her writing has been featured in many publications, including Business Insider and Christianity Today. *PDA is most often defined as Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. During this episode, you will hear Sunita talk about: Discovering her own neurodivergence after she had her children Her experience growing up as an undiagnosed neurodivergent kid in a South Asian family in the U.S. state of Georgia How raising her children has affected how she views her neurodivergence Growing up in the Hindu community and living as a Christian as an adult Writing about her experience in church as a neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent children How “low demand parenting” works for her and her family Join Sunita's writing workshop and/or coaching services: – use the code CAROLYN for $10 off Sunita’s writing workshop (scheduled for 6/26/2025) - use the code SUNITA15 for $15 off Read Sunita's writing at , on Instagram and on . The book that Sunita mentions in this episode is called “The Myth of Good Christian Parenting” by Kelsey McGinnis and Marissa Burt. Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/36634015

Tourette syndrome community and research - with Dr. Daniel P. Jones 05/10/2025

Dyslexia advocacy in Nigeria – with Oladoyin Idowu 04/28/2025

Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina – with Lya Batlle-Rafferty 04/14/2025

Trans and ADHD inclusion – with Trystan Reese 03/31/2025

Neurodiversity-affirming support for autism and ADHD – with Samar Waqar of Kind Theory 03/17/2025

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – with Jessica Birch 02/24/2025

Chinese New Year, filmmaking and autism acceptance with Beatrice Leong 02/10/2025

Adin Boyer - American Idol, autism and anti-bullying advocacy 01/27/2025

Adin Boyer - American Idol, autism and anti-bullying advocacy Diagnosed with autism at age 2, Adin Boyer grew up struggling with being bullied, making friends and accepting himself. He finally began to flourish while attending a performing arts middle and high school, when he faced less bullying and leaned into his musical talent and training in classical piano, choir, opera and music theory. Adin gained widespread international notoriety as a contestant on season 21 of American Idol, where he advanced to the top 55. Now Adin performs locally and on tour, with solo and full-band indie rock performances, and speaks to audiences about autism acceptance, neurodiversity affirmation and anti-bullying advocacy. During this episode, Adin talks about: His multi-year struggle to accept himself after being told about his autism diagnosis at age 12 Being bullied and misunderstood in elementary school, and how attending a performing arts middle and high school helped his personal growth and friendships Getting involved in music at a very young age and how his biggest musical inspiration (Coldplay) shaped his songwriting Being cast for American Idol and how his unique experience on the show influenced him as a performer and advocate The system he developed to manage his energy and routine when he is on tour How his anti-bullying talks resonate with kids across the United States (Note: During this episode we use person-first language like "has autism" and “on the spectrum” when discussing Adin’s experience, because this is how Adin prefers to describe himself.) Learn more about Adin, his music and his autism advocacy on his website , on Instagram , on his profile for his upcoming shows performances, and by email: adinboyer [at] gmail.com. Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/34827080

2024 year-end episode 12/16/2024

Inclusive education and Down syndrome advocacy – with Sheri Brynard 12/02/2024

Inclusive education and Down syndrome advocacy – with Sheri Brynard Content warning: This episode discusses forced sterilization / removal of reproductive rights. Shéri Brynard is the only person with Down syndrome in South Africa with a tertiary education diploma in Educare. She achieved this without any special assistance or amendments made to the coursework, and despite the fact that her lectures and study material were only provided in English, which is her second language. She is currently a full-time qualified teacher’s assistant at a Primary School for learners with special educational needs and presents motivational speeches to advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome, all over the world. Shéri is an international ambassador for all people with Down syndrome, appointed by Down syndrome international (DSi). She represents people with Down syndrome in South Africa at the DSi meetings, as well as at many other international meetings, and at the United Nations, focusing on disability. Shéri believes that all people can choose to make the best of their circumstances, and she is a living example of this choice. Through her own determination and her family’s support, Sheri has been overcoming prejudice and stigma for her entire life to achieve her dreams. Shéri shares her experiences during this episode, including: ● The barriers she faced to getting her education and working in South Africa, and how her family helped her challenge and overcome people’s bias and assumptions about her ● What inspired her to become a teacher ● What was it like completing her tertiary education in her second language, without any special accommodations from the school ● How she became an advocate who speaks on disability rights To find out more about Shéri and her work, visit her website at , follow her on or email her mother at Brynard.s @ gmail.com . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/33988877

Fighting stigma about schizophrenia - with Michelle Hammer 11/18/2024

Fighting stigma about schizophrenia - with Michelle Hammer Content warning: This episode discusses suicidality, paranoia, hallucinations and delusions, and mentions drug use and homelessness. Michelle Hammer is a schizophrenia activist who spends her time passionately fighting stigma. She is a New York City native who is featured in the WebMD documentary “Voices,” which was nominated for a Tribeca X Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Michelle was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 after a misdiagnosis of bipolar at age 18. At 27, Michelle decided to use her artistic talents and fearless personality to do something that could benefit the mental health community. In May 2015, she founded a mental health-focused clothing brand called Schizophrenic.NYC with the mission of reducing stigma by starting conversations about mental health. Michelle has also been featured in many publications such as Mashable, The Daily Mail, Stylist, and Buzzfeed, and has also been featured on TV networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS. During this episode, you will hear Michelle talk about: Experiencing her first symptoms of schizophrenia in high school and college What it’s like for her to experience hallucinations and delusions What inspired her to start her clothing brand, Schizophrenic.NYC People’s reactions to her designs and pop-up events in New York City Challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about schizophrenia Find out more about Michelle on her clothing brand’s website and on , and . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/33698492

Inclusive education – with LeDerick Horne, dyslexic poet and advocate 10/28/2024

Work experience in an autism employment program -- with Jack Pabich 10/14/2024

Epilepsy advocacy 09/30/2024

Autistic-led autism research - with Dr. Kana Grace 09/16/2024

Autistic-led autism research - with Dr. Kana Grace Dr. Kana Grace is a research psychologist, advocate, Specialist Mentor, and educator, specializing in the mental and physical health of neurodivergent people. Currently, Kana is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL), where she completed her PhD. Kana has lived experiences with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, dyspraxia, hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). She founded Valtameri (which means ocean in Finnish) to advocate for and support neurodivergent people and their families, based in Okinawa, Japan. Through Valtameri, she offers one-to-one support for neurodivergent people of all ages. She also gives talks and public lectures to deepen the understanding of neurodivergence in Okinawa Japan, and all over the world. Fluent in both English and Japanese, Kana bridges cultures in her extensive work. During this episode, you will hear Kana talk about: How she discovered she is neurodivergent while at University What her life was like before she was diagnosed Why she decided to focus her PhD on the study of loneliness in autistic adults The importance of involving autistic researchers in autism research Her experience working in academia Her observations about how autism and neurodivergence is viewed in Japan The goals she wants to achieve with her research Find out more about Kana and her work on her . Support or sponsor this podcast at ! *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.* /episode/index/show/beyond6seconds/id/32904097

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) - with Patti Kasper 09/02/2024

Celebrating Neurodiversity, Beauty, and Belonging - Art Heals All Wounds podcast 08/19/2024

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people

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