Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Awareness and understanding of neurodiversity have been expanding in our society along with the need and opportunity for neurodiversity-affirming care.  I'm thrilled to have Kody Harms joining me this week. Kody is a neuro-affirming therapist, educator, and advocate with over 15 years of experience working with neurodiverse children, teens, and adults. As a board-certified behavior analyst and co-...

Summer is here, and many graduates are looking into the college application process. If you're not sure where to start, a college consultant can help make this stressful period much easier for students and parents alike. Today, we dive into everything about independent college consultants. What exactly are they? What is their role, and how do they help our students? We'll explore who might benefit...

Today, we have a truly inspiring guest joining us from the heart of the jungle in Costa Rica. She's the director of the Renaissance Institute (iREN), a trailblazing educational program that is redefining how we approach learning for all students, especially those with learning differences. We're excited to dive deep into her insights and experiences on how she combines neuroscience, psychology, an...

Today, we're diving into a topic that affects many kids, teens, and adults: social anxiety. Social anxiety is more than just the usual nervousness or shyness; it can significantly impact daily life, making even the simplest social interactions panic-inducing. We're going to break down what social anxiety is, how it differs from normal social worries, and most importantly, how to spot it in childre...

In this episode, we're exploring something that is often misunderstood and rarely talked about: gap years. Many parents and students don't really know exactly what a gap year is or how taking one could be the right choice for them. So today, we are exploring the benefits and considerations of gap years for teens and young adults with learning differences. I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Julia...

Welcome to today's episode, where we are navigating the complex landscape of public and private school options for children with learning differences. While many families have had great experiences in both settings, others face challenges that necessitate exploring alternative educational environments. Today, we're diving into the independent school option for those with learning differences, with...

Today, I'm excited to discuss the profound impact of early language and speech experiences on cognitive and academic skills, specifically reading skills. Joining us is a seasoned expert in the field, Stacy Payne, a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Bright Beginnings Pediatric Services. Stacy shares her insights on the importance of creating a language-rich environment for children fro...

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to have Fran Kenton with us to discuss social emotional learning (SEL). Fran holds a Master's degree in Educational Psychology, along with credentials in General and Special Education, and is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She is the founder of Autonome, a dynamic and interactive SEL program designed for teens and young adults. In our conversation today, we...

Welcome back to another episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning! Tune in this episode as Dr. Karen Wilson welcomes educational therapist Hunja Koimburi to the podcast to discuss end-of-year strategies for students with learning differences. As the school year winds down, students and parents alike face many challenges, including but not limited to completing final projects and managing incr...

Hey there, welcome back to Diverse Thinking Different Learning! Today, we're diving into a topic that's often overlooked but incredibly important: late diagnoses of ADHD and autism, particularly in women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals. It's a conversation that's long overdue, and we're so grateful to have Dr. Monica Blied joining us to shed some light on this crucial issue. As a clinical...

Some parents may describe their child as very strong-willed. That child may show an extreme avoidance of everyday demands, expectations, and requests. But what if the behaviors are not an indication of strong will, but rather occur because a child feels overwhelmed by demands and perceives them as threats to their autonomy and self-control? Are there specific strategies that would be helpful when...

Welcome to today's episode, where we turn the spotlight to dyslexia awareness and advocacy, featuring the remarkable journey of Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey. Rosalin's story is nothing short of inspiring as she navigates her own experience with dyslexia to become an advocate for change for dyslexic individuals across Africa and beyond. From struggling in academics to finding her passion in culinar...

Today, we're digging into the complex and often challenging world of parenting emotionally intense children. I'm thrilled to introduce our special guest, Samantha Moe, a certified parent coach and speaker who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Samantha's work is nothing short of amazing, providing invaluable support and guidance to parents navigating the complexities of raisi...

Welcome back to the Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast. Today, we're diving into a crucial topic that affects families worldwide: childhood anxiety. Joining us is Dr. Elizabeth Karp, a licensed clinical child psychologist and adjunct lecturer at Stanford University School of Medicine. With her expertise in evidence-based interventions for ADHD, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder, Dr. K...

Welcome back to another discussion about sleep! We've previously delved into why sleep is crucial for our well-being, and today, we're taking it a step further. In this episode, we'll explore practical strategies that you can implement at home to ensure that not only our children are getting good quality sleep, but the whole family. Joining me is Dr. Afolabi-Brown, a triple board-certified sleep m...

Welcome to today's episode where we are tackling the important topic of empowering black neurodivergent learners and connecting with their community. Our guest, Jason B. Allen, National Director of Partnerships for the National Parents Union, brings over 19 years of experience in education to the table. Through his work, Jason advocates for inclusive and supportive environments that uplift student...

Welcome to a crucial conversation that strikes a chord with every parent of a middle schooler (myself included!), and even more so for those navigating the unique challenges of children who think and learn differently. Today, we're joined by the amazing Phyllis Fagell, whose focus and expertise are on guiding children through the tumultuous middle school years. Middle school isn't just a phase to...

Adolescence is a pivotal time in a young person's life. The adolescent brain, while it has developed in size, is not done growing and changing. In this episode, I explore the complexities of neurodiversity between biology and experience in shaping the developmental journey of neurodivergent youth. It's time to challenge conventional narratives surrounding developmental conditions and embrace a mor...

Many families struggle knowing what to do when their child or teen suddenly starts failing school and academics or lacks motivation to learn. These challenges can be difficult to navigate as a parent, especially for a parent of a neurodivergent child. Today's guest has an incredible resource that turns this challenge into an opportunity for parents and families. Dr. Jacqueline Olivier is the found...

When it comes to writing, there is so much happening behind the scenes. It is so much more than sitting down, grabbing a pencil, and putting words on paper. In today's episode, we'll explore the challenges students face when it comes to writing. From motor skills to executive functioning, today's guest explains the complexities of the writing process.  Shanna Trombetta is an Educational Therapist...

Welcome back to the Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast where we are diving into a topic that is especially important for families raising children and teens who learn and think differently. Today's episode is particularly special as we explore empowering children and teens with ADHD and other learning differences by helping them understand their brains and embrace their unique gifts. I am...

Did you know that most children with ADHD are given medication, offered some counseling, and nothing else? Today's episode is a game-changer, especially for parents navigating the challenges of ADHD because today's guest wants to change this. Dr. Hokehe Eko joins us to discuss her unique approach, one that focuses on empowering children with ADHD without solely relying on medication. Dr. Eko belie...

In this episode, we explore how children and teens who learn and think differently perceive mistakes and failure. Dr. Robyn Silverman, AKA the "Conversation Doc," renowned child and teen development specialist and best-selling author, guides us through the complexities of navigating tough conversations about failure with young people. Drawing from her book, How to Talk to Kids About Anything, Dr....

Would you describe your child as passive, quiet around others, uncomfortable in social situations, a child that avoids eye contact, and maybe hesitates to try new things? Does your child excessively rehearse what they want to say or how they want to behave? Some parents may wonder if this is shyness or something more. Is it social anxiety? Today, we're digging into the topic of both. Is it shyness...

If your child is afraid to speak around certain people, like adults or strangers, or in certain situations, like at school, they may be struggling with selective mutism. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by an inability to speak in certain settings and to certain people. It is commonly misunderstood as shyness or a child could even be misdiagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Diso...