Neurodiversity Podcast

In this episode of the Neurodiversity Podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris answers questions submitted by members of the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group on Facebook. The questions cover a range of topics including co-occurrence between ADHD and dyslexia, word disability, gifted kids who are anxious, 504 denial in schools, learning disabilities + high cognition, and many more of your que...

On episode 247, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Megan Anna Neff to explore the complexities of neurodiversity, and the societal stereotypes that affect their lives. They talk about the challenges of diagnosis, the nuances of misdiagnosis, particularly the overlap between conditions like autism and borderline personality disorder, and the significance of self-awareness and acceptance in the journ...

Dr. Donna Henderson joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about the changes in the assessment process for autism, the importance of empowering therapists to diagnose autism, and the need for equity in masking. Their conversation also explores the double empathy problem and the challenges of balancing unmasking with the needs of neurodiverse individuals in educational settings. They also discuss the P...

On episode 245, Emily talks with Dr. Brandi Walker, a retired Army clinical psychologist, about her experience as a psychologist in the military and the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. They talk about her journey of transitioning from a fuel handler to a psychologist, and when and how she developed an interest in ADHD. There are policies and limitations for recruits with ADHD or au...

On this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris and Carrie Bonnett discuss the intricacies of executive functioning, its significance in academic and life success, and the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. They explore strategies for improving executive functioning skills, the importance of emotional regulation, and the need for educators to understand and support students struggling with thes...

There's a nagging feeling most of us experience from time to time, that tells us maybe we've fooled everyone. We shouldn't have been placed in a certain position, or we're not qualified to take on a project. On episode 243 we revisit a talk with Lindsay Lee, the author of a study about impostorism. Why do we experience it? What can we do to tamp it down?  Check out the Creating Neurodiversity-Affi...

On episode 242, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Matt Zakreski about the importance of neurodiversity-affirming practices in therapy, and how intersection of giftedness and neurodiversity emphasizes the importance of neurodiversity-affirming practices in therapy, the significance of understanding twice exceptionality, and the role of diagnosis in accessing resources. Dr. Zakreski advocates for...

School is back in session in many parts of the world, which is the time when struggles often begin to surface. On episode 241, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Amanda Morin about the complexities of advocating for neurodivergent children, including utilizing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and the services they require. They explore the qualification process for IEPs, the importance of unders...

In episode 240, Emily Kircher-Morris chats with Brandon Gernux, an elementary school counselor from Santa Ana, California, and the 2024 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year. Emily and Brandon dive into the importance of neurodiversity-affirming support in schools, sharing insights on how schools are slowly evolving to meet the needs of neurodivergent learners. They discuss the cri...

Miscommunication between autistic and non-autistic individuals can lead to painful misunderstandings and strained relationships. In this episode, we talk to Jaime A. Heidel, author of 'What Did I Do Wrong? An Accessible Guide to Preventing Traumatic Misunderstandings Between You and Your Autistic Loved One.' Emily and Jaime discuss the common communication barriers between autistic and non-autisti...

On episode 238, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Lindsay Kapek and Katie Tabari about the challenges neurodivergent students face in learning math. The conversation explores strategies for creating inclusive math classrooms that foster confidence and support for all students, regardless of their neurodivergence, and they talk about the importance of understanding individual learning styles. They al...

On episode 237, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Tracy Turner-Bumberry, an expert in play therapy, and a former school counselor, to discuss the concept of double empathy, the importance of understanding and supporting neurodivergent children, and the need for empathy and acceptance in therapy. They also explore the evolution of social skills, and the impact of societal norms on neurodivergent indivi...

On episode 236, Emily Kircher-Morris and Christine Fonseca discuss emotional intensity in gifted students. They explore the reasons behind this intensity, and how it relates to the giftedness experience. They touch on the concept of overexcitabilities and how they manifest in gifted individuals. Also, they emphasize the importance of understanding and accepting the unique characteristics of gifted...

On episode 235, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with somatic-centered psychotherapist Mary Martin about the benefits of somatic therapy for neurodivergent people. They discuss how this body-based approach complements traditional talk therapy by focusing on the body-brain connection, and about the importance of interoception and co-regulation. They describe strategies like body awareness, movement, and...

On episode 234, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Austina De Bonte about auditory processing differences. They discuss how these differences can often be mistaken for attention issues or social difficulties, and what it all means for everyday life. Dr. De Bonte shares some methodologies used for testing, accommodations that are available, and ground-breaking auditory devices that have been found to...

On episode 233, Emily Kircher-Morris is joined by Patrick Casale, a mental health clinician specializing in addictions. The conversation covers a lot of ground, including neurodiversity-affirming practices, and the intersectionality of addiction and neurodivergence. They discuss the importance of creating a neurodivergent affirming environment throughout the therapeutic process, from intake to the...

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...

Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Jeff Karp. Jeff is a professor at Harvard and MIT, a biotech entrepreneur, and an ADHD-er. They talk about Jeff's program, LIT, or Life Ignition Tools, which is a set of strategies to energize the brain, spark ideas, and ignite action. Emily and Jeff talk about metacognition and the transformative impact it can have on the lives of neurodivergent people....

This is part two of our conversation with Dr. Jack Naglieri, an emeritus professor at George Mason University and senior research scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. Dr. Naglieri is best known for developing the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test and the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS). Emily and Jack talk about the history and evolution of intelligence testing, exploring how t...

As part of our two-part series, we are speaking with 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 episode, part one of the interview, he and Emily talk about his insights...

On this episode, we talk about tech ideas that help neurodivergent people. Parker Klein and Joe Steilberg, the co-founders of the notes and organization app Twos, join Emily Kircher-Morris to discuss the benefits of writing things down and how technology can help people stay organized. They share their personal experiences with ADHD, and how their app is helping neurodivergent people take control...

You often hear people reference their own OCD, but there's far more to it than just the desire to be orderly or neat. Today, Emily Kircher-Morris explores the topic of obsessive compulsive thinking patterns, their impact on individuals, and the importance of discussing mental health with children. Jessica Whipple, author of 'I Think I Think a Lot,' shares her personal experiences with OCD and the...

There's a new term circulating in the neurodiversity community, AuDHD. Today, Emily Kircher-Morris is talking with Mattia Maurée, a neurodivergent individual with both ADHD and autism. 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...

Traditional talk-based therapy is sometimes less effective for neurodivergent people. On this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes ADHD-er and licensed social worker Chris Nealy, to discuss the effectiveness of experiential therapy for neurodivergent individuals. They talk about some of the different forms of experiential therapy, like applied theater, equine facilitated psychotherapy, and techn...

This week, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Jessica Sinarski, a mental health counselor who merges neuroscience with education and family dynamics. They dig into the complex relationship between trauma and neurodivergence, underscoring the critical need for trauma-responsive practices and a strengths-based perspective in supporting neurodivergent people. They explore how trust and early life ex...