Neuromentoring

Recorded in front of a live audience at NDinHE 3 (Neurodiversity in Higher Educations), Brian and Lucy were joined by Amanda & Archie from Bridge Mentoring. Amazing questions from the audience led us to cover the significant changes in how universities support neurodiverse students, defining 'neurocosmopolitan' environments and highlighting the importance of holistic, individualised su...

Robust Humility and the Reflective Mentor In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian consider the essential responsibility of mentors to engage in self-reflection within neurodiverse university settings. They discuss their personal challenges with mentoring, such as pronoun usage and the tension between action and being. By emphasizing the importance of humility, emotional intelligenc...

Navigating the Ebb and Flow of the Mentoring Year in Universities In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian discuss the cyclical 'ebb and flow' of the academic year, starting with the transition period in September, through to the November crash, and the January abyss, before touching on the period of spring growth leading up to exams in summer. They offer practical advice on time ma...

Navigating Boundaries in Neurodiverse Mentoring In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Brian and Lucy have a go at the concept of boundaries within the context of mentoring neurodiverse students in universities. They discuss the importance of setting clear boundaries for both mentors and mentees, and share their personal strategies and experiences, such as the 'honestly dishonest' approach to ba...

Neuromentoring: Tech and Wellbeing - Part Two In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian continue their exploration of tech and wellbeing in university settings. They discuss the evolution and impact of technology from early university experiences to the rise of AI tools in education, with both the benefits and challenges for neurodivergent students. Topics range from the use of assis...

The Joy of Special Interests in Neurodiverse Mentoring In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Brian and Lucy are joined by Sara King, an experienced autistic mentor, trainer and all-round superstar. The discussion explores personal special interests including the Eric Clapton-Patty Boyd-George Harrison love triangle and deep lore of Star Wars. They tell tales about how special interests can enri...

Tech, Mentoring, and Wellbeing: Navigating Executive Functioning with AI and Tools In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian have a good rootle into the intersection of tech, mentoring, and wellbeing within neurodiverse university environments. They discuss the integration of new technologies, like Lucy's shiney new machine that goes ping, and their impact on executive functioning. E...

Remote Mentoring: Navigating Neurodiverse Needs in a Virtual World In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Brian and Lucy explore the nuances and benefits of remote mentoring within neurodiverse university environments. They share their diverse experiences and discuss how remote mentoring offers flexibility and - best of all - comfort for autistic students. They have a poke at the differences bet...

Exploring Mentoring Breaks and Breakdowns: The Seven Types of Rest In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian have a good old think about mentoring breaks and breakdowns, focusing on the need for rest and offering insights from Dalton-Smith’s 'seven types of rest' framework. Throughout their conversation, they emphasize the importance of various forms of rest including physical, menta...

Balancing Mentoring and Self-Care in Neurodiverse Universities In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian delve into the complexities of mentoring in neurodiverse university environments, focusing on the importance of taking breaks and self-care. They discuss the critical need for downtime and the challenges students face, particularly around high-stress periods like mid-November. The...

Understanding the Double Empathy Problem in Neurodiverse Mentoring In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian introduce the double empathy problem and its significance in mentoring within neurodiverse university settings. They discuss how the lack of mutual understanding between neurodivergent individuals and neurotypical peers can affect communication and relationships. The conversat...

Holistic Mentoring in Neurodiverse University Spaces In this episode of Neuromentoring, hosts Lucy and Brian delve into the concept of 'Holisticity' in mentoring, emphasizing its application within neurodiverse university environments. They explore the evolution of mentoring since its early days around 2008, touching on key reports like the National Autistic Society's guidelines. The discussion hi...

Welcome to Neuro Mentoring, where hosts Lucy and Brian tell stories about the world of mentoring within neurodiverse university spaces. In this episode, they explore the big question: "What is mentoring?" Drawing from personal experiences, research, and a touch of humour, Lucy and Brian discuss the evolving role of mentors, the importance of relational support, and how mentoring differs...