Uniquely Wired Child

When I launched this podcast, I thought I was creating a place to share the expertise and experiences of others. What I didn't expect was how much I would learn simply by listening. Over my first eight conversations with parents, educators, advocates, and adults with ADHD, certain themes kept appearing again and again. Some reinforced what I thought I knew from years of working in special edu...

What if the goal isn't getting your child to do everything independently as quickly as possible? In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child , I sit down with author Hannah McDonald to discuss executive functioning, motivation, routines, and the systems that help neurodivergent children thrive. One of Hannah's most powerful insights is this: "Taking away support doesn&apos...

In this thoughtful and deeply meaningful conversation, I sit down with Holden Thorp to discuss neurodivergence, first impressions, masking, education, and what it truly means to thrive. We explore how uniquely wired individuals are often misunderstood within seconds... not because they lack intelligence, depth, or capability, but because their communication styles, nervous systems, or processing d...

Why do so many autistic girls appear “fine” at school only to completely fall apart at home? In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child , Dr. Kristan Shimpi talks with Jess Hendrickx, co-author of Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum , about masking, emotional exhaustion, meltdowns, boundaries, self-acceptance, and the hidden pressures many autistic girls carry every single day. Toget...

In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child , I sit down with educator, founder, and parent Linda McDonough for a grounded conversation about what it actually looks like to support uniquely wired children in real life… not just in theory. We talk about the daily grind many families find themselves in, and how small shifts in where we put our energy can make a meaningful difference over t...

On paper, she looked successful. But behind the scenes, it took far more effort than anyone realized. In this episode, I’m joined by a college senior in a nursing program who was diagnosed with ADHD at just six years old. Together, we talk about what ADHD actually looks like over time, not just in early childhood, but through middle school, high school, and into college. She shares what it felt li...

She’s Fine at School… But Is She? What Teachers Really See What do experienced teachers actually notice about uniquely wired students… and what often gets missed? In this episode, I sit down with veteran elementary teacher Heather Bearman, who shares what 30 years in the classroom has taught her about students who learn and think differently. We talk about masking (especially in girls), the quiet...

In this episode of Educating the Uniquely Wired Child , I sit down with a former student, Kristine, who is now an adult reflecting on her experience growing up with a uniquely wired brain. Kristine shares what school felt like from the inside, the effort it took to keep up, the ways she learned to mask her struggles, and why some teachers were able to help her while others missed the signs complet...

Episode 1: Kids Do Well If They Can Guest: Dr. Ross Greene In this powerful opening episode, Dr. Kristan Shimpi interviews Ross Greene, the psychologist behind the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model and the widely known phrase: “Kids do well if they can.” Dr. Greene is the author of: The Explosive Child The Kids Who Aren't Okay What We Cover in This Episode 1. What Is Collabo...

A brief introduction to Educating the Uniquely Wired Child , a limited podcast series hosted by Dr. Kristan Shimpi. This trailer offers a preview of thoughtful conversations and gentle guidance for parents raising bright, sensitive, intense children.  Subscribe now so you don’t miss the first full episode.