Neurodiversity Podcast

Understanding Behaviors and Emotional Regulation with Mona Delahooke

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is top down behavior, and how does it differ from bottom up behavior? Why is emotional regulation more difficult for neurodivergent people? How i...

The Rewards and Punishment Paradox with Alfie Kohn

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The data tells us rewarding kids for good behavior and punishing them for bad doesn't work. In fact, it harms relationships. In the education setting ...

Raising Twice-Exceptional Children, a Book Preview

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A new book by Emily Kircher-Morris, "Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids," is now officially rele...

Technology: Keeping Kids Safe from the Digital Dark Side

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Technology use, for both kids and adults, is in uncharted territory. With 'sticky' algorithms, misleading information, and the tracking capabilities o...

What's So Normal About Normal?

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Jonathan Mooney, who authored a book called Normal Sucks, and who learned to read at the age of 12. They talk about th...

2021's Biggest Conversations: Pathological Demand Avoidance (from episode 85)

01 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The language around autism and neurodiversity in general is changing. As part of the review of 2021's biggest conversations we present a chat with Kri...

2021's Biggest Conversations: Helping Kids With Anxiety (from episode 88)

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Parents often struggle with helping their children manage anxiety. Dr. Eli Lebowitz of Yale University talked with Emily Kircher-Morris about his rese...

2021's Biggest Conversations: Supporting Bright Kids (from episode 89)

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How can we knock down the walls that surround many neurodivergent kids? Should teachers play a role in their students' social and emotional well-being...

2021's Biggest Conversations: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (from episode 92)

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the more misunderstood diagnoses in the world of neurodiversity is ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. We talk with Amelia Bowler, a behavio...

2021's Biggest Conversations: Rejection Sensitivity Disorder (from episode 83)

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us have at least some rejection sensitivity, but with neurodivergent people it's often magnified. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Brendan Maha...

From Illiterate to Doctor Dyslexia Dude: A Superhero Story

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"By the time you're 18, you'll be dead or in jail." When those words come from your teacher or coach, it takes a long time to unlearn that belief. Thi...

Grateful

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What are you grateful for regarding neurodiversity? Our listeners share their thoughts, and Emily Kircher-Morris reflects on the things she's thankful...

Education's Equity Challenge

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kircher-Morris has a discussion with Joy Lawson Davis and Deb Douglas, authors of a new book called Empowering Underrepresented Gifted Students,...

Empowering People to Leap ADHD's Highest Hurdles

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learning to empower our kids and students to do for themselves is often harder than just doing it for them. But ultimately they will need autonomy, so...

ADHD Awareness Month - Another Brick in the Wall of Awful

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People with ADHD have to face both the strengths and struggles that come along with their diagnosis. During ADHD Awareness Month, we're presenting som...

Gifted, Talented, and Neurodiverse Awareness Week

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kircher-Morris previews the inaugural GTN Awareness Week with Marc Smolowitz, producer and director of the upcoming movie The G-Word. We talk ab...

ADHD by any other name? Try "Attention Divergent Hyperactive Giftedness"

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People with ADHD have to face both the strengths and struggles that come along with their diagnosis. When ADHD is combined with giftedness (twice-exce...

Improving the Anxious Lives of Neurodivergent Kids

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today's classroom can feel like an alien environment for neurodivergent learners, and the resulting anxiety can derail and disrupt their educational e...

Helping Autistic Students Succeed in College

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some colleges and universities are beginning to understand the challenges of autistic and otherwise-neurodivergent people to adapt to the higher educa...

Prosopagnosia - The Struggle With Face Blindness

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On episode 97 we talk with Fleassy Malay about prosopagnosia, commonly referred to as "face blindness." What are the symptoms? What can you do to less...

Special Series, Part Three (reprise) - A Mother's Story

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the final installment of our series on suicide among gifted and 2e people. Today, Lisa shares the story of what led to her son's suicide, and ...

Special Series, Part Two (reprise) - Suicide Among the Gifted and Twice-Exceptional

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of our series on suicide among high-ability and twice-exceptional people, we explore some of the signs of depression and suicidal ideation...

Special Series, Part One (reprise) - Suicide Among the Gifted and Twice-Exceptional

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is suicidal ideation more prevalent among the gifted population? Do our beliefs about suicide square with statistics? In part one of our series on sui...

A Special Interview With Emily Kircher-Morris

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emily's new book, "Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom," is now officially released! This is a special episode, featuring an inte...

Oppositional? Defiant? Or Just Misunderstood?

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the more misunderstood diagnoses in the world of neurodiversity is ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. We talk with Amelia Bowler, a behavio...

Creating a Neurodiversity-Affirming World

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kircher-Morris and Joel Schwartz talk about what it would take to create a neurodiversity-affirming world where old stereotypes and perceptions ...

Neurodiversity at University: The Transition to College

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How is college different from high school for neurodivergent students? There's almost no comparison, and that makes the transition difficult for many....

Releasing the Potential of High-Ability Kids

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How can we knock down the walls that surround many neurodivergent kids? Should teachers play a role in their students' social and emotional well-being...

What To Do When Kids Worry

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Parents often struggle with helping their children manage anxiety. Dr. Eli Lebowitz of Yale University joins us to talk about his research and work wi...

Say What? Neurodivergent Code Switching

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us code switch. Code switching is when someone uses a certain type of language in one environment, but then switches to a different style of c...

Social & Emotional Curriculum: Learning With Heart

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What kind of specific social and emotional support do high-ability kids need? How can we help high-ability students deal with perfectionism? How can t...

"Pathological" Demand Avoidance? Words Matter

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The language around autism and neurodiversity in general is changing. We talk with Kristy Forbes, founder of Australia-based inTune Pathways, about PD...

The Power of #OwnVoices in Autism Advocacy

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we're talking with two of the editors of Sincerely, Your Autistic Child, a book about what autistic people wish their parents knew. Em...

REJECTED! Now what? Overcoming Rejection Sensitivity

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us have at least some rejection sensitivity, but with neurodivergent people it's often magnified. Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Brendan Maha...

Homeschooling and Resilience

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At a time when homeschooling has experienced a surge, Colleen Kessler talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about instilling confidence and resilience in ne...

Neurodivergent Adulting Made Easy

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Equipping a neurodivergent kid for the adult world can be a challenge. Amanda Morin from Understood.org talks with Emily Kircher-Morris about some of ...

Equity, ADHD, and 3e

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Colin Seale about what it's like to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. They discuss whether we've forgotten the real ...

Moving Beyond Surviving to Thriving

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Michele Borba says it's a popular myth that our children are predetermined to be thrivers, or destined to simply survive. Emily Kircher-Morris tal...

Play Therapy: Meeting Kids On Their Turf

04 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is play therapy? How well-established is the process, and what are the misconceptions? What questions should you ask when looking for a qualified...

The Battle For Dyslexia Services

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When a parent is forced to take on the education system to advocate for their child, it can be difficult, intimidating, and frightening. Micki Boas sh...

A Neurodiversity Framework For Gifted and 2e

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gifted people often get lost in the shuffle within the neurodiversity movement. On episode 76 we talk with Dr. Matt Zakreski about how to keep them fr...

Am I the Impostor Among Us?

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 certa...

Autism's History and Neurodiversity's Future

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, about autism, what the neurodiversity move...

A Holiday Shopping and Celebration Guide (Encore)

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're using the holiday break to retool our podcast and debut its new name in January - The Neurodiversity Podcast! In the meantime this is an encore ...

Mind Matters Composite: Creativity

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're using the holiday break to feature some past guests, while we make some changes that will refocus the podcast just a little. When we return in J...

Executive Function: What You May Be Doing Wrong

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kids have two primary areas where executive functioning skills are crucial - school work and responsibilities. Seth Perler, an executive function advo...

Understanding Autism Diagnosis and Assessment

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is the process of evaluating a child for autism? What does the profile of an autistic twice-exceptional person look like? Why are girls' autism s...

Sifting Through IQ: What We Know About Intelligence

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is intelligence? What myths do we need to let go of, and how can we better evaluate intelligence? Is there a way to measure intelligence across c...

When Neurodiversity Meets Existentialism

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With the death toll still rising from the coronavirus pandemic, it's especially easy for neurodivergent people to wax existential. They question life,...

Gifted and 2e's Place in the Neurodiversity Movement

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Neurodiversity" is an umbrella term encompassing a variety of atypical diagnoses. Where do the gifted and twice-exceptional communities fit into that...

Misinformation, Misunderstandings, and Myths in Education

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When factual, peer-reviewed data is hard to find, or hidden behind paywalls, we often end up relying on pseudo-science or questionable information. In...

A Talk With a 2e Pioneer

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The history of the term "twice-exceptionality" is not a long one. On episode 65 Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Susan Baum about her early experie...

The Ethos of Creativity

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're talking about creativity on episode 64. We define it, because there are some misconceptions, and we discuss ways to foster creativity in your ki...

Twice Exceptionality + Cultural Diversity = 3e

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kids who are both twice-exceptional and from culturally diverse populations have been dubbed "3e learners" by Dr. Joy Lawson Davis and others. On epis...

Sticks and Stones: Neurodiversity and Bullying

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Social norms, diverse personalities, and power dynamics, are some of the most valuable lessons of childhood. When children better understand bullies a...

Preparing for the SAT & ACT

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

College admissions in a post-Covid-19 world have changed, and many universities have stopped requiring SAT and ACT scores, at least for 2020-2021. We ...

Is Online Education Our Future?

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Depending on what happens with Covid-19 this summer and fall, it's likely there will be some influence on plans for the 2020-2021 school year. Whether...

The Stealth Nature of Dyslexia

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dyslexia is often misunderstood, and educators and parents sometimes mistake it for a simple reading deficit. Dr. Dan Peters joins Emily Kircher-Morri...

Preparing for Post-Pandemic Recovery

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As part of our series on the coronavirus pandemic, on episode 58 we're delving into the trauma aspect. How will we respond to the pressure to venture ...

The Stresses of Sheltering in Place

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that gifted kids often see the world differently than neurotypical peers. They also see the coronavirus pandemic differently, and exper...

Surviving and Thriving in Quarantine

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The world is at the same time both together and necessarily apart. We're all going through the same pandemic, and most of us are practicing "social di...

Gifted Boys: Behind the Mask of Masculinity

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There are social, academic, and personal obstacles inherent to boys, and when you add other features like giftedness, things can get complicated. How ...

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is Pathological Demand Avoidance and how does it manifest among the neurodiverse? What can we do to educate parents, teachers, and counselors abo...

Processing Speed: Why Some Kids Are Faster Than Others

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kircher-Morris and Dr. Ellen Braaten discuss processing speed and why it's important. They also talk about when it's not so important, and why i...

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When a child asks a question, do you just give them the answer? If so, you're missing an opportunity to help them develop critical thinking skills. On...

The Crossroads of Academics and Art

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why is there a bright line between academia and the arts? Between cognition and creativity? Where should that line break down? Or should it? And, why ...

Bright and Early: A Story of Radical Acceleration

08 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On episode 50 we talk with Haley Taylor Schlitz, a 17-year-old first-year law student who began college at age 13. We discuss her education experience...

Looking Back: A Decade Ends and 2e Wins!

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As we move into the 2020s, we look back at some of the conversations we had in the two years of our podcast's history. While we covered a variety of s...

A Holiday Shopping and Celebration Guide

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Shopping for the holidays can be a headache, but choosing the right gifts for high-ability kids is extra-challenging. Between meal planning and decora...

How To Get Gifted Kids Talking

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Often, gifted kids feel isolated and unable to find like-minded peers, so they end up lacking opportunities to socialize and communicate. Dr. Jean Pet...

Allowing For Uncertainty

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, Emily Kircher-Morris talks about uncertainty and doubt. How can we help our kids be less afraid of uncertainty, and more comfor...

Executive Functioning - The Building Blocks of Success

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How can educators, counselors, and parents help neuro-diverse kids learn executive functioning skills? Gifted and twice-exceptional kids often lag wit...

Accurate Assessment for Twice-Exceptional Kids

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've had mixed results in our efforts to identify 2e kids. It's a complicated process, and many of the assessment tools used to identify ASD and othe...

School Counseling: Gifted Kids Need It Too

02 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

School counselors wear a variety of hats, but "giftedness expert" often isn't one of them. On episode 43, Jean Peterson and Susannah Wood, authors of ...

The Fast Track to College

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Advanced Placement is a good way for many kids to get a head start on college. On episode 42, Andrew Scanlan and Chester E Finn, Jr. of the Thomas B. ...

Part Three: A Mother's Story - Suicide Among the Gifted and Twice-Exceptional

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is the final installment of our series on suicide among gifted and 2e people. Today, Lisa shares the story of what led to her son's suicide, and ...

Part Two: Suicide Among the Gifted and Twice Exceptional

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of our series on suicide among high-ability people, we explore some of the signs of depression and suicidal ideation with Lisa Van Gemert,...

Part One: Suicide Among the Gifted and Twice-Exceptional

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is suicidal ideation more prevalent among the gifted population? Do our beliefs about suicide square with statistics? In part one of our series on sui...

A Mind Matters Manual for Middle School

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As parents and educators prepare for the start of the new school year, middle schools everywhere are welcoming a new crop of excited, nervous, and som...

You Never Outgrow Giftedness

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Gifted kids turn into gifted adults, it's something you live with for your entire life. When adults forget about their own atypical wiring, they open ...

Empathy With Intensity: Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children

10 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Giftedness can be a double-edged sword when it comes to empathy and compassion. When we help kids realize their emotional potential, their capacity fo...

ADHD By Any Other Name? Try "Attention Divergent Hyperactive Giftedness"

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

People with ADHD have to face both the strengths and struggles that come along with their diagnosis. When ADHD is combined with giftedness, a conditio...

Early to the Starting Line: Acceleration Begins at Kindergarten | Education

12 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In school districts in the US and around the world, there are programs in place to help gifted and twice-exceptional kids overcome their educational c...

Note to Self: Be Nice to Me | Parenting | Education | 2e

29 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One thing's for sure about parenting - it's hard. Even more so with gifted and twice-exceptional kids. But parents often get so caught up in taking ca...

Being a SPED Advocate for Twice-Exceptional Kids | Psychology | Education | 2e

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Special education services can make a huge difference in the educational experience of a twice-exceptional child. On episode 32, author and education ...

Fighting Fake News | Psychology | Gifted | Education

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When your inner skeptic constantly nags at you saying something's not right, what should you do? Dr. Brian Housand thinks you should celebrate. On epi...

Beneath the Surface of Giftedness | Education | IQ | Parenting

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There is more to giftedness than just intelligence. Dr. James Delisle joins us on episode 30 to talk about what's below the surface of giftedness, and...

Gifted Girls: Social Connections and Self-Care at School | Education | Gifted | 2e

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For even the most academically successful student, the social aspect of school can be incredibly stressful. When you add the complexity of being gifte...

The G Word Movie | Psychology | Gifted | Intelligence | Education

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There is a myth that gifted people are mostly financially secure, white, and don't require the same attention as an average child. Our guest is Marc S...

Separating Truth From Mental Myths | Psychology | Gifted | Intelligence

06 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode we discuss some widely held ideas about education, giftedness, and intelligence that may not be as rooted in science as we thought. Ex...

All Work and No Play | Psychology | Parenting | Education

20 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have we inadvertently harmed our children by taking away play time? Does our tendency to make decisions for our kids, instead of allowing them to make...

Thinking Twice About Ways to Help Twice Exceptional Students | Psychology | 2e | Gifted

06 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The systems in place for gifted kids in public education often fall short for 2e students. Sometimes 2e kids aren't even identified with the limited t...

True Grit: Fostering Tenacity and Resilience | Psychology | IQ | Gifted | Education

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When we don't provide a challenge for our gifted kids at school and let them fly under the radar, they can develop internal monologues that equate bei...

Rethinking the Definition of Intelligence | Psychology | IQ | Gifted

09 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Never afraid to bump up against some of psychology's doctrines, Scott Barry Kaufman joins us for a discussion about how we evaluate gifted people. We ...

Special Edition: Live at the NAGC Convention in Minneapolis | Psychology | Gifted | IQ | 2E

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For 65 years, the National Association for Gifted Children has been holding an annual conference to help provide guidance and learning opportunities f...

Opening Doors To Diversity In Gifted Education | Psychology | IQ

31 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It's a challenge for gifted and talented people of color to fight the headwind of implicit biases when it comes to being identified for gifted service...

IQ Isn't Everything: Reevaluating Evaluation | Gifted | 2e | Education | Psychology

17 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

IQ is the primary measure of giftedness, but sometimes the IQ test fails to reveal the whole story. Recommended guidelines from the National Associati...

Potholes On Memory Lane: Gifted Kids and Trauma | Gifted | Parenting | Violence

03 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Signs of trauma can easily be dismissed as symptoms of something else entirely. On episode 19, Emily welcomes author and trauma expert Heather Forbes ...

Family Ties: Connection Through Communication | Gifted | Parenting | Empathy | Psychology

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Kircher-Morris talks with family relationship expert Jennifer Kolari, author of "Connected Parenting: Set Loving Limits and Build Strong Bonds w...

The Case for Differential Diagnosis | Gifted | Education | 2e | Psychology | Autism

05 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When a parent suspects their child may be twice exceptional - that is, gifted and an additional diagnosis - what should they do next? Increasingly, th...