Diverse Thinking Different Learning Podcast Por Karen Wilson arte de portada

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

De: Karen Wilson
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Diverse Thinking · Different Learning, a ChildNEXUS podcast, is hosted by pediatric neuropsychologist, mom of two, and ChildNEXUS founder Dr. Karen Wilson. Each week, Dr. Wilson provides support and guidance for parents raising kids with learning differences. Diverse Thinking · Different Learning features informative and inspiring interviews with top experts in their fields, and gives parents and educators the tools and takeaways they need to better understand neurodivergence, learning disabilities, and youth mental health. This podcast informs offers actionable advice to help diverse learners and children with unique needs reach their fullest potential. Parents of diverse learners or children with mental health challenges can access vetted information and connect with qualified professionals at https://www.childnexus.com/.ChildNEXUS.com Crianza y Familias Relaciones
Episodios
  • Ep. 244: From Burnout to Balance: Supporting Parents Raising Neurodivergent Kids with Leslie Forde

    Ep. 244: From Burnout to Balance: Supporting Parents Raising Neurodivergent Kids with Leslie Forde
    Sep 16 2025
    Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Leslie Forde! ​​Leslie is the CEO and Founder of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs® and soon-to-be published Author of Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs. Her business provides evidence-based tools to help moms reclaim their time and well-being from the never-done-list while also helping employers retain working parents and caregivers. Since March of 2020, over 3,700 parents have participated in her research study (the longest-running of its kind) on the pandemic’s ongoing impact on work, care, and wellness. With more than twenty years in senior leadership and a decade focused on media and technology in childcare, eldercare, mental health, and education, Leslie is a sought-after speaker and consultant. She advises organizations such as HubSpot, Merck, Scholastic, and the Barr Foundation on how to retain and support parents, caregivers, and people of color. Our conversation explores the growing crisis of parental stress and maternal mental health, which has been made so much worse by a perfect storm of factors such as the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising costs, shortages in healthcare and childcare resources, and the unique challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children. Leslie shares some insights from her extensive research on the topic, explaining how parents, especially mothers, are struggling to balance the demands of caregiving, household management, and careers, often at the expense of their own well-being. The guilt, shame, and lack of flexibility in the workplace make it especially difficult for many parents to ask for the support that they desperately need. Leslie highlights the critical importance of parents, especially mothers, prioritizing self-care even in small ways to build resilience and model healthy behaviors for their children. She provides practical tips such as identifying a daily "anchor" activity and being mindful of decision fatigue to help parents carve out time for their own mental, physical, and emotional needs. Our conversation also goes into the direct connection between parents' mental health and their children's wellbeing, and how, by supporting parents, we can have a profound impact on the whole family. This conversation offers a powerful and timely exploration of the parental mental health crisis, with practical insights and solutions that can make a real difference for families! Want a deeper dive into today’s topic? Join Karen and Leslie for a ChildNEXUS & Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs Joint Discussion; register here! Show Notes: [2:41] - Leslie argues that rising costs, long wait times, and poor support leave families emotionally and financially strained. [4:15] - Leslie points out how coordinating specialists, schools, and daily routines creates an overwhelming, often invisible burden. [6:13] - Mothers face worsening burnout as post-pandemic losses strip away time, resources, and support systems. [9:58] - Social conditioning and low workplace safety pressure women into overcommitment despite exhaustion and caregiving needs. [12:55] - Leslie asserts that many workplaces equate commitment with overwork, leaving parents afraid to ask for flexibility and support. [15:03] - Leslie points out how parents often feel isolated and ashamed when children struggle academically or socially. [17:39] - Many mothers feel trapped without partner support or financial means. [20:51] - Leslie asserts that ignoring self-care leads to burnout that harms health, family, and career stability. [23:46] - Exhausted parents struggle to engage with energetic children, straining relationships and shared activities. [25:47] - Leslie argues that parenting requires constant exhausting micro-adjustments, like juggling trains on endlessly shifting tracks. [28:36] - Dr. Wilson recommends Leslie’s book for guidance. [29:11] - Leslie advises parents to establish a daily anchor habit and reduce fatigue around making decisions. [32:57] - Dr. Wilson points out that it's important to support parents of neurodivergent children while also encouraging their own self-care practices. [33:28] - Leslie agrees and reports that post-pandemic self-care has declined as responsibilities have increased and systems have become more strained. [36:48] - Leslie praises Karen’s guidance for parents while emphasizing time management and self-care as very important. [38:10] - What is the best way to reach Leslie? Links and Related Resources: Episode 151: Parenting with ADHD: Insights and Inspiration with Holly Blanc Moses Episode 167: From Surviving to Thriving: A Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs and Well-Being with Leslie Forde Episode 202: How Low Demand Parenting Can Reduce Stress and Support Neurodivergent Youth with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge Leslie Forde - Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs® Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a ...
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    40 m
  • Ep. 243: From Inclusion to Belonging: Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools with Amanda Morin

    Ep. 243: From Inclusion to Belonging: Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools with Amanda Morin
    Sep 2 2025
    We are happy to welcome Amanda Morin to the show this week! Amanda is a neurodivergent advocate for neurodiversity, an award-winning author of six books, an early childhood expert, and a nationally recognized speaker who is passionate about building accessible and inclusive spaces for neurodivergent people. Drawing on her background in learning and child development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), special education, advocacy, and mental health, she translates complex information into clear, practical insights for parents, educators, and employers striving to design inclusive content, programs, and strategies that make the world more accessible for everyone. In our discussion today, Amanda unpacks the concept of "neurodiversity-affirming" schools - classrooms that go beyond just "including" neurodivergent students and instead actively celebrate and empower them. She explains how a neurodiversity-affirming approach involves letting go of rigid structures and control and instead creating flexible, "controlled chaos" environments in which all students can learn and thrive in the ways that work best for them, benefitting not just neurodivergent students but, again, all learners! Amanda also highlights the importance of using especially precise and affirming language, distinguishing between "neurodivergent" (those whose brains process information differently) and the broader "neurodiverse" (the natural diversity of all minds). She also discusses how naming and understanding differences, rather than avoiding them, can go a long way toward destigmatizing neurodivergence. Perhaps especially crucially, Amanda explores the "double empathy problem," the idea that communication challenges often stem from a two-way lack of understanding rather than just deficits in the neurodivergent individual, and she shares some practical strategies for bridging this gap, such as narrating facial expressions and using visual cues. As the new school year approaches, this conversation is sure to offer some invaluable insights for educators seeking to create truly inclusive, strengths-based classrooms that empower all students to do their best! Show Notes: [3:06] - Amanda Morin highlights moving beyond “inclusion” toward belonging, creating flexible, student-centered learning environments. [6:43] - Neurodiversity-affirming practices benefit all students by gradually rethinking classrooms to embrace every mind. [9:37] - Just like biodiversity, neurodiversity means different minds adapt uniquely but remain equally valid. [11:25] - Amanda explains neurodivergence as brain-environment interactions that require supportive accommodations. [13:21] - Stigma is a major barrier to neurodivergent students’ mental health and persistence. [14:14] - Naming diagnoses openly helps students replace self-blame with understanding. [17:00] - Hiding diagnoses often leads children to form harmful, inaccurate stories about themselves. [18:24] - Amanda urges giving kids language to explain their struggles instead of adopting negative labels. [20:08] - Amanda touches upon the double empathy problem in which communication requires adjustment between neurodivergent and neuro-normative people. [23:44] - Teachers can model narrating emotions and expressions to reduce students’ stress around social cues. [24:06] - Hear how Amanda uses a “battery activity” to help students visualize and communicate their energy levels. [27:12] - Amanda encourages urges describing behavior neutrally rather than judging it as “good” or “bad.” [30:13] - Hear how Amanda prefers “neuro-normative” over “neurotypical” because it avoids implying a single correct way of being. [32:37] - Amanda highlights a project reframing IEPs around strengths and motivation, not just deficits and skills gaps. [35:37] - Amanda encourages small classroom changes that affirm neurodivergent students’ agency and sense of belonging. [37:52] - Amanda invites educators to connect! Links and Related Resources: Emily Kircher-Morris & Amanda Morin - Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported Episode 168: 5 Tips for Supporting Neurodivergent Youth The Understood Blog - “Academia to action: Parents of neurodivergent kids need answers” Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Register for Our “When Struggles Overlap” Live Webinar Email Dr. Wilson: drkiwilson@childnexus.com Connect with Amanda Morin: Amanda’s Website Email Amanda: amanda@amandamorin.com Phone: 1-207-907-9182
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    39 m
  • Ep. 242: How One Woman Rewired Her Brain and Created a Path for Struggling Learners with Barbara Arrowsmith-Young

    Ep. 242: How One Woman Rewired Her Brain and Created a Path for Struggling Learners with Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
    Aug 19 2025
    Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Barbara Arrowsmith-Young! Barbara is a pioneering author and innovator in neuroeducation, known for applying neuroplasticity to improve cognitive function. Since 1978, her work has helped individuals with learning difficulties, brain injuries, addiction, and age-related decline, and it is now used worldwide. She shares her groundbreaking journey in her bestselling book The Woman Who Changed Her Brain and her TEDx talk, and continues advancing research as Director of the Arrowsmith program. In this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning, Barbara shares her deeply powerful journey of overcoming significant learning difficulties she faced from a young age. Growing up in the 1950s, Barbara was labeled as "slow" and was told by her teachers not to have high expectations for her academic future, but despite the challenges, her mother's determination and Barbara's resilience allowed her to learn how to read, write, and do basic math, although she continued to struggle with comprehension and processing language. As an adult, Barbara had an epiphany after reading the work of neuropsychologist Alexander Luria. She discovered that the root of her learning difficulties was due to specific areas of her brain that were underperforming, so inspired by research on neuroplasticity, she set out to create cognitive exercises that could strengthen those weaker brain regions. She reflects in this episode on how, to her amazement, the exercises led to a huge change in her cognitive abilities, allowing her to fully engage in conversations, understand complex concepts, and more. Barbara discusses how she was determined to share this life-changing approach, founded the Arrowsmith School, and developed the Arrowsmith Program, which has now helped thousands of students around the world. She passionately advocates for integrating neuroscience and cognitive training into education, empowering all learners to enhance their brain's capacity and unlock their full potential. If you enjoy this episode, you will have the wonderful opportunity to learn more about Barbara's work during a live webinar on September 17th, 2025. Don't miss this chance to dive deeper into the power of neuroplasticity and how it can transform the lives of students who struggle with learning differences! Show Notes: [2:36] - Barbara Arrowsmith-Young reflects on having been labeled "slow" in grade one, internalizing shame before learning disabilities were even recognized. [4:38] - Despite intense effort and her mother's support, Barbara masked her difficulties with memorization and compensation. [7:32] - Barbara points out how brain imaging reveals students with learning difficulties overuse their strengths to compensate. [10:48] - Many students experience intense despair from persistent, misunderstood learning challenges. [11:17] - Barbara opens up about having struggled with suicidal ideation in eighth grade. [14:25] - Even though there is longstanding research, many schools still neglect brain-based approaches to learning. [15:13] - Hear how Barbara’s father instilled belief in problem-solving and how Alexander Luria’s work revealed the source of her struggles. [18:06] - Newly inspired by neuroplasticity research, Barbara designed clock-based brain exercises to help stimulate specific neural regions. [21:06] - Hear how mastering four-handed clocks transformed Barbara’s comprehension. [22:53] - Barbara created Arrowsmith School to help integrate brain-based learning into mainstream education. [25:31] - Real change requires targeted brain exercises and not just accommodations. [26:50] - Barbara finds immense joy in witnessing cognitive transformation and improved mental health in her students. [29:05] - Arrowsmith lowers cortisol and anxiety while supporting recovery from learning difficulties. [32:07] - Hear how Barbara developed diverse cognitive programs to enhance brain function. [35:43] - Barbara urges education to embrace neuroplasticity early, believing that cognitive growth leads to empathy and future problem-solvers. Links and Related Resources: Barbara Arrowsmith-Young - The Woman Who Changed Her Brain: And Other Inspiring Stories of Pioneering Brain Transformation Barbara’s TEDx Talk Take the Cognitive Questionnaire to Receive a Report on Your Unique Learning Profile Free “Shaping Our Brain” Webinar Series For Those Interested in Research Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Register for Our Self-Paced Mini Courses: Support for Parents Who Have Children with ADHD, Anxiety, or Dyslexia Register for Our “When Struggles Overlap” Live Webinar Email Dr. Wilson: drkiwilson@childnexus.com Connect with Barbara Arrowsmith-Young: Arrowsmith - Website Barbara’s ChildNEXUS Profile
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    40 m
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