Emily Kircher-Morris talks with writer Amy Mackin, author of Henry’s Classroom: A Special Education in American Motherhood, about her experiences navigating the special education system for her son, Henry. They discuss the challenges of accessing appropriate resources, the impact of social isolation, and how community support can make a huge difference. They talk about Amy's transition from public school to homeschooling, and the benefits of a more holistic approach to education that broadens the support group to include family and even medical professionals.

TAKEAWAYS

• Early intervention is extremely important in special education.

• Community support is instrumental in educational advocacy.

• Social isolation is impactful for families with special needs children.

• A holistic approach to education can be transformative.

• Communication between medical and educational systems can be extremely beneficial.

• There can be a big financial toll on families navigating special education.

• Homeschooling can be an alternative educational path for some.

• Student voices should be included in the IEP process.

• Educational resources vary greatly based on the socioeconomic status of each school district.

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Amy Mackin is a writer whose work explores the intersections of education, cultural history, public health, and social equity. Her essays and articles have appeared in The Atlantic, Chalkbeat, The Washington Post, Literary Mama, Witness, The Shriver Report, and other publications.

She holds an MA in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut hybrid memoir, Henry’s Classroom: A Special Education in American Motherhood, was released in May 2025.

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Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Jennifer Dall, a grief-informed neurodivergence specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically. Jennifer was diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s, and is now an educator, administrator, coach, and grief specialist. They talk about grieving over what might have been, a struggle that often accompanies late-diagnosis. They discuss Jennifer's lived experience with late diagnosis, as well as some common misconceptions about ADHD, especially those faced by women. They also talk about the challenges of identifying ADHD in school settings, particularly for girls and students who may not present with typical disruptive behaviors, and how dependence on a behavioral lens can lead to greater consequences, rather than providing necessary support.

TAKEAWAYS

• There's a lack of training about the diverse presentations of ADHD among educators and professionals.

• It's a persistent myth that people "grow out of" ADHD.

• There can be profound grief and trauma after a late diagnosis, stemming from lost time, opportunities, and years of internalizing negative narratives.

• ADHD often compounds the symptoms of grief.

Dr. Jennifer Dall is a Grief-Informed Neurodivergence Specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically, where she helps individuals—particularly women—navigate ADHD with practical, personalized strategies that prioritize self-awareness and sustainable growth. With over 25 years of experience as an educator and a background in ADHD coaching, yoga instruction, and grief education, her holistic approach is rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s, Dr. Jennifer brings deep insight into the challenges of late diagnosis, masking, and misinformation—especially for women. Through her courses, workshops, and speaking engagements, she supports neurodivergent individuals and the professionals who serve them, including therapists, coaches, and HR leaders. Her work centers on reframing ADHD as a source of strength, helping others unlock their potential with strategies that work in real life.

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aising kids and teens who struggle with emotional regulation can be tough. Parents must navigate the complexities of societal pressures, and it can lower self-esteem and cause self-doubt. Today we talk about some essential strategies to establish a warm, connected relationship with a challenging child. We try to help find the balance between talking less, and setting clear, aspirational expectations that are crucial for both parents and kids. Our guest is Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book “Calm the Chaos,” and we’ll try to help quell your fear of the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies raising a challenging child. This is a reprise of a conversation from an earlier episode.

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Dayna Abraham, bestselling author and National Board Certified Educator, is the founder of Lemon Lime Adventures, which provides resources to parents of neurodivergent kids, and helps them find peace, and meet their kids where they are. Dayna is a mother of three neurodivergent children, as well as being an ADHD adult herself, and brings an out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in a modern world. Her work has been showcased in HuffPost, Scary Mommy, BuzzFeed, ADDitude Magazine, Parents Magazine and Lifehacker. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband Jason, her kids, and two huge Newfoundland puppies.

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The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.