Neurodiversity Podcast Podcast Por Emily Kircher-Morris arte de portada

Neurodiversity Podcast

Neurodiversity Podcast

De: Emily Kircher-Morris
Escúchala gratis

The Neurodiversity Podcast talks with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, about positively impacting neurodivergent people. Our goal is to reframe differences that were once considered disabilities or disorders, promote awareness of this unique population, and improve the lives of neurodivergent and high-ability people.2022 Neurodiversity Alliance Crianza y Familias Higiene y Vida Saludable Neurodiversidad Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental Relaciones
Episodios
  • The Friendship Playbook: Building Connection on Your Own Terms

    The Friendship Playbook: Building Connection on Your Own Terms
    Mar 11 2026
    Why does friendship feel like an intuitive gift for some, but a complex, manual process for others? This week, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with social-emotional learning expert Caroline Maguire, author of the award-winning Why Will No One Play With Me? and the upcoming Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults. The conversation dismantles the harmful narrative that connection should happen organically, reframing social struggles not as character flaws, but as understandable skill gaps influenced by executive dysfunction and past trauma. They talk about the concept of "Middle School Caroline," the inner child who reacts to perceived slights with high-alert protection, and suggest advice on unmasking, managing rejection sensitivity, and finding "your people" who value compassion over perfect social performance. TAKEAWAYS The "friendship should be easy" narrative fuels unnecessary shame. Connection is a complex skill set, not an innate character trait. Executive dysfunction directly impacts the logistical and emotional labor of maintaining adult relationships. Rejection Sensitivity (RSD) often functions as a protective mechanism whose past social trauma colors present-day perceptions. Unmasking in friendships is a gradual spectrum that requires identifying safe people rather than an all-or-nothing disclosure. Neurodivergent social strengths like info-dumping and deep empathy are valid forms of connection that deserve recognition and framing, rather than suppression. Neurodivergent adults often base social perceptions on the most recent interaction, making objectivity and evidence-based thinking vital for relationship stability. Mental health professionals, join us for our upcoming training, Interpreting Autism Assessment Data in High-Masking and Under-Identified Presentations. Dr. Taylor Day is the presenter, and it will be held Friday, April 3 at 2:00 PM Eastern. If you can't make it live, the recorded self-study version will be available shortly after the live event. It's approved for both APA and NBCC continuing ed hours. You can register here. Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., PCC is an internationally recognized expert in social-emotional learning, ADHD coaching, and relationship development. She is the author of the award-winning book Why Will No One Play with Me? and the upcoming Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults (Balance Books, April 2026). As the host of The ADHD Social Playbook podcast, Caroline helps neurodivergent individuals build the confidence and connection skills needed to thrive in relationships. A coach, educator, and sought-after speaker, Caroline developed a comprehensive SEL training methodology used by parents, clinicians, and educators to foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and meaningful social interactions. She is the founder of the family-focused coach training program at the ADD Coach Academy, and brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work as a neurodivergent person with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. Her work has been featured by TEDx, ADDitude, WebMD, MindBodyGreen, and more. BACKGROUND READING Facebook, Instagram The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com. If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.
    Más Menos
    37 m
  • Belonging Before Achievement: Redesigning Middle School for Neurodivergent Minds

    Belonging Before Achievement: Redesigning Middle School for Neurodivergent Minds
    Mar 6 2026
    In this episode, Emily sits down with education leader, school founder, and author Chris Balme to completely reframe how we view the middle school years. Rather than treating early adolescence as a miserable phase to simply muddle through, it's a period of profound neurological transformation and peak human potential. Redesigning educational environments for neurodivergent students, by prioritizing smaller, consistent advisory cohorts and scaffolding executive function, creates a safer, more engaging culture for everyone. Other topics include the activation of the "social brain," why a baseline of belonging must be established before academic achievement can occur, and how traditional middle school structures often inadvertently fight against a student's natural developmental drives. TAKEAWAYS Middle school is a period of rapid cognitive and social development that requires specific developmental maps, not lowered expectations. A balanced and healthy social brain provides a secure sense of belonging, which is a biological imperative. Structuring middle schools to support neurodivergent learners enhances psychological safety and improves the educational baseline for the entire student body. Middle schoolers possess a highly attuned radar for authenticity and are skeptical of artificial relevance, like busywork. Objective, real-world responsibilities massively boost a middle schooler's maturity and self-efficacy. Mental health professionals, join us for our next live 90-minute CE training, Inherited Neurodivergence: Supporting Parents' Identity Journeys, featuring presenter, Dr. Amy Marschall. The event is Friday, March 6 at 2:00 pm Eastern/11:00 am Pacific. It's approved for continuing education through the American Psychological Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors. If you can't make it live, you can still register for the self-study version. Chris Balme is an education leader, writer, and school founder dedicated to helping young people unlock their human potential. He currently serves as Co-Principal at Hakuba International School and is the Founder and Director of Argonaut, an online advisory program supporting middle schoolers around the world. Chris is an Ashoka Fellow, recognized for his leadership as a changemaker in education. He is the author of two books: Finding the Magic in Middle School, written for parents and teachers, and Challenge Accepted, written directly for middle school students. Through his work, writing, and international speaking and training, Chris continues to inspire more human-centered, transformative approaches to education. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children. BACKGROUND READING Chris's website, Instagram The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com. If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Accepting and Embracing Your Autistic Self

    Accepting and Embracing Your Autistic Self
    Feb 26 2026
    This week, Emily sits down with advisory teacher Rebecca Duffus, and neurodiversity advocate Lyric Rivera, to discuss the critical shift from viewing autism as a purely medical diagnosis to embracing it as a core identity. Lyric shares their personal journey of late discovery and the complex emotions that accompany it, from grief to validation. Rebecca provides some insight into the importance of authentic, affirming language. They also discuss how to empower autistic youth to advocate for their needs, navigate a world that isn't always accommodating, and ultimately discover the power of being exactly who they are. Rebecca and Lyric are co-authors of Autism, Identity and Me. TAKEAWAYS Identity vs pathology is all about framing autism as a core identity, rather than strictly a medical diagnosis or a list of deficits. Late-diagnosis autism often results in a complex cocktail of emotions, including grief, anger, and eventually relief. There is a crucial difference between forcing an upbeat perspective, and using language that genuinely validates an autistic person's lived experience. Equipping, not just protecting, will help autistic kids understand neurodiversity, handle misunderstandings, and utilize an autism identity statement for self-advocacy. There is a shifting landscape of autism support, language, and systemic challenges in the US, especially compared to the UK. Mental health professionals, join us for our next live 90-minute CE training, Inherited Neurodivergence: Supporting Parents' Identity Journeys, featuring presenter, Dr. Amy Marschall. The event is Friday, March 6 at 2:00 pm Eastern/11:00 am Pacific. It's approved for continuing education through the American Psychological Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors. If you can't make it live, you can still register for the self-study version. Rebecca Duffus, BSc, PGCE, MA, is an experienced Advisory Teacher with a background in psychology and a master's in Autism and Education. Based in the UK, she has worked across mainstream and specialist education settings, as well as with local councils, charities, and educational services to support autistic students and the professionals who serve them. Rebecca is the author of Autism, Identity & Me, a workbook and guidebook set published by Routledge in both the U.S. and the UK. She regularly speaks at conferences, develops parent programmes, and provides training and coaching for educators and schools. Her work centers on supporting identity-affirming practices and building inclusive, informed environments for neurodivergent learners. Lyric Rivera is the founder of NeuroDivergent Consulting and the author of the best-selling business ethics book Workplace Neurodiversity Rising, praised by Forbes as "an excellent 'how-to manual' based on lived experience and professional competence," and named a "Trend for 2023." A prominent voice in the neurodiversity movement, Lyric is also the creator of the popular blog NeuroDivergent Rebel and the originator of the #AskingAutistics hashtag, which has sparked wide-reaching conversations about the Autistic experience. Through their writing, consulting, and online advocacy, Lyric helps organizations and individuals build more inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming environments. Their work fosters connection and understanding across communities and empowers neurodivergent people to be heard, supported, and celebrated. BACKGROUND READING Rebecca: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn Lyric: Website, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, Substack The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com. If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.
    Más Menos
    42 m
Todas las estrellas
Más relevante
Wishing this had been even longer. I work in a very open and affirming neurodiverse school, but we can always do more.

Terrific.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.