Chaya and Mike chat with Craig Maier, a dedicated ADHD Coach at Spark Launch, who shares his story of alienation and bullying while growing up neurodivergent in a small town. Craig details how these negative experiences aid in nurturing his son's own neurodivergence, provides some jaw-dropping insights into the differences between the U.S. and German education systems, and how we can better support students on the spectrum.We Also Cover:

• Incorporating Interests to Boost Learning Engagement
• Breaking Educational Conformity
• Asynchronous Approaches for a Neurodivergent Child's Development
• Social Interaction Woes and Anxieties
• The Institutionalized Gaps in Neurodiversity Awareness

Quotes:

• "If we can find what interests you, what you’re really passionate about, then we can start to direct effort toward that."
• "I think that my interests were completely normal, but given where I was in the community that I grew up with, it was like coming from another planet."
• "If someone had taken the time to talk with me at 15, 16 and really talk with me, I think that would have really changed my life."

About Craig Maier:A former university professor with a doctorate in interpersonal, organizational, and ethical communication, Craig is a coach certified by the International Coaching Federation and a Parent Consultant for ADHD certified by the Institute for Integrative Learning Therapy and Advanced Education in Germany, and also holds certifications in coaching neurodivergent learners and trauma-informed and body-oriented coaching.He has transformed his experiences and cultivated knowledge into a powerful coaching approach, one which emphasizes and recognizes the individual, first and foremost.Connect with Craig:

• https://www.craigmaier.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmaier/

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram