In this joyful chat, AuDHDer and delightful clinical psychologist Brianna Thomas shares insightful, creative and practical strategies for building affirming spaces where neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ young people can explore their identities. We discuss the powerful intersection of neurodivergence and gender/sexual identity, why curiosity beats assumptions every time, and how creativity and parallel play can become your most powerful therapeutic tools. Also, flowers, glue and banana bread. "If I don't regulate, how can they possibly be expected to do what we say if we are not doing it in front of them and really authentically living it out in that moment?" – Brianna Thomas We cover: <ul> <li>The high crossover between neurodivergence and LGBTQI+ identities and what adults need to understand</li> <li>How to create psychologically safe spaces through creativity, curiosity, thoughtful intake forms, and flexible communication</li> <li>Why slowing the pace (without blocking exploration) helps everyone process identity journeys together</li> <li>School strategies: bathroom accommodations, roll call flexibility, and family communication</li> <li>The power of parallel play and co-regulation in therapeutic sessions</li> <li>Bringing creativity into everything: why "making a sandwich" counts as creative practice</li> <li>Moving beyond worksheets to rocks with googly eyes, paint, clay, and colorful chaos</li> </ul> Resources Mentioned: <ul> <li>Trans Hub: <a href= "http://transhub.org.au">transhub.org.au</a> – Information for clinicians, parents, and trans young people</li> <li>The Gender Identity Workbook for Teens – Structured resource for exploring gender journey (with quizzes and activities for individuals, families, or therapists): <a href= "https://www.thenile.com.au/books/andrew-maxwell-triska-msw-lcsw/gender-identity-workbook-for-teens/9781648765087"> https://www.thenile.com.au/books/andrew-maxwell-triska-msw-lcsw/gender-identity-workbook-for-teens/9781648765087</a></li> <li>Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg – Picture book about finding opportunity in mistakes and imperfection: <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Oops-Barney-Saltzberg/dp/076115728X"> https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Oops-Barney-Saltzberg/dp/076115728X</a></li> </ul> Connect with Brianna Thomas: <ul> <li>ADHD IRL Podcast: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/1mclxZYWmEeCQRCTMJmwNy">Listen on Spotify</a></li> <li>The Psych Hive: <a href= "http://thepsychhive.com">thepsychhive.com</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/thepsychhive/">https://www.instagram.com/thepsychhive/</a> and <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/brianna_thomas_psych/">https://www.instagram.com/brianna_thomas_psych/</a></li> </ul>

In this joyful chat, AuDHDer and delightful clinical psychologist Brianna Thomas shares insightful, creative and practical strategies for building affirming spaces where neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ young people can explore their identities. We discuss the powerful intersection of neurodivergence and gender/sexual identity, why curiosity beats assumptions every time, and how creativity and parallel play can become your most powerful therapeutic tools. Also, flowers, glue and banana bread. "If I don't regulate, how can they possibly be expected to do what we say if we are not doing it in front of them and really authentically living it out in that moment?" – Brianna Thomas We cover: The high crossover between neurodivergence and LGBTQI+ identities and what adults need to understand How to create psychologically safe spaces through creativity, curiosity, thoughtful intake forms, and flexible communication Why slowing the pace (without blocking exploration) helps everyone process identity journeys together School strategies: bathroom accommodations, roll call flexibility, and family communication The power of parallel play and co-regulation in therapeutic sessions Bringing creativity into everything: why "making a sandwich" counts as creative practice Moving beyond worksheets to rocks with googly eyes, paint, clay, and colorful chaos Resources Mentioned: Trans Hub: transhub.org.au – Information for clinicians, parents, and trans young people The Gender Identity Workbook for Teens – Structured resource for exploring gender journey (with quizzes and activities for individuals, families, or therapists): https://www.thenile.com.au/books/andrew-maxwell-triska-msw-lcsw/gender-identity-workbook-for-teens/9781648765087 Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg – Picture book about finding opportunity in mistakes and imperfection: https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Oops-Barney-Saltzberg/dp/076115728X Connect with Brianna Thomas: ADHD IRL Podcast: Listen on Spotify The Psych Hive: thepsychhive.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepsychhive/ and https://www.instagram.com/brianna_thomas_psych/

In this joyful chat, AuDHDer and delightful clinical psychologist Brianna Thomas shares insightful, creative and practical strategies for building affirming spaces where neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ young people can explore their identities. We discuss the powerful intersection of neurodivergence and gender/sexual identity, why curiosity beats assumptions every time, and how creativity and parallel play can become your most powerful therapeutic tools. Also, flowers, glue and banana bread. "If I don't regulate, how can they possibly be expected to do what we say if we are not doing it in front of them and really authentically living it out in that moment?" – Brianna Thomas We cover: <ul> <li>The high crossover between neurodivergence and LGBTQI+ identities and what adults need to understand</li> <li>How to create psychologically safe spaces through creativity, curiosity, thoughtful intake forms, and flexible communication</li> <li>Why slowing the pace (without blocking exploration) helps everyone process identity journeys together</li> <li>School strategies: bathroom accommodations, roll call flexibility, and family communication</li> <li>The power of parallel play and co-regulation in therapeutic sessions</li> <li>Bringing creativity into everything: why "making a sandwich" counts as creative practice</li> <li>Moving beyond worksheets to rocks with googly eyes, paint, clay, and colorful chaos</li> </ul> Resources Mentioned: <ul> <li>Trans Hub: <a href="http://transhub.org.au" rel="noopener noreferrer">transhub.org.au</a> – Information for clinicians, parents, and trans young people</li> <li>The Gender Identity Workbook for Teens – Structured resource for exploring gender journey (with quizzes and activities for individuals, families, or therapists): <a href="https://www.thenile.com.au/books/andrew-maxwell-triska-msw-lcsw/gender-identity-workbook-for-teens/9781648765087" rel="noopener noreferrer"> https://www.thenile.com.au/books/andrew-maxwell-triska-msw-lcsw/gender-identity-workbook-for-teens/9781648765087</a></li> <li>Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg – Picture book about finding opportunity in mistakes and imperfection: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Oops-Barney-Saltzberg/dp/076115728X" rel="noopener noreferrer"> https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Oops-Barney-Saltzberg/dp/076115728X</a></li> </ul> Connect with Brianna Thomas: <ul> <li>ADHD IRL Podcast: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1mclxZYWmEeCQRCTMJmwNy" rel="noopener noreferrer">Listen on Spotify</a></li> <li>The Psych Hive: <a href="http://thepsychhive.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">thepsychhive.com</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thepsychhive/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/thepsychhive/</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brianna_thomas_psych/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/brianna_thomas_psych/</a></li> </ul>

LGBTQI+ identity and creative expression: Supporting neurodivergent children with Brianna Thomas

Welcome to the Play. Learn. Chat - Exploring Neurodiversity podcast. Here, we're going to share conversations to help you connect and grow with your autistic or neurodivergent child. Join me, speech therapist, Adina Levy, as I share realistic ideas, practical strategies, and open conversations to help you better understand and celebrate your autistic or neurodivergent child. We'll discuss your child's strengths, their unique mind, preferences, their challenges, and the supports that they need to thrive. I bring a neurodiversity-affirming approach, an open heart and an open mind to the pod world. Let's connect! Subscribe and join me for some wonderful conversations and chats with me, with other professionals and with parents of autistic and neurodivergent children. I can't wait to chat soon! <a href= "http://www.playlearnchat.com">www.playlearnchat.com</a> Follow on Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat/</a>

Welcome to the Play. Learn. Chat - Exploring Neurodiversity podcast. Here, we're going to share conversations to help you connect and grow with your autistic or neurodivergent child. Join me, speech therapist, Adina Levy, as I share realistic ideas, practical strategies, and open conversations to help you better understand and celebrate your autistic or neurodivergent child. We'll discuss your child's strengths, their unique mind, preferences, their challenges, and the supports that they need to thrive. I bring a neurodiversity-affirming approach, an open heart and an open mind to the pod world. Let's connect! Subscribe and join me for some wonderful conversations and chats with me, with other professionals and with parents of autistic and neurodivergent children. I can't wait to chat soon! www.playlearnchat.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat/

Welcome to the Play. Learn. Chat - Exploring Neurodiversity podcast. Here, we're going to share conversations to help you connect and grow with your autistic or neurodivergent child. Join me, speech therapist, Adina Levy, as I share realistic ideas, practical strategies, and open conversations to help you better understand and celebrate your autistic or neurodivergent child. We'll discuss your child's strengths, their unique mind, preferences, their challenges, and the supports that they need to thrive. I bring a neurodiversity-affirming approach, an open heart and an open mind to the pod world. Let's connect! Subscribe and join me for some wonderful conversations and chats with me, with other professionals and with parents of autistic and neurodivergent children. I can't wait to chat soon! <a href="http://www.playlearnchat.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.playlearnchat.com</a> Follow on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat/</a>

Exploring Neurodiversity with Play. Learn. Chat - Coming Soon!

Welcome to the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast for adults who support Neurodivergent children. Whether you're an allied health professional, medical professional, education professional or a parent of a Neurodivergent child, you are welcome here. 

I'm Adina from Play. Learn. Chat. I'm an Autistic ADHDer, a speech therapist, professional educator speaker, and I also support Neurodivergent Business owners in my other business, neurodivergent Business Coaching and Consulting. 

I'm obsessed with creating a world where Neurodivergent people are understood, embraced, supported, and celebrated. A world where we Neurodivergent people can understand ourselves and thrive in a life aligned with our individual strengths, wants and needs. 

On the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast, you'll get my perspectives and conversations with my Neurodivergent friends. All about how adults can best support Neurodivergent children in our lives. 

I bring a Neurodiversity Affirming approach and indeed a human-affirming approach to the support that we all provide for Neurodivergent kids in our lives.

Education

Kids & Family

Welcome to the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast for adults who support Neurodivergent children. Whether you're an allied health professional, medical professional, education professional or a parent of a Neurodivergent child, you are welcome here. I'm Adina from Play. Learn. Chat. I'm an Autistic ADHDer, a speech therapist, professional educator speaker, and I also support Neurodivergent Business owners in my other business, neurodivergent Business Coaching and Consulting. I'm obsessed with creating a world where Neurodivergent people are understood, embraced, supported, and celebrated. A world where we Neurodivergent people can understand ourselves and thrive in a life aligned with our individual strengths, wants and needs. On the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast, you'll get my perspectives and conversations with my Neurodivergent friends. All about how adults can best support Neurodivergent children in our lives. I bring a Neurodiversity Affirming approach and indeed a human-affirming approach to the support that we all provide for Neurodivergent kids in our lives.

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