Neuroversity

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In this episode of Neuroversity, Jessica Kidwell speaks with John Munro, head of the Gow School, a pioneering institution for students with language-based learning differences. They discuss the school's history, mission, and unique curriculum designed to support dyslexic learners. Munro shares insights on the importance of early intervention, the school's approach to teaching, and the significance of relational connections in a boarding school environment. They also address the challenges of accessibility and financial aid for families, as well as future plans for the school as it approaches its centennial anniversary.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity and the Gow School
05:05 The History and Mission of the Gow School
09:49 Understanding Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Differences
15:01 Curriculum and Teaching Approaches at the Gow School
20:11 Supporting Students with Multiple Learning Differences
24:54 Safety and Community in a Boarding School Environment
30:07 Financial Aid and Accessibility for Families
34:47 Future Plans and Strategic Goals for the Gow School

About Today's Guest:
John Munro, Head of School at The Gow School since 2023
The Gow School, since 1926, is a coed college prep boarding and day school for students, grades 5-post graduate, with dyslexia and similar language based learning disabilites in New York.
https://www.gow.org/

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This week Jessica welcomes Meredith Rusu, the award-winning author of the Mighty Moods picture book series, which explores the ways children use larger-than-life creatures to express their big feelings. Meredith's latest book, "There's a Robot in My Socks," follows a young girl named Jamie as she navigates changes in her routine and the emotions that come with it. Meredith shares insights into the challenges and joys of writing children's books, the importance of connecting with young readers, and the role of educators in supporting children's emotional growth.  Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply curious about the world of children's literature, this episode offers valuable perspectives and support for embracing the big feelings of all kids.

Come see Meredith at the Morristown Festival of Books! 
10/19/24  110 South Street, Morristown NJ 07960
https://morristownbooks.org/

Find out more about Meredith Rusu
https://www.instagram.com/meredithrusuwrites/
https://meredithrusu.com/

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"There's a lot of open tabs in my brain. It's like a pinball going in every direction."
-Liz Schroeder

Join Jessica Kidwell on this heartfelt episode of Neuroversity as she chats with her good friend and neighbor, Liz Schroeder. Liz opens up about her journey from recognizing her daughter's ADHD to discovering her own diagnosis later in life. 

Liz talks about the challenges of staying organized, dealing with hyperfocus, and the chaos that often comes with ADHD, as well as the life-changing impact of finding the right treatment. This honest conversation highlights the importance of support, understanding, and the courage to take care of yourself. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone navigating your own neurodivergent path, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement.

✍️ Episode References

ADHD Online
https://adhdonline.com/

How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe
https://www.howtoadhd.com/

Franklin's Finery on Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/shop/FranklinsFinery

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Join Jessica Kidwell on Neuroversity as she chats with Damian Malecki, an audio-visual artist from Sheffield, UK, known as Szopa. Damian talks about his late autism diagnosis after moving to the UK in 2017 and how it's shaped his life and music. He shares his journey from Poland, the impact of hyperfocus, his unique way of learning music, and balancing personal expression with audience appeal. Stick around to hear a track from his latest album, "The Prayer Book."
Follow Damian Malecki (Szopa) and his music:
- Bandcamp
- Instagram
- Spotify

Show notes created by https://headliner.app

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Season three has come to a close for Neuroversity.
What were some of the highlights from this season and what is coming up in season four?
Let's find out....

Do you have some ideas about what comes next?
Email me at
[email protected] 

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After first learning about non verbal learning disorder (NVLD) during my episode on specific learning disorders (SLDs) I wanted to know more.  I kept finding myself having a hard time distinguishing between autism and NVLD.  So I knew I needed to bring on some experts.
The same names kept coming up over and over on NVLD resources: Dr. Jessica Broitman and Dr. John Davis and luckily they agreed to come on the show to help me understand NVLD much more deeply.

Guest Bios:
Jessica Broitman, Ph.D., (Co-editor) is the co-author of Nonverbal Learning Disabilities in Children: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Practice (2011). She is the President emeritus of the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group and Executive Director of its Clinic and Training Center. She frequently lectures on Weiss's Control Mastery Theory worldwide. Currently a psychoanalyst in private practice since 1980, she has worked with families who have learning-disabled children for more than 10 years. She is currently involved in several research projects concerning the treatment and understanding of NVLD and has a special interest in helping professionals and families understand and treat this disorder. She is available for consultations and can be reached at: [email protected]

John M. Davis, Ph.D., (Co-editor) is the co-author of Nonverbal Learning Disabilities in Children: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Practice (2011). He is currently a Professor at California State University, East Bay, and Chair of the Educational Psychology Department, where he teaches and supervises. He received his Ph.D. from the U.C. Berkeley School Psychology program and did clinical postdoctoral studies to become a licensed psychologist. He has a special interest in learning and developmental disorders having been the director of a school and clinic for students with learning disabilities for 13 years, which provided diagnostic and intervention services. His current clinical work is primarily with children and adults with learning disorders. His writing and research interests include articles and book chapters in the areas of mental health consultation, suicide/crisis intervention, and learning disorders. He is available for consultation and evaluations can be reached at: [email protected]

Links for Resources:
More information about Dr. Broitman and Dr. Davis

The NVLD Project Website

Learning Disabilities Association of America

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Synesthesia is when your brain routes sensory information through multiple unrelated senses, causing you to experience more than one sense simultaneously. Some examples include tasting words or linking colors to numbers and letters. It’s not a medical condition, and not something to be cured, therefore it falls right under the neurodivergent umbrella.  Today’s guest not only has synesthesia, she also just recently published a middle grade novel about it, which is fantastic and called The Color of Sound. 

Emily Barth Isler is the author of AfterMath, an award-winning middle grade novel about grief, resilience, friendship, math, and mime. Comedian and activist Amy Schumer calls AfterMath  "A gift to the culture," and author Judith Viorst pronounced it "pretty close to perfect." Emily's latest book, The Color of Sound, features a character who, like Emily, has synesthesia, and was published March 5, 2024. It has received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal . In 2026, her first picture book, Always Enough Love, will be published by Nancy Paulsen Books. She has a BA in Film Studies from Wesleyan University and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two children. 

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This is the second of a two part series where I will introduce you to the most common types of specific learning disabilities or SLDs.

Part two is about Auditory Processing Disorder and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

• Auditory processing disorder, APD for short, is when the brain has trouble interpreting sounds or language.  It is a central nervous system process as opposed to a deficit within the ear’s ability to hear.  APD impacts the brain’s ability to process sounds, which can cause confusion in words that are heard, mix similar words up, and make it especially difficult to distinguish sound in noisy environments.  
• Non Verbal learning disorders, also known as NVLD or NLD, refers to a set of issues that are not solely associated with reading or writing and contribute to the difficulty for a child to learn.  A child with NLD may have trouble understanding spatial concepts, but have good language skills. Non verbal learning disorders impair a person’s life skills and affects his or her social, academic, professional and emotional experiences. It is not currently a distinct diagnosis, so it is often misunderstood or missed altogether.  

Part one was about Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia.

Listen to find out the signs for each and what types of supports and accomodations can help.

Resources for this episode:
General facts about learning disabilities

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/factsheets/learningdisabilities

https://www.ldonline.org/getting-started/ld-basics/what-learning-disability 

Link to Neuroversity Dyslexia Episode

https://www.neuroversitypod.com/episodes/episode/4ced2263/a-beginners-lesson-on-dyslexia-with-lorraine-hightower-certified-dyslexia-advocate-and-consultant

Auditory Processing Disorder resources:

https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/understanding-auditory-processing-disorders-in-children/

https://childmind.org/article/what-is-auditory-processing-disorder/

https://childmind.org/article/help-for-kids-with-auditory-processing-disorder/  

Non verbal Learning Disorder Resources:

https://nvld.org/does-my-child-have-nvld/

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This is the first of a two part series where I will introduce you to the most common types of specific learning disabilities or SLDs.

Part one is about Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia.

• Dysgraphia is a learning disability that impacts writing abilities.  And we’re not talking about just having poor handwriting, this goes well beyond that.  Dysgraphia can also impair spelling, and getting thoughts onto paper.  
• Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects the part of your brain that processes number information and therefore impacts your ability to do math

Listen to find out the signs for each and what types of supports and accomodations can help.

Resources for this episode:
General facts about learning disabilities

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/factsheets/learningdisabilities

https://www.ldonline.org/getting-started/ld-basics/what-learning-disability 

Link to Neuroversity Dyslexia Episode

https://www.neuroversitypod.com/episodes/episode/4ced2263/a-beginners-lesson-on-dyslexia-with-lorraine-hightower-certified-dyslexia-advocate-and-consultant

Dysgraphia facts:

https://www.ldonline.org/ld-topics/writing-spelling/what-dysgraphia

https://childmind.org/article/understanding-dysgraphia/

https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/articles/dysgraphia-101-introduction-and-strategies-5327#:~:text=The%20five%20different%20types%20are,phonological%20dysgraphia%2C%20and%20lexical%20dysgraphia.

 Dyscalculia Facts:

https://childmind.org/article/how-to-spot-dyscalculia/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23949-dyscalculia

https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-dyscalculia-overview-and-symptom-breakdown/

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"We don't need a handful of people doing inclusive education perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly." - Tim Villegas

According to the Oxford Dictionary, inclusion is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups. And specifically when it comes to education, inclusion is the act or practice of including students with disabilities with the general student population.

And yet, what does true inclusive education look like in a public school setting?
In this episode, Tim Villegas, the Director of Communications for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education and founder of their podcast and blog, Think Inclusive, joins me to provide a beginning lesson on inclusion.

You will learn

• The history of the IDEA
• How belief in inclusive education does not equate implementing inclusive education practices
• The difference between placement and belonging when talking about inclusive practices
• The importance of storytelling in moving the cultural acceptance of inclusion

Resources cited:
A summary of the evidence on inclusive education
The relationship between special education placement and high school outcomes

About Tim Villegas:
Tim Villegas is the Director of Communications for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education and founder of their podcast and blog, Think Inclusive. He spent 16 years in public education, where he advocated for the full and authentic inclusion of learners with disabilities in general education, even those with more extensive support needs. 
MCIE: 
Website: https://www.mcie.org/

Email List: https://bit.ly/MCIE-Email-List

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkInclusive/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/think_inclusive/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/think_inclusive

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkinclusiveUs

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-education/

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