Neuroversity

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***BONUS CONTENT***
It may be summer time for most of us, but the learning won't stop at Neuroversity!
Join me as we get "back to basics" at Neuroversity with a special set of "Summer School Sessions" to get us through July and August and help prevent the dreaded summer slide of learning.

Find out what types of episodes you can expect over the next two months AND how you can help guide the syllabus.  

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Have you heard these myths about dyslexia? 

• Myth #1: Dyslexia means you're not smart. 
• Myth #2: Dyslexia is just a reading problem.
•  Myth #3: Dyslexia is a childhood problem that you outgrow. 

These myths can be damaging to individuals with dyslexia, causing low self-esteem and a lack of empowerment. The truth is, dyslexia affects reading, writing, and spelling, but it does not reflect intelligence. Furthermore, dyslexia is a lifelong condition that can also bring unique strengths and talents. Join memoirist Ellen Busch as she shares her personal journey with dyslexia and how she has turned it into her advantage.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Learn the significant role supportive parents and communities play in the success and well-being of individuals with dyslexia.
• Uncover the unique thought processes of people with dyslexia and how they can leverage these strengths in various aspects of life.
• Understand the importance of lifelong personal development and investment for both individuals with dyslexia and society at large.
• Gain insights on overcoming challenges, boosting self-confidence, and investing in yourself.

Meet Ellen Busch, an inspiring memoirist whose lived experience with dyslexia has transformed her into a strong advocate for neurodiversity. In her memoir, Disempowered: How I Turned an Academic Death Sentence into My Life's Greatest Adventure, Ellen recounts the struggles she faced throughout her education and how she eventually earned not only a bachelor's degree in Health Science but also an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. As a former EMT and adventurer with hobbies ranging from scuba diving to skiing, Ellen is determined to uplift other dyslexic individuals and help them embrace their unique strengths.

• Ellen Busch's memoir, (dis)Empowered How I Turned an Academic Death Sentence into My Life's Greatest Adventure https://www.amazon.com/dis-Empowered-Academic-Sentence-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0BZ5PG9NY/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?crid=5DNSK88VJGM0&keywords=ellen+busch+disempowered&qid=1680810170&sprefix=ellen+busch+disempowered%2Caps%2C343&sr=8-1-fkmr2
• The Dyslexic Advantage https://www.amazon.com/Dyslexic-Advantage-Revised-Updated-Unlocking/dp/0593472233/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32CTLKGCWM884&keywords=dyslexic+advantage+book&qid=1686273694&sprefix=dyslexic%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1
• The anatomy coloring book mentioned in the episode: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Coloring-Book-Wynn-Kapit/dp/0321832019/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3BVNUUGYPNDVC&keywords=anatomy+coloring+book&qid=1686273764&sprefix=anatomy%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-3

https://www.ellenbusch.com/

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Meet Dr. Casey Ehrlich, a mother and researcher delving into the little-known condition called Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).  As she explains the complex nervous system response that triggers PDA, we're left wondering how many more people are suffering from this condition without proper recognition or support.

In this episode, you will be able to:

·       Identify the distinct characteristics of PDA and ODD diagnoses. 

·       Grasp the importance of building secure, trust-filled environments for children with PDA. 

·       Understand the use of declarative language for improved PDA communication. 

·       Learn about Dr. Ehrlich's approaches for families raising PDA children. 

About this week's guest:

Dr. Casey Ehrlich is a compassionate coach for parents raising children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). With a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Madison, her background in social science and methodology brings a unique perspective to her work. Dr. Ehrlich has gained invaluable insights through her research on conflict, peace, and nonviolence in areas impacted by civil war in Colombia. As a co-founder of the PDA Parents Community and Podcast, she uses her expertise to help parents navigate the challenges of raising children with hypersensitive nervous systems, fight, flight, and freeze behaviors, and trauma.  You can find more information about her programs at www.atpeaceparents.com

Resources mentioned in this episode:

PDA Society https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

Tilt Parenting Podcast: https://tiltparenting.com/podcast-about-children-with-learning-disabilities/

Steve Silberman: https://www.stevesilberman.com/books/

Rachel Dorsey: https://dorseyslp.com/

Tiffany Hammond aka Fidgets and Fries https://www.instagram.com/fidgets.and.fries/

Dr. Mona Delahooke: https://monadelahooke.com/books/

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The public school system in the United States has historically been built to support the success of one type of student: a typically developing student with average intellectual ability.   And, unfortunately, any student who falls outside of this type has a much harder time thriving in a system that is not built for them.  Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, one of the largest school systems in the US, is trying to expand the success of more of their students by being one of the first systems in the country to create a neurodiversity specialist.

Join Jessica Kidwell as she talks with Kristen Haynor, Neurodiversity Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools, about this new position and how she is trying to change the culture of this school system in hopes to create a system that truly celebrates all types of students. 

Key Moments:

[00:00:18] Neurodiversity in Public Schools.

[00:08:36] Neurodivergent students and equity.

[00:17:32] Understanding neurodivergent behaviors.

[00:21:56] Supporting neurodiversity in education.

About Kristen Haynor:
Kristen Haynor is the Neurodiversity Specialist for Fairfax County Pubic Schools in the state of Virginia, which is one of the largest public school systems in the United States.  Kristen, who is neurodivergent herself, is a graduate of the FCPS school system.  After graduating from Madison High School, Kristen received a bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Mary Washington, her Master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University, and is currently pursuing her PhD in International Education. 

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In this episode of Neuroversity, host Jessica Kidwell interviews Emily Barth 
Isler, a writer and sustainability beauty journalist who has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and synesthesia. They discuss Emily's experience with OCD before and after diagnosis, how she structures her life to live in partnership with OCD, and her neurodivergent identity under the neurodiversity umbrella.  It is the second of two episodes featuring Emily's insights.

Highlights:
[00:01:59] Understanding Neurodivergence. 
[00:03:58] OCD and creativity. 
[00:08:37] Writing about painful experiences. 
[00:12:15] OCD and anxiety coexisting.
[00:18:38] Living with OCD. 
[00:22:08] Neurodiversity in younger generations. 
[00:25:06] OCD as a gift.

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In this episode of Neuroversity, Jessica Kidwell interviews Emily Barth Isler, a former child actress and writer for YA short stories and plays as well as a sustainable beauty journalist.   Emily also has OCD and synesthesia.  In this first of a two episode conversation, Emily and Jessica discuss Emily's award-winning debut novel Aftermath which explores themes of loss, mental health, gun control and neurodiversity.  They also discuss the inclusion of neurodivergent characters in media, Emily's journey of writing the novel, and her experience talking to kids affected by the book.
Key moments:

00:10:03 Starting conversations on trauma.
00:16:29 Parents cannot protect kids from news.
00:21:04 The character Lucy as a neurodivergent archetype.
00:24:01 How diversity benefits all audiences.

More about Emily Barth Isler:
A writer, Middle Grade Fiction Author, and sustainability/beauty journalist, Emily is a former child actress who has performed all over the world in theatre, film, and TV.  She spent several years in New York writing episodic television for the web with Emmy-award winning PhoebeTV, and a lifetime writing YA short stories and plays. 

Emily holds a B.A. in Film Studies from Wesleyan University, where she took all the creative writing classes she could find, including one which was taught by none other than Lemony Snicket himself! Her debut novel, AfterMath, came out in September 2021, and her work as a Beauty Editor/Writer can be seen online in many publications. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.

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It’s April, which means Autism Awareness Month.  And April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day.  So I thought it would be a great time to re-visit  episode 22 from Season 1, where I talk ALL about the complicated feelings this month can bring.  There is a lot of background and history surrounding this month-and this episode was my attempt to learn a little about at it all.   

On this episode you will learn:

• The history of Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Awareness Day
• Reasons why Autism Speaks does not necessarily "speak" for the majority of autistic voices
• Ways you can better support the goals of autism awareness month
• Why acceptance is more important than awareness

Links to sources cited in this episode:

UN World Autism Awareness Day 2023

https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day

Moving from awareness to acceptance article by Emily Willingham

https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2017/04/01/no-foolin-forget-about-autism-awareness-and-lighting-up-blue/?sh=3a1308214aac 

History on Autism Awareness Month and Autism Speaks

https://www.verywellhealth.com/should-you-celebrate-autism-awareness-month-4134347

Autism Speaks Board of Directors

https://www.autismspeaks.org/board-directors

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) link to Autism Acceptance Month:

https://autismacceptance.com

The Autism Society:

https://autismsociety.org/who-we-are/

Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism:

https://thinkingautismguide.com/

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Welcome to Season 2!

Today we are talking about "burnout".  Specifically autistic burnout, and how it differs from neurotypical understanding of burnout.

Joining me is Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a clinical psychologist working in Oregon. She specializes in working with neurodivergent adults and provides neurodivergent affirming assessments.  And she has a special interest in autistic burnout.

Key Moments:
00:06:32 Burnout can lead to depression.
00:07:03 Autistic burnout: exhaustion, skills loss, sensitivities.
00:14:04 Sensory sensitivities can cause burnout.
00:20:04 Autistic people more vulnerable to chronic conditions.
00:31:07 Prevent burnout through universal design.
00:36:39 Find supports and accommodations.
00:38:08 Heal with nature and body.

About the Guest:
Dr. Megan Anna Neff is a clinical psychologist working in Oregon. She specializesin working with neurodivergent adults and provides neurodivergent affirming assessments. They are a late in life diagnosed Autistic-ADHDer who is passionate about educating the mental health field on non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. Neff has co-authored two books, and published in several peer-reviewed psychological journals. They have a passion for research and for translating research into visualization which she provides on her website, Instagram and monthly workbooks. You can also find their work at www.neurodivergentinsights.com or on instagram (@Neurodivergent_Insights).

Resources cited in the episode:
Raymaker et al research on Autistic Burnout:
“Having All of Your
Internal Resources Exhausted Beyond Measure and Being
Left with No Clean-Up Crew: Defining Autistic Burnout."
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/aut.2019.0079

Free PDFs available on Neurodivergent Insights site

Autism in Adulthood
https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/autism-in-adulthood/646

Increased Chance for Chronic Diseases article

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What better way to celebrate our first year than to revisit with our favorite guests!  And we open with my two favorite guests EVER: Grace and Charlie Kidwell.  But, I'm not just revisiting with the two guests that live with me, we hear from many of our incredible season one guests!  And we also heard from listeners about what  should be covered on season two.

Come join us for a look back on the first season of Neuroversity!  

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Neuroversity is celebrating ONE YEAR of elevating neurodivergent voices and experiences-and I think that is a call to celebrate!  And what better way to celebrate than with a special birthday celebration. 

So coming soon, on 11/25/22, we will do just that!
I will revisit some past guests, talk about episodes and topics I loved, as well as topics I hope to cover more in the next season. 
And I want YOU to be a part of the festivities.  You can either fill out the google form linked below, OR email me a voice note of your thoughts to [email protected] and you may just end up a part of the show!

I want to hear from YOU!!
https://forms.gle/tGrCHYPybMpqerWd8

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