The Gifted Neurodivergent Child Podcast

Traditional education systems suppress the natural gifts of twice-exceptional (2e) children - their holistic intelligence, pattern recognition, and heightened sensitivity. As we enter the AI era, these very qualities are becoming more crucial than ever. The system continues pushing outdated methods like memorization, even as AI makes such skills obsolete.

As parents, who both understand these challenges firsthand, we are creating micro schools focused on nurturing rather than suppressing their children's natural abilities. These schools will be project based and will embrace AI as a tool while preserving students' natural cognitive flexibility and holistic intelligence. 

We are inviting other parents who sense something is wrong with traditional education to join us in protecting and cultivating our children's innate gifts.

The core message is clear: We must stop breaking sensitive, gifted children to fit an outdated system. Instead, we need to create environments where their natural intelligence - both cognitive and somatic - can flourish. Our children's future depends on maintaining their wholeness, not fragmenting it. 

Interesting in our 2e Micro Schools? 

Find out more by emailing us at [email protected] and will start including you on our monthly planning meetings.

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This episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Child Podcast introduces the concept of infracognition, a form of cognition that involves understanding and using emotions alongside traditional thought processes. It is contrasted with metacognition, or thinking about thinking. Infracognition is oppressed in our current educational systems, which favor linear, factual learning. But that infracognition is more suitable for our change we face in the near future. Infracognition will provide the skills we need to work best with AI. 

This podcast illustrates how our systems are failing all students using a comparison between two types of students, Emily and Alex. Highlighting how what we value is the wrong type of intelligence. Infracognition is the intelligence our children need to prepare them for the future. Not just neurodivergent children but all children. Lillian emphasizes the need for an educational paradigm shift to adapt to rapid societal changes and the role of infracognition in fostering true understanding and mental health. She concludes with a call for educational reforms that respect and utilize both metacognitive and infracognitive abilities.

To access supplemental information covered in this podcast please visit the Gifted ND Website at:
https://www.giftednd.com/post/the-educational-system-and-twice-exceptional-2e-learners-a-comparative-analysis-of-infracognition-1
or
https://www.giftednd.com/blog/categories/research-papers

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In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Child Podcast, I delve into the significance of sensitivity and its impact on giftedness and neurodivergence. Through personal anecdotes and thought-provoking insights, I cover how sensitivity in both body and mind shapes abilities and challenges societal norms. 

Highlighting the story of a young girl at a performance and the exceptional teaching of patient teachers, I emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing unique gifts within children. I also shares her vision for creating learning environments that cultivate holistic intelligence and urges listeners to embrace and understand the sensitivities of themselves and their children for a more enlightened future.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:19 A Story of Sensitivity and Genius
01:17 Understanding Sensitivity and Giftedness
03:29 The Role of Teachers in Nurturing Giftedness
05:38 Celebrating Somatically Gifted Teachers
08:27 The Importance of Somatic Intelligence
12:16 Challenges Faced by Gifted Individuals
21:53 Reforming Education for Neurodivergent Children
25:19 Conclusion and Call to Action
25:23 Disclaimer and Legal Information
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In this episode I encourage parents to think about their child's neurodivergence in a different way. That perhaps what is broken is everything but their child. I ask them to recognize that we live in a culture set up to work against recognizing and nurturing the innate abilities of neurodivergent children. I discuss the detrimental effects of traditional education systems on neurodivergent kids and stress the importance of integrating cognitive and somatic intelligence. I share my personal journey of rediscovering a natural way of being, challenged by societal pressures to conform. I emphasize the unique strengths of neurodivergent children, particularly those who are twice exceptional, and the need for parents to support their natural talents. I criticize the institutional approach to education that separates emotion and intellect, advocating for a more holistic understanding of intelligence. The episode calls on parents to protect and nurture their child's compassionate empathy and creative potential, offering hope for a future where neurodivergent individuals are valued for their contributions.

00:00 Welcome to the Gift of Neurodivergent Podcast

00:18 Embracing Neurodiversity: Understanding Your Child's World

00:47 The Unique Cognitive and Somatic Intelligence of Neurodivergent Minds

01:31 Navigating the World with Compassionate Empathy

02:37 The Struggle Against Systemic Suppression of Neurodivergence

04:16 The Importance of Nurturing Twice Exceptional Children

04:37 Redefining Success: The Power of Somatic Intelligence

06:40 Breaking Free from Conventional Education Systems

13:34 Cultivating Genius in a Multidimensional World

14:19 A Call to Action: Empowering Neurodivergent Children

18:47 Closing Thoughts and Disclaimer

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In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Child Podcast, I dive into the swirling world of identity—gender identity, to be precise—mixing it up with neurodivergence. 

I’ll take you through a rather lame roller coaster ride understanding how my gender fluidity is cognitive rather than physical.
How society’s rigid expectations messes with our self-image, and the everyday puzzles that come with a neurodivergent mind. 
I spotlight the often overlooked smarts of the body—yes, your body knows things!—and give a thumbs down to how schools and society try to put a lid on our natural quirks. 
I champion a world where the oddballs get to write their own rules, pushing the magic of empathy and the strength found in real, deep connections. 
I share a slice of my personal life, showcasing my marriage as a prime example of finding that one person who gets you, no assembly required. 
So, buckle up for a call to healthy. Let’s break free from boxes and build a haven for the neurodivergent and their loved ones.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Identity Exploration
00:03 Navigating Gender Identity and Societal Expectations
00:16 Personal Journey Through Gender and Identity
01:20 Challenging Traditional Views on Gender and Sexuality
01:55 Embracing Neurodivergence and Cognitive Diversity
07:52 The Power of Deep Emotional Connections
10:52 Redefining Success and Building Community
17:53 Empowering the Next Generation of Outliers
22:11 Conclusion and Invitation for Engagement

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Do you have a class clown? My oldest child is one, my husband still is one, and I was once one.

Research is finally getting around to proving what I have always known: the Class Clown is the smartest kid in the class. The class clown is not the kid who is struggling with the material; they are actually demonstrating their engagement with the material. They are showing their interest in the subject they are being taught. All too often, the issue is that the material is being taught too slowly or with too little depth for their curious mind. Being a jokester is a way for them to get more information on the topic and increase their engagement.

What do our systems do? They punish the child for engaging. It is time for this to end. The person with the power to end it is not the child; it is you, the parent, working with the teacher. If the teacher will not hear your feedback, here are a few resources you can provide to support your request.

https://futurism.com/the-byte/class-clowns-smartest-people
https://studyfinds.org/class-clowns-intelligent-students/
https://observer.com/2011/10/nea-study-reveals-artists-are-smarter-more-entrepreneurial-than-average-people/
https://youtu.be/UhlNwAFi7Hg

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copyright @2024 Gifted ND, Inc.

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In this episode, I delve into the concept of creative intelligence and its impact on our perspective-taking. Using tutoring as an illustrative example, I demonstrate how the variance in learning experiences often boils down to differing perspectives.

Our educational systems are designed to instruct as if everyone's IQ falls within the range of 80 to 120. Those outside this range, whether above or below, tend to face difficulties. Creative thinkers, in particular, often find themselves far beyond this standardized spectrum. The higher one's capacity for intuitive intelligence, the greater the struggle. The typical response to academic challenges is seeking a tutor. However, tutors frequently fail to address the underlying issue.

A long time ago I decided to stop enrolling my kids in tutoring, a choice that saved both time and money. The root of their struggles wasn't a lack of comprehension but rather an understanding surpassing the system's two-dimensional perspective. The challenge lay in deciphering the specific viewpoint desired by the teacher, test, or educational system. By analyzing test questions or sample papers, we identified the perspective sought by the instructor, and suddenly, the struggle ceased.

As I age, I have found decreasing value from our education systems. My knowledge has expanded to a point where there is no value in conventional education, even from the most prestigious institutions worldwide. The answers provided by artificial intelligence hold little significance for me. Instead, I've learned to use these generic perspectives as a starting point for effectively communicating my own viewpoint to others.

Individuals with diverse perspectives will contribute increasing significant value to our future. Recognizing and comprehending this dynamic is crucial for shifting our culture towards a healthier state. The sooner we grasp this concept, the quicker we can guide our society in a direction that embraces and capitalizes on the unique value offered by differing perspectives.

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copyright 2023 

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Our children are entering an uncertain future, necessitating a shift in parenting approaches from previous generations. It is crucial to prepare them for a world where many variables are currently unknown.

When confronted with the unknown, the best course of action is to focus on the known parts, and in this case, that would be the child. Cultivating a child involves helping them understand their strengths and guiding them in utilizing these strengths to overcome their weaknesses.

Regrettably, our education system and society often hinder the development of creativity in children. Current systems still operate under the assumption that graduates will follow traditional paths, such as working on assembly lines or in office spaces creating standardized products. Meanwhile, businesses and futurists are calling for professionals who can tap into their creative strengths and use them to innovate within the ever-evolving parameters of the future.

Beth Anne and Lillian share their experiences, discussing the challenges and rewards of raising five gifted Neurodivergent children spanning ages 0 to 23. With this diverse range, they encompass the full spectrum of experiences that parents face in today's world. The ultimate goal is to nurture independent, resilient adults capable of carving out their own paths, careers, crafts, and lives, regardless of the uncertainties the future may bring.

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When the director won't back down, what do you do?

In this episode, we delve into a showdown between Beth Anne and the director of her son's school.

Beth Anne is eager to escalate the situation as she is tired of feeling frustrated with the director. The director, on the other hand, believes they are an expert on neurodivergence, expecting Beth Anne to simply comply.

We explore the needs of both sides, discuss appropriate boundaries, weigh the benefits and costs of calming the situation, and emphasize the importance of convincing others to accept our children for who they are.

Our ultimate goal is to find the best outcome for everyone involved. While it may be challenging at first, the more you practice, the easier it becomes.

Feel free to share your questions so that we can address them on the podcast.

Lillian 
www.giftednd.com
Beth Anne 
www.lamarcreativeco.com

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We rarely get a glimpse into what it looks like to be a healthy creative. But here is such an opportunity. Allow me to introduce Abby, a young polyglot.

Abby is a Korean interpreter who decided she wanted to learn Korean. She achieved this without taking any formal classes or using a language app. In just six months, Abby became a proficient interpreter.

She's accomplishing this in an era when most people are relying on AI for translation. However, Abby possesses something that AI lacks—emotions and the ability to perceive nuances in a way that AI cannot. Abby has also embarked on learning Japanese and hopes to become an interpreter for that language as well. In addition to her linguistic talents, Abby plays multiple musical instruments, sings, composes music, and is a working artist. She's currently attending college and has a strong affinity for the humanities. Abby is truly amazing.

Abby openly acknowledges that she doesn't quite fit into the conventional mold. She grapples with her sensitivity and can sometimes become overwhelmed. Fortunately, her brothers share a similar disposition, and her mother, recognizing their challenges, pulled them out of elementary school to educate them at home. Abby was nurtured in an environment that allowed her to grow into the person she was meant to be – beautiful, talented, sensitive, and kind in every way.

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