Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Ellen Palmer, about her journey as a dyslexic and ADHD-diagnosed child life specialist, sharing how these differences have become her "superpowers" in the emergency department.

What if your neurodivergence wasn't just something to overcome, but actually your greatest professional asset? 

Ellen's story begins with her early diagnosis of dyslexia and later discovery of ADHD as an adult professional. With refreshing honesty, she walks us through the challenges of navigating education with learning differences – from qualifying for accommodations to masking during school days – before tackling the particularly rigid child life certification process.

What makes this episode truly special is Ellen's perspective on how neurodivergence enhances her child life practice. Her ability to process multiple conversations simultaneously, remember specific details about her colleagues' preferences, and rapidly assess complex situations has made her exceptionally effective in fast-paced healthcare environments. When supported by understanding teammates who provide simple accommodations like fidgets during meetings, these natural tendencies become professional strengths rather than obstacles.

Beyond personal experience, Ellen offers a powerful critique of accessibility in our profession, noting the startling fact that there are more FBI agents in the US than Certified Child Life Specialists worldwide. She advocates for tangible changes like normalizing note usage and simplifying application processes to create a more diverse and sustainable profession.

Whether you identify as neurodivergent or are simply interested in creating more inclusive healthcare spaces, Ellen's insight that "the way I advocate for myself is how I advocate for my patients" provides a compelling framework for compassionate care. Tune in to discover how embracing different ways of thinking might be exactly what our profession needs.

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