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Get to know more about Jisoo and her story!

In the first episode of YND SPEAKS, San Jose Chapter President Unaysah sits down with Youth for Neurodiversity Founder, Aashna Parsa, to discuss the personal experiences that inspired the organization, the importance of a strengths-based approach to neurodiversity, and the growing impact of youth-led advocacy around the world.

Aashna shares her family's journey with neurodiversity, how a life-changing hand injury shaped her perspective on accessibility and inclusion, and why empowering neurodivergent voices has become her mission. The conversation also explores Youth for Neurodiversity's key initiatives, including Ally-in-Training™, a gamified neurodiversity education app, Neuroscience of Empathy curriculum, YND Expressions, and the organization's expanding chapter network.

✨ Topics covered:
• Aashna's personal journey and inspiration for founding Youth for Neurodiversity
• The strengths-based model of neurodiversity
• Common misconceptions about neurodivergent individuals
• Ally in Training: gamified neurodiversity education for K–12 students
• Neuroscience of Empathy curriculum
• YND Expressions and youth storytelling
• Growing a global movement for neurodiversity advocacy

About YND SPEAKS:
Stories. Perspectives. Education. Advocacy. Kinship. Self-Empowerment.

Hosted by youth, YND Speaks is a podcast dedicated to amplifying neurodivergent voices, sharing lived experiences, and fostering understanding through meaningful conversations.

🌐 Learn more about Youth for Neurodiversity Inc.:
https://YouthforND.org

📖 Submit to YND Expressions:
  / ynd  

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe to support youth-led neurodiversity advocacy and help us amplify neurodivergent voices worldwide.

Welcome to YND Speaks, the podcast by Youth for Neurodiversity, where stories spark understanding and voices inspire change.

At Youth for Neurodiversity, we believe that neurodiversity is not something to be fixed—it's something to be understood, valued, and celebrated. Through conversations with youth, advocates, educators, researchers, and community members, we explore the experiences and ideas shaping the neurodiversity movement today.

From personal journeys and lived experiences to education, advocacy, and inclusion, our goal is to create a space where people can learn from one another and feel empowered to make a difference.

Whether you're neurodivergent, supporting someone who is, or simply curious to learn more, we're glad you're here.

I'm Aashna Parsa, and you're listening to YND Speaks. Let's get started.

“Youth for Neurodiversity — Nothing About Us Without Us." A youth-led podcast celebrating all youth voices. Differences are not deficits. Forging bonds between all youth, we celebrate differences and champion strengths, inclusive spaces, tech, and policy — turning awareness into action!

Where to find us:

Website: https://YouthforND.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/YouthforND

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@YouthforND