Emily Kircher-Morris previews the inaugural GTN Awareness Week with Marc Smolowitz, producer and director of the upcoming movie The G-Word. We talk about the organization behind the event and how you can get involved. GTN Awareness week is October 25-29, and will feature different events each day. To take part in the free activities and discussions, go to www.thegwordfilm.com. To hear the interview with Marc about the stories of the people featured in The G Word, and for more info about the movie, click here. ABOUT THE GUEST - Marc Smolowitz is a multi-award-winning director, producer and executive producer who has been significantly involved in 50+ successful independent films wearing many hats across the film and entertainment business. The combined footprint of his works has touched 200+ film festivals and markets on 5 continents, yielding substantial worldwide sales to theatrical, television and VOD outlets, notable box office receipts, and numerous awards and nominations. His long list of credits includes films that have screened at top-tier festivals such as Sundance, Berlinale, AFI Docs, IDFA, DOC NYC, CPH: DOX, Tokyo, Melbourne, Viennale, Krakow, Jerusalem, among others.  In 2009, Marc founded 13th Gen, a San Francisco-based film company that works with a dynamic range of independent film partners globally to oversee the financing, production, post-production, marketing, sales, and distribution efforts of a vibrant portfolio of films and filmmakers. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Neurodiversity Podcast, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

Mind Matters

Gifted, Talented, and Neurodiverse Awareness Week

People with ADHD have to face both the strengths and struggles that come along with their diagnosis. When ADHD is combined with giftedness (twice-exceptionality), those struggles can be magnified, or maybe worse, hidden. On episode 100 Dr. Matthew Fugate shares data from his research about ADHD and provides parents and teachers insight into better understanding our kids. This conversation was first published June 26, 2019. About the guest - Dr. Matthew Fugate received his doctorate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies at Purdue University. Prior to this, he worked as an elementary teacher in the Houston Independent School District where he also served as a Gifted Coordinator and Magnet Coordinator. Dr. Fugate's past research has examined the relationship between working memory and levels of creativity in gifted students who have ADHD characteristics. He also examined the coping mechanisms of twice-exceptional girls in secondary school as they navigate both their academic studies and interpersonal relationships. He has presented to parents, teachers, and schools across the United States and internationally on topics such as creativity, curriculum compacting, identification, twice exceptionality, underserved populations, and total school cluster grouping. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Neurodiversity Podcast, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

ADHD by any other name? Try “Attention Divergent Hyperactive Giftedness”

Today’s classroom can feel like an alien environment for neurodivergent learners, and the resulting anxiety can derail and disrupt their educational experience. Simple and easily-implemented accommodations can completely change outcomes.  How important is placement for a child’s happiness and well-being? What do psychological professionals understand that educators often don’t? Creating an educational environment for neurodivergent kids in a system that isn’t made for them, on episode 99 of the Neurodiversity Podcast. ABOUT THE GUEST - Dr. Laura Anderson Kirby is a licensed clinical psychologist, providing evaluations and therapy for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While ASD is her specialty, Dr. Kirby has broad training in child clinical psychology and works with children and families from various backgrounds with a wide range of presenting problems including anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and depression. She’s also the parent of two children. ​Dr. Kirby has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duke University, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center. At Yale, she was trained in the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program, which is a parent-training program recently found to be quite effective for decreasing childhood anxiety. She’s the author of a children’s book called Henrietta’s Thistleberry Boots.

Improving the Anxious Lives of Neurodivergent Kids

Some colleges and universities are beginning to understand the challenges of autistic and otherwise-neurodivergent people to adapt to the higher education experience. One such university is Marquette, who has developed a program called “On Your Marq,” to equip autistic students for the new rigors of academia. Emily Raclaw runs the program, and Emily Kircher-Morris sits down to talk with her on episode 98. Emily Raclaw, MS, LPC is the director of Marquette’s On Your Marq program. She’s a lifelong Milwaukee resident and brings 15 years of disability in education expertise to the program. She has presented at several conferences and trained other college success programs on the topics of disability as diversity, neurodiversity, and programming.   Emily taught high school special education, worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and coordinated a college success program for students with disabilities. She is an expert in program creation and development, as well as a disability advocate and professional. She is also a licensed professional counselor. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and our Twitter handle is @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

Helping Autistic Students Succeed in College

On episode 97 we talk with Fleassy Malay about prosopagnosia, commonly referred to as “face blindness.” What are the symptoms? What can you do to lessen the effects, and how can you enlist the help of your friends and colleagues? Fleassy is a TEDx speaker and viral poet, is the host of the new “Fierce Gentle - The Courageous Voice Podcast,” and deals with the challenges of prosopagnosia every day. ABOUT THE GUEST - Fleassy Malay is a two-time TEDx speaker and viral poet. She’s a global advocate for women’s rights, LGBTQI+ visibility, and a fierce voice for the power of authenticity and courage as a social change tool. Founder and CEO of Melbourne’s acclaimed Women’s Spoken Word organization and monthly event, Mother Tongue, she has guided the voices of thousands of women into the world. Fleassy studied at the famous London stage institution The BRIT School, which was also the source of talents such as Amy Winehouse, Adele, Kae Tempest and more. She now writes and presents regularly to her online community of over 20k followers with poetry, talks, and opinion pieces. In 2017 she published her book, Sex and God, and in 2018, launched her album of spoken word, Unhear This. In 2020 she successfully crowdfunded her latest book Virago: A Poetic Manifesto. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

Prosopagnosia - The Struggle With Face Blindness

This is the final installment of our series on suicide among gifted and 2e people. Today, Lisa shares the story of what led to her son’s suicide, and we get a glimpse of her current state of mind, nine months after Nick’s death. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255.

Special Series, Part Three (reprise) - A Mother’s Story

In part two of our series on suicide among high-ability and twice-exceptional people, we explore some of the signs of depression and suicidal ideation with Lisa Van Gemert, author of Perfectionism, and Living Gifted. We explore ways to identify problems that could lead to self-harm or suicide, and suggest ways to help you work through those problems. If you haven’t listened to episode 94 with Dr. Tracy Cross, we suggest you do. And as always, if you need help, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours every day at 1-800-273-8255. This is a reprise of an episode that first aired in 2019. ABOUT THE GUEST - Lisa Van Gemert is an expert consultant to television shows including Lifetime’s “Child Genius,” and a writer of award-winning lesson plans. She has written numerous published articles on social psychology and pedagogy, and is the author of two books - Perfectionism: A Practical Guide to Managing Never Good Enough, and Living Gifted: 52 Tips to Survive and Thrive in Giftedland. She is a co-founder of The Gifted Guild, a professional community for educators of the gifted. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com Copyright © 2021 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

Special Series, Part Two (reprise) - Suicide Among the Gifted and Twice-Exceptional

Is suicidal ideation more prevalent among the gifted population? Do our beliefs about suicide square with statistics? In part one of our series on suicide among gifted and 2e youth, Dr. Tracy Cross joins us to shed some light on a dark subject, and shares his Spiral Model of the Suicidal Mind. This is a series all parents should hear. This is a reprise of an episode that first aired in 2019. Since then, new suicide statistics have been released. (see link below) A marked decrease in suicide was noted from 2018 to 2019. We caution that one year doesn’t make a trend, but it is at least encouraging. About the guest - Tracy L. Cross, Ph.D., holds an endowed chair, Jody and Layton Smith Professor of Psychology and Gifted Education, and is the executive director of the Center for Gifted Education and the Institute for Research on the Suicide of Gifted Students at William & Mary. He has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, an Ed.S. in Educational Psychology and Guidance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, an M.S. in Educational Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a B.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He received the Distinguished Service Award from The Association for the Gifted (TAG) and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the Early Leader, Early Scholar and Distinguished Scholar Awards from NAGC, and in 2009 was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the MENSA Education and Research Foundation. He has edited seven journals and is the current editor of the Journal for the Education of the Gifted. He presently serves as president of TAG and is president emeritus of NAGC. Among other books, he’s the co-author of Suicide Among Gifted Children and Adolescents. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com Copyright © 2021 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

Special Series, Part One (reprise) - Suicide Among the Gifted and Twice-Exceptional

Emily’s new book, “Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today’s Classroom,” is now officially released! This is a special episode, featuring an interview of Emily Kircher-Morris by her executive producer/husband Dave. They talk about her background, her experiences with 2e kids, and how she views the world of neurodiversity. They also preview the book! ABOUT "TEACHING TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS IN TODAY'S CLASSROOM" Twice-exceptional (2e) learners have often been misunderstood, disciplined, unchallenged, and left behind. Even as awareness of 2e learners has grown, educators are still in need of practical tools to recognize and support their twice-exceptional students. This book answers that need, providing teachers with accessible information about twice-exceptional diagnoses and suggested accommodations, modifications, and collaboration with other educational professionals. Dedicated to the needs of all 2e learners, the first part of the book covers identifying and understanding 2e students, strength-based instruction, motivation and self-regulation, and executive functioning skills. The second part details how gifted students are affected by another diagnosis, including: Specific learning disabilities ADHD Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Processing difficulties Anxiety-based diagnoses Depression and other mood disorders This book equips educators with information that will make it easier for them to advocate for their 2e students, including what they need to know about the individualized education plan (IEP) and Section 504 plan process. Special topics, such as gifted students with physical disabilities, students experiencing trauma, and gifted learners from diverse backgrounds, are also included. With Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today’s Classroom, educators can better identify, support, and meet the needs of their 2e students. You can buy the book via Amazon, Free Spirit Publishing, or wherever you buy books.

A Special Interview With Emily Kircher-Morris

One of the more misunderstood diagnoses in the world of neurodiversity is ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder. We talk with Amelia Bowler, a behavior consultant and author of the book “The Parent’s Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder,” about the diagnosis, and how to be better at decoding the message that kids are trying to send through their defiance. ABOUT THE GUEST - Amelia Bowler is an author, an artist, a parent, and a behavior consultant. Growing up twice-exceptional with undiagnosed disabilities gave Amelia some firsthand experience with neurodivergence, and she is now raising a fantastically neurodivergent child of her own. Her book "The Parents' Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder" was published in 2020, and her next book for teachers will be released in the spring of 2022. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com Copyright © 2021 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

Oppositional? Defiant? Or Just Misunderstood?

Emily Kircher-Morris and Joel Schwartz talk about what it would take to create a neurodiversity-affirming world where old stereotypes and perceptions are shed. Such a shift would allow neurodivergent people to be themselves, and society would benefit from a new perspective, where strengths and uniqueness of the neurodiversity community are recognized and embraced. Episode 91 is a conversation you shouldn’t miss. ABOUT THE GUEST - Joel Schwartz is a licensed clinical psychologist who co-runs Total Spectrum Counseling, a private practice in San Luis Obispo, CA with his wife Brittany Bovee Schwartz, LCSW. All of the practice’s providers are neurodivergent. Dr. Schwartz specializes in therapy and testing for the misunderstood. As a therapist, he is warm, compassionate, and strongly humanistic, allowing for all the oddities and unexplored aspects of his clients to emerge and be validated. As a testing psychologist, Dr. Schwartz specializes in difficult and complex cases. Dr. Schwartz grew up in Southern California. He developed an early interest in psychology, strangely enough, from a childhood filled with science fiction stories. These stories often provided fascinating looks into human psychology and the human spirit. Dr. Schwartz attended UCLA as an undergrad where he conducted research in the field of neurolinguistics. From there, he attended Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf School of Clinical Psychology for his Master’s and Doctorate degree. He has worked in various settings including colleges, clinics, a federal prison, and residential treatment centers.

Creating a Neurodiversity-Affirming World

How is college different from high school for neurodivergent students? There’s almost no comparison, and that makes the transition difficult for many. Elizabeth Hamblet is a specialist who helps neurodivergent people make decisions and successfully enter the higher education world. Emily talks with Elizabeth about the big move on episode 90. ABOUT THE GUEST - Elizabeth C. Hamblet is the author of From High School to College: Steps to Success for Students with Disabilities, published by the Council for Exceptional Children, and a laminated guide on college transition, available from National Professional Resources. Elizabeth has worked both ends of the college transition, beginning her career as a high school special education teacher and then moving to the college level in the late 1990s. She is now at her third university, where she helps students with time management, organization, reading, and study skills. In 2008, Elizabeth began offering programs to families and professionals on transition to college for students with disabilities, speaking locally and at national conferences. She’s also a contributing writer for Disability Compliance for Higher Education, a journal for higher education disability professionals, and her work has also appeared in the Journal of College Admission, Teaching Exceptional Children, ADDitude Magazine, Attention, Raising Teens, and Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, and on platforms like Understood.org and ADDitudemag.com. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

Neurodiversity at University: The Transition to College

How can we knock down the walls that surround many neurodivergent kids? Should teachers play a role in their students’ social and emotional well-being, or is school only about academic rigor? What are some teaching techniques that will get kids talking and participating? Emily Kircher-Morris and Jim Delisle have a conversation about ways to release the potential that’s often locked inside neurodivergent kids, on episode 89. ABOUT THE GUEST - James Delisle, PhD, was a professor of education at Kent State University for 25 years and was selected by faculty and students there as a "Distinguished Professor", the University's most prestigious teaching award. Jim has worked on behalf of gifted children and teens for nearly four decades. The author of hundreds of articles and 17 books that have been published in multiple languages, he continues to consult with schools worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of the needs of gifted children and adults. For the past several years, Jim has worked part time with highly gifted 9th and 10th graders at the Scholars' Academy in Conway, South Carolina. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

Releasing the Potential of High-Ability Kids

Parents often struggle with helping their children manage anxiety. Dr. Eli Lebowitz of Yale University joins us to talk about his research and work with children and their parents on managing anxiety and OCD. He’s also developed a program to teach parents how to help their children with anxiety, and to help therapists learn new therapy techniques. ABOUT THE GUEST - Professor Eli Lebowitz studies and treats childhood and adolescent anxiety at the Yale Child Study Center. His research focuses on the development, neurobiology, and treatment of anxiety and related disorders, with special emphasis on family dynamics and the role of parents in these problems. Dr. Lebowitz is the lead investigator on multiple funded research projects, and is the author of research papers, books and chapters on childhood and adolescent anxiety. He is also the father of three great boys. You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

What To Do When Kids Worry

Most of us code switch. Code switching is when someone uses a certain type of language in one environment, but then switches to a different style of communication in another environment. Sarah Nannery and her husband Larry join us to talk about Sarah’s experience with an autism diagnosis as an adult, and how, with Larry’s help, she relearned how to navigate her professional world, and overcome the communication hurdles she faced. ABOUT THE GUESTS - Sarah and Larry Nannery are a neurodiverse couple, loving (and stressed out!) parents, and the authors of What to Say Next: Successful Communication in Work, Life and Love with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They write about Autism, communication, parenting and partnership, and have been featured in Psychology Today and in the blog "What to Say Next." You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/neurodiversity. The Neurodiversity Podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram, and on Twitter @NeurodiversePod. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com

Say What? Neurodivergent Code Switching

The Mind Matters podcast features discussions with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, with an emphasis on gifted/talented and 2e (twice-exceptional) children and adults. Mind Matters explores parenting, counseling techniques, and best practices for enriching the lives of high-ability people.

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Mind Matters

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