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Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Written by: Dr. Karen Wilson
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Diverse Thinking · Different Learning is hosted by pediatric neuropsychologist and mom of two, Dr. Karen Wilson. Each week, Dr. Wilson shares expert insights, science-based strategies, and conversations with leading specialists to help parents and educators better understand ADHD, dyslexia, autism, executive functioning challenges, learning differences, and youth mental health. Through engaging interviews and practical guidance, the podcast translates research into real-world tools that empower adults to support neurodivergent children, struggling learners, and students with learning and thinking differences. Trusted by families and professionals alike, Diverse Thinking · Different Learning is a go-to resource for reliable information and actionable strategies to help children learn, grow, and thrive. Explore episodes and resources at https://diversethinkingpodcast.com/Dr. Karen Wilson Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • Ep. 262: Balancing Summer Rest and Learning Support for Diverse Learners with Ashley Harding

    Ep. 262: Balancing Summer Rest and Learning Support for Diverse Learners with Ashley Harding
    Jun 16 2026
    For this episode, we are replaying another episode of Diverse Thinking, Different Learning, this time episode 239, in which we sat down with Ashley Harding to discuss why it's so important to allow students time for rest, rejuvenation, and exploration of their interests outside of academics, especially during the summer months. As a reminder, Ashley is a fourth-generation educator and is deeply committed to educational equity. She holds degrees from USC and Tufts University in Child Development, and her career spans more than a decade, during which she has supported students and families in private and independent schools and contributed to global education initiatives in South Africa and Belize. Formerly the Director of External Engagement for a national school network, she has co-authored research on disparities affecting Black and Latino males and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal. Through her organization, North Star Academics, and her roles with BEAN and CHADD, Ashley empowers students with evidence-based strategies and advocates for those with learning differences. With summer right around the corner, this seems like the perfect time to re-air this episode, and Ashley touches upon the fact that even though academic progress remains valuable throughout the school year, summer offers a really important opportunity for students to strengthen their sense of identity, independence, and executive functioning, so, rather than filling the break with demanding academic programs, she encourages parents to instead prioritize experiences that help build confidence, self-awareness, and connection. Our conversation stresses the importance of families (both parents and students, that is) using the summer to rest, recharge, and reconnect. Ashley recommends a gradual approach, beginning with more unstructured time in June before introducing increasingly intentional activities in July and August, such as exploring upcoming coursework, reinforcing some core skills, and establishing goals for the new school year. We also explore the value of real-world learning opportunities such as cooking, managing money, and traveling, all of which can reinforce academic skills in meaningful ways while also supporting executive function development. Ashley emphasizes the importance of giving students, especially older ones, the space to pursue their interests and uncover new passions during the summer. Show Notes: [3:58] - Ashley stresses that summer should prioritize rest, integration, and well-being after a year of growth.[6:52] - Colleges value students' identities, interests, and independence beyond just academics.[9:08] - Ashley points out how post-pandemic families often need recovery, balance, and time to reset.[11:36] - Ashley explains how growth involves perseverance, reflection, and preparing for new goals and identities.[14:09] - Intensive summer programs can cause burnout, making balance and rest especially important.[15:15] - Rest can help children develop balance, self-awareness, and healthy decision-making skills.[17:58] - Summer creates opportunities for family reconnection, rest, and improving mental health.[19:09] - Parents should model balance and create space for unstructured experiences.[21:47] - Dr. Wilson provides some information about a ChildNEXUS school partner, Frostig School.[23:12] - Ashley touches upon how everyday activities can help reinforce academic skills without pressure or strict expectations.[25:14] - Hear how real-world learning and flexible routines can help maintain engagement and executive functioning.[28:36] - Ashley emphasizes that extra sleep and rest are important, but consistent routines should still remain.[30:19] - Summer offers some valuable opportunities for self-reflection, confidence-building, and personal growth.[32:59] - Independence develops via practicing time management, organization, and learning from mistakes.[35:42] - Dr. Wilson asserts that families can foster confidence by celebrating growth and collaborating on summer plans.[37:43] - Summer helps families discover evolving interests and strengthen belonging via connection.[40:21] - Dr. Wilson highlights summer as a chance to reconnect and better understand children.[42:05] - Beyond a school break, summer can lead to confidence, independence, and personal growth. Links and Related Resources: Episode 92: Executive Functioning Skills Over the Summer with Michelle Porjes Episode 154: Why Self-Efficacy and Self-Advocacy are Important for Diverse Learners with Ashley Harding Episode 239: Balancing Summer Rest and Learning Support for Diverse Learners with Ashley Harding Tricia Hersey - Rest Is Resistance: A ManifestoFrostig School - WebsiteMore Podcast Episodes Connect with Us: Join Our Substack CommunityEmail Dr. Wilson: drkiwilson@westlaneuro.com Connect with Ashley: North Star Academics - Website North Star Academics - LinkedInNorth Star Academics - FacebookNorth Star Academics - InstagramPhone number: 310-...
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    43 mins
  • Ep. 261: When Helping Becomes Overhelping: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Build Independence

    Ep. 261: When Helping Becomes Overhelping: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Build Independence
    Jun 2 2026
    This week on Diverse Thinking Different Learning, we are discussing the crucial challenge of supporting neurodivergent children without doing so in a way that hinders them from independence. Joining us to take on this topic is Dr. Tara Williams, founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants. Dr. William is also a tenured Chemistry professor at College of the Canyons in California, and has spent more than ten years supporting neurodivergent students as they transition from K-12 systems, helping them build confidence and independence in academic settings. Dr. Williams helps us understand why "helicopter parenting" is not a simple label but is actually a nuanced balance between necessary support and modeling independence, highlighting that parents often act as organizers, advocates, and reminders long before students are ready to fully take over those roles themselves. Through practical, relatable examples, we unpack how independence is gradually built through small, intentional steps rather than sudden, jarring changes. Our conversation highlights how self-advocacy is not just about speaking up but is also about learning how to ask for help when needed, breaking down tasks, regulating emotions, and more. Dr. Williams shares helpful strategies such as "body doubling," shared study routines, and reward systems that help students stay engaged without removing responsibility from them. She also discusses how parents can begin transferring responsibility in middle school through minor, manageable tasks such as ordering food, emailing teachers, and planning assignments, gradually and gently increasing independence through high school and into college preparation. A major focus of this episode is how executive functioning skills like time management, organization, planning, and follow-through can be strengthened with early, consistent practice, with Dr. Williams also stressing the importance of building peer support networks so that students learn to rely on classmates and study partners rather than depending solely on adults. We stress that mistakes and failure are part of the learning process and that early structure paired with increasing autonomy can really help students develop confidence and resilience. Show Notes: [2:21] - Dr. Williams explains how advocacy develops via gradual support, not full independence all at once. [4:57] - Hear how middle school is the key starting point for transferring responsibility from parents to students. [7:13] - Learn how gradual independence with structured, low-stakes practice can help families shift from management to support. [9:43] - Dr. Williams argues that working alongside others and practicing small help-seeking steps builds confidence and self-advocacy over time. [12:46] - Hear how respectful communication and accountability are essential skills for navigating school and real-world expectations. [13:48] - We discuss how executive functioning and self-advocacy require self-awareness, emotional regulation, and structured support. [15:59] - Dr. Williams discusses how students build lifelong independence by starting small and learning from failure. [18:16] - Structured shared work time with breaks and rewards supports focus while also preserving independence. [20:34] - Dr. Williams explains how using routines, rewards, and modeling can help students balance motivation and effort. [22:08] - We discuss how gradual independence, peer support, and early self-advocacy can improve academic success. [25:37] - Discover how early, individualized planning builds organization skills and reduces overload. [28:47] - Students should gradually take ownership of organization and time management using tools like calendars and reminders. [30:26] - Ultimately, gradual responsibility for daily tasks helps students build self-advocacy across home, school, and scheduling. [32:39] - Visual, personalized organization systems improve memory, prioritization, and overall task management. [34:02] - How can listeners reach Dr. Tara Williams? Links and Related Resources: More Podcast Episodes Connect with Us: Join Our Substack Community Email Dr. Wilson: drkiwilson@westlaneuro.com Connect with Dr. Williams: Innovative Collegiate Consultants - Website Innovative Collegiate Consultants - Meet Tara Williams Innovative Collegiate Consultants - Summer Programs
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    36 mins
  • Ep. 260: How Dyslexia Impacts Mental Health (Episode 212 Re-Air)

    Ep. 260: How Dyslexia Impacts Mental Health (Episode 212 Re-Air)
    May 19 2026

    This month, we are replaying episode 212 of Diverse Thinking, Different Learning, in which Dr. Karen Wilson discusses the ways in which dyslexia can affect a child's mental wellbeing.

    Even though dyslexia is commonly associated with reading and language difficulties, the emotional implications are far too often overlooked, and Dr. Wilson unpacks some of the harmful myths that have shaped the public understanding of dyslexia for decades, including the assumption that reading struggles are tied to intelligence. She explains how those misconceptions can affect self-esteem, delay diagnosis, and leave children feeling isolated or incapable.

    Drawing from research and real-world examples, Dr. Wilson explores the connection between dyslexia, anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, especially during critical school years when children are forming their sense of self. She also highlights how exhausting reading can feel for students with dyslexia, both mentally and emotionally, and why that exhausting effort is so often misunderstood. Dr. Wilson goes into the additional challenges that many children face when dyslexia overlaps with ADHD or anxiety disorders, along with the unfortunate stigma that can come from being pulled out for specialized instruction.

    At the same time, however, this episode offers hope. Dr. Wilson stresses the importance of early identification, evidence-based support, and environments that help children recognize their strengths. She also shares encouraging research on resilience and self-advocacy, reminding listeners that dyslexia is only one part of a person's story, so whether you're a parent, educator, advocate, or someone living with dyslexia yourself, this episode is sure to offer research-backed insight, compassion, and a broader understanding of what support truly looks like!


    Show Notes:

    [0:00] - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Dr. Wilson is re-airing an episode about children with dyslexia.
    [1:43] - Dr. Wilson explores dyslexia myths and their damaging effects on self-esteem and mental health.
    [3:56] - Hear how reading struggles, stigma, and other coexisting disorders can heighten anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.
    [6:39] - There is hope - early intervention, emotional support, and resilience-building help children with dyslexia thrive beyond academics.
    [8:58] - It's important to remember that compassionate support and evidence-based interventions can help people with dyslexia succeed emotionally and socially.


    Links and Related Resources:

    • Episode 115: A Family Approach to Dyslexia with Dr, Lauren

    • Episode 183: Unlocking Potential: A Dyslexia Journey with Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey

    • Episode 208: Overcoming Dyslexia and Addressing The Reading Crisis with Sally Shaywitz, MD

    • Episode 209: How the Science of Reading Can Close Literacy Gaps with Dr. Benjamin Powers

    • YouTube - What Is Dyslexia

    • More Podcast Episodes

    Connect with Us:

    • Join Our Substack Community

    • Email Dr. Wilson: drkiwilson@westlaneuro.com
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    11 mins
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