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Neurodiversity Podcast

Neurodiversity Podcast

Written by: Emily Kircher-Morris
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 The Neurodiversity Podcast talks with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, about positively impacting neurodivergent people. Our goal is to reframe differences that were once considered disabilities or disorders, promote awareness of this unique population, and improve the lives of neurodivergent and high-ability people.2022 Neurodiversity Alliance Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • The Empathetic Classroom: A Mental Health Mindset for Educators

    The Empathetic Classroom: A Mental Health Mindset for Educators
    Jan 29 2026

    Why do certain student behaviors trigger an intense emotional reaction in us? According to Maria Munro-Schuster, it often has less to do with the child and more to do with our own history.

    In this episode, Emily sits down with Maria, a licensed clinical professional counselor and author of the new book, The Empathetic Classroom: How a Mental Health Mindset Can Support Your Students and You, to discuss the gap between therapeutic insight and the reality of the classroom. They talk about the use of the term "Mental Health Mindset" to describe a way of being that prioritizes nervous system regulation over behavior management.

    They also discuss complex topics like counter-transference (how our own past influences our reactions to students), and neuroception (how our bodies scan for safety), and provide guidance on how to set flexible boundaries that protect both the adult and the child.

    TAKEAWAYS

    • Educators' own histories and emotional patterns can dictate their reactions to students.

    • Safety is a prerequisite for learning.

    • There's an important distinction between flexible and rigid boundaries.

    • While teachers are not therapists, they are the "first responders" to student emotions, therefore need the tools to handle that responsibility without burning out.

    Therapists, register now for the continuing education course, Get It Done: How to Help Clients with ADHD (& Others) Improve Productivity. Dr. Ari Tuckman will join Emily for this APA and NBCC approved 1.5 hour continuing education training on Friday, February 6. Register before February 2 for an early-bird bonus as well.

    Maria Munro-Schuster is a licensed clinical professional counselor and former K-12 and university teacher who spent more than a decade in the classroom before transitioning to mental health work. She practices at Mango Beetle Counseling in Bozeman, Montana, where she blends her background in teaching, writing, and psychology. She is the author of The Empathetic Classroom: How a Mental Health Mindset Can Support Your Students and You.

    BACKGROUND READING

    Maria's website, LinkedIn

    The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com.

    If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.
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    37 mins
  • Connection Before Correction: Autism Understanding & Support

    Connection Before Correction: Autism Understanding & Support
    Jan 22 2026
    David Smith spent years working as a therapist specializing in neurodiversity-affirming care, but it wasn't until age 56, prompted by his wife and his own clients, that he sought his own autism diagnosis. That confirmation fundamentally shifted his clinical approach from that of a white-coated expert to a fellow traveler, deepening the way he accompanies families through unmapped territory. Today, Emily and David discuss the delicate balance between professional curiosity and humility, and why traditional therapeutic models often fail to support the fragile nervous systems of neurodivergent clients. They talk about the nuances of demand avoidance, specifically the high-masking, internalized presentation that often looks like perfectionism, and why "connection before correction" is a neurological necessity, not just a catchy phrase. TAKEAWAYS Effective therapy for neurodivergent clients often requires shifting away from the traditional expert hierarchy. The neurodivergent brain is a "complicated, custom-made car with no user's manual." For neurodivergent nervous systems, stress isn't just negative trauma; it includes any destabilizing experience, including excitement and joy. While we often associate PDA with external defiance, the internalized profile often manifests as high-achieving perfectionism. Rewards and consequences often backfire with neurodivergent children because they increase anxiety. It's ineffective to offer a correction to a child until you have connected with them. There is a massive overlap between complex trauma and neurodivergence. A late diagnosis doesn't instantly fix struggles; it initiates a complex grieving and reframing process. Join our live CE training, Adapting Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Autistic and ADHD Pediatric Clients, Friday morning, January 23, at 10:30 eastern/7:30 pacific, or get the recorded version anytime after. Get signed up or learn more here. David Smith, LCSW is a late-diagnosed autistic therapist and licensed clinical social worker specializing in neurodiversity-affirming care for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals and their families. Practicing since 2017, David opened his private telehealth practice in 2023 and now serves clients across five states from his home in southern Oregon. In addition to therapy, he offers consultation, writing, education, and advocacy to expand access to effective, affirming support for the neurodivergent community. Diagnosed with autism in 2024 at age 56 (thanks in part to gentle nudges from his wife and clients) David continues to explore how his autistic identity shapes both his personal and professional life. His work is deeply rooted in curiosity, humility, and a commitment to learning from his clients and the broader neurodivergent community. He is also a devoted listener of this and other neurodivergence-focused podcasts. David lives with his wife, a fellow therapist originally from Peru, and is the proud father of three sons. BACKGROUND READING David's website, LinkedIn, authored articles The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com. If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.
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    41 mins
  • Parenting the Child You Have (Not the One You Expected)

    Parenting the Child You Have (Not the One You Expected)
    Jan 16 2026
    "Parent the child you have," is a common piece of advice in the neurodiversity community, but what does it actually look like in practice when stress is high and patience is low? Why do traditional consequences often fail to build the skills a child actually needs? And how can parents distinguish between enabling a child and truly supporting them? Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Cindy Goldrich, founder of PTS Coaching, and author of Eight Keys to Parenting Kids and Teens with ADHD, about the developmental reality of executive dysfunction and why "calm is power" when it comes to parenting complex kids. TAKEAWAYS "Parenting the child you have" requires letting go of the expectations of who you thought they would be and getting curious about who they actually are. Executive function is a developmental process, and the human brain often isn't fully mature until age 25 to 30. Intelligence and executive function are separate traits; a high IQ does not guarantee a child will have the ability to organize or self-regulate. Enabling is defined as doing something for a child without a plan to help them eventually do it for themselves. Stress physically restricts access to the prefrontal cortex, making executive function skills harder to access in high-pressure moments. ADHD is fundamentally a delay in the development of executive function skills, sometimes by as much as 30%. Oppositional behavior (often labeled ODD) is frequently a result of emotional dysregulation rather than a calculated choice to be difficult. A parent's ability to remain calm is their greatest power in helping a dysregulated child. Here's the link to register for the continuing education training on January 23, "Adapting Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Autistic and ADHD Pediatric Clients." Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP is a leading expert in ADHD and executive function support, and the founder of PTS Coaching. She is the author of 8 Keys to Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD, and co-author of ADHD, Executive Function & Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom, two widely used resources for parents and educators seeking practical, compassionate tools to better support neurodivergent kids. Cindy has trained thousands of families and professionals through her Calm & Connected® workshops and certification programs for ADHD Parent Coaches and Teacher Trainers. Known for her clear, empathetic teaching style, she also serves on the Board of Directors for CHADD and the Editorial Advisory Board of Attention Magazine, continuing to advocate for greater awareness and more effective support across home and school settings. BACKGROUND READING Cindy's website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, discount book order (while offer lasts), Free gift about how to support your child or teen. The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com. If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.
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    39 mins
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