neurodiversity

In episode 59 of the Alpine Valley School podcast, we share an insightful interview with Addison Ault, a former special education teacher who has transitioned to a staff role at Alpine Valley School, a self-directed democratic school located in Denver. Addison shares her profound insights on supporting students with neurodiversity, drawing from her rich background in mainstream education. Through her interview, listeners will explore the importance of empathy, individualized support, and creating inclusive environments that celebrate every student's unique journey. Addison's experiences and perspectives offer valuable lessons on embracing and understanding neurodiversity in alternative educational settings, promising an enlightening listen for educators, parents, and advocates alike. 

Join us at the Global Self-Directed Democratic School Conference, hosted by Alpine Valley School from July 10th to 14th, 2024, for an inspiring gathering of educators, students, and advocates of self-directed democratic schooling. This unique event offers a platform for networking, participant-driven sessions, and insights into our unique model. For more information and to register, visit our website at https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/conference. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative educational movement!

Show notes for this episode available at https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/podcast/ep59

Want More? 

• Episode Addison mentions in the interview: EP 34: If Our Daughter Died Tomorrow, Would We Be Happy With How She Lived? 

• Podcast Episode: What Special Needs Tell Us About Schools featuring Dr. Naomi Fisher

• Book: A Different Way to Learn - Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education by Dr. Naomi Fisher 

• Article: Becoming Yourself - Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education 

Drs. Whitney Ence and Elisabeth Sheridan joined me to talk about the diagnosis of Autism. You might be thinking that this sounds like an impossibly broad topic... and you're right.

But in this show, we tried to narrow it down a bit to discuss the various routes in which people can acquire an Autism diagnosis, which of these routes represent best practice, the critical diagnostic features of Autism, severity levels in Autism (and the extent to which these terms are useful), the role of intense interests, specific assessment instruments and techniques, and the importance of working with interdisciplinary teams. 

We also talk about how the diagnosis has changed over the years, including the retirement of terms such as Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome. During this part of the conversation, we also discussed self-diagnosis of Autism, and how clinics sometimes triage screening for individuals seeking diagnoses. 

Towards the end of the podcast, we did touch on a few terms and topics that are relatively new to the Autism discourse.

Specifically, we discussed the term Neurodiversity, the social model of disability, "Severe Autism" as a separate diagnosis, and Pathological Demand Avoidance. It's important to note that his part of the podcast should not be construed as a deep exploration of these topics, as I really wanted to initially focus on what the current state of the science has to say about the diagnosis of Autism as a condition requiring medically-necessary treatment. 

I also want to draw your attention to what could be considered a companion podcast about the diagnostic characteristics of Autism. I’m in the middle of listening to a long episode from the Huberman Lab Podcast, in which Dr. Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. Karen Parker from Stanford University about the causes of, and treatments for Autism. This is from a more neuro-biological perspective, and thus far, quite interesting. 

Here are links to the topics we discussed:

• Does TikTok Provide Accurate Information about Autism?
• Dr. Whitney Ence's About Page.
• Dr. Elisabeth Sheridan's About Page.
• CEU's from The Behavioral Observations Podcast (thanks for the impromptu review Whitney!).
• Diagnostic Criteria for 299.00 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
• Therapeutic Assessment Institute. 

If you'd like to support the show or its sponsors, check out the following:

• To receive Behavioral Observations episodes ad and commentary-free, that is, just the interviews themselves, consider supporting the show with a Patreon subscription.
• Consider Behavioral Observations as a source for your continuing education. I have almost 50 events that span a variety of topics, all from your favorite podcast guests. So if you want catch up on your professional development while walking the dog, commuting to work, making dinner, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts, go to behavioralobservations.com/get-ceus to learn more.
• The Verbal Behavior Conference is right around the corner. If you haven’t heard me talk about it before, the VBC is a 2 day event that is available both virtually and in-person in Austin, Texas. It’s happening on February 29th and 30th, and will feature speakers like Drs. Pat McGreevy, Alice Shillingsburg, Barbara Esch, and more. There’s even a full-day pre conference workshop by Dr. Lina Slim. This is a really fun event that provides many opportunities for individual interactions with the speakers, and there’s even a panel discussion moderated by yours truly. To learn more, go to behaviorlive.com/vbc, or simply hit the shownotes for this episode to learn more.
• The University of Cincinnati Online. UC Online designed a Master of Education in Behavior Analysis program that is 100% online and asynchronous, meaning you log on when it works for you. Want to learn more? Go to online.uc.edu and click the “request info” button.

Sivan, a mother of two boys, is the author and illustrator of the bestselling children’s book series Super Fun Day Books, which shares social stories about kids with neurodiversity (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.).

Despite having ADHD, Sivan’s remarkable career includes esteemed positions as a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business and a former partner at The Bridgespan Group.

Sivan’s latest venture in children's books is an Amazon best seller and was featured on NBC and News 12. Her books are available in Spanish and via audiobooks to promote inclusivity for all types of learners. She provides free teacher guides to create meaningful teaching opportunities with kids and students.

Sivan is a serious advocate for neurodiverse and underrepresented children. She is an active Trustee on the Board of the Rita Allen Foundation and is a Director Emeritus on the Board of Educators For Excellence.

Although she writes her books for neurodivergent kids, Sivan also wants to reach educators and other people interested in neurodiversity.

https://sivanhong.com/

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We would love a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify or Audible

If you have any question, would like to be a guest:

Contact us - 

email:  inclusion@autismmastermind.co

https://www.autismmastermind.co/

In this episode, Julie Cockerill, a former corporate HR leader turned ADHD advocate, shares her transformative journey.

Her story offers a comforting sense of shared experiences, as we delve into the world of ADHD, her personal and professional journey, and how she leverages her corporate background to create a workspace inclusive of neurodiversity.

Our discussion ranges from the relief Julie experienced post-diagnosis, to the practical ways she manages her brain health through exercise, nutrition, and setting boundaries.

We shine a spotlight on the importance of fostering inclusive corporate environments for those with ADHD, underscoring the impact of small changes such as designated workspaces.

Don't miss Julie's future projects including a new website designed with an ADHD brain in mind and the launch of learning sites to support partners and parents of those with ADHD.

This episode serves as a testament to resilience, acceptance, and the power of understanding our unique brain wiring.

Get in contact with Julie here

At The Culture Ministry we know how challenging and lonely it can be working in Diversity and Inclusion, and how progress is often slow.

You might be just getting started in Diversity and Inclusion, or you might be on your way. The Culture Ministry is here to help you with your Diversity and Inclusion progress. Go to https://www.thecultureministry.com/ to learn more

If you enjoyed this episode and maybe learnt something please share with your friends on social media, give a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts and leave a comment. This makes it easier for others to find A Dog Called Diversity.

A Dog Called Diversity is proud to be featured on Feedspot's 20 Best Diversity And Inclusion Podcasts

Thanks for listening. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Take a closer look at Peter Shankman's unique and remarkable journey as a neurodivergent parent and how to accept it as a superpower rather than a challenge in this episode. Stay tuned to learn from his advice on reaching new heights with the gift of neurodiversity and leaving a lasting impact on your family!

Key takeaways to listen for

• How to embrace ADHD and use it as a superpower
• What it’s like raising a child as a neurodivergent parent
• Tips for parents and educators on nurturing neurodivergent kids
• Why are more people being diagnosed with neurodiversity?
• First and most vital step for parents with neurodivergent kids

Resources 

• Faster than Normal by Peter Shankman | Kindle and Paperback
• The Boy with the Faster Brain by Peter Shankman | Kindle and Paperback

About Peter Shankman 

Peter Shankman is a renowned keynote speaker specializing in social media, neurodiversity within workplaces, marketing, and customer service. He is a remarkable example of utilizing the positive aspects of ADHD to one's advantage. He was diagnosed with ADHD in his mid-20s, and by that time, he had already established and sold two companies. Following selling his third company, "Help a Reporter Out," Peter embarked on a journey to understand his "faster brain" and its capabilities. This exploration led to the "Faster Than Normal" podcast and an accompanying best-selling book. Since then, Peter has authored numerous best-sellers, and "Faster than Normal" has become the leading podcast on ADHD online.

Peter joined BluShark Digital and Price Benowitz LLP as a futurist who systematically explored predictions and possibilities about a company's future and its industry in 2022. Peter helps the agency and firm innovate to serve their clients better as both companies grow.

Connect with Peter

• Website: Faster Than Normal | Peter Shankman
• Podcast: The Faster Than Normal Podcast | Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Threads: @petershankman
• Instagram: @petershankman
• Facebook: Peter Shankman
• Email: peter@shankman.com

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To learn more about us, visit our website at www.18summers.com or email us at info@18summers.com. To get a copy of our book “The Family Board Meeting”, click here.

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