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Neurodiversity Podcast

Neurodiversity Podcast

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 Neurodiversity Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • The Myth of Willful Defiance with Ross Greene
    Jan 9 2026

    Episode 300! For decades, the standard response to challenging behavior has been simple: reward the good, punish the bad. But what if non-compliance isn't a sign of disrespect, but a signal of distress? Why do traditional behavioral frameworks like PBIS often miss the mark for neurodivergent students? And how can adults shift from being enforcers to problem-solving partners? Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child and the upcoming book The Kids Who Aren't Okay, and the originator of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, about the critical difference between modifying behavior and solving the problems that cause it.

    Dr. Ross W. Greene is a clinical psychologist and the originator of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), an innovative, evidence-based approach for supporting kids with concerning behaviors. He is the author of several influential books, including The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, Raising Human Beings, and his forthcoming title, The Kids Who Aren't Okay: The Urgent Case for Reimagining Support, Belonging, and Hope in Schools. He also developed and executive produced the award-winning 2018 documentary The Kids We Lose.

    Dr. Greene is the founding director of the nonprofit Lives in the Balance and previously served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years. He is currently an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech and the University of Technology Sydney. His CPS model has been implemented in schools, inpatient units, and juvenile facilities across the globe, significantly reducing the use of punitive discipline and promoting connection, collaboration, and long-term success for kids.

    BACKGROUND READING

    Dr. Greene's website

    For information about the variety of courses for teachers, parents, and mental health professionals through the Neurodiversity University, check the info page on our website.

    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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    44 mins
  • Unlocking Motivation in Neurodivergent Children (reprise)
    Dec 31 2025

    Emily Kircher-Morris chats today with Diane Dempster and Elaine Taylor-Klaus from Impact Parents, hosts of the Parenting with Impact podcast. They talk about the challenge of motivating neurodivergent kids, and break down why it's so challenging. The chat includes a framework called PINCH, a way to remember and think about important elements of motivation. You'll come away with practical strategies for parents to foster a supportive environment that encourages engagement, and ways to move away from fear and stress as motivators.

    TAKEAWAYS

    • Traditional parenting advice often doesn't apply to neurodivergent kids.

    • Motivation can be misunderstood; it's not always lack of interest.

    • Executive functioning skills play a crucial role in motivation.

    • Dopamine is essential for engaging in non-preferred tasks.

    • Waiting until the last minute can be a legitimate strategy for motivation.

    • Fear-based parenting creates stress and is not sustainable.

    • Intrinsic motivation develops later in life, especially for neurodivergent individuals.

    • The PINCH framework helps identify different motivators for kids.

    • Novelty keeps the brain engaged and interested.

    • Competition can motivate but may also cause anxiety in some children.

    • Collaboration and connection with peers can enhance motivation.

    • Parents should experiment with different motivational strategies.

    • Transparency and vulnerability in parenting can build trust.

    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.

    Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster co-founded ImpactParents.com in 2011 because traditional parenting advice wasn't working for their complex kids and they found no training or coaching available designed specifically to support them as parents of complex kids.

    Internationally recognized as leading parent educators, they use a coach-approach to help parents reduce the stress of raising children, teens, and young adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, LD and more. They're the creators of Sanity School® behavior training, and the authors of many books including Parenting ADHD Now: Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD and The Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids with ADHD, Anxiety and More.

    BACKGROUND READING

    Impact Parents website, Parenting with Impact podcast, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn

    The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

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    40 mins
  • 2E Or Not 2E: The Nuts and Bolts of Twice-Exceptionality (reprise)
    Dec 19 2025

    Many brilliant young people experience the dichotomy of disability layered on top of their intelligence. It's called twice-exceptionality, or 2e for short. What are the common misconceptions about twice-exceptional individuals? How do traditional models fall short when identifying the learning disabilities of our brightest kids? And why is early recognition so pivotal? Emily talks with Dr. Danika Maddocks, a psychologist, parent coach, and founder of the Gifted Learning Lab, about the intricacies of twice-exceptionality, in childhood and beyond. This is part of our end-of-year recap, and one of our most downloaded episodes.

    For information about the variety of courses for teachers, parents, and mental health professionals through the Neurodiversity University, check the info page on our website.

    Dr. Danika Maddocks is a psychologist, parent coach, and owner of The Gifted Learning Lab. She has supported gifted and twice-exceptional kids and their families for over 15 years as a teacher, therapist, school consultant, assessment provider, and coach. She has also published award-winning research on giftedness and twice-exceptionality. Much of her work is informed by her personal experiences growing up gifted and her experience raising a young gifted kid.

    Here's a link to the free course about power struggles from Danika Maddocks.

    BACKGROUND READING

    Free email mini course, Reduce Power Struggles with Your Gifted/2e Kid, Facebook, Instagram

    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.

    The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group.

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    36 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Loved this, easy to listen to with good examples.
Using simple language to offer support is so important

Language matters- problem solve and offer support

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I wish this level of knowledge and understanding came in time for my generation too.

Thank you so much

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