On episode 282, Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes occupational therapist and author Tracey DeMaria, to explore emotional regulation through a metaphor of "surfing the waves." They talk about how the analogy helps both children and adults visualize and manage their emotions, and how that visualization helps the process feel more like a skill to be honed rather than a clinical task. They discuss the importance of language in framing behaviors, the impact of school environments on neurodivergent children, and the integration of sensory and cognitive tools to support emotional well-being.

TAKEAWAYS

• "Surfing the waves" aids emotional regulation.

• Language shapes perception of behaviors.

• School environments especially impact neurodivergent children.

• Blend sensory and cognitive tools for balance.

• Self-awareness is key to regulation.

• Mindfulness can be adapted for kids.

• Special interests can aid emotional control.

Join us for our free event, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, a learning and continuing education opportunity. The event will feature a presentation by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, and you'll hear from a panel of experts about the future of education. Register now!

Tracey DeMaria, OTD, OTR/L, is an experienced occupational therapist specializing in regulation skills, sensory integration, and mental health. With over 20 years in the field, she currently serves as an occupational therapist in the Phillipsburg School District and as an adjunct professor in the occupational therapy master’s program at Moravian University.

Tracey holds a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy from Misericordia University and a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University. Proudly neurodiverse, she is a dedicated advocate for disability rights and mental health, committed to empowering individuals of all ages and neurotypes through the development of regulation skills.

BACKGROUND READING

Tracey’s website, How To Surf the Waves, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

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

In this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Joshua Stamper, author of The Language of Behavior, to explore decoding and rethinking behavior. Joshua describes his personal journey from a reluctant student to an inspiring educator, and how early experiences shaped his philosophy on supporting students. The conversation covers key topics such as trauma-informed practices, the importance of building relationships in education, and Joshua's innovative framework for understanding behavior through environment, root causes, and intentional response. They also touch on burnout and the need for self-care, and leave you with practical strategies for creating a supportive learning environment.

TAKEAWAYS

• Behavior is communication.

• Connection before correction.

• Adopt trauma-informed practices.

• Prioritize educator self-care.

• Empathize with student experience.

Join us for our free event, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, a learning and continuing education opportunity. The event will feature a presentation by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, and you'll hear from a panel of experts about the future of education. Register now!

Joshua Stamper is an educator, speaker, and author with a deep commitment to fostering growth and leadership in education. As the creator of Aspire to Lead and a former middle school administrator with nine years of experience, he draws on both his professional background and personal journey as a struggling student to advocate for supportive, student-centered learning environments.

Joshua is the author of The Language of Behavior, a practical guide that equips educators with trauma-responsive strategies and alternative behavior practices to enhance student success. Through his writing, speaking, and leadership work, he empowers education professionals to lead with empathy, embrace innovation, and drive meaningful change in their schools and communities.

BACKGROUND READING

Josh’s website, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky, Aspire to Lead, The Language of Behavior

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

On today's episode, Emily Kircher-Morris talks about the transformative power of play with Georgie Wisen-Vincent, a nationally recognized expert in play therapy. Emily and Georgie explore how play supports emotional resilience, not just in young children, but across all ages. They talk about the importance of adapting play for neurodivergent children, and the role of play in fostering emotional regulation and executive function. They also discuss ways to engage with children through play, and provide suggestions on how to create meaningful connections that nurture their development.

TAKEAWAYS

• Play is essential for emotional resilience.

• Play therapy has a role in neurodevelopment.

• Adapt play for neurodivergent children.

• Play has an impact on emotional regulation and executive function.

• You should establish a balance between screen time and real-world play.

• Play should remain present in educational settings.

Let the courses in the Neurodiversity University help you be a better educator, parent, and/or clinician.

Georgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S, ECMHS is a nationally recognized play therapy expert and co-author of The Way of Play (Penguin Random House, January 2025) with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson. She is the Founder and Director of The Play Strong Institute, a center focused on the study and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopmental lens, and also practices as a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist at The Center for Connection in Southern California.

Georgie is a graduate professor at Santa Clara University and an active researcher in childhood play, attachment science, and mental health. She studied play therapy at the University of Roehampton in London and is currently completing her doctoral degree.

BACKGROUND READING

Instagram, Facebook, Play Strong Institute

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

Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Christopher Willard, a clinical psychologist and author, about the complexities of life's major transitions. At this time of year, this is an especially-important conversation, as some students prepare for the shift to college life. They share their own experiences and provide advice on navigating the pressures of newfound independence, the importance of self-care, and the role of systemic support in easing major transitions. Yes, they also talk about farts, so this episode has something for everyone.

TAKEAWAYS

• It's important to understand the mental health challenges that often arise during major life transitions.

• There's a role for social media in destigmatizing mental health issues, but it also spreads misinformation.

• Systemic support is essential in educational institutions, in order to better assist students, especially those from marginalized communities.

• It's important not to over-pathologize normal emotional experiences.

• There was a creative process behind Dr. Willard's children's book, "Feelings Are Like Farts," which uses humor to engage kids in understanding emotions.

Let the courses in the Neurodiversity University help you be a better educator, parent, and/or clinician.

Dr. Christopher Willard is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant based in Massachusetts, with a global presence as a speaker in over 40 countries and two TEDx events. He is the author of 20 books on mental health and mindfulness, including Alphabreaths, Growing Up Mindful, Feelings Are Like Farts, and the upcoming College Mental Health 101 (2025).

Dr. Willard's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN.com, and mindful.org. In addition to his clinical and writing work, he teaches at Harvard Medical School, where he continues to shape conversations around mindfulness, emotional well-being, and mental health in education and beyond.

BACKGROUND READING

Chris’s website, Instagram, Facebook, Feelings Are Like Farts

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

Generalizations about ADHD haven’t done girls any favors. ADHD often manifests very differently in girls than in boys. What causes parents, educators, and even doctors, to view the symptoms of ADHD differently with girls? We know that masking, and even variations in environments, often cause symptoms to be missed. How is that happening? We’re revisiting the subject and chat with Stephen Hinshaw, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco.

Find out more about building neurodiversity-affirming schools, and about the courses we’ll be offering soon, here.

Stephen P. Hinshaw is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco. His focus is on developmental psychopathology, child and adolescent mental health (particularly ADHD), and the use of clinical trials to understand underlying mechanisms. He also actively investigates mental illness stigmatization and attempts to reduce such stigma.

Hinshaw has authored over 400 articles, chapters, and commentaries, plus 12 books. He has won numerous national and international research awards, including the James McKeen Cattell Fellow Award from the Association for Psychological Science, the Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award from the American Psychological Association, and the Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health from the National Academy of Medicine. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021.

His extensive media coverage includes the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Today Show, CBS Evening News, ABC World News Tonight, and many more.

BACKGROUND READING

Berkeley, research, website, Straight Talk about ADHD in Girls: How to Help Your Daughter Thrive

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

Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Chris Wells, a writer, researcher, and podcaster who specializes in positive disintegration. They break down the theory of positive disintegration, developed by Kazimierz Dąbrowski, and its relevance to personal growth and neurodiversity. They explore the concept of over-excitability, its implications in the gifted education community, and the controversy surrounding its interpretation. They talk about disintegration as a pathway to self-actualization, and the need for community support for those experiencing intense emotional states. They also discuss the future directions of integrating Dąbrowski's theory with contemporary understandings of neurodiversity.

TAKEAWAYS

• The theory of positive disintegration is about personal growth.

• Dąbrowski's work connects mental illness with developmental potential.

• Over-excitability is a key concept in understanding neurodivergence.

• The gifted education community often misunderstands Dąbrowski's theory.

• Positive disintegration can lead to self-actualization.

• Intensity and sensitivity can be both a blessing and a curse.

• Navigating disintegration requires a grounding practice.

• Community support is essential for those experiencing disintegration.

Episode 147, with Alex Vuyk: Does Personality Impact Neurodiversity?

Positive Disintegration podcast episode 30 mentioned in our conversation (link is to Apple podcasts)

Check out the courses in the Neurodiversity University.

Chris Wells, PhD is a writer, researcher, and podcaster specializing in positive disintegration, neurodivergence, and personal growth. They are the founder of the Dąbrowski Center and creator of the Positive Disintegration Network, dedicated to bringing Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration into both academic and public conversations.

Chris co-hosts the Positive Disintegration and Cosmic Cheer Squad podcasts and shares their work on Substack, where they blend theory with lived experience to make complex psychological concepts more accessible. Their work centers on self-development, authenticity, and transformation, supporting others in navigating growth through the lens of neurodivergence.

BACKGROUND READING

Chris’s LinkTree, Positive Disintegration website, Cosmic Cheer Squad Substack, Instagram

Kaelynn Partlow is an autism advocate and author, and one of the stars of the Netflix series, Love on the Spectrum. Today she joins Emily to talk about her experiences with autism, and they cover a lot of ground in this conversation. They discuss the evolution and effectiveness of ABA therapy, the need for accurate labeling, and using declarative language in communication. They also offer advice for parents of newly diagnosed children, and talk about the importance of finding community.

TAKEAWAYS

• The world will label children if parents don't.

• The superpower label is a double-edged sword.

• Nuance is often lost in discussions about autism.

• Profound autism requires specific understanding and advocacy.

• Declarative language can reduce pressure in communication.

• Specific questions help autistic individuals engage better.

• Finding community is essential for parents of autistic children.

Have Emily come and speak to your school district, company, or organization. Here's where you can find out more and get in touch.

Kaelynn Partlow is an autism advocate, speaker, and author widely recognized for her appearance on the Netflix series Love on the Spectrum. Through her impactful social media presence, she promotes meaningful inclusion and practical support, reaching millions with her message of autism acceptance and understanding.

Kaelynn is the author of Life on the Bridge, a book that offers both personal and professional insights to foster deeper connection between autistic and non-autistic people. Since joining Project Hope in 2015 as a Registered Behavior Technician, she has led therapy sessions, developed staff training materials, and shared her expertise nationally to support more informed and compassionate autism care.

BACKGROUND READING

Kaelynn’s LinkTree links