Social Emotional Learning | The Neurodiverse Lens Podcast
Guest: Olivia Fong, Social Emotional Program Manager at the Centre for Diverse Learners
Host: Jordan Handley-Passalacqua, Communications Manager

Explore how social emotional learning (SEL) supports neurodiverse students—and how parents, educators, and communities can help build confidence, resilience, and connection.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro to The Neurodiverse Lens & Olivia Fong
01:00 – Olivia’s journey from volunteer to program manager
02:30 – Why SEL matters for neurodiverse learners
04:15 – What SEL looks like in practice (yes, it can be messy!)
06:00 – Common SEL challenges neurodiverse students face
08:00 – Inside the Friendships & Relationships program
10:00 – Executive Functioning & Social Skills: real-life impact
11:30 – Homework Health: free tutoring & mental health support
13:00 – Friendship Club PA Day program announcement
14:45 – Student success stories that stick with us
17:00 – How $42/month can take a child off our waitlist
19:00 – Practical takeaways for parents
21:00 – SEL strategies educators can use
23:00 – Free resource calls for Halton families
24:45 – Olivia’s hopes for the future of SEL at CDL
26:00 – Final thoughts and how to support our work

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📩 Contact us: info@diverselearners.ca
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