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Neurodiversity Podcast

Neurodiversity Podcast

Von: 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 Beziehungen Elternschaft & Familienleben Hygiene & gesundes Leben Seelische & Geistige Gesundheit
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  • Unmasking Autism: Why You Might Feel Like an Imposter

    Unmasking Autism: Why You Might Feel Like an Imposter
    Feb 5 2026
    This week, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with Sol Smith, the founder of the NeuroSpicy Community and author of The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery. Sol brings two decades of education, and his lived experience as an Autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic individual, to the discussion. They talk about the complex feelings of imposter syndrome that many neurodivergent adults face - the feeling that life is a stage play where everyone else got the script but you - and the difficulty of masking and unmasking. They also get into the science of how we think, including breaking down the difference between top-down and bottom-up processing, and the tricky world of meta-messages, which can often lead to misunderstandings among colleagues or family. It's a great discussion on communication, identity, and the importance of finding your people. TAKEAWAYS Imposter syndrome often stems from feeling like you are performing a role rather than living authentically. Unmasking is less about revealing a hidden self and more about resuming the development of your personality. Top-down thinkers generalize based on concepts, while bottom-up thinkers build understanding from specific details. Autistic individuals often miss implied "meta-messages" that neurotypical people rely on. Asking for more context is a way to gain clarity, not a sign of defiance. Predictable routines can act as a "neurotypical simulator" to save cognitive energy. 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. Sol Smith is the author of The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery and the founder of The Neurospicy Community, the largest support network for autistic and ADHD individuals worldwide. A certified autism specialist who is autistic, dyslexic, and has ADHD, Sol brings both personal insight and professional expertise to his work helping neurodivergent people build autonomy and self-understanding. After more than 20 years as a college professor, Sol shifted his focus to coaching and advocacy, creating accessible education and support for the broader neurodivergent community. His engaging speaking style has earned him a global platform, with hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and invitations to lead neurodiversity seminars for major corporations. Sol lives in Southern California with his wife and four children. BACKGROUND READING The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery, Sol's website, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube 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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    35 Min.
  • 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 Min.
  • 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 Min.
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