Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Podcast for Parents - Neurodiversity in Society: Embracing Differences for a Better Future (roundtable discussion)

Neurodiversity in Society: Embracing Differences for a Better Future (roundtable discussion)

11/06/23 • 74 min

Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Podcast for Parents

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I recently had an open discussion with my instagram audience on whether or not someone with a clinical diagnosis of anxiety would be considered neurodivergent. This stemmed from an inner conflict I was experiencing and trying to decide– am I neurodivergent?

I actually shared a more in depth view of where I stand on this topic personally and it’s in the previous episode, 88 if you want to go back and listen to that after this.

This question brought up such great conversations in my DMs and I realized how nuanced this topic was, and how much I wanted to bring this discussion to a larger platform and to include different voices on the topic.

So I reached out to some of my most respected peers in this space who all have some personal and professional tie to neurodiversity.

I invited Dr. Cassidy Freitas (LMFT), Andi Putt (speech therapist) and Mr. Chazz (teacher of teachers and parenting coach) to join me for this round table episode.

I asked questions like

What does the label of neurodivergent/ neurotypical do for people and society
if we classified too many mental health diagnoses as neurodivergent, would that “dilute” the meaning?
If we include mental health diagnoses, it can seem like majority of the population would classify as neurodivergent, what does that mean for a "neurotypical" label if they are in the minority?
Should you tell your child’s teacher about their neurodiversity at the beginning of the school year?
I asked them to weigh in on a thought someone shared with me that said “is anyone really neurotypical?”

Links:
Mr. Chazz Instagram

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “Conscious Discipline with a ND child”

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “How to handle hitting with an OT” Mr. Chazz podcast epsiode: " Vestibular Processing with an OT"

Dr. Cassidy Instagram

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode:” The trauma experience in parenthood”

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode: “Raising a sensory sensitive child”

Andi Putt Instagram

Andi Putt podcast episode: “Celebrating Autism with a neurodiverse lens

**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025** Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

I actually shared a more in depth view of where I stand on this topic personally and it’s in the previous episode, 88 if you want to go back and listen to that after this.

So I reached out to some of my most respected peers in this space who all have some personal and professional tie to neurodiversity.

I invited Dr. Cassidy Freitas (LMFT), Andi Putt (speech therapist) and Mr. Chazz (teacher of teachers and parenting coach) to join me for this round table episode.

I asked questions like

What does the label of neurodivergent/ neurotypical do for people and society
if we classified too many mental health diagnoses as neurodivergent, would that “dilute” the meaning?
If we include mental health diagnoses, it can seem like majority of the population would classify as neurodivergent, what does that mean for a "neurotypical" label if they are in the minority?
Should you tell your child’s teacher about their neurodiversity at the beginning of the school year?
I asked them to weigh in on a thought someone shared with me that said “is anyone really neurotypical?”

Links:
Mr. Chazz Instagram

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “Conscious Discipline with a ND child”

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “How to handle hitting with an OT” Mr. Chazz podcast epsiode: " Vestibular Processing with an OT"

Dr. Cassidy Instagram

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode:” The trauma experience in parenthood”

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode: “Raising a sensory sensitive child”

Andi Putt Instagram

Andi Putt podcast episode: “Celebrating Autism with a neurodiverse lens

**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025** Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

Previous Episode

Unscripted: Am I neurodivergent?

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

It all started when a 4th grader at my daughter’s school asked me if I’m neurodivergent after I finished doing a read aloud of my book to their school. And I don’t know why but I stumbled over my words.

I kept thinking about it over and over again that day and then shared it to my stories with a question, am I neurodivergent?

**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025** Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

Next Episode

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance: Accommodating PDA Needs with Expert Casey Ehrlich

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In this episode, Laura Petix interviews Casey Ehrlich, a social scientist and expert in Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Casey shares her personal story of discovering her son's PDA diagnosis and journey to understanding. She discusses PDA as a dysregulated nervous system perceiving threats to autonomy. Casey provides 5 key accommodation strategies for supporting PDA needs, including letting kids win games, using declarative language, strewing for engagement, letting go of demands for "please" and "thank you", and allowing kids to opt out. Laura asks challenging questions and Casey explains how to apply accommodations thoughtfully. Parents will learn practical ways to connect with their PDA kids through an autonomy-focused lens. This episode is invaluable for anyone seeking to understand and support the unique needs of children with Pathological Demand Avoidance.
About the expert:
Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. (she/her) is a social scientist, parent educator, and the founder of At Peace Parents, LLC. Casey brings 15 years of work experience and expertise in social science methodology to help parents and therapists understand how to connect with and accommodate PDA Autistic children. She specializes in teaching parents and therapists practical skills in the home or clinical setting to accommodate neuroception-driven demand avoidance and nervous system differences through creative techniques. She has served more than 1,000 families raising PDA Autistic children and teens since 2020 and is also raising a PDA autistic son.

Questions we cover:

What is PDA?

What is like parenting a child with PDA?

What are the best ways to accommodate a child with PDA?

What are some resources to look further into PDA?

Links:
@atpeaceparents instagram

PDA parents podcast https://www.pdaparents.com/podcast

- Kristy Forbes

- Neuroclastic

- Neurodivergent Lou

- Sally Cat (writes on the internalized expression of PDA)

- PDA Society (for journal articles on research about PDA)