Episode 12: What practices are actually Neurodiversity Affirming?
10/19/23 • 54 min
"The Neuroaffirming Parent" is an uplifting and educational podcast dedicated to supporting Neurodivergent and Neurotypical parents, educators, activists, and listeners in creating a nurturing, affirming, and neuroinclusive environment for neurodiverse household in a neurodiverse world.
Music source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/
Music by HoliznaCC0
From the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC 3.0
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One key aspect of advocating for neurodiversity-affirming practices is rejecting harmful approaches like behaviorism and functioning labels. Behaviorism reduces individuals to a set of behaviors to be modified, often neglecting the underlying needs and experiences of neurodivergent people.
Instead of relying on behaviorism, we should focus on evidence-based practices rooted in neuroscience. These approaches are built on a foundation of understanding how the brain functions and how neurodivergent individuals can thrive. This means looking at interventions and therapies that are backed by scientific research.
We should draw inspiration from adult autistic rights activists like Jim Sinclair. Their advocacy has been instrumental in promoting acceptance, understanding, and support for autistic individuals. It's a reminder that the voices and perspectives of neurodivergent adults are invaluable in shaping our parenting and educational practices.
What does it look like to practice neurodiversity-affirming parenting? It starts with recognizing and respecting your child's unique neurocognitive profile. It means creating an environment that supports their individual needs, interests, and strengths.
The principles of neurodiversity should also extend into the educational, medical, and all other systems of society.
Resources:
Historicizing Jim Sinclair’s “Don’t Mourn for Us”: A Cultural and Intellectual History of Neurodiversity’s First Manifesto by Sarah Pripas-Kapit
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-8437-0_2
behaviorism-is-dead-how-do-we-tell-the-autism-parents
https://neuroclastic.com/behaviorism-is-dead-how-do-we-tell-the-autism-parents/
A Review of B. F. Skinner’s Verbal Behavior by Noam Chomsky
https://chomsky.info/1967____/
Why ABA Therapy is Harmful to Autistic People
https://autisticscienceperson.com/why-aba-therapy-is-harmful-to-autistic-people/
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, Inc
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Remember, every human is unique, and the strategies that work best for one human may differ for another. Be willing to adapt and evolve your approach as you learn more about neurodiversity and the needs and strengths of all humans. Incorporating neurodiversity affirming practices is an ongoing journey of learning, empathy, and growth.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review.
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"The Neuroaffirming Parent" is an uplifting and educational podcast dedicated to supporting Neurodivergent and Neurotypical parents, educators, activists, and listeners in creating a nurturing, affirming, and neuroinclusive environment for neurodiverse household in a neurodiverse world.
Music source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/
Music by HoliznaCC0
From the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC 3.0
----
One key aspect of advocating for neurodiversity-affirming practices is rejecting harmful approaches like behaviorism and functioning labels. Behaviorism reduces individuals to a set of behaviors to be modified, often neglecting the underlying needs and experiences of neurodivergent people.
Instead of relying on behaviorism, we should focus on evidence-based practices rooted in neuroscience. These approaches are built on a foundation of understanding how the brain functions and how neurodivergent individuals can thrive. This means looking at interventions and therapies that are backed by scientific research.
We should draw inspiration from adult autistic rights activists like Jim Sinclair. Their advocacy has been instrumental in promoting acceptance, understanding, and support for autistic individuals. It's a reminder that the voices and perspectives of neurodivergent adults are invaluable in shaping our parenting and educational practices.
What does it look like to practice neurodiversity-affirming parenting? It starts with recognizing and respecting your child's unique neurocognitive profile. It means creating an environment that supports their individual needs, interests, and strengths.
The principles of neurodiversity should also extend into the educational, medical, and all other systems of society.
Resources:
Historicizing Jim Sinclair’s “Don’t Mourn for Us”: A Cultural and Intellectual History of Neurodiversity’s First Manifesto by Sarah Pripas-Kapit
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-8437-0_2
behaviorism-is-dead-how-do-we-tell-the-autism-parents
https://neuroclastic.com/behaviorism-is-dead-how-do-we-tell-the-autism-parents/
A Review of B. F. Skinner’s Verbal Behavior by Noam Chomsky
https://chomsky.info/1967____/
Why ABA Therapy is Harmful to Autistic People
https://autisticscienceperson.com/why-aba-therapy-is-harmful-to-autistic-people/
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, Inc
----
Remember, every human is unique, and the strategies that work best for one human may differ for another. Be willing to adapt and evolve your approach as you learn more about neurodiversity and the needs and strengths of all humans. Incorporating neurodiversity affirming practices is an ongoing journey of learning, empathy, and growth.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review.
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Episode 11: SEL, Literacy, and Neurodiversity in the Classroom with Mindful Teacher Rachel
"The Neuroaffirming Parent" is an uplifting and educational podcast dedicated to supporting Neurodivergent and Neurotypical parents, educators, activists, and listeners in creating a nurturing, affirming, and neuroinclusive environment for neurodiverse household in a neurodiverse world.
Music source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/
Intro Music: Sense Of Purpose by HoliznaCC0
Outro Music: Kids by HoliznaCC0
From the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC 3.0
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Rachel is a 1st Grade Teacher specializing in evidence-based early literacy and social emotional learning. She is Orton-Gillingham trained and is passionate about equitable practices for and structured literacy for all readers. Rachel also teaches theatre. When not teaching, Rachel enjoys sharing literacy resources, tips, and advocacy work for other teachers and parents of struggling readers @mindfulteacherrachel, playing piano, snuggling with her cat!
Follow her on social media @mindfulteacherrachel
Other Podcast guest appearances:
October 27, 2022 - Reading Teachers Lounge
https://www.readingteacherslounge.com/season-5-episodes/s5-e4-the-schwa
July 11th 2023 - The Literacy View Podcast - The One About Mindfulness and Stress Reduction With Rachel
https://youtu.be/aSdXXNCE0yY?si=jMLhWt3AzKrBlX34
Sept 17th 2023 - #DearReadingTeacher Podcast - Episode #5: A Parent-friendly Checklist for Science of Reading Resources
Her books:
Schwa in 1st Grade (World of Phonics)
https://www.amazon.com/Schwa-1st-Grade-Rachel-Sorsel/dp/B0BFTWP9ZL
V is for Volcano J is for Jelly (World of Phonics) - September 9, 2023
Author bio: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BGTDDWVC/about
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Remember, every human is unique, and the strategies that work best for one human may differ for another. Be willing to adapt and evolve your approach as you learn more about neurodiversity and the needs and strengths of all humans. Incorporating neurodiversity affirming practices is an ongoing journey of learning, empathy, and growth.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review.
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Episode 13: Reclaiming Motherhood!
"The Neuroaffirming Parent" is an uplifting and educational podcast dedicated to supporting Neurodivergent and Neurotypical parents, educators, activists, and listeners in creating a nurturing, affirming, and neuroinclusive environment for neurodiverse household in a neurodiverse world.
Music source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/
Intro Music: Sense Of Purpose by HoliznaCC0
Outro Music: Kids by HoliznaCC0
From the Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC 3.0
----
Episode 13 is going to be truly insightful. We have a very special guest joining us –
She is a Mom of two wonderful children, one of which is neurodivergent, medically complex and disabled. Corey is excited to have found her passions and to share them with our listeners.
She also holds a master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on community health and bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology and minor in Business Administration.
Corey loves to write, advocate for children with disabilities, and speak her own truth!
In fact, she has written a memoir called “What Village? : A Memoir on Overcoming Ableism and Reclaiming Motherhood”. She is currently in the early publication process!
You can follow her on instagram @coreybriskey or on her website www.coreybriskey.com
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Remember, every human is unique, and the strategies that work best for one human may differ for another. Be willing to adapt and evolve your approach as you learn more about neurodiversity and the needs and strengths of all humans. Incorporating neurodiversity affirming practices is an ongoing journey of learning, empathy, and growth.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review.
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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