Neurodiversity Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Early to the Starting Line: Acceleration Begins at Kindergarten | Education Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

In school districts in the US and around the world, there are programs in place to help gifted and twice-exceptional kids overcome their educational challenges. But one of the least-expensive and easiest tools to utilize, acceleration, is often overlooked. Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik from the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa joins us on episode 34 to talk about most kids' first option for acceleration, early entrance to Kindergarten.

About the guest - Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, PhD is the Administrator for the Acceleration Institute and Research at the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, both at the University of Iowa.

She founded the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary Students (C-MITES) at Carnegie Mellon University and was its director for 22 years. Together with Dr. Susan Assouline, she wrote Developing Math Talent: A Comprehensive Guide to Math Education for Gifted Students in Elementary and Middle School (2nd ed.). She is also a co-author of the Iowa Acceleration Scale, and co-editor of the 2015 report on academic acceleration, A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America's Brightest Students.

Mind Matters podcast features discussions with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, with an emphasis on gifted/talented and 2e (twice-exceptional) children and adults. Host Emily Kircher-Morris explores parenting, counseling techniques, and best practices for enriching the lives of high-ability people. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com.

Note to Self: Be Nice to Me | Parenting | Education | 2e May 29, 2019

Show notes

One thing's for sure about parenting - it's hard. Even more so with gifted and twice-exceptional kids. But parents often get so caught up in taking care of their kids they forget the all-important self-care. Jen Torbeck Merrill is the author of If This Is a Gift, Can I Send It Back, and also a parenting self-care advocate. She's our guest on episode 33 of Mind Matters.

About the guest - Jen Merrill is an Illinois-based writer, blogger, flutist, and gifted family advocate. The mom of two boys, she homeschools her twice-exceptional teen while happily sending his brother off to middle school every morning. She is a music educator by trade, with degrees in music education and flute performance. Jen started blogging in 2006 and now runs the website LaughingAtChaos.com. Her book, If This is a Gift, Can I Send It Back, is available wherever books are sold. Jen can be found at An Intense Life, and has published articles in the Understanding Our Gifted Journal and Huffington Post.

Jen is a Gifted Homeschoolers Forum Ambassador and has presented at several national and international gifted conferences, and she's scheduled to present a keynote address as the SENG 2019 National Conference this year in Houston, TX.

Host Emily Kircher-Morris has dual Masters degrees in Counseling and Education, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and specializes in the area of giftedness throughout the lifespan. She founded the non-profit organization The Gifted Support Network, is the owner of Unlimited Potential Counseling & Education Center, and is the mother of three gifted children.

Being a SPED Advocate for Twice-Exceptional Kids | Psychology | Education | 2e May 15, 2019

Show notes

Special education services can make a huge difference in the educational experience of a twice-exceptional child. On episode 32, author and education writer Amanda Morin joins us to discuss some of the services available and share best practices for parents and counselors to effectively advocate on behalf of 2e kids.

About the guest - Amanda Morin worked as a classroom teacher and as an early intervention specialist for 10 years. She has been working as an education writer since 2007 and played an integral role in launching Understood.org in 2014.

As an educator and also as a parent of kids with learning issues, she has been an active member of numerous Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams and believes strongly in the importance of educators partnering with families.

Morin received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Maine and special education advocacy training from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.

She is the author of three books, including The Everything Parent's Guide to Special Education.

Fighting Fake News | Psychology | Gifted | Education May 01, 2019

Show notes

When your inner skeptic constantly nags at you saying something's not right, what should you do? Dr. Brian Housand thinks you should celebrate. On episode 31 Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Brian about how to fight fake news, and the short answer is: question everything.

About the guest - Dr. Brian Housand is the Coordinator of the Academically or Intellectually Gifted Program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He is an educational consultant working with schools, districts, and educational organizations. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and earned a Masters and PhD from the University of Connecticut in Gifted Education.

He co-authored Using the Schoolwide Enrichment Model with Technology with Angela Housand and Joe Renzulli, and authored Fighting Fake News! Teaching Critical Thinking and Media Literacy in a Digital Age.

Beneath the Surface of Giftedness | Education | IQ | Parenting Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

There is more to giftedness than just intelligence. Dr. James Delisle joins us on episode 30 to talk about what's below the surface of giftedness, and how parents, counselors, and teachers can dig a little to find out what makes gifted kids tick.

About the guest - James Delisle, PhD, was a professor of education at Kent State University (Ohio) for 25 years and was selected by faculty and students there as a "Distinguished Professor", the University's most prestigious teaching award.

Jim has worked on behalf of gifted children and teens for nearly four decades. The author of hundreds of articles and 17 books that have been published in multiple languages, he continues to consult with schools worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of the needs of gifted children and adults. For the past several years, Jim has worked part time with highly gifted 9th and 10th graders at the Scholars' Academy in Conway, South Carolina.

Dr. Delisle's latest book is called Understanding Your Gifted Child From the Inside Out.

Gifted Girls: Social Connections and Self-Care at School | Education | Gifted | 2e Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

For even the most academically successful student, the social aspect of school can be incredibly stressful. When you add the complexity of being gifted or twice-exceptional, school can be overwhelming. On episode 29 we talk with Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver about the social impact of the educational experience for gifted girls.

About the guest - Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver is an educator, author, and advocate for student leadership. She serves as the Director of Academic Affairs and Engagement for Mizzou K-12, a global school district with 7,000+ students from over 100 countries. She's the principal of the University of Missouri High School and Middle School.

She is the author of two books on the importance of heart and high-expectations: Wholehearted Teaching of Gifted Young Women: Cultivating Courage, Connection, and Self-Care in Schools (2018, Prufrock Academic Press) and When Your Child Learns Differently: A Family Approach for Navigating Special Education Services with Love and High Expectations (Forthcoming, 2019, Prufrock Press).

The G Word Movie | Psychology | Gifted | Intelligence | Education Mar 21, 2019

Show notes

There is a myth that gifted people are mostly financially secure, white, and don't require the same attention as an average child. Our guest is Marc Smolowitz, who is making a film about America's gifted and talented population that puts those myths to rest. "The G Word" will highlight the educational challenges, social isolation, and deep emotional sensitivities of gifted people. Listen to our discussion on episode 28 of Mind Matters.

About the guest - Marc Smolowitz is a multi-award-winning director, producer and executive producer who has been significantly involved in 50+ successful independent films wearing many hats across the film and entertainment business. The combined footprint of his works has touched 200+ film festivals and markets on five continents, yielding substantial worldwide sales to theatrical, television and VOD outlets, notable box office receipts, and numerous awards and nominations. His long list of credits includes films that have screened at top-tier festivals such as Sundance, Berlinale, AFI Docs, IDFA, DOC NYC, CPH: DOX, Tokyo, Melbourne, Viennale, Krakow, Jerusalem, among others.

In 2009, Marc founded 13th Gen, a San Francisco-based film company that works with a dynamic range of independent film partners globally to oversee the financing, production, post-production, marketing, sales, and distribution efforts of a vibrant portfolio of films and filmmakers.

To support The G Word Kickstarter campaign, go to https://thegwordfilm.com/kickstarter.

Separating Truth From Mental Myths | Psychology | Gifted | Intelligence Mar 06, 2019

Show notes

On this episode we discuss some widely held ideas about education, giftedness, and intelligence that may not be as rooted in science as we thought. Explore some of our most revered and trusted theories along with us. Our guest is Dr. Devon MacEachron, who has spent much of her career tracking down the facts and sorting through the fiction.

About the guest - Dr. Devon MacEachron earned her B.A. from Amherst College (graduating in the first class of admitted women), her M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (graduating in the top 3% of her class), and her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley. She has a private practice in Manhattan, specializing in consultations and assessments of gifted and twice-exceptional learners.

All Work and No Play | Psychology | Parenting | Education Feb 20, 2019

Show notes

Have we inadvertently harmed our children by taking away play time? Does our tendency to make decisions for our kids, instead of allowing them to make their own choices, negatively impact executive function? Mead Ploszay, middle school learning specialist for an independent school district in the midwest, joins us to share results of her study of student choice and unstructured, free time.

About the guest - Mead Ploszay is a middle school learning specialist for Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS). She has a Master of Science (M.S.) in School Psychology & Counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from Bucknell University. Mead is also a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Thinking Twice About Ways to Help Twice Exceptional Students | Psychology | 2e | Gifted Feb 06, 2019

Show notes

The systems in place for gifted kids in public education often fall short for 2e students. Sometimes 2e kids aren't even identified with the limited testing resources of some schools. In the first of several episodes on twice-exceptionality this year, we talk with Chris Wiebe from Bridges Academy in Los Angeles CA about how they address the specific needs of twice-exceptional students, and how other school districts can help 2e kids thrive.

About the guest - Chris Wiebe has a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) from California State University in Los Angeles, as well as a Master of Arts in Philosophy and Literature (M.A.) from San Jose State University. He's currently the High School Division Director at Bridges Academy in the Los Angeles area, and Managing Editor of 2E News.

Host Emily Kircher-Morris has dual Masters degrees in Counseling and Education, and specializes in the area of giftedness throughout the lifespan. She founded the non-profit organization The Gifted Support Network, is the owner of Unlimited Potential Counseling & Education Center, and is the mother of three gifted children.

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