39. Being Supportive Vs Enabling with Vashti Summervill

39. Being Supportive Vs Enabling with Vashti Summervill

It’s sometimes hard finding a balance between helpful support and enabling when you’re parenting an autistic or neurodivergent child, teen, or young adult. In this episode, we talk with Vashti, parent coach and therapeutic educational consultant, about effective ways to support development. You’ll hear how to go beyond ineffective parenting default modes and opt for connections that cultivates resilience and growth.

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37. Therapy or Development? Doing Better for Neurodivergent Who Struggle with Jason & Debbie

37. Therapy or Development Doing Better for Neurodivergent Who Struggle

Join us as we share the recording of a presentation we gave at the Independent Educational Consultant’s Association (IECA) 2021 Fall Conference. It’s time to rethink interventions for those who are Neurodivergent (ND). ND diagnoses are swelling, shifting, and crystalizing. The latest research is giving better perspectives on why ND diagnoses are developmental differences and not mental health issues. Those who serve this population already know that although anxiety and depression are common, the root cause is not the same as “typicals.” Historically, ND individuals have been directed into the treatment world, when different approaches, specifically developmental approaches, are proving to be more effective.

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35. Building Resilience with Debbie

We’re all hearing talk of the importance of developing resilience. Neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults often lack as much resilience as their neurotypical peers. They’re also more prone to feeling stressed than their neurotypical peers when faced with similar events or circumstances. While these sensitivities can be a strength in some situations, it can also lead to overwhelm and shutting down.

So, what can you do to help your loved one or mentee build resilience? Listen in as I share some key things to help them turn those moments of stress into growth opportunities.

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28. When They’re Not Motivated with Debbie

28. When They're Not Motivated with Debbie

What do you do when your child, teen, or young adult has no motivation to do their homework, help out around the house, have good hygiene, eat healthy, or any of the other less fun but necessary parts of life? Listen in as Debbie explains why the typical approaches don’t work in the long-term and what actually does. Debbie also offers four strategies to tap in to your child’s intrinsic motivation for long-term growth and success.

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23. Physical Health & Hygiene Challenges with Jason

23. Physical Health & Hygiene Challenges with Jason

Why is maintaining good physical health and hygiene such an issue for some autistic and neurodiverse young people? In this episode, Jason gets real about the challenges and negative outcomes some of them experience, and offers insights into understanding what may be behind it. He also shares his experience and perspectives on how to support good health and hygiene and what not to do.

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22. Nurturing Neurodiverse Tech Talent with Eric Pedersen

22. Nurturing Neurodiverse Tech Talent with Eric Pedersen

Join us as we have a conversation with Eric Pedersen, the Dean of Science, Engineering, and Technology at Dixie State University in Southern Utah, who sits on the board of several technology companies, and is a founding partner at our program for neurodiverse young adults, TechieForLife. Eric gets candid about the patterns he sees among neurodiverse students and what supports are needed to help them be successful not only at college but also in the workforce. We discuss how to improve chances of getting into tech jobs, the tech talent shortage and the attractive strengths neurodiverse students bring to the table.

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18. Employment Resources With Betina Wildhaber

18. Employment Resources With Betina Wildhaber

In this episode, we chat with Betina Wildhaber, the author and creator of neurodiversitynetwork.com that consolidates various neurodiversity resources into one place with the goal of enhancing awareness and acceptance for neurodivergents to find meaningful employment and educational experiences. 

We discuss specific things neurodivergent job seekers can do to better prepare for and find employment.

We also talk about the kinds of changes employers are making to their interview processes, training, and incorporation of “universal design” techniques to improve the hiring and retention of neurodiverse employees.

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