Empowering Exceptional Minds

Educational Therapy LLC

Welcome to Empowering Exceptional Minds —the podcast where we dive into real conversations about neurodiversity. We interview parents, individuals, and professionals to explore the challenges, strengths, and unique experiences of diverse learners and thinkers. We discuss ADHD, Executive Functions, dysgraphia, autism, dyscalculia, dyslexia, written expression, auditory processing, visual processing, learning disabilities, evaluations, assessments, parenting and professional development.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The Middle School Storm: Brains, Big Feelings, and Emergency Chocolate

    Your teen isn't lazy. Their brain is just doing something you can't see — and that's exactly the problem. Carrie Bonnett joins us to break down executive function: the invisible mental machinery behind starting, planning, and following through. When it's not working, homework doesn't get touched, assignments get "forgotten," and everyone ends up frustrated. When you finally understand what's actually going on, everything changes. We get into why task initiation — not the work itself — is where most teens fall apart, and what parents can do to make that hidden struggle visible, concrete, and actually manageable. If your kid can spend four hours on YouTube but can't start a worksheet, this one's for you. Checkout Carrie's website for free goodies https://www.carriebonnett.com/

    50 min

  2. 8 APR

    The Hidden Language of School Records—and How to Respond When You Hear ‘No’

    If you've ever sat in an IEP meeting and walked out feeling overwhelmed — this episode is for you.So many parents describe the same experience: a room full of professionals using language you don't fully understand, decisions that feel like they've already been made, and a quiet voice inside asking, "Am I doing enough for my kid?"You are not alone. And you deserve someone in your corner.Daphne Jolie is an educational advocate who spent years working inside the school system — as a school psychologist, a due process specialist, and a special education administrator at both LA Unified and Culver City Unified. She knows how these meetings are run from the inside. She also knows how overwhelming and isolating it can feel to be the parent on the other side of the table.In this heartfelt conversation, Daphne shares what she wishes every parent knew — how to read your child's school records, how to respond when the school says no, and how to understand who in the room is truly there to support your child. Most importantly, she reminds us that advocating for your child doesn't require a degree or a legal background. It just requires someone who believes your child deserves more — and that someone is you.Learn more at daphnejolie.com

    47 min

  3. 1 APR

    Beyond Whole Body Listening with Elizabeth Sautter SLP

    Is Whole Body Listening outdated? What's replacing it — and why does it matter for your child? In this episode, we welcome Elizabeth Sautter, a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience, award-winning author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick!, and a mom of two children with additional needs. Elizabeth is passionate about helping families support neurodivergent kids in ways that are affirming, compassionate, and actually work in real life. We explore the evolution from Whole Body Listening to Whole Body Regulation — a shift that's sparking important conversations in schools, therapy rooms, and homes across the country. Elizabeth breaks down what prompted this change, what disability advocates and the neurodiversity community have been saying, and how parents, educators, and therapists can embrace a more strength-based approach without starting from scratch. WE COVER • What is Whole Body Listening and how did it become so popular? • The shift to Whole Body Regulation — what changed and why • Criticisms from disability advocates and the neurodiversity community • How Elizabeth's daily work with kids has evolved • Guidance for educators and therapists making the transition • Key takeaways for parents and professionals RESOURCES MENTIONED • Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! by Elizabeth Sautter • Elizabeth's website: elizabethsautter.com New Workshop coming up with Emily Kircher Morris - The way you support your child or teen’s regulation shapes their confidence, resilience, and ability to handle life’s challenges for years to come. https://learn.elizabethsautter.com/emotional-regulation-and-resilience/ https://elizabethsautter.com/whole-body-listening A coupon or 25% off to join our community for parents of neurodivergent kids and teens.  https://learn.elizabethsautter.com/family-offer

    39 min

  4. 26 MAR

    Wired to Achieve, Built to Burn Out: A Neurodivergent Reality Check

    You've built the career. You're raising the family. You're crushing it by every measure — so why does it feel like you're running on fumes? In this episode, Wainwright Yu— technology executive, Stanford-trained leadership coach, and mindfulness teacher — gets real about the hidden energy tax neurodivergent adults pay every single day. From masking in meetings to managing a household of four multi-exceptional kids, Wainwright Yu knows firsthand what it means to spend years pouring from a cup nobody realizes is almost empty. He shares how discovering his own neurodivergence through his children reshaped his understanding of both his greatest strengths and his deepest challenges — and why the path forward isn't about pushing harder, but about spending your energy with intention. If you've ever wondered why "doing it all" leaves you with nothing left, this one's for you. https://www.wainwrightyu.com/about https://www.nchpad.org/resources/spoon-theory-a-new-way-to-think-about-your-daily-energy/

    39 min

  5. 18 MAR

    A Different Way of Coping: Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance With Dr. Klein

    In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, we explore Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)—a profile often misunderstood as defiance, avoidance, or oppositional behavior. I’m joined by Dr. Alex Klein to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface. We talk about how PDA is rooted in the nervous system, why everyday demands can feel overwhelming, and how traditional approaches often backfire. Together, we reframe behaviors through a compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming lens and share practical strategies that support autonomy, reduce anxiety, and build connection—at home and in school. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or provider, this conversation will help you better understand and support children who experience the world in this way. It’s not about compliance—it’s about regulation, safety, and trust. https://www.dralexklein.com/ Duncan, Margaret, et al. Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Other Professionals. Unabridged ed. Knight, Ethan. The PDA Effect: An Autistic Teenager’s Guide to Understanding Demand Avoidance. Paperback ed., 14 May 2025. https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xHvNw70FCc https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pda-parents/id1552127203 https://pdanorthamerica.org/ https://www.declarativelanguage.com/sunday-snippets-of-support/translations

    41 min

  6. 12 MAR

    20/20 Vision but Struggling in School? The Missing Visual Link with Dr. Carole Hong

    Do you know a bright, capable student who still struggles with reading, attention, or learning—even after passing a school vision screening or getting glasses from the eye doctor? Many families are told their child’s vision is “20/20,” yet something still isn’t clicking in the classroom. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Carole Hong from Family Vision Care and Vision Therapy, who brings over 30 years of experience in developmental and rehabilitative vision care. Dr. Hong specializes in identifying and treating visual information processing disorders—the often-missed visual challenges that affect how the brain and eyes work together. We explore how functional vision skills influence reading, attention, coordination, and learning, and why these difficulties frequently overlap with neurodivergent profiles such as ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Hong explains how standard eye exams can miss critical visual processing skills and how targeted vision therapy can help children—and adults—build stronger connections between the brain and the eyes. The result? Learning that feels easier, greater confidence, and a clearer path forward for students who have been working twice as hard just to keep up. If you’ve ever wondered whether there might be a missing visual piece in a child’s learning puzzle, this conversation will open your eyes.           www.familyvisioncare.org                 www.visionhelp.org      http://visionhelp.wordpress.com/       http://covdblog.wordpress.com

    37 min

  7. 5 MAR

    What If Your Child's 'Too Much' Is Actually Their Superpower? With Emily Kircher Morris

    In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, we sit down with Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC — licensed counselor, author, speaker, and host of The Neurodiversity Podcast — for a conversation that every parent and educator of a twice-exceptional child needs to hear. As a 2e adult with giftedness and ADHD herself, Emily brings rare authenticity to her work. She's the author of Raising Twice-Exceptional Children, Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners, and her latest release, Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools (co-authored with Amanda Morin) — and she's here to help us shift from overwhelm to empowerment. In this episode, we explore: Emily's personal journey and what drove her to write her booksHow her own 2e identity shaped her understanding of neurodiversitySurprising lessons from guests on The Neurodiversity PodcastThe #1 takeaway from Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools for parents and educatorsWhy motivation and emotional regulation are so tricky in academic settings — and what to do about itOne neuro-affirming strategy you can try this weekThe deeper questions we should be asking ourselves and our systems to truly support exceptional mindsEmily Kircher-Morris, LPC https://emilykirchermorris.com  The Neurodiversity Podcast https://neurodiversitypodcast.com  Neurodiversity University https://neurodiversity.university  Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools https://neurodiversityaffirmingschools.com  Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported https://www.amazon.com/Neurodiversity-Affirming-Schools-Transforming-Practices-Supported/dp/B0D81QWSX8  Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today’s Classroom https://www.freespirit.com/teaching-strategies-and-professional-development/teaching-twice-exceptional-learners-in-todays-classroom-emily-kircher-morris-2e-learners Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids https://www.routledge.com/Raising-Twice-Exceptional-Children-A-Handbook-for-Parents-of-Neurodivergent/Kircher-Morris/p/book/9781646322145 Emily Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmilyKircherMorris Emily Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykm_lpc

    39 min

  8. 26 FEB

    Listen to Your Body: Sensory, Nervous System & Neurodiversity

    In this episode, we sit down with Lori Crowley, a California-based counselor specializing in somatic and sensory-informed approaches to mental health. Lori brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience as a neurodivergent parent, making this conversation both deeply insightful and refreshingly relatable.We dive into polyvagal theory — what it actually means, how our nervous system moves between states of safety, fight-or-flight, and shutdown, and why understanding this can be a game-changer for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Lori breaks it down in a way that is easy to understand and immediately applicable to everyday life.We also explore sensory integration — how the way we process sensory information shapes our emotions, behavior, and overall well-being — and why this is especially important for autistic individuals and those with sensory processing differences.Lori shares her work as the creator of the Ability Awareness Program and the founder of the ExP Therapy approach, both rooted in embodied awareness and practical, body-first support. Whether you are a parent, educator, or clinician, this episode is packed with tools and perspectives to help you better understand and support the neurodivergent people in your life.Resources we mentioned in this episode:https://monadelahooke.com/beyond-behaviors/https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatispolyvagaltheoryhttps://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/double-empathyhttps://shop.adapted4specialed.com/products/neurodiversity-training-handbook-resource-toolkit?variant=44603861795073Email: lori@exptherapy.comWeb: www.exptherapy.com

    52 min
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About

Welcome to Empowering Exceptional Minds —the podcast where we dive into real conversations about neurodiversity. We interview parents, individuals, and professionals to explore the challenges, strengths, and unique experiences of diverse learners and thinkers. We discuss ADHD, Executive Functions, dysgraphia, autism, dyscalculia, dyslexia, written expression, auditory processing, visual processing, learning disabilities, evaluations, assessments, parenting and professional development.

Information

  • Creator
    Educational Therapy LLC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Educational Therapy LLC
  • Show Website
    Empowering Exceptional Minds

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