The Gifted Neurodivergent Child Podcast Lillian Skinner, Beth Anne Johnson

In this episode of the Gifted Neurodivergent Child Podcast, I dive into the swirling world of identity—gender identity, to be precise—mixing it up with neurodivergence. 

I’ll take you through a rather lame roller coaster ride understanding how my gender fluidity is cognitive rather than physical.
How society’s rigid expectations messes with our self-image, and the everyday puzzles that come with a neurodivergent mind. 
I spotlight the often overlooked smarts of the body—yes, your body knows things!—and give a thumbs down to how schools and society try to put a lid on our natural quirks. 
I champion a world where the oddballs get to write their own rules, pushing the magic of empathy and the strength found in real, deep connections. 
I share a slice of my personal life, showcasing my marriage as a prime example of finding that one person who gets you, no assembly required. 
So, buckle up for a call to healthy. Let’s break free from boxes and build a haven for the neurodivergent and their loved ones.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Identity Exploration
00:03 Navigating Gender Identity and Societal Expectations
00:16 Personal Journey Through Gender and Identity
01:20 Challenging Traditional Views on Gender and Sexuality
01:55 Embracing Neurodivergence and Cognitive Diversity
07:52 The Power of Deep Emotional Connections
10:52 Redefining Success and Building Community
17:53 Empowering the Next Generation of Outliers
22:11 Conclusion and Invitation for Engagement

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Do you have a class clown? My oldest child is one, my husband still is one, and I was once one.
Research is finally getting around to proving what I have always known: the Class Clown is the smartest kid in the class. The class clown is not the kid who is struggling with the material; they are actually demonstrating their engagement with the material. They are showing their interest in the subject they are being taught. All too often, the issue is that the material is being taught too slowly or with too little depth for their curious mind. Being a jokester is a way for them to get more information on the topic and increase their engagement.
What do our systems do? They punish the child for engaging. It is time for this to end. The person with the power to end it is not the child; it is you, the parent, working with the teacher. If the teacher will not hear your feedback, here are a few resources you can provide to support your request.
https://futurism.com/the-byte/class-clowns-smartest-people
https://studyfinds.org/class-clowns-intelligent-students/
https://observer.com/2011/10/nea-study-reveals-artists-are-smarter-more-entrepreneurial-than-average-people/
https://youtu.be/UhlNwAFi7Hg

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In this episode, I delve into the concept of creative intelligence and its impact on our perspective-taking. Using tutoring as an illustrative example, I demonstrate how the variance in learning experiences often boils down to differing perspectives.
Our educational systems are designed to instruct as if everyone's IQ falls within the range of 80 to 120. Those outside this range, whether above or below, tend to face difficulties. Creative thinkers, in particular, often find themselves far beyond this standardized spectrum. The higher one's capacity for intuitive intelligence, the greater the struggle. The typical response to academic challenges is seeking a tutor. However, tutors frequently fail to address the underlying issue.
A long time ago I decided to stop enrolling my kids in tutoring, a choice that saved both time and money. The root of their struggles wasn't a lack of comprehension but rather an understanding surpassing the system's two-dimensional perspective. The challenge lay in deciphering the specific viewpoint desired by the teacher, test, or educational system. By analyzing test questions or sample papers, we identified the perspective sought by the instructor, and suddenly, the struggle ceased.
As I age, I have found decreasing value from our education systems. My knowledge has expanded to a point where there is no value in conventional education, even from the most prestigious institutions worldwide. The answers provided by artificial intelligence hold little significance for me. Instead, I've learned to use these generic perspectives as a starting point for effectively communicating my own viewpoint to others.
Individuals with diverse perspectives will contribute increasing significant value to our future. Recognizing and comprehending this dynamic is crucial for shifting our culture towards a healthier state. The sooner we grasp this concept, the quicker we can guide our society in a direction that embraces and capitalizes on the unique value offered by differing perspectives.
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Our children are entering an uncertain future, necessitating a shift in parenting approaches from previous generations. It is crucial to prepare them for a world where many variables are currently unknown.
When confronted with the unknown, the best course of action is to focus on the known parts, and in this case, that would be the child. Cultivating a child involves helping them understand their strengths and guiding them in utilizing these strengths to overcome their weaknesses.
Regrettably, our education system and society often hinder the development of creativity in children. Current systems still operate under the assumption that graduates will follow traditional paths, such as working on assembly lines or in office spaces creating standardized products. Meanwhile, businesses and futurists are calling for professionals who can tap into their creative strengths and use them to innovate within the ever-evolving parameters of the future.
Beth Anne and Lillian share their experiences, discussing the challenges and rewards of raising five gifted Neurodivergent children spanning ages 0 to 23. With this diverse range, they encompass the full spectrum of experiences that parents face in today's world. The ultimate goal is to nurture independent, resilient adults capable of carving out their own paths, careers, crafts, and lives, regardless of the uncertainties the future may bring.
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When the director won't back down, what do you do?
In this episode, we delve into a showdown between Beth Anne and the director of her son's school.
Beth Anne is eager to escalate the situation as she is tired of feeling frustrated with the director. The director, on the other hand, believes they are an expert on neurodivergence, expecting Beth Anne to simply comply.
We explore the needs of both sides, discuss appropriate boundaries, weigh the benefits and costs of calming the situation, and emphasize the importance of convincing others to accept our children for who they are.
Our ultimate goal is to find the best outcome for everyone involved. While it may be challenging at first, the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
Feel free to share your questions so that we can address them on the podcast.

Lillian 
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Beth Anne 
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We rarely get a glimpse into what it looks like to be a healthy creative. But here is such an opportunity. Allow me to introduce Abby, a young polyglot.
Abby is a Korean interpreter who decided she wanted to learn Korean. She achieved this without taking any formal classes or using a language app. In just six months, Abby became a proficient interpreter.
She's accomplishing this in an era when most people are relying on AI for translation. However, Abby possesses something that AI lacks—emotions and the ability to perceive nuances in a way that AI cannot. Abby has also embarked on learning Japanese and hopes to become an interpreter for that language as well. In addition to her linguistic talents, Abby plays multiple musical instruments, sings, composes music, and is a working artist. She's currently attending college and has a strong affinity for the humanities. Abby is truly amazing.
Abby openly acknowledges that she doesn't quite fit into the conventional mold. She grapples with her sensitivity and can sometimes become overwhelmed. Fortunately, her brothers share a similar disposition, and her mother, recognizing their challenges, pulled them out of elementary school to educate them at home. Abby was nurtured in an environment that allowed her to grow into the person she was meant to be – beautiful, talented, sensitive, and kind in every way.
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