Diverse Thinking Different Learning Karen Wilson

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to have Fran Kenton with us to discuss social emotional learning (SEL). Fran holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, along with credentials in General and Special Education, and is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She is the founder of Autonome, a dynamic and interactive SEL program designed for teens and young adults.
In our conversation today, we’ll explore how Fran's unique approach can cultivate crucial skills in kids and teens. She shares insights on what motivated her to focus on SEL, the importance of understanding what motivates a child, and how SEL encompasses a broad range of life skills. We’ll discuss the proven benefits of SEL, its integration into curriculum, and why these skills are best taught in an educational setting where all children can be reached.
Recognizing a critical gap in traditional education, Fran founded Autonome to integrate SEL and mindfulness practices into the learning experience. Her innovative approach equips young people with the necessary skills to manage life's complexities, fostering self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills. These competencies form the foundation of Autonome’s program, reflecting a culmination of Fran’s experiences.
Join us as Fran Kenton shares her vision for empowering young people with the tools they need to navigate life successfully. 
Show Notes: [1:53] - Fran has culminated all her experiences as an educator and counselor. She shares what has inspired her to put her focus on social-emotional learning. [3:45] - In the early years of her career as an educator, Fran found herself drawn to helping students who struggled with social-emotional learning. [6:28] - We need to know what motivates a child to truly engage them in learning. [8:12] - Oftentimes when parents see their child struggling, there is a tendency to focus on academic performance. But that’s not the only thing we should look at. [10:12] - Social-emotional learning is an umbrella that encompasses a series of skills and competencies to successfully navigate life in general. [11:44] - There are five broad interrelated SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills. [14:44] - Research and data support social-emotional learning. [16:15] - It has been shown that school is the best place to learn these skills because more children can be reached. These skills don’t necessarily come naturally. [17:59] - SAFE is an acronym for Sequence, Active, Focused, and Explicit. [21:26] - Parents and families need to learn these skills as well in order to reinforce them at home. [22:28] - Before we can manage any task and emotion, we have to stop and tune in to what we are sensing at that moment and understand our perception. [24:40] - Mindfulness is the beginning. Then we need to move forward with tools to manage emotions and tasks. [26:01] - Fran explains her motivation and inspiration in founding Autonome. [29:04] - Autonome’s program can be integrated into a school’s curriculum and teachers do not need any formal training to be able to use it. [31:24] - It is important for parents to understand that these skills are not natural. They need to be taught and modeled. About Our Guest: Fran Kenton, M.A. in Educational Psychology with credentials in general and special education, is the founder of Autonome, a social emotional learning (SEL) program for teens and young adults. With a background as a middle school teacher and counselor in the Lawndale School District, Fran has extensive experience working with at-risk youth. She later continued her career in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, focusing on special needs students and co-creating the Transition Curriculum to aid their post-high school transitions. Certified as a Health and Wellness Coach, she also provides life coaching services and works with T

Welcome back to another episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning! Tune in this episode as Dr. Karen Wilson welcomes educational therapist Hunja Koimburi to the podcast to discuss end-of-year strategies for students with learning differences. As the school year winds down, students and parents alike face many challenges, including but not limited to completing final projects and managing increased stress levels.
Hunja shares his expertise on how parents can support their children during this critical time, highlighting how important it is to understand the unique needs of students with learning differences. He reveals what initially drew him to this field and how his journey from studying economics and law to educational therapy has molded the ways that he helps students. He discusses the importance of using personalized strategies that are tailored to each individual student's unique learning challenge(s), focusing especially on time management and prioritizing tasks.
Hunja also elaborates upon practical advice for parents to help their children finish the school year strong, discussing how breaking down large projects into manageable tasks and encouraging a balance between academic commitments and social activities can help relieve overwhelm and stress. Hunja also touches on the importance of helping students reflect on past experiences to improve future performance.
As summer quickly approaches, Hunja offers practical ways that parents can effectively use this time to support their child's learning and development, suggesting that parents use the summer to focus on areas that need improvement, but he emphasizes the value of maintaining a balance between relaxation and productive activities to ensure students return to school feeling confident and prepared.
Hunja’s insights are a valuable resource for parents seeking to support their children through the end of the academic year and beyond, so tune in to gain practical strategies for helping your child navigate the end-of-year pressures and make the most of their summer break, setting them up for a successful start to the next school year.
 
Show Notes: [2:10] - Hunja Koimburi is here to share his expertise on supporting students with learning differences as they transition to college.
[3:01] - Inspired by his experience supporting students with learning differences, Hunja empowers educators and parents to specially tailor teaching and parenting strategies.
[5:32] - Hunja emphasizes the importance of addressing learning differences to support students during busy school periods.
[8:49] It's important to break down large projects and prioritize them to avoid overwhelm.
[11:09] Hunja highlights the need for helping students with learning differences with time management and prioritization.
[14:10] Executive functioning coaching can help tackle time blindness and enhance study techniques.
[15:01] - Hunja values strategic planning over impulsive optimism to help students with learning differences manage their time.
[17:32] - Hunja argues that supporting students with learning difficulties through compassion and practical time management strategies is most effective.
[20:56] - Parents can relieve pressure on students by providing external support and temporarily reducing their chores during busy times.
[22:43] - Some students experience a downward spiral of anxiety and self-doubt about their academic performance.
[24:46] - Providing early deadlines can help students with learning differences manage workloads and reduce anxiety.
[26:56] - Help students prepare for transitions and familiarize themselves with upcoming materials in order to reduce stress and overwhelm.
[28:17] - Hunja reiterates the importance of early deadlines and long lead times.
[31:19] - Short-term rewards motivate students, especially when they're exhausted from a long academic year.
[34:51] - Hunja highlights self-paced online tools like IXL and ALEKS for learning differences, ad

Hey there, welcome back to Diverse Thinking Different Learning! Today, we're diving into a topic that's often overlooked but incredibly important: late diagnoses of ADHD and autism, particularly in women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals. It's a conversation that's long overdue, and we're so grateful to have Dr. Monica Blied joining us to shed some light on this crucial issue.
As a clinical psychologist and founder of Faces of Health, Dr. Blied brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. In her private practice, she specializes in providing psychological assessments for adults and children who suspect they may have Autism, ADHD, or learning differences. With a keen focus on supporting adults living with chronic medical and mental illnesses, Dr. Blied has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the complex intersection of mental and physical health.
Today, dive deep into the reasons why certain conditions like ADHD and autism are often diagnosed late, despite their significant impact on individuals' lives. From systemic biases to misconceptions and missed opportunities for support, Dr. Blied will be sharing invaluable insights and advice for anyone who suspects they may be struggling with an undiagnosed condition and what parents can look for in their children that could be signs of struggle.
Show Notes: [2:13] - People are often overlooked and it seems that there are systemic biases. There are studies that show that particularly people of color are misdiagnosed. [3:42] - There are many misconceptions. Something important to remember is that most of the time, certain behaviors are not willful. [6:03] - One reason someone’s diagnosis is missed is fewer outward symptoms or struggles, especially when compared to a sibling. [9:34] - Dr. Blied shares an experience in seeing the similarities and differences in siblings and the tendency to put more focus on one child over another. [11:24] - A late diagnosis could also be due to a family normalizing and nurturing certain behaviors. [13:38] - Externalized behaviors are obvious. The kids who internalize are often missed. [15:46] - Individuals who are born female are often misdiagnosed or completely overlooked as children. [17:44] - The average age of ADHD diagnosis in women is 37. By 18 years old, 80% of women who are autistic are still undiagnosed. [20:45] - Special interests can be misleading. [23:51] - Girls and women tend to be very good at masking, until the demands are more difficult to adjust to. [25:07] - In children, ADHD and autism are diagnosed in 4 boys to every 1 girl. But in adulthood, it is a 1 to 1 ratio. It is a misconception that it is more common in boys. [28:21] - There is the belief, even among medical professionals, that ADHD isn’t a real struggle or problem. [29:12] - Dr. Blied describes what ADHD and autism might look like in a girl especially during childhood. [31:11] - There are higher rates of autism and ADHD in those with other types of medical issues and in LGBTQIA+ individuals. [33:36] - A late diagnosis leads to years of missed opportunities for support and intervention. [34:27] - Dr. Blied shares some first steps and advice if you suspect that you could need a diagnosis or are late diagnosed. About Our Guest: Dr. Monica Blied is a clinical psychologist, adjunct professor of psychology at Pepperdine, and the founder of Faces of Health in Claremont, California. In her private practice, Dr. Blied provides psychological assessments for adults and children who suspect they have Autism, ADHD, and/or learning differences. With a special interest in supporting adults who are living with chronic medical and mental illnesses, Dr. Blied has also developed expertise in the mind-body health connection.
She currently serves as the Chair-Elect (and former Treasurer) of the California Psychological Association's Division of Education and Training, where she has been a member of the Executive Board for over 10 years. Since 2020,

Some parents may describe their child as very strong-willed. That child may show an extreme avoidance of everyday demands, expectations, and requests. But what if the behaviors are not an indication of strong will, but rather occur because a child feels overwhelmed by demands and perceives them as threats to their autonomy and self-control? Are there specific strategies that would be helpful when raising a demand-avoidant child or teen?
Today, we’re going to be talking about Pathological Demand Avoidance with Dr. Casey Ehrlich. She is the CEO and founder of At Peace Parents where she specializes in teaching parents and therapists practical skills in the home or clinical setting to accommodate neuroception-driven demand avoidance and nervous system differences through creative techniques.
Show Notes: [3:10] - Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is considered a nervous system disability. Dr. Ehrlich explains why this is and shares alternative names for it. [5:41] - Many parents and clinicians have found that the strategies they have tried have not worked or made things worse. [7:39] - Dr. Ehrlich describes a recent situation with her son that demonstrates sudden nervous system activation in PDA. [9:33] - We need to understand the root cause of behaviors that are interfering with your ability to connect with your child. [10:57] - PDA may show up as a regression or can surround a primary need. [12:58] - PDA is often misunderstood. [15:04] - With a background as a social scientist, Dr. Ehrlich explains some of the research about PDA and why many children and teens are not correctly identified. [17:45] - Accommodations include autonomy, equality, trauma-informed play, nervous system signals of safety, communication, lowering demands, humor, novelty, and more. [21:38] - PDA is happening on a subconscious level. It isn’t about emotions. [23:37] - It can be confusing as a child gets older because they do begin using social strategies and we may not see escalation as nervous system dysregulation. [27:46] - Pausing to de-escalate is crucial. [29:24] - Is PDA only seen in people with autism? [30:42] - Connections can only be made when PDAers feel a sense of safety. [33:21] - Awareness is the first step. [35:55] - Dr. Ehrlich learned more about PDA as a mother than a clinician. [40:41] - Dr. Ehrlich hosted a podcast called PDA Parents where she talks about her experiences across eight episodes. She also hosts the At Peace Parents Podcast. About Our Guest: Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. (she/her) is a social scientist, parent coach, and educator, and the CEO and founder of At Peace Parents. Casey brings 15 years of work experience and expertise in social science methodology to help parents and therapists understand how to connect with and accommodate PDA Autistic children. She is currently working on empirical research with the University of Michigan  Medical School on Pathological Demand Avoidance in children and teens. 
Connect with Dr. Ehrlich: At Peace Parents on Instagram Dr. Casey Ehrlich on YouTube Email: cehrlich@atpeaceparents.com  Links and Related Resources: Free Clarity Masterclass Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Register for Our Self-Paced Mini Courses with LIVE AMA Sessions The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc. or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Welcome to today's episode, where we turn the spotlight to dyslexia awareness and advocacy, featuring the remarkable journey of Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey. Rosalin's story is nothing short of inspiring as she navigates her own experience with dyslexia to become an advocate for change for dyslexic individuals across Africa and beyond. From struggling in academics to finding her passion in culinary school, Rosalin's personal journey highlights the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity. 
Through her organization, the Africa Dyslexia Organization (ADO), Rosalin is making an impact on dyslexia awareness, advocacy, and support. However, there are many barriers, including societal beliefs in African countries and lack of teacher resources. In this episode, Rosalin shares her own struggles and triumphs with dyslexia, including the pivotal moments that brought dyslexia to her own awareness and understanding. Rosalin's dedication to raising awareness and providing essential tools for educators and parents is truly inspiring and much needed in a world where dyslexia continues to be misunderstood.
Show Notes: [2:35] - Rosalin always struggled in academics and knew from a young age that she was different. She explains why she has dedicated her life to dyslexia advocacy. [5:27] - Due to her struggles, Rosalin was not permitted to take exams to move forward into high school in Ghana. [7:10] - Rosalin chose to go to culinary school and this was a turning point for her. It was the first time she was in an environment where she loved to learn. [9:12] - She describes the first time a school administrator told her something positive. This turned her life around. [11:58] - As an adult, Rosalin had an assessment done and discovered her dyslexia. [13:05] - In her travels across Africa, Rosalin has found that there is little to no understanding about dyslexia. [15:07] - Rosalin has dedicated her life to spreading awareness of dyslexia in African countries. [18:16] - Rosalin’s organization is taking steps to prevent the wasting of valuable talents among dyslexic individuals. [21:12] - Inclusivity is crucial. Students with dyslexia need the same opportunities and support to thrive. [23:01] - Teacher training and resources for educators is a huge focus for the Africa Dyslexia Organization. [24:50] - Reaching out to the Ministries of Education in different locations in Africa is very difficult. Rosalin describes some of the barriers the organization faces. [26:39] - This is a global problem. There are people who are neurodivergent everywhere that need to understand the way they learn. [29:24] - Even with resources and awareness in the United States, students still fall behind and continue to face barriers to quality education and support. About Our Guest: Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey Rosalin is an unwavering advocate for dyslexic individuals and the Founder and Executive Director of Africa Dyslexia Organization (ADO), non-profit organization is dedicated to raising awareness, advocacy, providing essential educational tools to teachers and parents, and offering support for individuals grappling with dyslexia and related learning disabilities.
Rosalin holds an MSc in International Hospitality Management from Swiss Hotel Management School in Switzerland. She is Walt Disney Hospitality Leadership Fellow and currently a Lead Consultant at iQ Mundo and Country Rep for Swiss Education Group in Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Her multifaceted expertise and her commitment to inclusive education position her as a beacon of hope, igniting positive change for dyslexic individuals across Africa.
Connect with Rosalin: Email: Rosalin@africandyslexia.org Africa Dyslexia Website Links and Related Resources: Register for Our Self-Paced Dyslexia Mini Course Dyslexia Episode 37: Literacy - A Social Justice Issue with Resha Conroy Episode 36: Empowering Professionals and Caregivers to Improve the Lives of Children Around the World with

Today, we're digging into the complex and often challenging world of parenting emotionally intense children. I'm thrilled to introduce our special guest, Samantha Moe, a certified parent coach and speaker who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Samantha's work is nothing short of amazing, providing invaluable support and guidance to parents navigating the complexities of raising emotionally intense children.
In this episode, Samantha sheds light on the intricacies of parenting emotionally intense children and shares practical strategies to help parents navigate this often overwhelming journey. From understanding the underlying reasons behind behavioral dysregulation to fostering a supportive home environment, Samantha offers actionable advice, including exercises and reflection questions, that will resonate with parents facing similar challenges. So, if you're a parent seeking support and guidance in raising emotionally intense children, you won't want to miss this conversation. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of your child's needs and discover effective strategies to support them on their journey towards emotional regulation and wellbeing.
Show Notes: [2:41] - While there are a lot of resources out there to help parents and families, that doesn’t make it easy. [3:48] - Samantha shares a bit about her background and how she realized that she had not been prepared to help emotionally intense children. [5:24] - Oftentimes when parents see behavioral deregulation, they want to make it stop. But we have to understand why children are behaving this way. [6:59] - Samantha takes a look at the parent-child relationship from the parent’s side of things and the home environment. She demonstrates an exercise. [10:41] - We have mirror neurons that reflect the state another person is in. If a child is emotionally intense, we feel their stress. [12:16] - If you want to lower your child’s stress, you have to also lower the fight and flight in your own brain. [14:51] - If you can label a child’s emotion in the moment, it helps them feel seen and heard. [16:50] - There are variations in acknowledging an emotion based on the situation and the age of the child. [18:40] - Parents make mistakes, but there are some common mistakes with emotionally intense children. Samantha provides some reflection questions. [22:07] - Parents need to also practice changing their own behavior to help calm their children. [25:00] - Reflect back on your own upbringing. Were your emotions labeled and regulated? [27:10] - Emotional intensity is not exclusive to autistic children. [29:40] - Samantha describes the pillars she uses to teach and support parents. [31:41] - Parents need to feel supported. A parent’s mental health and well-being impact that of their children. About Our Guest: Certified parent coach and speaker Samantha Moe has coached parents on how to help their children calm, connect, and cooperate since 2004. She now provides continuing education, advanced training, and parent coach certification for family service professionals who support intense kids and their families. Samantha is the creator of the Mad to Glad Blueprint, a revolutionary brain-and-nervous-system-based approach to positive communication and parenting that soothes and even prevents intense kids’ most challenging behaviors. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota and has interdisciplinary training in sensory integration, play therapy, and emotional integration. 
Connect with Samantha Moe: Samantha Moe’s Website Email: hello@samanthamoe.com  Links and Related Resources: Episode 72: Prioritizing Co-Regulation and Self-Regulation in Communication with Danielle G. Kent Episode 45: How Sensory Processing Impacts Communication with Jessie L. Ginsburg Episode 140: 10 Ways Parents Can Support Their Child’s Mental Health Over the Summer Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Con