Neurodiversity Podcast Emily Kircher-Morris

Today, Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Dr. Jeff Karp. Jeff is a professor at Harvard and MIT, a biotech entrepreneur, and an ADHD-er. They talk about Jeff's program, LIT, or Life Ignition Tools, which is a set of strategies to energize the brain, spark ideas, and ignite action. Emily and Jeff talk about metacognition and the transformative impact it can have on the lives of neurodivergent people. They also discuss the importance of intentional actions, the power of asking questions, the necessity of creating a supportive and dynamic learning environment, and the broader implications of neurodiversity in educational and professional settings. There’s practical advice for educators, parents, and individuals, to leverage their unique strengths and foster an inclusive and innovative society, and much more, on episode 231.
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Dr. Jeff Karp is an acclaimed mentor and biomedical engineering professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT, a Distinguished Chair at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Growing up in rural Canada, he was written off by his school because of his learning differences. He evolved, and developed his own process for embracing life, embodied by ‘Life Ignition Tools’ - tools he developed through years of iteration and tinkering, to make his unique patterns of thought and behavior work for him. These LIT tools have been tested in his lab, and by his many mentees. He has dedicated his research to bioinspired medical problem-solving, and his lab’s technologies have led to the formation of thirteen companies.
Dr. Karp is also head of innovation at Geoversity, Nature’s University, a rainforest biocultural leadership training conservancy located in one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world. He was selected as the Outstanding Faculty Undergraduate Mentor among all faculty at MIT, and the top graduate student mentor of Harvard-MIT students. Dr. Karp lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife, children, and two Cavalier King Charles spaniels.
BACKGROUND READING
LinkedIn
Instagram
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Dr. Karp’s website

This is part two of our conversation with Dr. Jack Naglieri, an emeritus professor at George Mason University and senior research scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. Dr. Naglieri is best known for developing the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test and the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS).
Emily and Jack talk about the history and evolution of intelligence testing, exploring how traditional methods like the Stanford-Binet and WISC have influenced our understanding of intelligence for over a century. Dr. Naglieri shares his critical perspective on the limitations and biases of these tests, particularly their reliance on verbal content and the implications for equitable assessment.
They also talk more about the PASS theory (Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive processing), which forms the foundation of the CAS, and how this theory, based on brain function, can provide a more accurate and inclusive measure of cognitive abilities. The CAS was designed to evaluate these processes, and offers insights into students' strengths and weaknesses, which can help identify learning disabilities and giftedness.
This conversation challenges traditional views on intelligence testing and offers new perspectives on how to measure and understand cognitive abilities in a fair and scientifically grounded manner. Feel free to download a free copy of PASS Theory of Intelligence and the CAS2.
Our courses in the Neurodiversity University are 50% off right now, for a limited time. Click here, and use the promo code SUMMER24.
Dr. Jack A. Naglieri, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor at George Mason University and Senior Research Scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. His main interest is the development of psychological and educational tests and the implications these approaches have for accurate and equitable assessment.
He has published about 25 books, 50 tests and rating scales, and approximately 300 research papers. Jack is the author of tests used for identification of gifted students, including the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test. He partnered with Dina Brulles and Kim Lansdowne to coauthor the Naglieri Tests of General Ability Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal, and the book, Understanding and Using the Naglieri General Ability Tests: A Call to Equity in Gifted Education (Brulles, Lansdowne & Naglieri, 2022).
Dr. Naglieri has received many awards for his extensive research program that includes scholarly research, books, and psychological tests with an emphasis on uniting sound theory with equitable scientific practice.
BACKGROUND READING
PASS Theory of Intelligence and the CAS2
Jack’s website
The Naglieri General Ability Tests

As part of our two-part series, we are speaking with Dr. Jack Naglieri, an emeritus professor at George Mason University and senior research scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. Dr. Naglieri is renowned for his work in intelligence testing and the development of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test.
In this episode, part one of the interview, he and Emily talk about his insights on the evolution and misconceptions surrounding intelligence assessment. They delve into the history of intelligence testing, highlighting the limitations and biases inherent in traditional methods. He describes the experiences that led him to question the validity of verbal-based intelligence tests, and ultimately inspired his development of nonverbal assessment tools. Dr. Naglieri describes how and why his tests aim to measure thinking rather than knowing, and how it provides a more equitable approach to assessing intelligence.
They discuss the PASS theory of intelligence, and how it forms the foundation of the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), a tool designed to measure these processes and offer a nuanced profile of an individual's cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
They cover much more as well, it’s an enlightening conversation about how we measure intelligence. Look for part two of the chat in episode 230. Feel free to download a free copy of PASS Theory of Intelligence and the CAS2.
Our courses in the Neurodiversity University are 50% off right now, for a limited time. Click here, and use the promo code SUMMER24.
Dr. Jack A. Naglieri, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor at George Mason University and Senior Research Scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children. His main interest is the development of psychological and educational tests and the implications these approaches have for accurate and equitable assessment.
He has published about 25 books, 50 tests and rating scales, and approximately 300 research papers. Jack is the author of tests used for identification of gifted students, including the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test. He partnered with Dina Brulles and Kim Lansdowne to coauthor the Naglieri Tests of General Ability Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal, and the book, Understanding and Using the Naglieri General Ability Tests: A Call to Equity in Gifted Education (Brulles, Lansdowne & Naglieri, 2022).
Dr. Naglieri has received many awards for his extensive research program that includes scholarly research, books, and psychological tests with an emphasis on uniting sound theory with equitable scientific practice.
BACKGROUND READING
PASS Theory of Intelligence and the CAS2
Jack’s website
The Naglieri General Ability Tests

On this episode, we talk about tech ideas that help neurodivergent people. Parker Klein and Joe Steilberg, the co-founders of the notes and organization app Twos, join Emily Kircher-Morris to discuss the benefits of writing things down and how technology can help people stay organized. They share their personal experiences with ADHD, and how their app is helping neurodivergent people take control of their lives. They also talk about the integration of incentives and gamification in their app to motivate users to stay organized. The conversation explores the social component of Twos, and the importance of clarity and peace of mind that comes from staying organized.
Takeaways
Writing things down can improve organization and help with memory
Technology can provide tools and features to make writing things down more efficient and enjoyable
Incentives and gamification can motivate users to stay organized and form good habits
Sharing thoughts and goals with others can provide a sense of community and support
Listing out tasks and goals can bring clarity and peace of mind
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Parker Klein and Joe Steilberg are the co-founders of Twos - an app developed to help people stay organized with to-do lists, reminders, events and more. Parker used to work at Google and left his job to pursue Twos full-time. Joe is a natural-born salesman with ADHD. They are both on a mission to help people write things down and stay organized.
BACKGROUND READING
Get the Twos app
Twos on Twitter/X
Parker on Twitter/X
Joe on Twitter/X
Twos on YouTube
Twos on Instagram
Parker on Instagram
Joe on Instagram

You often hear people reference their own OCD, but there’s far more to it than just the desire to be orderly or neat. Today, Emily Kircher-Morris explores the topic of obsessive compulsive thinking patterns, their impact on individuals, and the importance of discussing mental health with children. Jessica Whipple, author of 'I Think I Think a Lot,' shares her personal experiences with OCD and the coping strategies she has developed. The conversation also highlights the significance of representation in children's literature and the role of books in teaching coping skills. If you’re curious about OCD, this episode will help.
Takeaways
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors, which can manifest in various ways such as contamination fears, taboo thoughts, and perfectionism.
Children's literature plays a crucial role in representing diverse experiences, teaching coping skills, and reducing stigma around mental health and neurodivergence.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be an effective treatment for OCD, helping individuals manage their thoughts and behaviors.
It is important to have open conversations with children about mental health, providing them with the tools to understand and cope with their emotions and experiences.
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Jessica Whipple is an acclaimed published author who writes for adults and children. Her book, I Think I Think a Lot, was inspired by her own OCD and was published by Free Spirit Publishing, and illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. Her poetry for adults, which often includes themes of mental health and parenting, has been published both online and in print. Her poem Broken Strings was nominated for a 2023 Pushcart Prize. To read some of her work, click on her link (below) or find her children's picture books anywhere books are sold.
BACKGROUND READING
Jessica’s website
Instagram
Twitter/X

There’s a new term circulating in the neurodiversity community, AuDHD. Today, Emily Kircher-Morris is talking with Mattia Maurée, a neurodivergent individual with both ADHD and autism. They talk about how the two diagnoses blend together, one side desiring routine and sameness, while the other seeks novelty and change. They also discuss the challenges of receiving accurate diagnoses, the impact of stigma on neurodivergent individuals, how career pathways are affected, Mattia’s personal experiences of being misunderstood and judged, and the importance of community. The conversation covers many other subjects as well, and it’s all part of episode 226.
Takeaways
ADHD and autism can coexist in individuals, with one part of them desiring routine and sameness while the other seeks novelty and change.
Receiving accurate diagnoses for neurodivergent individuals can be challenging, as the symptoms of different conditions can overlap and mask each other.
Stigma and misunderstandings surrounding neurodivergent individuals are pervasive and can lead to discrimination and mistreatment.
Being twice exceptional, with both ADHD and autism, can result in unique challenges and experiences, including being misunderstood and judged by others.
When Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a factor, it can lead to difficulties in regulating the nervous system, and can have a significant impact on daily life.
Finding a career that aligns with one's interests and strengths is crucial for neurodivergent individuals.
Community support and understanding are essential for neurodivergent individuals to thrive and feel deeply understood.
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Mattia Maurée is an AuDHD coach and host of the AuDHD Flourishing Podcast. Creative outlets in music and the arts became Mattia's refuge through a childhood full of unpredictability. Confronting trauma sparked an interest in the topic, and it led to their Autism diagnosis in their 30’s, as well as finding somatic neurodivergent-friendly methods of working through depression and anxiety. They now share their experiences to give hope to queer, trans, and neurodivergent youth and young adults through coaching, and embrace the philosophy of “feel better first.”
BACKGROUND READING
AuDHD Flourishing website
AuDHD Flourishing podcast
TikTok