Neurodiversity with Theo Smith Theo Smith

In this podcast episode, Theo Smith interviews Hannah Litt, a neurodivergent advocate, about her experiences with ADHD and OCD.

Hannah discusses the importance of intersectionality and the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in navigating systems that were not built for them.

She emphasizes the need for validation, support, and understanding from both organizations and communities. Hannah also highlights the impact of past trauma and the role of parents in advocating for their neurodivergent children.

She calls for empathy, equity, and an intersectional approach in creating inclusive environments for everyone.

Keywords: neurodiversity, intersectionality, ADHD, OCD, support, validation, trauma, education system, parents, organisations, empathy, equity, inclusion

Takeaways


Validation and support are crucial for neurodivergent individuals in navigating systems that were not built for them.
Intersectionality is important in understanding the unique experiences of neurodivergent individuals from different backgrounds.
Parents play a vital role in advocating for their neurodivergent children and creating a supportive environment.
Organisations should prioritise empathy, equity, and inclusion to support neurodivergent employees.
Education systems need to provide better support and resources for neurodivergent students.
There is a need for greater awareness, education, and understanding of neurodiversity in communities and organisations.

You can find out more about Hannah and her work here:

https://hannahlitt.com/

Neurodiversity with Theo Smith and Friends - A to Z of Parenting Series

Welcome to the first episode of "Neurodiversity with Theo Smith and Friends - A-Z of Parenting!"

In this exciting new series, we dive into the A to Z of parenting, inspired by our upcoming book co-authored by the incredible Professor Amanda Kirby.

Through this podcast, we explore the narratives and lived experiences of extraordinary individuals, providing insights and support for parents navigating the neurodiversity journey.

In today's episode, we're honored to have Rich Ferriman, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD individual, a devoted parent to four children, who are neurodiverse, and a renowned consultant and speaker in the field of neurodiversity.

Rich shares his profound journey, offering valuable perspectives on the challenges and triumphs of raising neurodivergent children, the importance of self-advocacy, and practical strategies for creating a supportive and nurturing environment.

Key Discussion Points:


Rich's personal and family background
Balancing the dynamics of a neurodiverse household
Navigating transitions and changes, especially puberty and school environments
The critical role of routines, dietary considerations, and sensory management
Advocating for neurodivergent children's needs in educational settings
Importance of self-care for parents and building a supportive community

Join us for an inspiring and insightful conversation that aims to empower and support parents of neurodivergent children. Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments!

Join us for an insightful conversation with Gem Parker from EY, a seasoned recruitment expert with nearly 18 years of experience.

In this episode, Gem shares her journey from agency recruitment to in-house roles in construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and professional services.

She delves into the importance of candidate engagement, strategic workforce planning, and the serendipitous moment that led her to champion inclusivity and diversity in recruitment at EY.

Discover innovative strategies for creating talent communities, overcoming systemic challenges in finding diverse candidates, and the role of technology and human touch in enhancing the candidate experience.

Whether you're a recruiter, a candidate or manager, Gem's passion and practical insights will leave you inspired.

Key themes:


The journey from agency to in-house recruitment
Importance of candidate engagement and experience
Strategies for strategic workforce planning
Inclusivity and diversity in recruitment
Innovative use of technology and human touch
Overcoming systemic challenges in diverse candidate hiring

Today we interview Jeremy Davis. Jeremy shares his journey of self-discovery and how he found his passion for storytelling through writing and directing.

We discuss the importance of self-diagnosis and the validity of personal experiences. Jeremy also talks about the challenges of navigating ableism and toxic engagement in the disability advocacy space.

He shares his future plans of creating films that address ableism and promote representation.

Finally, we discuss the importance of self-care and avoiding burnout in the advocacy work. The conversation explores the impact of behavior on online communities and the creation of hostile environments.

It concludes with a discussion on the importance of being kind and valuing individual experiences.


Self-diagnosis is a valid and important part of the diagnostic journey for many individuals.
Navigating ableism and toxic engagement in the disability advocacy space can be challenging, but it's important to stay true to your own perspective and continue the conversation.
Filmmaking and storytelling can be powerful tools for promoting representation and challenging ableism in society.
Taking care of your mental health and avoiding burnout is crucial when engaging in advocacy work. Online behavior can have a significant impact on communities, and individuals may not be fully aware of the consequences of their actions.
In the disability and inclusion space, there is a risk of creating hostile and negative environments due to the strong emotions and experiences involved.
It is important to be mindful of the impact our behavior has on others and strive to create positive and inclusive spaces.
Being kind and understanding the journeys and experiences of others is crucial in fostering a supportive and empathetic community.

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:12 Young Jeremy and Early Years

08:00 The Role of Writing and Filmmaking

11:39 Self-Diagnosis and Validity

15:00 Navigating Ableism and Advocacy

19:04 Future Plans and Filmmaking

37:21 Dealing with Burnout and Toxic Engagement

52:31 Impact of Behavior on Online Communities

53:00 Creating Hostile Environments

53:43 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Jeremy

55:05 Be Kind and Value Individual Experiences

Today we have Matt Hancock join us, who's been advocating for neurodiversity and early support in education, highlighting challenges faced by individuals who are dyslexic.

He promotes universal screening and teacher training to address high exclusion rates among children with neurodivergent traits/conditions.

The importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity, early identification, and support in schools is emphasized by the speakers. The Accessible Learning Foundation (ALF) aims to drive policy changes and provide support in schools and prisons.


[00:04] Episode introduction on neurodiversity and inclusivity, featuring guest Matt Hancock, who shares his experience with dyslexia.
[01:04] Matt discusses the realization of his dyslexia and the strengths he discovered through his condition.
[04:42] Discussion on existing barriers in recognizing and supporting neurodiverse children, with reference to public skepticism as seen in a Times article.
[06:07] Insight into Matt’s involvement with health initiatives and the ongoing challenges in dyslexia recognition in educational systems.
[08:52] Matt highlights his advocacy for early identification and support through his charity, the Accessible Learning Foundation.
[11:07] Importance of tailored education approaches to accommodate neurodivergent students, especially those excluded from standard educational tracks.
[13:10] Call for a shift in societal attitudes towards neurodiverse conditions like ADHD and autism.
[17:01] The need for improved communication and understanding among parents, teachers, and medical professionals regarding neurodiversity.
[20:50] Discussion on the state's role in supporting neurodiverse children and the impact of understanding individual brain functions on policy making.
[24:11] Matt expresses gratitude for bipartisan support of his legislative efforts aimed at improving neurodiversity support within the education system.


[30:52] Emphasis on legislation to encompass comprehensive support for all societal members.
[31:39] Examination of gender differences in ADHD and autism presentation and future plans for advocacy beyond politics.
[33:43] Continued efforts in policy campaigning and direct school support through the Accessible Learning Foundation.
[35:09] Goals for the Accessible Learning Foundation: universal screening, policy implementation within schools, and support in both educational and prison systems.
[36:45] Encouragement for community involvement in supporting neurodiversity causes, including advocacy and financial support.



This episode is supercharged by Dynamis Group

https://dynamisgroup.com/

You can buy Amanda and Theo's book 'Neurodiversity At Work here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neurodiversity-Work-Performance-Productivity-Neurodiverse/dp/1398600245

Love the intro music... it's from a past guest High Contrast: Music is Everything

#NeurodiversityAtWork #Neurodiversity #ADHD

In this episode, Theo Smith interviews Alice, a researcher at Bocconi University, about her experience with neurodiversity.

Alice shares her journey from childhood to academia, highlighting her strengths in brain power and the challenges of control mania.

She discusses the impact of migraines and the realization of her neurodivergence, leading to an autism diagnosis.

Alice also explores the difficulties of getting diagnosed in Italy and the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in academia.

She emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary research in neurodiversity and shares her current projects at Bocconi University.

In this conversation, Alice discusses her research and experiences in academia. She shares insights into the challenges and rewards of conducting research in the field of gender studies.

Alice also highlights the importance of intersectionality and the need for more research in underrepresented areas.

She concludes by providing her contact information for those interested in connecting with her.



Takeaways


Neurodivergent individuals often excel in academia due to their unique strengths and passion for research.
The academic environment can be challenging for neurodivergent individuals, with blunt feedback and a competitive publishing process.
There is a need for multidisciplinary research in neurodiversity to gain a holistic understanding of its impact.
Getting diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions can be difficult in some countries, highlighting the need for improved access to assessments.
Academia should strive for inclusivity and understanding to support the diverse needs of neurodivergent researchers.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Neurodiversity and Guest Introduction

01:06Guest's Background and Work at Bocconi University

02:36Early Years and Strengths in Brain Power

05:38Control Mania and the Cost of Overworking

07:07Migraines and the Need for Breaks

08:48Realization of Neurodivergence and Autism Diagnosis

10:51Challenges of Getting Diagnosed in Italy

14:28The Impact of Neurodiversity in Academia

24:49Transition from PhD to Research Role in Academia

30:22Challenges in Academia: Blunt Feedback and Publishing Process

38:49The Need for Multidisciplinary Research in Neurodiversity

50:15Current Work and Projects at Bocconi University

52:35Conclusion and Contact Information



This episode is supercharged by Dynamis Group

https://dynamisgroup.com/

You can buy Amanda and Theo's book 'Neurodiversity At Work here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neurodiversity-Work-Performance-Productivity-Neurodiverse/dp/1398600245

Love the intro music... it's from a past guest High Contrast: Music is Everything

#NeurodiversityAtWork #Neurodiversity #ADHD