Neuroversity Jessica Kidwell

The digital world allows our children the opportunity to connect with people all over the place and all of a sudden they have a community. But how do we help our children find the line of privacy and how do we help ourselves find the line of privacy for our children? - Dr. Devorah Heitner
Do you want your neurodivergent child to feel empowered and stay safe while navigating the digital world? Join me as I welcome my guest, Devorah Heitner, who will be sharing valuable insights and strategies to empower neurodivergent children and ensure they have safer online experiences. 
In this episode you can:
Discover effective strategies for parenting in the digital age, ensuring our children's safety and well-being online.Understand the difference between monitoring and surveilling our children and which one builds more trust.Learn the importance of media literacy and how to help our children, and ourselves, to critically analyze digital content.Uncover practical tips for navigating the digital world with neurodivergent children.Understand the unique challenges and benefits of growing up in the digital era, equipping yourself with tools to support our children effectively.Dr. Devorah Heitner is a leading authority in helping neurodivergent children navigate the digital landscape. With her books, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive and Survive in the Digital World, she has become a trusted resource for parents seeking practical advice. Her work has been featured in major publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion, solidifying her credibility and expertise. With a deep understanding of neurodiversity and the challenges it presents in the digital realm, Dr. Heitner offers valuable insights and strategies for creating safer and more empowering online experiences for neurodivergent children. Parents can trust her guidance to help their children thrive in today's digital world.
Find more about Dr. Heitner here:
https://devorahheitner.com
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/06/10/my-mother-struggled-with-learning-disabilities-smartphone-would-have-helped-her-find-her-way/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2023/09/15/teens-overshare-social-media/
Listen to her episode on We Should Talk About That:
https://www.westatpod.com/episodes/episode/7e49c6bc/we-should-talk-about-our-childrens-privacy-the-internet-and-growing-up-in-public-with-author-devorah-heitner-phd
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November 17th is a pretty important day in my household because it is my daughter Grace's birthday.  And 17 years ago today it was Grace who started me on this journey of motherhood, and this journey of understanding neurodiversity more.
This episode originally aired in April 2022-Autism Acceptance Month, but in honor of Grace, I wanted to re-visit this conversation.  
Because she is amazing.  
Because I wish more people could get the chance to see her for the insightful, funny, beautiful, smart, and talented young lady she continues to become.  

I’m overdue to get Grace BACK on the show for an update.  A lot changes  in 18 months, especially when you are a teenager.  I’ll have to see if I can call in a few favors and maybe we’ll hear from her again in 2024.  
But for now, I can't believe she's 17 today, on the 17th.
Her Golden Birthday.  
Happy birthday Grace.
I love you to the moon and back.
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I don’t often see as much representation of Down Syndrome within the neurodivergent community, and since October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, I think that means now is the perfect time to expand our understanding.   
So fellow curious minds, let’s get started.  
In this episode we will learn:
The three types of Down SyndromeThe incidence of Down SyndromeCommon expressions of Down SyndromeThe medical conditions that have an increased risk of occurring in people with Down SyndromeThe episode concludes with a tribute to Daniel "Dan the Man" Wheat.  An extraordinary man who left us way too soon.  Thank you for being a friend Dan.❤️

Sources for more information and/or support:
The National Down Syndrome Society

Greta Harrison and the Born Fabulous Podcast
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On this episode, it's a return to the Word of the Week (WOW) Series.
In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, I'm focusing on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD),  which frequently co-occurs with ADHD. 
What is it?Why is it so frequently associated with ADHD?How does it impact individuals?How can you help?Additional resources to find out more:
Dr. Megan Anna Neff Neurodivergent Insights 

Dr. William Dodson, Psychiatrist and Adult ADHD Specialist

Cleveland Clinic information on RSD
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SEASON THREE PREMIERE!!
What if the key to unlocking the brilliance of an autistic child lies in focusing on their strengths rather than their challenges? This episode, Jessica is joined by Dr. Lynn Koegel, a leading figure in autism education, who has passionately championed a shift from the deficit model to a strengths-based approach in teaching autistic children. Her latest book, "Hidden Brilliance: Unlocking the Intelligence of Autism," co-authored with Claire LaZebnik, is a testament to this belief, bringing to light the potential within these unique children that often goes unrecognized.


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Summer school sessions are coming to an end, so why not re-visit a season one episode on “Back to School”?

As the dog days of summer wind down, it’s time for many of us to turn our attention on to three dreaded words, “back to school”, or maybe they’re you’re favorite three words!  Who am I to judge? 
One thing that is certain, it’s a transition, and transitions do not always go smoothly.  Especially in my neurodivergent household.  But regardless of the neurodivergence that is in your household, here are some helpful tips that could make back to school a little less rocky.  
And be sure to let me know what works for you and/or your neurodivergent household.  There are all sorts of minds and all sorts of ways to communicate.  I'm sharing ours.  Would love to hear what works for you!
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