Neuropositive

S2.E4: Hotline: How Do We Help ND Girls From Falling Through The Cracks?

In this Hotline episode, Phyllis answers a listener question about how we can prevent neurodivergent girls from falling through the cracks, emphasizing:
Why we understand so little about neurodivergence in girls in the first place
How neurodivergence presents differently in boys vs. girls
What happens to our girls when they grow up undiagnosed
Practical insights on how to support neurodivergent girls in accessing the necessary resources and accommodations for a fulfilling life
This episode will increase your awareness of the signs of different forms of neurodivergence in girls so you can better advocate on their behalf when seeking a diagnosis and support.
 
Have a question you'd like answered on an upcoming Hotline episode? Email neuropositivepodcast@gmail.com or visit the Neuropositive website to submit your question!

S2.E3: Does Tylenol Cause Autism?

In September, Secretary of Health & Human Services, RFK Jr., made the claim that Tylenol use during pregnancy shows a strong link to increased rates of autism. But is this true? In this deep-dive episode we look at the link between Tylenol and autism including:
What the data from the study of Tylenol use during pregnancy *actually* revealed 
Why shifting the narrative from accommodation & support to prevention & cure is harmful for autistic people and their families
The dangers and real impact of undermining credible science and the medical community
Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Go to the Neuropositive Website to submit your request!
 

S2.E2: Equality vs. Equity

What's the difference between equality and equity and why does it matter? In this episode, Phyllis discusses why precision in our language around advocacy and disability rights is so important. You'll learn:
What equality is and how, though well intentioned, it can actually create unfair outcomes
What equity is and why it's the foundation for all humans to be successful and thrive
A simple analogy to illustrate the difference between equality and equity and why accommodations are not the same thing as special treatment
We hope this overview gives you confidence to advocate for yourself and those you love, plus tools to better understand the importance of equitable learning and work environments.
 
To learn more about the show, visit the Neuropositive website.
And if you loved this episode, please leave us a positive review!

S2.E1: Hacking ADHD Motivation with Kendall Delamont

Are you an ADHDer who's used every productivity trick in the book but still can't get yourself to start uninteresting tasks or finish what you've started? It's not you, it's your brain! 
In this fun and relatable conversation Phyllis talks with Kendall Delamont of the ADHD Toolkit. Kendall shares her journey from classroom teacher to late-diagnosed ADHDer to ADHD educator and advocate. We discuss the unique challenges and strengths of our ADHD brains including:
Why typical productivity advice doesn't work for ADHDers
What actually *does* work to motivate an ADHD brain
The importance of rest & play for ADHDers (kids and adults!)
...and plenty more! This is a must listen for adult ADHDers as well as teachers, parents, and therapists of ADHD kids. We hope you love this conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!
You can find Kendall online:
The ADHD Toolkit Website
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

S1.E12: Wait, what just happened?! A Season 1 wrap-up

That's a wrap! In this short episode Phyllis checks-in about wrapping up Season 1 of Neuropositive for the summer and what to look forward to in Season 2...
Stay tuned for episode 1 of season 2 dropping on Tuesday, September 2nd!
 
Neuropositive Website | Instagram

S1.E11: PDA Children and the Power of Low Demand Parenting with Amanda Diekman

Are you trying traditional parenting advice and rules only to feel like nothing works and you're somehow getting it wrong? You're not alone.
If you're raising a child with a PDA profile you can feel like you're living in perpetual Opposite Day because most of what we're told "works" totally backfires.
Amanda Diekman is an autistic PDA mother to three neurodivergent children and the author of the groundbreaking book, "Low Demand Parenting." 
In our conversation we discuss:
What exactly a PDA profile is and how it might show up in our kids (or ourselves!)
How to navigate the challenges and complexities of parenting a child with a highly sensitive nervous system
Why reducing demands leads to more trusting, harmonious relationships within the family
Practical strategies for lowering demands and advocating for your PDA child outside the home
You can find Amanda at: 
@lowdemandamanda on Instagram | www.amandadiekman.com/
Click here to get Amanda's free resource, the Drop or Not Framework

S1.E10: Is RFK Right About Autism?

Let's address the recent controversial comments made by RFK about autism. Besides his speech being factually incorrect and laced with scientific inaccuracies, RFK positing autism as an epidemic that is destroying children and families is harmful for a number of reasons:
Distracts us from advocating for systemic change, better support, and accommodations for autistic individuals
Divides parents of low and medium support needs against parents of high support needs children, when we should be uniting together to fight for better resources for autistic people and their families
Reinforces the harmful rhetoric that humans are only valuable based on their ability to produce and contribute to capitalism

S1.E9: What Does The Department of Education Actually Do?

 
On March 30th, Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. Some are cheering the move while others, especially parents of children with learning and/or developmental disabilities, are scared. Who's right?
 
In this episode of Neuropositive, we're digging into the Department of Education and laying out the facts including:
When and why the DOEd was created
What the DOEd actually does vs. what your State Board of Education does
The importance of DOEd's primary functions of distributing funding (especially to low income schools), protecting the civil rights of students, and improving access to higher education
Common myths and misconceptions about the DOEd
Ramifications of dismantling the DOEd
Resources:
- You can follow writer and advocate, Mariana Hernandez, on Facebook and Substack
- TIME article: The Real Impact of Eliminating the Department of Education
- The Century Foundation: How Gutting the DOEd Would Hurt Students and Their Families

S1.E8: Jackie Kelley on Navigating Partnership As An ND Couple

Ever wonder why your partner does that thing?! Or frustrated that your partner doesn't get what you need as a ND person? 
In this episode we talk with Jackie Kelley-- author, illustrator, mom, wife and neurodiversity advocate.
Jackie shares her journey with ADHD, from her late diagnosis to coping with anxiety, depression, and sensory issues. We discuss:
 
Why motherhood is often the catalyst for uncovering our own neurodivergence
Challenges and triumphs of marriage and motherhood
Need for self-advocacy, especially in creating a supportive environment at home
Importance of respecting each other's needs in partnerships and effective communication
You can get more of Jackie's content on Instagram: @stayathomejackie

S1.E7: 504s Are Under Attack In The Texas v. Becerra Case

After taking a needed mental health break, Phyllis is back and covering a current event you may not have heard of in the news: the court case Texas v. Becerra and why it's important, even if you don't have children in public school.
The lawsuit was initiated in September, 2024 led by Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas along with 16 other states and argues that Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 --which prohibits discrimination against disabled people-- is unconstitutional.
In this episode we'll do a quick but important run down of this case, including:
What is Section 504? 
Who is protected by Section 504? 
How the impact of 504 goes far beyond public school classrooms
Why Texas v. Becerra was filed in the first place
What happens if Section 504 goes away?
What we can do next
Resources from this episode:> Brief overview from the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund that hits the highlights of Section 504 and the Texas v. Becerra case
> Time magazine essay from disabled self-advocate, Rebekah Taussig, detailing more of the history of Section 504 and the Disability Rights Movement
> 5 Calls App: Easy to use, free tool for making calls to your political representative to make your voice heard