Neurodiversity Podcast

• Presuming Competence: A Nonspeaking Person Finds His Voice

  Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Sumit and Viraj Dhanda, a father-son duo who are working to update and rethink norms around communication, intelligence, and inclusion. Viraj is a nonspeaking autistic student who was diagnosed with autism and apraxia as a young child. Viraj and his father, Sumit, talk about their journey navigating the challenges and misconceptions surrounding non-verbal communication, the impact of apraxia, and the importance of presuming competence. Viraj shares his personal experiences through a communication tool, and tells the story of when he and his father discovered his unique condition. TAKEAWAYS Many non-speakers have apraxia of speech. Potential can be missed when you fail to presume competence in non-speaking people. Typing can be a transformative communication tool for non-speakers. Misconceptions about non-verbal communication can be damaging. Advocacy and persistence can lead to breakthroughs in education. Parents should explore all communication options for their children. Non-speaking people can and do have rich, complex thoughts. Education systems should rethink expectations for non-speakers. Emerging technologies offer hope for non-speaking people. Viraj and Sumit Dhanda are a father-son duo reshaping the conversation around communication, intelligence, and inclusion. Viraj, a nonspeaking autistic student admitted to MIT’s Class of 2029, was diagnosed with autism and apraxia in early childhood. Through typing, he broke through profound communication barriers and revealed extraordinary strengths in mathematics, writing, and critical thinking. His poetry and essays offer rare insight into the inner world of nonspeaking autistics and have been featured by The Boston Globe, CBS Evening News, and NPR’s Here & Now. Sumit, a finance professional and former executive at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citadel Securities, and Evercore ISI, now dedicates much of his time to advocacy and storytelling alongside his son. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford and graduate degrees from Dartmouth and BITS Pilani, Sumit brings a unique lens to the conversation. Together, they are co-authoring a memoir that weaves their two perspectives into one powerful narrative—challenging assumptions and expanding what we understand about neurodiversity and human potential. BACKGROUND READING Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website. The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.

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• Synesthesia in Cinema: The Making of 'Magnetosphere'

  Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes filmmaker Nicola Rose, to talk about her film 'Magnetosphere,' a movie about the world of synesthesia. Nicola shares her insights and challenges of portraying neurodivergence in cinema, the difficulty and complexity of independent filmmaking, and the personal journey of understanding her own ADHD diagnosis. They talk about the creative process, the importance of authentic representation, and the universal themes of growing up and self-discovery. TAKEAWAYS Synesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon where senses are intertwined, such as seeing sounds or tasting shapes. Nicola Rose's film 'Magnetosphere' explores synesthesia through a coming-of-age story set in the 1990s. Independent filmmaking presents challenges, including limited budgets and the need for creative solutions. Neurodivergent individuals may find exploring many diverse activities helpful in better understanding themselves. Here’s a link to check out the Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools courses that will be available soon! Nicola Rose is a New York City-based film director and writer whose work explores neurodivergence, identity, and human connection through imaginative storytelling. She is the writer and director of Magnetosphere, a coming-of-age comedy about a neurodivergent girl discovering she has synesthesia. The film features a cast including Colin Mochrie, Tara Strong, Steven He, and Debra McGrath, and is available on major streaming platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV. Nicola’s debut feature film, Goodbye, Petrushka, premiered at Dances With Films in Los Angeles and is now streaming widely. She has also written, directed, and produced several short films, bringing a unique creative voice to every project. Nicola is a graduate of Columbia University and the Université Sorbonne-Nouvelle in Paris. BACKGROUND READING Instagram, Facebook If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website. The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.

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• Building Henry's Classroom: An Advocacy Master Class

  Emily Kircher-Morris talks with writer Amy Mackin, author of Henry’s Classroom: A Special Education in American Motherhood, about her experiences navigating the special education system for her son, Henry. They discuss the challenges of accessing appropriate resources, the impact of social isolation, and how community support can make a huge difference. They talk about Amy's transition from public school to homeschooling, and the benefits of a more holistic approach to education that broadens the support group to include family and even medical professionals. TAKEAWAYS Early intervention is extremely important in special education. Community support is instrumental in educational advocacy. Social isolation is impactful for families with special needs children. A holistic approach to education can be transformative. Communication between medical and educational systems can be extremely beneficial. There can be a big financial toll on families navigating special education. Homeschooling can be an alternative educational path for some. Student voices should be included in the IEP process. Educational resources vary greatly based on the socioeconomic status of each school district. For information about inviting Emily to your organization or school district, or having her speak at your conference or event, check out the website and get in touch! Amy Mackin is a writer whose work explores the intersections of education, cultural history, public health, and social equity. Her essays and articles have appeared in The Atlantic, Chalkbeat, The Washington Post, Literary Mama, Witness, The Shriver Report, and other publications. She holds an MA in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut hybrid memoir, Henry’s Classroom: A Special Education in American Motherhood, was released in May 2025. BACKGROUND READING Facebook, Facebook (author page), LinkedIn, Instagram The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.

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• Adult-Diagnosed ADHD: Grieving What Might Have Been

  Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Dr. Jennifer Dall, a grief-informed neurodivergence specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically. Jennifer was diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s, and is now an educator, administrator, coach, and grief specialist. They talk about grieving over what might have been, a struggle that often accompanies late-diagnosis. They discuss Jennifer's lived experience with late diagnosis, as well as some common misconceptions about ADHD, especially those faced by women. They also talk about the challenges of identifying ADHD in school settings, particularly for girls and students who may not present with typical disruptive behaviors, and how dependence on a behavioral lens can lead to greater consequences, rather than providing necessary support. TAKEAWAYS There's a lack of training about the diverse presentations of ADHD among educators and professionals. It's a persistent myth that people "grow out of" ADHD. There can be profound grief and trauma after a late diagnosis, stemming from lost time, opportunities, and years of internalizing negative narratives. ADHD often compounds the symptoms of grief. Dr. Jennifer Dall is a Grief-Informed Neurodivergence Specialist and the founder of ADHD Holistically, where she helps individuals—particularly women—navigate ADHD with practical, personalized strategies that prioritize self-awareness and sustainable growth. With over 25 years of experience as an educator and a background in ADHD coaching, yoga instruction, and grief education, her holistic approach is rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience. Diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s, Dr. Jennifer brings deep insight into the challenges of late diagnosis, masking, and misinformation—especially for women. Through her courses, workshops, and speaking engagements, she supports neurodivergent individuals and the professionals who serve them, including therapists, coaches, and HR leaders. Her work centers on reframing ADHD as a source of strength, helping others unlock their potential with strategies that work in real life. BACKGROUND READING Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.

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• Parenting Through the Chaos and Finding Peace (reprise)

  aising kids and teens who struggle with emotional regulation can be tough. Parents must navigate the complexities of societal pressures, and it can lower self-esteem and cause self-doubt. Today we talk about some essential strategies to establish a warm, connected relationship with a challenging child. We try to help find the balance between talking less, and setting clear, aspirational expectations that are crucial for both parents and kids. Our guest is Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book “Calm the Chaos,” and we’ll try to help quell your fear of the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies raising a challenging child. This is a reprise of a conversation from an earlier episode. Check out the courses in the Neurodiversity University and join us in bringing society closer to a neurodiversity-affirming world. Dayna Abraham, bestselling author and National Board Certified Educator, is the founder of Lemon Lime Adventures, which provides resources to parents of neurodivergent kids, and helps them find peace, and meet their kids where they are. Dayna is a mother of three neurodivergent children, as well as being an ADHD adult herself, and brings an out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in a modern world. Her work has been showcased in HuffPost, Scary Mommy, BuzzFeed, ADDitude Magazine, Parents Magazine and Lifehacker. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband Jason, her kids, and two huge Newfoundland puppies. BACKGROUND READING Book, podcast, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you’re invited to join our Facebook Group.

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