In this episode, Theo Smith and Nathan discuss Nathan's personal journey with dyspraxia and his passion for empowering neurodivergent individuals.

Nathan founded NeuroExpression, a social enterprise that aims to provide a platform for neurodivergent artists and promote a neurodivergent-friendly world.

They explore the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in accessing support and funding, as well as the need for reasonable adjustments and feedback from the neurodivergent community.

The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the unique talents and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals.

The conversation explores the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workplace and the importance of reasonable adjustments. It highlights the negative societal perception of neurodivergence and the need for a more inclusive and understanding culture. The role of AI in supporting neurodivergent individuals is also discussed.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of work and the potential for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship to create more inclusive environments.

Takeaways

• Nathan's personal journey with dyspraxia led him to found NeuroExpression, a social enterprise that empowers neurodivergent individuals and promotes a neurodivergent-friendly world.
• Neurodivergent individuals often face challenges in accessing support and funding, and there is a need for reasonable adjustments and feedback from the neurodivergent community.
• The educational system is geared towards verbal thinking, which puts visual thinkers at a disadvantage. There is a need for more awareness and support for different learning styles.
• Grant applications and funding processes can be barriers for neurodivergent individuals, and there is a need to empower them to apply for and be successful in obtaining grants.
• It is important to recognize and value the unique talents and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals and provide platforms for them to showcase their work. Society has a negative confirmation bias towards neurodivergence, seeing it as a barrier rather than a difference.
• Reasonable adjustments are essential to remove barriers for neurodivergent individuals in the workplace.
• The culture of the workplace and the attitude of colleagues and management are crucial in creating an inclusive environment.
• AI can be a valuable tool for neurodivergent individuals, enhancing productivity and providing support.
• Entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship can offer opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to thrive and contribute their unique strengths.

Key words: neurodiversity, dyspraxia, neurodivergent, social enterprise, empowerment, reasonable adjustments, funding, feedback, neurodivergence, workplace, reasonable adjustments, societal perception, culture, AI, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship

Sadie Dingfelder, a freelance writer and science writer, shares her experiences with face blindness and aphantasia.

She discovered her face blindness when she failed to recognise people she had interviewed just minutes earlier.

Through research and testing, she found that her face blindness may be due to brain damage during birth. She also realised that she has aphantasia, the inability to visualise mental images.

Despite these challenges, Sadie has found strengths in her unique brain, such as being quick to connect with strangers and having a natural talent for writing.

She wrote a book to raise awareness and understanding of these conditions. Sadie Dingfelder's book, 'Do I Know You? A FaceBlind Reporter's Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory, and Imagination,' explores her experiences as a faceblind individual and her journey to understand the science behind it.

She shares her interactions with various researchers and the tests she underwent to understand her condition. Dingfelder also discusses the concept of subjective experience and how scientists are studying it objectively.

She explores other unique experiences, such as Alice in Wonderland Syndrome and synesthesia, and the potential benefits of understanding and accommodating different ways of processing and seeing the world.

• Face blindness and aphantasia are conditions that can impact how individuals recognise faces and visualise mental images.
• Face blindness may be genetic or caused by brain damage, and it can affect a person's ability to remember and recognise faces.
• Aphantasia is the inability to visualise mental images, and it can impact how individuals process and remember information.
• Despite these challenges, individuals with face blindness and aphantasia can have unique strengths and talents.
• Writing can be a natural outlet for individuals with aphantasia, as it allows them to explore their thoughts and ideas in a tangible way.
• Raising awareness and understanding of face blindness and aphantasia is important to combat misconceptions and promote empathy. Understanding subjective experience is a growing field of study in neuroscience.
• Different neurodiverse experiences can provide innovative perspectives and problem-solving approaches.
• Accommodating diverse ways of processing and seeing the world can benefit everyone.
• The rapid changes in modern society can pose challenges for human brains to adapt.
• Exploring and understanding unique experiences can lead to new insights and opportunities.

keywords:

face blindness, aphantasia, brain damage, recognition, strengths, writing, book, faceblind, subjective experience, neuroscience, neurodiversity, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, synesthesiatakeaways

In this episode, Theo Smith and Amanda Kirby discuss the challenges parents face when their children go through transitions, such as starting school or moving to a new school. They emphasize the importance of supporting parents and addressing their stress, anxiety, and mental health. Amanda shares her experiences as a parent and grandparent, highlighting the small but significant details that can make a big difference in preparing children for transitions. They discuss the importance of planning ahead, creating visual timetables, and providing structure and support for children during these transitions. In this conversation, Amanda and Theo discuss strategies for parents of neurodiverse children to navigate the challenges of back-to-school season. They emphasize the importance of understanding and accommodating individual needs, creating a positive relationship with schools, and prioritizing key areas of support. They also highlight the significance of listening to and observing children to better understand their needs and preferences. The conversation concludes with a reminder to be kind to oneself and to appreciate the unique qualities of neurodiverse children.

Keywords parenting, transitions, stress, anxiety, mental health, support, planning, visual timetables, structure, neurodiversity, back-to-school, individual needs, positive relationship, support, listening, observing, self-care

Takeaways

• Parents face significant challenges when their children go through transitions, and it is important to support them and address their stress, anxiety, and mental health.
• Planning ahead and creating visual timetables can help children prepare for transitions and reduce anxiety.
• Providing structure and support, such as laying out clothes the night before and having a routine, can make a big difference in helping children navigate transitions.
• Small details, such as adapting clothing or creating a calm space for children, can have a significant impact on their ability to cope with transitions.
• Addressing the needs and concerns of parents is crucial, as they play a vital role in supporting their children during transitions. Understand and accommodate the individual needs of neurodiverse children during back-to-school season.
• Create a positive relationship with schools by sharing information about your child's strengths, preferences, and challenges.
• Prioritize key areas of support and focus on a few achievable goals.
• Listen to and observe your child to better understand their needs and preferences.
• Be kind to yourself and appreciate the unique qualities of neurodiverse children.

• Addressing the Needs of Parents
• Supporting Parents Through Transitions Prioritizing Key Areas of Support
• Building a Positive Relationship with Schools

TitlesSound BitesChapters00:00Supporting Parents Through Transitions03:09The Importance of Planning and Visual Timetables19:28Creating Structure and Support for Children23:08The Impact of Small Details on Coping with Transitions30:07Building a Positive Relationship with Schools35:15Prioritizing Key Areas of Support41:22Listening and Observing: Understanding Your Child's Needs45:20Being Kind to Yourself: The Long Game of Parenting