In this episode we welcome special guest Jenny Nechvatal to the show.
Jenny is an early childhood educator, disability inclusion advocate and mother who draws upon her lived experiences to provide support and advice for both educators and parents.
Jenny has a particular interest in Autism and collaboration between parents and educators to support early identification and early intervention.
You can learn more about Jenny's work here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/
You can buy Jenny's book here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/store/p/embracing-disability-in-early-childhood
You can book a workshop with Jenny here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/workshops
Parents of neurodivergent children can join her parenting hub here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/neuro-spicy-parent-hub
Speechie, SLP, speech pathologist, speech and language therapist... we go by many names but not everyone is quite sure of what we do.
In this episode we give an overview of the speech pathology profession, who we work with, what we do and when you might need us.
We talk about our work with speech, language, literacy, feeding, stuttering, ADHD, Autism, disability and more.
In this episode with discuss alexithymia and how this can present in children. This is common among neurodivergent people especially Autistics. We also provide lots of tips to support kids who experience this.
Resources
Brene Brown 87 emotions
https://brenebrown.com/resources/atlas-of-the-heart-list-of-emotions/
Koppelberg, P., Kersting, A. & Suslow, T. (2023). Alexithymia and interpersonal problems in healthy young individuals. BMC Psychiatry 23, 688. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05191-z
Lee, K. S., Murphy, J., Catmur, C., Bird,G., & Hobson, H. (2022). Furthering the language hypothesis of alexithymia: An integrated review and meta-analysis, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 141(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104864.
Oakley BFM, Jones EJH, Crawley D, et al. (2020). Alexithymia in autism: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with social-communication difficulties, anxiety and depression symptoms. Psychological Medicine, 52(8), 1458-1470. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720003244
Schroeders U, Kubera F, Gnambs T. (2022). The Structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20): A Meta-Analytic Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Assessment, 29(8), 1806-1823. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911211033894
In this episode we discuss the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and to what extent we are applying these rights to the lives of children in every day contexts. We specifically discuss the nuances of talking about autonomy, control and consent with people who have communication difficulties and neurodivergent children.
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
https://pwd.org.au/about-us/about-disability/disability-and-human-rights/
https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights
https://www.secca.org.au/resources/sexuality-relationships-and-your-rights-resource/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIvHHvQLwsY
Today we talk about how important fairness and social justice is to neurodivergent people. We talk about different ways this might present in your child and supportive approaches to managing an unjust world.
We also reflect on how unfathomable it is that this is seen as a deficit or sign of disorder.
References
Bondü, R., Esser, G. (2015). Justice and rejection sensitivity in children and adolescents with ADHD symptoms. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 24, 185–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0560-9
Bondü R, Sahyazici-Knaak F, Esser G. (2017). Long-term associations of justice sensitivity, rejection sensitivity, and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Frontier Psychology, 12(8), 1446. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01446
Resources
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-know-about-autism-and-justice-sensitivity-8631234
https://www.simplypsychology.org/autism-justice-sensitivity.html
https://www.mhfa.com.au/navigating-burnout/
In this episode we talk about the best ways to support a child's early communication development. If you are the parent of a young child or perhaps you are worried about your child's development and want to support them to develop their speech, language and communication skills this episode is for you!
We also recommend the following links for more free support and resources.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/wnswlhd/services/speech-pathology
In this episode we look at how neurodivergent people's ability can be extremely different to their capacity. We discuss what this looks like for autistic and ADHDers in both childhood and adulthood and strategies to get in front of burnout using spoon theory as a conceptual model.
Research links:
Higgins, J. M., Arnold, S. R., Weise, J., Pellicano, E., & Trollor, J. N. (2021). Defining autistic burnout through experts by lived experience: Grounded Delphi method investigating #AutisticBurnout. Autism, 25(8), 2356-2369. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211019858
Raymaker, D. M., Teo, A. R., Steckler, N. A., Lentz, B., Scharer, M., Delos Santos, A., ... & Nicolaidis, C. (2020). “Having all of your internal resources exhausted beyond measure and being left with no clean-up crew”: Defining autistic burnout. Autism in adulthood, 2(2), 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2019.0079
In this episode we discuss why neurodivergent people find transitions (both small and large) so challenging.
We discuss the concepts of ADHD task paralysis, sensory issues, executive function, aversion to change and autistic inertia and how all of these elements are at play when transitions are happening in our lives.
Here are the key references we mention in the episode:
https://reframingautism.org.au/transitioning-autistically-a-case-of-cant-not-wont/
Demetriou, E. A., Demayo, M. M., & Guastella, A. J. (2019). Executive function in autism spectrum disorder: History, theoretical models, empirical findings, and potential as an endophenotype. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10(753). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00753
Johnston, K., Murray, K., Spain, D., Walker, I., & Russell, A. (2019). Executive function: Cognition and behaviour in adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49, 4181-4192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04133-7
“Individuals with ASD reported high levels of dysexecutive symptoms that were functionally impairing in everyday life across behavioural, cognitive and emotional domains”
“These findings suggest that EF is an additional important co-occurring condition to consider in ASD”
Kirby, A. V., Feldman, K. J. C., Hoffman, J. M., Diener, M. L., & Himle, M. B. (2020). Transition preparation activities and expectations for the transition to adulthood among parents of autistic youth. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 78, 101640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101640
Kuo, A. A., Crapnell, T., Lau, L., Anderson, K. A., & Shattuck, P. (2018). Stakeholder perspectives on research and practice in autism and transition. Pediatrics, 141 (Supplement_4), S293-S299. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-4300F
Thompson C, Bölte S, Falkmer T, Girdler S (2018) To be understood: Transitioning to adult life for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. PLoS ONE 13(3): e0194758. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194758
This week we return with an episode on self stimulatory behaviour or "stimming".
We dive into the research behind why neurodiverse people stim and how it can be beneficial when supported and de-stigmatised.
Key references
Charlton, R. A., Entecott, T., Belova, E., & Nwaordu, G. (2021). “It feels like holding back something you need to say”: Autistic and non-autistic adults' accounts of sensory experiences and stimming. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 89, 101864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101864Morris, I. F., Sykes, J. R., Paulus, E. R., Dameh, A., Razzaque, A., Esch, L. V., Gruenig, J., & Zelazo, P. D. (2025). Beyond self-regulation: Autistic experiences and perceptions of stimming. Neurodiversity, 3. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330241311096 Kapp, S. K., Steward, R., Crane, L., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Pellicano, E., & Russell, G. (2019). ‘People should be allowed to do what they like’: Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming. Autism, 23(7), 1782-1792. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319829628
In this episode we look at pharmacological treatments frequently used for children, particularly neurodivergent children. We discuss the evidence, the pros, the cons, the side effects and the stigma associated with medication for children.
References cited:
Mechler, K., Banaschewski, T., Hohmann, S., & Häge, A. (2022). Evidence-based pharmacological treatment options for ADHD in children and adolescents. Pharmacology & therapeutics, 230, 107940.
Boland, H., DiSalvo, M., Fried, R., Woodworth, K. Y., Wilens, T., Faraone, S. V., & Biederman, J. (2020). A literature review and meta-analysis on the effects of ADHD medications on functional outcomes. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 123, 21-30.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.01.006
Garland, E. J., Kutcher, S., Virani, A., & Elbe, D. (2016). Update on the use of SSRIs and SNRIs with children and adolescents in clinical practice. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 25(1), 4.Hetrick, S. E., McKenzie, J. E., & Merry, S. N. (2010). The use of SSRIs in children and adolescents. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 23(1), 53-57.Catalá-López, F., Hutton, B., Núñez-Beltrán, A., Page, M. J., Ridao, M., Macías Saint-Gerons, D., ... & Moher, D. (2017). The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review with network meta-analyses of randomised trials. PloS one, 12(7), e0180355.Dalsgaard, S., Nielsen, H. S., & Simonsen, M. (2014). Consequences of ADHD medication use for children's outcomes. Journal of health economics, 37, 137-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2014.05.005
In this episode we talk about the challenges that parents face when finding out their child is neurodivergent and how to take a fresh perspective on this situation
In this unscheduled episode we deep dive into the movie Wicked and how it relates to the autistic experience. Hopefully this will be a fun holiday listen for you!
In this episode we discuss the early signs of neurodivergence and how they presented and we missed in our early lives.
We hope this episode will help you to understand the unique ways that neurodivergence can present in individuals and empower you to identify early signs in yourself and/or your children.
In this episode we tackle all the big issues to help you and your loved ones prepare for a sensory friendly and neurodiversity affirming festive season. We cover everything from food to clothes to presents and surviving crowds and unfamiliar people.
This week we look at how being a perfectionist is a common trait among the neurospicy and how this can lead to side quests, procrastination and self doubt. We discuss some ideas that can help you understand and overcome perfectionism in yourself and your children.
In this episode we look at neurospicy approved approaches to intervention for ARFID - Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
For more info see:
Białek-Dratwa, A., Szymańska, D., Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., Szczepańska, E., & Kowalski, O. (2022). ARFID—Strategies for dietary management in children. Nutrients, 14(9), 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091739
Brown, M., & Hildebrandt, T. (2020). Parent-facilitated behavioral treatment for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: a case report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 27(2), 231-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2019.05.002
Fisher, M., Zimmerman, J., Bucher, C., & Yadlosky, L. (2023). ARFID at 10 years: A Review of Medical, Nutritional and Psychological Evaluation and Management. Current gastroenterology reports, 25(12), 421-429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-023-00900-w
On today's episode we are discussing the unique presentation of Autism in girls.
We discuss the way that gender bias in research and society means that girls and women are less diagnosed, later diagnosed and are less accommodated.
In Part 2 of this series we look into the genetic link between neurodiversity and chronic illnesses.
See references below:
Carrozza, C., Foca, L., De Paolis, E., & Concolino, P. (2021). Genes and pseudogenes: complexity of the RCCX locus and disease. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 709-758. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.709758
Dechene, L. (1993). Chronic fatigue syndrome: influence of histamine, hormones and electrolytes. Medical hypotheses, 40(1), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-9877(93)90197-X Quadt, L., Csecs, J., Bond, R., Harrison, N. A., Critchley, H. D., Davies, K. A., & Eccles, J. (2024). Childhood neurodivergent traits, inflammation and chronic disabling fatigue in adolescence: a longitudinal case–control study. BMJ open, 14(7). https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/7/e084203 Sala, R., Amet, L., Blagojevic-Stokic, N., Shattock, P., & Whiteley, P. (2020). Bridging the Gap Between Physical Health and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 16, 1605–1618. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S251394 Weir, E., Allison, C., Warrier, V., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2021). Increased prevalence of non-communicable physical health conditions among autistic adults. Autism, 25(3), 681-694. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320953652
A huge body of research shows that neurodiverse individuals are significantly more likely to experience just about every chronic health condition. In Part 1 we look at the statistics and research that investigates these co-occuring conditions. In part 2 of this series we will deep dive into the theories as to why this occurs including the role of genetics, hormones and exposure to trauma.
In this episode we posit a new theory that maybe our discussions on social interactions in neurodiversity are all backwards, could it be that the neurodivergents have got it right all along?