Shows
NeuropositiveS1.E12: Wait, what just happened?! A Season 1 wrap-upThat'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!
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2025-06-2607 minNeuropositiveS1.E11: PDA Children and the Power of Low Demand Parenting with Amanda DiekmanAre 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 (o...2025-05-2452 minNeuropositiveS1.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...2025-05-0127 minNeuropositiveS1.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
Co...2025-04-0325 minNeuropositiveS1.E8: Jackie Kelley on Navigating Partnership As An ND CoupleEver 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...2025-03-1729 minNeuropositiveS1.E7: 504s Are Under Attack In The Texas v. Becerra CaseAfter 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...2025-03-0415 minNeuropositiveS1.E6: Why Neurodivergent Labels Are ImportantHow often have your heard a parent say that they suspect their child is autistic or ADHD but they don't want them to grow up having "that label"? In this episode of the Neuropositive Podcast, Phyllis discusses why neurodivergent labels are important and the power of talking openly about them with our children. Highlights include:
How avoiding labels such as autism, ADHD, bipolar, etc. is a form of ableism that can potentially prevent children from accessing necessary support and accommodations
Why it's important for us to reclaim our neurodivergent labels as a form of self-advocacy, empowerment, and to...2025-02-1428 minNeuropositiveS1.E5: The Problem with The Telepathy TapesIn this week's episode, Phyllis critiques the wildly popular 'Telepathy Tapes' podcast.
The Telepathy Tapes is a documentary-style podcast that explores the possible phenomenon of non-speaking autistic people and telepathic abilities. Despite her admiration for producer Kai Dickens' work, Phyllis finds the telepathy podcast deeply problematic, including:
Lack of scientific process and real evidence
Potential harm to the neurodivergent community by sensationalizing and othering autistic people
Distracting from meaningful progress and understanding of how to support non-speaking autistic people and their families/caregivers
Devaluing the contribution and self-advocacy of actually autistic non-speakers
Links to non-speaking au...2025-02-0517 minNeuropositiveS1.E4: Hotline: How Can Educators & Schools Better Support ND Children?In this Hotline episode, Phyllis answers a listener question about how teachers (and others who work in schools) can better support neurodivergent children.
Drawing from her own experiences with various educational environments for her daughter, Phyllis emphasizes:
The importance of recognizing and accommodating individual needs in the classroom
Understanding that all behavior is communication
Why sensory breaks should never have to be "earned" and why withholding recess is counterproductive
The need for regular communication between teachers and parents
Always presuming competence in neurodivergent students
2025-01-2327 minNeuropositiveS1.E3: Ash Brandin on Screen Time as a Positive Tool for Learning & ConnectionIn this episode of Neuropositive, we're tackling a topic that's highly relevant to parents raising neurodivergent children-- screen time.
We talk with Ash Brandin, EdS (they/them) who has been a public school educator for over a decade. In that time they found innovative ways of using student interests --including video games-- to increase engagement and make learning more fun and effective. Since February 2021, their Instagram page (@TheGamerEducator) has helped tens of thousands of families make screen time beneficial for the whole family.
Ash believes screens should be part of our lives, not the center of...2025-01-1437 minNeuropositiveS1.E2: What I Wish I Knew When My Daughter Was First DiagnosedIn this episode of Neurpositive, Phyllis Brasenell offers empathy and guidance for parents and caregivers of newly identified neurodivergent children.
Several years into her journey, she shares what she wishes she'd known when her daughter was first identified as autistic. No matter the flavor of neurodivergence -- whether it's ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, autism, etc.-- you'll walk away from this episode feeling more supported and less alone knowing that:
It's Okay to Pause and Process First
Your Child is Still the Same Child
Free Yourself from Comparing Your Child to Others
Allow Yourself to Cry
...2025-01-0919 minNeuropositiveS1.E1: What is Neuropositive All About?
In this first episode of the Neuropositive Podcast I share my personal journey as a late-diagnosed ADHD mom to neurodivergent daughters. In this episode I unpack what I believe a Neuropositive future looks like, the need to address the intersectionality of neurodiversity with issues like race, class, and gender, and the importance of creating an inclusive, supportive community.
I also offer a peek into what future episodes will cover including topics, interviews, listener questions, and more real-time reflections as I continue traveling my own neurodivergent path.
Discover:
Who the podcast is for and what you can expect in future episodes
What...2025-01-0617 minNeuropositiveIntroducing the Neuropositive PodcastAn affirming podcast about celebrating neurodivergence in every form with conversations that are both pragmatic and heartfelt. Subscribe now!
2024-10-2102 min