Neurodiversity in Society: Embracing Differences for a Better Future (roundtable discussion)

I recently had an open discussion with my instagram audience on whether or not someone with a clinical diagnosis of anxiety would be considered neurodivergent. This stemmed from an inner conflict I was experiencing and trying to decide– am I neurodivergent? 

I actually shared a more in depth view of where I stand on this topic personally and it’s in the previous episode, 88 if you want to go back and listen to that after this. 

This question brought up such great conversations in my DMs and I realized how nuanced this topic was, and how much I wanted to bring this discussion to a larger platform and to include different voices on the topic. 

So I reached out to some of my most respected peers in this space who all have some personal and professional tie to neurodiversity. 

I invited Dr. Cassidy Freitas (LMFT), Andi Putt (speech therapist) and Mr. Chazz (teacher of teachers and parenting coach) to join me for this round table episode. 

I asked questions like 

1.  What does the label of neurodivergent/ neurotypical do for people and society
2. if we classified too many mental health diagnoses as neurodivergent, would that “dilute” the meaning?
3. If we include mental health diagnoses, it can seem like majority of the population would classify as neurodivergent, what does that mean for a "neurotypical" label if they are in the minority? 
4. Should you tell your child’s teacher about their neurodiversity at the beginning of the school year?
5. I asked them to weigh in on a thought someone shared with me that said “is anyone really neurotypical?”

Links:
Mr. Chazz Instagram

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “Conscious Discipline with a ND child” 

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “How to handle hitting with an OT” 
Mr. Chazz podcast epsiode: " Vestibular Processing with an OT" 

Dr. Cassidy Instagram

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode:” The trauma experience in parenthood”

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode: “Raising a sensory sensitive child”

Andi Putt Instagram

Andi Putt podcast episode: “Celebrating Autism with a neurodiverse lens”
Self-reflection episode on neurodiversity

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book