Emily Kircher-Morris

24/01/2025

"Instead of calling out, I want to call people in."

Amanda Morin, Author and Consultant and I talked with Debbie Reber on the Tilt Parenting about our new book, "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools," and I talked about breaking down barriers for educators supporting neurodivergent students. Our goal is to help teachers realize they’re already doing so much—and that small, meaningful changes can make a huge difference in the lives of their students.

Teaching isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. If you’re an educator, parent, or advocate, this conversation is for you.

Watch the full clip and let me know your thoughts! And be sure to check out the Tilt Parenting podcast Episode 424!

24/01/2025

Hey, everyone! I've been on Bluesky for a while, but would love to connect with more folks over there. My handle is https://bsky.app/profile/emilykm-lpc.bsky.social. See you there! Neurodiversity Podcast

🧠 Neurodivergent | 🎙️ Host of The Neurodiversity Podcast | 💜 Counselor & Educator| 📚 Author | 📣 Speaker | Next book: Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported (January 2025)

21/01/2025

A lot has changed in the thirty-ish years since I was diagnosed with ADHD (ADD at the time). We've had two new DSMs released and our understanding of neurodivergence has shifted greatly - but we still have so much work to do! (Interesting that at the time I was diagnosed, not only was autism (Asperger's at that time) not in the DSM, but you couldn't even have both an ADHD and autism diagnosis until the DSM-5 in 2013. But, I digress!)

It is perfect that this book is released today on January 21 because it is also my mom's birthday. She was my first advocate and knew where to look and who to ask to have me evaluated - at a time before social media and the internet! Her resourcefulness and the self-understanding I've gained as someone lucky enough to have been given a diagnosis in childhood. That isn't to say I haven't internalized a ton of ableism along the way that I'm constantly finding when I'm least expecting it - but those experiences are what have pushed me to create this new book.

Big kudos to my amazing co-author, Amanda Morin, Author and Consultant, of course, too! Neurodiversity Podcast

21/01/2025

Now available! Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin, Author and Consultant.

Learn how to create environments where neurodivergent students feel safe, valued, and understood.

Pick up your copy today!
Bookshop: https://hubs.ly/Q030wh5r0
B&N: https://hubs.ly/Q030wfCX0
Amazon: https://hubs.ly/Q030wFMQ0

21/01/2025

You ever feel like we’re living in this “neurodiversity moment”? People are finally talking about how their brains work—at work, at school, and everywhere in between.

Amanda Morin, Author and Consultant and I kicked off Episode 1 of our new podcast, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, by asking, "Why now? Why is this happening, and how can schools actually keep up with what we’re learning about diverse brains?"

Honestly, it’s because people like us—neurodivergent adults—are finally speaking up and saying, “This matters.”

Give it a listen if this resonates with you. Would love to hear your thoughts!

And, of course, order your copy of "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported" anywhere you buy books and download episode one of the "Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools" podcast everywhere you listen to podcasts. Neurodiversity Podcast

20/01/2025

It’s only one day until release day, and this book is the only thing you need to be talking about. It’s affirming, it’s inclusive, and honestly? It’s the best thing to happen to education since dry shampoo to mornings. ~David Rose (according to legend)

You can order "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported" now, everywhere books are sold.

20/01/2025

Introducing the T.R.U.E. strategy - a thoughtful approach to helping students navigate when and how to be their authentic selves in different situations. While we all mask certain aspects of ourselves at times, learning to balance authenticity with social adaptation is a crucial skill that requires careful guidance and support.

Trust your feelings, Reflect on camouflaging, Understand your needs, and Experiment with expression - these four pillars help students develop a healthy relationship with their authentic identity. By creating safe spaces for students to explore different levels of self-expression, we empower them to make mindful choices about when and how to unmask.

Discover more strategies for supporting student authenticity in "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported." Help your students find their balance between adaptation and authenticity.

19/01/2025

We're so glad that Kareem Neal, Arizona's 2019 State Teacher of the Year and 2022 National Teacher’s Hall of Fame inductee, saw how "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices so All Students Feel Accepted and Supported," can help all students feel seen. Pre-order your copy now from any bookseller to start helping students be self-advocates!

19/01/2025

Oh, thank you, darling. Truly, thank you for being here and showing your support. This book is going to be the resource for creating schools where every student feels seen and valued. You’re all a part of this fabulous journey—keep cheering, we’re almost there! ~Moira Rose (probably)

You can order "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported" now, everywhere books are sold.

18/01/2025

3D SC: Only 3 days until release day! This book is a testament to the power of good ideas executed well. Here’s to changing education for the better—one school at a time. ~Johnny Rose (sources say)

You can order "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported" now, everywhere books are sold.

18/01/2025

Understanding how neurodivergent students seek positive attention through camouflaging behaviors is crucial for creating truly supportive learning environments. These adaptive strategies, while often viewed as successful coping mechanisms, can come at a significant emotional and mental cost to our students.

From memorizing social scripts to becoming expert observers of peer behavior, many neurodivergent students pour tremendous energy into appearing "typical." Even high-achieving students may use their academic excellence as a shield, channeling their efforts into areas of strength while masking their challenges. This constant performance takes a heavy toll, often leading to exhaustion and increased anxiety.

Want to better understand and support authentic student expression in your classroom? Discover insights and strategies in "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported," available January 21, 2025. Let's create learning environments where students can thrive as their authentic selves.

17/01/2025

Did you know that Universal Design for Learning (UDL) benefits every student in the classroom, not just those who traditionally receive accommodations? When we design our learning environments with flexibility and accessibility in mind from the start, we create spaces where all students can thrive.

These five key benefits of UDL highlight how this framework transforms education for everyone: from providing flexible options for engagement to ensuring clear lesson goals, from offering informal accommodations to maintaining regular feedback channels. This approach recognizes that every student deserves agency in their learning journey and access to tools that support their success.

Want to discover more about implementing UDL principles in your classroom? Learn practical strategies for creating inclusive learning environments in "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported," available January 21, 2025.

16/01/2025

We knew the cover of our new book "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices so All Students Feel Accepted and Supported," looks celebratory, but it's very cool that Cindy Johanson of the George Lucas Educational Foundation pointed out that the contents celebrates minds of all kinds! Join the celebration by pre-ordering your copy now.

16/01/2025

Okay, but like, this book is basically the Beyoncé of educational resources every chapter is intentional, stunning, and leaves you wanting more. Get ready to upgrade your entire educational aesthetic. It’s iconic, relevant, and totally life-changing. If you’re not planning to read it, you’re clearly not living your best life. ~David Rose (or something like that)

You can order "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported" now, everywhere books are sold.

15/01/2025

Co-regulation strategies offer a powerful framework for supporting neurodivergent students in the classroom. Rather than focusing solely on behavior management, this approach builds a foundation of mutual trust and understanding between educators and students.

At its core, co-regulation is about partnership and empowerment. By involving students in recognizing their own strengths and challenges, we help them develop crucial self-reflection skills and personalized strategies for success. This collaborative approach moves beyond traditional classroom management to create an environment where students actively participate in their own growth.

14/01/2025

Thriving is such a powerful goal, and we appreciate that Lauren Jewett, NBCT's () believes our book "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices so All Students Feel Accepted and Supported," can help both students and teachers get there. Pre-order now from any bookseller!

13/01/2025

Why do informal classroom accommodations matter for all students, not just those with documented needs? Research shows that creating an accessible learning environment from the start benefits everyone - reducing anxiety, improving engagement, and fostering genuine inclusion.

When we normalize access to accommodations, we create spaces where every student can thrive on their own terms. This approach recognizes that neurodivergent students aren't "broken" or in need of "fixing" - they simply have different ways of learning and processing information. Universal access to accommodations helps validate these differences while providing equal opportunities for academic success.

Have you considered how making accommodations available to all students might transform your classroom culture? Learn more about creating truly inclusive learning environments in "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported." Let's build educational spaces where diversity in thinking and learning is celebrated, not just tolerated.

12/01/2025

We love that Cindy Johanson of the George Lucas Educational Foundation saw both research and practice in our new book, "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices so All Students Feel Accepted and Supported." Because we want to make sure you have practical strategies you can put into action now. Looking for evidence-based strategies to make change? Pre-order your copy now.