Emily Kircher-Morris

21/03/2025

I saw this meme the other day—two frogs, just hanging out by a pond, drinking tea. One asks, "How are things?" and the other, clearly overthinking, tells himself "Don't be weird" before blurting out "Time isn't real."

And honestly? I have never felt more seen.

I can’t tell you how many times my brain bypasses the expected small-talk answer and instead catapults me into an existential rabbit hole. Someone asks, "How’s your week going?" and suddenly I’m explaining how I got lost in a deep dive about the history of punctuation marks we don’t use anymore. (Did you know there was once a punctuation mark called the “interrobang” designed specifically for expressing a question and excitement at the same time‽ And yet here we are, still using multiple exclamation points and question marks like some kind of punctuation amateurs.)

Neurodivergent brains tend to process the world in ways that don’t always fit neatly into social norms. Sometimes that means struggling to filter our thoughts before saying something that makes people pause. Other times, it means we see connections others don’t, leading to conversations that are far more interesting than the standard "Fine, how are you?"

So, if your brain works like Frog #2, just know you’re not alone. And honestly? Maybe Frog #2 is onto something—because if time isn’t real, then technically, you’re never late.

20/03/2025

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Education doesn’t set curriculum, standards, or what gets taught in schools? Those decisions are already made at the state and local level. But what the Department does do is provide critical funding and protections for our most vulnerable students, including those who are neurodivergent.

The states with the most to lose - for example, those relying on federal aid for special education or Title I funding - will be hit the hardest if it’s eliminated.

26/02/2025

There’s nothing better than stumbling upon something lovely about your own book because you went down a rabbit role about learning. Thanks, Jessica Kulynych for reading “Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools” and truly getting it. https://open.substack.com/pub/jessicajkulynych/p/great-teaching-for-whom

26/02/2025

Learn from the best! Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, and host of The Neurodiversity Podcast, is joining our Neurodiversity Education Series to teach you how to help your neurodivergent child manage their emotions. Discover a 4-step process to foster emotional regulation and create a more understanding home. Reserve your spot now! https://ow.ly/aujf50V6GwP

Presented by REEL and The Parent Venture, CHC, Compass High School, The RILEY Project, and Sequoia Healthcare District

07/02/2025

I love seeing that orange "Best Seller" flag!

Let's give away a few copies of this book!

Just
1. Like this post.
2. Share it, too.
3. And follow this page!

We'll choose a winner on Sunday, Feb. 9!

Do you already have a copy? Would you be open to leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or your favorite platform? We'd appreciate it so much!

25/01/2025

Had an amazing interview yesterday with Dr. Bill Dodson on Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria for the Neurodiversity Podcast about what we know about RSD (and, just as importantly, what we don't). This 2-part episode will be out this week.

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.