Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC

Episode 274: Beyond Buzzwords: Rethinking Our Neurodiversity Discourse — The Neurodiversity Podcast The word “neurodiversity” is showing up more and more in classrooms, therapy offices, and advocacy circles—but what does it actually mean?

neurodiversitypodcast.com/home/2025/6/...

Was on the Neurodiversity Podcast recently, talking about neurodiversity and biodiversity, "autism is a superpower" rhetoric, and my misgivings about the PDA label.

Thanks for having me, @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social!

Loving @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social and @amandamorin.bsky.social's podcast Creating Neurodiversity Affirming Schools! Can't wait to incorporate your book and podcast into my course this fall. Thank you! 🙏

Think alouds can model emotional regulation in the moment:
💬 “I’m feeling frustrated, so I’m taking a breath.”
Hear more on Ep. 8 of the Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools podcast. 🎧
@emilykm-lpc.bsky.social
#Neurodiversity #EmotionalRegulation #ThinkAlouds #InclusiveTeaching #EduSky

Straws weren’t invented for convenience—they were created for accessibility.
Now? Everyone uses them, including @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social, who I teased about it on Ep. 5 of the Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools podcast. 🥤
That’s the power of inclusive design. #Neurodiversity #EduSky

Another good example of “essential for some, beneficial for all!”

Thanks for sharing this, @amandamorin.bsky.social & @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social!

##a11y #AssistiveTech #ATChat #AllMeansAll #UDL #UDLChat #EdTech #edusky #EduTech

promotional graphic for the ‘Council for Exceptional Children 2025 Convention & Expo’ features a blue and yellow design. The event is scheduled for ‘Friday, March 14, 2025, from 08:00 AM to 09:00 AM.’ The session is titled ‘Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Learning Environments: Implementing Practical …’ and is noted as a ‘Highly Attended Session.’ Amanda Morin is highlighted as a speaker, along with ‘+1 other speaker.’ A circular photo of Amanda Morin, who has red hair, glasses, and is smiling, is placed on the left side, surrounded by a blue border. The CEC 2025 logo, which includes the words ‘Special Education Convention & Expo Baltimore, March 12-15, 2025,’ is positioned in the top left corner. The background is decorated with curved dashed lines and abstract yellow shapes.”

I’m presenting at @cecmembership.bsky.social 2025 Convention & Expo on Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Learning Environments: Implementing Practical Support Strategies along with @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social Hoping for a great turnout! Who else will be there? ! #CEC2025 #EduSky

Great Teaching for Whom? Neurodivergence and the science of learning

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 truly getting “Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools” #Edusky #BookSky open.substack.com/pub/jessicaj...

Podcast cover image for 'Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools,' hosted by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin. Background is a watercolor blend of soft pastel colors. Title in bold purple text with the neurodiversity infinity symbol in the word 'Schools.' A purple microphone icon with sound waves is centered below the title. Text reads: 'Episode 4: Understanding and Confronting Ableism.

🎧 In this timely episode of Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social, @timvillegas.com (of @mcie.org) and I dive into dismantling ableism in education. We explore how ableism is embedded in schools, the social model of disability, and more. Listen in. #Edusky

image of book cover from Amazon of Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported with orange parallelogram that says "best seller" followed by the category Special Education

I love seeing that orange "Best Seller" flag!

I'd love to give away a few copies of this book to some folks who are willing to leave an honest review on Amazon or other platforms. Just comment here + repost this post to be entered! #EduSky

@amandamorin.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Yay! Thank you in advance!

I love this too and would add additional giveaway copies to @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social’s for honest reviews! I’ll keep an eye on Emily’s comments and we’ll coordinate. 📚#BookSky

image of book cover from Amazon of Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported with orange parallelogram that says "best seller" followed by the category Special Education

I love seeing that orange "Best Seller" flag!

I'd love to give away a few copies of this book to some folks who are willing to leave an honest review on Amazon or other platforms. Just comment here + repost this post to be entered! #EduSky

@amandamorin.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Perfectionism Is a Way to Avoid Feeling Perfectionism and the pursuit of more success, while apparently rational, are driven, in part, by an intense fear of one's emotions.

McWilliams wrote, "Some people feel so bereft of clear family standards, so ignored by the adults around them, that to push themselves to grow up they hold themselves to idealized criteria of behavior and feeling that they derive from the larger culture.” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/perf...

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Small Changes to Make Your Classroom More Neurodiversity-Affirming Everyone's brain is different, and if we set up our schools in a way that makes room for many variations, we'll all be better off.

This week, I talked with @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social and @amandamorin.bsky.social about four actionable changes teachers can make right now to reshape their classrooms into spaces that are more affirming for neurodiverse students. Really good stuff!

www.cultofpedagogy.com/neurodiversi...

Thanks for coming to my session! ❤️

@emilykm-lpc.bsky.social such a great presentation! #MakingadifferenceinPA

It was such an honor to be invited to be a guest on the @cultofpedagogy.bsky.social podcast with Jennifer Gonzalez. We're so thrilled that this book (Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools) is resonating with educators everywhere. Take a listen. 🎧 #EduSky @amandamorin.bsky.social

We’ve seen this, right #EduSky? This happened on Friday: The introduction of H.R.899 - To terminate the Department of Education. To be clear, that’s the whole thing, too. No additional text. www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...

Row 1:
Stop the World I Want to Get Off by @jodieclarke.bsky.social

Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools by @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social and @amandamorin.bsky.social

Social Work Practice in Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities edited by Kevin P. Stoddart and Ann Fudge Schormans

Graphic with text Autism Non-Fiction by Autistic Authors. Published January 2025. Displays the book covers for: - Stop the World I Want to Get Off: A Guide to Understanding and Supporting the Recovery of Autistic Burnout in Children and Young People by Jodie Clarke - Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted & Supported by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin - Social Work Practice in Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities edited by Kevin P. Stoddart and Ann Fudge Schormans - Trans and Disabled: An Anthology of Identities and Experiences edited by Alex Iantaffi - Autistic All Along: Self Reflective Workbook by Cara Lee - Breastfeeding, Autism & ADHD: Understanding extra support needs and positives for the Autistic or ADHD breastfeeding mother, parent and child by Emily Lunny

Non-fiction books about autism, written by Autistic authors. Published January 2025.

Graphic with text at the top stating Autism Books by Autistic Authors. Published January 2025. In the centre is a collage of book covers, tilted on an angle. Each book is listed in detail in the subsequent graphics and text. At the bottom is the text The Autism Books by Autistic Authors Project @AutisticBooks. In the bottom corner is a small logo with colourful books and a small plant either side.

January 2024 Book Releases Recap!

Here are the books about autism, or with Autistic main characters, written by Autistic authors and published in January!
🧵

#AutismBooks #AutisticAuthor #Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky

image of "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported"

image of "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported"

image of a woman with glasses and short hair wearing a black shirt holding a copy of "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported"

very little that gives me a kick of seratonin than seeing pics of our new book making their way out into the world. ♥️ @amandamorin.bsky.social

"Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices so All Students Feel Accepted and Supported," available on shelves today! It has been an amazing journey to co-author this book w/ @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social across time zones. Order your copy now and start showing us your "shelfies."

Cover of Neurodiversity Affirming Schools has no pictures but is brightly colored.

Happy pub day to @amandamorin.bsky.social & @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social ! This dynamic duo joined forces to guide schools in developing a nurturing, enlightened approach to teaching.  Get your copy today from Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/a/88516/9798885543972) or Amazon (https://amzn.to/40gEew8).

A smiling person with short red hair and glasses holds multiple copies of the book titled “Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices so All Students Feel Accepted & Supported.” They are wearing a dark purple sweater and standing in front of a bookshelf, with additional books and decorative items, including a colorful ball and illuminated tree, in the background.

🎉It’s book release day! 🎉! @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social and I can’t wait for you to read, review, and use “Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices so All Students Feel Accepted and Supported” Available from all booksellers now!

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. ~David Rose (according to legend)

You can order "Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools" now!

Same watercolor border explaining T = Trust Your Feelings, teaching students to trust their instincts about comfort in social situations.

Watercolor-bordered background detailing R = Reflect on Camouflaging, helping students understand their masking patterns.

Watercolor border presenting U = Understand Your Needs, examining how camouflaging affects personal well-being.

Watercolor-bordered design showing E = Experiment with Expression, encouraging safe exploration of authenticity.

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.

A testimonial graphic with a vibrant pink, orange, and blue background. The quote reads, 'Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools is an invaluable resource to help...create schools where neurodivergent--and all--students feel seen and have tools for self-advocacy.' Features Kareem Neal's photo and title, and the book cover of 'Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools' in the corner

We're so glad that Kareem Neal, Arizona's 2019 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!