Kainos Joy Neurodiversity Initiative Podcast

Coffee Mishap- but not really…here’s why…!#blessingsindisguise #neurodivergentlife #pov #adhdcoach

The importance of true Neurodiversity in school settings

Building neurodivergent affirming Communities

Accommodation vs Modification the KEY 🔑 differences and what neurodivergent workers need to know…#neurodivergent #neurodivergentlife #neurodivergentwomen #neurodiversityatwork #worklifeintegration #workforcewellbeing #lifestorywork

The cost of putting yourself out there - Part 3 This one is for the late-diagnosed woman who's tired of masking. For the mom Googling at midnight. For anyone who's ever been called "too much" for daring to be visible. Look out for judgement but dont cling to it orWorry too much…Here's what advocacy actually costs and why it's worth it anyway. 💛🎙️ Kainos Joy Podcast👉 https://linktr.ee/anissazucker#Neurodiversity #NeurodivergentWoman #AuDHD #LateDiagnosedAutism #ADHDWomen #KainosJoy #NeurodivergentAdults#neurodivergent

This one is for the late-diagnosed woman who's tired of masking. For anyone who's ever been called "too much" for daring to be visible.Here's what advocacy actually costs and why it's worth it anyway. 💛🎙️ Kainos Joy Podcast👉 https://linktr.ee/anissazucker#Neurodiversity #NeurodivergentWoman #AuDHD #LateDiagnosedAutism #ADHDWomen #KainosJoy #NeurodivergentAdults

The cost of putting yourself out there PART 1 #mentalhealth #neurodivergent #neuroleadership #beyou

Confirmation Bias : If u look for something, you can find it anywhere, even if it’s not really there

Belonging in education, neurodivergent students, and trauma-informed teaching with Beven Byrnes, Executive Director of Bridges Middle School in Portland.What happens when a kid who never fit in finally finds their people?For Beven Byrnes, the answer changed everything. When her oldest child (neurodiverse and trans )discovered Portland's roller derby community, she watched them come alive in a way school had never made possible. That moment sent her back into education with one mission: build places where belonging comes first.Here's the hard truth about traditional schools: they run on test scores, numbers, and budgets and relationships get squeezed out. When kids don't feel safe to explore, they don't experiment and grow. They shut down, get shamed, or disappear. That's not a kid problem. That's a design problem.For 14 years at Bridges Middle School, Beven has been building the alternative: education that's individualized, relationship-based, and trauma-informed. A place where mistakes are part of learning, sensory needs are honored, and students get the scaffolding to grow at their own pace. Because when kids feel like they belong, they take healthy risks , and that's when the transformation happens.💛 If this episode speaks to you, subscribe to Kainos Joy for more conversations for parents and educators of kids who learn differently. And share it with someone who needs to hear that their kid isn't broken 😞 the system just wasn't built for them , YET!! But look to new horizons on the way! #Neurodivergent #SpecialEducation #InclusiveEducation #TraumaInformed #AutismAcceptance #ADHD #ParentingNeurodivergentKids #BelongingMatters #KainosJoyPodcast

Bevin Byrnes, founder of Bridges Middle School, focuses on empowering neurodivergent students through inclusive practices and collaboration with families. She shares her journey in non-profit leadership, offers strategies for parents, and emphasizes the importance of viewing neurodivergence as a strength, fostering self-advocacy and confidence among students.“Labels are for cans not people” - Kevin Howley`#Neurodiversity` `#InclusiveEducation` `#Empowerment` `#FamilyCollaboration` `#BridgesMiddleSchooTimeline00:00:00 - 00:02:56Introduction to Bridges Middle School- 00:00:00 The host introduces Bevin Byrnes, founder of Bridges Middle School in Portland, Oregon, a middle school for neurodivergent children.- 00:00:36 Bevin Byrnes has over 30 years of experience in mission-driven work and founded Oregon's only middle school built specifically for neurodiverse learners.- 00:01:13 The host expresses discomfort with using labels like "neurodivergent" or "neurotypical" due to their potential for judgment.- 00:01:57 The host and Bevin agree that terms like ADHD, while used, are not seen as disorders or disabilities, and they avoid terms like Asperger's syndrome.00:02:56 - 00:10:17Hiring and Collaboration at Bridges Middle School- 00:02:56 Bridges Middle School, a non-profit in Portland, Oregon- 00:04:52 The school employs a team-based hiring approach for- 00:06:23 The school proudly employs former students as paraeducators, highlighting their deep understanding of the students'- 00:08:00 Bridges Middle School emphasizes a trauma-informed approach, viewing parents as partners and experts in their child's education, fostering consistent communication…00:10:17 - 00:18:38The Journey to Bridges- 00:10:17 The speaker reflects on her alternative education- 00:12:15 Her career path diverged from traditional education, starting with non-profit work for underserved populations and eventually leading to leadership roles in disability advocacy.- 00:14:54 After impactful work in end-of-life care, she returned to the disability community and children's education, finding her way to what would become Bridges.- 00:16:05 Her personal experiences and observations of her children's educational journeys solidified her..Supporting Understimulated Children- 00:19:21 The speaker addresses parents whose children are understimulated and don't fit into the typical IEP world, acknowledging the lack of programs available.- 00:20:51 Building a strong relationship with the teacher during initial conferences is crucial to understanding your child's progress and potential for additional challenges.- 00:22:34 Parents can support their children at home with additional challenging activities and resources, as exemplified by the speaker's daughter who was a quick finisher.- 00:25:49 The core advice for parents is to communicate and build relationships with teachers, counselors, and other parents to gather information and explore alternative educational settings.00:29:04 - 00:34:36The Dismantling of Special Education- 00:29:04 The speaker acknowledges that discussing changes in specia…- 00:30:16 The Department of Special Education has been separated from the Department of Education and now falls under government affairs, a move that the speaker believes is underreported and significant.- 00:31:32 This separation removes federal protection and accountability for special education, potentially leading to a dismantling of public education and making it harder for parents to advocate for their children's needs.- 00:32:57 The speaker views this change as a "canary in the coal mine," highlighting that without accountability, laws and policies for special education may not be effectively implemented00:34:36 - 00:43:41Addiction and Neurodiversity- 00:34:36 The speaker praises the autistic Barbie movement for its visible example of inclusion, noting Mattel's collaboration with autism-led organizations to ensure authentic representation.- 00:37:56 The discussion shifts to addiction, with the speaker sharing personal experience and advocating for empathy over judgment, comparing the societal response to addiction with that of cancer.- 00:40:22 The speaker emphasizes that true reform and recovery from addiction are possible, requiring a community effort and a paradigm shift away from criminalizing addicts.- 00:41:45 The conversation concludes by advocating for an asset-based perspective and language when discussing neurodivergence, trauma, and addiction, focusing on the unique contributions of individuals rather than their perceived brokenness.00:43:41 - 00:45:56Impact of Bridges- 00:43:41 The speaker is asked about the future of Bridges …- 00:44:10 The speaker hopes students find confidence, view their neurodivergence as 💪- 00:44:38 The most rewarding feedback…- 00:45:00 Teachers at Bridges truly understand..