All Kinds of Minds

Audio recording of our edWebinar where our presenters Duncan Scherer (Former Chief Schools Officer at Democracy Prep Public Schools) and Lucas Harrington, Psy.D. (Clinical Psychologist) discussed the following topics:Key factors influencing communication and behavior challenges in neurodivergent studentsPractical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support common behavior and communication goals, including tools that engage and empower studentsHow to collaborate with families and other professionals to ensure consistent support for communication and behavior goals in different settingView the webinar for CE credit here https://home.edweb.net/webinar/specialed20250910/. Download the IEP Success Toolkit https://www.socialcipher.com/sel-resources/iep-success-toolkit?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=webinarreplay&utm_content=iepsuccesstoolkit

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with clinical psychologist Lucas Harrington, Psy.D., about AuDHD and how educators can better support AuDHD students.Topics covered include:What AuDHD is and how it differs from autism and ADHD aloneThe strengths and challenges of AuDHDPractical strategies from reducing overwhelm and supporting executive functioning in the classroomThe importance of flexibility to help AuDHD students thrive

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with Amy Husk-Reed, an Educational Specialist, specializing in autism, and former educator, program specialist, and mentor in urban and rural schools.Topics covered include:How to set up safe, clear, and inclusive classroom environmentBudget-friendly ways to create calming spaces and classroom librariesBalancing visual supports without overstimulating studentsCreative ideas that foster student belongingHow administrators can better support teachers throughout the school yearKeep up with Amy’s work:Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Center website https://ttac.odu.edu/focus-areas/autism/Resources mentioned:I’m Determined One-Pager: Identity and Self-Awareness https://www.imdetermined.org/tool/one-pager/IRIS Center Book Ideas https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/resources/books/VSU Inclusion Project: How do I know I belong? https://inclusionproject.partnership.vcu.edu/resources/belonging/Additional ideas for sense of belonging: https://ttac.odu.edu/autism/fostering-a-sense-of-belonging-and-community/

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with Mash, an AuDHD special education advocate and former educator with experience working in traditional, charter, and alternative schools.Topics covered include:The biggest problems facing special educationThe impact of inadequate teacher training and lack of supportHow high turnover impacts students and what admin can do about itThe challenges neurodivergent educators faceWhat schools must change to better support neurodivergent educators and students with higher support needsStay connected with Mash:Website: neurosupports.org@neurosupports on IG, Facebook, and TikTok

This special podcast episode is a recording of an edWebinar sponsored by Social Cipher. In this episode, Dr. Nathalie Henderson, Dr. Lucas Harrington, and Vanessa Castañeda Gill discuss Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and how schools can ensure their interventions are neurodiversity-affirming.Topic covered include:Overview of MTSS tiersCommon behaviors of neurodivergent studentsPitfalls of not using neurodiversity-affirming interventionsBenefits of neurodiversity-affirming interventionsInterventions that support autistic studentsAdditional Resources:Free MTSS ToolkitSocial Cipher WebsiteAva free trial

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with Amy Bodkin, a homeschool consultant, former school psychologist, and autistic parent of two autistic children. Many families choose homeschooling after public schools fail to meet their children’s needs. Amy shares what she has learned from these families and how schools can use those insights to better support neurodivergent students.Topics covered include: Key differences in how public, private, and homeschool environments support neurodivergent students The most common reasons neurodivergent students leave public schools for homeschooling What homeschool families value most in education and how schools can apply these insights How schools can offer more individualized support, even within systemic limitations The benefits of multi-age learning and how schools can integrate similar practices How schools can foster meaningful relationships between neurodivergent and neurotypical studentsStay connected to Amy:Facebook: @AmyBodkinEdSFacebook Group:⁠Special Needs Homeschooling the Neurodivergent Way ⁠Instagram: @AmyBodkinEdSLinkedIn: Amy Bodkin EdSYouTube: AmyBodkinEdSBook: ⁠Special Needs Kids are People Too: Seeing the Possibilities Through a Neurodiverse Lens⁠Website: https://amybodkin.com⁠

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we are joined by Vanessa Castañeda Gill, the founder and CEO of Social Cipher. Topics covered include: - The intersection of neurodivergence, ethnicity, and gender from her perspective as an autistic Latina woman - Challenges faced by neurodivergent students of color - The importance of representation and supportive resources in school Website: https://www.socialcipher.com/ Vanessa's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessacastanedagill/

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with Dr. Christina Cipriano. She is the Director of the Education Collaboratory at Yale, an Associate Professor of Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology at the Yale Child Study Center, and the author of Be Unapologetically Impatient. Topics covered in this episode: - What does ableism look like in schools? - The impact of ableism on neurodivergent students - The role of educators in fostering inclusive, universally designed environments - Steps schools and educators can take to address ableism and support all learners - The importance of SEL in addressing ableism and promoting equity Resources mentioned: Dr. Cipriano’s book - Be Unapologetically Impatient: The Mindset Required to Change the Way We Do Things (available Summer 2025) Considering the “How” of SEL: A framework for the pedagogies of social and emotional learning Stay connected to Dr. Cipriano: Website: Dr.Chriscip.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacipriano/ Instagram: @chriscip Facebook: Christina Cipriano Curtis

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with Rene Sanchez, Interim Superintendent of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union and former Superintendent of Champlain Valley School District. Topics covered include: - Benefits of Universal Design Learning (UDL) for students and educators - Strategies for overcoming traditional barriers to creating supportive schools - Connecting with students through their unique interests, such as anime and gaming, to foster a sense of belonging Connect with René Sanchez: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosanchez2008/ X (Twitter): @rsanchez2012 Instagram: @rnesusupt

In this episode of the All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with Tehama County Director of Special Education and CAPTAIN Regional Implementation Lead, Mark Pfaff. Topics covered include: The role of administrators in supporting autistic students Barriers to inclusion and how to overcome them The importance of undergoing a mindset shift to better support autistic students Resources mentioned: Blossoming Autism: My Life With Autism and Sixteen Things I wish People Knew by Jillian Marie Schmeltzer CAPTAIN.ca.gov About our guest: Mark Pfaff is a Director of Special Education and CAPTAIN (California Autism Professional Training and Information Network) Regional Implementation Lead in Tehama County, California. As an accomplished education specialist with 18 years of experience in education, Mark has dedicated his career to enhancing learning experiences for students with diverse needs. Mark's expertise lies in the implementation of the evidence-based practices through the CAPTAIN framework.

In this episode of All Kinds of Minds podcast, we speak with clinical psychologist Lucas Harrington, Psy.D., about why autistic girls are often overlooked or undiagnosed. Topics covered include: Reasons why autistic girls are underdiagnosed How being overlooked can impact the school experience Different ways schools can ensure autistic girls receive the support they need, even without an IEP About our guest: Lucas Harrington, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist and published author whose personal experience as an autistic person with ADHD allows him to support autistic youth and their families from a place of deep understanding. His clinical interests include education, disruptive behavior, school avoidance, and emotional regulation. Dr. Harrington leverages his expertise to enhance Social Cipher’s SEL curriculum and ensure our resources are effective and neurodiversity-affirming.