It’s very difficult to get by in society when you don’t use words to communicate.  Non-speaking autistic people tend to be invisible, unless they are ‘causing a problem’. 

Olympic rower Eric Murray is father to 12 year-old Zac, who is autistic and ADHD.  He talks to Sonia Gray about the challenges, the joys and the desperate need for support and understanding.

Guests:  
Eric Murray
Anna Middleton - Senior Behaviour Specialist - Explore Services
Resources: Autism NZ https://autismnz.org.nz

Instagram - No Such Thing as Normal Podcast

It’s very difficult to get by in society when you don’t use words to communicate.  Non-speaking autistic people tend to be invisible, unless they are ‘causing a problem’. 
Olympic rower Eric Murray is father to 12 year-old Zac, who is autistic and ADHD.  He talks to Sonia Gray about the challenges, the joys and the desperate need for support and understanding.
Guests:  Eric Murray Anna Middleton - Senior Behaviour Specialist - <a href="https://explorewellbeing.org.nz/our-services/behaviour-support/">Explore Services</a> Resources: Autism NZ <a href="https://autismnz.org.nz">https://autismnz.org.nz</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nosuchthingasnormalpodcast?igsh=MWRkMGppNm1hY292dg%3D%3D">Instagram - No Such Thing as Normal Podcast</a>

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.

Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she’ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.

No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes are available every Saturday.

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.
Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she&rsquo;ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.
No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes are available every Saturday.

No Such Thing as Normal

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.

Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she’ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.

No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes every Saturday.

At least 20% of New Zealanders are believed to be neurodivergent, but there is very little awareness, understanding and support for people with conditions such as ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia.
Sonia Gray has a neurodivergent daughter and is an ADHDer herself. In this 10-part series she&rsquo;ll talk to dozens of experts and people with a lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate those whose brains are wired differently.
No Such Thing as Normal is brought to you by NZ Herald and Team Uniform, with support from NZ on Air. New episodes every Saturday.

Autism - inside the non-speaking world

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/380a2d59-28f1-43dd-8b56-b1ea004a8262/transcript

For many dyslexic children, school is where self-doubt begins. Literacy and numeracy sit at the centre of how ability is measured, so it doesn’t take long for kids who struggle in these areas to absorb the message that something is wrong with them.

And this extends beyond dyslexia. Many neurodivergent learners - including those with ADHD and autism - have strengths that sit outside the narrow skills schools traditionally measure. 

Ensuring all kids learn to read and write is important, and many will need targeted support. But are we missing something vital in this process?  Should the same emphasis be placed on the unique gifts of those with learning difficulties?

Dean Bragonier is an international dyslexia advocate and founder of non-profit organisation NoticeAbility.  He held a series of workshops in New Zealand, designed to help dyslexic students recognise their cognitive strengths.

In this episode, Sonia speaks to Dean, and from some of the children who took part in the workshops here.

This conversation focuses on dyslexia, but the idea reaches far beyond it. 

When young people discover their strengths, the story they tell about themselves can begin to change.

In this episode you’ll hear:
Why many dyslexic students internalise the belief that they’re “not smart”.
How the changing nature of the workplace may favour neurodivergent strengths.
Why a negative self-perception created in school can have lifelong effects.
Advice for parents of dyslexic learners. 
Why learning ‘the basics’ is hard for non-linear learners.

This is Part 1 of a two-part focus on Strengths-based education.

Guests:

Dean Bragonier NoticeAbility

Ella

Deanna

Emily

 

Resources:

Dyslexia Foundation NZ

TED X: The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind | Dean Bragonier 

For many dyslexic children, school is where self-doubt begins. Literacy and numeracy sit at the centre of how ability is measured, so it doesn&rsquo;t take long for kids who struggle in these areas to absorb the message that something is wrong with them.
And this extends beyond dyslexia. Many neurodivergent learners - including those with ADHD and autism - have strengths that sit outside the narrow skills schools traditionally measure.&nbsp;
Ensuring all kids learn to read and write is important, and many will need targeted support. But are we missing something vital in this process?&nbsp; Should the same emphasis be placed on the unique gifts of those with learning difficulties?
Dean Bragonier is an international dyslexia advocate and founder of non-profit organisation NoticeAbility.&nbsp; He held a series of workshops in New Zealand, designed to help dyslexic students recognise their cognitive strengths.
In this episode, Sonia speaks to Dean, and from some of the children who took part in the workshops here.
This conversation focuses on dyslexia, but the idea reaches far beyond it.&nbsp;
When young people discover their strengths, the story they tell about themselves can begin to change.
In this episode you&rsquo;ll hear:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why many dyslexic students internalise the belief that they&rsquo;re &ldquo;not smart&rdquo;.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How the changing nature of the workplace may favour neurodivergent strengths.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why a negative self-perception created in school can have lifelong effects.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Advice for parents of dyslexic learners.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why learning &lsquo;the basics&rsquo; is hard for non-linear learners.</li>
</ul>
This is Part 1 of a two-part focus on Strengths-based education.
Guests:
Dean Bragonier <a href="https://www.noticeability.org/">NoticeAbility</a>
Ella
Deanna
Emily
&nbsp;
Resources:
<a href="http://www.dfnz.org.nz/">Dyslexia Foundation NZ</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dPyzFFcG7A">TED X: The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind | Dean Bragonier&nbsp;</a>

Strengths-based education (Part 1): Unlocking the gifts

Parenting a child with ADHD, autism, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Pervasive Demand Avoidance (PDA) or sensory challenges can feel unpredictable.

One day everything is fine. The next day it isn’t. Food they ate yesterday is suddenly rejected. A fun outing becomes overwhelming. And sometimes it all ends in a meltdown.

Perhaps your child doesn’t have a diagnosis, but it’s clear they’re not coping. And neither are you.

In this episode, Sonia Gray speaks with sensory integration practitioner Elen Nathan about what’s going on in these moments.  And why the answers parents often look for may not be the ones that help most.

This conversation explores a powerful shift in how challenging behaviour is understood. Regardless of a child’s specific diagnosis or neurotype, their nervous system may be trying to tell us something important.

So what actually helps when nothing seems to be working? 

Elen says: “It all boils down to a sense of safety.”

In this episode we explore:
What to do when your child isn’t coping
Why behaviour can change from one day to the next
What you can do while waiting for a diagnosis
Why meltdowns are often misunderstood
The shift in how experts think about behaviour and sensory processing
How to deal with the judgement of others

If you’re parenting a child who isn’t coping right now, this conversation may offer some insight.


Guest:  Elen Nathan The Playful Place

No Such Thing as Normal is made with support from NZ On Air

Parenting a child with ADHD, autism, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Pervasive Demand Avoidance (PDA) or sensory challenges can feel unpredictable.
One day everything is fine. The next day it isn&rsquo;t.&nbsp;Food they ate yesterday is suddenly rejected. A fun outing becomes overwhelming. And sometimes it all ends in a meltdown.
Perhaps your child doesn&rsquo;t have a diagnosis, but it&rsquo;s clear they&rsquo;re not coping. And neither are you.
In this episode, Sonia Gray speaks with sensory integration practitioner Elen Nathan about what&rsquo;s going on in these moments.&nbsp; And why the answers parents often look for may not be the ones that help most.
This conversation explores a powerful shift in how challenging behaviour is understood. Regardless of a child&rsquo;s specific diagnosis or neurotype, their nervous system may be trying to tell us something important.
So what actually helps when nothing seems to be working?&nbsp;
Elen says: &ldquo;It all boils down to a sense of safety.&rdquo;
In this episode we explore:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What to do when your child isn&rsquo;t coping</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why behaviour can change from one day to the next</li>
<li aria-level="1">What you can do while waiting for a diagnosis</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why meltdowns are often misunderstood</li>
<li aria-level="1">The shift in how experts think about behaviour and sensory processing</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to deal with the judgement of others</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re parenting a child who isn&rsquo;t coping right now, this conversation may offer some insight.
 Guest:&nbsp; Elen Nathan <a href="https://theplayfulplace.co.nz/">The Playful Place</a>
No Such Thing as Normal is made with support from NZ On Air

Sensory overload: What your child is trying to tell you

ADHD stimulant medication use is rising in New Zealand, but questions about safety and side effects remain - as does the stigma surrounding these meds.

In the first episode of Season three, Sonia Gray explores what ADHD medication actually does - and what it doesn’t. You’ll hear 11-year-old Tilly take her morning pill and describe, in real time, how it changes the way she feels.

Sonia also speaks with Professor Dave Coghill about how stimulant medication works. Dave addresses some common concerns around safety and effectiveness, and explains what a comprehensive medication trial should involve.

Medication isn’t the only treatment for ADHD. But for many, it can be life-changing.

Note: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about treatment decisions.

Guests: 
Professor Dave Coghill
Tilly and Bex

Resources:  ADHD NZ

No Such Thing as Normal is made with support from NZ On Air

ADHD stimulant medication use is rising in New Zealand, but questions about safety and side effects remain - as does the stigma surrounding these meds.
In the first episode of Season three, Sonia Gray explores what ADHD medication actually does - and what it doesn&rsquo;t. You&rsquo;ll hear 11-year-old Tilly take her morning pill and describe, in real time, how it changes the way she feels.
Sonia also speaks with Professor Dave Coghill about how stimulant medication works. Dave addresses some common concerns around safety and effectiveness, and explains what a comprehensive medication trial should involve.
Medication isn&rsquo;t the only treatment for ADHD. But for many, it can be life-changing.
Note: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about treatment decisions.
Guests: Professor Dave Coghill Tilly and Bex Resources:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.adhd.org.nz/">ADHD NZ</a> No Such Thing as Normal is made with support from NZ On Air

Autism - inside the non-speaking world

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