Talking Children Podcast

In this unscheduled episode we deep dive into the movie Wicked and how it relates to the autistic experience. Hopefully this will be a fun holiday listen for you!

In this episode we discuss the early signs of neurodivergence and how they presented and we missed in our early lives. We hope this episode will help you to understand the unique ways that neurodivergence can present in individuals and empower you to identify early signs in yourself and/or your children.

In this episode we tackle all the big issues to help you and your loved ones prepare for a sensory friendly and neurodiversity affirming festive season. We cover everything from food to clothes to presents and surviving crowds and unfamiliar people.

This week we look at how being a perfectionist is a common trait among the neurospicy and how this can lead to side quests, procrastination and self doubt. We discuss some ideas that can help you understand and overcome perfectionism in yourself and your children.

In this episode we look at neurospicy approved approaches to intervention for ARFID - Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. For more info see: Białek-Dratwa, A., Szymańska, D., Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., Szczepańska, E., & Kowalski, O. (2022). ARFID—Strategies for dietary management in children. Nutrients, 14(9), 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091739 Brown, M., & Hildebrandt, T. (2020). Parent-facilitated behavioral treatment for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: a case report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 27(2), 231-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2019.05.002Fisher, M., Zimmerman, J., Bucher, C., & Yadlosky, L. (2023). ARFID at 10 years: A Review of Medical, Nutritional and Psychological Evaluation and Management. Current gastroenterology reports, 25(12), 421-429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-023-00900-w

On today's episode we are discussing the unique presentation of Autism in girls. We discuss the way that gender bias in research and society means that girls and women are less diagnosed, later diagnosed and are less accommodated.

In Part 2 of this series we look into the genetic link between neurodiversity and chronic illnesses. See references below: Carrozza, C., Foca, L., De Paolis, E., & Concolino, P. (2021). Genes and pseudogenes: complexity of the RCCX locus and disease. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 709-758. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.709758 Dechene, L. (1993). Chronic fatigue syndrome: influence of histamine, hormones and electrolytes. Medical hypotheses, 40(1), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-9877(93)90197-X Quadt, L., Csecs, J., Bond, R., Harrison, N. A., Critchley, H. D., Davies, K. A., & Eccles, J. (2024). Childhood neurodivergent traits, inflammation and chronic disabling fatigue in adolescence: a longitudinal case–control study. BMJ open, 14(7). https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/7/e084203 Sala, R., Amet, L., Blagojevic-Stokic, N., Shattock, P., & Whiteley, P. (2020). Bridging the Gap Between Physical Health and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 16, 1605–1618. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S251394 Weir, E., Allison, C., Warrier, V., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2021). Increased prevalence of non-communicable physical health conditions among autistic adults. Autism, 25(3), 681-694. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320953652

A huge body of research shows that neurodiverse individuals are significantly more likely to experience just about every chronic health condition. In Part 1 we look at the statistics and research that investigates these co-occuring conditions. In part 2 of this series we will deep dive into the theories as to why this occurs including the role of genetics, hormones and exposure to trauma.

In this episode we posit a new theory that maybe our discussions on social interactions in neurodiversity are all backwards, could it be that the neurodivergents have got it right all along?

This week we discuss all the ways that we can advocate for our neurodivergent friends, family members (and ourselves) at school, university, work and in social settings.

This week Lu talks to special guest Dr Anna Cronin about the latest research and future directions in the care of children with cleft lip and palate. Find out more about Anna's work here: https://www.acu.edu.au/research-and-enterprise/our-people/anna-cronin Research we discuss: Cronin ,A. (2020). Toddlers with cleft palate: Enhancing communication through holistic child-and family-centred practice. Cronin, A., McLeod, S., & Verdon, S. (2020). Applying the ICF-CY to specialist speech-language pathologists’ practice with toddlers with cleft palate speech. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 57(9), 1105-1116. Cronin, A., Verdon, S., & McLeod, S. (2021). Persistence, strength, isolation, and trauma: An ethnographic exploration of raising children with cleft palate. Journal of Communication Disorders, 91, 106102. Cronin, A., Verdon, S., & McLeod, S. (2020). Working with toddlers with cleft palate: Learning from clients and families. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 22(2), 101-110. Huang H-H, Hsu J-W, Huang K-L, et al. Congenital cleft lip and palate and elevated risks of major psychiatric disorders: A nationwide longitudinal study. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 29(2), 637-647. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104523120066 Junaid, M., Slack-Smith, L., Wong, K., Bourke, J., Baynam, G., Calache, H., & Leonard, H. (2022). Association between craniofacial anomalies, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder: Western Australian population-based study. Pediatric Research, 92(6), 1795-1804. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-022-02024-9 Tillman, K. K., Hakelius, M., Höijer, J., Ramklint, M., Ekselius, L., Nowinski, D., & Papadopoulos, F. C. (2018). Increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in children with orofacial clefts. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(11), 876-883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2018.06.024

This week we look at the affects of trauma upon children's development in early childhood and how we can support secure attachment and health development.

This episode explores the phenomenon of of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, which is very common among people with ADHD.

Autistic people are often told they "take things too literally" but this might look different to what you think. In this episode we share some examples of literal thinking and how it impacts the communication on neurodivergent people. Here is a link to the autism online assessment we talk about in this episode: https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/for-adults/autism-and-aspergers/adult-autism-test/adult-autism-test-results/results

July is cleft and craniofacial awareness month! In this bonus episode, cleft advocate Lucia Flint shares what she wishes everyone knew about cleft palate and her dreams for future advocacy and research. Follow Lucia on instagram @thecleftspeechie Follow us on instagram @talking.children.podcast

This week we talk about the phenomena of object permanence or impermanence or object constancy. This is sometimes known as "out of sight out of mind" or "if my eyes don't see it my brain deletes it". Its to do with monotropism and an inability to remember or maintain attention on things we cannot physically see. Its very common among people with ADHD and also Autistic people.

This week we look at monotropism. This is a feature of neurodiverse attention. It is also known as hyperfocus, flow stream, hyperfixation, special interest or obession in Autism and ADHD. We discuss what monotropism looks like in real life and how to view it from a strengths-based perspective. You can also do the quiz to assess your own level of monotropism: https://dlcincluded.github.io/MQ/ Research articles: Garau, V., Murray, A. L., Woods, R., Chown, N., Hallett, S., Murray, F., … Fletcher-Watson, S. (2023, June 14). Development and Validation of a Novel Self-Report Measure of Monotropism in Autistic and Non-Autistic People: The Monotropism Questionnaire. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/ft73y Monotropism self reported questionnaire: https://osf.io/wpx5g/ Murray, D., Lesser, M., & Lawson, W. (2005). Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism. Autism, 9(2), 139-156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361305051398 Murray, D. (2018). Monotropism–an interest based account of autism. Encyclopedia of autism spectrum disorders, 10, 978-981. More links: ⁠⁠https://monotropism.org/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://reframingautism.org.au/monotropism-learning-flow-state/#:~:text=Monotropism%20is%20a%20distinct%20cognitive,unique%20viewpoint%20on%20the%20world.⁠⁠

This episode looks at aspects of executive functioning in the brain, we discuss potential challenges in executive function and identify everyday hacks and work-arounds for supporting people with executive functioning challenges.

In this episode we discuss Auditory Processing Disorder, which is very commonly experienced among people with ADHD and Autism. We look at the prevalence, what it is, how to recognise APD in yourself and others and strategies that can help.

In this episode we deep dive into all the ways that sensory processing issues can show up in our lives. Some people are sensory seeking while others are sensory avoidant, others are somewhere in between depending on the context and the stimulus. We discuss our own sensory processing and modifications that can be made to the environment to support diverse sensory processing needs.