Sadie Dingfelder, a freelance writer and science writer, shares her experiences with face blindness and aphantasia. She discovered her face blindness when she failed to recognise people she had interviewed just minutes earlier. Through research and testing, she found that her face blindness may be due to brain damage during birth. She also realised that she has aphantasia, the inability to visualise mental images. Despite these challenges, Sadie has found strengths in her unique brain, such as being quick to connect with strangers and having a natural talent for writing. She wrote a book to ra ..read more

High Contrast this weeks guest is one of the leading music producers in the world. He's from Wales, our Dads were best mates back in the day and he hears in colour. What!?! Yes you heard it, the way he produces his music is incredible and clearly he has a brilliant mind for music production. A good ear, you might say ;o) This is such a fascinating look into how one of the foremost electronic music producers creates sounds that are nominated for a Grammy, played across the globe on TV live as part of the Olympics and at some of the best music venues across the world. Truly amazing!  "THE A ..read more

In this conversation, Theo Smith and Ceri Reed discuss the challenges faced by neurodiverse families and the need for parental support. They highlight the impact of neurodivergence on parents' careers and income, as well as the mental health challenges they face. They emphasise the importance of a needs-led approach in education and the need for parents to advocate for their children. They also discuss the need for a whole family approach and the role of third-sector support. The conversation touches on the lack of sustainable support hubs and the challenges faced by young people during transi ..read more

In this episode, Theo Smith interviews Mitch Leppicello about anxiety and stress in relation to autism. They discuss the evolution of understanding autism, the shift from Asperger's syndrome to autism spectrum, and the importance of neurodiversity. Mitch shares his experience working with parents and caregivers, emphasising the need for support and understanding. He introduces his CALM Compass Autism Parenting Program, which focuses on connecting, articulating, lifting, and moving to help individuals with autism and their families navigate stress factors and self-regulate. The program aims to ..read more

In this conversation, Mel Francis, a HR professional specializing in neurodiversity, shares her personal journey as a single parent of a child with neurodiverse needs. The discussion covers the challenges of balancing work and advocacy, the gendered responsibilities of parenting, the impact of single parenthood, and the difficulties faced in accessing support and understanding for neurodiverse children within the education system. The conversation covers a range of topics related to neurodiversity, education, support, and transition into the workplace. It explores the challenges and successes ..read more

In this podcast episode, Theo Smith interviews Hannah Litt, a neurodivergent advocate, about her experiences with ADHD and OCD. Hannah discusses the importance of intersectionality and the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in navigating systems that were not built for them. She emphasizes the need for validation, support, and understanding from both organizations and communities. Hannah also highlights the impact of past trauma and the role of parents in advocating for their neurodivergent children. She calls for empathy, equity, and an intersectional approach in creating inclusiv ..read more

Neurodiversity with Theo Smith and Friends - A to Z of Parenting Series Welcome to the first episode of "Neurodiversity with Theo Smith and Friends - A-Z of Parenting!" In this exciting new series, we dive into the A to Z of parenting, inspired by our upcoming book co-authored by the incredible Professor Amanda Kirby. Through this podcast, we explore the narratives and lived experiences of extraordinary individuals, providing insights and support for parents navigating the neurodiversity journey. In today's episode, we're honored to have Rich Ferriman, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD indivi ..read more

Join us for an insightful conversation with Gem Parker from EY, a seasoned recruitment expert with nearly 18 years of experience. In this episode, Gem shares her journey from agency recruitment to in-house roles in construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and professional services. She delves into the importance of candidate engagement, strategic workforce planning, and the serendipitous moment that led her to champion inclusivity and diversity in recruitment at EY. Discover innovative strategies for creating talent communities, overcoming systemic challenges in finding diverse candidates, an ..read more

Today we interview Jeremy Davis. Jeremy shares his journey of self-discovery and how he found his passion for storytelling through writing and directing. We discuss the importance of self-diagnosis and the validity of personal experiences. Jeremy also talks about the challenges of navigating ableism and toxic engagement in the disability advocacy space. He shares his future plans of creating films that address ableism and promote representation. Finally, we discuss the importance of self-care and avoiding burnout in the advocacy work. The conversation explores the impact of behavior on online ..read more

Today we have Matt Hancock join us, who's been advocating for neurodiversity and early support in education, highlighting challenges faced by individuals who are dyslexic. He promotes universal screening and teacher training to address high exclusion rates among children with neurodivergent traits/conditions. The importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity, early identification, and support in schools is emphasized by the speakers. The Accessible Learning Foundation (ALF) aims to drive policy changes and provide support in schools and prisons. [00:04] Episode introduction on neur ..read more