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As parents, educators, or managers, we often feel that advocacy means speaking up, pushing forward, and doing the work for someone else. But the real end goal of advocacy isn’t stepping in — it’s stepping back.

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Haskins explores one of the toughest transitions we face: learning when to shift from speaking for someone to preparing them to speak for themselves. From high school IEP meetings to college disability services, to the workplace where parent involvement isn’t tolerated, she unpacks what stepping back really looks like — and why it’s essential for building trust, independence, and self-advocacy.

You’ll walk away with practical ways to scaffold these conversations, model collaborative communication, and ultimately empower your teen, student, or employee to take ownership of their needs. Because real advocacy isn’t about fighting harder — it’s about setting up others for success.

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Fall is a season of fresh starts — but also one of the hardest times of year for life transitions. Kids head back to school, young adults leave for college or step into their first jobs, workplaces push toward year-end goals, and families juggle new routines. These transitions don’t just feel unsettling — they truly are hard. In this episode of Think Differently, Dr. Theresa Haskins unpacks the psychology of life transitions: what happens in our brains when routines shift, why these changes hit autistic and ADHD individuals especially hard, and how pausing, reframing, and the right kind of support can turn chaos into clarity.

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We like to think “neurodiversity” includes everyone — but in reality, some neurodivergent communities are unintentionally left out. As the movement grows, a clear pattern has emerged: the same shield that protects and expands rights for some can also, unintentionally, become a barrier for others.

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Haskins explores how and why this happens, drawing on lived experience, real-world examples, and the evolution of the neurodiversity movement. You’ll hear how well-meaning advocacy can create blind spots, why certain groups remain underrepresented, and what’s at stake if we don’t get it right.

If we want true neuroinclusion, it’s not enough to open the door — we have to make sure no one gets left standing outside.

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We like to believe good intentions are enough and lead to desired outcomes. But when it comes to neuroinclusion, even the most well-meaning actions can quietly create barriers that lead to exclusion and lost opportunities.

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Haskins explores how protection, bias, and fear—often under the guise of care—can hold neurodivergent people back at work, in school, and even at home. Through stories of leadership and parenting, she reveals why intent doesn’t always equal impact, and how to move from being a barrier to becoming a bridge.

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For many neurodivergent individuals, small, everyday moments can become overwhelming events. Something as simple as ketchup on a plate can derail an entire meal. We often talk about sound and light sensitivities—but rarely do we talk about other challenges, like Misokinesia and Misophonia.

In this episode, Dr. Theresa Haskins shares the invisible labor behind navigating sensory sensitivities—and how these seemingly small moments don’t just impact the present, but ripple out to shape relationships, inclusion, and everyday belonging.

This isn’t about ketchup. It’s about respect, understanding, and making space for difference.

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Hearing “no” shouldn’t define a life—but for neurodivergent individuals and families, those no’s start early and repeat often. In this Season 3 opener, Dr. Theresa Haskins explores the barriers behind the no’s, why they persist, and what it takes to push past them. The fight for possibility isn’t over—it’s only just beginning.

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Achieving neuroinclusion shouldn’t be hard—but systemic barriers, outdated policies, and gatekeepers continue to block access to education, employment, and opportunity. In this season finale, we explore the roadblocks standing in the way, who’s upholding them, and what it will take to break them down. The fight isn’t over—it's only just beginning.

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ADHD support has long focused on childhood interventions, therapy, and medication. But for many teens and adults, these traditional approaches don’t always provide the real-world strategies needed to navigate workplaces, schools, and daily life. So what’s missing?

In this episode of Think Differently, Christal Wang, founder of Shimmer ADHD Coaching, joins Dr. Theresa Haskins to explore the gaps in ADHD support today. We discuss how ADHD coaching differs from therapy, why practical strategies are essential for success, and how systemic barriers leave many neurodistinct individuals without the tools they need to thrive. It’s a conversation about shifting perspectives, challenging misconceptions, and building better support systems that truly empower ADHD minds.