Dyslexia advocacy in Nigeria – with Oladoyin Idowu
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
04/28/25
•34m
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Content warning: This episode mentions physical and verbal abuse in school, suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt, and drug use.
Oladoyin Idowu is a pioneering dyslexia advocate and mental health professional dedicated to bridging the gap between neurodiversity, education, and mental well-being. Growing up in Nigeria with undiagnosed dyslexia, she experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating an education system that was not designed for neurodivergent learners. In 2016, she founded One Word Africa Foundation, becoming one of Nigeria's foremost voices in dyslexia awareness and support.
During this episode, you will hear Oladoyin talk about:
- What her life was like growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia in Nigeria
- How Google helped her realize that she had dyslexia as an adult in 2015
- The different issues that she has to deal with because of her dyslexia
- The story behind how she founded the One Word Africa Foundation in 2016
- How her experience with higher education changed after she went back to school after her dyslexia diagnosis
- The type of work that the One Word Africa Foundation does for people with dyslexia and their loved ones
- The connections that she has noticed between dyslexia and mental health
Connect with Oladoyin on LinkedIn or follow One Word Africa on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
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Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina – with Lya Batlle-Rafferty
April 14, 2025
•39m
Lya Batlle-Rafferty, an MIT graduate with a degree in Cognitive Science, has had a career focused mostly on technology. She has often been a trailblazer as the only woman in a large company performing that type of work. She hosts her podcast, Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina, on her nights and weekends.
During this episode, you will hear Lya talk about:
- How she realized she is neurodivergent
- What it was like growing up as a neurodivergent girl in El Salvador and the United States
- The challenges she has faced because of her neurodivergence
- What inspired her to start her podcast, "Memoirs of a Neurodivergent Latina," and the topics she discusses there
- The kind of feedback she has received from her audience about her podcast
- How her neurodivergence has helped her succeed at work
- Her goals for her podcast
To find out more about Lya and her podcast, visit her website at MOANL.com or email her at moanl [at] labratsolutions [dot] com.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
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Dr. Daniel P. Jones is a Creative Practitioner, Disability Scholar, and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Daniel specializes in inclusive research methodologies, focusing on the embodied experiences of public spaces, kinship, and solidarity within Tourette syndrome communities. As someone who has lived experience of Tourette syndrome himself, he has been actively engaged in community facilitation and Tourette syndrome activism in the UK for over a decade.
During this episode, you will hear Daniel talk about:
- How he realized he had Tourette syndrome – years after he had been diagnosed
- What was it like for him growing up with Tourette's in a religious household
- How his PhD thesis research focuses on the experiences that adults with Tourette's have in both public physical spaces and digital spaces
- What he learned about how the experiences of BIPOC and queer people with Tourette's are different in these spaces
- His work to lead and promote inclusive research
Follow Daniel on Bluesky: @danielpjones.bsky.social Visit Daniel's website: DanielPJones.com
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
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