Inclusive education – with Jordyn Zimmerman, nonspeaking autistic advocate
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
04/03/23
•37m
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Jordyn Zimmerman earned her bachelor's degree in Education Policy from Ohio University and her Masters of Education at Boston College. As a nonspeaking autistic student who was denied access to effective augmentative communication until she was 18, Jordyn has personal experience challenging the educational status quo. Her experience is featured in the 2021 documentary, "This Is Not About Me."
Technology helped open Jordyn's world, and she began advocating for students. She has keynoted and presented at conferences around the world, is on the board of CommunicationFIRST, works as Director of Professional Development at The Nora Project, and has been featured by prominent media outlets. Recently, Jordyn was appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Jordyn is passionate and determined to make a difference in the world of education — making sure every student can access effective communication and exercise their right to a truly inclusive education.
During this episode, Jordyn shares:
- What life was like before she could communicate by typing – and how it changed when she finally got access to effective communication technology at the age of 18
- The poor treatment and substandard education she received in school, from people who denied her access to communication technology and refused to recognize her intelligence – and how her experiences fuel her advocacy for inclusive education
- What was it like going to college away from home – and why she started a college cheerleading team that includes disabled and nondisabled students
- Her advocacy with the nonprofit organization CommunicationFIRST for people with communication disabilities
- How she got the opportunity to be featured in the documentary "This Is Not About Me"
- Her advice for nonspeakers and their allies
To find out more about Jordyn and her work, visit her website at JordynZimmerman.com and connect with her on Twitter and 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.*
Previous Episode
Neurodivergence and Giftedness – with Emily Kircher-Morris
March 20, 2023
•37m
After working as a gifted education teacher, Emily Kircher-Morris became a clinical mental health counselor who supports gifted and twice-exceptional (gifted + neurodivergent) children. She is also the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast and the author of several books, including "Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom" and the revised edition of "A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children." She has three neurodivergent children and is neurodivergent herself.
During this episode, Emily talks about:
- What her life was like as a twice-exceptional student (gifted and ADHD)
- Her experience as a teacher of gifted and twice-exceptional children, and why she decided to become a clinical mental health counselor
- The importance of neurodiversity-affirming therapy, and what it looks like in practice
- What inspired her to start The Neurodiversity Podcast
- The story behind the books that she wrote
Find out more about Emily and her work at these links: Twitter: @EmilyKM_LPC The Neurodiversity Podcast Neurodiversity University Her books: Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today's Classroom and Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!
Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode!
*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.*
Next Episode
Ben VanHook is an autistic master's degree student studying public policy at George Mason University, with the hopes of reforming employment and education policy to make them more inclusive for neurodivergent individuals. Ben's passion for creating a more inclusive world stems from his own experiences as an autistic Jewish Asian American adoptee and has led to him speaking and presenting to employers, professors, researchers and self-advocates in the United States and abroad.
During this episode, you will hear Ben talk about:
- How he learned he was autistic while he was in high school
- The challenges he faced coming from China to the United States as an adoptee
- His insights about the intersections of his identities as an autistic, Jewish, Asian American adoptee
- How posting on LinkedIn led him to become a neurodiversity advocate and public speaker on the intersections of autism, race and religion
- His role in a TV documentary about intersectionality between race and autism
- His thoughts on supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace and in their careers
- What are the main goals for his advocacy
To learn more about Ben and his advocacy:
- Follow him on LinkedIn
- Watch the PBS documentary episode that featured him: "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity - Neurodivergence and People of Color"
- See his United Nations presentation about Autistic perspectives on Policy and Advocacy for 2023 World Autism Awareness Day
Listener shout-outs! A big THANK YOU to Elaine A. and Dan G. for supporting this podcast on BuyMeACoffee.com!
Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode!
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!
*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.*
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