Embracing Neurodiversity and Celebrating Differences on Earth Day
Get ready for an eye-opening and inspiring episode of A World of Difference, hosted by the amazing Lori Adams-Brown. To celebrate Earth Day, Lori invites her guest, the brilliant Katherine McCord, to discuss the importance of neurodiversity and inclusion in everyday life and the workplace. In this episode, the duo share their personal experiences with neurodiversity and the role it plays in understanding and accepting others, including those on the autism spectrum.
They have a fascinating discussion that will leave you wanting more. Did you know that teams with neurodiverse individuals can be up to 33% more productive? Or that neurodiversities like autism have played a positive role in human evolution? You will learn how to create a more inclusive environment for those who identify as neurodiverse and how to respond with curiosity instead of ego when someone requests something different.
Katherine shares her personal journey and how she lives by the motto “different is not a deficit.” Her passion for inclusion and diversity has led her to own a company that provides consulting and HR services. You don’t want to miss out on the inspiring conversation and the opportunity to gain a new perspective on neurodiversity. So, let’s celebrate Earth Day and embrace our differences with A World of Difference.
In this episode, host Lori Adams-Brown has an eye-opening conversation with Katherine McCord, an HR tech and inclusive innovation expert who encourages embracing differences as a valuable asset, not a deficit. Katherine shares personal experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder, emphasizing that different brain processes should be celebrated and supported, especially in the workplace. Lori links the episode with Earth Day and highlights the importance of topics related to differences and listening with a positive attitude.
The podcast delves deep into the concept of neurodiversity, highlighting its crucial role in diverse teams’ productivity. The speaker notes that diagnoses like autism and neurodiversities like OCD and bipolar disorder should not be seen as a disability but rather a superpower, explaining how they affect their lives positively.
The episode provides valuable information on how to accommodate different behavioral needs and achieve effective communication with neurodiverse individuals. The speaker emphasizes the importance of breaking down ego defenses and curiously responding to differences rather than requiring people to mask or behave unnaturally. The podcast aims to promote inclusivity and understanding towards neurodiverse individuals, highlighting the importance of careful language use around mental health diagnoses.
Overall, this podcast highlights the benefits of neurodiversity not only in the workplace but also in everyday life, and offers insights into how we can all become more accepting and supportive of those who are neurodiverse. Don’t miss out on this episode that inspires us to celebrate everyone’s differences!
Timestamps
[00:00:02] Neurodiversity and Inclusion in Work and Life [00:03:52] Personal Earth Day Celebration and Neurodiversity Awareness [00:07:04] Autism Awareness and Neurodiversity [00:10:44] Improving Workplace Inclusion through Breaking Down Masking
Episode Links
https://www.kmccordspeaking.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mccord-093bb343/
Best Quotes
Katherine lives by the motto that different is not a deficit
[00:00:58] Different is not a deficit. Those teams were 33 percent more productive than their counterpart teams
[00:08:43] Autism is not inherently a disability. In fact, it can be something of a superpower
[00:07:53] Just because you’re different does not mean that you’re less than, and there are actually a lot of positive aspects that come with neurodiversity
Other Materials
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All Quotes
[00:09:26] It’s just a matter of learning to balance[00:07:30] Those teams were 33 percent more productive than their counterpart teams
[00:00:58] Different is not a deficit
[00:05:39] Well, another thing we’re really in this month and we, our family has really become aware many, many years ago because I have 1 of my favorite family members is on the autism spectrum, is autistic, and that sent me years ago on a journey of understanding more about what it’s like to be a human being on the autism spectrum, and it’s not only helped me be a better human being to just understand and accept and embrace this, but also it’s allowed me into the lives of many people who are neurodiverse
[Unknown] Catherine lives by the motto that different is not a deficit
[00:01:31] She’s gonna talk about her own experience and how we can support people with bipolar
[00:01:41] She’s gonna talk about all the parts of him that she loves and why often we have these biases and stereotypes and boxes that we put people in that aren’t always helpful
[Unknown] One of the most detrimental things that I’ve found over the years that people can require is masking
[00:08:43] Autism is not inherently a disability. In fact, it can be something of a superpower
[00:02:11] Here at the year over the difference podcast, we are all about understanding our differences, becoming aware of them, accepting them, and also knowing how to live together in ways that help each other flourish in this world
[00:09:59] I personally try really hard to be inclusive, but I think part of that process means sitting and deeply listening to people who have all these differences
[00:03:44] I always go over to the beach. I do live in South Florida. I go over to the beach and I just sit, and it’s very early in the morning. I like to watch the sun come up. I usually see some shooting stars when I do this, and I just sit and breathe and then I take my dog over to 1 of the nature preserves and we just hang out with the trees and the plants and listen to all the sounds and have a grand old time together. That’s how I celebrate
[00:05:10] My 1 who’s not college was I think 3 or 4 when we started a tradition of planning a tree on earth day, and then when we moved to Singapore, you weren’t allowed to do that, which we thought was strange, but because they they they’re the garden city, and they plant all their own they they do a great job on their own, and it’s kinda like, we don’t want you just planning anywhere
[00:07:53] Just because you’re different does not mean that you’re less than, and there are actually a lot of positive aspects that come with neurodiversity
[00:04:40] It’s tough, and, you know, it’s it’s although it’s normal and part of life, it’s still really, really hard. Deal with that kind of grief, and she was a part of our family, and that unconditional love that dogs can bring you when you walk through all of life’s traumas, we were with her way more during co than we had been before with kids in online school for a year and a half
Katherine McCord: These things are ways that people make themselves more comfortable and it actually helps them focus and become more productive, including not looking at you
Here are three tips from McCord’s conversation with Adams-Brown:
1. Define neurodiversity – According to McCord, neurodiversity refers to the different ways that people’s brains work. This means that differences in the way people think and process information should be embraced rather than labeled as deficits.
2. Practice inclusion – Inclusion is key to creating a workplace and society that values neurodiversity. By creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we can foster creativity and innovation.
3. Support those with bipolar disorder – McCord shared how important it is for those living with bipolar disorder to have a support system. This can include therapy, medication, and understanding from loved ones. By supporting those living with bipolar disorder, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions.
McCord’s message is a reminder that differences should be celebrated and that inclusivity is crucial. If you want to learn more about neurodiversity and McCord’s journey, listen to the full episode of The World of Difference podcast.
Quote: “Different is not a deficit.” – Katherine McCord
Article 2: Autism Acceptance and Understanding Others
Lori Adams-Brown’s A World of Difference podcast recently featured Katherine McCord, an HR tech expert and advocate for neurodiversity. The conversation centered around autism awareness and acceptance month, and the importance of understanding and accepting those who are different.
Here are three tips from McCord’s conversation with Adams-Brown:
1. Embrace autism acceptance – Autism acceptance is a preferred term over autism awareness because it focuses on accepting and understanding those who are on the autism spectrum rather than simply being aware of their existence.
2. Avoid stereotypes and biases – McCord shared how we often put people in boxes with labels that aren’t helpful. By avoiding stereotypes and biases, we can better understand and appreciate those who are different from us.
3. Understand the positive aspects of neurodiversity – Neurodiversity can contribute to creativity and innovation. By embracing the positive aspects of neurodiversity, we can create a more inclusive and productive society.
McCord’s message is a reminder that understanding and accepting those who are different from us is key to creating a more connected and compassionate world. If you want to learn more about autism acceptance and McCord’s personal experiences, listen to the full episode of The World of Difference podcast.
Quote: “We have these biases and stereotypes and boxes that we put people in that aren’t always helpful.” – Katherine McCord
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