The importance of teaching neurodivergent kids how to self-advocate with Michelle Steiner
Aug 28, 2023
It's back to school season for those of us in the US!
That's why my guest this week is someone who works alongside our kids in the school system every day!
But first, a story.
A couple years ago, I saw a social media post from this dude who is a therapist and teaches social skills to ADHD boys. It said something like: Why would you trust a middle-aged woman to teach your teenage boy with ADHD social skills??
Now I know this post had nothing to do with me (I mean, I'm not even middle-aged!) but I actually found it humorous.
Here's this dude who is neurotypical, thinking he's in a better position to teach social skills to neurodivergent kids and teens than someone who has LIVED EXPERIENCE!
How many situations do you find yourself in where you think the best person to learn something (anything!) from is someone who has NO personal experience in that area?
A realtor who has never bought or sold their own house?
Someone who teaches people to make money with a side hustle, but has never had a side hustle?
Someone who teaches piano lessons, but doesn't know how to play the piano??
Alright, you get the idea.
I'm just a girl who has ADHD standing in front of you wanting to help your child.
Is that how that quote goes??
My guest on the podcast this week is Michelle Steiner, a disability advocate, speaker, and a paraprofessional in a middle school who has a learning disability. In other words, she's another person out in the world teaching our kids because she gets it. She has been there, done that.
Here's a clip from the episode:
A lot of times, we'll have parents that are advocating for their child, and that's definitely very important for a parent's voice. My parents didn't give up on me and they advocated for me until I could advocate for myself. But I think we really need to have kids beginning starting to advocate for themselves at an early age. A lot of these a lot of the students I work with, their disability is going to continue well on after adulthood, it's going to go with them for the rest of their lives. And I think the earlier we start getting them to be able to speak up for themselves, the more we're going to serve them, and better prepare them for their future.
Listen to the podcast episode.
PS. Did you know I also teach people how to start a social club in their community? Because, you know, I have 7 years of experience doing that! If this sounds like something you are interested in learning more about, you can join the waiting list here: https://www.starfishsocialclub.org/start-your-own-club-waitlist
I'm glad you are here!
You can find Michelle at www.michellesmission.net
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