It takes the average Latina, 12 extra months to earn what the average White, non-Hispanic man earns. That is because Latinas are only paid .55 cents to the dollar of […]

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Kids who are misunderstood and marginalized have extraordinary potential waiting to be unleashed. On today’s show, host Ali Muldrow speaks with Dr. Niki Elliott about how to support kids who are neurodivergent, have a learning disability, or are trauma survivors so that they can grow, learn, and be full members of our communities.

They discuss Dr. Elliott’s new book, Heart-Centered Connections: 7 Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive. Too often educators and adults are quick to identify “problem” behaviors in children; especially with children of color, adults discipline behaviors and take actions that route kids into the school-to-prison pipeline. Dr. Elliot says that instead of viewing children as “willfully misbehaving,” adults could be better at seeing kids as trying to communicate their unmet needs or responding to overwhelming sensory experiences.

The book approaches these issues through an intersectional, thoroughly researched, and solutions-oriented lens. That means asking readers to self-assess their biases and neuro-capacity in relation to children. Becoming more aware of your own nervous system is the basis for forming more heart centered connections.

Dr. Elliot describes how parenting her son shaped her research and writing and how the educators she works with have grown after taking her training. The book is relevant for any adult who interacts with children, and Dr. Elliot says that anyone can learn the nervous system profiles of neurodiverse children so that more of them can be fully included in mainstream environments. This work is more important than ever, as the federal government disinvests from special education and is trying to backtrack progress that has been made for people with disabilities.

Dr. Niki Elliott is a clinical professor and director of the Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the University of San Diego. A leading voice in neurodiversity and trauma-informed education, she has trained thousands of teachers, school counselors, and helping professionals worldwide to better support children with learning differences, mental health diagnoses, trauma histories, and behavioral challenges.

Featured image of the cover of Heart-Centered Connections: 7 Essential Skills for Helping Neurodiverse and Marginalized Children Thrive.

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On today’s show, host Bert Zipperer chats with John Nichols, Executive Editor of The Nation magazine, about the upcoming July 4 holiday and their new double issue, “250 Years in Search of a More Perfect Union.”

In his essay on Thomas Paine, Nichols argues the pamphleteer’s insistence that America live up to its revolutionary vows still rings true 250 years later. He calls Paine the most radical politician of his time, the most important Founding Father, and the greatest wordsmith of the era whose writings are prescient in light of the Trump regime’s attacks on voting rights.

As we approach the nation’s 250 anniversary, Nichols says that we have an opportunity to reflect on the anti-colonial instinct at our nation’s founding, how we serve our whole population, care for the environment, and so much more. It’s a crucial time to reflection a recent Supreme Court decision that gives the president more power than ever.

People are disenchanted with the direction of the country, and there’s a good reason: our government isn’t effectively addressing wealth inequality, healthcare, systemic racism, and so much more.. Nichols says that “money buys inaction” and “the biggest success of the wealthy and powerful is making sure the system that empowers them doesn’t change.” He also discusses how the Democratic Party can present a coherent alternative vision of the nation as we approach the Midterm election.

We also celebrate host Allen Ruff, who is shifting to monthly shows in the Fall, and honor the legacy of anti-war activist, Will Williams, who passed away this week.

Featured image of the White House via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).

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