TPP 409: Dr. Matt Zakreski on Cracking the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World

My guest for today’s show is likely no stranger to you. He’s been on the podcast before, we’ve co-hosted special live events focused on the mental health crisis among neurodivergent kids, and he’s a key figure in the differently wired revolution. Through his speaking engagements, work as a therapist for kids and adults, and his own lived experience as a neurodivergent individual, he’s a powerful advocate for understanding and supporting neurodivergent students.

Yes, I’m talking about Dr. Matt Zakreski. Today, I’m thrilled to have him back to dive into his brand-new book, Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World. Full disclosure: I wrote the foreword for this book, and I was honored to do so because it’s such a valuable resource for so many people. In the foreword, and what I’ll share with you now, is that Matt’s book encourages readers to embrace the full neurodivergent experience, offering deep understanding, validation, and a wealth of practical ideas to help “crack the code” and design a life on their own terms. Neurodiversity Playbook feels like a warm “welcome to the Club” for neurodivergent individuals and those who love and support them.

In this conversation, while we couldn’t cover everything in the book, we touched on some of the big concepts, including why grounding discussions in neuroscience is key to understanding neurodivergence, how to navigate tricky everyday situations like making small talk, and how awareness of neurodiversity has evolved over the years. We also explored code-switching as an empowering tool and how to do it with intention and choice.

 

About Dr. Matt Zakresk

Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken hundreds of times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective and the author of the The Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World.

 

Things you'll learn from this episode

• How Dr. Matt's personal journey informs his professional work and shapes his approach to neurodiversity.
• How neurodiversity awareness has significantly evolved over the years and there is significant progress in understanding.
• How grounding discussions in neuroscience is crucial for understanding neurodivergence.
• How the Neurodiversity Playbook aims to be a practical guide to help neurodivergent humans navigate a neurotypical world.
• How code-switching can be a useful tool for neurodivergent individuals and enhance their ability to adapt.
• Why compromise is essential for fostering understanding and bridging communication gaps between neurodivergent and neurotypical people.

 

Resources mentioned

• Dr. Matt Zakreski’s website
• The Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World by Dr. Matt Zakreski
• The Neurodiversity Collective
• Dr. Matt Zakreski on Facebook
• Suicide and Suicidal Ideation in Neurodivergent Teens & Children, with Dr. Matt Zakreski (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
• Dr. Matt Zakreski dialogues on Gifted Homeschooler Forum
• Failure is FUN…damental (Matt’s talk about National Talent Centre of the Netherlands)
• Mental Health Check-In Masterclass with Matt Zakreski and Debbie Reber, Part 1
• Mental Health Check-In Masterclass with Matt Zakreski and Debbie Reber, Part 2

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