Diagnosed Late, Advocating Loud: Becky Bishop on Systemic Change in Education

In this episode of the Neurodiversity Voices Podcast, host Paul Cruz and co-host Tayaba Khan engage with Becky Bishop, an advocate for inclusive education and neurodiversity. They explore Becky's journey from studying human geography to championing the needs of neurodivergent learners, particularly after her late ADHD diagnosis. The conversation delves into the importance of community support, success stories from the LDS organization, and the systemic barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals. They also discuss the unique challenges women with ADHD encounter, misconceptions about neurodiversity, and the intersection of neurodiversity with mental health. The episode concludes with a call to action for greater inclusivity and understanding in educational and professional settings.
 
Takeaways

Becky Bishop's journey illustrates how advocacy can create meaningful change for neurodivergent individuals. ​
Receiving a late diagnosis can provide validation, clarity, and self-compassion, but may also bring grief for missed opportunities. ​
A strong sense of community is crucial for neurodivergent individuals, offering affirmation and reducing feelings of isolation. ​
Personalized educational approaches often lead to significant breakthroughs for neurodivergent learners. ​
Access to education is an equity issue, and systemic barriers must be addressed to ensure inclusivity. ​
These skills should be explicitly taught from early childhood to support neurodivergent learners in their educational and professional journeys. ​
Women face unique challenges, including underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis, due to societal expectations and gender biases. ​
Neurodiversity should be viewed as a cognitive difference, not a deficit, and individuals should not be expected to fit into neurotypical norms. ​
Neurodivergent individuals are at higher risk for mental health challenges due to societal barriers and stigma. ​
Normalizing differences, offering accommodations, and fostering systemic change is essential to reducing stigma around neurodiversity and mental health. ​

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity Voices Podcast
01:11 Becky's Journey: From Geography to Advocacy
05:01 The Impact of Late ADHD Diagnosis
07:56 Community and Support at LDS
09:31 Success Stories in Inclusive Education
12:12 Collaborations for Inclusive Education
12:50 Future Goals for LDS
14:05 Addressing Executive Functioning in Education
16:04 Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Individuals
18:16 ADHD in Women: Underdiagnosis and Misdiagnosis
20:51 Misconceptions About Neurodiversity
22:10 Systemic Biases in Education
24:02 Intersection of Neurodiversity and Mental Health
26:56 The Importance of Community and Support
29:28 Conclusion and Call to Action

Becky Bishop
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-bishop-31858a283/

Learn, Develop, Succeed (LDS)
Website: https://ldsociety.ca/

The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast
Host: Paul Cruz
Co-Host: Tayaba Khan

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The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and