Some books arrive as guides; others arrive as lifelines. In this episode of In Conversation, host Terry Shepherd sits down with author, educator, and keynote speaker Dr. Katie Rose Pryal to discuss her profoundly necessary new book, Your Kid Belongs Here: An Insider's Guide to Parenting Neurodiverse Children. Together, they explore what it means to dismantle rigid social norms, unlearn internalized shame, and build a world where neurodivergent children can truly thrive as their authentic selves.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

🧠 The Myth of "Normal" & Institutional Penalties: Why neurodiversity represents normal variations in human neurological function, and how society systematically penalizes and excludes these differences from public life.
🎭 Masking vs. Social Acting: The deep cognitive toll of subconscious "masking" to survive neurotypical expectations, and how parents can teach "social acting" as a conscious, optional tool free from shame.
🎒 The Canary in the Coal Mine: Why traditional school systems and rigid social rules often fail neurodivergent kids, and how Katie’s family embraced homeschooling to foster independent learners.
🏡 Finding Your "Here": Practical strategies for parents to validate their children's emotional needs, accommodate asynchronous development, and find spaces where their children genuinely belong.

About the Guest:

Dr. Katie Rose Pryal is an AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) writer, keynote speaker, and educator holding both a JD and a PhD. She is one of today's clearest voices writing about mental health and neurodiversity, with a distinguished body of work featured in Psychology Today, Slate, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and NPR. She is the author of Your Kid Belongs Here: An Insider's Guide to Parenting Neurodiverse Children.

About Terry Shepherd:

Terry Shepherd is the host of In Conversation, a premier interview series dedicated to deep, insightful dialogues with authors, creators, and thought leaders shaping our cultural landscape.

Links & Resources:

Buy the Book: [Insert Book Link Here]
Visit the Author's Website: [Insert Author Website Here]
Connect with Terry Shepherd: [Insert Terry Shepherd Link Here]

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