Neurodivergence Brain Surgery Jacki Edry

EPISODE 102
Insights into Neurodivergence Following Brain Surgery:
A Discussion with Jacki Edry, Autism Advocate, Parent and Survivor

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Show Notes

Jacki Edry’s personal journey as a brain surgery survivor and parent of autistic and neurodivergent children provides unique insight into the neurodivergent experience. Additionally, her courage and persistence during her ongoing process of recovery, and her desire to help others based on her experience is an incredible story from which we all can learn. Jacki shares her journey with Barry and Dave, and all she has learned that may be of benefit to neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Learn more about her life and work in Jacki’s website

Book: “Moving Forward: Reflections on Autism, Neurodiversity, Brain Surgery, and Faith”

Featuring

Jacki Edry

JACKI EDRY

Jacki Edry is an author, blogger, speaker, educator and neurodiversity advocate. She is also a parent of neurodivergent kids, her oldest son is autistic and her other children were diagnosed with ADHD, Irlen Syndrome, dyslexia, and auditory and sensory processing disorder. Jacki is also neurodivergent and a survivor of complex brain surgery. She published her first book “Moving Forward: Reflections on Autism, Neurodiversity, Brain Surgery, and Faith” and writes a blog about her journey. She resides in Israel with her family and dogs.

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…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) What does Jacki share about how her brain surgery and recovery changed her life, and provided a greater understanding of how many neurodivergent individuals experience life?

2) Specifically, Jacki has experienced significant differences in sensory processing following the surgery. What does she describe that is consistent with the reports of autistic and other neurodivergent people? Do you know anyone, or have you personally experienced similar sensory challenges?

3) Jacki has a very optimistic outlook, that she calls a “growth mindset”.  Why does she feel this way, specific to issues of neuroplasticity and the important role of having people in a person’s life that are understanding and supportive?

4) Jacki also says that being neurodivergent brings gifts as well as challenges, and that one must learn to harness the differences in neurological processing to realize the gifts. Do you or anyone you know have had similar experiences? If so, explain.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.