The Neurodiversity Connection with Joy Young and Tim Yoder (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 900)
Authors Joy Young and Tim Yoder joined host John Ray on North Fulton Business Radio to discuss their new book, The Neurodiversity Connection: An Educator’s Guide to Understanding Differing Neurotypes to Support Student Success. Joy and Tim explained how neurodiversity goes beyond labels like autism or ADHD and encompasses the variation in the way all of us experience and interact with the world. They shared practical strategies for teachers, parents, and leaders on building relationships, rethinking classroom management, and taking a second look at behaviors. Their work emphasizes connection, communication, and creating supportive environments that benefit both neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- Joy Young and Tim Yoder co-authored The Neurodiversity Connection, aimed at equipping educators with practical tools for working with all students.
- Neurodiversity includes everyone, not just those with diagnoses like autism, ADHD, or dyslexia.
- Building strong relationships is more powerful than strict rules in fostering student success.
- First impressions of student behaviors are often misleading; educators should take a second look before making assumptions.
- Parents can use the book to better understand their children and partner with teachers by sharing highlighted strategies.
- The authors provide hands-on checklists, resources, and real-world classroom stories to help educators integrate these ideas immediately.
- Joy Young and Tim Yoder offer further resources at globalneurodiversity.com
Topics Discussed in This Episode
00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
01:48 Meet the Authors: Joy Young and Tim Yoder
02:47 The Need for The Neurodiversity Connection
03:48 Defining Neurodiversity
05:17 Backgrounds of the Authors
10:49 Classroom Management and Relationships
15:45 Integrating Neurodiverse and Neurotypical Students
18:57 The Art and Science of Teaching
19:10 Introducing the Authors and Their Book
19:30 Practical Advice for Parents
19:57 The Power of Encouraging Words
20:57 Personal Stories of Impact
22:15 Understanding Neurodiversity in Education
26:01 Rethinking First Impressions
28:41 Creating a Sensory-Friendly Classroom
29:37 Effective Communication Strategies
30:45 Connecting with the Authors
33:40 Closing Remarks and Announcements
Supporting students becomes a compelling journey set in motion by asking, “What am I missing?”
Years ago, as rookie teachers in a rural Oklahoma school, Joy Young and Tim Yoder formed a lasting friendship. Blending heartfelt storytelling with thoughtful research, they invite you to rethink traditional teaching practices and embrace curiosity as a catalyst for cultivating inclusive, engaging education that celebrates every learner.
In this guide you’ll discover:
- Insightful understandings of differing neurotypes
- Relatable personal anecdotes
- Steps for creating sensory supportive environments
- Candid student comments
- Creative approaches to strengthening strengths
- Strategies and activities that ignite hope and inspire growth
Whether you are a new teacher, a school leader, a seasoned professional, or a devoted parent, The Neurodiversity Connection empowers you to create environments where every learner feels seen, supported, and celebrated.
Joy Young
As both a teacher and a school administrator, Joy’s journey includes educating students in public school and private school as well as homeschooling. Having taught regular ed, special ed, gifted ed, and English Language Learners, Joy enjoys working with and learning from learners of all ages.
Schools and organizations around the globe in Australia, Czechia, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Mexico, Romania, Thailand, and the United States have been influential in shaping Joy’s understanding of neurodiversity. Serving alongside talented educators in each of these countries, Joy celebrates the creativity, wonder, and innovation that thinking differently brings.
As a coach in the Neurodiversity Centers of Excellence at EY, one of the Big Four professional service firms, Joy was instrumental in promoting neurodiversity education. In 2023 Joy was named one of the Top 50 Global Neurodiversity Evangelists by ND by Design.
An expert at ordering takeout dinners, Joy enjoys time with her family, including doggy daughter, Angel. Joy says that doing life with her neurodistinct husband of over 40 years, her autistic son, and her ADHD daughter provides insight and understanding into living with neurological differences that are hidden from view.
Tim Yoder
Tim knew he was going to be a teacher ever since he had a life-changing teacher in the fifth grade. His first 12 years of teaching were in a small public school outside Tulsa, OK, where he also drove a school bus every morning and afternoon.
He taught fifth grade and middle school math and science in Gwinnett County, Georgia, for the remaining years of his teaching career. During seven of those years, he was also an adjunct professor at Brenau University, where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses. Over the years, he gained a deeper understanding of how to teach neurodivergent students.
Tim earned National Board Certification in the area of Middle School Science. He has presented at various conferences, including the National Science Teachers Association national convention. He was also voted teacher of the year at three schools where he taught.
Although he is officially retired after a 43-year career in the classroom, Tim does not plan to spend the rest of his life on the sidelines. His current educational activities include mentoring teachers, presenting science demonstrations and lessons at schools and camps, participating in several tutoring programs, and creating teaching resources.
Tim is living the dream with his wife, Sherri, in Lawrenceville, GA. They have three adult children.
Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio
Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.
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Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio
If you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.
Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.
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About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray
With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!
The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.
John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.
